Why Choose Hong Kong Disneyland? My Personal Take
Hi everyone! I'm the same person who wrote those articles about travelling solo in Hong Kong from mainland China (Shanghai) and my budget eats in Hong Kong. Now, here's the final piece in my series: Why I think Hong Kong Disneyland is the better choice, especially when compared to Shanghai Disneyland.
Facilities: Size Isn't Everything
Okay, Shanghai Disneyland is newer and bigger. It's roughly five times the size of Hong Kong Disneyland, with more rides, too. But, and this is a big "but," the rides at Hong Kong Disneyland are way more thrilling!
Crowds: A World of Difference
I always hear people complaining about 30-40 minute queues at Hong Kong Disneyland, but honestly, that's nothing compared to Shanghai Disneyland. When I visited Shanghai Disneyland on a Tuesday, I had to queue for 100 minutes for some rides! The average wait time was easily 50-60 minutes. Thankfully, my trip to Hong Kong Disneyland was a breeze – hardly any queues. I went on around 15 rides, some two or three times!
Tickets: A Tricky Subject
My Shanghai Disneyland ticket cost me around RM800 on the day I visited, while my Hong Kong Disneyland ticket (Tier 1) was about RM930. I managed to snag a cheaper deal for Hong Kong Disneyland through an app, and I didn't need to book a specific date. However, there's one downside to Hong Kong Disneyland tickets: they don't require ID verification. This means someone could potentially use your ticket if they get hold of it. Shanghai Disneyland, on the other hand, requires you to show your ID upon entry.
Security Checks: Light vs. Heavy
Security at Hong Kong Disneyland is much more relaxed than at Shanghai Disneyland. You can bring in snacks and drinks, and even selfie sticks, though they're technically not allowed. (I'm not encouraging anyone to break the rules; I personally didn't bring a selfie stick even when I travelled solo). But forget about getting a selfie stick past security at Shanghai Disneyland!
The Vibe: This Is What Really Matters
Honestly, this is the deciding factor for me. This is what tips the scales in favour of HK Disneyland.
- Hong Kong Disneyland has its own dedicated MTR line. So, you feel the Disney magic as soon as you reach the station. Inside the park, there are vintage-style trains and trams that travel around the different areas, adding to the atmosphere (and saving you from walking!).
- At Shanghai Disneyland, everything felt rushed. The staff didn't seem too concerned with the guests, but at Hong Kong Disneyland, when I was taking photos in front of the castle, two cast members, on their own initiative, started blowing bubbles and offered to take photos for me. They even have staff actively blowing bubbles in the main square to add to the magic.
- And then there's the fireworks. The Hong Kong Disneyland fireworks display is something Shanghai Disneyland just can't match. The ending is dazzling, fulfilling, and straight out of a fairy tale. The Shanghai Disneyland fireworks display, on the other hand, felt a bit underwhelming. (I understand that Shanghai has restrictions on fireworks, and Disney did their best under the circumstances).
Final Verdict
Overall, I rate Hong Kong Disneyland much higher, even though I live only 30 minutes away from Shanghai Disneyland by train. I wrote this so you can consider the differences when choosing your own adventure. Thanks for reading!
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