One of the highlights of our Best of 2012 is our trip to Hong Kong Disneyland. Coming up with a "Best of" blog entry has become a tradition for me. It is my way of counting our family blessings year after year. I am currently working on my Best of 2013 post but I can't help but look back on my Best of 2012 list. I always find happiness in reading through our listed blessings one by one.
Whilst browsing through our Hong Kong travelogue, I came up with top 3 lessons we learned from the trip. It will guide us and hopefully make our next Hong Kong vacation more enjoyable and memorable. You may find some lessons here useful too in case you are planning for a Hong Kong trip with your family this Christmas season, this coming English New Year, Chinese New year or any time next year.
Lesson #1: 3D2N Hong Kong vacation is never enough.
After our whirlwind Hong Kong vacation, the hubby and I both agreed that 3 days and 2 nights vacation is just too short. It didn't help too that our flight has been moved to a later timing when we left Singapore which made our vacation even shorter. On our next Hong Kong trip, it will be a must for us to book at least 4 days 3 nights stay in one of the Causeway Bay Hotels.
Why do we prefer to stay in the vicinity of Causeway Bay next time? Because on our last trip, we were not able to do much shopping and we failed to visit Victoria Park. We are going to make sure we will not miss the Hong Kong shopping scene and explore Victoria Park on our next trip. The good news is, my sister who's husband is based in Hong Kong promised to tour us around to more places too. Hurray!
Lesson #2: 1 day entrance ticket to Hong Kong Disneyland is never enough.
As a parent of a child who grew up with so much fascination with princesses and all the Disney stuff, I should have known that one day isn't enough. Hong Kong Disneyland is undoubtedly her happiest place on earth thus far. We managed to explore all the major attractions that include Main Street - USA, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Grizzly Gulch, and Toy Story Land but everything was in a rush.
We missed a lot of rides and great shows. We also ate lunch and dinner in a hurry so that we could catch the Flights of Fantasy Parade and the "Disney in the Stars" spectacular fireworks display. We will absolutely close our eyes to pay for 2-day entrance tickets especially now that one more attraction called Mystic Point has officially opened. We will also try to avail the express pass next time as the long queues to the rides and shows made us waste so much of our time and ended up not being able to maximise our 1 day pass.
Lesson #3: Summer is not a smart choice to go to Hong Kong.
We went to Hong Kong in August of last year and the weather was too hot to handle, literally and figuratively. We were already sweating like mad whilst at the entrance of Hong Kong Disneyland. Just imagine how many shades darker we turned after exploring the whole place. When you visit Hong Kong in summer, do bring along a good sunscreen lotion with high SPF for your own skin protection. Make sure to drink a lot of water and dress in shorts and sleeveless too!
I was actually not too worried about us getting darker because we are already so used to being dark skinned (fair-skinned hubby is an exception). My main concern was getting us hydrated especially my poor little boy who suffered most from the hot weather. We will definitely go back to Hong Kong during winter when the weather is so much cooler. I prefer us wearing winter clothes and accessories than wearing summer clothes yet still sweat like mad.
Weeee!!!!! You are a family adventure expert!!! :) I just can not get enough of your travel tales. Reading about your trips brings out the child in me!!! I say more awesome tips please!!! ♥
ReplyDeleteatleast a week or two is needed to fully enjoy a hongkong trip, aside from visiting places, you can also enjoy shopping in their night market :)
ReplyDeleteWill take note of these if ever we'll be given the chance to visit Hongkong. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletei would love to go hongkong if its in winter i guess living in malaysia i get to much sun and sweat already i would love to try those cold winter days hehe love all the photos!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your observation #2. My wife also said that,'kulang daw ang isang araw para galain ang Hongkong Disneyland'.
ReplyDeleteI am really trying to find a way to give my family a well-deserved trip and this is one of the few choices which I am thinking of. I hope next year will be our year for some family travel.
ReplyDeletefor a lot of kids, disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, so love that jumping picture of K full of happiness Che :) indeed, one day is not enough for K and G :)
ReplyDeletethere is still many times that the vacation can be done in Hongkong again, usually look for a good month of the year to go to a certain place that is not too hot nor too cold to enjoy the amazing place.
ReplyDeleteIt's been years since I step foot in Hong Kong. There was no Disneyland yet that time.
ReplyDeleteIndeed you made good point and it's good that there is always the next trip. Hoping by then, you will not make the same mistake so you'll enjoy a lot more. :-)
My daughter's dream is to go to Disneyland someday. Yes, someday.. But we're trying our best to make that dream come true. And it's getting nearer!
ReplyDeleteSummer is when theme parks like this is flooded with travelers. Lovely photos sis.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all your points. :) We've been to Hong Kong several times and it's always longer than 3d2n. The most is a week to enjoy the sights and adventures.
ReplyDeleteNext, a day in Disney is never, never enough. ;) To think, Hong Kong Disneyland is smaller compared to the others Disney resorts we have visited (Paris, Tokyo) and we always regret the fact that we only by a one-day pass. It can get very expensive to buy 2-days pass when there are still other cities you have to visit, especially in Europe. But there in Hong Kong, some can squeeze in the Disney experience in a day but you have to be there even before the gate opens (which we did so we managed to get in most of the rides before the throng of adventurers came by mid-day) so you can enjoy the rides freely. Also, a fastpass is the best bet to get ahead in line.
When you go back to Hong Kong again, since you have seen most of it already, 3d2n will suffice! :)
Here again and wanting to jump for joy with K!♡
ReplyDeleteThis just helped me plan my trip to Hong Kong! :) Especially that Ate Ria agreed with your points Ate! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is one of my greatest dream to visit Hongkon Disneyland hoping it will realized someday.
ReplyDeleteYupe, 3N2D is not enough. I will keep this in mind when visiting or vacationing.
ReplyDeletegreat tips for those planning to HK. i will surely keep these tips of yours in mind. the vip express pass, the day tour at disneyland and the sweltering weather - go these three points imprinted in my mind already.
ReplyDeletei love this post!
Summer is quite difficult when travelling with kids...I prefer spring and autumn aside from ski vacations. Thanks for sharing your experience, we, readers can definitely use your observations when we choose to travel to HK...
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