The finale Disneyland HK firework

One of the most memorable thing about Disneyland is that instead of just going through the whole queuing, taking rides and take picture of cartoon characters and then go home when the park is closed, is that they have a sort of finale to the day. See if you go to Disneyland, you absolutely have to stay back for their firework because then you will get the complete Disney experience. I mean I have watched countless videos of this firework in You Tube and blogs but to be there standing in front of the castle and witness it myself doesn't take away even a bit of the awesomeness of the full 10 minutes firework display.

OK, if you have very slow internet connection and do not want to stream the video, here's some pictures taken during the firework. Totally awesome!

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the "Disney in the Star' Firework Show. Enjoy!

Location : Hong Kong

Date of travel : Dec 2010

Adventureland at Disney HK

By the time we have completed the Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, not to mentioned riding the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters for 4 times, its almost evening.

Luckily I insisted that I wanted to watch The Festival of the Lion King show, othewise we probably skip this place entirely. So, we made our way to the Adventureland at about 5.30pm.

After all the fantasy and futuristic theme, I gotta say the jungle and tiki decor in this area provides a very soothing atmostphere.

I guess there is really nothing much in Adventureland unless you're interested in taking river cruise or rafts to visit this Tarzan house. We obviously do not have the time, so we just stroll around before heading to the theater.

Ok, listen and listen very carefully. You CANNOT MISS this show. You absolutely cannot miss this show. I was totally amazed at the kind of musical production they feature in a theme park.

Even my hubby who is not a fan of musical gave this a thumbs up. The acting, the dancing, the props, the stunts are just AMAZING! Although the show is also a full 30-mins showtime, it just feels like nothing. Go to Disneyland even if its just to watch this show. Totally worth it!

OK, I hope I did not violate any copyright stuff but this is a short video of The Festival of the Lion King musical that totally amazed me and everyone else in the theater. Enjoy!

Location : Hong Kong

Next, The finale Disneyland HK firework

Tomorrowland at Disney HK

On normal circumstances, I would think Tomorrowland is not the favourite of the Disneyland park. But if you have a 5 year-old boy with you and his whole purpose is to meet his favourite Buzz Lightyear, then this park becomes extremely important.

So, ladies and gentlemen, this is Tomorrowland, where the whole theme of the park is for boys as the Fantasyland is for girls.

I think this Space Mountain roller coaster is probably the only ride that will raise a little eye brow for adults park goers. A friend told me that she was totally bored with Disneyland in Hong Kong because its so kiddo! Erhhh, darling, the Disneyland is for kids ... duh! So anyway, if you're gonna die of boredom, here a little lift you up ride.

The other quite fun ride is the Autopia. Its basically electric cars that goes around a circuit. Sounds kiddo but its like the most interesting and fun electric car circuit you'll ever experience, even for adults.

I mean look at the car, its so cool!

The Obitron is also kind of really cool. First they assign you to a flying saucer with a certain number. Of course I think the whole purpose is so that the people do not have to run and trample into each other in the attempt to choose a favourite 'flying saucer' the moment the gate is open. But for a 5 year-old boy, its totally amazing to him.

Then you get on your assigned flying saucer and be ready to ...

... circle around the planets! Totally cool! This picture is taken during the ride.

Finally, finally ... the ride that I've to take for 4 TIMES, yes 4 TIMES is none other than the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

OK, to start of with, my son's favourite cartoon character is not Mickey or Goofy or Pooh bear and definitely not any of the princesses. It's this space ranger called Buzz Lightyear.

Secondly, it is really quite a cool ride. I mean other than riding in a sort of train/car that moves around in the dark with space aliens and the sort, you actually are equipped with a laser gun to shoot the alien in the attempt to help Buzz Lightyear defeating the evil Emperor Zurg. And what's more, you will get points by shooting at the target range. OK, so Mommy sucks, but she's too busy taking photos or videos OK.

Couldn't help but took some video since we were in here 4 times.

And of course, what is more excited than for my son to meet Buzz Lightyear personally and have a photo taken with him. So, while my hubby is taking the ride with my son for the 2nd time, I queue up on behalf, so there you go ... he met up with Buzz Lightyear and shouted the tag line ... 'To Infinity and Beyond!"

One thing leads to another. From the ride to the greeting session to buying the toy ... Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas darling!

Location : Hong Kong

Next, Adventureland at Disney HK

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