As for rides - well, we were not really serious about trying them, prioritizing the shows instead. But should we find time, then we would try the rides out. We also had to make sure we got to experience the 3D movie - which in this instance was about Mickey's Magical Symphony. Lastly, we needed to see the fireworks display at 8 P.M.
All these activities had to be carefully planned - and in some cases, prioritized - with lunch and snacks squeezed in when possible. To say that it was a hectic schedule was belaboring the obvious - specially when you consider that we arrived in the theme park around 1:30 P.M. - and the first show was scheduled at 2 P.M.
So from the entrance; armed with a map, we begun our trek - pausing and posing once in a while for pictures (as seen below).
Bernice with Mickey flower garden on background.
Like daughter - like mother.
Our first stop, the Golden Mickeys... no problem you say? Check the site map, if you can... this was near the end of the map (top portion), which was the direct opposite of where we were. So we had our long trek to accomplish. In hindsight, we should have taken the train, and disembarked at the back of the park - but we didn't know about this back then. It pays to have someone with you to act as guide in situations like this... but since we didn't have one... well, we just had to do things the hard way. You can glimpse the train station near the park's entrance above the Mickey garden shown - as it is just above said collage. Sheesh...
Anyway, back to the Golden Mickeys. What it was about: consider something similar to an awards show - in fact, the Golden Mickeys concept seem closely tied to teh Oscars. This show presented the magical moments or memorable instances in many of the Disney movies seemingly worth of recognition by way of the Golden Mickey statuette. Each moment was then represented by one show episode or musical number. The awards night hostess was basically trying to interview Mickey, and in the process, she gets dragged to re-experiencing many of these Disney moments... from Hecules, Tarzan, Mulan, etc...
This was our first experience (at least, that of Bryce, Bernice and I) of a Disney show... and how was it? Well, for starters, we were readily reminded that although this was Disneyland, it was very much in Hong Kong as well. The host and the characters were speaking Chinese - with only a screen showing us the English translations. Unfortunately, said screen was to the side which would mean our having to look away from the stage (and the show) to understand what they were saying - a slight bummer if you ask me.
Maybe they (the organizers) could possibly schedule alternating shows - one in English, the other in Chinese - this way, such awkwardness can be avoided... either that or take extra effort in having a character speak in English - even while the others are speaking in Chinese... something similar to what was done in the Lion King show.
Still... language barrier aside, it was a great musical, with several numbers - and I had to admit that though some of these numbers were not that impressive (at least, to me), they were nonetheless entertaining - with lavish costumes and great choreography. Why do I know these things, one might ask - I've had the chance to be part of a musical (or two) by way of joining the ADB chorale roughly about more than a decade ago. So as you can see, I was looking at it on a done that viewpoint.
That said, I really loved the Little Mermaid portion. I was amazed with how they interpreted a mermaid floating in water (suspended with wires similar to that used in trampolines - or like the ones used by Angelina Jolie in Tonb Raider during her aerial exercise routine) - and how the actress playing the mermaid moved her tail... it was akin to seeing a fish swim through water. I also liked how they portrayed the Jelly fishes. To me, this had to be the highlight of the show.
Unfortunately, we could not take pictures - at least, ones with flash photography, so we just had to enjoy the show. Still, should you look at their web site, you'll get to see pictures of the show.
Once out of the Golden Mickey show, it was off to the next show... the Lion King.
