Originally Posted By WorldDisney Okay, finally posting a review . Originally, I wasn't going to really post a major one since 1. everything has been said what needed to be said about this park and 2. I'm REALLY lazy . I always say I AM going to write one and rarely do. I think I did that for TDR about 5 times through the years. Anyway, I figure I can just get it all off my chest and yes, since I was a harsh critic with this park for so many months, I know a few people are curious out there now that I finally been there. So, here goes: Okay, so if you don't want to read the over lenghty review this will turn out to be, here's the review in a gist: The park is "Okay", but its faaar from anything of a true Magic Kingdom park although it's certianly the best park built by Disney since Animal Kingdom (yes, sans TDS of course ). So, yes, that's the gist and you can stop right there. For those of you willing to hear it ALL, you been warned . Here we go: I went there to the resort twice. First on a Monday and was actually with a friend who met me in Hong Kong to my surprise . Also, a Disney fan, been to a few American parks and even to TDR. The second time was 3 days later on my way out. It only happened because this British couple was at the same place I was staying and couldn't go to the park (but got there tickets months in advance. They were afraid the park was going to be 'sold out'...snicker). Anyway, they sold me one of the tickets for HALF price and since I had a few hours to kill before my flight and give it another once over on my own (one of the great advantage of this park, so close to the airport and you litterally just need a few hours to see it). First, the GOOD: The resort IS wonderfully placed. Just a nice location, even if a bit out of the way from Hong Kong itself, but I guess that's part of the beauty of it. I would go as far as to say its the BEST located resort from any of them. Anaheim and Tokyo has to deal with being in major urban area's. Orlando, while pretty isolated once you get ON the property, the thing is still in Orlando . Plus anything outside of it is a complete tourist ghetto now and doesn't feel Disney at all once you leave the grounds, but its fine. Paris is nice, waaay out there and has lots of space too, but it doesn't have an ocean and moutains as its backdrop like this park does. Just more empty fields to play with. Also, I like the fact that the area belongs ONLY to HKDL. That's the beauty of it. Once you take that Disney train in, you are litterally surrounded by Disney and nothing else as if the thing is almost built on its own island . Really cool and imagine it will be a hopping place to be in a few years. HKDL itself is also pretty nice. Yes, as it been said, they didn't cheap out on the quality this time around (just the quantity....I guess SOMETHING gotta give). But yes, what WAS there looked really good and well done. When you walk through the tunnel, it does feel like you are walking through the original. I guess seeing the original castle adds a lot to that though. Honestly, the beauty of the place was NEVER an issue with me though. Pictures don't lie and I like every MK park to date. Yes, I like some better than others in terms of beauty, rides and all that, but generally I like them all . Anyway, very nice. I think my friend liked it too ALTHOUGH he wasn't impressed as how nice it turned out as I was. He seem to think TOO much of it was carbon copied. While I certainly agree with Main St., I thought the rest was different enough to feel like you are in a different Disney park....but not enough (I'll explain more later). Also good were the shows (even though there are little to speak of). Yes, I saw Lion King before, but it's done closer to the original story of the movie and really liked the way they used Chinese along with English that flowed organically within the show. It just wasn't some guy off on the side translating, so that alone was cool . The Golden Mickey show really surprised me because it was litterally about only 1 of 3 things I have not already done in this park, but it was a very cute and fun show. Yeah, done a thousand times in other versions, but still fun and wanted to see again. Also, the theater like the Lion King theater was nicely done. My friend actually missed both of these shows because he had already left (more on this later too). Disney in the Stars fireworks: Now, I was BLOWN AWAY by this show (my friend missed out big time here since he already took off). I honestly expected a run-in-the-mill fireworks show, kind of like TDR. Since Japan, ironically, produces some of the worst Disney fireworks shows while the country itself has some of the best (I was at TDS in July and watched for an entire hour of the firworks show from inside the park that Tokyo put on while the park itself lasted for all of 3 minutes....pathetic!) Anyway, it did a lot more and used a lot of other techniques like the pyrotechnics on the castle like DL is using, animation on the castle, different colors and etc. Its a REALLY good show and actually 'pushed the envelope' for a change which sadly the majority of the rest of the park doesn't. So, yeah, a great treat. The BEST part of the park attraction wise though was hands down, Philharmagic. Me or my friend both never seen this show, but we ended up seeing it twice that day and I actually saw it a THIRD time that night. See, THIS is what makes Disney, DISNEY!!!! You can tell a lot of the people in the theater isn't use to that kind of 3D technology that most of us grew up with already. They were really surprised the way things were coming out of the screen and just seems to be overwelmingly EXCITED about this attraction. On my third show, a lot of people clapped at the end. THIS is the kind of attraction that shows why it's a 'big deal' to have a Disney park in your back yard. Once again, sadly though, it's only a reminder of what little few and fantastic, blow-off-the-doors attractions this park got. What is nice about this park unlike a place like DCA is what is there, IS nice, truly. There isn't anything there to turn your stomach like a mad mouse coaster or badly done dark rides, but its simply NOT enough, period. Now, time for the bad: First off is the parade, "Disney on Parade". This was actually the first thing me and my friend did in the park and agreed it was lacking SOMETHING!!! I never seen it when it was at TDL, but I know it was longer than this cheaper version and regardless what park its in....that blow up Mickey Mouse...creepy as hell. Still getting nightmares . Yeah, I guess its a good parade if you never seen a Disney parade, but like a lot of things in this park, a lot of thing can only pass muster if you have NO Disney park reference to anything (which I guess was part of the 'reason' the park was built so light, relying on the ignorant and gulible to make it think it's good enough ;D). The other thing me and my friend both noticed about this park is the lack of 'discovery'. I mean that the park is laid out in such a cookie-cuter, straight-to-the point way (while being small to begin with), you really can't find all those little things and nuances that you can at a lot of other Disney parks. This is a BIG problem actually, because that's what makes a park, especially a MK one so much fun. Finding a different path, going in a new tunnel, pointing out something that's just a little hidden and etc. What makes parks like DL, AK and especially TDS great is that you are ALWAYS finding something new. I been in DL about 50 times since I grew up there and in July, JULY, I walked through all of New Orleans Square for the first time in my life. I FINALLY figured out where club 33 is . I been to TDS well over a dozen times living in Tokyo and up to my 10th visit there, I just found a tunnel that links Mysterious Island with Port Discovery. My 10th visit. Everytime I visit that place, I find a new path way or something I never noticed before. My first official day there, I don't think I saw 60% of the place since its so big. Been through all the lands, but didn't get to see EVERYTHING in them. Something always to see, even if its small. HKDL, saw EVERYTHING my first day. There is nothing to this park in terms of that. We circle the damn thing in 5 times in under 2 hours and we felt we had already 'seen' the entire layout of the park. There was nothing left to 'discover' after only 2 hours. My 2nd day visit confirmed that. Meanwhile, I still doubt I haven't seen everything at Epcot yet, but I only been there like 8 times . The Jungle Cruise.....eh. I know this seems to be a love it or hate it ride in this park. Either its the BEST JC ever created or it lacked a lot and was too short. I have to go with the latter. When we rode it, while nice and a little distracting, I kept thinking to myself "THIS is suppose to be THE unique E-ticket in the park??" People made it seem like it was going to be HKDL's DLP's SM or POTC or HM (did any of you unstand ANY of that? ;D). Something totally different while still being the same, but no, it just turned out to be a little different with the ending and beginning while the middle (and biggest part of the ride) was the EXACT same thing as the others, but worse since there is hardly any freaking animals to see. This isn't Kilimanjaro Safaris, the animals shouldn't be hiding . But, it really was weak with the exception of that ending, but just nothing special about it and the weakest JC IMO. Being the shortest doesn't help it either . Once again, HKDL had the POTENTIAL to blow our socks off, but made it as 'safe' as possible with the exception of that ending....which makes NO sense to me btw, but whatever. Its just not a great ride and I didn't want to do it again. No charm: Yes, this is something my friend TRULY felt was lacking and I have to agree....to a degree . Yes, its pretty, yes, its an MK park, but like I said earlier, my friend pointed out it was too much of a carbon copy and didn't really feel all that different and doesn't draw you in. Although I did think a little more highly than he did, I have to agree. Did I *really* want to stay in Tomorrowland? No. Did I *really* like hanging out in Fantasyland? Again, No. Don't get me wrong, they are 'nice', but I don't want to just hang around and 'soak up the vibe'. Once again, TL at DL, no problem. I HAVE spent hours at American Waterfront in TDS just sitting and reading a book. Most of the countries in Epcot makes you want to see most of them in real life (and I have ). But, as 'nice' as HKDL is and feels, its lacking SOMETHING. I don't know what it is, but it doesn't make me want to just sit and people watch like the other MK's EXCEPT Main Street and that's probably the fact its exactly like the one at DL. Again, you may disagree (and please do ), but my friend and I felt the same way. There is no NOS there or a Frontierland or a land that gives a specific era or time also and maybe that's the problem too? ALL the MK parks have a few lands that falls in a specific (even if a long span) time and place. This one doesn't and maybe why it lacks a certain charm with those lack of references. Space Moutain queue: Pathetic! That's all I have to say here. Great ride, but once again, it shows that Disney cheapened out when 80% of this queue is outside with basic turnstyles. The inside is barely visible and doesn't connect a 'story' like all the other SM have done in the past. The loading itself seems REALLY small some reason, but that's more of a technical issue and not an asthetic one. Okay, FINALLY to the ugly: The RUDE CM's. I don't know, maybe we came on a bad day, but I don't think I saw hardly any CM give us a smile, much less give us the effort that we were very special guest at the Magic Kingdom. MAYBE I'm just spoiled with the quality you find in Tokyo (and it could be true), but about half the CM's barely looked like they wanted to be there. I remember I was running for the Golden Mickey show since I was late and as I entered the door, the CM who was operating it said to me, "Hurry up!" in the rudest fashion I can think of. Now, OUTSIDE of Disney, not the end of the world (especially in L.A.--you should just be happy you didn't get an expletive with it ;D) but it was odd to me. BUT, I will stress that I ran into some very good, very nice CM's no doubt, but the HK CM's seems to be the rudest as a whole on that visit, even more than the Paris folks and that's saying ALOT . The park is just TOO SMALL!!!! I know, this has been said a thousand times, and I was going to avoid this since *I* said it a thousand times, but actually being there *really* brings it home. I truly DON'T think anyone has described how small this place is. To give an example, you can LITTERALLY stand in TL and FL and you can see every attraction and area of land from your view. You stand there and without walking anywhere, you seen everything in the land (which really adds to that lack of discovery I mentioned). I mean, that's beyound sad to me. I been in every Disney park in the world (minus WDSP) and in terms of MK parks, I can only think of a few minor lands I can do this with like Critter Country, San Francico in DCA (yeah, I know) and others. But these are two of the biggest and most prominent lands in the other MK parks and here, there is barely enough room to hold the few rides they even have. Space Mountain litterally jumps in your face. When we saw the parade, I *thought* I was still in TL, but we were already in FL without even realizing it. People honestly can't imagine how small this park is until they go for themsevles. Adventureland is certainly big, but there is really nothing there outside of the JC and Lion King show, so most of it feels like a waste of space. The biggest land in the whole place, but the least attractions??? I assume they have big plans for the future obviously, but the irony is thick. Lastly, just not enough to do. Again, said a thousand times, but sooo true. Me and my friend got to a dead park around noon. By 4:00, we were already thinking what could we ride again to kill time. And we took our TIME! We didn't even ride our first attraction until 45 minutes after being there. My friend was so disgusted with the place he actually left by 6 (to be FAIR though, it was his first time in Hong Kong and wanted to see that too), but that says a lot. He just didn't feel there was enough to do and of course I have to agree. We actually started joking to each other, "Hey, lets ride POTC. Not here? How about IASW, nope. What about...?" In a sad way, HKDL turned into a joke for us. How do you convince people to jump on a plane and come see a park that takes less time to see than the plane ride that got you there?? Seriously. IN CONCLUSION, HKDL is "okay" it really is. I LIKED what was there, but as my friend pointed out over and over (and we even FOUGHT over this park in Hong Kong, he actually accused me of DEFENDING it, lol, can you believe that?) the park didn't attempt to make a worthy MK park, just something lackluster that hopes people are too stupid to notice (of course, barely enough come to even notice ) while *I* think its a good 'beginner' park for a newbie, which I ASSUME the park is kind of for (and my friend THEN accused me of kowtowing to the company line. LOL, talk about irony huh? ). Yes, its an OKAY park (with a wonderful set-up) if you NEVER been to a Disney park before, espeically a MK park before, but seriously, if you just been to ONE MK park, ANY MK park, I can't recommended it. I certainly can't say that about all the others as they have all something uniquely differently from the others, sometimes dozens of different qualities, lands and rides. This park can't say anything like that. Its certainly not to go all the way for Hong Kong for. There is NOTHING there that is unique or new to see. Although it feels a little different, every attraction has been pretty much lifted and copied from another park (sans the shows, but they are still similar enough, right?). Even though JC is 'different' its ironically the weakest one around. So, that's the review . I KNOW people are going to accuse me of going in there biased and all that, but I REALLY tried to get into this park and I did somewhat. I stayed the entire day and rode everything that WASN'T a spinner or a vehicle. I even went a second day to see if my assessment would change. If ANYTHING, that second day made my assessment worse as I quickly found out I was bored of a lot of things already. Two days and I didn't want to do much that was there again. So, there it is, the good, the bad and the ugly. Discuss.......
Originally Posted By gardabble As for the ugly, rude HKDL CM. Was this instance just only at Storybook theatre? Were there other attractions where the CM was rude? I kinda find it odd. I guess your a bit biased to Tokyo Disney CM.
Originally Posted By woody The park sounds very disappointing. It sounds like a pretty version of DCA and you know what happened there. Since HKDL doesn't have another more well attended park next door, I suppose this is what would have happened to DCA without Disneyland. You only said one attraction was worth it... Philharmonic. How about the other rides? Space Mountain sounds okay, but nothing great. I guess it didn't do much in HKDL unlike the original Disneyland, which is a real classic and crowd pleaser. Better luck next time. I wonder if the results in HK will mean a new park in Shanghai?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Thank you for your report, World Disney, duckling! ORGOCH: Sounds like there's more ta do in Morva than at Ping Pong Dizzyland--and THAT's really sayin' somethin'! ORWEN: (sigh) Oh, well...maybe in a few years...they'll add an attraction that's more exciting than extracting an old biddy from quicksand after she went and got herself bogged down after one frog hunt too many...
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<As for the ugly, rude HKDL CM. Was this instance just only at Storybook theatre? Were there other attractions where the CM was rude? I kinda find it odd. I guess your a bit biased to Tokyo Disney CM.>> Hi gardabble, No, it wasn't the ONLY place, but it was the rudest one for sure. The majority of the CM's didn't seem rude as much as plain apathetic (maybe that's a better word?). Most didn't smile, seem pretty impatient and didn't feel outwardly friendly like you EXPECT a CM to be. Another example was when I went back to the Philharmagic that night, about 3 of them were standing around talking and clearly liked talking to each other. I TRIED to ask them a question about how long before the next show since I was on a time crunch and I don't even think they heard me. I tried to repeat it again and one of them without barely looking up just said, "this way" and just continued talking. At that point, I just decided to let it go and went through. I think that's bad customer service period, Disney park or not. But like I said, yes, I met nice ones and friendly ones too and its not like they felt hostile or anything lol, I guess a lot of them IMO didn't seem to get into the Disney spirit and yeah, even though I do feel a little biased since the Tokyo CMs are hands down, the best than any resort, but I been to them all multiple times and outside of DLP, I never considered CM's rude or apathetic until I went to Hong Kong. Both American parks along with Tokyo has always been fine in my experience also. But maybe it was just a fluke.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<Since HKDL doesn't have another more well attended park next door, I suppose this is what would have happened to DCA without Disneyland. You only said one attraction was worth it... Philharmonic. How about the other rides? Space Mountain sounds okay, but nothing great. I guess it didn't do much in HKDL unlike the original Disneyland, which is a real classic and crowd pleaser.>> Yeah, I don't get it either. At least with DCA, you CAN justify it in the sense they already have a full day theme park next door. Actually, Disney ALWAYS justify DCA as an 'extra day' park anyway since it was never meant to be comparable with DL (of course, that's no excuse for how bad it sucks). As for HKDL, it isn't suppose to be an extra day park, its suppose to be THE park to see in China now and THIS is the best they can do??? The only Disney park in the entire country that takes all of 4 hours to see. Zoos in China takes longer than that . As far as SM, no its fine. Its very similar to the one in LA as you probably know with the new music and effects. Probably a little better since all the effects seem to be working. For me though, its just SM . I been on the thing a thousand times already in every MK around the world. But, still a great ride and I imagine for people's first time, most probably like it even if its a little tame in this day and age of big coasters. As for the other rides, with the exception of the JC, they are all 'fine'. Nothing GREAT though, just fine. Simple rides that, in all honesty, would be just an afterthought for most after you done all the big stuff, but yeah nothing great to say the least. As the park itself, just 'okay'. (Pooh is REALLY popular though. It was the only ride that sold out its FP and it did it before 2 . The second day there, the wait was 60 mins while everything else was 30 minutes or less. Yep, I guess having a few more classic dark rides would've done wonders for this park if Pooh is any indication, but once again too little, too late)
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks for the report WD. Much appreciated. I don't have much time to write today, but I really enjoyed reading the report. did you visit the hotels? When we go East, we think we might spend a couple of days at HKDL to get over jet lag, enjoy the park and the city and then pop over to Japan for a couple of weeks. It will be like Yin and Yang!
Originally Posted By Mr X >>>As for the ugly, rude HKDL CM. Was this instance just only at Storybook theatre? Were there other attractions where the CM was rude? I kinda find it odd. I guess your a bit biased to Tokyo Disney CM.<<< I don't think WorldDisney is biased. From what I heard the Hong Kong cast members are clueless and rude in general. And I believe it. DaveisBaloo, I recommend that if you do go to Hong Kong you should stay somewhere downtown...NOT because I think Disney hotels there are bad or anything but just because they are VERY far from Hong Kong proper and you will be way too far "out of the action" to enjoy all Hong Kong has to offer.
Originally Posted By HongKongDisneyLand >>>>>>>Okay, FINALLY to the ugly: The RUDE CM's so who's the ugliest CM?? LOL I have seen a lot of cute nice CMs in HKDL.... next time let me take up the position of a CM and i will personally look after you!! hahaha
Originally Posted By HongKongDisneyLand for 100% customer satisfaction...even if you make request like "Voulez vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?" "c'est mon plaisir"..."venez suivez-moi au.."...."laisse avoir de l'amusement au manoir hanté"
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<did you visit the hotels?>> Hi Dave, Yes, I made it to both hotels . As usual, the new park feels so-so, but the hotels are stunning . Hollywood Hotel IS definitely my favorite. My friend and I was thinking about staying at the hotel, but its really out of the way from the rest of Hong Kong. If my friend have been to Hong Kong before, it would've been fine, but if its your first time as Mr. X said, DON'T stay at the Disney hotels. Stay downtown where all the action is and just take the train to Disney or you will be bored to death 9 pm .
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney Thanks for the impressions, WD. I kind of feel that I would likely have many of the same opinions you aired. Heck, I'd even likely be apologizing to my family and/or friends that were with me using the same things you told your pal. No one ever doubted the park would look good. Sadly, not many doubted the park would have little to see/do either.
