Disney- advice for planning a trip

Posted by KittyKaiTak (42 days ago)

I want to take my family to Disney and would like advice on the best way to do it. We were planning on spending a night in the hotel (or two). I've found some advice on Batgung and Geoxpat on tackling the park but would like to know if anyone has any further input. The children are 3, 5 and 7. A big thing for the middle one is the princesses. Are the hotel restaurants visited by the characters? Is it worth arriving on the afternoon before spending time in the hotel and then having the next day in the park? Could you spend two days there? I have been to the Orlando Disney and it is enormous- I'm unsure if we'll need as much time in HK.

Thanks for any advice.

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Posted by Hen (42 days ago)

Others may disagree, but I don't think you would spend 2 days. Compared to Orlando Disney, Hong Kong is tiny.

Posted by MJ1 (42 days ago)

With 3 little kids to look after and satisfy, would be tough to enjoy the entire Park within one day. Would make sense to plan it over two days, making it less tiring, especially on the kids

You can visit the Park in the afternoon, have a look around, take some photos with the characters, catch a few shows and watch the fireworks. Then back to the hotel for dinner.

Spend day 2 on the things you missed on day 1.

Posted by cara (42 days ago)

things not to be missed:
lion king
mickey's philharmagic

when we were there last (about a month ago), we saw no princesses except in the parade. however, you may get lucky.

as for size... i'm afraid you are going to be VERY disappointed! this park is VERY small. (only just opened "it's a small world" a few months ago!)

Posted by SA (40 days ago)

Do the overnight - the second day in the park is free anyway when you pay for a hotel night. There is a meet the characters you can book at breakfast at the hotel which your kids may enjoy - I don't know if they have the Princesses there. There is also something called Inspiration Lake which your kids may enjoy - all details are on the Disney website including show timings and parade timings. The park is small but for a 3,5 and 7 year old it may seem perfect. The shows are all good - the kids will also enjoy the Golden Mickeys. The park is less crowded on weekdays in case you can go on a weekday.

Posted by cyberience (40 days ago)

You may plan 30 minutes, That sould do it, might be a bot of time left over though.

Posted by KittyKaiTak (40 days ago)

Thanks for all the advice, we've booked one night at the hotel and will try and do all you've recommended. We can always go back- I'll imagine it will be hard not to. I'll let you know how we got on.

Posted by KittyKaiTak (34 days ago)

Just in from a superb two days (and one night) at Disney. We stayed in the Disneyland hotel and opted for the King Club room. This meant we had an excellent breakfast buffet this morning (cereals, fresh juice, fruit, pastries, toast, scrambled egg, sausages, noodles), drinks in the evening (beer and wine 6-8pm) and drinks, muffins, fruit and cookies during the rest of the day. They provided a room with two double beds and a roll out bed for our youngest. Also a princess visits the hotel in the morning and Mickey turns up in his pyjamas before bedtime (about 8.30). The story tellers are Disney crew- not a princess which was a slight disappointment but highly amusing "Who's that?" was the main response.

The park is the ideal size for young children. It was not too busy at all and we were able to get on to any of the rides we wanted with no problems.

Your tips were useful. Some of my own: Don't get the bus from the Disneyland Hotel to the park- it is a short walk (700 metres), not much more than you would walk if you took the bus! The Philharmagic is brilliant but don't sit too near the front- it doesn't work as well there. The Tarzan tree house really isn't worth looking at with little children- especially if it is a busy day, you will be waiting for the photo ops to finish. Fill out the comment card and you get a small gift. They don't seem too worried about small food items coming in- a few cereal bars and some dried fruit and water bottles caused no problems. I imagine a picnic might. Food was not too expensive- however we didn't have a sit down restaurant meal so can't comment of that. The characters are very accessible, much more so than at Orlando- the kids had their photos taken with all the princesses, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto. We only managed Peter Pan in Florida.

The parade on the first day was the wet weather version- a bit pants. Second day was the full show and very good.

Posted by xmauix (33 days ago)

If you like your kid to see the princesses, book @ the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. It's usually visited by princesses. You may also request from the front desk to have one of the princesses greet your daughter once you arrive. I requested that before and my daughter was delighted! No need to pay, they'll be happy to do that for you :)

First thing is to call up HK Disneyland hotel and tell them your request and then, if they can assure you that a princess can greet your daughter, you can make the booking. Anyway, the princesses should be around that hotel... That's why it's more expensive compared to the Hollywood hotel, because of the characters roaming around, from the lobby to restaurants :)

Enjoy!

Posted by WWcC (33 days ago)

I've been to the Park twice and enjoyed it thoroughly and cannot wait until my son is old enough to take him. With all the bad press at the time I thought it would be disappointing but it was wonderful. I know it may be nothing compared to other Disneys but its a great Park to start with young kids. Where else in HK can you get a day out with your children for this price, its great value for money and the kids will love every minute of it. Last time I went, High Street Musical performed on the streets and my 10 yr old goddaugher absolutely adored it and she danced with them.

xmauix, i didnt know about characters being able to meet and greet, that's so cute. Will bear it in mind next time I have some children in town, thanks.

Posted by Philly Cheese (33 days ago)

Another tip to save money - book a room at the Hollywood Hotel and book a character breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel. I really liked the pool at the Hollywood Hotel. Pack a lunch, much better than what is available inside the park.

If you stay at the hotel, get into the park earlier than the crowd and take all the pictures along Main St without many people in the frame.