Bucketlist #02: Go To Disneyland

At Disneyland Hong Kong entrance

"Disneyland", even the word itself is magical. It is every child's dream to go to Disneyland and it was mine also. I grew up hoping and wishing that one day i will be able to visit Disneyland. Well it finally came true when i was 28 years old. Was it to late? No, not at all, it would not have been too late even if i have went there when i was 60 years old. It is never too late to go to Disneyland.

My job was the one that provided me with this opportunity. My work requires me to attend an Investigator Meeting each time we take up a new study. The Investigator Meeting usually takes place in a Asia-Pacific country. My first Investigator Meeting brought me to Taiwan and i had the time of myself. Little did i know at that time that my next Investigator Meeting will be taking me to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is one of the 5 places in the world that has a Disneyland Theme Park.

The news that i will have to attend a meeting in Hong Kong came to me in November 2010. As soon as i heard the news, the only that came to my mind was "Disneyland", "Disneyland" and "Disneyland". The meeting was to take place on the 10th December 2010 at The Excelsior Hotel which is a 5 star hotel and i will be staying there from the moment i reach Hong Kong, 9th December 2010 until the moment i leave, 11th December 2010.

I checked the meeting details and learned that i will be reaching Hong Kong on the 9th December 2010 in the evening and will be attending a welcome dinner at 7.30pm. So i can't go to Disneyland on the first day itself. The meeting will be on the next day and will commence at 8.30 am and end at 3.00pm. The departures back home are set on the same evening the meeting ends. But, since the flight back to Malaysia is only available once a day and only in the morning, i was set to leave early morning on the next day, 11th December 2010. So there was my chance, right after the meeting at 3.00pm, i will be free to do my own activity and visit any place i want. Well, there was only one thing that i wanted to do and only one place that i wanted to go and i guess everyone knows by now what it is.

My flight to Hong Kong was a direct flight though Cathay Pacific Airlines. The flight was smooth and i landed in Hong Kong International Airport with much excitement. As soon as i came out of the arrival hall there was already an event organizer waiting for me holding the meeting name in a placard. I was there with my specialist, so both of us followed the event organizer in quite a luxurious MPV which i couldn't remember the name. It took us around 45 minutes to reach our hotel, The Excelsior. By the time we reached it was already 8.00pm. I checked into my room which was really amazing. Got ready and went down for dinner, all the while there was only one thought in my mind, Disneyland.

After dinner, i rested for awhile and went for a walk around the city. Wanted to familiarize myself with the surroundings and find out where the nearest MTR station was so that i can have everything coordinated for my adventure tomorrow. After roaming the streets until 12.30am, i went back to my room so that i can enough rest and not fall asleep during the meeting.

My morning started with a delightful breakfast. It felt wonderful feasting on a five star hotel breakfast buffet. The choices of food were just to many to handle. The meeting commenced smoothly and i gave it my total attention even though subconsciously i was waiting for the meeting to end as soon as it can. During lunch, i went to the tourist counter in the hotel lobby to find out more about Disneyland. I picked up some quite useful information. Using the MTR to get there would be way cheaper and easier as there is a special MTR station for Disneyland itself. I also found out that it will be closing at 9.00pm which is one of the latest time the park will close as it usually closes at 8.00pm. So i was lucky that i will be having an extra 1 hour to explore Disneyland. And the best part was i bought my entrance ticket to Disneyland at the tourism counter itself. I would be able to escape from lining up at the park counter, that means more time for me to enjoy Disneyland. I was all set. 2 more hours and i would be off to Disneyland.

The meeting ended 10 minutes earlier than expected. Looks like everything was working out to my favor today. I had a short shower, took everything that i needed and made my way to the nearest MTR station which was less than 5 minutes walking distance away. Having maneuvered the Moscow Metro for 6 years, figuring out the MTR system wasn't that difficult at all. I got my tickets and was on my way, a good 40 minutes and i will be reaching my destination, Disneyland.

At Disneyland Hong Kong Fountain

The last train ride to my destination was already magical as it was a specially made Disney train that had beautiful Disney characters interior designs and even the windows were in the shape of Mickey Mouse's head. The announcers voice was explaining about the Magical Kingdom throughout the ride and when we finally reached the station we were given a welcome note. Hearing that welcome note, it fully registered in my head, i was there, i was finally there in Disneyland.

The sight was enchanting with a beautiful fountain right in front of the entrance. The audio was playing throughout the park with series of Disney songs. I was mesmerized, i was excited. I didn't know what to do and where to go first. So i went to the brochure counter and got a few brochures with the map of the park and also events that might be going on for today. Looking at the map, the events listed and also the amount of time that i have, i planned out what i wanted to do. It took me around 5 minutes and i had everything planned in my head. Either way i can improvise as i go on.

First stop was the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad, it was train ride that went around the whole park. It takes around 15 minutes and you will be able to see the total layout of the park. Its the easiest way to see all the different sections available before you go exploring it one by one. The ride was fun with voice-over explaining where we were and what we were seeing. Looking at all the different sections such as Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland were just too exciting and it also made me change my plans a bit because the queues for certain attractions were visible and i had to cancel out some of it as i knew getting stuck in the queue will deprive me of exploring other attractions. The joy ride was over, just seeing the whole park was so enchanting, now time to explore it one by one.

As soon as i got of the train, the first stop was Art of Animation. It was a building with artwork from many Disney animations. Drawings, paintings, models and real model animation pieces. Admired the fascinating artwork and models, took a few pictures and i was off to my next stop. I checked out some of the souvenir shops so that i would have a rough idea of what i would want to buy later. All these were in the Main Street USA section. Now off to my first stop Adventureland. A lot of attractions at Adventureland, but the main one would be the Jungle River Cruise. The queue was extremely long, so i had to skip that. But no to worry i would not miss out on it again the next time i come.

After Adventureland, it was time for Fantasyland. Fantasyland also had a lot of attractions. The Golden Mickey's last show ended by the time i got there. So i missed out on that too. I was looking forward to that show. The rest of the attractions like Its A Small World, Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Cinderella Carousel and Dumbo the Flying Elephant were more suited for children. Even though i didn't try the rides, i enjoyed watching loads and loads of children having fun there. But i watched one of the best 4D shows ever in Fantasyland, the Mickey's PhilharMagic. The show was absolutely wonderful. It showcased orchestra music with Donald Duck jumping through different cartoon animations such as Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Aladdin and many more in 3D. With added effects such actual water splashing on you, air blowing on your face and many other effects it turns this 3D show into a magical enchanting 4D show. Never have i seen anything this great on screen before. Simply amazing.

Being mesmerized with the show i headed to the Main Street USA again. Since it was December and it was nearing Christmas, everyday Disneyland has a "Christmas Tree Lighting" event. Everyone gathered in the Main Street USA to witness the event. It started with Mickey and Minnie entering the main square where the huge Christmas Tree was located. They sang a few Christmas jingles and the crowd sang together and so did i but only the songs that i know of course. Later Mickey and Minnie were joined by 4 other Disneyland performers who sang more jingles. As the jingles ended, they started the countdown to light the tree. From 10 to 1 and as soon the countdown ended, the huge tree lighted up with synchronized music. Small fireworks were set off and artificial snow poured from the top of the buildings. I could feel the Christmas spirit already. Actually more than i have ever felt before. I don't know why but i always felt a close relation between Disney and Christmas. And watching the Christmas Tree light up in Disneyland was just too good to be true.

The Sleeping Beauty Castle

Then i was off to the Sleeping Beauty castle which is one of the most iconic symbol of Disneyland. Took a few pictures in front of the castle. By that time my stomach was already growling for dinner. I had a lot of options to dine at as Disneyland offers variety of choices. And the best part was my dinner bill can be reimbursed as it was being paid by my meeting sponsor. So budget was not an issue, i can dine wherever i want. I weighed my options; Corner Cafe and Plaza Inn in Main Street USA, Rear View Cafe in Adventureland, Starliner Diner and Comet Cafe in Tomorrowland and Royal Banquet Hall in Fantasyland. All of them had a different concept, some were futuristic, some were jungle like and some were royal like. I opted for the Royal Banquet Hall in the Sleeping Beauty castle in Fantasyland. Dining in a castle like setting was amazing. I felt like i was in the 16th century, what an experience. The food was great too, i had steak with different types of meat and dined like a king. It was stomach filling and also heart filling.

Right after satisfying my hunger, i ventured to the last section, Tomorrowland. I didn't have much time left as closing time was near. I skipped the UFO Zone and the Orbitron as it was children oriented and it was also quite full. I wanted to try the Autopia but it has quite a queue too. So i was left with Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Stitch Encounter and also the Space Mountain. The Space Mountain was an indoor roller coaster ride which i was double minded whether to try it or not. I am afraid of heights but i also didn't wanted to miss the chance. I went to check it out and the waiting time to get in was quite long. So i decided not to wait. But eventually i would try it the next time i come along. So straight to the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters where you get on a ride and blast Zurg's Army with your laser blasters as the ride goes on. It was totally awesome or how teenagers these days would say it "off the hook". Next was the Stitch Encounter. It was an interactive show where a Stitch animation on the screen interacts with the audiences live. It was quite funny and the audinces enjoyed it a lot including me.

Once i was done with Tomorrowland, i checked the time. It was 8.45pm. Just nice for me to do my souvenir shopping before the final closing. I just needed 15 minutes to get whatever that i wanted to buy. The crowd was already gathering in front of the Sleeping Beauty castle and i joined the crowd for the final event. This is where the closing event takes place. Everyday Disneyland closes with a musically synchronized fireworks display which will be the highlight of the day. Everyone waited anxiously with the phones and cameras ready to record it. I had my camera ready too. But i wasn't going to record the whole show. Probably just a few minutes of it. I wanted to enjoy the moment rather than record it.

When the show started, i was awestruck, i was stunned, i was mesmerized. Never have i ever seen anything so enchanting and beautifully coordinated. No wonder its called a Magical Kingdom. The fireworks were coordinated to a series of Disney songs with perfection. The songs featured from many Disney animations such as Cinderella, Aladdin, Lion King, Beauty and Beast, Mulan and many many more. It went on and on and grew larger and larger. Just when you thought that this must be the final blast, it continues with even a bigger showcase. For about 15 minutes the "Disney in the Stars" presented me with the best musically coordinated fireworks display that i have ever seen in my life. What a grand closing for an amazing adventure. This is what i call signing off with style.

At the entrance for the second time

As the show ended, the crowd made its way towards the exit. I was in no hurry to leave. If i had it my way, i didn't want to leave. But all good things has to come to an end so did my magical journey in Disneyland. Minor disappointments would be i never took picture with any of the live characters at any of the "Meet the Characters" checkpoint as the queue was always very long. I also missed out on the daily parade which took place everyday at 1.00pm. At that time i was still back at my hotel attending my meeting. Besides these few small things there wasn't much that i didn't get to do. And some of the things that i didn't get to try this time, i manage to try it the second time i came around. Oh yes, i did come again for the second time.

The second time i came to this magical place was 5 months after the first time, on the 6th May 2011. And it was for the same reason that i came the first time, because i was attending another Investigator Meeting. This time i was staying in the Langham Place Hotel which was equally good as the Excelsior. I was accompanied by one of my specialist who decided to follow me to Disneyland. Since it was my second time here, getting around was way easier and faster. And this time i made sure i try the things that i missed out on my first trip. The most important ones being the Jungle River Cruise in Adventureland and also the Space Mountain roller coaster ride in Tomorrowland. There were certain things which i tried again, the Mickey PhilharMagic being the main one. And as usual, since this is my second time, a bit of souvenier shopping before ending it with the magical fireworks display. Well that's what went on the second time. Now back to my first trip.

As i walked back to the MTR station, the music from Disneyland slowly faded behind me. I got into the train and reflected back on the day that i had today. It was wonderful. I was like a kid again. A small boy running up and down the whole park realizing his dream. Never did i thought that this day would come true. 4.00pm to 9.15pm, one of the best 5 hours and 15 minutes of my life. They say that you can never go back to your childhood ever again. Well they are wrong because today i did. I wasn't a 26 year old working adult, i was a  10 year old who was full of joy and no worries in the world at one of the happiest place on earth.

Well going to Disneyland has always been my dream and i have fulfilled it. So, "Go to Disneyland"; check.