For the young ones (and once)
(Continued from Victoria Peak visit)
We earmarked the second day for Disneyland. From Tsim Sha Tsui, we took the MTR and transferred to Sunny Bay Station to get in the Disney Train. We went early so we had ample time and privacy to take photos of gold plated Disney characters at the corners inside the train, hip stuff and more.
(Aren’t they cute?)
The ticket rates are expectedly higher that day because it’s a weekend. Be careful in buying tickets from the travel agencies and other sources. We met a group of Filipinos, maybe 15 years my senior, and claimed that theirs costed more than double of ours. Incidentally, what was quoted to them by the travel agent is the annual pass. While they have no plans of visiting Disneyland again for the coming months. Caveat emptor (buyer beware).
(aka Train Station to Disney’s Main Street)
Admittedly I was more excited about the other attractions in Hong Kong than Disneyland. Maybe because I grew up not watching Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, etc. Though I consumed all the media related to these during my post-adolescence. But as we approached the welcome arc and felt the blood rush of the other visitors, I jibed in.
(Mickey’s wonderfully trimmed face in the garden. One of the most photographed spots.)
I can just imagine the excitement of the children and the young once who actually loved the characters just in the right moment. My cousin (who toured with us coming from her Manila flight) who is a year younger than me claimed that this was the highlight of her Hong Kong visit.
Other than bringing a friendly camera, one of the major rules must be to check the map before anything else. There are so many attractions that you need to prioritize which to cover that day. I remember a friend who visited this months after its opening in 2005. She was so disappointed declaring that Enchanted Kingdom is even better. As of December 2008, I would say it has much to offer.
These are the theme park’s attractions which appealed to me, in no particular order:
(a) House of Finest Collection of Curiousities
There’s a number of fancy buildings and stores in Disneyland. But the name of this store got me. Majority of the items inside it are similar to the other souvenir shops around. I got a Mickey Mouse pendant, tee, bags for my consumption and other stuff as pasalubongs. We did the shopping part before visiting the main attractions and put the items for free safekeeping in the admin office.
(b) Festival of the Lion King
I was expecting for a repeat of High School Musical. But instead they had the Festival of Lion King. This is included in my Top 3 attractions.
The musicale was well-executed, special effects especially the fire, are amazing.
(c) Golden Mickeys
You need to allot ample time to queue for this since you get in the theatre on a first come, first serve basis. It’s a musicale of evolution of Disney characters starting with Mickey Mouse until the current ones. I remarked, “Mickey had a nose job. I saw some of the recent illustrations, his nose is not that too pointed now.”
(I took this not from the Golden Mickeys show, but in the window display of one of the souvenir shops). Pinchable nose eh?
It’s a continuous showcase of Disney films like Toy Story, Lilo and Stitch, Pocahontas, Beauty and Beast, etc.
It’s great to see all these lovable characters altogether in the finale.
(d) It’s A Small World
In the south wing towards the mountain view, the small world attraction is housed.
I love, love. It made me feel childlike riding in a boat while being toured inside the ‘world’ of each area having display of nations’ identities. I was LSS-ing (last song syndrome) on the song ‘It’s A Small World’ after that. The song’s lyrics change depending on which country the boat passes by (yes, we heard the Filipino/Tagalog lines ‘O, Kay Liit ng Mundo’). And at the end of the ‘tunnel’ there are placards with different versions of goodbye. It made me smile seeing “Paalam”. Since we liked it much, we went in twice.
(e) Pooh Corner
Of course, Pooh will be eternally cute. But I’m not a huge fan. I don’t know why.
(f) Let It Snow Christmas Parade
We unintentionally did catch the parade twice. Right after the Golden Mickeys show was the second round of parade. The backgrounder was especially merrier for the Christmas season. I enjoyed taking photos being in the good spot, i.e. just few steps from the starting point of the parade.
These are Filipino musikeros, who are stationed near the carousel whenever they’re off the parade. Seeing them reminded me of fiestas in the Philippines.
Each float has a group of dancers and they are my favorite. I wonder if some of them are actually gays. But they are very good, anyway.
Wish I can get a real yum-o.
Toy Story’s float is especially entertaining because…
… of these soldiers. The army dance is great.
Aaaah. I like, like Princess Arielle. Just that I can figuratively see the stockings in her costume.
The jelly fish dancers will make you giddy and giggle.
I guess everybody loves the seven dwarfs, even without Snow White!
I can just imagine the feeling of every little girl wishing to be in her shoes during the parade. I remember the remark from overwhelmed kids, “Yipeeee! She waved at me!”
No, I actually thought she waved at me. Hahaha. Honestly, I’m thinking of these people’s job. Always dolled up, waving, smiling, and other sorts of pleasing. And it must be fulfilling to make someone happy.
Yes, Princess Aurora is indeed the main princess.
I find nothing special about these. They are a staple in Mall of Asia and Panagbenga.
All the time Alice smiled like that.
I call this the gang’s float. The mice, ducks, doggie (Pluto) are here and they’re making the finale.
Chica red shoes no?
(g) The princesses
People lined up (including us) to have their photos taken with Sleeping Beauty and the prince. This kid had an extra time of chatting with the two. They asked her if she actually dressed up like that for the whole day or just for this particular photo. Princess Aurora had an instant daughter.
Lines are up for them, too. They set cut-off time for the shoots. So when you catch them, go for the click immediately. I personally didn’t appreciate much this Snow White. She seems like not very Snow White.
If there’s a box-office queue for the preceding two photos, Princess Belle is very much available. Easily spotted because of the dress. Nice yellow.
(h) Royal Banquet Hall
We had lunch in the Royal Banquet Hall. Inside it are royal couples dancing like them. Nice.
(i) The Castle
The sight of the castle itself made me feel young again. From the moment I’ve stepped in the park’s entrance, I was significantly eyeing its corners. This one was taken near Pooh’s Corner.
This is how it looks like few hours before Princess Aurora Show. I intentionally captured the bulbing system in both sides.
Here’s how it looks like before Princess Aurora Show and while the fireworks display is about to kick off.
(j) Princess Aurora Show and Fireworks Display
The fireworks display begins after Princess Aurora Show. The fiery is synchronized to the backgrounder, which are popular Disney songs like ‘A Whole New World’. The castle’s color also change from blue to red, and so on. I opted to upload these videos I recorded near the finale for better appreciation. A friend who has experienced both, claims that fireworks display here is better than Disneyland Paris.
(k) ‘Surprise’ snowing during the night
Before the closing time, the visitors were surprised when it ‘snowed’. I’m not oriented about the materials used. But the drops felt like icy bubbles which felt good. A lot of camera clicking followed.
Just when I thought I was less excited for Disneyland. I am young once again and rode everyone’s first favorite ride. 
awwwww i which i could visit disneyland too
wow! parang naging bata ako ulit sa post mong ito. someday, kapag naipasyal ko ang aking anak sa pooh corner ang aming tuloy. favorite nya kasi si pooh. hehehe. i love seeing all the pictures. thanks Jo.
blue roses last blog post..shout out and a meme
Wow… This is so beautiful. But I heard that Hongkong’s Disneyland is not the best… But I still want to visit it… How I wish??? When kaya? hehehe… I should bring someone with me…
Buti ka pa Ate JO…
Btw, the pictures are so nice.
^_^
ReDs last blog post..Bonding with Sarah’s Mom
wow lovely pictures! when we went to disneyland paris i enjoyed the parade immensely. I would like to go to disneyland hongkong too, so i can compare. There is a certain feeling when you enter disney, it makes you feel excited and carefree.
kreezs last blog post..Looking forward to the next holidays
Oh and i forgot, when we were there, there was also some artificial snow which was so fitting coz the temperature that time was minus 3 degrees.
kreezs last blog post..Looking forward to the next holidays
ayos pards,tuwa tuwa yung prinsesa ko ng sabihing kong makikita na nya si mickey…xcited narin papunta ng disney hongkong!
ang gaganda ng shot mo ah!
evers last blog post..ToOt! tOoT!
I enjoyed going through all the beautiful and colorful photos of your trip. I haven’t been to Disneyland yet but I would love to take my son there soon. The child in me will surely enjoy going around that festive and magical place.
I like the golden Mickeys. I think it would be a fun job to dress up as one of the seven dwarfs…lol. I almost left college to work for Disneyland. Now that I think about it, I’m glad I didn’t.
kaynis last blog post..Tuxedos And Formalwear
very nice photographs! made me remember our trip there as well
ang saya talaga sa disneyland
happy weekend jo
ibyangs last blog post..Elated. Excited!
nice pics! we also loved it’s a small world. ang galing ano?
super ganda naman ng castle! super daming lights! a few weeks more and we would have caught that. wendy wants to go back this december because of the snow effect…
disney definitely brings out the kids in us!
Oh man! It snowed! Pangarap ko yun! Kahit fake okay na rin. Grabe inggit kame. We are definitey coming back to Disneyland. The best time to go would be December I think (for the snow).
Ricos last blog post..Happiness is
What beautifully captured photos! But I’m afraid that (What I’m afraid of) I’m getting too old to appreciate disneyland even though I’ve never been there pa.
layrayskis last blog post..Morelos Campus
Fantastic photos! I went to Tokyo Disneyland, but realized I should have waited and went to HK Disneyland instead. Wala akong na intindihan dun sa Tokyo eh. “Hinapon” ako nina Mickey.
garandos last blog post..Our Backpack Chronicles: The Taj (part 3)
wow! nice fireworks there.. I also have video here last new years eve,, but I haven’t post it yet .. thanks for sharing those lovely pics
waaaah naalala ko yung HK disneyland trip namin dati! i love love fairytales kaya nung nakita ko yung mga princesses na mga tao sila and di sila mga cartoons, ganto reaction ko oh: woooo! mga tao sila! bilis pa picture tyo!” haha! so every princess ata eh meron ako picture! syempre pati sila mickey mouse na sobrang pinilahan para lang makapag pa picture!
true to their slogan, disneyland is a happy place! ang saya saya talaga! feeling ko nga naging bata ulit ako eh! and eto pa, naiyak pa ko nung fireworks sa snow white castle. kasi dati dream lang na makapunta ng disneyland tapos naging totoo.
maganda yung golden mickeys! a must see show!
have u tried the 3D movie? eh yung sa space mountain? grabe yang space mountain na yan! tinakot ako haha!
sayang wala pang small world nung nagpunta kami.
sana madala ko rin pamangkin ko dito.
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I love that mountain backdrop on Disneyland
Just as pompous as Disneyworld ! Makes you feel like a kid again. hmmm.. that “snow” is very interesting indeed. Wonder how they made it. If it was real snow, it bet they would close down the park hehe
Nice pictures, esp that night pic of the castle !
bws last blog post..Photograph
I have to visit this one of this days when my granddaughter gets a little older. She celebrated her first in DisneyWorld and in May this year, her third birthday will be spent in DisneyLand Anaheim. Spoiled, I know but can you blame us? She’s the first Apo and I consider myself not that old old old. I am still physically fit to do most anything a 30 yr young can do. (lol)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/3204435593_3b5455f2b6_b.jpg
You take beautiful pictures, btw. I enjoy visiting your site.
What happen to my earlier post/comment?
I hope to visit HK Disney with my Apo one of these days. She celebrated her first in Disneyworld Orlando then this coming May, she’ll be celebrating her 3rd birthday in Disneyland Anaheim. Spoiled, I know. But can you blame us. Our first Apo, and a beauty I should say.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/3204435593_3b5455f2b6_b.jpg
Oh, we are not that old old old. I can still do what most guys in their 30s can do.
I enjoy visiting your site.
It’s so awesome. Wala pa nyan when we visited HK. When things get better, I’ll bring my daughter there too. It’s an experience you’ll sure cherish.
BlogusVoxs last blog post..Buhay Buhangin (Sn 18)
I’m sure magiging makulit mga anak ko when they see this post, wala pa naman sa budget, hahaha, as you have said, first things first, so when we already have the time for this, I will surely bring my kids, they will super enjoy this i am sure. One mus-visit place, HK that is!
shengs last blog post..HOT? or Not?
I love the photos… and the video. I’m sure kids of all ages will enjoy. Hope our plans to go there this summer will push through. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week ahead!
sassy moms last blog post..Best MOM Award
Just by looking at the photos make me excited as a kid.
Happy Sunday Jo!
jeannys last blog post..Happiness is…
ha ha ha churi pards! este mars..pala..ganun talaga ako tumawag sa lahat pards! este mars pala.:)
evers last blog post..BuHanginG bAgYo na nAman!
were you there on the 31st? we were there too and we really had sooooooo much fun… and what we loved about that particular trip was the cold weather and the “snow”…:)
It’s my dream to visit this place…. you’re such a lucky person!
i think disney brings the kid out in all of us
dito sa tokyo nakakaloka because everything is in japanese. kamusta sa HK?
caryns last blog post..window shopping
Naku, I kinda wanna steal one of those Mickey rings on staps inside the Disney Train….
i feel like im a child again.. still watching mickey mouse and ready fairy tale books! its so nice to be a child again.. I MISS Those days..
[...] to eat with their eyes first. Since the little girl in us wanted to be one of and/or be with those Disney characters, how about making cupcakes for the princesses? I put a little twist (I love doing that) to this [...]
Yes, you will. M will enjoy it there!
You’re welcome. Pooh’s corner is a favorite of most of the visitors.
I agree it’s not the best. But its fireworks display must be better than the others. Yes, bring your special someone. Meron na ba?
I also enjoyed the parade. It’s good that we incidentally saw it twice. We even joined the last float in the parade, singing with them “Let It Snow”. I also wish to visit Disney Paris someday.
That could have probably been guessed as real snow by some people because it’s more probable there because of the temperature that day.
Heehee. I’m a woman po. Pero oks lang din yung “pards”.
Mag eenjoy ang anak mo sa Disneyland. Yung mga napapanood sa sine/tv na characters, makikita nya face to face. Kelangan macapture lahat ng moments kaya huwag kalimutan magpicture. 
hmmm… syempre meron ate jo… Kaya lang di nya naman ako special someone… hehehe… ako lang may special someone sa kanya…
Gusto ko yang makita… hays… ang ganda pa din…
ReDs last blog post..Bonding with Sarah’s Mom
It’s indeed a magical place in the sense that you will feel childlike the moment you see the Disney train with Mickey Mouse shaped windows.
I am imagining of being dressed up like one of the dwarfs (more than being a princess) or as a jelly fish dancer. Heehee. Wow, you’ve immensely considered Disneyland to have thought of leaving college.
Thanks, Ibyang. Happy Sunday!
The ‘surprised snowing’ cheered a lot of guests especially the kids! I took some photos of them (even of those I don’t know) just to capture the moment. The smiles were priceless!
I think December is the best time because of the festive mood/theme.
You know what, I thought I was never excited for this. But you’ll have the immediate ‘transformation’ once you’re inside. You’ll enjoy it there. It’s good to feel childlike.
Haha. I can imagine your experience in Tokyo. There are certain parts in Golden Mickeys show wherein the ‘host’ would continually speak Mandarin. Glad there’s translation in the screen. Thanks for dropping by. I’m off to see your blog. I initially browsed your Taj photos. Btw, you have a unique email addy.
You’re welcome. It must be good to have spent new year’s eve there. I enjoyed the fireworks display. Thanks for visiting.
As I’m looking at the photos again, I realized that Disneyland has a ‘magic’. Even if I’m not fond of these characters before, I was instantly transformed to like them when I entered the Disney gate. Bea and your whole family will have a great time there.
Try to show them these photos and let me know if you need high resolution copies. There’s no need to hurry. I’m sure there’ll be better attractions in Disneyland in the future.
Disneyland is a happy place. Have fun being there this summer. Thanks for dropping by.
That’s true. I also had that excitement when I saw the characters in flesh. We didn’t catch the 3D movie. I tried one in EK before, that scared me!
I have several photos of It’s A Small World entrance in different angles, but I especially liked that one. The mountain added some effect.
They are good with the lighting and color mix of the castle. It’s lovelier at night.
I’ve retrieved your other (two) comments from the spam folder. That’s strange. Maybe it’s because of the link indicated. I’ve checked the link to Flickr. You’re granddaughter is lovely! Wow, she’s having grand celebrations. She’ll enjoy HK Disneyland also.
Thanks.
Nope. I was there on the 13th. I’m glad you had a great time, too. Especially that that was New Year’s eve. Thanks for dropping by.
Hehe, okay lang. =) Kelan pupunta daughter and wife mo sa Hong Kong? Punta rin sila sa Ocean Park. Maganda rin doon.
I’m glad to have made you feel childlike.
I hope you’ll be able to visit this, too, sooner or later. =) Thanks for dropping by.
Most of the attractions are in English. Merong konti na may halong Mandarin pero may translation agad.
The train is so cute no?