Disneyland Hong Kong

Disneyland Hong Kong

Asia trip 2013 Park #1

2 July 2013

After not having been overseas for a couple of years, an opportunity presented itself when my mum decided she really wanted to travel, but needed a buddy. Mum offered to pay for the accommodation, so how could I say no?? I didn’t really mind where we went, but mum was super keen on Hong Kong for a big shopping trip, so that’s where we went. I think it was on this trip I realised I actually hate shopping, so I went off roller coaster hunting instead (which is pretty much mum’s idea of hell.) This trip was actually not a planned roller coaster trip, but I found three parks to go and play at anyway (they were calling me…)

The humidity, scents, and density of population were a bit of a culture shock, but it was so good to escape the winter of Southern Australia. We had a low level tropical cyclone warning early in the trip, and it was pretty exciting to see the skyline completely change from blue and still, to cyclonic with palm trees bending over within the space of 30 minutes.

Once it cleared, I decided to visit Disneyland. I felt that my first trip to a Disney park in 2011 in the US was a little underwhelming, but was open to the idea of being pleasantly surprised. I realise at this point I must sound like a privileged twat, since I am well aware that there are many people in the world who would give their right arm to be able to go to a Disney park. I feel like my experiences in the US have made me incredibly judgemental when it comes to rides though, and I also know that by continuing to visit parks, I will never own a good car or my own home…

Hong Kong Disneyland had a very similar set up to Disney’s Magic Kingdom in terms of Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Adventureland. Alas there were no animatronic presidents, and instead we had Monsters Inc University. More subtle differences included Sleeping Beauty castle replacing Cinderella Castle, Tarzan replacing the Swiss Family Robinson, the Haunted Mansion was now Mystic Manor, and the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars took the place of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Everything just felt a little bit smaller and slower, although the Big Grizzly Mountain was still a decent coaster. There weren’t as many shows as the US version either, but the Lion King show was excellent.

A great addition to the Hong Kong version was Toy Story Land. The street performers were a lot of fun in this area. I loved the toy soldiers who jumped on to the rides with guests, and played dead any time someone shouted ‘Andy’s coming!’ The RC Racer was surprisingly good for a little half pipe coaster, which rocked back and forth at increasing speed.

Dumbo, the tea cups, it’s a small world, and all other favourites reappeared in Fantasyland. I was also very happy to see Space Mountain again – that indoor coaster never gets old!

Being a single rider, there was no need to worry about booking a fast pass time slot. I got through all the attractions pretty quickly despite the crowds. Costs were still high, rides pretty tame, but there is just something about the magic of the place that resonates with me, and clearly for the thousands of families that were in attendance!