Happiest (and Hottest) Place on Earth

We have built our marriage on a mutual understanding of several parenting protocols, one of which was the decision that we would give our children one trip to Disneyland before they reached age 18. One trip. No more. It is not that we have anything against Mickey and his posse; Josh and I both fondly remember our respective childhood trips to Florida's famous theme park. It is just the details of what our friends' have done and spent to have their week(s) at the happiest place on Earth are not exactly our idea of a good time. And the fact that most, if not all, tell us, that you need a vacation from your Disney vacation is enough to have us happily save for our next sans-children vacation to Jamaica.

That said, once I realized that we were going to Hong Kong, I spent a good evening reading and researching the Asian version at Hong Kong Disneyland and it appeared to be a good value and something of a treat that the kids would enjoy after our many weeks in China. And I will admit that Josh and I were actually very excited once everything was booked, that we were going to surprise our kids with Disneyland on our last day in HK. So on last Sunday, we left then island and with our luggage and mini men in tow, we walked several blocks then subway-ed ourselves (over three different transfers!) to the Sunny Bay line for our holiday. 

I am finding it difficult to know how to write about our visit to the Disneyland Hotel and park without making ya'll feel like you're reading a TripAdvisor review. So, if you are in for the short version, here it is: We. Had. A. Wonderful. Time. If you are one of those Disney park hoping, fast pass carrying, pin collecting freaks that I know and love, then read on for all the details:

Now, maaaaybe because our hotel for the first five nights was the size of my college dorm room and maaaaaybe because our new hotel room was the size of the biggest suite in Graceland, but I will say that I was in love with all the Disney garb from the minute we arrived. Heck, I forgot until just now that I have a ton of quick picks on my phone from the subway ride alone. Our subway was ALL Disney too! Those little handles hanging from the ceiling? Mouse ears! Blue velvet tufted seats. Mickey-head shaped windows. But those will have to come later. Here are two pictures taken one direction and then the 180 degrees of the hotel property. That is Josh's head peeking out of the Mickey maze. Hudson is in there somewhere tearing up the boxwoods to find the fastest way out. The second picture shows the water of technically a bay, but there is nothing substantial south of here but the South China Sea until you reach Indonesia.

For all those of you who are Disney aficionados, you will surely give my amazement at the general theme development of our hotel a big fat eye roll, but I was so ridiculously impressed with the details the hotel provided to make life with kids so much easier, not to mention their continual helpful bilingual service. Maybe I have just been in China too long, but my favorite particulars included: free life jackets at the WARM water pool, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs themed personal hygiene products, the hidden Mickey shapes in everything from the carpeting to the design on the elevator, a pint sized robe and slippers for both the boy, plastic plates and cups all in theme (of course), fantastic kid menu options, and 24 hours of 6 different Disney channels.

So, if you have not guessed already, I think that the Disneyland Hotel was absolutely wonderful. The park had some Goofy-sized shoes to fill if it was going to beat our relaxing experience of arrival, swimming, drinks, cartoons, bedtime stories, on Sunday.

Monday we had our character breakfast which was good food-wise, but poor ole Tucker about gave himself an ulcer with how genuinely upset he became at the proximity of the giant sized Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto who started circling the dining room. We caught a quick shuttle over to the park and were there for "gate drop" whatever that is.

This is just a typical group of older Asian women. You can see why I stick out
wearing a tank top and sunglasses.

The park itself was gorgeous with eight different areas all decorated perfectly. We hit the ground running and did not really stop. Lines were short and the crowds were manageable. But it was hot, ridiculously hot that day and we were super appreciative of the water stands where we filled up our water bottles countless times. I had smuggled a bottle of MiO water flavoring in my bag and we had went through it by lunchtime. 

Toy Story Land was so neatly decorated!

As far as the rides are considered, the thing I had read and will affirm is true is that this particular park is perfect for young children. As in, we rode EVERY SINGLE RIDE (but one). Yep. There was one RC car ride in Toy Story Land that Hudson was too short for, but we did every thing else! We even saw the Lion King show (that was Tucker's favorite thing). So, I am going to assume that must mean that this park was smaller than some others. We definitely did not waste much time sitting around, but I am even impressed that we rode nearly everything.

Hudson's favorite rides were the Mad Hatter Teacups, which he rode and spun like a fool with his Father, and the Toy Story Parachute Drop. Josh really liked Space Mountain, but Hudson did NOT like it (we made him ride it twice, so both of us could go though!) I really liked the other roller coaster which was a mine car themed one. It did a couple of very unexpected things that I have never done before.

It was a very sweet day and I tried to just take it all in, perhaps reminding myself too often that we only intended to do this once. I got weepy three times. Once when Tucker buried his head into me on the classic flying Dumbo ride, once when I wistfully looked at my son during It's A Small World (but that just might have been tears of joy because the air conditioning felt so amazing...ha!) and once during the perfectly synchronized firework finale, which was conveniently at 7:30 p.m., so we were able to enjoy the full Disney experience and still make it back to the hotel in time for a night swim and dinner by the pool. For the most part, I tried to keep my camera put up with my eyes and my thoughts in the moment.

I can not think of anything about the park I did not like that could be helped. I don't need to go into the scuffles I got into with the grannies who were line jumping, those would make better stories in person. (This is a kid blog so I need to keep it clean.) The notorious behavior of the "mainland China visitors" that was well documented in all the reviews I read lived up to its reputation. That was unfortunate. 

I did have my camera out for the parade. It was fantastic.

It is about 100 degrees at this moment. We were sweating a river.

The crowds were getting a little too cozy about this time.

Avon girls, you know who I am thinking of right now, correct?!?

 Couple of other favorites:

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa for taking me to Disney all those years ago! I still love this ride!

My son, the ham.

Asian adult women are OBSESSED with Minnie Mouse. For real.
If I had a quarter every time I saw a person with ears on, I could retire.

"I'm not tired, nope, not. at. all."

This was Tucker's favorite moment. I wanted to document it for him.

All said and done, I think we did it right. The day might have been hot, but it felt like a vacation. The park was perfect for the age of our kids. And our wallets were not impacted too much by the experience:

Two nights at resort hotel, two dinner meals (for 4) which included alcoholic drinks, character breakfast buffet (for 4), two adult and two children's park tickets, lunches and drinks throughout our day at the park, all transportation and taxes....total cost $1,980. (For comparison sake, just one day tickets for our family of 4 to Disneyworld would cost us $1,209.84)