Down Under Disneyana Australian Disney Forum

I was just thinking about how in the TDL thread you guys were talking about what would compel you to visit the park in HK.

I went for a spin around the HKDL site and was really surprised by how much there actually was to do. I hadn't taken much notice of that aspect... I just wanted to go because its a Disney park.

The food alone had me wanting to book a ticket. Wow... is it really as interesting as it looks in the pictures? All that wonderful Chinese food had me salivating.
I've always wanted to go to HK/China and it wouldn't take much to convince me to add that onto the proposed trip to Japan sometime next year. Especially as it is so close and only takes a couple of days to do the whole park. I figure a couple of days in the park and a few days wandering the streets of HK after my trip to Tokyo/Kyoto and I'd be happy.

Is that what you and Ros were intending to do Anthony?

I think I'd want to eat my way around the HKDL park... cos Chinese food is one of my all time favourites.

Or maybe it'd be better to do the smaller park first then hit Tokyo for a more intensive experience?

Lisa. */

Is that what you and Ros were intending to do Anthony?

Yeah that was pretty well it Lisa. We had planned about 5 or 6 days in Hong Kong total, staying the whole time at HKDL only because, aside from the Holiday Inn at Kowloon, it's the only place to sleep 4. But knowing that HKDl was light on attractions or rides, we knew that it was big on food as well as the shows. We really do want to see the shows they have.

We also wanted to see the other theme park there, it looks good, as well as the City Light show, which is all controlled by computer, from Sydney! Maybe not this time though, but it will happen.

Do you mean Ocean Park?

I looked into that about this time last year when I was thinking of a quick trip at the time. I think I'd like to visit there too. - they have Panda's right? that alone be enough to get me there.

With so many of our group having been to HK, has anyone been to Ocean Park?

Lisa. */

I didn't go to Ocean Park although I did drive past it. It looked big but I have no idea what is in there.

For me I think one day is enough at HKDL but you need at least 2 or 3 days in HK itself.

Too be honest I didn't really try much of the food in the park although I did have the dim sum in the Plaza Inn just to see what it was like. I had this thought in the back of my head that the food in the park would be a "takeaway chinese" version of real chinese food in the same way that other theme park food is usually of the chips and burger variety and I was trying to eat in strange out of the way places outside the park. I was tempted by the fish ball cart though just because I thought it was really funny that there was a fish ball cart.

The Plaza Inn was nice and from memory I had a feast or taster selection which filled me up with a good variety. I had a table covered in bamboo steamers at one point.

If you do go and get there some way other than by train then you have to take the Disney train even if it's just to the next station and then back again.

Greg

I've done a couple of trips to Hong Kong and it is a great little park. The City is awesome as well.

You can do the park at a leisurely pace in 2 days (including talking to character etc). You can do it in a single day if you are by yourself and just want to do the attractions.

I found the food there very good, no matter what restaurant or eatery I tried. Plenty of variety. The Chinese food at the Tahitian Terrace was pretty good and I really like the Corner Cafe at the end of Main Street for western food. I've never been into the Plaza Inn - that'll be for my next trip!

We also drove past Ocean Park but never visited. It has a lot more thrill rides and yes, I believe Pandas live there.

The City Lights show is okay, but we went on a fairly foggy night and were slightly underwhelmed - maybe on a clear night it is more spectacular.

Staying at the resort is a good idea. The hotels are beautiful and you are out of the hustle and bustle and noise at night - plus the train is so efficient that it is only 20 minutes to the centre of Hong Kong.

If HKDL is anything like Tokyo, then I'd expect there to be all sorts of Chinese 'stuff' - like traditions, clothing, food - and I'd want to absorb that as much as the Disney fix. That was a huge part of the experience in Japan. That might take me a couple of days once I've done the shows and met all the characters I can... especially Mushu
So I'm thinking 2 days might be the go for doing the park.

I had this thought in the back of my head that the food in the park would be a "takeaway chinese" version of real chinese food in the same way that other theme park food is

So was it? I hadn't imagined that at all... I thought being in China it'd be fairly authentic.

I was tempted by the fish ball cart though just because I thought it was really funny that there was a fish ball cart.

Yeah... I saw that when I was checking out the HKDL site and might have said out loud "Fish balls? " struck me as pretty funny too....

The Plaza Inn was nice and from memory I had a feast or taster selection which filled me up with a good variety. I had a table covered in bamboo steamers at one point.

Like Yum Cha? I used to do that all the time when I lived in Melbourne... never did go near the rooster feet... not eating anything that has been stepping in what they would no doubt have been stepping in.

One thing I really enjoyed when I was in the US ( and became a daily habit) was to try a different lolly every day... taffy and chocolate covered cherries were the favourites. Its a tradition I intend to continue.
I hope the Chinese eat lollies....

Lisa. -/

I love traditional Chinese food too and I really enjoyed the food at HKDL. There is really only one non-Chinese food place and that was in Tomorrowland. On a previous thread I posted this first photo from a breakfast at the Plaza Inn - fantastic!


Great lunch here!


However there is a great lack of sweets, Asians just don't do sweets!

Whoa that looks wicked....

However there is a great lack of sweets, Asians just don't do sweets!

UUUHHHHHHH.....(sharp intake of breath)

I know they do them in Japan... oh well... that right there has become my next challenge....
"Discovering Sweet Asia".... look for it in all good bookstores by this time next year....
If anyone can sniff out sugar its me....

................ And I'm going to taste test every last morsel. -/ -/
( Hmm... always wanted to write a food book.... )

Lisa */

Whoa that looks wicked....

It looked better than it tasted! I have reputation of being rather dog-on-a-bone like in trying to track down decent Asian sweets but I am yet to find any that meet my standards. Give me Italian sweets, South American, French, German, Lebanese, Greek ... but Asian...

I know they do them in Japan...

Spot on. There are not lots of sweets in Hong Kong - but Japan is the complete opposite.

In Hong Kong, we found there was more interest in savory things, like biscuits etc - rather than chocolate and sugary cakes.


I forgot about the Banquet Hall - you can get a really good, cheap meal there - we ate a three course dinner for a ridiculously cheap price.

There HAS to be some sweet stuff in China...
Thats not sounding all that encouraging you guys. I'll just have to apply myself to finding some sweet Asian food.

Lisa. */

There HAS to be some sweet stuff in China...

Chocolate dipped deep fried locusts?

Sandie

Chocolate dipped deep fried locusts?
Sandie

I'd be in that!

Greg

hmmmm... bit crunchy maybe....

the chocolate would be ok though...

Lisa. */