For those of us lucky enough to have visited a Disney theme park, there’s really only one way to describe the feeling: “magic”.
Yes, it is a complete cliché, but there is no other way to explain those 10 minutes stepping through the front turnstile and walking into Main Street USA.
The moment you see the castle off in the distance and your child’s face light up with joy, you can’t help but get emotional (even for this grizzled writer).
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I will always cherish my family’s first Disney experience in California, and then our second in Tokyo. But the third in Hong Kong will stay with me for a different reason.
If you’re in Hong Kong with your family – whether you love Disney or not – here is why you must add Disney to your list.
An encounter in Arendelle
It was our third park in as many countries, and despite the “magic” I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were going through the motions.
As we arrived at the park, a tour guide whisked us through security and straight into the World of Frozen, which of course is themed on the hit 2013 film.
My son and wife were excited to explore, and I was ready to check out the different attractions dotted around the park – until a moment with our tour group floored me.
One of the youngest members of our Disney touring party was a VERY big Elsa fan, which was made abundantly clear by her choice of dress for the day.
And then it happened. Elsa arrived and conjured the magic.
Flanked by park security as she greeted visitors, this Elsa appeared to have leapt straight out of the film and into real life – and the expression on our little group member’s face said it all.
Elsa chatted and smiled, then stood for a picture before being ushered away, but there is no doubt that fleeting interaction between a little girl and a character she adores will stay with her and her family forever.
Familiar sights and sounds
With the magic firmly back in place, it was time for us to adventure. But instead of rushing to the attractions that make Hong Kong’s park unique, we kicked it off with a trip down memory lane.
Fantasyland had all the staples – Mad Hatter Teacups, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and the Cinderella Carousel.
A little jaunt south and we were in Adventureland, which meant a ride on the Jungle River Cruise.
Despite the steps we were quickly racking up, we then made a beeline for Hyperspace Mountain – an older ride which had been given a Star Wars twist.
Those rides are like comfort food – attractions for all ages that make every park feel familiar. But then it was time for the experiences only Hong Kong has to offer.
Exploring new frontiers
One of the most important reasons for marking Hong Kong off your Disney park checklist is Toy Storyland.
As you approach it from the south, your first sight is the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop, bringing back instant memories of the OG Pixar film.
While the Slinky Dog Spin was good fun for us all, the main event was RC Racer – a giant back-and-forth shuttle rollercoaster that will really get the blood pumping.
The other big point of difference for Hong Kong’s park is World of Frozen, which has fun for fans of all ages.
Playhouse in the Woods is an immersive experience featuring all the Frozen characters you love. And for the thrillseekers, Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs is one of the best rides Disney has offered up (in my humble opinion).
But in terms of the best all-rounder, it’s hard to go past Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars.
Because we were at the park during a quieter periof of the year (November), there was NO line for this attraction when we got there mid-morning.
It was so good we rode it three times – and it even had us pondering a fourth run, even though we had so much more to explore.
The food
For some visitors, the best part of any Disney trip is the themed food offerings, which are tailored to the specific part of the park you’re in.
In Toy Storyland we chomped down on a Lotso Waffle Sandwich, which was a lovely combo of sweet and savour flavours.
Our favourite treat of the day was the Stitch Paw Print bar, which was perfect on a hot day (and also because it’s my son’s favourite Disney character).
But there are still all the classic Disney snacks and small bites to consume, from hot dogs and fairy floss to caramel popcorn and the giant turkey legs.
The only food options that disappointed us were the Marvel-themed meals at the Starliner Diner. We chose it for dinner after seeing the offerings, but it did feel and taste like the Iron Man burgers we ordered were made several hours earlier.
The big show
From there it was on to the main event for any Disney park – the nightly light and fireworks show in front of the Castle of Magic Dreams.
After securing the best spot possible near Main Street USA, we settled in for our third show of this kind and honestly, it might have been our favourite of the bunch.
The 20-minute show was about the journey from childhood to new adventures, featuring almost 50 different Disney and Pixar characters.
These shows are always the perfect bookend to a day at Disney, but for me it meant just a little bit more.
It was my second crucial reminder of what the “magic” is all about.
The writer and their family travelled as guests of the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
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