We started day two with a delightful breakfast treat at the Enchanted Garden. It is located at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, which is very appropriate as it matches the whole Victorian-inspired theme of the hotel. I’ve been wanting to try dining here, since first of all, it’s a buffet (who doesn’t like buffet???) and also, I wanted the kids to experience dining with some of their favorite Disney characters.

Did someone say “buffet”???

So you eat here too, Mickey?

At first, Mika was scared and refused to go near the characters. I don’t know, I think it was the thought of the characters she usually just sees on TV coming to life and being so close to her that intimidated her. But after a while, she couldn’t stop running to them and hugging them! I was extremely happy for her! She overcame her fear!

Goofing around with Goofy

I’m loving your smile, Alyanna!

Mika can’t get enough of him!

I tell you, this restaurant could not just boast about their concept of having the chance to meet and greet the Disney stars, but their good food, too! (Again, you would have to watch out for my food-dedicated post for this!)

After filling our tanks with enough energy supply for the morning (well, honestly I think what we ate was enough to provide us with energy for the whole day),  we headed off to Disneyland park once again.

Even though it was our second day at the park, I still marveled at the sights and the atmosphere of the place. Upon entering Main Street, USA, you quickly forget about everything else and feel that you are entering a whole different world. Main Street, USA is where you can find all sorts of stores for different souvenir items that you might want to bring home. From photographs and jewelry for the grown-ups, to the candies and toys for the kids—Main Street, USA is where you go to look for all Disney items you desire to keep.

Main Street, U.S.A. at night

Ever since we stepped foot in Hong Kong, the kids have been excited to ride the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters so off to Tomorrowland we headed. My girls have some competitive blood in them, and so the idea of earning points and checking to see how they measure as space rangers was exciting for them.

Tomorrowland has other rides that kids and kids-at-heart can enjoy such as the Space Mountain, Orbitron, UFO Zone, and Autopia.

Next stop: Fantasyland! Here we find more rides that kids would enjoy. Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Cinderella Carousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and my girls’ favorite—The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

We tried all the rides until it was time for lunch (yay!) . We headed back to Tomorrowland to eat at the Starliner Diner, which served American food. We wanted something that was quick to eat, since we had to catch the next schedule for the Stitch Encounter. The Stitch Encounter caters to different languages, so you would first have to check the schedule for your preferred language.

I can’t really tell if they are hungry…. :p

After the Stitch Encounter, we were actually considering going back to the rides and skipping the parade since we were already here the previous day, but as we were walking along the Sleeping Beauty Castle, one of the cast members spotted the girls and gave them  Very Important Princess (VIP) passes to the parade! Of course, we couldn’t pass up the chance for the girls to get the to join the parade again— and dance with the princesses this time!

Thank you for the VIP passes, Yin!

Snow White is saying hello to mini- Snow White

The Princess Dance

After the parade, it was time for us to catch the Festival of the Lion King (in Adventureland). I am amazed at the excellence of their production! I have always been a Lion King fan, so I especially enjoyed this show.

When we were done with the show, the girls requested to have a repeat of some of the rides, after which we used the rest of our time at the park to have our photographs taken with other princesses.

Took this shot while waiting for our turn to have our pictures taken. It really looks like a real castle!

Cinderella, meet Cinderella. Prince Charming, you’d have to wait 30 years before you can meet Alyanna! Hehe :p

Snow White, say hello to Snow White.

 I loved our pace today, so relaxed—appropriate for the very cool weather.

So “at-home” in their backyard

As it was getting dark, we decided it was time to go back to Disneyland Hotel. We were going to have dinner at Walt’s Café. What a perfect way to cap off a relaxing day—with a relaxing and sumptuous dinner! I had one of the best coffee (if not the best) I’ve had in a long time. Thank you, Walt.

Day two, done.  Tomorrow, we head back home. Oh how I wish I could stay here forever…

We took the first flight to Hong Kong so we had to wake up really early to be at the airport on time. I was a bit worried that the kids would have a hard time waking up and getting dressed but I was wrong. They were their most energetic selves at three in the morning!

Up and about so early in the morning! 

Aside from the crew being so approachable and accommodating, I’ve always appreciated their energy. And I especially enjoy the games each time I fly via their airlines! They seem to have the gift of innovating and coming up with awesome ideas to make our flying experience memorable. Who ever said that you can’t fly and have fun at the same time?? 

The first thing on our itinerary upon arrival in HongKong was…wouldn’t you know it… LUNCH!   Our first real meal for the day was well worth just having coffee bun and eggs for breakfast! We were brought to Crystal Lotus in Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, and oh I have to say—you definitely have to try eating there if you get the chance!  I will dedicate a whole different post for all the food we ate. Suffice it to say for now, that Crystal Lotus made me one very, very, very happy mommy.

Ready for lunch at Crystal Lotus Restaurant

Enjoying the kiddie plates and utensils!

After lunch, we headed off to Disneyland Park. We were just in time for the Flights of Fantasy Parade—a must-see when you’re in Hong Kong Disneyland! We had a wonderful view of all the beloved characters in all their colorful costumes and floats, singing the song that’s still stuck in my head until now—“Come along and sing the song and join the jamboree! M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!”

 Yay! Perfect spot to watch the parade!

With our very friendly tour guide Janice

I am most happy about the fact that Alyanna overcame her shyness and actually joined in when one of the dancers approached to get her to join them in the parade. I saw that proud look on her face. I was pretty proud of her too. If you know my daughters, getting them to do anything in front of a crowd is a major feat!

This is it! The Flights of Fantasy Parade!!!!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!!

 I love the costumes!

We just got back from our Hong Kong Disneyland trip and I am now trying to gather my thoughts– and my pictures– to document the amazing time that we had as a family. It’s not that easy, you know. First of all, practically every corner of Disneyland is too cute and picture-worthy! Second, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment with all that the park has to offer you. Third, I had two girls with me who were extremely excited and extra energetic and who did not like the idea of being stuck in the stroller for a long time! I will start sorting through my thoughts and pictures today though. Do stay tuned for my series of posts on our Disney trip….especially if you plan on going there anytime soon (if you don’t have plans yet, start having one now!).  :)

I remember telling Dennis just before Christmas last year, that we should start saving and praying that the next time we get to go to Hong Kong with the girls, we will not just go to Hong Kong Disneyland (which is a must, of course!) …but that we will be able to stay in Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, too. It’s been a dream to take the girls there again (Disney’s Hollywood Hotel) because the last time we stayed there was when Mika was just a year old.  We had a great time then, but the girls have no memory of it whatsoever!

When I expressed that desire to Dennis, I actually had it in mind that we would most likely be able to go back sometime around 2014 (since we are planning to have baby number three already). Imagine my delight when this prayer got answered at the beginning of this year!

Not only do we get to go, but we get to go this month already! Way sooner than expected, and on our “special month” as a family. February is special for us because aside from our wedding anniversary falling on this month, both of the girls’ birthdays are on February, too!

God really has a way of surprising us— even in the trivial desires we just blurt out sometimes. <3 <3 <3  I am learning more and more now, how I cannot put God in a box. Sometimes in my limited mind, I limit the ways in which He can provide for us.

I’m now like a child who just received a wonderful surprise from her daddy!  :)

PS: Expect me to post some more about this Hong Kong Disneyland trip! I think me being “excited” for this sweet answered prayer is an understatement.