Fantasyland at Disney HK

OK, lets' continue my Disney adventure with the Fantasyland. Since its called fantasy, I supposed nothing of it is for real ... so, do not believe that you will meet your prince charming and live happily ever after OK!

Anyway, the main feature in the Fantasyland is of course the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Obviously this castle does not only represents the Sleeping Beauty story but the castle also represents Disneyland as a whole.

This castle is the logo for all Disney movies and cartoons and this castle will be the main backdrop for the Disneyland fireworks finale before the park closes. This is a preview of how the castle look at night. Just simply dreamlike. I will dedicate a whole entry for the firework because it is just totally too awesome.

In the Fantasyland, they have all the kiddo rides. Like for example this Mad Hatter Tea Cups. They also have the Dumbo elephant rides and Cinderella carousel but we skip that one. What is more interesting is two of the shows.

First, the Mickey's PhilharMagic. Its a 3D show in a cinema-like setting.

Since it's 3D show, you gotta put on the ugly spectacle like this. Its much better than the 3D show you get to experience in Universal Studio. I would rate it as 'Must Watch!'.

Next they have The Golden Mickeys Musical. Well, overall I think the musical is a bit too long and then the theatre is rather huge. So be prepared to start queing way before the show starts. There go your 1 hour.

The Golden Mickeys, Hong Kong Disneyland, Dec 2010

Actual duration : 30mins

Now what really sent me into a 'fantasy' mood is the 'Its a small world'.

OMG, I thought I have been transported into a world of dolls. It's so pretty and beautiful and happy.

So, what is this all about. OK, it may sounds a bit childish but its not. You climb into a boat and be prepared to sail in the most colourful and happiest cruise around the world ever. I know it sound like 'OMG so boring' but it's not. It's just such a happy happy ride.

Is it the most colourful and dreamlike place or what?

They also have another ride that is similar to "It's a small world", which is "The many adventures of Winnie the Pooh". I was a bit tired by the time I managed to catch this ride, so no pictures. But unless you have a kid that is 5 years and below, don't bother.

Location : Hong Kong

Next, Tomorrowland at Disney HK

The happiest place on earth

Obviously anyone would have guessed the place I'm about to blog solely from the title right? Yeah, I must be the most predictable blogger. I'm no mystery thriller writer, merely noting my travelling and indeed the first thing that came into my mind for the title is 'happiest place on earth'. OK OK, I'll say it ... its Disneyland.

There are a total of 5 Disneyland parks at this moment; 2 in the United States, 1 in Paris, 1 in Tokyo and 1 in Hong Kong. OK, confession time again. I told everyone that I'm fulfilling my son's dream to come here but really it is to fulfilled mine. You see, when I was a kid, we Asians mostly can only experience Disneyland from the TV screen. We see Mickey shaking hands, dancing and parading with the kids and secretly wish we are the one to do that. Now that they have built 2 Disneylands in Asia, the younger generation Asian kids are much luckier. Its no longer a dream, it's mostly "I want to go there." So before I lie in my dead bed wondering how come I never did go to Disneyland, I make that dream come true.

So, Disneyland here I come! We choose to travel in December as we thought the Christmas decoration would add more colours and festive to the park. Plus of course, my son's birthday is in December and we told him it's his birthday present.

So, here are the 3 things you need to have before getting in Disneyland.

1. The Guide Map - So you know what you get to see and ride and where it is;

2. The Time Guide - So you plan your time wisely and will not missed out on some of their must see programmes;

3. The Ticket - So you get to go in ... duh.

Although I have been to a lot of theme parks such as Warner's Brothers, Universal Studio or the like, somehow Disneyland still manages to put me in the such an excitement and happy mood. Even before we arrived at the park, we are already experiencing the power of the mouse. This is the handle in the fast train to Disneyland. Cute!

We will both meet Mickey for the first time

This is it! The entrance to Disneyland Hong Kong. Hi Mickey, Hi Mickey!

This is the main train station where you can catch a train that goes round the park. See Mickey's face on the lawn?  So cute.

OK, some of the stuff you get to see at the main street. This is  a bakery.

Do you know that Disney launch a new bear called Duffy? This is the house of Duffy although I'm too tired to queue for a picture with the bear. Will explain later.

Me and my son, two very happy people goofing around the main street. "We're in Disneyland!"

True to our expectation, because it is Christmas, Disneyland build an extra structure named "Gingerbread Village'. This you will not get to see again cause they will tear it down and build something new next year. Looks yummy!

Is this Daisy's house?

And of course, during Christmas, they have the 'Let it snow Christmas Parade'. People are already sitting by the sidewalk waiting for the parade that will not even start for another half an hour.

Let it snow Christmas Parade, Disneyland Hong Kong, Dec 2010

OK about the queuing part. Frankly in comparison to a lot of other theme parks, I think queue to take rides in Disneyland Hong Kong is considered to be very fast. Average queue for a ride is about 10 - 15 mins. Unbelievable right? So where did all the people gone to? They have all gone to queue to take pictures with the characters! In the Times Guide, they actually list down where and when you get to meet and greet with Mickey and the gang or the princesses. So people all start queuing way before the character comes out. This is really not so fun. I would like to suddenly stumble upon Mickey or Goofy or Snow White while walking around Disneyland, don't you think that is more dreamlike?

And of course for Mickey and Minnie, they are perpetually stationed at a spot whole day just greeting people, shaking their hands, taking pictures. Even that, the queue to take a picture with them is 1 HOUR and apparently I'm lucky. I heard from friends that they have queue for 2 HOURS. OMG! This is me queuing while my hubby took a seat and we took turns.

There you go, after queuing for 1 hour, we finally get to shake hands with Mickey and Minnie and take a lousy photo. So much for the dream come true ... And so, we skip all the rest of the character like Goofy or Duffy or any of the princesses.

Well, let's see if you get any hint from this picture of what I'm about to blog for the next 3 weeks.

Location : Hong Kong

Next, Fantasyland at Disney HK

Avenue of Stars

If you read my last blog entry on The Peak, you'll remember I said that there are two places to go in Hong Kong for you to catch a glimpse of the stunning view of Hong Kong island rated as the world's best skyline. Well, the second place to be is at the Avenue of Stars.

Many years ago while I was here, Avenue of Stars has not been created yet. So this place is called TST or Kowloon or even Victoria Harbour. In 2003, HKD40million was spent to create the Avenue of Stars here at what they now called TST Promenade. TST Promenade actually is the most strategic place to view the entire Hong Kong island from the mainland.

Avenue of Stars is created to pay tribute to the Hong Kong film industry which we all know is one of Asia most strong film industry. Films and tv series which are created in Hong Kong are view by Chinese all over the world. So, it is a very big industry and the stars are considered regional stars all over Asia and in fact to all Chinese community around the world.

Let's face it, stars like Jackie Chan, Jet Li or Michelle Yeoh are known all over the world! So, here we get to see their hand prints all over the the promenade.

So I gotta take the most cliche pose. This is Jackie Chan's hand print and boy is his palm huge!

And this guy ... hmmm, OK I think he's not really a HK star but still a Chinese nonetheless. Mr Bruce Lee, the small tiny Chinese guy who can beat 6 feet tall opponents. He's now immortal in Avenue of Stars.

Look at the crowd surrounding the bronze statue! I think besides being a kung fu action star, he's like a chinese hero of all time.

Now, Avenue of Stars actually encourages hopeful artists to perform here so that people can see how talented they are and maybe a recording studio executive might just be around to scout for fresh faces.

Oh yeah, back to the reason why I'm here. It is to view the best skyline in the world. This is one of the view I managed to captured in the afternoon.

Again, I think the better view is at night. So hang around here and wait for the sun to set and you'll get to see this.
Happened to have the famous Chinese yacht passed by. When you see this yacht fronting the buildings, you'll know you're in Hong Kong.



Now, on a nightly basis at 8pm, try to get a spot and wait for the 'Symphony of LIghts' show. About 20 of the most strategically located buildings took part in this light and sound show. OK, its' nothing really great but it does show you the best skyline in the world.

The view of Hong Kong island is very wide so I can't capture everything in one shot. So here is my amateur attempt at combining 3 different photos to show the panoramic view of Hong Kong during the light show from TST. Absolutely breathtaking! Definitely one of the most beautiful city skyline in the world.


Location : Hong Kong

Date of travel : December 2010

The Peak

Obviously you've heard of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. This is the place to go if you want to catch a glimpse of one of the world's most beautiful skyline. Hong Kong actually has the most skyscrapers and high rise buildings in the world. There are two places in Hong Kong that you should go to see exactly what does this means. One of the place is to be in Victoria Peak.

In order to reach The Peak, which is one of the most popular tourist attraction in Hong Kong, you need to ride The Peak Tram and you can catch this at Hong Kong island in Central district. Most tourists that follow tour groups only managed to go to The Peak at day time. I should know better, been here twice and its only during day time. Well, we still get to see the skyscrapers but it is nothing compared to what you get to see at night.

This is the view at The Peak during daytime. It's OK only right? The night view is a totally different story. If you can plan wisely, you should be able to view both the day view as well as the night view.

Anyway I'm pretty sure that 80% of tourist in Hong Kong would like to go to The Peak. So you can imagine the nightmare of catching the tram which is the only way to go up to The Peak. Be prepared to queue for nothing less than 1 hour on any given day. I can't even imagine what the queue is gonna be like during holidays. So, if you wanna catch both the day and night view from the summit, you gotta be at the station latest by 4pm.

Since the last time I'm here, I don't remember seeing this structure. Basically if you see this, you know you're at The Peak.

Since the last time I'm here, I also don't remember seeing this shopping complex. But its here and it's such a good idea because we can hang around here during day time, grab a dinner and then go back to catch the night view.

This is my son, all clad in jacket and gloves because the weather at night is very very chilly with the strong wind blowing at The Peak of 552 metres above sea level.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the night view of Hong Kong at The Peak. OK, maybe my camera and photography skill doesn't do it justice but trust me, it is just simply breathtaking.


Look at the crowd. I'm standing in one of the least favour spot but can still see the night view below!

Just gotta take more pictures of this absolutely stunning view.

We left The Peak at about 9.30pm, there are still people coming up at this hour.




Location : Hong Kong
Next, Avenue of Stars