Disney in Hong Kong

Disneyland done from a Chinese point of view.

It was shortly after we arrived in Hong Kong when my youngest turned the clock on her years from 4 years to 5.  It's a very important birthday, half a decade don't you know.  Anyway, without any doubt what so ever both girls voted unanimously to spend a day at one of the world's most manufactured...  sorry that's a typo, stupid auto correct, it should read "happiest" places on earth -  Hong Kong Disneyland.  It took me some convincing (Jenn was game) but we unavoidably packed up our gear and made the trek over and found fun for kids of all ages.

There is a certain universality to Disney. You know what to expect when you get there.  Wherever you go with Disney you can expect certain things to be held true.  For example you will see Mickey Mouse at some point, you will have an opportunity to experience rides, and inevitably your kids will pester you for treats and Disney souvenirs.  This was no different of our experience at Hong Kong Disneyland.

But it's the little differences sometimes that ingratiate you to an experience, the minutia which comes from certain cultural backgrounds that reminds you how an experience or place can be as the Thai saying goes "same, same, but different".  On the grounds of Hong Kong Disneyland Mickey is still a mouse, Minnie is still his wife? girlfriend? and they even have a Space Mountain (with an awesome Star Wars light show).  

At Hong Kong Disneyland it's the signage which appears in both English and Chinese characters.  Its strange to me having grown up in a western culture in North America, the birthplace continent of Disney to think that Mickey Mouse can read, write and speak mandarin or cantonese.  And the food, the food and snacks aren't quite the same.  Sure you can find a burger and fries, but they also have snacks that may not even pass as edible in the US.  But I suppose Mickey has simply done what any good business mouse would do - research.  He has learned the language, the culture and customs of his country.  In any effect these subtle differences had little to no effect on the fun the girls experienced and Amélie held back little excitement about returning to Hong Kong Disneyland on a class field trip for them

I hope you enjoy the slide show of Juliette's special day.