Disneyland. Disneyland in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Disneyland.

Finally, my son and I can say that we were here!

OK, maybe Hong Kong Disneyland needs no introduction at all but I still want to write about the general information.

Hong Kong Disneyland is located on reclaimed land in Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island. Hong Kong Disneyland offers a world-class, unique family entertainment experience inspired by the original Disneyland in California. The park opened to visitors on 12 September 2005 and consists of six themed areas: Main Street U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Grizzly Gulch and Toy Story Land. Since its opening, Hong Kong Disneyland has hosted over 25 million guests and according to AECOM and TEA, Hong Kong Disneyland is the 15th most visited theme park in the world in 2011, with 5.9 million visitors. The park opens from 10.30am to 8.00pm daily.

Now, let’s take a walk with us to the theme parks; chronologically from the hotel where we had our lunch earlier (link to first post). You might want to make a hot chocolate and have some biscuits to dip in coz honey, this gonna be a lengthy post and you ain’t gonna leave anywhere until the end of this post; except for the loo of course.

So…, we took the shuttle bus back to the train station area where the entrance to Disneyland Theme Parks is situated. We were super excited as we approached the green arch with a big Welcome and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort sign.

After entering the arch, we were welcomed by a lush landscape of garden-like promenade where a musical fountain is located. The fountain features Mickey Mouse surfing on a whale spout, surrounded by dancing fountains, all accompanied by a medley of Disney music.

While looking at the fountain, I couldn’t help but ponder about the mechanism and how does Mickey Mouse land safely without falling and breaking to pieces when the fountain stop. After looking closely, I think the flat-headed whale makes a good landing base for Mickey Mouse when the water stops gradually and slowly.

After taking more pictures here for our album, we went inside through a gate to the Main Street Station. At the gate, we had our bags checked before we could enter another gate where our tickets were validated. Some visitors were too excited to enter and overtook others without consideration. But the guard would nicely tell them to queue. Thank you, Mister, we love you!

First area we visited was Main Street U.S.A.

Yassin at the Main Street Station.

According to Disney Imagineer Tom Morris, Main Street U.S.A. at Hong Kong Disneyland is a close reproduction of the Disneyland original as a tribute to Walt Disney’s original park and his approval of the design. Main Street USA features a small American downtown at the turn of the century 1900, just before gas lamps were being replaced by electric lights and the “horseless carriage” was a new invention. Walt Disney’s childhood hometown of Marceline, Missouri served as an inspiration.

We were here just about the right time as Flights of Fantasy Parade started. We were amazed by its grandeur. Mickey’s Magical Airship leads the way later followed by Winnie the Pooh and friends, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and many more. It was so colourful!

Mickey Mouse.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

Chipmunk.

Jessie and female version of Buzz Lightyear.

Yassin was pulled-in to participate and he joined in the fun without hesitation!

After the parade was over, we walked to Toy Story Land. Toy Story Land has larger-than-life toys where we automatically shrunk to the size of a toy! Interesting!

Honey, they shrunk our kid!

Attractions here include Slinky Dog Spin, RC Racer, Toy Soldier Boot Camp, Barrel of Fun, Toy Soldier Parachute Drop and Cubot. Yassin wanted to try out the parachute drop and I had to overcome my fear of height to accompany him. So off we went to join Andy’s troops for a high-flying adventure. Weeeeee!

We also tried Slinky Dog Spin. This was not as scary as parachute drop. Hehe!

Next, we walked to Fantasyland and watched Golden Mickeys show. This spectacular musical extravaganza is honouring favourite Disney films featuring its main characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Belle, Beast, handsome Tarzan, Woody, Jessie, Quasimodo, Stitch, Mulan and Captain Shang.

 Later we went to Adventureland and took that Jungle River Cruise. Here we experience dangerous waters of a mysterious river filled with thrilling surprises as the captain tells the tales.

Tarzan’s Treehouse.

Oops, sorry. These are the only good photos from my camera. Other pictures were very blurry and most of the time I didn’t really take photos because I was cautiously preparing myself to back away if anything rises from under the water. Haha, scaredy cat. Where’s my Tarzan when I needed him most?

Later after that we went to Grizzly Gulch.

Grizzly Gulch is a new addition to Hong Kong Disneyland last July 2012. This land reminisces an abandoned mining town called “Grizzly Gulch”, set amidst mountains and woods. The centrepiece structure is Big Grizzly Mountain, inspired by Grizzly Peak in Disney California Adventure Park. The town was set to be founded 8 August 1888 — the luckiest day of the luckiest month of the luckiest year — by prospectors looking to discover gold.

Fierce enough?

We had a tiring day and it was time to have dinner at Plaza Inn. Inspired by the movie “Mulan”, this restaurant serves Cantonese-style dim sum, signature shrimps, spring rolls, BBQ and other delicious meals. As for us we ordered fish, tofu, vegetables and vegetable fried rice.

And to wrap the night, we watched the firework show at Sleeping Beauty Castle! It was splendid and we could never imagine that one day we will be able to see it for real. We went back to the hotel with a big smile.

 Next; Exciting greet-and-meet with Disney characters and a little bit more on Hong Kong Disneyland.

“Mother, do you think Disneyland would look like this?” asked my son, Yassin, one day while taking a view of Kuala Lumpur city one night back in 2009. “Disneyland has Sleeping Beauty castle with fireworks, dear,” I replied.

He was dreaming of visiting the magical kingdom of Disneyland and the only thing I could say was that I’ll bring him to Disneyland one fine day when I have saved enough money to take him.

Only after 4 years the dream came true; we visited Hong Kong Disneyland last month (14 – 16 March 2013). He was overwhelmed and excited. A week prior to our departure to Hong Kong, he would make a little ‘Yay’ scream few times a day. I can understand his feeling of excitement; it was too hard to hide.

The initial plan was to go together with his dad as family but as my husband could not take leave from work, so it was just the two of us.

The day came and as my husband was not around, I asked my BFF, Helmy, if he could help drive me to the airport at 3am. The flight was at 6.30am. I always like to be early for international departure. I can either have coffee or read books or sketch while waiting at the gate.

After a flight of about 4 hours, we touched down in Hong Kong International Airport. We took Airport Express train to Tsing Yi (turquoise line), later changed train at Sunny Bay (orange line) and then took another train to Disneyland (pink line). Alternatively, there’s other transportation like taxi and bus but we prefer the train. The train here is called MTR and it is regarded as one of the world’s leading railways.

After about half an hour, we reached Disneyland Station. We were very excited!!

 Later we took a shuttle bus provided near the train station and checked in Disney’s Hollywood Hotel.

We love the room!! I talk about this hotel later in other post but here is a picture of the room for you to look at.

Yassin was already screaming hungry, so we went for lunch at Crystal Lotus, situated at Disneyland Hotel (not far from this one) as the reservation has been made earlier. We went there on the shuttle bus provided by the hotel.

Crystal Lotus is grand! And we bumped into a Malaysian family there! In fact we bumped into few others at the hotel earlier; one from Penang and the other from KL.

The restaurant has won the Best of the Best Culinary Awards 2009 – Gold with Distinction Medal from Dim-Sum Category, so we don’t want to miss to experience the chef’s award winning culinary skills. We requested for fish and vegetables and here is all the great-tasting food for you to drool upon. Hehe.

Steamed Vegetables Dumpling, Vegetable Spring Roll and Swan Vegetarian Taro Puff.

Yassin eating vegetable spring roll.

Clockwise from top: Pumpkin Soup, Sautéed Grouper Fillet with Asparagus, Braised Mock Abalone with Bean Curd and Fried Rice with Preserved Vegetables.

We had a great Mickey Mango Pudding and Duffy Steamed Red Bean Bun as dessert.

Last but not least, Jasmine tea to wrap our lunch.

The lunch was great! We were all fuelled up and ready to rumble. Next, Disneyland Theme Parks.