Disneyland is a magical place for children and kids at heart. It has 6 locations: Anaheim (California, USA) [1955], Orlando (Florida, USA) [1971], Tokyo (Japan) [1983], Paris (France) [1992], Hong Kong (Hong Kong) [2005], and Shanghai (China) [2016].
I remember, when I was a kid, my grandmother introduced me to Disney. She gave me 3 VHS tapes for me to watch: Lion King, Sleeping Beauty, & Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And from that time, I am a Disney fan and crazy for Snow White. And my childhood dream was to go to Disneyland.
Years had passed, then when 2005 came in, a fifth Disney resort had opened. It was in Hong Kong, second Asian country to have Disneyland. I don't have to apply for a visa anymore because Hong Kong is a visa-free country, indeed it is nearest from the Philippines. I hoped that one day, I'll be going to Hong Kong Disneyland.
My Childhood Dream Turned Into Reality. November 23, 2016 was the day that I wouldn't forget for my entire life in a place full of mind-blowing experiences and bunch of first time moments: Hong Kong Disneyland! Either rain or shine, it was a unique opportunity that I couldn't miss. It was an aunt-niece bonding time.
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| Welcome to Hong Kong Disneyland |
When we arrived from the city tour, it was a rainy Wednesday afternoon. I was a little bit saddened because of the weather. But it didn't matter to me because it was my first time. I was amused when I entered Disneyland and often asked myself, "am I still dreaming? I think I'm living my childhood dream." Indeed the years I waited to see Disneyland were worth it but then I wanted to go back with better weather.
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| Entrance tickets for me and my aunt |
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| Mickey& Friends fountain |
Welcome To Main Street, U.S.A. I finally arrived and entered Main Street, U.S.A. This attraction that I only see in the internet became real and eventually saw it from my two eyes as I was still in delightful moment.
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| A famous Disneyland attraction as you enter the Main Street |
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| The Main Street Train Station |
My aunt and I were already hungry. We ate lunch so late (because we arrived two o'clock in the afternoon). I ordered Mickey waffle topped with whipped cream and served with chocolate and maple syrups worth HK$50.
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| Mickey Waffle, HK$50 |
Due to the increment weather we had experienced, the usual Flights of Fantasy afternoon parade turned into Rainy Day Express. I saw some of the famous Disney characters, but the moment I'd seen Snow White, I got teary-eyed and hoped that I would meet and greet her in person.
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| Disney Princesses: Snow White, Belle, Cinderella, Aurora |
I also got a chance to meet and greet with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Before the shoot, they noticed my Snow White-inspired outfit, from head to toe: red ribbon headband, royal blue blouse, yellow mustard shorts, and yellow closed flats.
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| I'm with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse! |
Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to have a photo with Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto, and Goofy (who dressed as a Santa).
The World of Fantasyland. Fantasyland is my favorite themed land where fairy tales come into life before my eyes.
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| Welcome to Fantasyland |
My first stop was Snow White Grotto. Unfortunately, Snow White wasn't there due to bad weather. But at least I saw the wishing well and suddenly sang "I'm Wishing".
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| Snow White Grotto |
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"We are standing by the wishing well.
Make a wish into the well. That's all you have to do.
And if you hear it echoing, your wish will soon come true.
I'm wishing for the one I love to find me today.
I'm hoping and I'm dreaming of the nice things he'll say." |
I went to It's A Small World attraction. I found some Disney characters included: Cinderella, Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Lilo and Stitch, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Toy Story, and Mulan I heard the Tagalog version of the song from my ears and I saw a Filipino audio-animatronic doll wearing traditional Filipino costume in bahay kubo (small nipa hut) with tarsier (animal found in Bohol Island, Philippines). Beside it, I found a farmer riding a carabao. I felt very proud because I'm a Filipino.
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| It's A Small World |
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| Philippines represent! |
I met and greeted three Disney characters: Pooh, Queen Elsa, and Princess Anna. I hugged Pooh like a teddy bear since it's my sister's favorite. I was lucky to have a small talk with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna before the shoot. Like Minnie and Mickey, Elsa and Anna also noticed my Snow White-inspired outfit and called me their friend, Snow White. While chatting, I suddenly sang "For The First Time In Forever" because it's my first time and I became witty at that time.
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| I'm with Winnie the Pooh! |
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| I'm with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna of Arendelle [Frozen]. |
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| Sleeping Beauty's Castle at night |
A Sudden Toy Story Land Visit. The sun had set and the night came as the rain stopped. We just passed by but I tried another ride: the Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop. It was like bungee jumping, experienced ups and downs five times. It was fun but nerve-wracking!
Comeback to Main Street, U.S.A. Lights were as bright as the stars and temperature was even colder than expected. We entered a shop full of Disney items such as costumes, dolls, stuff toys, shirts, phone cases, and stationery supplies. We bought black HK Disneyland shirt, HK Disneyland magnet, Snow White pen, Snow White necklace, and Snow White keychain. We also went to photography shop using Disney PhotoPass cards given by the photographers during my photoshoot with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Winnie the Pooh to let the photos printed that we selected.
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| Main Street, U.S.A. at night |
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| Hong Kong Disneyland shirt |
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| Hong Kong Disneyland magnet |
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| Three things Snow White: pen, necklace, keychain |
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| Printed photos using HK Disneyland PhotoPass cards |
Disney Paint The Night Parade. It was already night time. We were almost tired but my Disneyland experience was not yet finished. I witnessed the most colorful parade with harmonic themed music: the Disney Paint The Night Parade. Some characters from Disney and Pixar movies were there: Tinkerbell, Sully & Mike (from Monsters Inc.), Lightning McQueen (from Cars), Ariel (from The Little Mermaid), Belle (from Beauty & the Beast), Woody & Buzz Lightyear (from Toy Story), and the entire Mickey & Friends (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, & Pluto).
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| Mike (from Monsters Inc.) |
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| Lightning McQueen (from Cars) |
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| Ariel (from The Little Mermaid) |
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| Belle (from Beauty & the Beast) |
Disney In The Stars Fireworks Display. The most magical night finale is the fireworks display at Sleeping Beauty's Castle. It's the highlight of an ultimate Disneyland experience. Theme songs from Mulan, Cinderella, Beauty & the Beast, and Aladdin were heard and, of course, we let our hearts out through singing, either through our minds or through our soft voices.
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| See you again soon, Hong Kong Disneyland. Promise me that next time I'll come back, I will finally meet Snow White. |
It was exceptional yet extraordinary experience that I'll cherish the most. I will visit Hong Kong Disneyland again soon with fine weather to witness Flights in Fantasy parade, meet & greet Snow White with photo, and visit more attractions like Fantasy Gardens in Fantasyland, and try more rides like Jungle River Cruise & Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad. I want to thank my aunt for granting my desire for us to go to Hong Kong and visit Disneyland. It was a dream that turned into reality then wanted to be back again.
See you soon Hong Kong Disneyland! Wait for me, Princess Snow White. I'll be able to meet & greet you, embrace you, and take a photo with you as soon as I go back there.
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| "See you soon, Christine. I'll be waiting for your return." - Snow White |
