Article begins after this quick word about where to buy Hong Kong Disneyland tickets…

Where to buy Hong Kong Disneyland tickets

There are often problems using international credit cards to pay for theme park tickets overseas. The way around this for most Australians and other international tourists is by using third party sellers. I partner with Klook who are official Hong Kong Disneyland ticket sellers.

Buy your Hong Kong Disneyland tickets online at Klook here

You can also get up to 10% off many Hong Kong attractions on Klook by using my exclusive discount code at checkout:

LETSGOMUMKLOOK at Klook 

Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use. Klook new customers can get 10% off and existing customers get 3% off. Klook exclusions list here. 

Where to find Hong Kong Disneyland Gluten Free Food Options

For those who need gluten free and are traveling to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Note: our 13 year old is diagnosed coeliac however she is primarily asymptomatic so whilst she avoids gluten in her diet (and her screening show no gluten antibodies) we are not able to speak to suitability for sensitive coeliacs. Please make decisions based on your own risk tolerance. We opted for GF by ingredient and will tolerate ‘may contain’ and shared fryers when options are limited.

Our strategy when traveling is to start with a big breakfast that lasts us until the afternoon, have a smaller snack and then finish with a big dinner.

This is what we found on offer on our recent trip:

Hollywood Hotel gluten free options

• Buffet breakfast- eggs, bacon, fruit, baked beans, sautéed veggies, yoghurt and drinks. They also provided gluten free bread every morning and gluten free pancakes with maple syrup from the second day.
• The Archivist- offered steak, gluten free pasta and to make the burgers with gluten free bread instead of burger buns.

Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel gluten free options

• Walt’s cafe- Offered the steak, gluten free pasta (carbonara) and a mushroom risotto (our daughter’s favourite meal). They could also alter salads including the Caesar salad to be GF. Our daughter also enjoyed a specialty non-alcoholic Pina Colada drink called a Phoenix.
• Crystal Lotus- offered plain Salmon (we didn’t dine here)

Explorers Lodge gluten free options

• World of colour- Offered the steak or lamb. Could do a pumpkin pasta or a tomato and veggies sauce with GF pasta. Could alter Caesar salad to be GF. Brought GF bread to the table (alongside dinner roles). Desert was two gelato flavours with berries.

Hong Kong Disneyland theme park gluten free options

• Snacks:
• Corn on the cob is available in multiple locations (note the corn ribs sauce is not safe).
• Popcorn is available in multiple locations and many flavours are GF by ingredient.
• The Mickey bar ice creams are GF by ingredient (but do have a may contain warning).
• The ice cream slush (gelato on top of a slushie) in front of ‘Its a small world’ is GF by ingredient.
• Salted Caramel Soft serve near Grizzly Gulch is GF by ingredient (ask for it in a cup not a cone)
• Lime dole whip and pineapple slushie in Toy Story land is labeled GF
• Turkey legs are GF by ingredient
• Meals
• Main Street corner cafe- offered a steak with fries switched out for potatoes.
• Royal banquet hall- offered plain steak with beans and tomatoes. Fries switched for Rice. All cooked fresh.
• Note: the fries at Royal Banquet Hall are GF by ingredient but cooked in a shared fryer. We opted to have this on a few occasions but had to order separately from the meal as once they knew she had an “allergy” they became very unwilling to serve her fries.
• Ocean Park Marriott
• Breakfast buffet- eggs, bacon, fruit, yoghurt. Drinks. They brought GF rolls to the table.
• Room service- Could provide Carbonara with GF pasta.
• Ocean Park
• Limited options- the McDonalds on site Sundays are GF by ingredient. They also sold frozen fruit pieces (mango, pineapple and watermelon)

Things to note:

• We carried a card which had information about coeliac disease in Cantonese, this was very helpful most of the time.
• Understanding of what contains gluten is very limited and sometimes it is clear that the server doesn’t understand. Push to talk to someone else or to the chef as sometimes they would say they couldn’t do something but really could.
• Some menus and buffet stations label items as containing gluten or wheat, but sometimes it’s clear understanding is fairly low so use your discretion or ask to see the actual ingredients. Most places will try to accommodate you even if their menu doesn’t suggest they can do GF.
• All of the snack stalls in Disneyland have ingredient books (in English), just ask and you can check the book to see if something is safe.
• You can take food into Disneyland and Ocean Park. We always take in safe snacks like nut bars, chips, lollies etc. that we have brought from home.
• If you need extra supplies, Marks and Spencer food have some GF products like bread and many GF by ingredient snack options.

Join our
Hong Kong Disneyland holiday planning group community!

For more information on Hong Kong Disneyland you can go to the official website here.

The post Gluten Free Hong Kong Disneyland list appeared first on Holidayplanning.com.au.

Will being a larger body size affect what rides I can go on?

Universal Studios Japan, like many theme parks have some size limitations on their rides, including the rider’s body width and height.

Japanese theme parks in particular often have smaller than usual ride seating and restraints. This is probably due to the smaller national average body dimensions in Japan than perhaps may be found in some other parts of the world.

With the number of locals frequenting Japanese theme parks vastly outstripping the number of visiting tourists it makes perfect sense that they design their rides to fit the smaller size average of Japanese people. However this ride seat size difference at Universal Studios Japan when compared to other theme parks around the world can sometimes catch us larger-framed tourists by surprise!

What if I’m too tall for a Universal Studios Japan ride?

If you are of larger or taller dimensions, it’s possible that you may be excluded from some Universal Studios Japan rides. It’s a common problem that tourists purchase Express tickets for rides they are unable to safely fit on.

The Flight of the Hippogriff is notorious for rejecting tall and plus size passengers.

Does the Flight of the Hippogriff ride have a test seat?

No, there is no test seat for the Flight of the Hippogriff ride in Japan Universal Studios. So you may wait in line for over an hour and still be rejected at the ride.

It can be frustrating if you have paid for an Express Ticket for the Flight of the Hippogriff in Harry Potter World, only to find out that in Japan Universal, this ride is actually considered a Junior or Youth Ride.

Being classified as a Youth ride means that the Flight of the Hippogriff has a smaller seat size and so is more size-limited than some of the other Universal Studios Japan Express Pass rides. Unfortunately this fact is something not widely publicised or realised until you are actually at the ride in the park.

We have numerous member reports of the Flight of the Hippogriff not suiting tall individuals. A 5’11” person fit, a 6’1″ did not.

For tall people, there is a good chance you can still ride Flight of the Hippogriff with the following hack…

Flight of the Hippogriff hack!

There is one trick with this ride, and that is – ask for the front carriage before you board! You may need to wait a little longer, but it’s the best chance for those who may otherwise be rejected.

I checked this out for myself and there is indeed extensive legroom in the front carriage, as the space extends right into the nose of the front carriage of the ride. You will need to ask to be seated there, otherwise you will be automatically issued with a replacement express pass instead of being given the option to move.

One group member writes, “Flight of hippogriff (express 1110 time slot). The wait was 120 mins in normal line which my kids wouldn’t have done if we didn’t have express. Quick and fun. Hubby is 192cm and 97kgs and fit in the front row but we just got lucky as they don’t move you to the front if you don’t fit.”

Which universal Studios Japan rides fit larger people?

Most universal Studios Japan rides still fit most people without issue. On the flip side, Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness is known for being generous in seat area size, and whilst Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge can be more snug, the backseat of Mario Kart is larger than the front.

The website doesn’t include all the size information needed

The minimum heights for all attractions are listed on the official website, however the maximum dimensions are not.

Individual attraction website pages only carry general references to what the ride seat limitations actually are. For example, on the Flight of the Hippogriff Harry Potter ride website page there is no mention of it being of a smaller classification than the other thrill rides, even though this ride is known for being small. The only reference to guests not fitting into the seats are referred to as:

Guests who should not use the attraction including the options “a physical build not compatible with the seats” and of course “unable to secure the body by the safety bar” and include the notice that “You may be asked to refrain from experiencing the attraction for safety concerns due to your physical build”

Here are some more of our group member experiences:

I’m 5’11”, weigh 220 lbs, wear size 16/18 US pants and XL t-shirts, and carry my weight pretty evenly. …I was able to fit comfortably on every ride I tried. I rode Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, Donkey Kong, The Flying Dinosaur, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Hollywood Dream, Spy X Family, and Jaws—all without any issues – Anonymous

I am top heavy and had no issues with any rides – Chloe

My partner is extremely tall – 6’4” – and was able to fit on both rides in Super Nintendo – the staff didn’t seem like they were being strict on letting him on either.

My partner is super tall and was not allowed on any rides in Wizarding World as he was too tall – his knees were the problem he was so tall that his legs wouldn’t fit into the rides in wizarding world 

Hubby is 6ft 8 and they made him sit in the demo chair to test for Mario cart ride – he fit! – Amanda

Super Nintendo World rides are tall-friendly

So you can see from the member comments above, the rides in Super Nintendo World are fine for a six foot tall, even 6’8″ individual. But for the rides in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, they may not suitable for the very tall (reportedly 6’3” up) or plus-sized.

What are the minimum ride heights allowed?

If you think you may be too short or your child is too young to ride because they may not have reached the minimum height requirement, you can check the official USJ ride list here for the minimum height requirements for each attraction.

What happens if I can’t fit in the ride seat?

If you encounter this issue with Flight of the Hippogriff, group members report that they were compensated with a replacement Express ride ticket for another attraction.

What rides can I go on if i’m pregnant?

This question gets asked by a lot of expectant mothers – are there any rides that are safe for pregnant women? Luckily the official USJ website carries a list of attractions with several being marked with an icon to show they are considered safe for pregnant park guests.

Will I fit into a Universal Studios Japan ride seat?

Each ride of concern usually has a test seat that you can try before queueing for the ride, so that if the ride seat isn’t safe for your size, then you don’t have to waste time queueing for a ride you can’t experience. The test seat is identical to the actual ride seat and includes any restraints or locking bars.

This is a photo of the Mario Kart test seat inside Super Nintendo World. The sign above it reads (in English and Japanese):

“Test this seat before riding. This ride employs safety restraints which may restrict certain guests from experiencing this attraction. Guests with certain body dimensions may not be accommodated on the ride and are strongly encouraged to try this test seat. Please see a crew member for further questions.”

Plus size group member experiences

The following comments regarding rider size screening and fitting into USJ ride seats are from the Universal Studios Japan holiday planning group .

When reading these comments, it’s important to remember that the following experiences and opinions may vary from person to person and sizes can also vary from country to country.

Others may not necessarily have the same experiences as each other, but these first-hand experiences are great for an overview on what to possibly expect on your day at Universal Japan.

Group member says:

I was 100kg/ 152cm tall when I went to universal last year. In the park I was pulled aside to be tested in the Hollywood dreams ride (which I passed). I rode the Harry Potter and Mario rides without any problems or requests for seat tests. I know we may not be the same ‘size’ but that’s an authentic experience from someone my size.

Group member says:

I think saying 50% of the rides is a lot and honestly it varies per person, it’s not just all plus size people. I have a large chest and wide hips (size 22) and I only missed one ride in the whole park. The disability pass will already get you into rides faster so why spend more on express that you might not need?

I am a US size 20/22 and fit on everything except Hollywood Dream. I struggled on Flying Dinosaur, but the staff was so patient, and they got me in it all nice and snug, I knew I wasn’t gonna fall out  the only other place I struggled was in one of the theaters, the one for the Beetlejuice show, the seats were tiny, and I was basically sitting sideways. I have a large chest and wide hips if that helps at all.

Group member says:

You’ll be able to get on a handful of rides. Be prepared to be asked to try a test seat at some rides. Bonus if you have someone in your party that can squish the bar down on you.

I’m a size 18. I went on Minion Mayhem, Spiderman 4D, Harry Potter world of Wizarding (had to use a special entry for extra loading time), Mario Cart (my butt literally got sectioned to the seat & I couldn’t get out). We also went on the Carousel and Hello Kitty cupcake ride in the Sesame/Hello Kitty kiddie area.

Getting “fat checked” made USJ not enjoyable for me. If I could have a redo, I’d do another day at Tokyo Disney instead. Was denied at HP Hippogriff ride, Yoshi ride. So I gave up and called it a day. The queues were incredibly long for everything. Just trying to get food or drinks was a minimum 30 minutes in line. Went on a Thursday.

Group member says:

My boyfriend & i could not fit on the Flight of the Hippogriff ride but we were able to trade that ride for another express ride instead!

i just wanted to make an informative post about the Flight of the Hippogriff ride & if by chance you have an Express Pass (we had #7) for a ride that you do not fit on, the staff will offer you another free paper Express Pass with the same list of rides for you instead (only good for one ride use). We chose to ride the Flying Dinosaur again (which was our favorite ride so we were happy to get to ride it again!)

size information – i’m 5’7” & about 220 lbs. normally a size US XL, 12/14 in women’s clothing. the lap bar could not go tight enough on my stomach for me to ride. my boyfriend is 5’11” & 160 lbs. the lap bar couldn’t fit over his legs in the normal seat only. he could fit in the bigger seat up front, but i couldn’t so he chose not to ride without me.

just wanted to give out that information in case anyone is feeling unsure about fitting into the rides & getting their Express Pass worth. Not sure they offer to non-Express Pass holders but i don’t see why not. the staff were also super apologetic & of course i didn’t mind not riding, safety first!

i also don’t believe there was a ride testing seat at the line entrance, that could be why they offer the free extra Express Pass paper ticket. we also fit all other rides on our Express Pass.

Annoying though it may be, the main thing is that the guidelines are there to keep everyone safe. Even if you think you may not fit on all or some of the rides, don’t despair! There’s plenty to see and do at Universal Studios Japan without riding at all. Universal Studios Japan has a huge range of attractions including Super Nintendo World, a plethora of restaurants, exciting merchandise stores, fun snack and popcorn stands plus shows and parades. Theme parks are most definitely not just all about the rides – wander around, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy yourself!

The post Universal Studios Japan plus size ride limits appeared first on Holidayplanning.com.au.

I had a very difficult time looking for information on bringing ADHD medications to China (mostly anecdotal reports, or very outdated information) – so thought Id report back my experience to help others! 

Essentially – any immediate release or amphetamine-based medications (ie dexamphetamine or adderall/amphetamine) are unlikely to be accepted in. Thankfully, I use a long acting medications (ie Vyvanse/Concerta) which helped my case.

Unlike countries like Korea or Japan, I didn’t need to apply for approval ahead of my trip – which was a relief! 

What I did to take ADHD meds to China:

– Requested a letter from my primary care provider (ideally the psychiatrist, but mine did not reply despite numerous requests)
– The letter contained: my name (+ passport details), the medications I am planning to bring (generic/brand name, dosage, number of tablets needed for the trip, why I am taking medications, prescribing doctor and pharmacy you get the medications from)
– A copy of the prescription (or at least a picture)
– The letter translated to Mandarin by a certified translator – THIS WAS VERY HELPFUL! Immigration didn’t even look at the original letter! => I googled local translators in my area – most work online. I did question legitimacy of some, my advise is to almost do like an email “contract” of sorts to ensure confidentiality – translators work under an ethical code to maintain confidentiality anyway
– What I mentioned in the email was: “I am wanting to confirm that the letter I would like translated and shared with you will be treated as strictly confidential. Specifically, I would like to request that you will not disclose or share the content with any third parties without my explicit permission, and that the information I share is only for the purposes of the translation request. “
– Brought the exact number of tablets I needed on original packaging (ideally one that has your details + prescriber on it)
– I declared on my arrival – some reports say dont even bother declaring but I really didn’t want to take the risk

Medications that can be questioned include ADHD meds + strong pain killers/sleeping tablets. I dont use the other 2 but I imagine the process would be the same – just need to discuss with your doctor if you really need the tablets + if there are alternatives.

Written by a Shanghai Disneyland holiday planning group member

Where can I buy discounted Shanghai Disney Resort Tickets?

You can buy Shanghai Disney tickets from official third party discount sellers Klook and KKDay

Buy your Shanghai Disneyland tickets online at Klook here

Buy your Shanghai Disneyland tickets online at KKDay here

You can get up to 10% off Klook or KKDay Shangai Disney and other activities with our discount code

Use my discount promocodes on Klook or KKDay to get up to 10% off many China theme parks and attractions by using our discount promocodes:

LETSGOMUMKLOOK at Klook checkout

LETSGOMUM at KKDay checkout

Klook existing customers can get 3% off. Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use. KKDay conditions: $10USD max discount, 1 time use.

All prices and facts mentioned in this review were correct as at May2025. Please always re-check official websites for updates and current prices.

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission which does not add to the price you pay. Thank you for your support!

The post Taking ADHD medication to China appeared first on Holidayplanning.com.au.

• Cheap
• Breakfast included
• Free shuttle to Disneyland
• Near to Disneyland

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

What Disneyland hotel has a free shuttle?

Staying at an official Disney hotel is always great, but if you’re travelling on a budget then cost-cutting on accommodation can be the difference between going now or saving for another year – and those kids aren’t getting any younger! My Disneyland vacation budget hotel choice was Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anaheim at Disneyland Park.

I needed to compromise on Disneyland accommodation costs in order to also get us to Walt Disney World during this trip to the USA from Australia. We had visited Disneyland Park a couple of years prior and so I had a good idea of the area – and what I wanted. So it was time to start researching cheaper hotels around Disneyland!

What were my Disneyland hotel essentials list?:

Cheap – Days Inn Hotel cost me $200 AUD per night.
Breakfast included – Days Inn Hotel included a continental breakfast with hot waffles.
Free shuttle to Disneyland – Days Inn offers a free Disneyland shuttle bus with a couple of runs to Disneyland in the morning and at night, and it was just 5 minutes drive away.

Which hotel is cheap and close to Disneyland?

Before I booked, I did what I always do and went to the Tripadvisor website to read the hotel reviews. I want to read some real experiences from people who had already stayed there. This can really make or break a hotel booking for me, particularly for a budget family hotel. I want to make sure that the Days Inn hotel was safe, clean – and also close to Disneyland. I had a long read through several reviews of local hotels located around Disneyland including Days Inn. I came away pretty satisfied that Days Inn & Suites reviews sounded good with no major complaints. I booked our stay there.

Pros and cons

All hotels have their good and bad points. The Days Inn Anaheim hotel is a basic motor inn with a low price point for the Disneyland bubble area, yet it includes extras like breakfast and a free shuttle. It’s very reasonably priced for what it offers in comparison to other budget hotels that either have less inclusions or are a further distance to Disneyland.

What was the Days Inn hotel room like?

The Days Inn Anaheim hotel room was neat, spotlessly clean and met our needs. The beds were comfortable and the room furniture was modular and in good condition. There was plenty of room to move and lay our luggage out.

There were California and Disney themed prints on the walls. The room features included a fridge, microwave oven and TV.

The bathroom was very basic, but clean and serviceable. It featured a full-sized bath with shower and had a hairdryer and some amenities.

The central swimming pool was under renovation – Micky Mouse shaped, and empty! This wasn’t a deal breaker as we weren’t in Anaheim to swim, however it was a little disappointing as we might have snuck a swim in if the option was there. There had been no mention of the pool being closed on the official website.

The pool renovations aside (the pool is now renovated), everything hit the mark for that lodging price range. As our stay was in May 2023, I have to assume that the pool is now renovated and ready to go – but it can’t hurt to check with the hotel if a pool is a non-negotiable for your family.

Disneyland hotels with breakfast and a shuttle included

I really appreciated that there was nothing more to pay with our hotel booking even though we were being fed and driven to Disneyland each day.

Food was one of our top expenses during our 2023 USA trip. It felt as though prices had risen markedly after the pandemic. Therefore, breakfast was one less meal to pay for!

The breakfast in the morning was served between 6am and 9:30am. We were always there at 6am to be ready for the first shuttle. Our breakfast filled us up for a great start on our Disneyland Days.

The Days Inn Disneyland Shuttle Bus

To get to the park we used the hotel Disneyland shuttle most of the time. A couple of times we called Ubers if we missed the shuttle or left Disneyland too late for the hotel shuttle.

Is the Days Inn & Suites hotel within walking distance of Disneyland?

Yes, but it would be around a fifteen minute walk. The hotel is advertised as under one mile from Disneyland and so was within walking distance from Disneyland. If we were stuck we could have walked back, but oh those aching feet at the end of a long Disney-day! Ubers or taxis are cheap and plentiful, even in peak times.

How long does the Disneyland shuttle bus take?

Each Days Inn shuttle to Disneyland run only takes around 15 minutes round-trip. If all else fails and you miss it you can call and get an Uber very quickly, even in the mornings.

Is the Days Inn & Suites Anaheim a good hotel?

Yes. The Days Inn Disneyland Park hotel was a great budget choice for us and worked as a solid Disneyland base. Nothing fancy – but everything we needed for our stay – substantial breakfast in the morning and comfortable sleep at night – with the financial bonus of a free Disneyland Shuttle.

I always find that the measure of a good hotel is if can you answer the question of: “Would you stay there again?” with a “Yes!” – and yes, I would stay there again! The money I saved staying in a budget Disneyland hotel helped contribute significantly towards us extending our US trip to also include a visit to Walt Disney World. That’s a financial win in my book! Definitely give this hotel some serious consideration if you are visiting Disneyland California on a tight budget.

You can book your stay at Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anaheim at Disneyland Park at the Tripadvisor hotel booking site here.

All prices and facts mentioned were correct as at May 2023. Please always re-check official websites for current prices.

Whilst we were sponsored for this USA trip we were under no obligation to review this hotel and chose it for ourselves. Therefore this hotel was not sponsored and all opinions regarding it are, as always, my own.

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

The post Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anaheim review – Disneyland Park appeared first on Holidayplanning.com.au.

• Pool, hot tub and baby pool
• Plenty of towels
• Child-height toilet
• 10 mins walk to Disneyland

Article starts after this quick message about where to buy Disneyland California tickets…

Buy your Disneyland tickets here and use our exclusive discount code!

One of the cheapest ways to buy Disneyland tickets has to be online via the Klook App – an official Disneyland California online ticket seller.

Use our Disneyland promo code discount!

Before we get started Let’s Go Mum Readers get up to 10% off Disneyland tickets on Klook by using our promocode: LETSGOMUMKLOOK at checkout!

Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use. Klook new customers can get 10% off and existing customers get 3% off. Klook exclusions list here. This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission which does not add to the price you pay. Thank you for your support!

Review and photo by California Disneyland Holiday Planning group member Denise

What is the Castle Inn and Suites Anaheim like?

Hi everyone.

We just spent 5 days at Castle Inn and Suites.

Was the Castle Inn and Suites clean?

The hotel was clean and well stocked with towels.

What was the bathroom like at Castle Inn and Suites?

The ceiling was low in the bathtub/shower and the toilet was barely up to my knee, so perfect for littles.

How hard were the beds at the Castle Inn and Suites?

The bed and pillows were firm.

Does the Castle Inn and Suites have a swimming pool?

The pool was warm and inviting. It was 3-5 feet deep. The hot tub had a timer for the bubbles and was a great temp for us. There was a wading pool for the littles.

How long does it take to walk from the Castle Inn and Suites to Disneyland?

The walk to Disneyland was about ten minutes.

Where can I book a stay at Castle Inn and Suites?

You can find out more and book at Castle Inn and Suites in Anaheim on Trip Advisor here

Article and photo by California Disneyland Holiday Planning group member Denise

All prices and facts mentioned were correct as at April 2025. Please always re-check official websites for current prices.

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

The post Castle Inn and Suites Anaheim review – California Disneyland appeared first on Holidayplanning.com.au.

A step-by-step guide

Step by step guide on how to add a credit card to your Disney App.

By Tokyo Disneyland holiday planning group members.

Article starts after this quick message about where to buy TDR tickets…

Where can I buy discounted Tokyo Disney Resort Tickets?

You can buy Tokyo Disney tickets from the official third party discount seller Klook .

Buy your Tokyo Disneyland tickets online at Klook here

You can get up to 10% off Klook Tokyo & Japan activities with our discount code

Use my discount promocode on Klook to get up to 10% off many Japan attractions by using our discount promocode:

LETSGOMUMKLOOK at Klook checkout

Klook existing customers can get 3% off. Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use.

Klook tickets CAN be used with your Disney Hotel 15 minutes Happy Entry early entry pass!

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

How to add your credit card to the Tokyo Disney App

There are a couple of different work-arounds to pre-loading your credit card to the Tokyo Disney Resort App.

Method 1 – (If this doesn’t work, try method 2)

I learned this from someone who had figured it out and thought maybe good to share here to help even more people as it had helped me.

Having pre adding your card, you’re all set to buy your DPA passes the second you get in the park.

How can I add my international credit card to the Tokyo Disney app?

1. First you can only do it from the Tokyo Disney Resort Website on browser, NOT the App. (I did mine on desktop/laptop as i tried on my phone browser and failed)

(Click on “Reservations & Tickets in the right hand corner – circled in red here)

2. Login/Register your account

3. From the home page click “My Booking”

4. Under My Bookings, click “see here”

5. Click on “Menu” on the upper right hand corner and you’ll see a drop down menu to add a card.

I managed to set mine up before my trip and it was helpful as all I needed to do is to wait for my otp to send my payment and I am good to go

My partner and I both set our own credit cards into our own disney account but strangely, when checkout on his account it uses my credit card instead. We have no idea why because I clearly loaded his card in his account in case mine had trouble getting otp, we can always rely on his phone to receive his otp.

Otp didn’t come in until i restart my phone, so, you all probably have to restart your phones as well if otp don’t come in after waiting abit.

Happy booking your dpa or do mobile orders in park everyone!

Method 2 – another member work-around to add your credit card to the Tokyo Disney App!

Let’s Go Mum i’ve tried this but didn’t work for me. What worked was i pretended to buy tickets on the app. It asked me for payment and placed my credit card and it asked if i wanted to save my card details and I did. But didn’t proceed on my purchase. I know my credit card details are in there as i got a notification on my bank transactions of pending but no amount

The post How to add your credit card into the Tokyo Disney App appeared first on Holidayplanning.com.au.

Article starts after this quick message about how to buy Universal Studios Beijing tickets…

Where can I buy discounted Beijing Universal Studios Tickets?

You can buy Universal Studios Beijing tickets from the official third party discount seller Klook

Buy your Beijing Universal Studios tickets online at Klook here

You can get up to 10% off Klook Beijing Universal Studios and other activities with our discount code

Use my discount promocode on Klook to get up to 10% off many China theme parks and attractions by using our discount promocode:

LETSGOMUMKLOOK at Klook checkout

Klook existing customers can get 3% off. Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use.
This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

Hello from Australia!

We’ve done every Universal in the world!

My son and I have now done every universal in the world!

Here are some tips for Beijing Universal

1. We caught the bullet train after being at Disneyland Shanghai. Very easy. We did first class and booked online. Took 4.5hrs.

2. We took a taxi from the train station to Universal. Took about 60 min and was roughly $35 aud.

3. We stayed at the Universal Studios Grand Hotel which is right at the entry of the park. I highly highly recommend.

4. We did three days and could easily be done in 2 days

5. We didn’t get the express pass because we had the disability pass (my son is legally blind due to brain cancer). You get this at Guest services at the entry. You need proof of disability and they were so kind.

6. The express pass would be beneficial on busy days. Most rides were 40 min and the park was fairly quiet. The Deceptor coaster was max 5 min every day! We rode this 12 times over three days. The G force blows your mind. No drops but 11 loops and corkscrews.

7. The Jurassic world ride was insane and amazing

8. We ate at Hammonds restaurant for lunch and highly recommend.

9. We ate dinner at the Chocolate emporium at universal city walk each night once the park closed

10. We used a Wise travel card and you need to ensure you bring the physical card, because they only use Alipay and do not use Google or Apple Pay

11. Have Google translator as really no one spoke English

12. We averaged 22km walking a day, so wear comfy shoes

13. Harry Potter world was identical to Japan and LA

– and amazing. You don’t need special entry – you come and go as you please

14. The How to train your dragon stage show was one of the best I’ve seen – all in Chinese, but you can understand what’s happening

15. You need your passport to get into the park every day and will have your face scanned

16. We booked through Klook as I didn’t have Chinese approved cards. I printed the vouchers but they had our passes already on their system with our passport info.

17. The hotel has 60 min early entry which meant we did the Harry Potter rides over 6 times before the park opened

18. It was an amazing park – smaller than Florida but very similar to the others

19. We felt exceptionally safe and had the most outstanding time

20. Oh and Kung Fu Panda land was so so cool!

Written and photos supplied by Universal Studios Beijing holiday planning group member Sam Dow

All prices and facts mentioned in this review were correct as at May 2024. Please always re-check official websites for updates and current prices.

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

The post Universal Studios Beijing Resort tips appeared first on Holidayplanning.com.au.

Article begins after this quick word about where to buy Hong Kong Disneyland tickets…

Where to buy Hong Kong Disneyland tickets

There are often problems using international credit cards to pay for theme park tickets overseas. The way around this for most Australians and other international tourists is by using third party sellers. I partner with Klook who are official Hong Kong Disneyland ticket sellers.

Buy your Hong Kong Disneyland tickets online at Klook here

You can also get up to 10% off many Hong Kong attractions on Klook by using my exclusive discount code at checkout:

LETSGOMUMKLOOK at Klook 

Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use. Klook new customers can get 10% off and existing customers get 3% off. Klook exclusions list here. 

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

Hong Kong Disneyland two day visit

Hi everyone! We just had two amazing days at HK Disney (May 2024). I learned so much from this group for planning etc I thought I would share my experiences travelling with our 4 year old and me, 5 months pregnant. Obviously we couldn’t do a lot of the “thrill” rides but we still had heaps to do and a great time!

Hong Kong Disneyland Day 1 Itinerary

As I was travelling to HK for work reasons (not solely for Disney) we only had two full days to visit, Saturday the day we arrived and a Tuesday. Regarding booking tickets check the website for deals! After I booked our two day pass I saw a deal which was two day pass for 30% off for tourists entry before July 24 – doh! So sometimes it pays not to book so in advance too. Also if you login to my Disney Hk before booking tickets you can get a few extra things like a free gift (we got Mickey Mouse ears) and discount vouchers you can use on food and merchandise.

Hong Kong Disneyland Early Entry

We had early entry for the Saturday but our flight was delayed and so we got only an extra half hour. But it was still worth it and we walked straight in to the park past all the queues and then the people waiting at Main Street to get in to the other lands. Also we got photos in front on the castle and in Frozen world with no one else in them! We did Pooh’s honeypot ride and husband and daughter did frozen ever after in this time.

Frozen Ever After ride spoiler!

Btw if you’re pregnant you sadly can’t ride frozen ever after. Also there’s a part where marshmallow jumps out and this did scare my daughter who is a bit sensitive but she eventually got over this because she went back and rode it again!

Things to do during rainy weather

The first day the weather was sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy and absolutely pouring at others and quite humid. If it’s forecast to rain make sure you come prepared. Bring spare socks if you can if you don’t have gumboots or some other rain cover for your feet! Little portable fans are good too. We used umbrellas and raincoats and benefit was also that we didn’t have to wait long for anything as even on a Saturday it wasn’t that busy! When it was pouring we did the indoor shows like Mickey’s wondrous book (this is so good! We loved it so much we watched it twice! Sit on the right hand side of the stage for the English subtitles), Playhouse in the woods (also great, a really intimate experience – if you have a die hard frozen fan they will love it) and Mickey’s philharmagic (a 3D movie experience).

Reserving Playhouse In The Woods

With Playhouse in the Woods I had no trouble reserving standby passes for this on both days we went (yes we went twice as well ). When you enter the park there is a countdown of 30mins that tells you when you can reserve them. Don’t need to purchase in advance. If you are doing it on your phone make sure someone else has a copy of the QR codes of your tickets to scan them otherwise you can enter the ticket numbers manually or via copy and paste, which is a pain but doable. When I was booking there were 400 other people also trying to book but I could still get in to book within 5minutes. I think there are heaps of shows because it runs all day until 7.30pm every 15minutes!

Hiring a stroller at Hong Kong Disneyland

On the first day we covered mostly fantasyland, Toy Story land and frozen world. We took our time as my daughter walks very slowly lol. We hired a pram for her with a rain cover from the fire station which is on the left hand side just after you enter. The $200hkd for the deposit is the only thing we needed cash for in the whole park. You can pay for everything else with credit card. You have to pay extra for the rain cover ($150hkd I think). We definitely needed the pram as we walked 20,000 steps a full day at Disney! There is designated stroller parking at each attraction. It reclines but not fully but my daughter could still nap in it. The shade cover doesn’t go all the way down though so if your little one needs dark to sleep bring a muslin cloth or something to go on top.

We couldn’t last till Momentous for the first day as my daughter was so tired so we left the park around 5pm.

Rides I could do pregnant at Hong Kong Disney

Here are the rides I could do pregnant:

-pooh bear honeypot (we ended up doing this 3 times as my daughter loves pooh!)

– dumbo

– cinderellas carousel

– small world

– jungle river cruise

– mystic manor

– ant man and the wasp

– slinky dog spin

– Orbitron

Hong Kong Disneyland ride waiting times

With the times that we did these the most we waited was around 10mins and some we just walked on to. Dumbo, frozen and Toy Story rides got busier later in the day, up to 30mins.

Disneyland rides I couldn’t do whilst pregnant

Unfortunately in addition to the roller coasters I also couldn’t do the iron man experience. The app details the ride restrictions as well.

Hong Kong Disneyland Day 2 Itinerary

The second day we covered Tomorrowland, mystic point and Adventureland. As well as back to all my daughter’s favourites from the first day.

Fairy tale forest is a cute garden walk through with all the princesses in miniature forms in interactive dioramas. Also there is a cute photo opportunity in the pixie flower garden in there.

We also saw the parade which is fun but super short. I wouldn’t stake out a spot in advance we could still see everything rocking up just on 5.30pm when it started. We also managed to get to Mickey and wondrous book at 5.45pm which gives you an idea how short it is (basically all the characters are on a single train).

No need to reserve the VIP area for the Duffy Show

There was a Duffy show in front of the castle. Definitely do not need to reserve the vip area as there were plenty of spots to sit and watch. Also my daughter doesn’t really know the characters although they are cute. The longest wait times we saw was for meet and greet Duffy characters (up to 90mins!). Fortunately we could skip those.

Hong Kong Momentous night show tips

The second day there was no rain! Yay! We also stayed until momentous which was definitely a high light and my daughter is still talking about it. We didn’t reserve any spots and still had a great view further back from the castle. Everyone was sitting down about 30mins before and then stood up just before it started. You have to return the pram before 9pm though so be aware of this! My daughter sat on hubby’s shoulders and could see everything.

Character meet and greets

Mickey, Pluto & Chip and Dale meet and greets

– when you first walk in you can line up to see Mickey at the pavilion before Main Street. This was quite busy though so we skipped this.

– there is another meet and greet stop around the corner at the end of Main Street. It’s a bit tucked out of the way and no queue! We met Pluto and Chip and Dale there.

Princess meet and greets

– my daughter is a huge princess fan so we queued at the castle for the meet and greet. This was probably the longest thing we waited for on day one (just over 30mins). We met Cinderella day one and Snow White day two. The princess’s change over at random. We also saw Ariel and Pocahontas there leaving and entering at the changeover.

If you don’t want to queue too long I suggest you go at 10.30am. This was a lovely experience for my daughter as the princesses were really in character and took the time to have a chat and interact rather than just a quick snap and go.

Hong Kong Disneyland photography

The cast members will take your phone and take pictures for you and there’s also a professional photographer and they give you a card with a QR code if you want to purchase photos.

Jessie and Buzz Lightyear meet and greet

– in toy story land there is a blue barrel where you can take pictures with characters. We saw Jessie and Buzz lightyear.

Antman and Iron Man meet and greets

– in Tomorrowland some characters come up on stage that you can line up to meet, we saw Antman. There was an iron man meet and greet from 3.30-5pm. Queue was too long and daughter not a huge marvel fan (although hubby is!) so we skipped.

We watched the marvel super hero show and at the end the characters walk off the stage through the crowd to the right. My daughter was in front and got to high five Ironman and Thor so good enough I think

Anna and Elsa at Frozen World meet and greet

– in Frozen world we had the good luck to meet Anna on day one and Elsa on day two! Definitely a highlight for my daughter. I think this is just a random time they come out and walk around. We also saw musicians and magicians perform at Frozen world which adds to the lovely ambience.

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is expensive

Just a note on bibbidi bobbidi boutique – I was really considering this as my daughter would love it but in the end I couldn’t justify the expense (and the time). So in the end I just brought two of her princess dresses from home. Same effect I think without the hair and make up and we still got cute photos.

Hong Kong Disneyland Food

– quite expensive for what it was but to be expected I guess

– we enjoyed the iron man burger and fried chicken at the diner in Tomorrowland

– the Olaf snow cone was cute in frozen world

– we had no problem bringing in snacks, they checked my daughters lunchbox at the entrance (I had to open it up). I packed fruit, crackers, biscuits, onigiri and drinks.

Using Octopus MTR

We stayed in Tsim sha tsui as this was organised by my work. We used octopus to get around on the mtr it was so easy. We had to change to three trains but it took about 30mins. It was busy exiting after momentous but it went smoothly and everyone was very polite. My daughter and I were offered seats on the train even though they were packed.

Anyway this has turned out to be so long, but hopefully useful info! We really had a great time, compared to my previous Disney experiences in the US and Japan. It might be the magic of seeing things through my child’s eyes for the first time or the fact that we didn’t spend half the day queuing for things. Hope you all have wonderful trips!

Written and photos supplied by Hong Kong Disneyland holiday planning group member Joy Tu

For more information on Hong Kong Disneyland you can go to the official website here.

The post Hong Kong Disneyland rides I rode while pregnant appeared first on Holidayplanning.com.au.

I put this together and thought it might be useful to some . Also kills some time while you wait to go on your trip

Here is a complete list of Movies to Watch Before Visiting Tokyo DisneySea to help you understand the settings, attractions, and themes of the park. Each movie connects to a specific land or area of the park, enhancing the immersive experience through its story and visual design.

Where can I buy discounted Tokyo Disney Resort Tickets?

You can buy Tokyo Disney tickets from official third party discount sellers Klook and KKDay.

Buy your Tokyo Disneyland tickets online at Klook here

Buy your Tokyo Disneyland tickets online at KKDay here

You can get up to 10% off Klook or KKDay Tokyo & Japan activities with our discount code

Use my discount promocodes on Klook or KKDay to get up to 10% off many Japan attractions by using our discount promocodes:

LETSGOMUMKLOOK at Klook checkout

LETSGOMUM at KKDay checkout

Klook existing customers can get 3% off. Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use.
KKDay conditions: $10USD max discount, 1 time use.

Klook & KKDay tickets CAN be used with your Disney Hotel 15 minutes Happy Entry early entry pass!

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

1. Treasure Island (1950)

• Land Inspired: Tortuga Tavern (Mediterranean Harbor)

• Description: Since the Tortuga Tavern area and some of the pirate-themed attractions in DisneySea are rooted in pirate lore, this Disney classic is another good fit to enhance your understanding of the pirate-themed experiences.

2. Peter Pan (1953)

• Land Inspired: Fantasy Springs (Neverland)

• Description: Fantasy Springs will feature areas themed after Neverland. Peter Pan’s adventures, Captain Hook, and the Lost Boys all contribute to the immersive experience of this area.

3. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

• Land Inspired: Mysterious Island (Port Discovery)

• Description: For Port Discovery and the steampunk-inspired areas of the park, this classic Disney film about Captain Nemo’s submarine adventures will give you the backstory of attractions like the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride.

4. Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)

• Land Inspired: Mysterious Island (Mount Prometheus)

• Description: The park features a famous attraction inspired by this Jules Verne classic. The ride takes place inside the park’s iconic volcano, Mount Prometheus, which is part of the “Mysterious Island” area. Watching this movie will help you understand the adventurous, subterranean theme and the spirit of exploration.

5. Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

• Land Inspired: Lost River Delta

• Description: While not a direct influence, its themes of adventure and exploration mirror the park’s overall atmosphere and especially tie in with the tropical, adventurous settings of Lost River Delta.

6. The Mysterious Island (1961)

• Land Inspired: Mysterious Island

• Description: This film, based on Jules Verne’s novel, directly ties into the Mysterious Island area at DisneySea, along with Journey to the Center of the Earth. It adds to the background of the steampunk and exploration motifs found in the area around Mount Prometheus.

7. Captain Nemo and the Underwater City (1969)

• Land Inspired: Mysterious Island

• Description: Similar to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, this film adds additional context to the steampunk-inspired undersea adventures you’ll encounter at Mysterious Island.

8. Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

• Land Inspired: Lost River Delta

• Description: Tokyo DisneySea’s Lost River Delta area is inspired by the Indiana Jones franchise, particularly with the Indiana Jones Adventure ride. This movie will give you the right sense of exploration and ancient ruins.

9. The Little Mermaid (1989)

• Land Inspired: Mermaid Lagoon

• Description: The Mermaid Lagoon area, though more child-friendly, draws heavily from this movie. Watching it will help you understand Ariel’s world if you visit that part of the park.

10. Aladdin (1992)

• Land Inspired: Arabian Coast

• Description: The Arabian Coast area of Tokyo DisneySea is heavily inspired by the world of Aladdin, with attractions and environments reflecting the vibrant, magical world of Agrabah. Watching the movie will help you appreciate the architecture and atmosphere.

11. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

• Land Inspired: Tortuga Tavern (Mediterranean Harbor)

• Description: Since Tokyo DisneySea’s Mediterranean Harbor and Lost River Delta areas are influenced by the adventurous, pirate-laden worlds of this franchise, it will help you appreciate the setting and the pirate vibe, especially around Tortuga Tavern.

12. Finding Nemo (2003)

• Land Inspired: Port Discovery

• Description: Since Tokyo DisneySea also features a Finding Nemo-themed ride, watching this will help connect with the aquatic adventure vibe.

13. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

• Land Inspired: Mysterious Island and Port Discovery

• Description: While not directly tied to any single ride, the overall feel of “Mysterious Island” and Port Discovery has a similar aesthetic to this film, with themes of exploration and discovery of lost, ancient civilizations.

14. Tangled (2010)

• Land Inspired: Fantasy Springs (Rapunzel’s World)

• Description: There will be a section of Fantasy Springs based on Rapunzel’s world. Watching Tangled will give you insight into the whimsical, storybook-like setting and Rapunzel’s tower.

15. Frozen (2013)

• Land Inspired: Fantasy Springs (Arendelle)

• Description: A major part of Fantasy Springs is inspired by the Frozen universe, featuring Arendelle and its icy landscape. Watching this movie will help you understand the visual and thematic aspects of the area.

This list includes all the movies that are thematically connected to various lands and attractions at Tokyo DisneySea. Watching these films will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the park’s immersive environments.

By Tokyo Disneyland Holiday Planning group member Ryan Jarosek

The post Movies to Watch Before Visiting Tokyo DisneySea appeared first on Holidayplanning.com.au.

Book your stay at the Shanghai Toy Story Hotel here.

Where can I buy discounted Shanghai Disney Resort Tickets?

You can buy Shanghai Disney tickets from official third party discount sellers Klook and KKDay

Buy your Shanghai Disneyland tickets online at Klook here

Buy your Shanghai Disneyland tickets online at KKDay here

You can get up to 10% off Klook or KKDay Shangai Disney and other activities with our discount code

Use my discount promocodes on Klook or KKDay to get up to 10% off many China theme parks and attractions by using our discount promocodes:

LETSGOMUMKLOOK at Klook checkout

LETSGOMUM at KKDay checkout

Klook existing customers can get 3% off. Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use. KKDay conditions: $10USD max discount, 1 time use.
This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

What are the Shanghai Disney Toy Story Hotel themed rooms like?

TOY STORY Hotel reviews – My family stayed 2 nights 8-10 Oct 2024 at 2 different themed rooms – The Buzz Lightyear Room and The Woody Room see photos below Same size just different decor

Is there a special entrance to Shanghai Disneyland?

Yes! The BEST thing is that because we are hotel guests for both days to Disneyland, the bus shuttle drop is at a Secret Side Entrance with instant entry into the park with ZERO queues! We got inside the park swiftly like magic!!!

There’s character meet and greet at Toy Story hotel too

Book your stay at the Shanghai Toy Story Hotel here.

Written and photos supplied by Shanghai Disneyland holiday planning group member Lora Lim

Book your stay at the Shanghai Toy Story Hotel here.

All prices and facts mentioned in this review were correct as at November 2024. Please always re-check official websites for updates and current prices.

This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

The post Shanghai Disneyland Toy Story Hotel Review appeared first on Holidayplanning.com.au.