Fine Cuisine

Originally Posted By Malin

Like I have previously stated I will be visiting the park in May and will be devoting a full two days of my vacation in Hong Kong at the park. During my time I wish to maybe have one or two meals, and I was just interested to know if any of you who have been already have personal choices that I may like to try. I have heard a bit about The Crystal Lotus being the best on site, but I guess that all depends on your own taste. Also Chef Mickey is supposed to be very popular and I believe may of already been nominated for a culinary award.

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORGOCH: Thanks fer askin', Malin, ducklin'! From what I hears, they's got some purdy tasty frogs over there in Ping Pong Dizzyland. If'n ya wouldn't mind tryin' ta ketch some an' then fryin' 'em up, ya can tell me what they tastes like. Who knows? Maybe I'll git my own dang broom stick in gear some day an' fly over there fer myself!!

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Malin, though I have not yet been, I have a number of personal friends that have, many with lot's of global Disney experience. My understanding is the park is mostly chinese food. Crystal Lotus has been used in the same breath as Napa Rose, V&A/California Grill. And for me, that restaurant is why I plan to spend more than one night on site.

Also I have heard great things about the Plaza Inn having the best decor, service and food in the park itself. Again, chinese food.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

I've no doubt that Crystal Lotus is very good, but I really don't get why it would be a priority to eat there (enough to stay MORE than one night there!!??) when you are actually in HONG KONG itself.

I'm reasonably certain you could locate some other fantastic Chinese restaurants.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Maybe because we like the Disney environment, and kids are very welcome. It's safe, and you can wander back upstairs to your room.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Yes, I understand all that...but you are talking about eating there more than once?

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Nope, just that I also want to try Plaza Gardens too and cannot manage two big meals a day. I figure we will be jet lagged too. So arrive on day one, take it easy, go for a swim, have a nice meal at Crystal Lotus, day 2 enjoy the park from opening with a meal at Plaza Gardens and close the park with fireworks, day 3 go to the city for the day, day 4 get on a plane to tokyo.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Ouch.

What a shame to only see Hong Kong proper for a single day!

Be sure to check out the skyline at night, anyway. It's incredible.

 

Originally Posted By Malin

<<< Malin, though I have not yet been, I have a number of personal friends that have, many with lot's of global Disney experience. My understanding is the park is mostly chinese food. Crystal Lotus has been used in the same breath as Napa Rose, V&A/California Grill. And for me, that restaurant is why I plan to spend more than one night on site. >>>

Thanks for the reply davewasbaloo, the Resturant Crystal Lotus seems to always come first on the list. I don't mind the fact the park mainly sell's Chinese food, as its just catering to local tastes. My only concern is with not knowing how authentic Chinese food taste like, its always a concern I won't apreciate it that much. Of course I've tried Chinese food before but like most Asian foods its probarely been altered to suit western taste. We had a problem similar to this when we took a friend out for a Thai meal who has lived in Thailand for 6 months and he commented on how it tasted nothing like it does out there. My Brother who also visits Thailand also has commented on this before. I will probarely give the Crystal Lotus a try anyway, and maybe one of the other Restaurants. Althrough I'm not sure if Plaza Gardens cuisine is that much differnt to Crystal Lotus.

I also agree with Mr X 1 day to see Hong Kong does seem like a waste here, especially with so much on your door step and the option of day trips to mainland China and Macua.

 

Originally Posted By Malin

<<< Malin, ducklin'! From what I hears, they's got some purdy tasty frogs over there in Ping Pong Dizzyland. If'n ya wouldn't mind tryin' ta ketch some an' then fryin' 'em up, ya can tell me what they tastes like. >>>

Barbecued Frogs are not my sort of thing Witches, maybe I can send some over to you in the Marshes of Morva

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

***I also agree with Mr X 1 day to see Hong Kong does seem like a waste here, especially with so much on your door step and the option of day trips to mainland China and Macua.***

To put that into perspective, I spent less than a half a day at Hong Kong Disneyland (paid full price, by the way), which is something I've NEVER done at any park before outside of Florida when I had an annual pass.

Less than half a day.

And I was bored and ready to leave long before that.

Just look at the attractions roster and do the math (granted, Small World and the Autopia could add what, maybe a half hours worth more of stuff to do?).

So, to devote such a gigantic chunk of time to that resort and neglect seeing Hong Kong itself, to me, is not a good thing. But of course, everyone has their own plans and their own motivations for touring.

To be brutally honest, even if I had an entire WEEK to spend in Hong Kong I'd not devote more than a half a day to HKDL.

If I had 10 days or more, then maybe (multiple viewings of shows, ride a lot of rides over and over, go and eat at all the hotel restaurants and all that).

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

One suggestion I have for Dave is to consider switching up the itinerary a bit.

Devote the first day to Hong Kong, and stay there that night (granted, a jetlagged look at the place to be sure).

THEN move to the resort and spend your two days (it's closer to the airport in any case on your travel day to Japan).

At least then you can experience Hong Kong first of all, and if you DO start to get bored with Hong Kong Disney you have the option of heading back into town (it's not all that far, like 30 minutes by train?).

Dave, you've been to Hong Kong before though right?

I would imagine that would factor into your plans.

OF COURSE, that's just a suggestion on my part and in no way am I trying to insist that you vacation "my way". I just do feel it's a shame to miss out on so much of the city (and side trips as well) for the sake of Disney.

And, for the record, I tell people the same thing when they visit Tokyo (nobody every listens though).

Frankly, when enjoying Asia there is SO much to see and do, so different from what we're used to, and so many exciting, interesting places to eat...I can only recommend STRONGLY that you spend only ONE day at a Disney park unless you have absolutely TONS of time or travel to Asia a lot.

So, that'd mean one day at Hong Kong Disneyland, two at Tokyo Disney Resort...MAX.

Again, just my opinion.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Yep, have spent 3 weeks in HK before. Love it. But with kids, hmmmm, not so sure. On the outer parts yes, but given we will probably combine a trip with HK and Japan, we will use HK as a jetlag stoppover essentially. As adults sans kids, I agree, HK deserves WAY more time. But as a parent with little ones, then a smaller time period with a highlights tour is more our style.

Remember guys, I live a crazy life - 19 hour work days more often than not. On vacation, I like to slow down a little.

Once the kids are teens, then yes, we would probably make HK and Macau a destination.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

As for TDL, we would likely spend at least 5 there. Given we just went to DL for 6 days and did not do it all, then I reckon we need at least 5 if not more for TDL/TDS. When we go to Asia, I will be trying to swing 3 or 4 weeks off, so I reckon 7 days with Disney is not a big proportion.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Like I said, Dave, I'm just giving *my* personal general advice. Not only for you, but for others as well (nobody listens though lol).

I realize that you've traveled a lot, and also the fact that you have a particular agenda and all that.

Just don't be surprised if you are feeling a bit bored after a while at the Hong Kong resort (though it sounds like you are just devoting one entire day to the park...that should be fine and I hope you get good weather etc...).

Five days at TDR seems a bit much imho, but then again you'll have the opportunity to check it out at your leisure, enjoy many of the "finer points", and all that goes along with that. Be sure and enjoy the atmosphere, the smaller shows and offerings and the "lesser" attractions as well. It's all very interesting.

Look forward to meeting you! It sounds like this trip is "official"? I hope so!

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

"Be sure to check out the skyline at night, anyway. It's incredible."

Make sure to check out the laser show each night too! I think it runs at about 9:00, and there are various places on both sides (Hong Kong and Kowloon) where they play music and you get a great view. It's a pretty incredible thing to watch!

 

Originally Posted By disneymum

We had the character buffet breakfast at the Plaza Inn one morning and I highly recommend it! Lots of western and chinese choices as well as some individual attention from Mulan, Minnie and some other princesses I can't remember right now. We had the first sitting and I loved walking down the deserted Main Street and taking pics of my kids in front of the castle with no other people there. We were the first guests in the park, as the park opened later than the restaurant.

 

Originally Posted By Malin

In response to post 11 Mr X is clear you have very little time for Hong Kong Disneyland and recomend not doing more than half a day. I am in no way judging you, but havn't you admited your more of a rides kind of person, which I think could be part of the reason for the low opinion. I've no idea what davewasbaloo's agenda is when visiting the Disney parks, but my own personal view like I have stated else where is that I enjoy the full experience, that includes attractions, shows, parades, dining, shopping. I'm not saying that Hong Kong Disneyland is a full day worth of fun, but I think it can certainly fill more than half a day, providing you enjoy more than just rides. My own personal plan is to spend a full two days here, not only enjoying the park, but also the hotels and lake. I may find it to long myself but I have full intentions of leaving if I get too bored. Out of interest what would you recomend in Hong Kong that is worth seeing more than the park?

 

Originally Posted By leemac

Malin - Crystal Lotus is a must. Stunning restaurant (including some fun WDI gadgets) and the cuisine is exceptional even for HK. Plaza Inn is fun (again a beautiful facility) and the food is pretty good.

HK has some amazing restaurants - some of the finest anywhere. Lotus doesn't compare to a lot of the HK Island/Kowloon restaurants but it is excellent by Disney standards.

 

Originally Posted By Malin

Thanks Lee, Crystal Lotus looks very high on my list, not only because its been recomended on here, but also due to the work that WDI did on the place. I've heard a lot about the little features like the virtual koi pond. Do you have any recomendations on the menu?

I would imagine most Restaurants at Disney fail in comparrison to that found within only a short traveling distance, reason why the food at Resorts like DLRP and TDR are always just standard fare. How do you compete when there many Michelin star chefs cooking in all of these cities like Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong.

Also thanks to disneymum for recomending the Plaza.