We were at Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL) to welcome 2018.
It has been five (5) years since our last visit. My 13 year old is now half inch taller than I am and my 9 year old is likewise growing as fast.
Since we have been to HK numerous times before (Check here to read about our trip to HK in 2012), our HK year-ender was spent primarily touring the park.
Since we have been to HK numerous times before (Check here to read about our trip to HK in 2012), our HK year-ender was spent primarily touring the park.
Our before and after picture at HKDL (5 years apart).
Without toddlers (i.e., no whining and no piggy-backing) this HKDL travel was actually more enjoyable.
DAY 1 (December 31)
- Arrival / Shopping at City Gate Outlet Mall (the closest to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, where we are staying).
We took the Philippine Airlines 8am flight and arrived at HK Airport at about 10am.
After deplaning, we made our way out of immigrations and picked up our pre-rented pocket Wifi via Klook. I have been using this attractions/tours booking site for sometime now (used it in Singapore, Macau and Japan tours) and find it quite efficient.
Click here for Klook booking discount for first time users: Klook Discount Code
We quickly headed to the taxi stand and took the Blue Taxi to HKDL Resort. Taxi fare costs us about HKD150 (for 4 pax with 2 luggage).
We arrived at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel about 20 minutes after. We were assisted to the 7th Floor Kingdom Club Lounge and warmly greeted by the lounge casts (as they call all personnel in the resort).
We were given our lounge card access, detailed time table of the shows, explained the resort amenities and our complimentary Fast Passes (FP).
We were also given 12 FPs for 4 per pass and 1 Priority Pass to the Mickey's Wondrous Book Show. These FPs proved helpful in making us enjoy the park even more (Read as: No Queuing). Please check my separate post on our Kingdom Club experience.
We left our bags and headed to the MTR Disneyland Resort Station to do some shopping at the City Gate Outlet Mall, which is located in Tung Chung Station, which is two (2) stops away. We got roundtrip MTR tickets to save us queuing time.
It was way pass lunch time when we arrived at the City Gate Outlet Mall. Lunch was at Korean BBQ Time located at the Fu Tung Plaza next to City Gate Mall (we decided to transfer to Fu Tung as all the restaurant at City Gate Mall were full).
We ordered deep fried chicken, Korean seafood pancake and Pork and Beef BBQ set. Everything we ordered were spot on (It was good to know I will not die of hunger when visit Incheon mid this year).
Our plan was to check the mall for shoes. City Gate Outlet Mall carries our preferred brands: Nike, Adidas and Sketchers. Shoes were on sale up to 70% off and if you are not too choosy of the model these are really good deals. Be warned, however as the mall was quite crowded and the payment counter were quite long and busy.
My 13 year old was quite specific to the Nike shoes model he wanted and decided not to buy any. Me and my youngest, however, got ourselves Sketcher shoes. I paid HKD850 for 2 Sketcher shoes.
My son loved his Sketcher's Light Up Shoes ~ and wore them soon after paying.
We were back at Disneyland at around 5pm, with enough time to freshen up for the New Year's countdown later.
Our room for 3 nights (Hongkong Disneyland Hotel) ~ Unlimited snacks and beverage access at the Kingdom Club Lounge and a room with a balcony view Discovery Bay (#LoveLife)
HK Disneyland Resort hosted a New Year countdown event at the hotel lobby. It was fun and exciting seeing Disney All Stars (Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale, etc) perform while waiting for the clock to strike 12.
Unfortunate my kiddo's power were not enough to keep them up to see the countdown. The early Manila-Hongkong flight earlier was too much for them (Oh well).
After deplaning, we made our way out of immigrations and picked up our pre-rented pocket Wifi via Klook. I have been using this attractions/tours booking site for sometime now (used it in Singapore, Macau and Japan tours) and find it quite efficient.
Click here for Klook booking discount for first time users: Klook Discount Code
We quickly headed to the taxi stand and took the Blue Taxi to HKDL Resort. Taxi fare costs us about HKD150 (for 4 pax with 2 luggage).
We arrived at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel about 20 minutes after. We were assisted to the 7th Floor Kingdom Club Lounge and warmly greeted by the lounge casts (as they call all personnel in the resort).
We were given our lounge card access, detailed time table of the shows, explained the resort amenities and our complimentary Fast Passes (FP).
We were also given 12 FPs for 4 per pass and 1 Priority Pass to the Mickey's Wondrous Book Show. These FPs proved helpful in making us enjoy the park even more (Read as: No Queuing). Please check my separate post on our Kingdom Club experience.
We left our bags and headed to the MTR Disneyland Resort Station to do some shopping at the City Gate Outlet Mall, which is located in Tung Chung Station, which is two (2) stops away. We got roundtrip MTR tickets to save us queuing time.
HK ~ where riding an MTR is actually fun
It was way pass lunch time when we arrived at the City Gate Outlet Mall. Lunch was at Korean BBQ Time located at the Fu Tung Plaza next to City Gate Mall (we decided to transfer to Fu Tung as all the restaurant at City Gate Mall were full).
We ordered deep fried chicken, Korean seafood pancake and Pork and Beef BBQ set. Everything we ordered were spot on (It was good to know I will not die of hunger when visit Incheon mid this year).
Our plan was to check the mall for shoes. City Gate Outlet Mall carries our preferred brands: Nike, Adidas and Sketchers. Shoes were on sale up to 70% off and if you are not too choosy of the model these are really good deals. Be warned, however as the mall was quite crowded and the payment counter were quite long and busy.
My 13 year old was quite specific to the Nike shoes model he wanted and decided not to buy any. Me and my youngest, however, got ourselves Sketcher shoes. I paid HKD850 for 2 Sketcher shoes.
My son loved his Sketcher's Light Up Shoes ~ and wore them soon after paying.
We were back at Disneyland at around 5pm, with enough time to freshen up for the New Year's countdown later.
Our room for 3 nights (Hongkong Disneyland Hotel) ~ Unlimited snacks and beverage access at the Kingdom Club Lounge and a room with a balcony view Discovery Bay (#LoveLife)
Somebody is excited to welcome 2018.
HK Disneyland New Year's noise makers. So ready for the Countdown Party.
HK Disneyland Hotel is Victorian Themed, similar to the other Disneyland Hotels (Tokyo Disneyland Hotel Review)
Do you notice the intricate details on the room décor?
This cute toiletry kit made its way to my bag.
HK Disneyland Resort hosted a New Year countdown event at the hotel lobby. It was fun and exciting seeing Disney All Stars (Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale, etc) perform while waiting for the clock to strike 12.
Countdown to 2018 with Chip and Dale
Unfortunate my kiddo's power were not enough to keep them up to see the countdown. The early Manila-Hongkong flight earlier was too much for them (Oh well).
DAY 2 - 3 (January 1 and 2) - DISNEYLAND PARK
- Disney Park (we bought the 2 days ticket) also via Klook. The vouchers were changed to Disneyland tickets on first entry at the turnstile. No need to queue differently to have them exchanged.
Please follow our Day 2 and 3 ~ Disneyland Park Post
DAY 4 - DEPARTURE
- Departure back to Manila. We left the hotel at 1030 for a 120pm flight. Yes, extra time for shopping for "pasalubong". A down side staying inside the resort is the lack of affordable shopping.
Check below link to our 2012 HK trip, in case you wish to read about HK Travel Tips with Kids in Tow >>> Hong Kong with Children in 5D/4N .
