travel

Rain does not spoil magic

Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Wednesday, May 3, 2006

I liked Disneyland - but then again I like aerobatic flying and bungee jumping. The BOSS and I visited Tokyo Disneyland when she was 5 and although Hong Kong is only a quarter the size, I think it is actually better. It's more compact and your feet don't get quite so sore walking between the attractions. We couldn't have picked a worse day weather wise - it drizzled on and off all day - but this was a blessing as there were no crowds and no waiting in lines. So we got a bit wet - it was hot and steamy and we soon dried off. We started the day with the Space Mountain rollercoaster just to get the adrenalin pumping, and then proceeded on to every ride in the park except for the carousel - a bit TOO babyish for the BOSS. There were two live shows which were very entertaining and the 3D show which was excellent and had us in fits of laughter. The Grand Parade could not match the extravagant scale of Tokyo but at least we had front row view as opposed to 5 deep crowds. The food prices were also surprisingly reasonable: AUD$10 Dim Sum lunch (we paid AUD$22 for a small crepe in Tokyo) and the coffee and cheesecake got a second visit as it was unexpectedly good. The BOSS managed to crash tackle several characters for photo shoots and we tried on every hat in the Emporium. We received a free tin of chocolates with our entry ticket but the strawberry ones were quite foul. We finished the day with a return flight on Space Mountain and left feeling like we had "accomplished" the whole park satisfactorily.
Overall rating 9/10.

I was very impressed with the public transport system in Hong Kong. The trains are so clean and reliable and you just can't get lost. Every train has a light panel over every door to tell you where you are, what direction you are heading and which stations interchange for different lines. We had to get three different trains to Disneyland and it was simple and straightforward - I could not say that for Sydney trains.
Tip #5: The buses don't give you change and the driver doesn't handle the money. He punches in your fare which appears on a display, you pop your coins in and that's it - no change. So don't do as we did: pay for a $4 fare with a $10 coin. And don't stand around like a dill waiting for the machine to give you a ticket - just get on the bus.

Castle at night
Castle at night
Cheshire Cat
Cheshire Cat
Daisy
Daisy
Disney at night
Disney at night
Eeyore
Eeyore
Goofy
Goofy
Goofy2
Goofy2
I'll wear anything to cover the horrible haircut
I'll wear anything to cover the horrible haircut
Inside Space Mountain
Inside Space Mountain
Main Street
Main Street
Mickey Show
Mickey Show
mickey show2
mickey show2
Mickey Train
Mickey Train
Mickey train 2
Mickey train 2
Piglet
Piglet
Rainy day parade
Rainy day parade
Space Mountain
Space Mountain
Space Mountain2
Space Mountain2
Sweet shop
Sweet shopWe bought all of you lots of lovely sweeties from here.... but unfortunately we were in danger of going over our luggage limit - so we ate them.
Tea cup sign
Tea cup sign
Teacup ride
Teacup ride
teacup ride2
teacup ride2
The Castle
The Castle
Tigger
Tigger
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland
Treat
Treat
Winnie The Pooh ride
Winnie The Pooh ride
Yummy cheesecake
Yummy cheesecake
Previous Entry Next Entry