Hong Kong Disneyland

There’s a lot to love about Hong Kong Disneyland.  While retaining the joy, imagination and authenticity of the large north American Disney Parks, it is closer to Australia for one.  Instead of a thirteen hour flight to Los Angeles, we subtracted a full five hours of flying time by seeking our Disney Magic in Hong Kong.  Let’s face it, five hours less time on a plane with a squirming toddler is gold.  In a similar timezone to Australia, jet lag when visiting Hong Kong isn’t a factor – another plus.  Finally, more compact than the north American Parks Hong Kong Disneyland is more manageable with a toddler than the giant Disney parks.

There are a multitude of websites dedicated to Disney trip planning but I found less information online about visiting Hong Kong Disneyland with a toddler.  As with all the Disney Parks a little planning goes a long way so I wanted to share what we learnt on our recent trip to Hong Kong Disneyland here for you.

Plan to stay into the evening.

Hong Kong Disneyland

I know, routine bedtimes with a toddler are important but the time to break that bedtime routine is when visiting Hong Kong Disneyland.  Hong Kong Disneyland rocks at night.  Disney “Paint the Night” Nighttime Spectacular is an amazing illuminated parade of dancing, disco and Disney.  I have never seen our own two year old groove with as much gorgeous enthusiasm as during this parade.  If you can push your own toddler to the 845pm Disney in the Stars Fireworks it is worth it.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Consider staying onsite at a Disney Resort.

Disney’s Hollywood Hotel
A stunning place to cool off

Naps – if our toddler doesn’t have one then things head pear shaped pretty fast.  By staying at one of the two onsite Disney Resorts (we stayed at the Disney Hollywood Hotel) an afternoon nap is easy peasy, and you can take your little one back to the park to enjoy the afternoon and evening.

Buy a two day ticket.

Hong Kong Disneyland – water fighting at Grizzly Gulch

Although Hong Kong Disneyland is smaller than other Disney parks it has 7 lands—Adventureland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, Toy Story Land, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Main Street, U.S.A.  There is plenty to keep family interested over two days.  By spreading the visit over two days our own young kids were better able to enjoy some of the simple pleasures without feeling rushed such as water fights at Grizzly Gulch.

Rides 

Hong Kong Disneyland has many of the classic Disney rides as well as some local originals

Some rides are obviously not appropriate for toddlers due to height restrictions, such as Space Mountain.  Kids have to be 81 cm to ride on Autopia, a slow moving car ride in Tomorrowland.  Even if your little one is tall enough for this ride, give it a miss.  It tends to have overly long lines that move slowly and is not worth the wait.   Mystic Manor in Mystic Point is a great ride where exhibits in a museum come to life.  Our five year old loved it.  The two toddlers in our group were terrified.   The only toddler friendly ride that offers a Fastpass option is the Winnie the Pooh ride, so head there when you first access the park to pick up your Fastpass.

Shows are where it’s at.

Flights of Fantasy Parade Hong Kong Disneyland

Disney parks are famous for their rides but we were incredibly impressed with the shows at Hong Kong Disneyland, which our toddler loved too.  The Flights of Fantasy Parade was fabulous and the other lines to the other shows were short.  A tip – the sun is harsh at 3.30 pm when the Flights of Fantasy Parade was on, and shade was tricky to find.  Make sure all your family have hats and sunscreen on when you visit Hong Kong Disneyland.  Take the time to stop and interact with the other performers and performances occurring during your time at the park too.

Lot’s of opportunities for toddlers to dance at Hong Kong Disneyland

Consider a character breakfast before the park opens.

Nothing is as scary as a giant yellow dog

Hong Kong Disneyland opens late – at 10am, and many of the rides don’t open until 11am.  By this time toddlers are already heading towards nap time.  Make the most of your Disney time by booking a character breakfast at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel before the park opens (there are two breakfast sittings).  We did this which worked well for the family members that enjoy character experiences (own own toddler is not so fond of them…)  It also meant we didn’t have to queue for character experiences in the park as we’d met them already.

Food

Breakfast at Disney’s Hollywood Hotel in Hong Kong

Fortunately you can bring your own food and drink into Hong Kong Disneyland.  The price of food and beverages in the park are steep, certainly much more than we are used to paying in Australian theme parks, or US based Disney parks.  I’d advised bringing water bottles in, and at a minimum snacks for everyone to save some serious cash.

Have you been to Hong Kong Disneyland?  Tell us all about it.

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