Day 3 - Hong Kong

HOTEL

Countryard By Marriott Hong Kong

167 Connaught Rd W, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong

Transportation

Octopus Card

This card can be used on the MTR, Buses, Trams, White Star ferries, and at some businesses, such as 7-11’s.

You can purchase the cards all over Hong Kong but I purchased the card at the airport and took the MTR to Hong Kong Station. You have to pay with cash and there is a HK$50 refundable deposit and a HK$100 initial stored value. You can reload it at any MTR station. The card is swiped at the end of the ride and you have to make sure you have enough on the card to exit, so take note of the balance when you exit.

Hotel Buses

From the Hong Kong station there are free hotel buses that will take you around the island for free. There is a little waiting area at the L2 level of the station. Not all hotels have drop offs right in front of the hotel. I was dropped off at night around the corner from the hotel which I couldn’t see. The driver pointed up the street and with two suitcases and a carry-on in tow, I walked about 50 yards and made it to the hotel.

Cell Phone

Picked up a SIM card at the 1010 store at the Airport.

Very quick and they installed the card for me. You must have an unlocked phone to do this option. Pros, a little cheaper than buying an international package through your cell phone carrier. Has unlimited data. Con: Changes your phone number. I used WhatsApp for phone and messaging anyway.

Day 3

Hong Kong Disneyland

What better way to spend July 4th in a foreign country, by yourself, than to go to Disneyland! The rest of my party was not arriving until the evening and having used to work at Disneyland in Anaheim California, I couldn’t be this close and not go. Glad I did, it did not disappoint. I checked around and looked for any discounted tickets, even contacting the Embassy, but none were to be found. I purchased a special package online that gave me: Entry, 10 Express passes (one cut the line for ten different rides), Lunch, Pop Corn or Ice Cream, a souvenir pin, and two luggage tags.

Fun Fact. Mickey surfing the water spout from the whale is pointing to Disneyland California.

Hong Kong Disneyland – Review

They do have pin trading here, but the stickers where the prize to ask for here. Most of the cast had different stickers that they would hand out if you asked. The key, was you had to ask.

First impression I’m back in California and the memories of working there come flooding back.

First ride of the day: Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! I thought this was going to be like the Spider-Man ride at Universal but it is a pod ride that has laser blasters attached. Fun but you had to know which later is yours to adjust. Only 25% accuracy.
Next Iron Man Experience. This is a simulator ride, high capacity but the line was 35 minutes so used the express access pass. Ride through the city of Hong Kong. As all simulator rides you want to be in one of the four corners. I rode middle far left. Still fun.
Brought a small plastic water bottle from the hotel. There are water fountains outside of most all the restrooms.
Next up, space mountain. I mean Hyperspace mountain. It has a Star Wars theme. Will it be the same design as Space Mountain? They didn’t take an express pass here so grabbed a fast pass and stood in line. It’s funny, safety videos playing while standing in line, keep saying it feels like a high-speed roller coaster type ride but show a coaster in motion. It is a side by side, two-seater. Yep, a roller coaster with a lot of right turns, just like Space Mountain, but with a lot of Star Wars cruisers, blasters and tie fighters. Star destroyer x- wing fighters. Using the fast pass, the wait was about 15 minutes.
Next up Jungle Cruise. Three lines to choose from, all different languages. I chose English, it would not have matter. The only thing I understood from our cruise director was “Bye”. As soon as I was seated it began to pour down. Moved to an inner seat. Some of the classic characters were there except Shakespeare (Shake spear) at the end of the cruise in the California ride. Cool little ending was the fire and water show.
Next, Grizzly Mountain. but the coaster wasn’t running. I went to stand in line but found people leaving so bailed out a line “Chicken” exit.
Next Mystic Manor. Not like the Haunted Mansion in California, think tower of terror but no drops. Each pod has its own track and each are a slightly different ride. The line was short and rode this a few times in different pod positions. I liked the third pod ride, but they were all good.
Back to Grizzly Mtn. Still closed. Man!!!
Stopped by the Tahitian Terrace for lunch. Had the curried mutton and tandoori chicken combo. It came with the ticket except for $HK 9. (1.75). The lemon tea was great and good to see Disneyland is using paper straws.
Next was RC Racer said. The sign said 40 minute wait, but took about 15-20. This was the longest wait of the day. Fun weightless ride, but way to short for the wait.
Grizzly Mountain opened!!. OMG!!! Best coaster ever. A little bit like Big Thunder Mtn Railroad but not in a big way. So much fun and several surprises along the way!!! Spoiler Alert**** can we say backwards coaster!! I had to ride this one a hand full of times.
Checked out Small World. Recognized some of the scenes from California, It was a nice ride to get out of the hot weather.
Went back for a few re-rides, Hyperspace Mountain, Ant-Man. The day was coming to an end and it was time to say good bye to a fun day in the Happiest Place on Earth.

End of Day 3

AirBnB Check-in – NOT

Ride back to HK Island was smooth until the point I was trying to find L2 level. Turns out I had to go up one level and then take the elevator down. I think I missed something but finally found the free shuttle hotel buses.
So decide to go to the Airbnb first to make sure I knew where it was and could get in. I get to the apartment, open the door and find the place totally trashed. Stinky trash left, groceries on the counter, bed, bath, and kitchen not clean. Call the owner and she said she would call me back. Of course my phone is running on 5% battery and there is no USB port in sight. She calls back and says the room won’t be ready until 10:30pm. Soooo Upset. Walked my miles today and just wanted to take a shower and get off my feet. She offers to refund the cleaning fee. I just want to go to get ready for bed, but doesn’t look good for this place. I walk back to the Marriott, front desk help me plug in and while my phone is charging, I look up HK’s Airbnb customer service line and gave them a ring. Spoke with Rei and he said a supervisor would call me back. Never heard from the supervisor. So in all this mess the owner finally says she will refund 100%, well that was that and I booked three more nights at the Marriott.
I can’t tell you how thankful I am for the night staff at the Marriott. They made me feel right at home. I was put up in a two bed room facing Victoria Harbor. Seems a little bit smaller but still very comfortable.