Hong Kong Disneyland

I've been to Disney World in Florida on two occasions. Once as a young teenager for a family vacation and once with Kevin before we moved overseas. Both were such memorable and fun experiences that I've always had good vibes about Disney. There, I admitted it: I'm a Disney fan! Turns out Hong Kong Disneyland is also lots of fun and while not nearly as large as the US Disney locations it works out pretty well if you have young kiddos. The park is relatively small and can almost be seen all in one day. So for our stage of life, this was a big bonus! Also, from door to door it only took us 25 minutes to get there. Seeing as how it takes us at least that long to get to our favorite mall in Hong Kong, it feels like next door! You know you're headed for fun when you get on the subway that takes you to Disneyland and it's already decorated all-things Mickey. Even the handle bars were Mickey-shaped. The weather was gorgeous with temperatures in the 70's.

The park didn't open until 10:30, so we waited a few minutes for the gate to open. Grace was already excited to see Mickey surfing. She had no clue how much more there would be to see.

Grace is pretty certain the Disney princesses all live in this castle.

She got to share a few moments with Belle...

and met Cinderella, too. I was surprised how many grown adults without kids were waiting in line to meet the princesses. While Grace and I were waiting to meet Cinderella, I spoke with a nice lady and her 7 year old daughter from Singapore. When it was their turn to meet Cinderella, the mother ran FIRST to Cinderella, excitedly said, "You're my favorite princess!" and had her picture made by herself with Cinderella before her daughter had a chance. It made me chuckle. I guess some grown women take their Disney princesses very seriously.

The Christmas decorations were beautiful. This is something we are enjoying about Hong Kong in general: real Christmas decor and not the tacky stuff we generally see where we live.

Mickey and Minnie were in their Christmas outfits, too. I do believe that meeting Mickey and Minnie had to be the highlight of Grace's day. She's only been vaguely aware of who they are but somehow she knew they were the main attraction at Disneyland.

And she pretty much talked the rest of the day about how Minnie Mouse gave her an Eskimo kiss!

Trinity took it all in as much as an almost 9 month old can. Something about seeing this ride made her excited.

Fortunately the "It's a Small World" ride is decorated for Christmas and has Christmas songs playing in addition to "It's a Small World" so you don't hear the same song over and over!

"It's a Small World" was the only ride we took Trinity on but she was completely mesmerized.

Grace's favorite ride was Winnie the Pooh which she rode several times. And she was fine with the 3-D musical movie until things started flying at her face. Then, not so much. I guess parts of Disney can be a little overwhelming to a 3 year old.

What a memorable day! And boy, did the girls sleep well that night. Trinity, maybe next time you'll be old enough to know what in the world these mouse ears are about.