Disneyland Hong Kong New Years Eve 06-07
I just got home a few days ago from spending a few weeks in Hong Kong. While there, with family, I had a chance to go check out Disneyland Hong Kong. And see what the New Year's Eve celebration was like there.
We got quite a late start - didn't get on the subway towards Disney until around 5:30pm or so.
Had to switch trains a few times. The final train there had Mickey shaped windows and was decked out in Disney decor.
It was a bit of a walk from the train station to the entrance of the park - but in typical Disney fashion there was plenty to look at so it was quite a nice walk.
Upon first entry, it looks a lot like the Magic Kingdom at WDW (my dad said it looked more like the one in California, but I have never been there, so I have no idea). The only real immediate difference was that everything is on a much smaller scale - fewer buildings on Main Street, shorter distance from the front gate to the Castle, etc.
It was freakin CROWDED there. More so than I (or anyone else in my family) had figured it to be.
The first thing we saw was The Festival of the Lion King. Which is nothing like the one at Animal Kingdom. There was small mechanical glitch of some sort, so the show was stopped for a few minutes. Then they picked up where they left off, and it was smooth sailing.
After that, we headed over to the Jungle Cruise. We noticed there were two lines, but really didn't pay attention. After waiting a few minutes a gentleman turned to us and pointed out that we probably wanted to get in line for the English speaking guide. (which was very true). So, we got out of line and walked to the proper place - only had to wait about 10 minutes or so. Again, it was different than the one at WDW. Cleaner, newer.
Having been to WDW 15 times in the last 20 years, I was able to spot the differences between the two rather quickly. And was kind of geeked out about being able to see something so similar yet so different.
Next we headed over to the train station in Fantasyland, and took the train around the park. Instead of facing forward like at the MK at WDW, the passengers are placed sideways, like the train at the Animal Kingdom. Sitting that way made for a very nice view of the park. We went around full circle and headed over to Mickey's Philharmagic. If you've seen it once, you've seen it all. But it's still a family favorite. We walked around a little, at that point, to see if they had any of the typical Disney treats we are used to - ice cream or cookies, hot dogs or french fries. The answer is...well, kinda. They had all of those things; just not in the way that we are used to. Very interesting ice cream flavors that none of us were daring enough to try (Green Tea, some sort of sesame, etc) We settled on some truly yummy caramel corn.
The lines for the various Fantasyland rides (Snow White, Dumbo, Peter Pan, etc) were so long, we decided to head straight over to Tomorrowland and see what it had to offer.
Let me just say right now that the Space Mountain at Hong Kong Disney is incredible. I sat in the front row, and it was a freakin blast. Because the nightly fireworks were going off at that point, we literally just walked straight on to the ride. No line, no waiting. It was great. I wish I had a chance to ride it again, but the opportunity just wasn't there.
After that we headed out of Tomorrowland and realized...that was it. Tiny tiny park.
So, we wandered around the park again, this time stopping back at Tomorrowland to go on the Buzz Lightyear ride. I forgot what they called it there. It was set up differently than the one I'd been on before, so it didn't feel repetitious at all.
By this time it was only a little after 10. So we strolled around the park a few more times, checking out the restaurants and shops along the way. Just to see what was on the menus and/or what was for sale.
Lots of Asian based foods, lots of really cute merchandise.
We headed back towards Main Street around 11:30 to get a good spot for the countdown. We ended up halfway down the street, right in front of the Castle. It was a great view, and they put on a pretty cool countdown / fireworks display. I have always wanted to be at a Disney park for NYE, and Disneyland Hong Kong did not disappoint.
After the countdown, my step mother and step brother found a few tables and chairs to sit at, tucked away on sidestreet off of Main Street. My dad and I walked around the park again, just taking everything in. We walked slowly, and still made it full circle in less than a half an hour. The park is just that small. But everyone has to realize - the park is only a year old and there is still a lot of growing and expanding that needs to be done.
There was talk about going back there on a weekday, because it is just so cheap to go (around $20 US Dollars during the week), but given that my step brother and I were only going to in Hong Kong for two weeks, we didn't get the chance.
I am going back to visit my father for a month or so over the summer, so I am sure I will be back there again. I also hope to go to Ocean Park during my next trip.
Sorry for the rambling - I'm just kind of giddy about the fact that this trip marked a lot of firsts for me - first time traveling outside the US, the first theme park I visited outside the US, and finally, the first Disney park I have gone to outside of WDW.
Because we got there so late in the day, and because I suck with a camera, the pictures I took are kind of blurry. Once I get them online I'll post a link for everyone.
All in all, I really enjoyed the trip. But I still have the Must Go to Disney bug, because the Hong Kong part doesn't have very many rides, and it seems like they choose to leave out a few Dinsey landmark rides like Small World, the Haunted Mansion and PotC. But hopefully in a few years it will expand more.
