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Update for February 11 to February 17 - News and Commentary

 

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News This Week: Chief Spy's Trip Report | Spring Attractions Roll Out | Valentine's Day | Construction Mania

 

When it rains, it pours. Often it is difficult to cobble together enough news to fill one of these weekly columns, and at other times we simply have too much. It's great that this week happens to be one of the latter columns. It is a busy week indeed in Hong Kong Disneyland, with the Chinese New Year celebrations still raging and segueing nicely into the Valentine's Day treats this week. To tell the truth, with all the photos we've had coming in lately, we almost forgot that this week was the Feast of Saint Hallmark Valentine. So this week in Hong Kong Disneyland, we'll be concentrating on the Year of the Mouse launch; the forthcoming spring attractions; the Valentine's special and of course construction!

 

Chief Spy Trip Report - February 7th, 2008

 

The Chinese New Year Celebrations on February 7th went off in a huge spectacle, and you can rest assured that out Chief Spy was there to capture every second of it. We've also added over 100 new Year of the Mouse photos from her collection to our Chinese New Year 2008 Gallery, so be sure to check those out as well!

 

 

We woke up early and got to the park by 10:45. As we entered the park, we thought the crowds would be terrible. We had a bit of a wait to go through. There was some confusion about not being able to take cooked food in and people got a bit upset when they were told they had to dump it or eat it. When our turn came, I dutifully opened my bag only to be told "Little One's mommy, we see you so much, just go through." We collected our Lai See with the chocolate inside and made a bee line for Main Street.

 

Wow, what a way to start the new year!  We took a wander along Main Street for around 15 minutes, then staked out a seat next to the press ropes. Well, it didn't start at 11:15, but a few minutes later. In walks Bill Ernest and a few others followed by the Dragon and a number of other fish and clouds. Words can't really describe it. It was lovely. Plenty of pictures of it for you. He made a little speech about the two new year mouse babies, "a boy and a girl for the Ng family and the um someone help me I can't remember the other name." (Whispers from the sidelines) "The Lo family" A blip about double digit increases this year, and on to the designer of the clothes he, and the dragon dancers were wearing. Next came dotting the eyes of the dragon, and then the dance began. It stayed by the corner of Main Street outside the Emporium and lasted only around 5 to 10 minutes (I was snapping photos and watching, not looking at my watch) Ernest then held a short press conference with only two questions asked. "How is attendance really?" and "What are the contingency plans for large crowds?" The first answer was double digit growth year on year since Halloween, Pirates helped some too, and If the park is crowded, special day pass holders will be shuttled to Inspiration Lake for entertainment, food and drinks, then shuttled back when their return time comes. He also mentioned It's a Small World in "Early Spring" (Easter maybe?), High School Musical got a big push. (It seems to be pretty popular here if the number of times a week it is shown on the Disney Channel is any indication.) Next was a blip about the Muppets Mobile Lab and the Art of Animation coming this spring. He began to hand out Lai See to the Press, and the crowd around us went nuts. They started pushing and shoving to get in and get theirs. Smart man. He put them in his pocket, had the Disney police clear a path, then went out into Main Street with the Money God and a girl to hand out Chocolate coins to the masses. I was trying to get a picture of this action, when Bill spotted the little one and said "Here's a nice little girl who needs one." He handed over one of those giant chocolate coins. She was happy. Another one to eat.

 

 

Over to draw Minnie Mouse again, then the Jungle River Cruise. We went through Fantasyland in search of the Kidzone that was published in the times guide, only to find out there was only one in Adventureland. Over we went and colored in a few couplets. I got more stickers, and the Little One had fun coloring in the pictures.

 

 

We had lunch in the Castle, and it was pretty full yet at 2:00. Hot chocolate in the restaurants is $10. Outside, same size cup, $20. Hmmm?

 

We were walking over to take some photos of Small World for our favorite web site [Could that be us? - Ed], when Cinderella interrupted our walk. She asked the little one if she would like to ride the Carrousel with her, and My little girl jumped with glee. Cinderella held her hand all the way over there, and they chatted the entire way. (This is the Disney Magic I remember from eons ago.) Everyone had to wait while we got on the ride and settled ourselves in a seat. Cinderella told quite a few guests that this was a special ride for her and the little one, and they would have to go find somewhere else to sit. One ride, and Cinderella walked the little one out. A nice big hug and off she went for pictures with the guests. We got a bunch of FASTPASSES for the day, and a "Magical Moment" card, and stickers. They also gave us a special set of CNY stickers they have for "Magical Moment" participants.

 

 

We heard the announcement for the Three Gods coming out, so we just went over to where they would be and waited for a photo. (I don't know who they are, sorry.) We then took a walk back to the hub to snap some photos with the English on them. Bought mom some popcorn and walked down Main Street to hand out Lai See to friends and old students. A funny thing happened. They all turned me down. They said they weren't allowed to take it in the park, but thank you and here's a sticker for you. (Saved me a lot of money I guess and I filled out my sticker collection.)

 

 

While we were on Main Street, we saw The Muppet Mobile Labs and the crowds loved it. The little machine spat out water and belched smoke periodically. He was on the street for around 1/2 an hour, then exited near the lost children building. We saw him again later in the day as we were leaving the park, and he spent a good deal of time talking to the little one in Cantonese. He was shocked when he discovered Mom standing behind her. Even more shocked when Mom wished him a Happy New Year in Cantonese. He asked how to get off Main Street, and the little one told him, so he asked her to lead the way. She did.

 

We ran into an old friend of mine and chatted for a bit. The Lady is from Canada, and was telling me about her Premium Pass. She told me she saw Enchanted this morning and decided to go into the park just to see the Golden Mickeys. Her attitude was that it was money well spent for a few hours of relaxation in a nice friendly clean environment. She then added the cost of plane tickets to Florida, the cost of hotels and food if she were back home, and decided it was value for money.

 

Over to Buzz to use up some of those FASTPASSES (The Pooh craze has passed). We got stopped twice on the way, and I racked up 999,999 on both guns. It was no fun for the rest of the ride after that. Once you hit 999,999 it doesn't register any more. Into the Buzz shop to play with Mr. Potato Head. Alas, he isn't there anymore. His space is now filled with little rubber characters in plastic capsules. $20 each, or buy 5 or more at $15 each.

 

We bought two "honey citron lemon drinks" to warm up our tummies because we were frozen all the way through. After we thawed a bit, the little one decided she wanted to ride the train all the way around the park. Lucky you. I got a few snaps out of the back of the train of Small World. 

 

 

Over to Jungle River Cruise for one more ride, then it was Mickey's House. No tour guides today, so I took lots of pictures of the photos inside for you. Back down Main Street on the way out of the park we saw the Muppet Mobile Lab once again.

 

Over to City Hall to get one last sticker, (I now have the red and yellow sets!) and a long cold walk back to the MTR. On the way out of the park, I snapped a few pictures of that "stuff" behind the hedges. What is it? There are tarps, and corrugated roofs over there. More storage for dangerous goods, or extra toilets? On the way down the Promenade, I couldn't resist taking a picture of the Garbage cans being washed. Only at Disney!

 

At 6:00 we left the Resort. It was a long day, but so hard to leave today. The people were behaved for a change, except for the rush to get Lai See from the Head Honcho. I would have to say it was pretty full. There were 45 minute wait times for almost everything. The FASTPASSES helped a lot. The Janitors were playing games in Tomorrowland, but we were looking for someone so I didn't see what it was. There were lots of Cast Members walking around with short Q&A games for the guests, and any guest got a sticker. Almost everyone paid attention to the queue here signs posted at the vending carts - and the Chocolate coins were delicious.

 

As I left, my heart was full of warm fuzzies for the park. By the time I got home and saw the wind burn on my face, I still had lots of warm fuzzies inside. Days like today are the reason I love Disney. I wouldn't change it in the least. Friendly cast, wonderful adventures around each corner...AND chocolate! What more can a girl ask for?

 

The Chief Spy.

 

Spring Attractions Roll Out

As mentioned in the Chief Spy's trip report above, the Muppet Mobile Labs were out this week in anticipation of a fun Spring 2008. As can be seen, this looks identical to the same attraction that wandered about DCA in Anaheim in recent years. More of these photos can be found in the Spring 2008 Attractions Gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

Valentine's Day

Don't forget that it's Valentine's Day this week. Yes, we are well aware that it is a day created by greeting card companies in an attempt to sell heart-shaped boxes of chocolate - and it is clinically proven that you can't put on weight on Valentine's Day - but your beloved might be a bit miffed if you choose to ignore it in an anti-capitalist stance. Instead, why not take him or her to Hong Kong Disneyland if you are in the neighbourhood? The restaurants are putting on delcious meals, and look at all the neat stuff you can buy?

 

 

As can be seen from the Official Site, the Corner Cafe will have a My Valentine's Special for HK$328 per couple on the 13th and Valentine's Day. The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel will serve up a St. Valentine's Day Set Dinner for HK$288 per person at the Grand Salon and Sorcerer's Lounge; while the Crystal Lotus will have a St. Valentine's Day Chinese Dinner Set for HK$388 per person. Over at Disney's Hollywood Hotel, the Studio Lounge and Sunset Terrace will dollop you up a Saint Valentine's Day Menu 2008 for HK$268 per person.

 

Construction Mania

We couldn't tease you with those mentions of construction photos and not actually show any. We know these are some of the most popular features on the site. As out Chief Spy pointed out earlier in the week, these have been viewed over 10,000 times since we launched the IASW Construction Gallery! That's not even counting the people who use our photos on their sites without telling us, so we feel all warm and special. These first lot of shots - which can be seen in full in the gallery - show the state of the forthcoming it's a small world attraction as viewed from the Railroad. It almost looks ready to go for us, and that "Spring 2008" launch date draws ever closer...

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of construction, our Chief Spy also managed to snap these up for us along the Promenade. We don't don't what they are, or what they are doing, but could this be a sign of more toilets to come?

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Sign Out Section

We're just getting warmed up! With our membership sign-up section fixed, there is no stopping the onslaught of the Member Zone; the fabled competition and anything else we've written down on the back of a coaster over the last few years. 2008 is going to be huge.

 

Remember, as always, if you have any news, photos, trip reports or just a question, feel free to contact us.  We like to think of ourselves as the people's site.

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Current and Forthcoming Closures, Refurbishments and Construction

 

• Taihitian Terrace (CLOSED): On Tuesday through Thursdays until further notice
• Fantasyland: No closures in Fantasyland, but there is constant construction going on ‘beyond the berm’ for the forthcoming it’s a small world attraction (Coming April 2008).
• Land appears to be cleared and built upon behind Adventureland and the Promenade for as-yet-undisclosed project. While some contend that this land has always been in this state, we have reports that some construction was seen to be going on in this area. Others still say that this is prep-work for a Downtown Disney style area and the Pirates extension to Adventureland. The HK Building Department reports this as a 'Dangerous Goods Storage Area'. We now have an indication that a hotel will be going up in the area. Time will tell.

 

Events & Important Dates

 

If you know of any events that should be listed here, please let us know. 

 

February 2008

 

• Chinese New Year (January 22 to February 24): Quite possibly the most important traditional Chinese holiday on the calendar, Hong Kong Disneyland has put it's own stamp on the event. Traditional Chinese parades and costumes can be seen mixing it up with the magic of Disney. The week of February 7 to 13 will be the Peak time, so get your tickets now!
• Valentine's Day (February 14): Meals and specials at the Hotels, as well as 'romantic' (read: pink) merchandise in the parks and shops.

 

April 2008

 

• it’s a small world (April 2008): RTHK News reports that the attraction is set to open in April 2008, which is consistent with Disney’s official line of ‘early 2008’. You can follow the progress in our Construction Photo Gallery .

 

Spring 2008:

 

• Four New Attractions start to roll out in HKDL: Muppet Mobile Lab, High School Musical Celebration, Nemo Submarine “Turtle Talk” and The Art of Animation

 

May 2008

 

• Richard visits Hong Kong Disneyland late in the month (May 24 to May 27). Prepare the fortifications!

 

Current Discounts/Promotions

 

• Annual Passholders: Benefits can be found here.
• Interest Free Installment when Purchasing Annual Passes: Purchase Annual Pass now with a Standard Chartered VISA Card or MANHATTAN VISA Card to enjoy a 12-month interest free installment. Offer Period: 1 December, 2006 – 31 December, 2008. See here for details. 
• Stay and Play for 2 Days: Book a hotel stay and enjoy an extra day at Hong Kong Disneyland when you purchase a one-day ticket! The offer has been extended until 30 September 2008!
• Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Victorian Escape Package for 2 Persons: Enjoy the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Victorian Escape Package at the starting price of HK$2,280 and indulge in a relaxing spa with your beloved or friends! Offer period: 27 November, 2007 to 31 March, 2008. See here for details.
• Dining Deal: Book breakfast in advance and receive 30% off. Conditions apply.

 

Park Hours/Schedule/Annual Pass Block-out Days

 

Dates	Hours	Ticket Days
7 February to 17 February 2008	9:00 AM to 9:00 PM	Special Day (except 14-17 as Peak)
18 February to 29 February 2008	10:00 AM to 8:00 PM	Regular Day*
* Except weekends. All weekends in January and February are Peak Days. Ticket prices will be reflected accordingly.

 

Value Annual Passholders will have all weekends blocked to them during January and February. Both Value and Deluxe Annual Passholders also have February 7 to 15 blocked to them.

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