October Hong Kong Disneyland Trip

Disney is the fairy tale in the hearts of every adult and child: carousel, dream castle, Mickey Mouse, and beautiful princesses. Can't wait to embark on the Disney fairy tale journey.

1. Documents: When traveling to Hong Kong, you first need a Hong Kong-Macau Permit (card or booklet). If you have a card, check if the date on the back is valid. If expired, remember to renew it at a self-service machine (permits can be renewed across districts). If you don't have a card or booklet, you'll need to apply for one first. I recommend getting a card directly, as cardholders clear customs faster (first-time card users need to go through the manual counter; second time onward you can use the e-channel).

2. Transportation: I've been to Hong Kong many times and tried various modes: ferry, bus, and the newly opened high-speed rail.

Ferry: I'm from Foshan. For the ferry, there are two options: Gaoming Port or Shunde Port. Shunde Port has more departures and is closer to Guangzhou, so I recommend Shunde Port. Advantage: You clear exit customs before boarding, and then enter Hong Kong after disembarking. Fewer people, easy passage. Disembarkation point is near Harbour City. Shunde Port to Hong Kong takes about 2 hours. Disadvantage: The ticket price is higher than the bus, more than double. One-way ordinary ticket is about 170-230 RMB, varying by time.

Bus: The most common choice for most people. Advantage: Many pick-up and drop-off points, many departures, and relatively low fares. I boarded at Guangzhou Hotel and alighted at Kowloon Station MTR, one-way ticket 80 RMB. Disadvantage: You need to get off in Shenzhen to clear customs, then find the same travel agency's designated boarding point, continue to your destination in Hong Kong. Guangzhou to Hong Kong takes about 3 hours.

High-speed rail: This started operating in October 2018, so I gave it a try. Advantage: Board directly at Guangzhou South Station, clear immigration after arriving at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. Guangzhou to Hong Kong takes about 1 hour. Disadvantage: High ticket price, one-way about 187-215 RMB, varying by time.

3. Currency & Transit Card: It's advisable to bring some RMB and exchange some Hong Kong dollars (HKD) at a bank a few days before the trip. I suggest about 500 HKD per person. Although most shopping malls and stores accept credit cards and Alipay, street food stalls often don't accept Alipay, so you need HKD cash. Without HKD, you'd have to use RMB at a 1:1 rate. If you visit Hong Kong often, it's wise to buy an Octopus card (for MTR, buses, etc.) as it's convenient. Hong Kong transportation is relatively expensive compared to Guangzhou. For example, I paid about 45 HKD per person from Disneyland to Tsim Sha Tsui.

4. Internet: Since mainland China networks don't work in Hong Kong, buy a Hong Kong data package on Taobao or Ctrip before departure. Buy for the number of days you'll be there. Phone SIM cards are optional.

5. Accommodation: I recommend booking in advance on Ctrip. I went during the National Day holiday, so I booked a week in advance at Fat Lee Building near Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station (close to Harbour City). That building has many guesthouses. During the May Day holiday, I paid over 500 RMB for a super tiny room. On regular days, it's around 300+ RMB.

6. Tickets & Meal Vouchers: I recommend booking on Ctrip or Taobao. I booked two tickets for 989 RMB on Ctrip. I suggest buying meal vouchers on Taobao in advance because buying inside the park is more expensive. Meal vouchers and tickets are exchanged at the main entrance. I bought a 3-in-1 meal voucher on Taobao: lunch (value up to 130 HKD) + dinner (value up to 130 HKD) + snack (one item from outdoor snack cart) = 185 RMB per person. Without a voucher, a single meal inside the park costs about 80-150 HKD, so the voucher is better value.

7. Discounts & Coupons: On Alipay, search for "outbound" (出境), then select Hong Kong. You can claim many store coupons, outbound red packets, and participate in payment activities. Click everything – it's always good. I'm a Platinum member of Alipay, so I upgrade to Diamond exchange rate for the best rate on Alipay payments. For large purchases in shopping malls, use credit card or Alipay for the best exchange rate.

DAY 1: Since my high-speed rail ticket was for 8 am, my husband and I left Foshan at around 5 am, drove to Guangzhou South Station, parked at Parking Lot 1. With some time to spare, we bought breakfast at a convenience store (other stores were relatively expensive). Ready to start the journey.

When it was time, we entered the station, super excited – first time taking the high-speed rail to Hong Kong, first time going to Disneyland, first time... so thrilled!

It took about 55 minutes – my husband and I chatted, looked out the window, and figured out how to switch to Hong Kong network. Suddenly we arrived in Hong Kong, faster than expected. We reached Hong Kong West Kowloon Station at 9 am. You can choose to take the MTR from either Kowloon Station or Austin Station to your destination. If you don't have HKD, there are currency exchange shops inside the station, but the exchange rate isn't great (you'll need RMB cash).

I wanted to go to Disneyland, so I took the MTR from Kowloon Station. I had already bought an Octopus card, so I just swiped through. My husband didn't have one, so he bought a token at the machine – similar to Guangzhou MTR. Orange Tung Chung Line (toward Tung Chung): Kowloon Station -> Sunny Bay Station -> Disneyland Resort Line. The train to Disney has special compartments, very cute, all with Mickey Mouse patterns.

Arrived at Disney around 10 am. Getting off the train felt like entering a Harry Potter movie station – colorful and dreamy.

Follow the crowd, and soon you see the Disney archway. Everyone takes photos in front of it – I did too.

I had e-tickets, so I scanned the QR code to enter. Meal vouchers needed to be exchanged for paper tickets at the main entrance. Pick up a park map there and download the Hong Kong Disneyland app in advance.

Finally inside! The first things you see are Main Street U.S.A. (gift shops) and Sleeping Beauty Castle.

First stop: Cinderella's Carousel – I had been longing to ride it. There was a long line; waited about 20-30 minutes to get on. So happy! And it's not just for kids – many adults played. At Disney, there's no age limit – just go for it.

Second stop: Mad Hatter Tea Cups – fun but a bit dizzying, haha.

Since we entered after 10 am, after two rides it was lunchtime. Right next to us was the Royal Banquet Hall – beautifully decorated. Time to refuel. I had exchanged a lunch voucher at the main entrance. Ordered a bowl of ramen (about 120 HKD) – not enough for both of us, so we added dumplings for 40+ HKD. Good thing we bought the meal package online.

After lunch, we continued – snapped a funny photo.

Third stop: Space Mountain (highly recommended). You must ride this – it's like a roller coaster set in a starry galaxy. There are stars on the ceiling, but you're too thrill-packed to notice. (At Disney, many rides offer Fastpass – you get a ticket with a return time, then come back to skip the line. Use the free time to enjoy other attractions.)

Fourth stop: It's a Small World – the building looks like a block castle. You ride in a boat (sit in the front row for an unobstructed view). The figures and backgrounds move, colorful, showcasing different countries' cultures.

Fifth stop: Floral Parade – a must-see! Many Disney characters appear. Claim your spot early – front row is best.

Sixth stop: Dumbo the Flying Elephant – I haven't ridden this in over ten years. As a kid I loved it; as an adult, I'd feel shy at a regular amusement park. But at Disney, no one cares – just ride, yay!

Seventh stop: Mickey's PhilharMagic (highly recommended). During the show, water sprays and wind blows from the ceiling – super fun.

Eighth stop: Toy Story Land. My husband is afraid of heights, so we skipped Toy Soldier Parachute Drop and rode Slinky Dog Spin – more suitable for kids.

Ninth stop: Mystic Manor – you ride in an electromagnetic car through different rooms and scenes. Great fun. Next to us was a foreign couple; the guy interacted with my husband, both pretending to be scared – hilarious.

On the way to other rides, we caught a street performance – very nice.

Tenth stop: Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars (super duper highly recommended). This roller coaster is thrilling – forward drops, backward drops – so scary but unmissable.

Eleventh stop: Tarzan's Treehouse – take a raft to the island. It really feels like being in the Amazon rainforest.

Tired and hungry, we went to a snack cart. Bought a Mickey-shaped popsicle (exchanged with snack voucher; separately it's about 40+ HKD). So cute – I couldn't bear to eat it!

Twelfth stop: Winnie the Pooh Adventure – also a popular ride, so we got a Fastpass and came back. This is a story-driven ride, great for all ages.

Dinner time. Exhausted after a whole day, we finally sat down and ordered a cheesy rice (exchanged with dinner voucher). My husband and I had a quick bite, planning to find Hong Kong street food later in the city.

At night, all the facilities were lit up, adding a fairy-tale vibe. I went to ride the carousel again (I love it so much).

Thirteenth stop: The Nightmare Before Christmas Walkthrough – scary lighting and atmosphere. Waited in line about 30 minutes. During the wait, staff dressed as zombies scared us – some with brooms, some with shovels – very fun. Small groups enter; there's a story and interactive elements. Go experience it.

Fourteenth stop: Floral Parade again – grab a spot early because many familiar characters appear.

A wonderful one-day Disney trip ended. The only regret was that we couldn't enter Sleeping Beauty Castle because it was damaged by a typhoon and under repair (fully wrapped). No fireworks as shown on TikTok, but we still had a great time.

We took the MTR back to the city, bought some fish balls near our hotel – delicious. Then we went to Victoria Harbour to enjoy the breeze. It was so relaxing. We could have walked to the pier with the clock tower for a better view, but we were too tired.

DAY 2: After checking out, we found a cha chaan teng nearby. I wanted to try authentic Hong Kong cafe food. We ordered two sets: macaroni and milk tea – both good. The milk tea was very strong, full of tea flavor, not like ordinary milk tea. Other items were similar to mainland China.

While eating breakfast, a beautiful foreign girl sat next to us. She asked for directions, and my husband chatted with her. We ended up having breakfast together and added each other on Facebook. She turned out to be a flight attendant – a great encounter!

After breakfast, we started shopping. Main battlefield: Harbour City, DFS (cosmetics counters), Mannings, etc. My husband followed me as I shopped and carried bags. I'll write a separate article about shopping because in November I'll go to Hong Kong with a female friend specifically to shop – that'll be even more exciting!

Travelogue Contents:

1. Pre-departure preparations

2. Here I come, Hong Kong Disneyland!

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