Hong Kong Disneyland Review

Against my better judgment, we took the kids to Disneyland. Is it a rite of passage for most parents? Mine refused. The first time I visited Disney in California I was seventeen (and I had a blast). But we were going to Hong Kong with the kids anyway, I guess the temptation was too strong. My little boy loves Buzz Lightyear and our little friend Hannah prefers being addressed as "Princess Hannah" so we knew they'd have a great time.

And did they! Hong Kong Disney is geared toward the little ones. Absolutely perfect for ages 4-8, I'd say, there is still plenty for the littlest Buzz and Snow White.

I try really hard to be anti-Disney, but the Princesses are everywhere and I love Pixar. Kids these days would have to live in the back woods not to know who Buzz, Nemo and Ariel are. So throwing in the towel, I took my son along with our friends and their daughter to Hong Kong Disneyland.

From Choo-Choo Trains to Fantasyland
As you walk (or prance) into the park, you are greeted with a giant fountain where Mickey floats above a whale on a surfboard. Past this, you get a view of the Main Street Train Station where old-timer steam engines puff along to take you on a tour around the park. We thought this would be a good start and loaded the kids and strollers onto the train. It's a great 15 minute ride that lets you see the whole park but has plenty of attractions itself. Jungle animals silently watch you go by and Pixar martians pop out and take photos. From there we cruised up Main Street, through the Fantasy Castle and into the land of princesses and flying Dumbo.

On to Tomorrowland
The kids diverged at this point and our resident princess enjoyed all the rides in Fantasyland while I took little Buzz to meet the real thing. Tomorrowland has space rides, moving garbage cans, photos with Wall-e and Buzz and a really cool flying saucer ride. My little astronaut was in heaven, especially in the toy store where we could have bought a Buzz gun, sword or bubble machine (we opted for bubbles).

Lunch & Adventureland
After a quick break for Mickey Mouse shaped pizza, we all toured the "jungle" on a river boat, took a raft to Tarzan's tree-house and watched a fantastic rendition of the Lion King by amazing actors and singers. The kids had a ball, even on the scary Jungle Boat cruise.

Character Parade
The highlight was surely the parade where all the characters march along to Disney songs. It's so well done, I was singing along myself.