My First Overseas Trip Part 5

If you’ve missed the first four installments in My First Overseas Trip you can find them here. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

It’s touristy, its overly expensive but gosh darn is it fun. Disneyland was an exciting moment on the trip, and the fun started at the station as we boarded the Disney Train. With Mickey shaped windows and cool looking mini statues of all your favourite Disney characters how can you not be excited to be heading to Disneyland.

After a quick stop off at our Disney Hotel to dump the belongings, we set off to see just how much fun can be had at the fabled theme park. A short bus ride and we were walking up the long walkway to the park; passing by the Mickey Mouse water feature, it truly was a very surreal feeling. I’ve never been one to love theme parks but for this I was jumping out of my skin excited.

As our first day here happened to be Boxing Day, the Christmas spirit was still strong making the visit extra special, after all its not every day you see Disneyland at this time of the year.

Upon reaching the entrance gate that was decked out in Christmas decorations, I was itching to see the sights that lie beyond that Disney train station. What I found was 2 days of rides, fun, Disney characters and an experience I would do again and again (hey Disney is what I grew up on don’t you judge me).

We wandered down Main Street USA, taking every opportunities for a photo with the characters that once gave me so many laughs as a child growing up. Posing with Goofy and Pluto before having a laugh with Donald as he rubbed my stomach, was both embarrassing and hilarious at the same time.

Catching the street parade first was a sight worth seeing before we darted in and out of the shops trying to find that one great Disney souvenir to take home with you (I chose the matching bottle opener and wine stopper naturally).

Adventureland then treated us to the “Festival of the Lion King” theatre show, a Jungle River Cruise and Tarzan’s Treehouse that gave great views of the park and on towards our hotel.

Next up was Tomorrowland and a tip for any visitors make sure your at the park when the gates open so you can ride the indoor roller coaster at Space Mountain without having to line up. I must have rode it 5 times, one after the other due to there being no line.

You can also take in the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster challenge before heading over to the Orbitron where you pilot your own flying saucer high above Tomorrowland. When I say pilot I mean you hop in and it does all the work but hey if I was 5 years old I’d so have been the pilot.

Autopia borders next to Tomorrowland and while it sounds cool, jumping in a car that all you can do is press down on a pedal to move around a pre-determined track was more a way to sit and relax for a few minutes than anything else.

Finally you come to Fantasyland which is where the fabled castle resides. Aimed more at the younger generation with the Mad Hatter Tea Cups and Cinderella’s Carousel, it was still fun to watch so many children having the time of their lives.

This was also the best spot to set yourself up in the evening to observe the fireworks display above the castle. Nestled down on the grass that leads to the castle, I could have been 5 years old again watching the sky light up and the castle sparkle to life.

After two days you could safely say you saw Disneyland Hong Kong, and while it pails in size to its American big brother it still captured my imagination of Disneyland and that’s all that really mattered. In the end I had my photo taken with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, isn’t that every Disney kids dream?

Next up I fly to Singapore, so check back soon to get my take on the night tour of the Zoo and Sentosa Island.