Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hello everyone... this is sort of part 2 to my Ocean Park trip report. You see? I left Ocean Park at around 4pm and arrived at HKDL around 5:15pm using public bus and MTR. I gotta admit...I love HK's public transportation system. Cheap and efficient. I arrived in HKDL just before the Sun started to set, so I caught the park at the best time... pre-dusk and evening hours. It was also a bit more crowded when compared to other recent visit. Still, not crowded enough to have lines forming for attractions.. or maybe I was there after the rush?? LOL! Why do they even bother offering Fastpass here??? Makes no sense. First thing I noticed upon arrival are the new banners on the Promenade, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to the Chinese Goverment. The anniversary takes place for real on July 1st 2007, and yours truly plan to be in Hong Kong for the festivities and extra-special fireworks show over Victoria Harbor... with a possible short daytime visit to HKDL on that day. Of course.. my value AP is blocked off on that day which means me having to buy a day-ticket. Oh well... I understand there may be some special going ons at the park that day and yours truly want to check that out to see if it's true. Fingers crossed. Hopefully, my trip into Hong Kong will go well for that very special ocasion. Upon getting closer to HKDL's main entrance and walking down Main Street, I also happen to notice that gardens flowers have been newly planted and trees look a bit taller and very full. Maybe HK's humid tropical weather does have an immediate effect on trees there, but the park looked lush and very green. I love that! Once inside the park... business as usual. Waited about 10 mins for a photo op with the Mice, then went window shopping. Found father's day merchandise on display, as well as a small selection of "Million Dreams" tees, hats and other stuff. I have to wonder why this is sold here since HKDL is not participating in that ill-conceived Million Dreams promotion being shove down guests' throats at WDW and DLR. Hmmm.. However, I also saw some very unique tees and shirts for sae here as well... and most I believe were new designs exclusive to HKDL. A little farther into the Emporium and HORRORS!!! Disney Crocs shoes on sale!!! ARGH!!! Worst, some chinese guests were buying them!!! The funny thing is... the ones they had on sale at HKDL were like US$15 *less* than the price charged at WDW/DLR on the states. Gotta love China. I then took a leisurely walk around the park, checking out the happenings in the "PirateLand" area (aka Adventureland), Fantasyland, then Tomorrowland. Since I got there rather late.. I skipped all rides.. choosing instead to enjoy the ambiance and finally eat a small dinner at the Starliner Diner restaurant, then went on to enjoy the atmosphere this park offers at dusk. Tried the Red Bean ice cream popsicle, and had a Bonaqua bottled water to wash it down and keep me hydrated. Even in the evening... you still feel a bit of heat and humidity in the area. By chance, I happened to be in front of the hub when the unannounced and quite entertaining light, strobes, and music Castle show started. This is one of HKDL's little secrets. The castle puts on a musical show like every 15 mins or so after dark. Lights on the castle dance and change color to the music, strobes dance in different patterns, and music plays.. It's a little show but quite entertaining. Shortly thereafter, we were being treated to HKDL's "Disney in the Stars" fireworks to end the day with style. Finals thoughts... Having visited Ocean Park earlier in the day, then heading into HKDL for the late afternoon and evening...made me appreciate this little Disney park even more so than before. Ocean Park simply does not stack up to Disney's magnificent quality and theming and it's quite shocking to experience the difference when you go from one park to the other in 75 mins time. In fact, all I can say for my visit to Ocean Park is that it benefits greatly from it's mountain top location, but that's about it. HKDL is still a far superior experience in my book, even after Disney and the Chinese dropped the ball and made this park a minuscule shade of it's 4 other sister parks in the World. I love HKDL now even more after visiting Ocean Park... NO doubt about it. Here are photos from my short evening visit to HKDL. Of course, with a park of this size.. I find myself taking photos of the same areas and buildings on a recurrent basis... so I apologize on behalf of Disney for that.. But I thought some of you would still enjoy visiting this little gem of a park thru these albums... so enjoy. <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32541890&f=" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32541890&f=</a>
Originally Posted By koobar LOL at the space mountain pic. the lady in the back looks like she's giving birth.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Great pics as always, TDLFAN. And even a digestable in one sitting serving too ;-) Some random thoughts: The park really looks GREEN and VERDANT and LUSH and you get the point ... even along Main Street and in Town Square ... it just makes you wonder why the MK had all its mature trees hacked out and replaced by seedlings ... you can tell they did a masterful job in landscaping. Main Street vehicles seem to always be out (as opposed to MK where they get four hours a day if that) maybe that's because there's such a dearth of attractions? Adventureland would be my fave land too. The Pirate's Land deal looks to be OK, nothing special. What would have been much better -- the 21st century PoC attraction and themed addition ... oh well, there's always hope. The outdoor seating area at Festival of Foods looks very kewl ... especially for an evening meal. Great job as always!
Originally Posted By Mr X >>HORRORS!!! Disney Crocs shoes on sale!!! ARGH!!! Worst, some chinese guests were buying them!!!<< Did you know that if you'd invested in Crocs exactly three months ago you'd have more than doubled your money by today? And if you invested a year ago, you'd have nearly quadrupled it! Kinda makes those Disney stockholders look pretty sorry, huh? But yes I agree, they are butt ugly and I don't ever wanna own a pair. (well, maybe one pair )
Originally Posted By TDLFAN No. If I recall well... you^^^ have nice feet. A shame to cover your toes in those ugly crocs.
