Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<Things that WorldDisney didn't care to do while there so he missed the entire experience.>> LOL, yeah, I did all of it and I actually BEGGED Mr. X to do with me, he declined. I PURPOSELY did everything possible the first time I visited because I didn't want to hear the above comments everytime I criticized the park . Also, I SAID to do the hotels in my above post and ALWAYS suggest to people on these boards to see them. Missing out on the hotels along with the shows drastically takes the experience away and makes it less interesting. You can get away with not doing that stuff at the other resorts and feel like you had a great experience----not so with HKDL .
Originally Posted By Mr X If hotels and cheesy shows (I've seen em, by the way) are a big part of the experience...then it's not much of an experience. Would you say that anyone who missed "the hotels" in Anaheim, or Florida, have not seen DisneyWorld (land)? Your last sentence sums it up, WD...HK is the only place where you have to FIND EXCUSES for why it's "okay after all".
Originally Posted By katsmom don't listen to those old men. HKDL is a wonderful place to spend the day. Relax, enjoy the environment. Look for the hidden mickey's, talk to the cast members, enjoy people watching (that should be listed as an attraction in itself). 10 to 7 is not a problem. Lots to do during that time.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo "Would you say that anyone who missed "the hotels" in Anaheim, or Florida, have not seen DisneyWorld (land)?" Yep! I'd rather spend time In AKL or Wilderness Lodge than the MK's fantasyland in WDW. Or the Grand Californian rather than tomorrowland at DL.
Originally Posted By Mr X Sorry, Lib... I'm sure you'll enjoy it, the park is very pretty. Like I said though, there just isn't a whole lot to do (I don't think anyone would disagree with this). On the bright side of THAT, though, unless it's unusually busy...you'll probably have no problem experiencing everything in just 1 day, leaving plenty of time to also enjoy incredible Hong Kong (and might I suggest a side trip to Macau, if you like a Vegas-type atmosphere...you can get there on a neat super-speedy boat in just 1 hour). Dave, what can I say? You're weird. Seriously though, the majority of patrons to Disney's resorts hardly give the hotels a second thought, unless they're staying there or maybe dining.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle Heh, not a problem X. I was just teasing. Thank you, though for the trip to Macau idea - I love Vegas AND super-speedy boats!
Originally Posted By Mr X I believe the Wynn, Macau is now open (maybe another one too), plus a really cool looking mall shaped like a mountain was being built when I was there. Sands was the only one open when I was there, but it in itself is awsome. By now, I imagine Macau is shaping up nicely (would love to hear about it if you do go!). And if you want to experience the seedy, old-school gambling of the OLD Macau, don't miss the casino Lisboa. lol. It's nasty. BUT, that's where I won almost 300 bucks in a slot machine. Also, of course time in the parks is a relative term. I mean, Main Street is a virtual copy of California, and I could imagine spending a whole half a day there if I felt like it, just people watching, snacking, browsing, picture taking, parade watching, etc... So, it's not like you'll be BORED per se.
Originally Posted By Mr X If you REALLY feel like spurging, there is also helicopter service that sounds pretty neat. Pricy though. I believe it's around the same area where you get the boats (there are slower boats, too, if you want to take your time and save money...I believe they take a couple of hours though...the speedy one REALLY flies, it was neat!).
Originally Posted By HongKongDisneyLand The New Grand Lisboa will debut in February 2007. Venetian Macau, MGM Grand Macau, Phase 2 of Wynn Macau, Crown Macau will also open in 2007. Macau Studio City(Phase 1) with 1.3 million sq feet of Retail, 500,000 sq feet of Casino, 2000 hotel rooms,etc in 2009. Phase 2 of Macau Studio City to be completed by 2011.
Originally Posted By Mr X Thanks for the info, HK! I didn't realize that Lisboa updated! Smart (but kind of sad...they represented the "old" side of Macau I thought!). In any case, Macau is up and coming! It was exciting to be there just to check out Sands...I can only imagine things are popping up left and right at this point!
Originally Posted By HongKongDisneyLand more than just an update of old Casino/Hotel Lisboa. It is a Brand New Grand Lisboa.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< If hotels and cheesy shows (I've seen em, by the way) are a big part of the experience...then it's not much of an experience. Would you say that anyone who missed "the hotels" in Anaheim, or Florida, have not seen DisneyWorld (land)? >>> I have to make a point of order here. The discussions we have on this section cover a variety of aspects of HKDL. Sometimes we're talking about the issues regarding poor performance and attendance from a business point of view, and other times we discuss things from an artistic or design point of view. And then there's advice given to fellow LPers that might visit in the future (and who in almost all cases are people that speak English as their primary language and have visited the US Disney parks many times). All of these are very different topics. If your view of a Disney park is just riding E-ticket attractions, then there's no doubt that HKDL will disappoint, as there's only 1 E ticket thrill ride (Space Mountain) and none of the inside immersive non-thrill attractions like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, or Small World. <<< cheesy shows >>> Two of the best things going at HKDL might be put into the "cheesy show" category if one thought that all shows were cheesy, but I think that Philharmagic (a 3D film attraction) and Golden Mickeys (a live stage show) are among the best "show" attractions at any Disney park (or ship ). Having said that, HKDL is a half-day experience if you approach it in the way that you probably approach the US-based parks. You can stretch it to a full-day (i.e. opening to closing) experience if you do every single show, attraction, and parade listed on the guide map, eat two or three full meals, and explore the hotels in the resort. I recommend doing exactly that to make it a full-day experience, and planning on making it only a single day out of your visit to Hong Kong, and NOT staying at a resort hotel.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle Wow ... Macau sounds really cool. Apparentely my parents went there, way back in 1982 though so we're taking them again. >>If your view of a Disney park is just riding E-ticket attractions, then there's no doubt that HKDL will disappoint<< I do love the rides, but I spend a LOT of my time at the US parks meeting characters, browsing the shops, taking photos of the scenery and sometimes just sitting on a bench and people-watching. I've spent 10 days at Disneyland in the past without getting bored so I shouldn't imagine a full day will be a problem for someone (read: a freak) like me!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Two of the best things going at HKDL might be put into the "cheesy show" category<< Actually, Three of the best things.. The Lion King show at HKDL kicks butt. Better than DAKs. I could even say "4 of the best things" if you concider their fireworks show is better than the current show fireworks at TDR. >>there's only 1 E ticket thrill ride (Space Mountain) and none of the inside immersive non-thrill attractions like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, or Small World.<< Excuse but did you not ride the Jungle Cruise? I felt that is a bonafide E-ticket as well, and quite immersive also. ..and no one pay attention to World Disney... HKDL is not that pathetic a park. I feel the ambiance alone is a major plus for this park, as opposed to the tired MK.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And TDLFAN, your opinion is why we still really want to go to HKDL. Atmosphere at a Disney park is actually more important to me than attractions these days.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<Excuse but did you not ride the Jungle Cruise? I felt that is a bonafide E-ticket as well, and quite immersive also.>> I'm sorry but before you barely have time to sit down comfortably, the ride is already half-way over. If it wasn't for that 'ending', this would easily be the weakest JC to date. If I recall once, Leemac said they plan to add more animals on the thing later. How p-a-t-h-e-t-i-c is that when they can't even get all the robot animals the first year running on one of the few 'E'-tickets in the place??? Yes, its pathetic, sorry. <<..and no one pay attention to World Disney... HKDL is not that pathetic a park. I feel the ambiance alone is a major plus for this park, as opposed to the tired MK.>> Did I ever tell her NOT to go? No! She originally asked how long she needed to stay to see the whole thing and I'm being honest with her based on my experience there and I been there 3 times already. Sorry, but you do NOT need 10 hours in this park! You can do half that and still get bored out of your head if it's dead. Listen, I say the same thing all the time when I use to post here regularly, if you are a Disney fan, of course see it, BUT be warned and PLEASE do not come allll the way to Hong Kong just to see this park if this is your first time! Hong Kong City itself has about a hundred more things to offer than HKDL ever could and THAT should be the top of any first timers list, the city itself and the park second (in some cases a very distant second) but see it nevertheless. Also I would say the same for France and Japan, the difference is it IS worth going all the way to those places for those parks alone IMO. NOT so with HKDL, not by a veeery long shot. For all the 'ambiance' people speak of here, DLR, DLP and TDL capture all that just fine and better and guess what, you actually have stuff to do after you sat on a bench for 3 hours people watching too. That's what USE to be great about a Disney park, the fact you can keep yourself busy all day like actually riding rides and shows OR just take it all in if you done that stuff a thousand times already. Very few people in this world wants to pay $50 bucks just to look at pretty buildings and gardens all day and HKDL is proving that in spades . (Sometimes I wish I could post more like I use to ;D)
Originally Posted By katsmom << I been there 3 times already. Sorry, but you do NOT need 10 hours in this park! You can do half that and still get bored out of your head if it's dead. >> I have to argue your point. I'VE been there over 100 times, I usually spend 6 to 8 hours and I still haven't gotten bored. It's all about how you see things. If you can't enjoy life without being heartstoppingly thrilled every moment, you won't enjoy any disney. If you like to enjoy the simpler things in life, you'll love the park. <<Hong Kong City itself has about a hundred more things to offer than HKDL ever could and THAT should be the top of any first timers list, the city itself...>> You are so right, noisy people, pushy overcrowded streets, polution so bad you can't see the other side of the street. HK has SO much more to offer. Just my two cents worth.
