Hong Kong Disneyland

Frozen Village to Debut for Hong Kong Disneyland 2015 Summer

May 31, 2015 By Erin De Santiago Leave a Comment

From June 11 to August 30, 2015, visitors to Hong Kong Disneyland can enjoy this year’s new summer event, Frozen Village.

Look for special menus and themed foods and desserts. I’m curious to see if they are debuting new foods in addition to the Frozen themed goodies they already had during my last visit in April.

New Frozen foods and treats will be available for Hong Kong Disneyland Summer event - disneyglobetrotter.com — New Frozen foods and treats will be available for Hong Kong Disneyland Summer event.

There will be a special musical performance featuring Queen Elsa, Princess Ann, and Kristoff, which will feature the “Let It Go” anthem.

Hong Kong Disneyland debuts Summer event "Frozen" Village - disneyglobetrotter.com — Hong Kong Disneyland debuts Summer event “Frozen” Village.

Hong Kong Disneyland’s themed Frozen Village will provide a wintery atmosphere to help guests cool off from the summer heat. There will be different snow activities, including a snow play area where you can build your own snowman or ride a toboggan!

The Frozen merchandise line is expanding, and the latest news from Hong Kong Disneyland is there will be even more new merchandise for the summer Frozen Village.

New Frozen merchandise for Hong Kong Disneyland Summer event - disneyglobetrotter.com — New Frozen merchandise for Hong Kong Disneyland Summer event.

Unfortunately, I’m currently working in Europe and headed back to Belize for the remainder of the summer, so it’s doubtful I will make this event. If you attend and post photos, let me know — I’m curious to see all the merchandise, food, and park decor.

Here’s a look at some of the Frozen decor and merchandise available during my last several visits:

Hong Kong Disneyland It's Springtime - Frozen Display - disneyglobetrotter.com — Hong Kong Disneyland It’s Springtime – Frozen Display

Erin De Santiago

A lifelong Disney fanatic and freelance travel and food writer currently based in Belize and the Netherlands. Annual passholder to all Disney Parks worldwide. Bring you Disney Magic from around the globe.

It’s Springtime Celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland

May 29, 2015 By Erin De Santiago 1 Comment

Springtime at Hong Kong Disneyland - DisneyGlobetrotter.com — Springtime at Hong Kong Disneyland

This weekend marks the end of Hong Kong Disneyland’s 2015 “It’s Springtime” Celebration. Many of the Disney characters were dressed in their Spring best and beautiful fresh flowers filled Main Street. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain nearly the whole time I was there this trip so we battled less than ideal photo conditions. A couple times I didn’t even bring my camera into the park as the rain was so bad.

Here’s a look at some of the Spring decor at Hong Kong Disneyland for 2015:

Mickey and Minnie at Hong Kong Disneyland's It's Springtime Celebration — Mickey and Minnie at Hong Kong Disneyland’s It’s Springtime Celebration

Hong Kong Spring - Duffy and Shellie May - disneyglobetrotter.com — Duffy and Shellie May at Hong Kong Disneyland’s It’s Springtime Celebration

Hong Kong Spring Chip and Dale - disneyglobetrotter.com — Chip and Dale at It’s Springtime Celebration

Hong Kong Spring Donald and Nephews - disneyglobetrotter.com — Donald Duck and the Nephews at It’s Springtime Celebration

It's Springtime Celebration -- Goofy's Garden - disneyglobetrotter.com — It’s Springtime Celebration — Goofy’s Garden

Hong Kong Spring Frozen Display Main Street - disneyglobetrotter.com — Springtime Frozen display in the shops along Main Street, Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Spring Pluto - disneyglobetrotter.com — Pluto and a bee at It’s Springtime Celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland

Mickey and Minnie Hong Kong Disneyland - disneyglobetrotter.com — Mickey and Minnie taking photos with guests on Main Street

Hong Kong Disneyland It's Springtime - Main Street - disneyglobetrotter.com — Hong Kong Disneyland It’s Springtime – Main Street

If Hong Kong Disneyland holds another Spring event in 2016, expect it to start early March and run through the end of May.

Which one is your favorite Disney character in the “It’s a Springtime Celebration?”

Erin De Santiago

Space Mountain Photo Essay: A Look at the Attraction Worldwide with Duffy the Disney Bear

May 28, 2011 By Erin De Santiago 1 Comment

Yesterday, May 27, marked the anniversary of the Space Mountain attraction at Disneyland California, which opened in 1977. I distinctly remember my fear of this ride as a child — for years my Mom wouldn’t take me on it assuming I would throw up like so many other parents warned of. Ironically, as an adult, it’s become one of my favorite attractions (and hers too).

During my travels to each of the Disney Resorts around the world, riding Space Mountain at least once is always on the list. And for the last two years, we’ve had a Disney mascot to enjoy Space Mountain with. In 2008, Tokyo Disney released a set of special cast member outfits for Duffy the Disney Bear to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland. One of our Duffy Bears is donning his Space Mountain CM outfit and we named him Spuffy (or Spaceman Spuff) — a combination of Duffy, Space Mountain, and my favorite — Calvin and Hobbes Spaceman Spiff.

Spuffy3 — Our Duffy the Disney Bear “Spuffy” in his Space Mountain CM outfit from Tokyo Disneyland’s 25th Anniversary

Spuffy1 — Spuffy dressed up for the MNSSHP at WDW in September 2010

In honor of Space Mountain’s 34th Anniversary, Spuffy and I will take you on a photographic tour of all the Space Mountain attractions at Disney Resorts around the globe.

Space Mountain at Disneyland in Anaheim, California

An iconic image for me growing up in Southern California. Even when we weren’t going to Disneyland, I always remember driving along the 5 fwy and watching for the Matterhorn and the spires from Space Mountain. Back in 2000, one of my longtime dreams came true — we got stuck on the ride! After about 20 minutes, we were the last car they evacuated and since I was with several CM’s that day, we were able to get a pretty good view of what it looks like with the lights on. While there is no legendary basketball court as people say with the Matterhorn, we did get to see a few tables and chairs and what looked like a ping pong table. LOL

DL SM 3 — Space Mountain at Disneyland California

In recent years as part of the Halloween festivities, Space Mountain has undergone a slight transformation for “Ghost Galaxy”. This first debuted at Hong Kong Disneyland and became part of the California ride in 2009 and was brought back again in 2010.

DL SM1 — Ghost Galaxy Halloween enhancement at Disneyland

DL SM2 — Spuffy and the Ghost Galaxy version of Space Mountain at Disneyland

Space Mountain at Walt Disney World

This is the Space Mountain I am least familiar with since I have only visited WDW a small number of times. Visually, it is one of the more appealing attractions, especially the way it is lit up at night. A lot of people don’t realize that Walt Disney World’s Space Mountain attraction actually opened before Disneyland’s in California. The soft opening for Space Mountain in WDW’s Magic Kingdom was December 1974 with the official grand opening a month later. This is the only Space Mountain where riders do not sit side by side.

WDW SM1 — Spuffy ready to ride Space Mountain at Walt Disney World

WDW SM2 — Spuffy in the dark at Walt Disney World’s Space Mountain attraction

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Space Mountain: Mission 2 at Disneyland Paris

The current Space Mountain: Mission 2 attraction has been delighting European Disney fans since April 2005. The previous name was De la Terre à la Lune, which opened in 1995 and then closed in January 2005 to make room for the refurbishment and redesign. The original design paid homage to Jules Verne’s classic, From the Earth to the Moon. The new Mission 2 is supposed to be a continuation of Verne’s classic, where riders are now taken further into space on a new adventure.

Paris SP2 — Space Mountain: Mission 2 at Disneyland Paris

Paris SM3 — Uh oh, looks like he may not meet the height requirement on this one!

If you aren’t familiar with this version at Disneyland Paris, you will be in for quite a surprise your first timeas Space Mountain: Mission 2 goes upside down! Yup, this is the only Space Mountain attraction that features inversions — three of them in fact. If you think the rides in the US Disney Resorts are fast — this one is not for the faint of heart. I was pretty disoriented the first time I rode this…well, and the second time too. For those who are prone to motion sickness, you may want to sit this one out — or just make it your last ride before leaving. 🙂

Paris SM4 — A Space Mountain that goes upside down? Perhaps Spuffy is rethinking this one!

Paris SP1 — Interior queue of Space Mountain Disneyland Paris

Space Mountain at Hong Kong Disneyland

Surprisingly, this is one of the rides you can always pretty much just walk right on at Hong Kong Disneyland — even when the park is crowded. Usually we end up riding this one two or three times, depending on how long we are staying at the Park that day. This Space Mountain is the newest one (discounting other Parks’ refurbishments) and opened in conjunction with the park in September 2005. Hong Kong Disneyland probably has the best queue interior of the ride, despite being the smallest. There are lots of bright colored lights and a virtual solar system hanging above.

You will note in the photos from Hong Kong Disneyland, the entire park is surrounded by mountains — real ones. These are no Disney artist backdrops!

HK SM3 — View of Hong Kong Disneyland and Space Mountain from room at Disney Hollywood Hotel

HK SM5 — Hong Kong Disneyland Space Mountain is very scenic at night, especially with the mountains

HK SM1 — And Spuffy is ready to conquer another Space Mountain

HK SM2 — Hong Kong Disneyland Space mountain logo

HK SM11 — Hong Kong Disneyland Space Mountain queue

HK SM10 — Hong Kong Disneyland Space Mountain queue

HK SM9 — Another shot of the Hong Kong Disneyland Space Mountain queue

HK SM4 — Space Mountain TVs and warning sign at HK’s Space Mountain attraction

As I previously mentioned in the Anaheim Disneyland section, the Halloween themed Ghost Galaxy started at Hong Kong Disneyland in 2007. It is part of their annual Halloween event that includes actual Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios type maze attractions — the best time to visit HK Disneyland in my opinion!

HK SM8 — Hong Kong Disneyland Ghost Galaxy Space Mountain overlay

HK SM6 — Ghost Galaxy logo on HK Space Mountain during Halloween festivities

HK SP11 — Spuffy outside the Ghost Galaxy version of Space Mountain

Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland

Nearly identical to the one in Disneyland California (in my opinion), Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain attraction opened in 1983, when the Resort opened its doors. The ride is nice, but it is one of the most frustrating lines. The only way to ride this one is to do a FastPass, otherwise you can get stuck for seemingly hours while everyone with passes are admitted in masses. The outdoor snaking queue lines remind me of the olden days of Anaheim Disneyland pre-Fast Pass. The only difference is — it can be 100F and humid while you are waiting in line in Tokyo. Uuughh.

T SM4 — Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain attraction

T SM — Logo for Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland

Obviously Spuffy likes this Space Mountain the best because his outfit is nearly a replica of the current CM costumes. It’s fun to be in the Tokyo Resort with him, because the Space Mountain CMs get very excited when they see him and other local Duffy fans always acknowledge him because this series of costumes are very sought after, both in Japan and abroad.

T SM3 — Spuffy at home with “his” Space Mountain attraction — Tokyo Disneyland

T SM2 — Another one of Spuffy’s visit to Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland

One caveat about Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain attraction — there are no photos at the end! While the bright light goes off and it looks like the other rides that snaps your photo — sorry, no luck here. It is the only “professional” photo of Spuffy riding Space Mountain I will never get.

Have you been on more than one Space Mountain attraction? Which resort is your favorite?

Erin De Santiago

2011 Chinese New Year Menus and Treats at Hong Kong Disneyland

January 29, 2011 By Erin De Santiago 2 Comments

Since the kick off of the 5th Anniversary celebration and Chinese New Year started on the same day, I was expecting the menus to be catered more towards the 5th Anniversary, but nearly every food outlet had Chinese New Year specials and menus. We were told the Disneyland Hotel was featuring a special menu in the Crystal Lotus restaurant as well, but we did not have the opportunity to get over there on this short trip.

The bakery had a number of special Chinese New Year foods available for purchase, including “fortune” buns. Several restaurants had new menus, and we had new dim sum from the Plaza Inn (not sure if the new items were just for Chinese New Year or not).

Here is a look at a few of the bakery items and pictures of the seasonal menus available through February 13, 2011.

Cnyfood5 — Fortune Pineapple "Boomer" - Sweet Topping Bun with Red Bean

cnyfood7 — Prosperous Year Fish -- Peach and Custard Bun

Gallery with more images of Chinese New Year menus and treats available at Hong Kong Disneyland:

Chinese New Year themed menu board at Adventureland food stall

Special Chinese New Year menu at River View Cafe

Main Street Bakery features Year of the Rabbit decorations

Other Chinese New Year Hong Kong Disneyland posts:

Year of the Rabbit Merchandise at Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland Chinese New Year Celebration: Lucky Fortune Trail

Erin De Santiago

Year of the Rabbit Merchandise at Hong Kong Disneyland

January 29, 2011 By Erin De Santiago 6 Comments

Along with the Chinese New Year decorations and Lucky Fortune Trail, Hong Kong Disneyland debuted new Year of the Rabbit merchandise. Since the 5th Anniversary merchandise was obviously being more prominently featured, the Chinese New Year merchandise was spread throughout the various stores. It seemed like I’d find something else new every time I would walk into another store.

For the Year of the Rabbit, there were five individual pins released, three of which are limited to 300 each. There is also a four pin set that feature a flocked effect on the bunnies.

cny37 — Set of four Year of the Rabbit pins

Hong Kong Disneyland also has Chinese New Year plush and keychain beanies. Mickey and Minnie are dressed in red and pink bunny suits, while “Thumper’s girlfriend” is also a plush and beanie. The large ones are 140 HKD while the keychains are 70 HKD. The large rabbit plush seemed to be the most popular as we picked up the last one in the Emporium, but I did see them in Fantasyland as well.

cny41 — Year of the Rabbit plush and keychain beanies

Chinese New Year merchandise would not be complete without hongbao, or red envelopes. In Chinese culture, these are used during Chinese New Year and for other holidays where gifts are given. Instead of traditional gifts, money is put into the hongbao and given to the wedding couple or other recipient. Since we moved to Taiwan, I’ve been able to find a number of Disney themed envelopes around Taipei, so I had to get these of course!

The window decorations adorning the Corner Cafe windows were also available in a smaller scale. There were magnets, lenticular playing cards, several keychain and cell phone charms, and my personal favorite — a tea set! There was a Year of the Rabbit teapot and cups and matching rice bowl with spoons available. Mickey and Minnie were in Chinese outfits and the detail on each featured the rabbit design. These were unexpected finds in Fantasyland so we picked up the last ones on the shelf!

cny52 — Bowl and spoon set that match the teapot

If you are headed to Hong Kong Disneyland, all remaining merchandise should be available through February 13, and if there are any pins left, they will still be on sale after the Chinese New Year event ends.

Gallery with more photos:

Year of the Rabbit decorations that match Corner Cafe window ones

Some Duffy the Disney Bears were available in Chinese New Year Outfits

Hong Kong Disneyland Chinese New Year Celebration: Lucky Fortune Trail

January 28, 2011 By Erin De Santiago 6 Comments

Hong Kong Disneyland debuted their annual Chinese New Year celebration on the same day as the kick-off of their 5th anniversary celebration. Although the focus was definitely on the 5th anniversary festivities, the resort featured special Chinese New Year decorations, a Lucky Fortune Trail, Disney characters in Chinese New Year outfits, special menus, and my favorite — new merchandise!

We flew to Hong Kong on Friday January 21 for both the Chinese New Year and 5th Anniversary kick-off events. Main Street featured some traditional Chinese New Year decorations and the main gazebo where Mickey and Minnie greet guests was decked out for the holiday as well. The only odd part (although not surprising) was seeing Mickey and Minnie in their 5th Anniversary outfits versus Chinese New Year ones. Given it was media day for the 5th Anniversary “Celebration in the Air” I am not surprised they featured Mickey and Minnie in those outfits.

cny30 — Mickey & Minnie's photo spot decked out for Chinese New Year

cny26 — Year of the Rabbit decoration in the Corner Cafe window on Main Street

hk23 — Chinese New Year decorations on new Center Street Boutique

I was holding out hope that Duffy the Disney Bear was in his Chinese New Year outfit. Since the US Parks released the Chinese outfit, I figured this was the perfect segue to bring that one to Hong Kong. Duffy’s photo spot was decked out with a floral heart and lots of red and yellow flowers along the base. Cast Members were passing out stickers with Duffy dressed in his Chinese New Year garb. As we wandered in the Emporium, we found the Chinese outfit from the US Parks. And sure enough, once Duffy arrived to his photo spot, he was donning an adorable Chinese New Year jacket and hat. We lucked out and Duffy saw one of our Duffy Bears dressed in the Chinese outfit and held him so we could snap a few photos!

duffy29 — Special Duffy Chinese New Year Sticker

Duffy12 — Duffy the Disney Bear in his Chinese New Year Outfit

Duffy18 — Duffy holding our stuffed bear in his matching outfit

For the Chinese New Year festivities, Hong Kong Disneyland has the Lucky Fortune Trail. At the end of Main Street, you can pick up your “Lucky Trail” card, which directs you on where to find the different displays around the park. Each display has its own special fortune and the object is to place the right sticker of the right fortune on the location for the display on the map. When complete, bring the card back and you will receive a special sticker set with the characters featured in the park displays.

Here is a look at a couple of the themed displays along the Lucky Fortune Trail (please see the gallery below for all the Chinese New Year decorations and Lucky Trail displays). If you are visiting Hong Kong Disneyland prior to February 13, you can enjoy the special park decorations, Chinese New Year menus, and take a stroll along the Lucky Trail. Look for upcoming posts detailing the special menus and merchandise released for Chinese New Year — the Year of the Rabbit.