“Flights of Fancy”

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 10:45 AM PST

Street dancers in their colorful garb alongside The Lion King float at the parade. (Photo by Amyline Quien Ching)

Whether in the dating scene or in the corporate world (and anywhere else for that matter), Peter Pan syndrome* just doesn't cut it. We can't all fly past our obligations and cast our futures to the wind. Neither can we face the Captain Hooks of our lives with just bravado on our side. In this fast-paced urban lifestyle, immaturity and childishness aren't so easily forgiven.

Yet, the banal, robotic life isn't so forgiving either. Life in the "burn-out" lane can be tiring and frustrating and every now and then, we just need that burst of pixie dust to rejuvenate us and cliché as it is, make us believe that we are free to fly.

Disneyland is perhaps the closest to a pixie dust that people can find in this lifetime. The theme park is a complete Neverland, minus the bomb-ticking crocodile and Hook's nefarious ways. If not for the long lines, it would be paradise not only for kids, but for adults too. Here are eight reasons why.

Flight to Greater Heights

There is just something about a parade — the colors, the music, the performances — that draws you in despite the crowd. But Hong Kong Disneyland's newest offering, "Flights of Fantasy" does more than that. It "roots" you on the spot and transfixes you like some love-besotted prince. It is hard not to look as floats rise up to as high as 40 feet and as Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Director for Marketing Vincent Wong advises, "Remember to wear your sunglasses when you look upward in the bright sunlight."

The whole production took 18 months to produce and it shows, from the floats right down to the street performances; from the stunts to the costumes. Quite unforgettable are Mickey's Magical Airship with its towering hot air Mickey balloon and the Disney Princesses' gigantic Swan float. Down below are more than a hundred street dancers and performers, including acrobats, who seemingly fly in the sky.

Designer Mickey

Women who love Mickey and designer duds are in for a fainting spell when they see Dooney & Bourke's Mickey Mouse collection, sold exclusively inside the theme park.

The exclusive line combines the funky colorful vibe of the well-loved Disney character with the classic and formal cuts Dooney & Bourke has become known for. Standout pieces are the ice-blue body bag that features whimsical drawings of Disney characters and the black leather tote with Mickey Mouse icons in different colors.

Bejeweled Storage

USB flash drives, have come a long way from the stick shape it came out with initially a couple of years ago. Now, USBs have gone fab, coming in different shapes and sizes. Nothing however could be more fashionable than HK Disney's bejeweled one. The surreptitious-looking data gear even doubles as a key chain or a bag charm and nobody wouldn't know the difference at first glance.

Classic-Whimsy

Everything about the Center Street Boutique is a paradox in the works. For one thing, despite making its debut just two weeks ago in HK Disneyland, it is undoubtedly the most "adult" among the merchandise outlets. The shop adopts the classy old-world ambiance of retail shops along Rodeo Drive but still keeps the fun, flirty character of Disney. Its merchandise is trendy and youthful with a classic twist. Colors are more subdued and designs are more for the adult crowd.

Its sterling silver collection, for instance, is just phenomenal. Every piece is a must-buy especially the bangles. These are perfect for people who want to have that piece of whimsy when they leave Disneyland and go back to the real world. Another standout piece is its black evening bags. The sequined clutch and patent mini bag would tempt any fashionista. Center Street Boutique's crystal figurines are also worth taking home despite the hassles of traveling with such fragile pieces. The glass figurines are intricately made by hand so no two pieces are the same.

Tinker Bell Castle

To celebrate its 5th anniversary, HK Disneyland also spruced up its castle and had Tinker Bell shower it with magical pixie dust. The castle glows in the morning as the sun hits the "dust" that lay on the castle surface but at night, it is one majestic sight as the whole castle is illuminated by shiny gold dust and sparkling colored lights.

Limited Edition Lithograph

Art comes in many forms and this year, Disney is giving away their version of Art— an authentic lithograph of Disney characters— to consumers who will book a 5th anniversary package, which consists of a stay at either Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Hollywood Hotel and 2"Stay2Day" tickets. The drawings are made by Disney artists and come with a Certificate of Verification. The promotion runs until June 30.

Endless Photo-ops

No vacation would be complete without the photos that you can post on your Facebook page. HK Disneyland does not disappoint in this area. The park is literally teeming with photo-op pit stops, from the characters that roam around the park that you can ambush to the great landscapes and installations all around.

A crowd favorite is the Mickey Mouse balloons right at the entrance of Main Street, USA Boulevard. Another is the statue of Mickey Mouse surfing on a fountain of water and the giant Mickey figure near the bus stops. And yeah, who can forget the new pixie-dusted Tinker Bell Castle and the "Flights of Fantasy" parade, which would both make stunning backdrops.

Blast your Blues away!

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is a ride that lets you shoot monsters with a laser gun while strapped into a roller coaster. The monsters are patched with digital targets that your laser gun should aim at. When you get your target, you earn points and go up the ranks of Buzz Lightyear's soldiers.

Despite the juvenile stunt of Buzz Lightyear rounding up the troops at the start of the ride, Astro Blasters is surprisingly enjoyable, even to adults. True, it might be a bit disconcerting to find yourself in combat with a bunch of six-year-olds but hey, nothing like a great round of "killings" to cure you off those aggressive tendencies. This is the perfect displacement, for people who, for the longest time, have wanted to kill their bosses. What better metaphor for the office ogre than "ugly hulking monster"?

This article can go on and on why Disneyland isn't just for kids but why do we even need reasons? After all, it is that one place in the world where it's okay to be a kid once more.

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