Celebration in the Air 2011: A tour of the wonderful world of Disney! (The Disneyland Theme Park)

This is the highlight of the trip!

Even I, myself, is so excited. The last time I visited Disneyland was 1995 and that was the one in LA. I did not enjoy much at that time since I was with my parents and they don't really care about the rides. This time I am with my whole family, with the people I loved the most...so I'm 101% sure that this will be the best Disneyland trip ever!

Though we were very tired with the long trip and the wait time to check in the hotel room, we decided that we need to go to the theme park because we do not want to waste our 2-day pass. We took maps earlier from the hotel lobby and we were already planning which route to follow to see all the attractions. This plan...we never followed! haha

Once you're there, you just get amazed with the attractions, you tend to run towards the first ones you see. And since we came with the kids, it's a never ending stop to fall in line for picture taking sessions. 

We arrived at the park at around 4pm. From the Disney Hollywood Hotel is a shuttle (one arrives every 10-15 mins) to take you back and forth the theme park. After getting off the shuttle is a loooong walk from the terminal to the actual entrance gates. For 2-day pass holders, you can either register your pass by using your thumb print or have your picture taken by the office. We chose the thumb print since it will take time ( and another long walk ) to get your picture taken.

This was just a part of the long walk from the shuttle station.

Baby J still hiding from the camera!

Finally!

Surfin Mickey!

E & J with Lola.

The City Hall. Remember this because this is where the ONLY money changer is!

  As we entered the park, we decided to take the train ride that tours you around. It has 2 stops, first station is on Main Street & the second one in Fantasyland. We had an idea of how the route will be...but then again, we were not able to follow the plan! haha

Since this is the first day, and we were already tired, we decided to just try the rides with no long lines. But we ended up eating up all of the afternoon time by falling in line to each hut where the characters were. Hubby said that it's better to take the pictures now, then enjoy the entire park tomorrow. So that's what we did. Fall in line, picture. Fall in line, picture. Till we were able to gather enough souvenir snaps to finally ride, It's a Small World.

This was my mom's favorite ride in Disney LA. She would repeat the ride numerous times. And this is the first one she looked for on this visit. They came here last year too, and rode repeatedly. She just loves the dolls!

Riding the train around the park.

A glimpse of Tomorrowland.

Goofy in his Chinese New Year costume. Papa did not come and chose to sleep in the hotel room instead.

Pluto loves me! ~ Kuya E

I'm Tigger's super hero! ~ Baby J

It was already dark when we went to our first ride, It's a Small World!

The cute dolls dancing to the same tune over and over again.

Next stop was Autopia, with my driver Baby J.

The Celebration in the Air at 8pm. We were far because Kuya E is scared of fireworks.

Good thing, as we were buying dinner, the Celebration in the Air started. This shot was taken from Tomorrowland. We were unable to watch near the castle because Kuya E is scared of fireworks. We waited for a few mins and walked our way out back to the shuttle station.

We had our dinner at the hotel. But please be reminded that none of the restos in the theme park have take out bags. We had to carry our food using our shopping bags. So if you are planning to have dinner take out, forget it. We had a hard time taking the food to the hotel. But we had no choice because Papa was alone and sleeping in the room. We had to bring dinner.

This was a tiring but very memorable day for us, specially the kids. It was a time in their lives that I know they will forever treasure. Thanks to Mama and Papa for bringing us here. Tomorrow will be packed with Disney fun again.

Ciao,

Joyce

Celebration in the Air 2011: A tour of the wonderful world of Disney! (Part 2)

This is DAY 1 of the Disney bliss.

We arrived in the hotel around lunch time. Thanks to my favorite tour guide who I don't want to see again (bitterness in the air). 

I was prepared that we will not be able to check in the hotel room right away since I read from a few blogs that check in time is at 2pm. But I was not prepared to see a big crowd on a Monday in the Disney Hollywood hotel. Most of the people were Chinese nationals and we were like the only Filipino family waiting at the lobby. 

Behind the kids is the crowded lobby of the Disney Hollywood Hotel.

We had to leave our luggages at an area near the entrance. Since the lobby is crowded with guests, all the luggages are deposited in the entrance. It won't fit the luggage counter anymore so they had to tie up the suitcses and cover it with a net blanket to keep it safe.

We decided to stay outside, at a mini park at the back of the hotel. There were benches and we chose to stay away from the crowd. After getting our room cards (which serves as the key and later on a souvenir), we relaxed outside. Only thing is...it was very cold!

Though it's cold, we chose to stay outside than in the crowded lobby. The kids were enjoying anyway.

Once the room cards were given, we decided that its time for a hearthy lunch. After all the stress of the trip, where else will we eat? Chef Mickey's! =)

The menu booklet was all about Mickey!

Big brother E showing off his menu.

Baby J, thinking of a good food to order.

He's excited to capture every moment.

Everyone's looking for something good to eat. (specailly if the meanu is mostly Chinese food)

Kids were given their own dining sets. And a couple of stickers as they sit by the table.

We decided on ordering Sweet and Sour Pork (mine), Stewed beef (hubby's), Sweet and Sour Fish (shared by Grandma & Kuya E) and Grandpa had the same. The little kiddo opted to eat the bread from the complimentary basket given by the resto. Water is flavored with lime, so if you are not into flavored water, get a couple of bottled ones. Later on, once you enter the hotel room, you will be given 3 bottled water as compliments from the hotel. So there's no need to stock bottled water. They give replenishments each day for free. We paid about $500++HK. Fair enough for a lunch for 6.

The kids decided to roam around the hotel's premises while killing time. The hotel's pool was closed since it's winter season. It will reopen on summer. Strolling the back of the hotel will take an hour's walk back and forth. There's a playground after the pool area where kids can slide and play monkey bars. Picture taking is a must because of the blossoming flowers and oranges around. Birds are very friendly too!

Father and son posing before the vintage cars.

I initially thought those oranges were fake...not until the little one picked one and threw it away. They were real!

Enjoying the playground with Little J

The huge hotel lawn.

A view of the hotel bldg.

The welcome arch of the Disney Hollywood Hotel

Need I say more?

The star of the day!

After a couple of hours loitering around, it's time to go up the hotel rooms. We got connecting rooms, 2 twin rooms for the 6 of us. We rested for an hour to prepare for another part of the trip. I was not able to take shots of the room itself since we were all tired and we need to rest to have energy to visit the Disney Park. 

In a few hours, we will finally see what the kids only watch in You Tube. This is just the start of a dream come true for our kids. More to come on the next posts!

Ciao,

Joyce

Celebration in the Air 2011: A tour of the wonderful world of Disney! (Part 1)

This marked a lot of firsts for the kids, an experience that they will carry on for life.

Our flight was early Monday morning on the last week of Feb. We woke the kids up at 3am to get ready. Cab is already waiting, we're all packed! 

An hour and a half later, we found ourselves in a long line of passengers checking in for Flight 101. Too bad, it seems like we're not going to get seats close to each other. We had to plan a seating arrangement, separate the rascals apart and have a parent with each. We ended up with Team A ( Grandma, Daddy & J ) and Team B ( Grandpa, Mommy & E ). Well enough, I'm grateful my Team got the most number of zzzzz's and Mommy was able to watch a handful of short videos from the personal monitors in the plane. I had an overdose of  'Just for Laughs' the whole flight.

Little E sharing the plane ride with Big E

The baggage-cart-Rascals!

The long line of people checking in for our flight. Goodbye available seats!

Waiting for the pack to board.

The leader (and manager!) of the pack.

Baby J, sorting the headphones he'll use to play games on-board.

Baby J, pretending to be asleep just because he don't want his picture taken!

The congested plane bound to HK.

 After nearly 2 hrs (because of the delay caused by Filipinos held by the immigration), we finally arrived to our destination...Hello Hongkong!!!

We finally landed...

Hello shopping!

Me and my Superhero!

Waiting for the 'always' late tour guide.

My Knight with the guards! ( After this pic was taken, the HK Immigration officers just pointed out to a sign just infront of us: NO PICTURE TAKING IN THE AIRPORT). Sorry, damage has been done! haha

We got a bit frustrated about the tour guide because we waited 45 freaking minutes before he finally asked everyone to get in the shuttle. After being excited all along, now the kiddos are dead hungry! The ride was for about 45 minutes from the HK Airport to the Disney Hollywood Hotel. FYI: This is a pure Disney adventure which means we will be staying within the Disneyland grounds for 3 days. Bliss for the kids! Unfortunately, we'll have to save all our shopping energy up till the next HK trip. Tsk.

Still finding a way to hide from the camera.

HK freeway to Disneyland.

Our busmates enjoying the scenery consisting of roads, a few cars and a lot of hills.

This is just the start of a long 3-day hyperactivity!

The most excited member of the pack is so glad to be here!

A glimpse of heaven for the kiddos!

It was tiring but the actual travel time is only for a grand total of 8 hours including the wait time. That's 4.5 hours from our home to the airport plus checking in, bag inspections, paying airport fees, and quick breakfast. Then 1.something-hours plane ride including the delay. Then about 2 hours from the plane, wait time for the freaking late tour guide and shuttle travel. 

This will be a start of a 3-day adventure and I will share them by bits and pieces because telling the entire story might require me to look for a publisher. 

More pictures and lots of stories to come. Remember: WE JUST ARRIVED. So expect more stories on the next Parts of this trip.

Ciao,

Joyce