PTR: Bill's Epic 3 Weeks in China w/TPR!

[cfc]

^ David, the toboggan at Chuanlord didn't have any loop with it. Just a basic toboggan. But remember it being down, and Robb tried and tried and tried to get it open for us...but couldn't? It was a valiant effort on his part I must say.

 

 

 

Ahem!

Oh, yes it did.

And here's the loop.

[Nrthwnd]

Oops.

 

 

My mistake Chuck, lol!

 

Hmm, for some reason at the time, I just

cancelled it out in my mind, the loop I mean.

Maybe from the previous encounter with one

of these 'altered' toboggans..... I blocked this

one out, LOL.

[rctneil]

OMG, The Ghost Ship was very freaky. None of us had any idea what we were letting ourselves in for. At most it was just going to be another mediocre Chinese haunted walkthrough but blimey, that one was odd. It was just the reactions and expressions everyone had when they came off and telling everyone to go and try it!

 

Still wish we could have all persuaded Steve to take a trip through!

[cfc]

Oops.

 

 

My mistake Chuck, lol!

 

Hmm, for some reason at the time, I just

cancelled it out in my mind, the loop I mean.

Maybe from the previous encounter with one

of these 'altered' toboggans..... I blocked this

one out, LOL.

 

It was probably your brain protecting you from a very painful memory.

[Nrthwnd]

^ QFT

 

[Nrthwnd]

And now that Group Meals Time is over....

 

Into the final week of this long and EPIC TOUR, lol.

 

And once again, Robb decided to switch a couple of parks around, making it easier (I assumed) for getting the most out of the time we had, each day. So today we did Knight Valley and Window of The World.

 

Knight Valley at first look, was a part of a bigger residential and sports/spiritual resort for the locals. Most of it all built up against (and at the tops of) a mountain and several large hills, lol. It was also the home to one of the more unique wooden coasters in China, being designed and built into the terrain of the mountain itself. Like Boulder Dash - only higher up, lol.

 

The coaster (called what else? "Wood Coaster") was very cool, hugging the hillside with rapid speed, good tight turns, and a great adrenalin rush, every time I rode it. Which I did, several times, lol.

 

The rest of the park, was unfortunately without all its escalators running (up and/or down) so it was quite a workout getting around, and the heat and humidity wasn't making it any easier, for myself. The cable car was down as was the neat looking flume ride there, and the Journey to Centre of Earth attraction was down for maintenance. But we rode the bobcarts, got to the top of the mountain for a 360' view of everything around us, and eventually ended up at (where else?) Pizza Hut for lunch, followed by a cool delish iced frappucino from Starbucks. I was happy.

 

Then we headed to Window of the World, which is basically another one of these miniature (well not so miniature) iconic buildings park. But this one to me, seemed to be the biggest of those I had ever seen before. And there was a CREDIT in it! Called the "Greenland Underground Exploration", it was basically a coaster-in-the-dark ride and not much else. The only really cool thing about this coaster was the train we rode in, shaped at front and back like a long Viking warship, lol! That was cool, but the rest of it was meh.

 

The rest of the park was really nice and very spread out, divided into different sections of the world. It was very nice walking around, and there was a mini-rail to ride there too, if one wanted to see a lot of the park "from above".

 

And then just before leaving the park, a few of us met one of the 'regulars' there. And he even posed for a few shots too!

 

Nice kitty.

Heading to breakfast, I liked this arrangement in our (current) hotel lobby.

Part of breakfast. That's pork shavings there on the end of this 'pastry'. And it was good!

On our way to Knight Valley. And the clouds of _____ open up for us...just a little.

Here's the map of everything at Knight Valley - now where the heck were we???

Wood Coaster's lift hill.

And after the lift hill...heading back our way!

Through the station and then some great intense turns and stuff. I really enjoyed this coaster.

Going up the mountain on the funicular train, and looking down to the rest of the park, and beyond. That long thin rectangular 'roof' was where a lot of the shops and eateries (incl.The Hut and SB) were.

Another view of it all, from up above. And you can barely make out any Coaster track to the right of that white square 'roof' nestled in the trees.

This is a shot with my digital camera. A bit closer, a lot clearer. And some coaster track you CAN see on the left, there. I forget what that multi-level roofed thing was over on the right there. Looked interesting, though.

Looking the other direction. Religion and Golf, in harmony with each other. (o:

The entrance sign for Window of The World. Looked great when all the neon lighting eventually went on. And of course, The Louvre Pyramid in front.

It's generally a mash-up of countries' iconic structures, depending on the direction you see things.

Speaking of a mash-up....

Um. It's been over ten years now. It just looks and feels...creepy.

And just before we left the park, we ran into this little local.

Who decided to finally get up and start posing...

Pretty good pose, hmm? Sweet cat.

And just before we got back to our hotel, I saw these free-standing poles undulating in their various colours. Did that sound dirty? (o;

Edited January 11, 2013 by Nrthwnd

[firewalk13]

Wood Coaster looks amazing (and the POV proves that it is). Simply calling it a terrain coaster would be an understatement. Hot dayum!!

[Nrthwnd]

So - this is it - our last day in Mainland China - and by evening we're in Hong Kong at a Disneyland Hotel!!!

 

 

But still, there was Happy Valley Shenzhen to visit for most of the day. The hot, overly humid day. Another one to get through, for myself. And in the end, I again didn't take too many photos this day. Was just too hot, and constantly re-hydrating myself so i wouldn't fall over from the heat! And it continued the following day for our visit to Ocean Park.

 

But that's another post.

 

HVS was an interesting laid out park. By looking at it from outside, I would have never guessed it covered so much property. But it did, and was quite the work-out to walk back and forth through. There was this new dive coaster we were to get a very good credit on - but we were upstaged by some fool Canadian stunt guy (had to be,right?) doing something involving get off the track before being run over....? Something like that, lol. Anyway, they were cleaning up after him (ha), and he got into talks with Robb, found out other Canucks were on the tour (JonLocke is there a pic from you of this?) and somehow managed to help us with the ERT on the coaster before it opened to general public! I missed the meet-up with the guy, but I do want to thank him for helping us with our ERT. It was awesome. And the coaster was pretty great too!

 

Then - The Bus To Hong Kong.....

 

Actually, and surprisingly - it was three busses to Hong Kong. The one we'd been on and had our luggage in, stopped several miles from the China-Hong Kong border. Seems we had to unload ourselves AND the luggage and transfer to another bus - and driver and guide, yes? - which took us to the actual Border Crossing Building. And then, another unload, everything to and through customs etc etc. (I nearly lost it at this point having not found The Card I needed to save for exiting Mainland China - did find it, but geez!! Still hot and humid at this time of night, too. Ugh.)

 

And then, driving to our last hotel of the tour Hong Kong Disney's Hollywood Hotel.

 

And I called it a night. Too hot and exhausted to do anything else, though I "heard" the swimming pool got invaded and abused by some of the tour people and.....Goofy.

On our way to our final Mainland China park - Neil's happy about that.

Front Entrance to Happy Valley Shenzhen - me with a couple of True Credit Whores (and only in a good way!) - hi George and Richard!

What we were supposed to get some early ERT on - but - we got it later in the day. And it's a nice coaster. I liked it!

Betty, Jon, and myself with IT in back and above us. And strange things on the right of us.

I liked this shot. Not perfect. But not too shabby, lol. The coaster was called BULLET COASTER btw. Simple and easy, hmm?

I was by this time, staying in as much shade as I could find. And herds of schoolkids kept moving by me. This was one of the last ones I saw, before we left the park for....

Toto! Pause. No really, all of a sudden, I saw this in there park's bathroom. And it made me laugh and think of "that Toto." So = took a pic. And NOW we get on the ( first of 3) bus and FINALLY head over to....

Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Room! Very nicely laid out. We had inner courtyard view, and of pool and out to water a bit. Nice.

The beds. Nice and comfy, IMhO.

The all-important bathroom, with alll those toiletries Mickey-style, LOL. And, OCEAN PARK tomorrow!

[gisco]

Looking forward to you Hong Kong pics!

[Nrthwnd]

Now before I get into this last set of pix, I must explain why no pix of Hong Kong, itself.

I was so overheated and really messed up with the humidity and all,

when the Hong Kong Sightseeing tour (and dinner that would follow it)

came up, after our visit to Ocean Park, I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

I needed to cool down - fast.

 

So, I went back to the Disney Hollywood Hotel with Robb and Hanno, took a

cooling bath, did some time at the pool itself, ate my actual worst

meal of the tour (not kidding - the quick pickup diner was not good),

and chilled out in the room until my roomie got back later that evening.

 

So, the rest of my photos will be of Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland.

But not of Hong Kong, itself.

 

Next time, if I tour China with TPR again, I am hoping that sightseeing

Hong Kong will be done and snapped by me, lol.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

With that said, we did Ocean Park the next morning, with ERT

given to us on every coaster in the park! (Except the new power coaster)

 

And we got to ride up to the rides level on the park's fairly new transport

system, that being the sort-of funicular train that simulates

traveling through the oceans. The only way to travel between the lower

and upper parts of the oark used to be by their still-running gondolas.

So the underground, through-the-hills train was cool and nice to ride.

 

I did enjoy the coasters there, especially HairRaiser. And I was constantly

amazed how they fit some of these coasters into the hillside of

different parks like this one, and Knight Valley, etc. But the zoo-like area

for non-aquatic animals left me feeling sad for the animals. They really

weren't great enclosures. And after so much money spent on a new

transport system, the new coaster and such, surely couldn't better conditions

(and bigger ones too) be built for the animals?

 

And, as the day wore on, it again got to be very humid for me, and with the

heat bouncing off the pavement of the park, I really wasn't doing as well

as i thought I could. So once again, the pix taken were limited, and when we

were asked about who wanted to return to the hotel - I was the only one,

beside Rubb and Hanno to go back to the hotel.

 

Which was fine. I had had enough of that day, lol. And the cool bath and

swimming felt soo very very nice.

 

Got me refreshed for the next day.... and HK DISNEYLAND!

So here we are at Ocean Park - on Hair Raiser - with Robb snapping an on-ride Group Photo at its station.

One of my artsy Coaster Shots. With a bit of hillside in back.

Looking out the other end of the station. It's a good coaster, and I rode it a number of times. Had a nice surprise of an airtime pop in the middle of it, too.

Now this one is DRAGON, an old Vekoma custom looper. With the last lift hill bringing you back up to the station. It was interesting.

This is one I have known about for years and years - Wild West Mine Train - which really doesn't have a lot of theming to it, but what - a - view of Hong Kong Harbour from it!

Speaking of views. This is from the observation tower ride they have at the park. With a view of some of the rides there, and the ocean beyond.

More of the upper area of the park, with Hair Raiser in back, the new Arctic Exhibit (and power coaster in front) in the large buildings there.

Now, in the Arctic exhibit there were (yay) penguins. And the little guy between Jon and Betty just loved to be photographed! See him bobbing between them, there in the tank? Shameless little camera hog.

Us three in one of the gondolas going back up the mountain from the entrance level to the upper area. This is where heat wasn't helping me, riding in this mini-sauna, lol. Even with the side windows open! Hot hot hot.

And as this icky photo shows, my camera skills were starting to drain from my system. I knew it was time for a hotel break, before we toured HKDL the next day.

[Nrthwnd]

And now, The (almost) Finale of My Report here...

 

Hong Kong Disneyland First Day touring...

 

The smallest, in terms of attractions number, of all the Magic Kingdoms around the world, I was prepared for what might turn into (literally) a 1/2 day there. At least, that's what people had reported in past trips, etc. But some new stuff was there now, since it opened, and that certainly made the difference in expanding the visit to HKDL. We had a day there, to be followed by a final group dinner at the Chef Mickey Restaurant (International buffet! And desserts! It was awesome!) that evening,.

 

But I went one step further in adding an extra night to the end of the tour, at the Disney Hollywood Hotel, and then got myself a two-day ticket online, which when I worked it out... a pretty surprising $33 per day for park visits! Cool! And I used the ticket for a full day (Sat.Sept.29), and some time there (and lunch) on the day (Sun.30th) I left for the airport, and home.

 

First of all, once again I had the joy of being one of the first in a TPR tour to get ERT on Disney coasters!!! Last time this happened for me, was in 2008 at Disney Paris on Big Thunder. But for HKDL, they took us to all three coasters, including the new one just opened Grizzly Gulch Runaway Mine Cars. I loved it, all of it. From the diving into and through tunnels, the backwards part, the shot back forward, the animatronics... Not too wild a ride, but just enough, to come back for more.

 

The Toy Story Land RC Racer coaster was 'okay' with me. Definitely different as a variation on the u-pipe version. But after our free ride, I only went back once for a re-ride. Grizzly Gulch Mine Cars.... I lost count of, lol.

 

Before they took us to Space Mountain, there was this little (what I call a) "song and dance" about a "secret route" we were going to take to get to it. And that secret route was through...... It's A Small World.

 

 

And unfortunately, I actually fell for it, at first. I kept looking for the "magical waterway" to take us over to Space Mountain. Duh. The good news was, I actually enjoyed this version of IASM, as this was the version that included actual Disney characters throughout it. Much to the outcry (at the time) of "IASM Purists". But it worked out fine in my opinion. There was some obvious placements, and others you really had to look for. So I enjoyed the 'secret route'. But I didn't go back for a re-ride. Once was enough, after all.

 

After Space Mountain (which was really good too! and in "Halloween mode" which was cool as well) we were "released to the park" and we found that one of the live shows, The Golden Mickeys, was just about to do it's first performance., So we checked that out, and then lunch.... and then, More Disney!

Rise and Shine! It's Disney Time! Our view to the pool and the Hollywood Sign there. And as you can see, I am still waking up here, lol.

Benoit and myself, ready to get going, Disney-Style!

We went right through the main gate and down Main Street to get to Grizzly Gulch and it's new attraction. And as you can see there is a castle way down there. It's true!

Now this was a Group Shot in front of Grizzly Gulch Mtn. But somehow, whoever I asked to take the pic with my camera, decided NOT to include everybody else, in it, LOL! Ah, communication...

And immediately they decided to take a second shot. As the group was breaking up. Oh well. Memories like these.... And PROPS to Chuck, Cheryl and Maria for Holding That Pose, LOL!

After riding (and riding and riding and...) Grizzly Gulch, we were then taken to ToyStory Land. Past the yet-to-open Mystic Manor.

And... here's Toy Story land, in all it's glory!

With RC Racer ahead of us, to ERT on. (o:

And THIS was our "secret route" to Space Mountain.... uh.....okay, sure. Love the immediate hills behind it.

THEN we did Space Mountain. FastPass style. And Cheryl is definitely happy and ready to ride, too!

And when we came out of it - Dr. Honeydew! Beaker! Speaking in Chinese! It was still awesome to see 'them,' having known about this new form of mobile animatronics before. Very cool to see it in action!

So just before lunch, our group decided to take in the first performance of...

Here's our little posse, ready for showtime.

The show itself is a sort-of "Awards Show" that features numbers from "winning Disney films" lol. Here's Tarzan, showing his appreciation for getting a Golden Mickey - for which category, I cannot remember.

Of course, Mulan had to be part of the show.

A closer look. There Mulan is, on the left. And her (eventual) Love Interest, in the middle.

I had No Idea this number was in the first Stitch movie! I nearly laughed out loud when it flashed up on the screen.

So here's the gang doing that song...I think.

Finally, the Stitcher shows up.

Now everybody dances the Rollercoaster!

Then Ariel & Co. horns in, and we're into That Movie.

More of The Little Mermaid number.

These fish in back - I liked!

Beauty & The Beast scrim, with Belle behind it there.

The Happy Couple. With That Chandelier.

Our singing hostess, who was really good through-out the entire show in what she had to do and/or sing.

Finale! Without the shooting sparklers going off, darnit.

And now, LUNCH! And here's Cheryl doing her bit for the veggie-veggie fruit-fruit gang...

[Nrthwnd]

So, now that we finished lunch, we continued our touring of

Hong Kong Disneyland First day touring, con't...

 

Around that time we also took in the two main attractions (for us) in Fantasyland,

that being Mickey's Philharmagic and Pooh's Hunny Hunt. Now, having been to the copies

(other than Pooh being trackless) of these attractions in Tokyo Disneyland, and all in

Japanese language, I was expecting an all-Chinese dialogue show, etc. Not to be!

The Pooh ride and Philharmagic were all done in english! As was most of The

Golden Mickeys show, too. And Buzz Lightyear Space Rangers, as well. So I really wasn't

ready to actually understand everything, lol! Which was a nice surprise,

 

And then we headed through Adventureland, doing the Jungle Cruise (with a pretty good

english speaking joking guide with us, I must admit), climbing Tarzan's Treehouse getting

more ride time on Grizzly Gulch Mine Cars, and eventually into Toy Story Land. Passing

of course, that lovely building that would become Mystic Manor in the not-too-distant...

 

Some where in the late afternoon, I wanted to head back to the hotel, so I left my group still

wandering around, got back to the Hollywood Hotel, had a cocktail or two and just relaxed

before our Final Group Meal Together that evening. And it was to be in the outstanding

Chef Mickey's with a truly International Buffet available for us. And The Head Mouse hisself

showed up for photos with each table group. It was all good food and fun.

 

And cause this was for most of us The Last Night together. So after dinner, several of us

hung around the bar-lounge for more cocktails, China tour stories (there were many, lol) and

then hugs and goodbye.

 

But - I had to get some good sleep, for tomorrow i was going to tour HKDL a second day!

In Adventureland - POP QUIZ - what's the difference between this photo of me and my head collection....

....and this photo? This was fun to do.

And then I found The Chair. Ah, power.

I 'think' I was trying to get the name of our Jungle Cruise boat. Fail.

Ah. Ain't they cute? Betty and Benoit about to embark on their "dangerous journey". With our pretty good joking guide to their left.

The elephant bathing falls.

And...."dangerous stuff" ahead!I think there were dangling snakes here at this scene.

More animals. More jungle. More bad jokes. The whole thing is very well laid out, considering it is going around an island?

Guess what? They got a tree'd safari too!

And for the finale of the cruise - we got FIRE! That was well done, too.

After the Jungle Cruise, we headed to the tree house for a quick little raft ride over, and a good view of some of the rest of the park.

And after we got over there, I spotted this flying away. Awww. Hope they got another one.

From the tree house, a view of Space Mountain there.

And looking the other way - Grizzly Gulch Mtn! With a turret of the main Hong Kong Disney Hotel poking up.

And, a Jungle Cruise boat passing by.

We did a half-park train ride from Fantasyland to Main Street. (This was a view of Autopia in Tomorrowland.) That's all they were allowing - no round trips. So we hopped off the train, run around and back thru the Stn. and get back on, on the same car, same seats! It wasn't very busy at the time, lol. And back to Tomorrowland!

Then I started to head back to the hotel, and I come across these Australians hanging around the old crypt 'n casket. Hi Michael, Kathryn and Maria!

And I couldn't resist taking at least one pic of the fountain outside the park's entrance. It looks even better at night, all lit up.

So I get back to the Hollywood Hotel, into the lounge, and order me up a banana daiquiri! I also found a pair of Mouse Ears at the park too! They embroider names on them too, but I foumd that out too late. Ah well, next visit, lol.

So here I am, ears on, strawberry daiquiri in hand (I had more than one, hmm?). Ready for dinner!

But before we headed into the restaurant I got a pic of me and Mr. TPR Touring, himself...Robb! Thanks again to you and Elissa for another amazing tour. Bearhugs!

Hi guys! It was great touring with all of you. We did it!

Hello, hello! See y'all again soon, on another amazing TPR Tour!

Another good looking group. See you all again, somewhere soon!

Here's my table with our little crew! Hi guys! And I see Brian can't wait to dig into everything, there.

An across-the-table shot, from Benoit.

And then I decided to make this face. Also take by Benoit. Silly me. And Jon's still doing something with electronics there. And Brian is....thinking. Hmmm.

Then The Head Chef shows up, and each table gets it's prized photo with.... Him.

But there's still time left for the Dessert Buffet, eh Jon?

And after dinner, it was back to the lounge for some of us, for last cocktails and tour stories. Thanks Benoit for this photo of you and me. And after that, to bed and a good sleep, and then...more HKDL touring for me!

[Nrthwnd]

The second day at Hong Kong Disneyland. And a look at a show.

 

Most of the tour group left for their respective homes this day, but I had wanted to spend

more time at the park, so I opted to get an extra night at the hotel, and get myself a two-

day pass to the park online. It worked out to $33 a day visiting HKDL! Even as small as

the park was, with the limited number of attractions there, I was still impressed, lol!

 

So, I met up with JonLocke for breakfast and we headed over to the park together. His

flight wasn't leaving until later in the afternoon, so he got himself a one-day pass,

checked out, parked the bags at the front of the hotel, and we went over.

 

As part of our visit there, we took in The Festival of The Lion King in Adventureland.

I had never seen any production of this before (this is the one like in AK at WDW, yes?)

and since the crowds were light during our tour there, this was a good time to see it.

 

The production is a sort-of "look back" at the Lion King's past, when then involves stuff from

the movie. A kind of "This Is Your Life" deal, heh heh. Lots of colour, music, dancing and

acrobatics, and great moving floats with animated animals on them. I really enjoyed it.

 

So here's the set of photos I took there inside the Theater In The Wild. And please pardon

all the blurriness and out-of-focus on some of the pix. I am still learning with my new

digital camera.

This is what the seating and stage area looks like when you first enter the theater.

"Circle of Life" as the number used to open the show. This looks kind of creepy if I do say so, lol.

And then The Floats start rumbling in. All very impressive considering the small size of each float.

The Giraffe Float!

They circle each other a bit, then back into their corners for the rest of the show to continue.

Scar and his hyena minions.

That Couple and the kids doing "I Just Can't Wait To Be King".

The guy finally finds his love, Nala.

And then a white 'bird' starts flying all over the place, for True Love. Awww.

You can never do too wrong with FIRE.

A firey confrontation.

I think this is where Scar got "defeated". Not killed. Can't have that happen. Has to come back for FINALE!

So grown up Lion King liked all the "looking back" production. Roared his approval.

And the monkey person brings it all back home, with "Cicrle of Life." And the centre stage starts to rise and turn. Ooooo.

Forming a circle seems to be the way to end it all.

Music getting louder, voices harmonizing more and more. The stage still turning.

And - ta dah - Lion King Birthday Cake ending!

Then the floats start to move to the stage centre.

Do a bit of a U-turn and back up to centre.

And - The End! It was a very well done production, and I might see it again, when I get back to HKDL.

[gisco]

I didn't catch any of the shows when I was there. Something new for me to do the next time I go.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Yeah, seeing the shows definitely makes your day(s) there

more filled, lol. But I lucked out in seeing both the main shows

there (Mickeys and Lion King) in their first showing of the

day, the two full days I had there.

 

So extending my stay there was good for the seeing the

shows without rushing it.

[Nrthwnd]

So now that The Festival of The Lion King is out of the way, here is the rest

of the same day Jon and I returned to Hong Kong Disney. The day everybody

else left for their respective home cities. (Sat/Sept/29)

 

Jon had a flight returning home, later the afternoon, so the morning part of

exploring the park, was mainly up to him.Then we headed back to the hotel,

he got ready to leave, I hung around the hotel for a rest up, then went back

into the park for whatever happened in the evening, etc.

 

We did repeat rides on Mine Cars of course, along with Space Mountain, Winnie

The Pooh...and the Parachute Drop in Toy Story Land, which gave us a great

"backstage view" of theshow building and other buildings (gift shop; restaurant)

making up the attraction Mystic Manor. It's huge,and I can't wait to come

back (2016?) and see what's inside!

 

So after we returned to the hotel, and Jon left, and I returned back to the park, I

just did what I wanted to do, without rushing around. I rode Autopia at night

which was pretty cool, with the roadways, signs, landscaping lit up. Halloween

decorations were all enhanced with nice eery, spooky lighting on them, so that

was great to see as well as how the park itself was lit.

 

Then, I had me a "minor accident" after riding one of the many, many times I

rode Mine Cars at Grizzly Gulch. In my overzealous....uh....giddiness to ride

the coaster again and again and again, i tripped on an edged garden area

beside the attraction's entrance buildings, down I went, and skidded on one

knee, taking off some skin, and looking like a bit of a bloody mess!!!

 

 

Fortunately, somehow, it did look a lot worse than it turned out to be, so

after hobbling over to the food place in the Gulch, I grabbed a handful of

napkins, blotted what I could, and then...that was it for my evening at the

park, lol! Sad but true. And I went back to the hotel, and used a few of the

Fabulous TPR Band-aids that come with every TPR tour goody bag!

 

And after that was done, I was done too, so to bed, and a half more day

back the park - and leaving Hong Kong for home, as well.

Jon and I on Main Street, HKDL.

This was a nice-looking castle, I thought. And with hills in the background was... different!

After seeing the first showing of The Lion King, we headed (of course) to the Gulch.

In the Mine Cars queue, I noticed a nice group shot of an early TPR Tour. Hi guys!

So after the Mine Cars a few times (I never seemed to take any pix of it; but then, everybody else has, lol.) We headed to Toy Story Land, passing by The Manor.

This part will be the gift shop and restaurant of Mystic Manor.....Land? (o;

Looking out to the rest of TSL, from the Parchute Drop ride.

A kind of blocked view of the MM building, from where we sat on the Parachute Drop

But then, to the right of it - all of that show building in the back there, lol!

So here's a train of mine cars being shot out of a mine! Cool, huh?

And eventually, the train ends up over here. A very cool mine train ride it was!

On our way out of the park, we came across this. Very cool to see done in the park. I've seen it done in TokyoDL and DLParis as well. Fun. And all too brief too.

A definite (to me) shout out to the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki, Tiki Room! In front of the Tahitian Terrace Restaurant. Hmmm. This whole area is a shout out to the original, in Disneyland, heh heh.

Yes! I will! But first, a hotel break.

[jonlocke]

Oh the memories, it feels like only yesterday that we were all in China. I still have all of my souvenirs sitting on my desk including my red panda plushy.

[Nrthwnd]

^ My little buddy from Ocean Park, is sharing a chair with other

theme park buddies of mine. I think there's five tours represented

in this bunch, LOL!

 

And then there's that red hot tamale of a banana - Chiquita!*

Non-theme park, but who cares, really?

 

 

*And banana daiquiris are a ma - zing!

One of the newest members of The Chair Gang (there's 5 of them), is down there at the right.

[Nrthwnd]

"And after a nice mid-afternoon break at the hotel...."

 

I returned to the park, just as it was starting to turn 'dusky', heh heh.

I had a very nice meal at the Tahitian Terrace, and then went back and forth,

between Grizzly Gulch and Tomorrow Land, mainly.

 

I went into Toy Story Land to get a good look at everything at night. And it is really cool

to see all the oversize "bulbs" on and glowing. I got one more ride on "RC Racer" and then

satisfied my curiosity about the "Slinky Dog Tail Spin" It was.... okay. Would have been

even better if a covering had come over everybody - like a caterpillar flat. But I know that

might have been a but for some pre-teens. And others.

 

And then, my accident happened. I rode Mine Cars as a single rider. So easy to get on with

minimal wait. Why oh why I ever thought I should be running back out the exit way to get back

intho th SR entrance and..... DOWN I WENT! I tripped on an ashalt edging around some landscaping,

and skidded on my right knee for a few inches. Ugh.

 

Limped over to the food place, grabbed some napkins and then blotted the knee, till things had

quieted down. And then headed for the exit.

 

As that was my evening done at the park, lol! I had some Polysporin for helping things heal, and

THANKYOU Robb and Elissa for the TPR bandages! Perfect timing, ha ha.

 

And that was the night for me. I had to leave the next day (Sunday) but I would still be able

to get at least a half day in park, including a nice meal somewhere in there......

And you all though it would be a long shot of a castle? Naw. Main Street, looking the other direction. And a lot of black light in there, for the Halloween decorations. Cool!

Of course the castle is lit up. Sorry for the blurr.

Heading through here. For dinner. I love real fire, too!

The Treehouse on The Island.

Dinner! In a bowl! Fantastic idea! It was great, really. And reasonable price, I felt

And now - three shots of the mountain in Grizzly Gulch. Don't know why. But here is....Shot #1. The train is up the hill, you can just make it out there.

And here we have...Shot #2. Almost the same as #1. Almost. No tree, or train on hill.

And Shot #3. A bit lighter in the lighting. And the mine cars are back!

Went back to Tomorrow Land. It's a simple mix of attractions and design. I enjoyed it.

This is my "Shot from Autopia Station". Decided to try the car ride at night. Probably the only one in the Disney Planet without major wait times when we were there.

Took this shot on my way to Toy Story Land. I liked it. And they do Halloween pretty intense in themeing here, really!

So here's what I saw, when I entered TSL at night.

It looks a like night time carnival is happening, here! Very bright and then some!

RC Racer "in action." Hence, The Blur Shot.

Me with my place holder "bone" on Tail Spin. Without it - very unhappy pup.

Then, on my way back to Grizzly Gulch (and Impending Knee Doom), I took one more pic of Mystic Manor, with work lights on, inside it. Looked pretty good.

[jonlocke]

Really wish I stayed for a second night that way I could have walked around the park and see everything at night lite up. Great pictuers of Grizzly Gulch.

[Nrthwnd]

^ That's why I took the step is getting an extra night's stay at the

Hollywood Hotel. It was pricy, but worth the extra time to spend

at the park and the hotel itself. And at the time, a two-day pass

cost me only (roughly) $33 each day!

 

And thanks for the nice pix comment, Jon!

[David H]

Bill, if you want to see the Lion King show again, you'll have to go back to Hong Kong, because Animal Kingdom changed their show a few years back. I believe that the HK version is more or less the same as the original version, which is basically the retelling of the movie thorugh acting and song to commemorate the anniversary of Simba's reign. I probablky liked the show more than anyone in our group, and I thought it was mediocre and repetitive. (How many times can they put Circle of Life in the same show?!?) I theink that the rest of my party wanted to either kill themsleves or kill me for making them sit through it!

 

The newer AK version of the show is more of a tribute to the movie, using the songs as a backdrop for acrobatics and beginner Cirque du Soleil-type acts, but nothing too spectacular. For instance one scene has some acrobatic poeple in monkey suits bouncing around on high bars and trampolines. I saw it last week and thought that is was also pretty mediocre, but quite a bit better than the HK version. But the crowds loved it, and I heard some people on the way out saying that they thought it was the most amazing show ever. I wanted to suggest that they spend some money and go see a REAL acrobatic show with Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba over at Downtown Disney, but I didn't want to be rude!

 

Was the haunted maze at HDL open over the weekend? I know that they opened it for the buyout on that last night we were there, but you had to have a special badge to go through it.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Well, once of it (Festival of Lion King) all I think will suffice for now David, lol.

 

I didn't do any of the Halloween maze, or the Headless Horseman attraction they

had set up (before you headed into Grizzly Gulch).

 

I remember on Saturday night, walking by a very VERY long line just outside the

Adventure Land entrance was. I think that was the maze, yes?

 

So yes, it was open Sat.night, but Friday I don't know.

I was back at the hotel by then.

 

I also believe the Halloween attractions and days/times

were on the park map, itself. Haven't checked, but I think it does.

[Nrthwnd]

So now it's Sunday, Sept.30th - Departure Day

 

But I had enough time (flight didn't leave until late afternoon) to go to HKDL for roughly a half day,

then back to the hotel to pick up the luggage, taxi to the airport, and home.

 

And what I usually do on my last visit to any Disney park, is find a good place to have a nice

sit-down meal. Usually pricy. But usually top notch food, too. And this was no exception, lol.

 

The Main Street Corner Cafe, is what I would call the Main Restaurant of the park, for Weestern

style meals. The seating is spacious, if one gets a street window table, there's good viewing of a parade

down Main Street along with your meal. I was more inside the restaurant itself, but I could still catch

glimpses of the daytime "Flights of Fantasy" parade that was (then) running through the park.

 

The meal, in a few words, was a-ma-zing! They had just started the Halloween celebrations int he park,

and the Cafe was no exception, offering a Halloween-themed complete meal, which I naturally had, heh.

And everything was great. The main course had beef that was like cutting butter with a fork delicious!

The accompanying veggies were still slightly crisp to the bite, but tasty along with a nice sauce/glaze.

And the dessert was a nice ending to a very nice meal. And a nice coffee to end it all.

 

I was impressed! So, here's how it all went...

Here's Corner Cafe, right at the hub of the park.

A look at the specially themed Halloween menu offered there.

Closer, still. I had the Smoked Duck Breast to start. Then the Grilled Tenderloin as my main course, followed by the dessert. And beverages.

And just as I was seated, the parade started outside!

First the beverage. And this I believe was my first time with 'favoured foam" on top! And the eye was perfect - blueberry in a lychee. easy!

Them this was brought to my table, left there, then the server came back telling me this wasn't my course, lol. But "did I still want to take a photo of it?" she asked. Sure, why not I thought, So here's "the other appetizer" offered, lol.

Looks like Dumbo to me...

Here's my appetizer! Looked just as good as the "other one" lol. And tasted delicious!

This looks like the main Disney characters, going by.

The Princesses Float.

And good old Jack - guarding over my grilled tenderloin. The beef was exquisite. The veggies, excellent.

This is the Jungle Float. And not a Lion King in sight, lol. (That I could see)

Dessert. Not too filling, but just enough. The pumpkin was an orange spongecake. Yummy.

And coming right up...

After-meal coffee! Very nice way to finish it all up.

And finally - The Toy Story Float, lol!

And... a souvenir light up ice cube to take home with me! Unfortunately, I can't get at the batteries, and... the ice cube "died" on me a week or so ago. Still, it was a very nice meal for my last day's visit to HKDL.

[cfc]

"Robin, eat your Bat Salad--it's good for you."

 

 

That meal looks great!