Hong Kong Disneyland

What will you choose first? Will it be a trip to Tomorrowland in a rocket? Or maybe you’d prefer to take a spin in a Madhatters teacup? If you need more adventure then climbing to the top of Tarzan’s tree house after a boat ride around the jungle could be more to order.

I’m standing at the front gate of Hong Kong Disneyland in the queue for a ticket. You hear so many stories of the Disney experience, and now it is more accessible for anyone visiting the Asia region with the opening of Hong Kong’s park. The experience starts at the train station – you catch the Mickey Express (complete with Mickey Mouse ear shaped windows!) and stroll along to the front gate, via a massive Disney fountain and many other Mickey-themed touches. You really get the feeling you are in for a treat before you even get in the park. Tickets get you access to every ride and show in the park and represents great value for a day out.

Hong Kong Disneyland features three ‘lands’ for visitors. First up we head for Tomorrowland – which features the famous Space Mountain rollercoaster. It’s indoors and in the dark, and comes with a warning for the littler children (this is one of the scary rides!). There are plenty of alternatives for the younger or more scared among us – including a Buzz Lightyear ride and a rocket roundabout. We move from the dizzying experience of Space Mountain and Tomorrowland to the pretty pink world of Fantasyland. It’s here you’ll find the Madhatters Teacups, an amazing carousel and Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Despite the fact we are grown adults, my companion and I try out every ride we can manage. It’s Disneyland and there are no rules for grownups here!

When you need a break from the rides (and the heat in our case!) you can get in the queue for one of the shows that feature on stage across the day. We absolutely loved the 3-D cartoon show – Mickey’s Opera. There were even real bubbles falling from the ceiling during one scene and the graphics are amazing! We also watched an awesome production of ‘The Lion King’ in Adventureland, which featured a cast of massive animatronic creatures that sang and moved during the show. There was an elephant and a giraffe and Simba - the lion character - looked very real!

After the show we stick with Adventureland and take a boat trip around Tarzan’s lake. Photo opportunity’s abound in Disneyland and the boat trip feels like a real-life African safari (complete with hidden hippo’s and water-snorting elephants) so you can’t resist snapping away. Across the water at Tarzan’s Treehouse every childhood dream of living among the branches is discovered and you actually start to believe you are on a jungle island! Every detail is thought of which makes it easier to suspend belief – and besides, this is Disneyland after all.

There is more than enough at Hong Kong Disneyland to keep you amused for a whole day. Among the rides and shows you get the chance to meet your favourite Disney characters and have your photo taken with them. And if Disney merchandise is your thing there are many stores to buy from, including a whole street themed like an old Western town with gift shops everywhere. At the end of every day in Disneyland there is a massive float parade with all your favourite characters and when the sun sets a spectacular fireworks display. You are guaranteed to be exhausted after walking around the park all day – but as the Disney train steers you home you can smile in the knowledge that the experience allowed you to thoroughly indulge your inner child for the day!