Hong Kong no Phooey TR (Apr 2012)! The Yee's have it....TR finish #1101, 07/09

[ACDSNY]

Awesome update and I enjoyed the valley of the dolls too.

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by ehsmum

I'm glad you got to see the Golden Mickeys. I was so disappointed when we arrived and found out the theatre was being refurbished but my next thought was "I wonder if PIO got to see it"!
The photos are great, it looks like a fabulous show.

CHI worked out really well, thanks again for the recommendation . It was on Nathan Rd, near the Jordan train station. It was fairly small for an apartment but we really didn't spend much time in the room so it was okay for us. Staff were very friendly and helpful, and the area was fantastic. Will definitely stay there again if we ever return to HK .

Glad it worked out. If you have pictures, I'd love to see the room.

Originally Posted by queenie82

I don't recall seeing that version of the story....

Of course...

In both the DCL version and the HKDL version I tried to ignore the 'host'...
Both are in the 'screaming' type of character role
So maybe this was the story I was ignoring...

Either way...
Nice pictures....however....I would prefer more that DON'T have little miss irritating in it...

Cute story...but I prefer photos of the Characters without her spoiling it...

I was surprised when Bebe came out and turned out to be in nearly every scene. Such an un-Disney thing to do.

Originally Posted by dgbg100106

Great update! love all the wonderful pictures and the story line..

Originally Posted by skier_pete

Boy with your disclaimer I thought your story was gonna get "down and dirty". Not so much. I think you were mostly right though, that Bebe lady spent an awful lot of time keeping Mickey from Minnie. Homewrecker!

I still had to keep it Dis-friendly. I could have so taken it on a wilder bend; but in the end I figured I'd stick to a fairy tale.

Originally Posted by kmedina

I like the overall look and feel of the Fantasyland at Dl better than the one at the MK. Disneyland has Sleeping Beauty's castle. WDW has Cinderella's castle. I prefer Cinderella's castle, which was one of the redeeming qualities of WDW.

The Golden Mickey's is my favorite Disney production. I've even seen the Lion King on broadway and still liked the Golden Mickey's better even though it was a lot shorter. Xander was chosen to be one of the seven dwarfs, so I may be a little partial. It looks like the dwarfs were cut from the HKDL version. That was my favorite part of the show, since the kids they chose were all so cute in the role.

I can see why you would prefer Golden Mickey's if Xander was in the production.

I'm not sure why...but there were no dwarfs around...no pins, no characters...only just the miniature statues at the Snow White Grotto area.

Originally Posted by Mum from oz

I am loving all your updates, I know I don't get to them straight away but its good to read a whole lot in one hit.

I am so, so happy you finally got some nice fireworks shots. They all came out really well. I am aiming to try and get some this trip, now I have an idea what I'm doing and an idea of how to achieve this. Hopefully I'll have some to share soon. Also the night shots of the castle and around the park were great too.

Food porn - unless it is so dark or unfocused I can't decipher if it is even edible then I'm in! Those noodles looked especially yummy.

I am also sitting here singing a small world..... thanks a lot! But it was good seeing the range of dolls you captured. Oh and not only did those koalas have weird eyes but they were pink and purple. I wish you could buy replicas of the dolls, I would probably go broke but they are so cute.

The Golden Mickeys were soooo good. I've seen them on DCL and it is fairly similar. I loved how even though I didn't understand a word of what they were saying, they still got the message across even without watching the subtitles. I'm pretty sure I didn't get any photos or not many so it was nice to see yours.

And are you still singing It's A Small World, afterall?


Glad you're enjoying the updates. I'm always grateful to anyone who will unlurk and provide feedback at anytime. So don't stress about when you can get here. I'm just thankful that when you do, you provide your input.

Originally Posted by ACDSNY

Awesome update and I enjoyed the valley of the dolls too.

I enjoy the valley of the dolls too. I especially love it with the Christmas overlay.

[queenie82]

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

I was surprised when Bebe came out and turned out to be in nearly every scene. Such an un-Disney thing to do.

In the DCL version there is a (very loud) African American lady. Who I think moved from the Wonder to the Dream
She is just so loud and like Bebe...in all the scenes.

Tbh I didn't find Bebe as intrusive, and I still love the DCL show (it was the best of the 3 on offer on the Dream...the tears come...) but I'm glad I'm not the only one to find it un-Disney.

Of course Disney DOES go beyond Disney (MGM studios) but not while messing with their classic films. And one of my favourite shows is in Paris - Cinemagique - which is very un Disney...

But anyway...

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

I enjoy the valley of the dolls too. I especially love it with the Christmas overlay.

Love that too
The blend of carols and the classic song is divine

[kmedina]

Originally Posted by queenie82

In the DCL version there is a (very loud) African American lady. She is just so loud and like Bebe...in all the scenes.

Tbh I didn't find Bebe as intrusive, and I still love the DCL show (it was the best of the 3 on offer on the Dream...the tears come...) but I'm glad I'm not the only one to find it un-Disney.

I liked her, but then again I know a lot of people like her. She was just so over the top like most American Entertainment reporters. It is almost soap opera cheesy.

Princess is right though. I think I am so partial to the show, because I almost cried when I saw how cute Xander was onstage. We were bummed that we did not bring any cameras to the show. DH did get a crappy cell phone video on his work cell phone. He uploaded everything when he left that job, but has not given me a copy of the video yet.

[stephielela]

Love, love, love the fireworks shots!! A-MAZING!! Splendid! Wonderful!

Ahhh, IaSW...

Bebe does sound like a complicated lady!

[usnuzuloose]

I have never heard of the Golden Mickeys. It was quite intersting to hear you tell the story as always you do a wonderful job capturing everything.

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by queenie82

In the DCL version there is a (very loud) African American lady. Who I think moved from the Wonder to the Dream
She is just so loud and like Bebe...in all the scenes.

Tbh I didn't find Bebe as intrusive, and I still love the DCL show (it was the best of the 3 on offer on the Dream...the tears come...) but I'm glad I'm not the only one to find it un-Disney.

Of course Disney DOES go beyond Disney (MGM studios) but not while messing with their classic films. And one of my favourite shows is in Paris - Cinemagique - which is very un Disney...

But anyway...



Love that too
The blend of carols and the classic song is divine

I haven't seen the American Bebe; which is probably just as well.

Originally Posted by kmedina

I liked her, but then again I know a lot of people like her. She was just so over the top like most American Entertainment reporters. It is almost soap opera cheesy.

Princess is right though. I think I am so partial to the show, because I almost cried when I saw how cute Xander was onstage. We were bummed that we did not bring any cameras to the show. DH did get a crappy cell phone video on his work cell phone. He uploaded everything when he left that job, but has not given me a copy of the video yet.

The HKDL Bebe was not over the top. She didn't cross over to soap opera cheesy at all.

Originally Posted by stephielela

Love, love, love the fireworks shots!! A-MAZING!! Splendid! Wonderful!

Ahhh, IaSW...

Bebe does sound like a complicated lady!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you've been well and thanks for the input.

Originally Posted by usnuzuloose

I have never heard of the Golden Mickeys. It was quite intersting to hear you tell the story as always you do a wonderful job capturing everything.

Someday, you'll need to do a Disney cruise.

[PrincessInOz]

Fast Pass enforcement in the 100 Acre Wood


We’d caught up with my parents at the Golden Mickeys and we all enjoyed the show. Turns out that they too had gotten fast passes for Winnie the Pooh as well. When we compare our times, I realised that our fast pass return time was expired….by about 20 minutes; but my parents were still valid.

Given the recent chatter about Fast Pass enforcement times at WDW, I wondered if the enforcement policy existed in HKDL. I guess I was about to find out.

When we got to Winnie the Pooh, any hopes we had for a quiet day at the Park were dashed. The stand-by line was already 50 minutes.


We walked up to the Fast Pass entry and that question about Fast Pass enforcement was answered. Yes….they do enforce Fast Past return times at HKDL. The CM was about to turn DH, DS and I away when she realised that we were with my parents; who had legit return passes. She let us go with a warning to make sure that we returned to the attraction within the fast pass window.


I guess this experience gives me a taste of how things will be next time I’m at WDW.

One last point before we get to the pictures. This was the only Fast Pass we got during our stay at HKDL. I do wonder if it is the hard and fast rule or if the CM was the exception. Anyone out there reading know for sure?



It still took us about 15 minutes to make it to the front of the line.

The 100 Acre Wood is, as far as I can tell, identical to the other woods I’ve gone to. I do have pictures to share…but I really didn’t take that many inside this attraction.





My targets were the animatronics….






























Not too bad a haul this time round.


Winnie and Piglet still bring out the nostalgia in me. But DS sure didn't understand the attraction and isn't keen for a repeat performance. I guess this means that a character dining at Crystal Palace might be off the agenda.









For my part, I'm just glad that we got through Fast Pass enforcement.


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[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Fighting the Tide of Lunch



By the time we came out of WtP, the park was incredibly busy. Plenty of bodies everywhere and long queus to boot. Plus, it was turning out to be a warm and humid day. It wasn’t as stifling as July in Orlando; but the temperatures were to hit high 70’s with close on 80% humidity on this day.

We talked about grabbing some lunch but with my dad insisting on chinese and DS wanting NOT chinese, separation was the only option. We made plans with my parents to catch up at the 4.30 pm Festival of the Lion King show and said our goodbyes.

DS really wanted western food today for lunch; not just any western food….hot dog.


Between the bodies, the heat and DS, I wasn’t in the mood to argue.

Afterall, there are times when fighting the immovable tide is just a recipe for losing ground. I figured it was easier to quit whilst I was already behind.
In all the research I did what to eat at HKDL, I hadn’t factored in hot dog. I didn’t even know where to pick one up….but DH did. He’d remembered seeing a snack cart in Tomorrowland that sold hot dogs.


This is what DS and I had for lunch.










I don’t remember the price exactly, but it was in the HK$30 region; roughly $4 - $5 in our money.


I don’t know what DH had for lunch but whilst we were waiting, DS amused himself in that wetland area.






He wasn’t the only one….LOADS of other kids were there too. It was turning out to be a busy day at the Park. With the temperature and humidity the way it was, we were all starting to flag a little. Just as well we stopped for lunch!


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[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Toy Storyland



By now the Park was becoming more packed with people and the familiar smell of natural body aroma was filling the queue areas.

Anxious to see the areas of the park we had yet to visit properly, we headed towards Toy Storyland. To date, Toy Storyland is a land not present in any of the Disney parks in the US. I understand that the Hong Kong version, which was newly opened in Feb 2012, is nearly or identical to the Toy Story Playland in Paris. And until Carsland opens, Toy Storyland is the newest land for any of the Disney parks.

I was particularly interested to see it. Not having been to the Paris Disneyland, TSL would be one of those key differentiators between HKDL and the parks in the US.

As the name suggests, the land is based on Toy Story. The land is located behind Fantasyland and is designed to make the park guest feel like they have entered Andy’s backyard. The feeling of walking in to the backyard is helped by the use of bamboo to make you feel like you’re walking through tall grass.




And then you come across the play area and Andy’s toys.














There is also a place to meet and greet.





For me, there was only one word for it……messy.









But then….anyone with a son will recognise that the mess in this backyard was realistically done. Afterall, who hasn’t stepped on lego bricks…





…dominos…





…and Kinnects, wooden blocks and the model plane after your children have finished playing for the day?






Despite the pictures, don’t be fooled. This part of the park was also packed.



The wait time for the RC Racer was 35 minutes.


 



The wait time for the Parachute Drop was 50.









Slinky Dog, at 30 minutes, was the shortest wait of all.






I was keen to go on the RC Racer and Parachute Drop. But DS wasn’t keen on the RC Racer and didn’t want to wait 50 minutes for the Parachute Drop. He chose….Slinky Dog.



Folks….trust me. You do not want to wait anything more than walk-on for this ride on a hot day. And if you do, make sure you have air freshener with you.










Despite the 30 minute banner, it took us almost 45 minutes to get our bone.



I looked enviously across at the RC Racer.






Yeah. We were on a super thrilling ride….NOT!





Rex is at the end of Toy Storyland…





…and he currently has a view overlooking this!






That turret will be the turret for Mystic Point, slated for opening in 2013.






Aside from taking in the sights, I can’t say that I experienced the best of Toy Storyland. For my money, it just seems to be a place more for the younger guests; rather than for the teenage set. Certainly by the lack of screams, the Parachute Drop is probably not high on the thrill factor either. But then, I think I really need to go on the RC Racer before making that call.

One other thing about Toy Storyland….





Early closure!




 

[zanzibar138]

Glad I'm not the only one who didn't 'get' Toy Story Land! And you're right, *messy* is a brilliant word to describe it.

[usnuzuloose]

The joy of just wanting good ole american food. I cant eat the same things over and over. I havent had a hot dog in while. It looks good! Toy story land does look funky. Sorry it you were disappointed.

[queenie82]

Interesting....

Those three identical rides are in Paris...however despite being twice I've never ridden them...
Lets just say I turned DBF such a pale shade of green after Crush's Coaster he wasn't up for anything
AND...the wait times were much the same.

My assessment is this - These rides have been used to REPLACE Fantasyland rides. As you saw yourself...Winnie the Pooh is a much newer ride than Snow White, yet it still didn't capture your DS's attention. Slinky dog did though. I reckon Disney know what they are doing. Although I don't agree with the approach they are taking...


What I will say though is that in DLP they squeezed that stuff into a MUCH smaller space and I think that made it better. It's hard to tell exactly how it HKDL's version felt from your pictures. But being so compact was good for what they were trying to achieve with the strewn toys...
And they had the PIXAR BALL!!!!! Which brought a turned me into a giggly little girl!



Most exciting picture

THIS ONE

[kmedina]

We rarely get fastpasses and have always used them within the time frame, so we are set for enforcement. I am glad they allowed you to slide in. A 50 minute wait for Pooh would not be fun. Hot dogs are the best. Xander would love that Toystoryland. Who am I kidding? I would love it too. It looks cool, and you're so right about the mess. Moms of boys are so used to seeing all of those toys out of place.

[Aussie Wendy]

Loving your trip report and stunning pics as always. I have just been to a DL (albeit Tokyo DLR) but it was too rushed-I felt I didn't get my "fix" - take me back.... Ah well DH has suggested we need to go to Europe next via HK not ever having been and seems ameniable to include HKDL-yaah! then I also have to squeeze in DL Paris- 2 fixes in one trip ....