I grew up singing A Whole New World and Beauty and The Beast (and sometimes Part of Your World) in every glee club, choir and musical play audition. I also collected those cool Aladdin stickers inside Maggie Chicken Noodles and every Disney toy you can get from a happy meal, name it and for sure I got it.
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The first Disneyland trip I did was in Paris. I actually spent my first day in the city of love in the kingdom of magic. The second was in Florida where I also stayed at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. Both experiences I hold close to my ever so young heart. Now that I am back in the Philippines, it is convenient to know that Hong Kong Disneyland is just close by whenever I feel like reliving that feeling of being back in the company of Mickey Mouse and all his jolly crew.
Read also: Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida | I Left My Heart in Paris
If you are thinking visiting Hong Kong and spending your weekend or simply stopping over Disneyland, here are some guides that might help you plan your trip. Let’s call this my Lazy Travel Guide to Hong Kong Disneyland (Spring and Summer 2018 edition).
HOW TO GET THERE
FLIGHT
I am happy to tell you that Philippine Airlines offers 5 daily direct flights from Manila to Hong Kong. With a 30 kg baggage allowance and in-flight meals (some flights even comes with your own inflight entertainment system), Philippine Airlines is one of the best airlines to choose from.
Travel time approximately 2 and a half hour.
HONG KONG AIRPORT TO DISNEYLAND
From Hong Kong International Airport there are several options to go to Disneyland. Being both located at Lantau Island, you can choose between booking a coach service (located at Terminal 2), hopping on a train (MTR), or taking an airport taxi.
MTR
Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Trains are available to guests traveling from the Hong Kong International Airport. Board the Disneyland Resort Line at Sunny Bay Station for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.
Trains depart every few minutes daily, from early in the morning until late at night.
If you are coming from any part of Hong Kong, just make your way to Sunny Bay Station and look for the Disneyland Resort Line.
TIP: If you are planning to explore other places aside from Hong Kong Disneyland, it is best to get a Hong Kong Octopus Card to conveniently use Hong Kong’s very efficient public transportation.
TAXI
Lantau taxi service provides transportation from the airport to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Taxi drop-off for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is at the Disneyland Public Transport Interchange (PTI). Look for blue colored taxis which serves all Lantau Island
WHEN IN HONG KONG DISNEYLAND
TICKET PRICES
There are several types of tickets and packages you can choose from. For short-term visitors these two are most popular.
1- Day Park Ticket:
General Admission: HK$ 619
Children 3-11 year old : HK$ 458
Senion 65+ year old: HK$ 100
2-Days Park Ticket:
General Admission: HK$ 799
Children 3-11 year old : HK$ 589
Senior 65+ year old: HK$ 170
valid on any 2 days within a week or 7-day period
For other ticket packages, you can check them here: Hong Kong Disneyland Ticket Offers
PRIORITY ADMISSION PASS
[caption id="attachment_5849" align="alignnone" width="800"]
These passes are very powerful![/caption]Each ticket holder entitles one fast pass ticket which enables you to skip the line and become a priority guest. It is very convenient especially for popular attractions like the Space Mountain (oh yeah!).
If you are a hotel guest, you can get additional priority admission passes for every booking made. See at hotel section below for additional information regarding this.
These Priority Admission Passes give you access to up to 8 attractions, including the newly opened “Iron Man Experience” and Asia’s first “Hyperspace Mountain” .
WHERE TO STAY (DISNEY PROTERY HOTELS)
There are several hotels to choose from inside HK Disneyland. We stayed at The Disney Explorers Lodge and also got to explore Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
DISNEY EXPLORERS LODGE
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My room in Explorers Lodge. I love the safari feel details![/caption]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhc02zHnQrY/?taken-by=kennethsurat
Disney Explorers Lodge is Hong Kong’s first adventure and leisure themed hotel. We stayed here for 3 days. Furnished to look like a glamping site in the middle of the African savannah, the moment you enter, you'll know that you are in for a wonderful adventure.
The hotel has 4 wings and themed gardens, showcasing the cultures of Asia, Oceana, South America and Africa.
HONG KONG DISNEYLAND HOTEL
[caption id="attachment_5851" align="alignnone" width="800"]
This hotel is so posh! I mean really posh! I feel like a mayor or something. :)[/caption]Hong Kong Disneyland’s main hotel. Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is a lavish Victorian Palace decorated in such splendor reminiscent of a vintage seaside resort. You will definitely feel like a royalty the moment you enter the grand hotel lobby.
We had one of our breakfasts here along with Mickey and his whole crew (imagine Pluto as your chef haha). Aside from this, we also participated in a morning tai chi with Goofy.
DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD HOTEL
I haven’t gotten a chance to visit this hotel but from the name itself, Disney's Hollywood Hotel this a hotel inspired by LA's big H (if you didn't get it, it's Hollywood). Filled with art deco architectural details, this hotel will make you feel like a true Hollywood star in Hong Kong (I think haha)!
PERKS OF STAYING IN ONE OF THE DISNEY HOTEL PROPERTIES
Priority Admission Pass (Fast Pass)
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Every hotel booking entitles you with so much perks![/caption]Booking a room at any of the Disneyland Hotel will entitle you with a fast pass to at least 1 park attraction based on the type of hotel room booked:
- Guests of the three hotels staying in a Sea View Room will receive Priority Admission Passes to 3 attractions
- Guests staying in a Kingdom Club Room of Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel will receive Priority Admission Passes to 4 attractions.
Seat Reservations
- Guests staying in a Sea View room of Disney Explorers Lodge or Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel will receive seat reservations to “Festival of the Lion King”
- Guests staying in a Kingdom Club Room of Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel will receive seat reservations to the first show of “Mickey and the Wondrous Book” on the day of their visit.
Complimentary In-Resort Shuttle Services
Complimentary shuttle service is available between the hotels and the Hong Kong Disneyland Park. Departing every 10 to 20 minutes depending on the time of day, the shuttle can be picked up in front of the hotel to the right of the main lobby.
Access to All 3 Disney Property Hotel Attractions
If you are staying in one of the Disneyland hotels, you are invited to join fun activities throughout the day at the recreation facilities of the hotels.
Breakfast with Disney Characters
You don’t even need to fall in line inside the theme park to meet and greet your favorite Disney characters. By staying in one of these hotels, you can easily spot them walking by the lobby, doing tai chi or even sharing breakfast with you.
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Our whole Hong Kong Disneyland Crew! Missing these guys so much![/caption][caption id="attachment_5855" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Meet our chef! Meet and greet Mickey and the gang at the Enchanted Garden Restaurant[/caption][caption id="attachment_5854" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Explorers Lodge surprise breakfast company![/caption]RECOMMENDED PARK ATTRACTIONS
Attractions include the newly launched Carnivale of Stars that will be showcased from spring to the end of summer 2018 (15th March – 20th June 2018).
PARADES AND SHOWS
Always a highlight of every Disneyland visits. Watching all your favorite Disney characters in one huge parade. Hong Kong Disneyland offers several parades throughout the day. My favorite is the Disney Paint the Night Nighttime Spectacular which is the parade right before the park will close. A beautiful way to end the your magical day.
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Disney Princesses during the flight of Fantasy Parade[/caption][caption id="attachment_5857" align="alignnone" width="800"]
A warm welcome by Minnie Mouse during the Disney Friends Spring Time Processional Parade[/caption][caption id="attachment_5858" align="alignnone" width="800"]
A glowing Ariel during the Disney Paint the Night Nighttime Spectacular[/caption]Below are the recommended parades and shows that you shouldn’t miss.
We Love Mickey! Projection Show ( part of seasonal Carnivale of Stars)
Flight of Fantasy Parade
Disney Friends Springtime Processional Show ( part of seasonal Carnivale of Stars)
Disney Paint the Night Nighttime Spectacular (you really I mean really shouldn’t miss this)
New (and Old) Character Meet and Greets
Lion King Festival (highly recommended)
Karibuni Marketplace (not really a show but a nice venue to play and win some Disney merch also to meet and greet some of your favorite Disney characters).
MUST TRY RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS
To be honest I am not a theme park ride buff. The thought of lining to ride a roller coaster is not my idea of an ideal weekend. But, I do love the thrill once I am already sitting down on one. Geared with a fast pass (priority admission pass), we were able to try several adrenaline pumping rides around. Here are some of my recommendations if you want to narrow down your list of rides to hop in.
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One of the latest attractions inside Hong Kong Disneyland[/caption][caption id="attachment_5862" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Glasses On and ready for the IMAX Experience[/caption]Below are the recommended Disney rides that you shouldn’t miss.
IMAX The Iron Man Experience
Hyperspace Mountain (highly recommended. We tried this 3 times haha)
Big Grizzly Mountain Coaster (another fun ride. The last part is the best…I will just let you experience it to know why)
RC Racer Coaster (I was really hesitant to try this, initially we were 6 who were thinking of riding the RC Racer, but eventually only 2 of us pushed through. Scary but fun).
Mystic Manor (This ride is not available in other Disney Theme Parks.)
STAY CONNECTED
I got connected (24/7) using MyPal Roam throughout my stay in Hong Kong. Just book and rent online and claim it at the airport Terminal (Manila) before your flight.
Alternatively, if you don't mind changing a sim card while you are traveling, or you have a spare phone or tablet, you can also purchase a 4G/3G sim card (with 1.5 gb data) through KKDAY.
Even though during our visit, the castle was under renovation (get updates here), HongKong Disneyland still has a lot to offer its visitors (or let’s say FANS!), And it didn’t disappoint. Kids and adults will surely enjoy being "part of this world" even for just a day.
Do you have other tips to experience the best of what Hong Kong Disneyland has to offer? Share them at the comment section below.
Our Hong Kong Disneyland trip was in collaboration with Philippine Airlines and Hong Kong Disneyland. All editorials and photos are my own unless mentioned or sighted from sources.
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