Just back from Hong Kong

Originally Posted By paulyahoo

Hi,

Today we returned from our two week vacation in Hong Kong and Singapore. Since I didn't have many expectations for HKDL, I think the park is quite nice for what it is. We've bought summer passes and spent three evenings in HKDL. We were extremely lucky with the weather, it was hot, but dry and clear most of the time.

The city itself is fantastic with many contrasts. But what surprised me most is Lantau Island with all its natural beauty.

So now I have another city to return to

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Glad you enjoyed it!!

Everything you wrote is similar to what I felt, when I visited Hong Kong.

The city is awsome, the park is "nice" (but needs more), and that location is FANTASTIC (possibly the 2nd best, after Orlando...but I'm not familiar enough with Paris to judge).

You are from Russia, right? How does Kong Kong compare to some Russian places (I guess Moscow? I really don't know your country well...I would LOVE to visit THERE someday!)?

 

Originally Posted By paulyahoo

The most similar city to Moscow is London. It's the same architectural mishmash with sparse greenery here, though today Moscow with its radial design is a big traffic jam most of the daytime. We live not far away from an area called City, where many skyscrapers are under construction now, it will be a mini Hong Kong soon:
<a href="http://www.miraxcity.com/images/1faf6e0d4c21b9b09fcc871229024851.gif" target="_blank">http://www.miraxcity.com/image
s/1faf6e0d4c21b9b09fcc871229024851.gif</a>

DLP is located in very calm countryside with a lot of fresh air. Thanks to French gardeners it's beautiful, especially during the spring blossom season.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

So where is the review of HKDL Paul? Huh, huh, huh?

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORGOCH: Didn't ya read his message up there in post #1, leemac, duckln'? That there was his review a the place. 'Course there ain't much ta say 'cause there ain't much park ta talk 'bout...yet.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Well Witches... that's not fair. HKDL may be small but it really is a lovely park and Disney is supposed to be about theming first and foremost. Look at TDS... superb theming in a park that many concider short on thrills to this day, but what do they know???

>>So where is the review of HKDL Paul? Huh, huh, huh? <<

I 2nd that. I want to know if he Paul got to ride Autopia, since the initial guests' response has been that the track is well themed and lushly landscaped, with cars that make funny noises and smell nice.

 

Originally Posted By HongKongDisneyLand

video clip of the opening ceremony of Autopia:

<a href="http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/video_asx/vfile_325175_2.asx" target="_blank">http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/ne
ws/video_asx/vfile_325175_2.asx</a>

Head of HKDL says they will announce the new attraction in the very near future and we'll be pleased and surprised....

 

Originally Posted By paulyahoo

We left Hong Kong early on July 13th. It was a day when new attractions were officially opened for all guests for the first time. We missed the ceremony for press on 12th, but saw many correspondents who seemed to enjoy the park.

We rode Autopia during its soft opening and even got special "Thank you" cards. The track with landscaping is beautiful, everything is bright and shining. As I understand, cars in HKDL don't have anti-collision protection like in Tokyo. Also they seem to drive slower, maybe it's just a psychological effect of their noiseless engines, though yes, they have some funny electronic sounds.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to catch shows of Stitch Encounter. We're invited to join the queue once, but two minutes later heard "sorry, we have some technical problems."

Below are some pictures of Autopia:

<a href="http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/4536/1wk3.jpg" target="_blank">http://img392.imageshack.us/im
g392/4536/1wk3.jpg</a>

<a href="http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/4331/2on8.jpg" target="_blank">http://img126.imageshack.us/im
g126/4331/2on8.jpg</a>

<a href="http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/6291/3qm1.jpg" target="_blank">http://img126.imageshack.us/im
g126/6291/3qm1.jpg</a>

<a href="http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/2010/4ie3.jpg" target="_blank">http://img392.imageshack.us/im
g392/2010/4ie3.jpg</a>

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

Great pictures. It looks like the theming of it really ties it back to the rest of Tomorrowland, even though they are seperated by the train tracks. I'm sure it was just something that they had to deal with, but I really like how you can see Space Mountain over the tops of the trees. I don't know why, but it really makes it look much more like how I would envision the future. Not all strange buildings, but also not all plants in the "Montana Future", instead it is a harmonious existence where plants and buildings play off of eachother.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

I agree, the pictures are great and Autopia look quite nice. I love the look of the loading station as it reminds me of the old Lego-style monorail station at the Disneyland Hotel. Very retro, and fun.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

As for the video posted by HKDL...well, after saving and playing, it still skips on the picture and freezes. Is this happening to all of you as well? Anyways... I found it interesting that they played "Reflections of Earth" Act3 music during the Autopia opening ceremony.

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORGOCH: We already know the place is purdy 'n all, TDLFAN, ducklin'. But 'til they's got more rides 'n what-not, their ain't much ya cain say 'bout it that ain't already been said.

 

Originally Posted By irishfan

Looks good, love the landscaping for Autopia.

 

Originally Posted By HongKongDisneyLand

I guess they might announce new attraction on 1st Anniversary.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

..It's a small world after all... sing it with me now!!

But I get the feeling.. the big news will come out from Mainland China soon...

 

Originally Posted By paulyahoo

If they're going to announce It's a Small World, I don't think it will help to boost attendance. Their situation is very similar to WDSP: both parks desperately need at least 1-2 more e-tickets and several smaller attractions to support crowds. The problem was already addressed in Paris, but Hong Kong management must publish its expansion plans and/or introduce annual passes.

For us, fed up with other Disney resorts, HKDL is a cute small park. I personally was satisfied with its value for money, but if it was my first visit to Disneyland I'm not sure if I wanted to return.

 

Originally Posted By tonyanton

Thanks for posting the Autopia pix. it would be great if WDW's speedway was as well landscaped and detailed. Very cool.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

It would be even better if they closed down that stupiod racetrack at WDW and returned that area to it's natural forresty state.

 

Originally Posted By wildghostz

Why did WDW MK use Speedway as the name of the attraction of Autopia? What is the difference between them?

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

The "Speedway" name comes the cross-promotional efforts to make guests aware of the WDW Speedway hosting the redneck Richard Petty Experience by the main parking lot.

Curiously enough... the WDW race cars have never been called "Autopia". The original name of the attraction when it opened back in 1971 was "Grand Prix Raceway" and a couple of variations of that name had been used before until it was changed to "Speedway".