Hong Kong Disneyland latest review

Review of Hong Kong Disneyland
This latest review of Hong Kong Disneyland is based on my second time visiting the theme park which is located here in Lantau Island of Hong Kong.

My first trip here was made back in 2008 when I was there to attend a wedding and therefore took a quick and simple day trip to the park.

Well, it has been 5 years now and I was given the opportunity to revisit the theme park as they had recently launched some new attractions and rides at the HongKong Disneyland. Moreover, I had the pleasure of staying at one of the premier hotels at the park too.

Hong Kong Disneyland Latest Review

For the would be traveler to Disneyland, I have also given the pros and cons of staying here at the park and staying out of the park so do read through and see which kind of holiday you would prefer.

As for me, I have personally done both therefore I am sharing the information through my personal experience in this.

Enchanted Castle Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland
If you should know, the theme park which opened in 2005 is located in Lantau Island on reclaimed land which is out of Hong Kong city and there are MTR trains and buses that service guests directly to the park. There are various ways to get here and will be explained below.

Hong Kong Disneyland consists of seven themed areas which are Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, and Toy Story Land.

For Malaysians, you would be pleased to know that the theme park's cast members speak in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin however there is no Malay or Indian language there.

L - Hong Kong Disneyland entrance, R - Snow White character

The theme park is highly recommended for those with children where Disney characters, rides and shows are filled with energetic fun and excitement.

Moreover, if you are a young parent, you would have most probably grown up with Disney cartoons and movies therefore it is not unusual to see the parents getting excited here.

Continue to read on about the many attractions and reviews of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Staying at Hong Kong Disneyland

There are two main hotels located in the park ares which is the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel. Both are equally amazing and offer guests impeccable 5-star service.

Slightly on the high side, but you can buy an entire package which includes stay, meals and park entrance.

For me, I stayed at the Disney's Hollywood Hotel which reminded me of the old Art Deco period of the 30s-40s.

Edit April 2017: A new Disney Explorers Lodge is opening on 30th April 2017, making it three hotels at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Rooms are beautiful and colorful while decorated with Disney memorabilia. The floor carpet is colourful which gives the element of fun when you are in the room. Even the bathroom carries Disney products which are great souvenirs for collectors.

Room at Disney's Hollywood Hotel

Bathroom inside the superior room

Cute Disney amenities in the bathroom

The room at Disney's Hollywood Hotel 

Inside one of the Mickey Mouse containers, you will find all your general bathroom amenities. The shower gel and shampoo comes in cute Mickey themed bottles which are ready to be used and refilled each day by the very friendly housekeeping staff.

The bedroom slippers are Mickey themed and come in a whole family size which are excellent souvenirs for any Mickey or Minnie Mouse lover. 

Restaurants at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel

Mickey Mouse entertains guest at the Enchanted Garden Restaurant

Enchanted Garden Restaurant

The Enchanted Garden is the main attraction as guests who have breakfast here will have the chance to see and photograph the many characters of Disney here.

Each Disney character moves around from table to table with a photographer where you can get your souvenir shot with Mickey or any of the other characters.

This is only available for guests who stay at the hotel, so this is one of the perks here. Very recommended for families and those wanting up, close and personal experiences with Mickey and friends.

The breakfast buffet offers a wide variety of international dishes while there are also lunch and dinner packages available here.

 Breakfast at the Enchanted Garden Restaurant

Chef Mickey Restaurant

Guests will be treated to a scrumptious buffet spread at this popular restaurant especially for breakfast where you can have the opportunity to be photographed with Mickey Mouse in a chef's uniform at the restaurants entrance.

This is one of the places where guest who stay at the hotels here will have access to be photographed with the various Disney characters.

Chef Mickey Restaurant at the Disney's Hollywood Hotel

Chef Mickey

Crystal Lotus Chinese Restaurant

For those wanting pure Chinese cuisine, the Crystal Lotus Restaurant is sure to amaze you with their beautiful lotus designs and decorations.

Food can be ordered a-la-carte or by individual courses. As for us, we had the 7 course Chinese dinner where I was very impressed with the preparations, food quality and overall ambiance of the restaurant.

I believe that this restaurant will be highly suitable for Malaysian or Asian travelers who are visiting Disneyland Hong Kong.

Crystal Lotus Restaurant

Walt's Cafe

This is one of the places which I personally like. A restaurant themed after Walt Disney where a good mix of traditional style Disney is perfectly blended in this restaurant.

On my arrival day to Hong Kong Disneyland, our meeting point with everyone was here where we had lunch which was pretty impressive.


Walt's Cafe at Hong Kong Disneyland

For starters, the salad bar offers you choicest of the freshest vegetables and also cold cut meats. Followed by lunch, we had the Walt's Beef Burger and a Wagyu Beef Cube rice dish. 

The menu offers a variety of Asian and international cuisine to choose from while there are also halal dishes for Muslims (Which the guests need to inform before checking in) where local Malaysian dishes are also offered here. 

One of the highlights here are the desserts where it is highly recommended to try the Mickey Mouse Chocolate Profiterole where it is made in the shape of Mickey.

Walt's Burger, melted with cheese, topped with bacon and served with fries

Wagyu Beef Cube Rice Dish

Mickey Chocolate Profiterole

Various salads and cold cuts for starters at Walt's Cafe, Hong Kong Disneyland

Attractions at Hong Kong Disneyland

As there are 7 main areas in the entire park, it will easily take you a full day to complete all the attractions here. This is also based on a weekday.

The 7 Areas of Hong Kong Disneyland are;

  1. Main Street, U.S.A.
  2. Fantasyland
  3. Adventureland
  4. Tomorrowland
  5. Grizzly Gulch
  6. Mystic Point
  7. Toy Story Land
If you are there till the evening, don't forget to catch the Disney in the Stars Fireworks Show which is at the Sleeping Beauty Castle. This is a must-watch show for anyone that is coming here.

It is also best to come here an hour earlier to get your best spot for the show. You can also check with the park staff on the timing for the fireworks show. 

 Festival of the Lion King show, a must-watch

 The Golden Mickey Show, filled with entertainment

For shows, there are the Festival of the Lion King, The Golden Mickey and Mickey's PhilharMagic which are recommended to catch.

However, there are many other shows catered for families and adults but the mentioned three are very interesting and worth the watch. There are times for the shows so make sure you catch the

Main Street, U.S.A.

Anyone entering will pass by Hong Kong Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A. which serves as the main entrance to the park.

The decoration here resembles an American small town from the years of 1890-1910. It is here that the Flights of Fantasy Parade will pass through and also here that you can find all the Disney memorabilia and souvenirs. There are restaurants, cafes and also specialty shops.

A classic taxi ride along Main Street U.S.A.

L - Disney;s souvenirs found at some of the shops here, R - Largest Golden Mickey on display

Fantasyland

As you pass the main street and head towards the main castle, you will enter Fantasyland which features the world famous Sleeping Beauty Castle.

When you are there, you will also see the Fantasy Gardens where costumed Disney characters can be met to be photographed. A number of rides are available here for all ages.

L - Sleeping Beauty Castle, R - Mickey's Philhar Magic 

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride

Mad Hatter Tea Cups ride

it's a small world, one of the very cute and interesting attractions at Fantasyland

Adventureland


One of the must-visit areas in Hong Kong Disneyland is Adventureland where both adults and kids can enjoy together. This fun area features a large island area which is home to Tarzan's Treehouse. 

Another attraction circles the treehouse which is the Jungle Cruise. The Adventureland is also home to the "Festival of the Lion King" show which is a must-see show for anyone visiting Hong Kong Disneyland.

Tarzan's Treehouse

The entertaining Jungle River Cruise

Tomorrowland

One of the popular areas for kids is Tomorrowland at Hong Kong Disneyland which houses unique attractions such as a Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, Autopia and Stitch Encounter.

Stitch Encounter, a must for the kids

Space Mountain, the most thrilling roller coaster ride at Hong Kong Disneyland

L - A cooling area under one of Buzz Lightyear's rockets, R - Autopia ride
 
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, loads of fun for the family

Grizzly Gulch


Opened on 14 July 2012, this themed land reminisces an abandoned mining town called "Grizzly Gulch", set amidst mountains and woods. 

The centerpiece structure will be Big Grizzly Mountain which is inspired by Grizzly Peak in Disney California Adventure Park. 

The town was set to be founded 8 August 1888, which is the luckiest day of the luckiest month of the luckiest year — by prospectors looking to discover gold. The popular attraction here is the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars which is super exciting. 

Others include Geysers Gulch and the entertaining Welcome Wagon Show. Note that this attraction is also a world exclusive at the Hong Kong Disneyland.

Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars

Some of the interesting photo stops at Grizzly Gulch

 Entrance to Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars

Mystic Point

This latest attraction opened on 17 May 2013 in Hong Kong Disneyland and is also the final chapter of the Hong Kong Disneyland's current expansion. 

Attractions here are Mystic Point Freight Depot, Mystic Manor and Garden of Wonders. Mystic Point is also another world exclusive here in Hong Kong.

Mystic Point Freight Depot show, interesting and entertaining


 
 Mystic Manor seen from far and near
Toy Story Land


Opened on the 18th November 2011, Toy Story Land was the first new themed land since the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005. 

Toy Story Land is themed using bamboo to act as giant blades of grass surrounding the area. The themed land will make use of characters from the Toy Story movies, such as an enlarged Woody, Rex, an oversize paper plane, and Luxo Jr. Rides like the RC Racer, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop and Slinky Dog Spin are one of the popular attractions here. 

For those who do not know, Toy Story Land is also an Asia exclusive attraction.  

Toy Story Land, a must for adults and kids

Toy Story Parachute Drop
 
View of Toy Story Land and the RC Racer ride in the back

How to go to Hong Kong Disneyland

There are numerous ways to get to Hong Kong Disneyland from the airport or city. Usually, families will simply take a taxi from the airport as it is much more convenient and affordable.

However, for the single or couple traveler, a recommended way is to take a bus and then MTR all the way to the park, as this is a hassle free and easy method.

From Hong Kong City, the MTR is the easiest way while if you book your Disneyland tickets from a tour or hotel counter, they will provide you with a shuttle service there and back.

Visit the official website for more details on transportation to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Exiting Hong Kong Disneyland at night

Conclusion

Finally, if you have not been here and plan to do so, I hope this guide and review will help you and your family to have a wonderful experience here at the theme park. 

My suggestion is to go on the weekday as it is less crowded and also to go in Spring or Autumn when the weather is much cooler. 

Staying at any of the Disney Hotels here are also much recommended as you can take your time and not rush while the meeting of Disney Characters during breakfast will most definitely be something to talk about. 

Thanks for reading my Hong Kong Disneyland latest review and if you have any comments or feedback, please do share them below.

Malaysia Asia

Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. Since 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards). After 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.

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