For months, Jacob had been happily watching Disney parades and park walkthroughs on YouTube, completely unaware that those familiar scenes were quietly becoming part of a much bigger plan. This trip had been in the works for almost twelve months, carefully planned and kept a secret. All Jacob knew was that we were going somewhere for his birthday. He had no idea where.
The Moment It Clicked
The day started early. Very early. We woke up at 4am to catch a flight first thing out of Manila, still half asleep as we loaded into a taxi and made our way to the airport. From Manila, we flew to Hong Kong, then hopped on a double-decker bus from the airport to the MTR station. At that point, it was still just another journey in Jacob’s mind. But everything changed when we arrived at Sunny Bay and transferred to the Disney Line.
The moment Jacob saw the Disney-themed MTR, covered in Mickey Mouse windows and details, it finally clicked. His face said everything. That was the moment he realised where we were going. Hong Kong Disneyland. Completely unplanned on our part, the park was also celebrating its 20th anniversary, which made the surprise even more special.
Disney’s Explorers Lodge
Instead of heading straight into the park, we checked in first at Disney’s Explorers Lodge. By the time we arrived at Disneyland around midday, it was incredibly hot and we had all been awake and travelling since before sunrise. Still, the excitement carried us through. Jacob received his badges, one for his first visit to Hong Kong Disneyland and otherswishing him a happy birthday, which instantly made him feel like the most important guest in the park.
Joe had planned everything down to the details, mapping out routes and timing, and downloading the Disney app with its interactive map. Even though we still love grabbing a physical map once we’re inside, the app was incredibly helpful, especially with kids in tow.
Stamps, Safaris, and Slow Paces
Our first day was intentionally slow. We picked up Jacob’s Magic Passport, a booklet that sent him around the park collecting stamps, which instantly gave him a sense of mission. We ate, explored, and met characters like Goofy, Winnie the Pooh, and more. We spotted Minnie Mouse on our way out, but the line had already closed and both kids were fast asleep.
Ride-wise, we managed Slinky Dog Spin and Mystic Manor, and I squeezed in Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway on my own. We also watched Festival of the Lion King, which both Jacob and Riley absolutely loved. By that point, exhaustion had fully caught up with us, so we skipped the fireworks and took one of the free Disney shuttle buses back to the hotel for some much-needed sleep.
Breakfast with Mickey
The next morning started early again, but this time for something special. We had breakfast booked with Mickey Mouse at our hotel. After photos and breakfast, we headed back into the park using our two-day pass. For Jacob’s birthday, my sister Lauren had gifted us Momentous access for eight attractions and two shows, along with Premier Access to help skip some queues. Travelling with a five-year-old and a one-year-old can be challenging at the best of times, and this was worth every bit. Less waiting meant happier kids and a much smoother day.
Frozen Dreams and Golden Coins
Day two was packed. We rode Hyperspace Mountain, Iron Man Experience, Ant-Man and The Wasp, It’s a Small World, and watched Mickey’s PhilharMagic. We then made our way to World of Frozen. Jacob and I rode Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, which, if we’re honest, was less exciting than the queue itself. Frozen Ever After, though, was a hit with everyone, even Riley. Jacob finally got his Olaf ice cream, another birthday treat from Auntie Lauren. A short burst of rain sent us looking for shelter, but it cleared quickly, just in time for us to take photos outside the castle before the parade.
We found a spot to sit and watched the parade roll past, a moment Jacob had dreamed of after watching so many online.
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A “Momentous” Finale
Afterward, we met Chip and Dale for photos before heading to Jungle River Cruise as the sky began to darken. Then it was time to take our seats for Momentous: Party in the Night Sky. The show lasted around thirty minutes and was absolutely stunning. Without a doubt, it was the best Disney show I’ve ever seen.
Across both days, Jacob diligently collected stamps in his Magic Passport. Before the park closed, he completed the entire book and received his prize: a big, gold 20th anniversary coin. It felt like the perfect ending to an already unforgettable birthday.
Saying Goodbye to the Magic
By the time we left, Riley had fallen asleep during Momentous, and the rest of us were running on empty. We took the shuttle back to the hotel, Joe and the kids went straight to sleep, and I headed to the restaurant for a late meal on my own.
The next morning, Explorers Lodge surprised us with one last activity. Jacob joined the hotel’s stamp hunt game, collected all the stamps, and proudly claimed his prize from the store. Although we didn’t get a chance to swim, despite bringing our swim gear, we did manage some time at Nemo’s Recreation Reef, a small playground that both kids enjoyed, even Riley.
All too soon, it was time to check out. We had lunch at Dragon Wind, soaked in the last moments, and then packed up to move on.
Now, it was time to go an explore Hong Kong!
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