"Return to innocence"

Sun.Star Davao

April 21, 2007

I could still vividly remember my first visit to Disneyland when I was 10 years old.

Back in 1984, one’s trip to Japan would not be complete if you did not go to Tokyo Disneyland.

It was the closest you could get to the “happiest place on earth” in Asia.

Through the years, I never outgrew my fascination with this top tourist spot. I would make sure to include Disney theme parks in my trips’ itinerary whenever there was a chance.

So far, I have been to Disneyland (California); Euro Disneyland (now Disneyland Paris); Disney-MGM Studios and EPCOT (Orlando, Florida).

In 1999, I was fortunate to have been able to re-visit Tokyo Disneyland when I was a delegate of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Filipino Youth Invitational Program.

Return to innocence

For me, Disneyland is a childhood mecca—it brings us to a wonderful time and place where everything is magical. Adults look forward to reliving their innocent and carefree days in this must-see destination as well.

So, imagine how excited I was when it was time to bring my very own child to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disneyland---here we go!

Getting there

My husband Gary, brother Jason, sister-in-law Patricia, cousins Susan, Daniel, Fred and Sarah together with our children, Anicka, Zoe, Cheska, Shaun and Steff have been planning our Hong Kong trip for months.

In fact, I purchased our Cebu Pacific e-tickets last October 2006. Because I booked way in advance, I was able to get a good price on the fare even if we went to H.K. during a peak season -- Holy Week. (I will be discussing more cost-saving tips about our H.K. trip in my next issue).

To maximize our time in H.K. Disneyland, we went there on our own by riding the Mass Transit Railway (MTR). The MTR is the fast, modern and efficient underground railway system used by locals and visitors alike.

The Disneyland train is so whimsical that it can be considered as an attraction in itself-- Mickey Mouse-shaped windows as well as various Disney memorabilia were displayed inside. The Disneyland Resort Line is the very first dedicated train line from a Disney theme park anywhere in the world.

Tickets

Our Disneyland tickets were purchased online. All we had to do was swipe the credit card we used for our reservation in the AutoMagic Ticket Dispensing Machine located at the Park’s main entrance. This was an efficient way to avoid the long queues.

Prices of tickets are as follows: (regular days) adults HK$295, children (aged 3-11) HK$210 and senior (65 and above) HK$170; (peak/special days) adults HK$350, children HK$250 and senior HK$200. All attractions and theater shows are included in the ticket price.

Attractions

H.K. Disneyland has four themed lands: Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland and Main Street, U.S.A.

Adventureland’s attractions include Festival of the Lion King, Tarzan’s Treehouse, Jungle River Cruise and Liki Tikis.

On the other hand, Main Street, U.S.A. features the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad, Main Street Vehicles, and Disneyland Story.

Fantasyland has a myriad of highlights: Sleeping Beauty Castle, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Cinderella Carousel, Fantasyland Train Station, Fantasy Gardens, Mad Hatter Tea Cups, “The Golden Mickeys”, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Snow White Grotto.

Want to have a glimpse of the future? Then, go to Tomorrowland with its jaw-dropping attractions like Space Mountain, Stitch Encounter, Orbitron, UFO Zone, Autopia and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

Must-see

For the shows, I personally recommend Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a magical 3-D adventure; “The Golden Mickeys”, a musical celebration of Disney’s best-loved films, songs and characters such as Mulan, Toy Story, Tarzan, Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid; as well as “The Festival of the Lion King”, a dance and musical extravaganza inspired by the Disney classic “Lion King”. Queue up for the shows at least 30 minutes before they start to get better seats.

Do not miss the all-star cast “Disney on Parade” which is scheduled at 1:00 and 3:30 p.m., respectively.

Likewise, watch the spectacular “Disney in the Stars” fireworks display at 8:00 p.m., before the Park closes.

Must-go

In addition, I’m sure your kids will love The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mad Hatter Tea Cups and Jungle Cruise.

Must-do

The first thing you must do upon entering the Park is to get a guide map so you can effectively plan your family’s activities. Also, pick up a Times Guide for show and attraction times.

Prepare an autograph book for “meet and greet” opportunities with Disney characters. To make it more personal, I let my daughter choose and decorate her autograph book when were still preparing for the trip. Autograph books are also available at Disneyland’s gift shops although they may be a bit pricey.

If you hate waiting forever to get into a ride, use Disney’s FASTPASS.

There are three easy steps: Step 1-Each member of your party inserts his or her Park ticket into the FASTPASS Distribution Machine;

Step 2-You will receive a FASTPASS ticket with a return time so you can go play in the Park instead of waiting in line; and

Step 3-Come back during your return time and hop on the attraction through the FASTPASS Return entrance with little or no waiting. However, only a few attractions offer the FASTPASS.

Family-friendly facilities and schemes

The Park has a Baby Care Center with formula, warming bottles, diaper-changing facilities, feeding rooms and a limited selection of baby food. Stroller rental is also available.
Moreover, guests with small children may take turns experiencing attractions through the Parent/Guardian Switch which may be arranged by a Cast Member at the attraction.

Good eats

There are a variety of restaurants and dishes to choose from—barbeque, curries, dim sum, Japanese sushi, ramen, tempura, burgers, fried chicken, salads and desserts.
An average meal would cost like this: double cheeseburger meal with fries, HK$35; 3-piece chicken basket with fries, HK$40; orange juice, HK$22; softdrinks, HK$20; and ice cream, HK$15.

Fantastic shopping

A plethora of Disneyland gifts and souvenirs can be bought at the Emporium and in the other shops all over the Park--- hats, shirts, figurines, mugs, key-chains, jewelry, photo frames, candies, cookies, pens, stuffed toys, umbrellas, etc.

Disneyland Hotel’s Enchanted Garden

If there is a special occasion like a child’s birthday during your trip to H.K. Disneyland, it would be a brilliant idea to have him or her celebrate at Disneyland Hotel’s Enchanted Garden.
We were treated by our cousins, Fred and Sarah, to a “character buffet” dinner at the Enchanted Garden when their children Shaun and Steff celebrated their respective birthdays there.

All throughout the night, Mickey Mouse, Pluto and Goofy went around each guest’s table and did unlimited autograph signing and picture-taking sessions. Mickey and Goofy were even there during the singing of the birthday song and candle-blowing on two separate times.

The buffet spread was simply divine. Peking duck, roast lamb, dim sum, tempura, beef teppanyaki, smoked salmon, sushi, Alaskan crab and the list goes on….Dessert was oh-so-tempting…I couldn’t resist going back there for seconds and thirds of their sinfully delicious sweets (TIP: You may reserve in advance by logging on to http://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/.)

After dinner, we toured the Disneyland Hotel and were amazed at its grand Victorian-style decorations. Gigantic chandeliers majestically hung from its high ceilings.

Cinderella time

Like Cinderella, we had to be home by 12:00 midnight because of the train schedule from Disneyland Resort Station to Sunny Bay Station.

Although everybody was tired and stuffed to the max, we were able to reach our hotel still in high spirits. While I was taking my bath, my daughter Anicka was enthusiastically discussing her memorable adventures with her dad.

A few moments after, as I went back to the room, what I saw was a picture-perfect moment…Anicka was sleeping soundly with the Disneyland guide map in her hand.

Indeed, sweet dreams are made of these…