Hong Kong Disneyland, visit 3

[mrtoad]

Well, talking with Izzy last night, I am planning on going to Guangzhou for 8 days or so before our interview (mostly so I can attend an American Citizens conference on July 7). After she has her medical done, we will still have 1 week before our interview. Seeing that Hong Kong is only 2 hours away by train, we are planning on going to HK for a little vacation....

So--- of course this means HKD. Izzy has never been to a Disney park, and this park is really beautiful, so she is excited. We found that we could stay at the Disney hotel there for $150 a night (if she books through China she can get that price, for my booking it would cost $183). Just for a break and a little re-acquaintance, this will be a nice getaway, before we have to deal with the pressure the week after of the interview and such.

So this will be my third visit, with two attractions left which I haven't seen (a disney water parade started again this May 31st, and It's a Small World started in April). Not sure about the rain again (I'll be prepared with Crocs). I'm really looking forward to seeing the park through my wife's eyes for the first time!!

[Tink]

Kevin that will be so great! You will have to let us know how Izzy likes it. I am still planning on having Alex show her around Disneyland sometime this year!
And don't forget to tape Small World for my little man!
Leanne

[34Angels]

That's awesome! I hope she likes the park. I so bad want to go to HKD, I like HK when I was there. Maybe something for me and Jake to do since he wasn't on the ship when we stopped in HK.

[TeacherCat]

Kevin, we are in the same time zone (well almost). We are going to DL Tokyo on the 28th. We won't make to DisneySea until next month. I'm so excited!

Cat

[mrtoad]

We made plans today to stay at HK Disneyland on July 10, and July 11. They have a stay and play an extra day deal going on, if you stay at the Disneyland Hotel one night you get a second night for free. Isabel is worried about not liking it, but I told her I would make it fun...

I will fly to Hong Kong on July 5, and arrive July 6th in Guangzhou, China.

I must take Isabel to a medical exam on July 7th, and will attend the American Citizen Conference hour at the Guangzhou, China Embassy. From July 8-July 11 we will have a little vacation in Hong Kong, before returning July 12th (Saturday) to get Isabel's medical results. On July 14th, Isabel will have her interview.

[TeacherCat]

WOW, it seems like things are really starting to speed up.

[34Angels]

Good luck!

And I hope ya'll enjoy you're mini-vacation, I hope Izzy likes the park, of course, how couldn't she!;)

[mrtoad]

I think she will like it, but she doesn't know what to expect. She is afraid of the crowds. I would like to take her to Ocean Park too, but she isn't that interested. We will make a lot of plans there, so we shall see what happens.
It does seem like things are speeding up. Basically in 17 days, I will know if my wife can come to America.

[34Angels]

Keeping fingers crossed for you two!

[kristisomer]

How exciting, hopefully that 17 days will go fast. Wishing you both much luck!!

[mrtoad]

Made visits 3 and 4 to the park yesterday (July 10) and today (July 11). They had a special stay and play package, that if you stayed at one of the hotels, you could get two days for the price of one.
Izzy didn't really care for it too much. Today was a short day because we didn't check out of our room until 11:00AM and had to catch a 6:00PM bus back to Guangzhou. Izzy was a little sick (she had to get some injections on Monday for her interview, and she has been a little ill). I feel a little bad about it too, as I probably pushed her too hard, with my Disney schedule (ie, using fast passes, jumping around the park, going to shows right after another). Izzy wanted a slow day, and I just jumped in trying to show her everything. Izzy also thought things were expensive in the park, which granted at any theme park things cost more than the real world. But for example, we got an ice-cream cone for $2.00 (single scoop), and she wouldn't let me buy two because it was too expensive (we had to share one). What is she going to do when I introduce her to Dole Whip at DL?
Anyways, won't go into too much detail, but we rode 20+ rides in the two days, but pretty much did everything except riding Dumbo or the train around the park --- we were going to ride the train today, but the Disneyland station was closed, and you had to pick it up in Fantasyland -- and when we went to fantasyland to ride it, they had stopped the train until a parade was over (I'm guessing the parade floats cross over the railroad tracks there??) The park is small, of course (ie, no pirates no haunted mansion, no peter pan). The new It's a Small World was interesting though. 38 disney characters are found throughout the ride (Donald probably being the most famous). I had fun looking for them... The other highlight for me was a parade where all the floats splashed water on you--- really. Seems sort of cruel, but it is so humid there, it feels good.... Oh, I forgot to mention, as it's almost a foregone conclusion for me in Hong Kong--- it rained--- a lot... Both days...
The Disneyland hotel is very nice, and we had a wonderful time there. We had a room overlooking the Bay, along with a two person jacquizzi. Really a nice room.

[Tink]

Wow Kevin! I can't believe you pushed the poor girl so hard when she was sick! Poor Izzy. Hopefully you can get her to Disneyland in December so Alex can give her the tour. He won't force her like you did :D
And wow, she is going to have to get used to prices like that. $2.00 is incredibly cheap for a single cone! (yep, I now compare all things like that to Disneyland prices. lol).
Any news yet on when Izzy will be here? I really can't wait to meet the woman who stole your heart!
Leanne

[kristisomer]

wow sounds like a good time. did you take any pictures of the inside of Small World? I would be curious to see them.
Hopefully you will hear good news soon.

[Tink]

Oh yes Kevin - I want more than pics - you KNOW we want the Small World video! Alex is really missing Disneyland's Small World right now for some reason, and is upset it will still be broken in October.
Leanne

[34Angels]

Poor Izzy! I believe any Disney park would be a bit overwhelming for someone who has never been before. Hopefully she'll give it another shot and you'll take it easy on her! Hey, here's an idea, let her plan the trip, pick out where she wants to eat, what rides to ride and what shows/parades to see. Maybe it'll be more fun that way for her.

And when do you find out if she gets to come back stateside? Hopefully soon!

[Esmerelda]

I want to see the pics and video too! Who all do they have on the ride?! Alice, Lilo/Stitch, I forget who all we talked about before!
I'm glad you had fun and that it wasn't very crowded (or I assume it wasn't too crowded as you rode 20+ rides!)!!!
Still thinking Pink for you! You find out on the 17th right?!

[mrtoad]

The interview is Monday, July 14.

We did ride small world twice. Izzy didn't much care for it, and thought it was boring. Maybe the charm of the ride is lost a little in translation.... In fact, it is very heavily promoted in Hong Kong, but the ride was a walk on both days we were there.

I do have video, and would be happy to upload some things when I get home. I also have video of the Chinese version of High School Musical, and the water parade. My camcorder had a couple problems because of the rain and humidity (you get the DEW INDICATOR) which basically does not allow you to record until it goes away.

Yes, I pushed my wife too much the first day. I fooled her into riding Space Mountain (she doesn't like roller coasters, and I told her is was just a slow ride through space--- and then before the ride she was a little afraid--- but she enjoyed it, and rode it twice). I think maybe I'm just too used to doing things at a certain pace, and assuming the person with me does/wants to do the same things. IE I'm not a person who likes to sit on the benches at the train station for 30 minutes or so, but Izzy enjoyed that. We will just have to figure it out next time... Alex of course could be our tour guide..

[Tink]

And you know Alex would love to be the tour guide! I can't wait to see the Small World video.
Why are you surprised Izzy didn't like that one - heck it bores most adults ;)
Leanne

[kristisomer]

Thinking about you today, let us know how it goes Kevin