Entering the park, we saw Mickey Mouse walking around greeting guests, with his signature frantic wave. I belonged to the generation whose parents hired people who carried very "big sacks" of mysterious bulky stuff, then after a few minutes, Rainbow Bright suddenly popped up – that was how they did kiddy parties back then. Parents never knew that, for us kids, these big pudgy creatures scared the heck out of us – in short, I froze when Mickey Mouse approached me.
Still, Tokyo Disneyland left in me a sense of awe and amazement.
Twenty years after, I heard that very familiar line again and had the very same reaction when I saw Mickey Mouse. But this time it was in Hong Kong, with no parents; and definitely no longer would I have to utter the words that exasperate any parent – "Papa, carry me" – in case I got tired from all the walking.
Hong Kong Disneyland is the smallest of the Disney parks, so the first thing I noticed was the missing attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, It’s A Small World, and the Electrical Parade.
But Disneyland is more than just its attractions, and for me the company I was with made it as memorable and exciting as any holiday trip I’ve had.
Even as a grownup, one can feel the strong Disney vibe. The attractions are only part of the memorable holiday experience; the company you are with plays the bigger part.
One thing that perplexes foreign guides when they host members of the Filipino press is the absence of competition or animosity among us. Our group was no different. Disneyland was the perfect place to show what a happy bunch we Filipinos are. As HK Disneyland’s Publicity Director Susan Chan said when she first met us, "You guys brought in the sunshine."
This time I finally got to try the ride. Space Mountain is inside a contained space, so instead of long drops or loops, there are quick turns, zigzags and circles. One is entertained by the play of lights, though I would later learn that I suffer from motion sickness.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Adults may find riding inside a big honey pot too "preschool," but if anyone is a sucker for cool graphics, it is worth checking out how the Disney "imagineers" are able to translate Disney flicks into rides. Me? I remembered how cold the air-conditioning in the Disney rides can be.
Main Street Parade: Disneyland is never complete without the parades. In Japan, people sit along the sidewalks and patiently wait for the parade. In Hong Kong no one sits, but it’s easy to get a nice view of the parade. For us, it was time to play the game "Spot the Pinoy," for the theme park is a haven for Filipino entertainers and talent. Noticing that we were Pinoy, one bugle player even waved at us, as we shouted, "Go Manong!" in return.
Jungle River Cruise: This was my favorite ride as a kid. In Tokyo there was a Japanese guide driving the boat, acting all "Indiana Jones." I was too busy looking at the robotic elephants, and couldn’t understand Japanese. In Hong Kong, it was the same thing. Though I think the guide had a hard time with our group because, when she screamed to duck when the robotic savages started shooting "darts" near the boat, we just stared at her.
Festival of the Lion King: Hong Kong Disneyland is known for its extravagant stage productions, and "Festival of the Lion King" is a must-see. Another visual feast, it features large floats coming from the four corners; it is like a shortened version of the Broadway musical.
The Golden Mickeys: The "Disney Oscars" are broadcast in Cantonese with English subtitles, and we noticed that the hostess had a familiar accent. Pinay! Count on the Filipinos again to be the noisiest bunch, while the rest of the auditorium was dead serious while watching.
Autopia: I first felt the excitement of getting behind the wheel of a car at the Autopia in Tokyo. Hong Kong has one, too, but the thrill of driving has long gone. But being in a large group, we let out our road rage, the kiddy way.
Stitch Encounter: This attraction is unique to the Hong Kong park; the audience gets to interact with (and even hurl sarcastic comments at) the cartoon alien Stitch.
Mickey’s Philharmagic: This is a 4D animation feature, with Donald Duck making cameo appearances in various Disney flicks. A feast for the senses; you’ll wish you had something like it in your living room.
For most Filipinos, the dream of going to Disneyland has just gotten closer, literally. It is an experience to be cherished for the rest of one’s life.