Hongkong Disneyland Day 2
Day 2 was much easier for us. Although it was colder, it was still comfortable for me. And because the Character Buffet breakfast was full, we decided to have a buffet at Disneyland Hollywood hotel. Love the food and the price wasn’t that bad.
Here’s us waiting for the shuttle to Disneyland park.
Sandy knew what to expect since it’s our 2nd day already.
She posed for a while and then told me that she wanted to give her drawings of Mickey and Minnie to them. It was a long line I’m telling you but after an hour or so of standing, we got our chance to meet the most famous characters in Disney. Sandy gave them her drawings and I was happy to note that they both “loved” and gushed over it. Then they gave Sandy plenty of kisses which thrilled Sandy to no end.
After that, we went to Adventure Land to watch the Festival of the Lion King show. Sandy got hungry again(!) so we bought her some snacks and had some photos taken while waiting.
One of Sandy’s shots.
I’m so glad she’s old enough to take photos!
After the shows, we ate twice again (trust me, you’ll get hungry with all that walking too), had some photos taken with Cinderella, watched the parade (another post) and then stayed in the park until 7PM to watch the fireworks.
More photos on Flickr.
Hongkong Disneyland – Day 1
We went to HK Disney last Jan 28th. I loved the weather there, not too cold as I feared and just very comfortable. Sandy loved Disneyland so much and no matter how tired or aching her knees were, she still walked and walked and wouldn’t want to go back to our hotel in Disneyland Hollywood.
I like that my pregnancy wasn’t a hindrance at all to this travel. It’s Sandy’s last solo performance in the spotlight so we tried to make the most out of it.
Things I love:
The characters are just magical. Even adults will be mesmerized.
The shows – Golden Mickeys and Festival of the Lion King rules!
The weather, ramps for wheelchairs and strollers, small shops and Main Street
Things I hate:
The people. Ugh. So rude! They probably haven’t heard of falling in line before.
Expensive food. Okay, so there were plenty that costs 40-50HKD per meal but knowing The Husband and I, and now Sandy, it’s just not enough for us. We always end up eating at a restaurant or at the hotel which is really costly.
Disneyland was a little too expensive for me but seeing Sandy’s face light up whenever she sees a princess (more of this on Day 2) or any character, you’ll totally forget about the money. Her happiness is really priceless.
Here are some photos taken but you can browse for more on my Flickr account.
Some photos of my favorite show – The Golden Mickeys
Flickr Photos
Day 1 photos | Day 2 photos
Stress-free Family Vacation
The number one requirement that I have whenever we book a hotel is the size of the room. With Sandy always in tow, we just can’t risk having her bored or feel too cooped up in a small room. The next requirement is that the hotel must have kiddie amenities such as play area, kiddie pool, DVD player and a 24/7 shop/restaurant where we can order anytime just in case she gets hungry. This is why I really love the Azul Beach Resort by Karisma. They provide all the things I mentioned and more. They have a kids’ club with Fisher-Price® toys, kids pool and beach playground, plenty of beach activities such as balloon wars and night pajama parties.
And just because you’re married with kids doesn’t mean you can enjoy any of the cancun honeymoons Karisma hotels has to offer. Because at Azul Beach, you can have beachfront sky massages, candlelight dinners on the beach, have butlers deliver picnic baskets to your canopied beach bed and anything else that normal couples do. I know I would stay there if I can! Just looking at the room above makes me want to book a trip immediately. If only I have the money and not pregnant right now. 
Stress-Free Family Vacations
Beach hotels that cater to families are always a plus for me. Take Azul Beach resort from Karisma Hotels for example. Your family vacation at Azul will always be stress free because they offer so many activites and amenities that will entertain not just the adults but the kids as well.
I’m talking about strollers, baby milk heaters, cribs, beach games, coloring books and kid medicines. Then there’s also Azulitos Kid’s Club – a special program created for children from 4 to 12 years old. With a play space designed by Fisher-Price®, your kids can enjoy all kinds of educational toys and challenging games and activities like mini-yoga, handcrafts, face painting and movie time. Of course, there are also tons of beach activities that include treasure hunts, sand castle building, balloon wars and flag football.
With your kids all busy, you have nothing left to do but enjoy the long stretch of white sandy beach by yourself or with your husband. Then wrap up your day with a nice dinner by the beach with the whole family as you all recall how fun everyone’s day was.
Weddings and Dream Travels
I’m a fan of destination weddings. In fact, if ever I get a change to renew our vows, I’d like to have it in one of the Karisma hotels in Riviera Maya. Imagine having your ceremony in a long stretch of white sandy beaches surrounded with coconut trees and the smell of salt in the air. Some of them have their very own beach wedding chapel too if you want to hold the ceremony indoors. For newlyweds or honeymooners, make sure to book the ocean front Casita Suites that include veranda hammocks and king-sized jacuzzis with window-front views. Of course, any dream vacation won’t be completed without great food and The Swim-up offers exactly that with their five-star dining in seven signature restaurants such as El Cocotal, D’Italia and La Carreta to name a few. Lastly, pamper yourself with beachside spa treatments, milk baths and aromatic massages. Even if you don’t like lying down all day watching the sun and water, this resort also offers activities such as scuba clinics, hikes to local ruins and beach-side fitness classes.
The Great Outdoors
Hanging out at parenting forums again before I start working. For today’s find – rv parks and camping. I’ve always wanted to go camping but I don’t know if there are even camping grounds near Manila. I am so envious of their photos and most of the kids look like they’re having the time of their lives. It’s been my long time dream to sleep with nature. To have crickets as the last sound that I will hear before I close my eyes. I’ve never seen a real sunrise although not for the lack of trying. Whenever we go to the beach, The Husband and I set out alarm clocks so we’d wake up at 5AM but we never do.
Caribbean Trip?
We still have not gone on with that family vacation we have been planning for since February. The weather has been unpredictable lately that it would just ruin our moods and waste time and money spent if we went ahead and it just rained. It doesn’t stop me from looking at great travel deals and amazing travel locations. I found out that there is a line of hotel resorts called Karisma Hotels along the Riviera Maya in the Caribbean that has a family-oriented resort – Azul Beach Hotel Resort! It is on a beautiful stretch of the Bahia Pentempich beach in Puerto Moreles, re-opened this season after being completely redesigned, and is the first boutique all-inclusive resort. With just 98 rooms, a gourmet-inclusive dining philosophy and many family-friendly amenities, Azul Beach Hotel offers families a new way to vacation. Parents are pampered with adult-sized indulgences as well as extras like strollers, cribs, baby milk heaters, beach games, coloring books, refrigerators for milk and medicines, and even kid-sized bathrobes.
Wordless Wednesday – Everything’s Better with a Friend
Wordless Wednesday – Catch Me
Wordless Wednesday – Waiting
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About Joy
I am Dzoi, a 28 year old Filipina who currently works as a web designer. I am a loving wife to my equally loving husband Sherwin and a mommy cow to my 2-year-old daughter, Sandy.
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