DIS/Dreams Unlimited China Adventure Oct 14th - 25th 2017 SOLD OUT!!!

I'm so excited I can't concentrate!

:dogdance::dogdance::dogdance::dogdance::dogdance::yay::yay::yay::flower1::flower1::flower1:pixiedust:pixiedust:

It reminds me of the old WDW "I'm too excited to sleep!" commercials.

Our flight to Hong Kong connects through Taipei on Eva Air. I was hoping to fly on one of their Hello Kitty airplanes, but it's not flying out of Houston. Our flight leaves at 12:50am! Hopefully that means no problems sleeping on the plane!
 
Our tour guide, Christian, responded to our questions from our Skype calls. Lots of good information.


How much cash should we bring?
When do you have to use cash vs using a credit card?
Can we use VISA, MasterCard, and American Express in China?


With cash, I always think that bringing more is better than not having one. If you have us dollars, you can exchange them at the hotels we stay in. If you have excess hongkong dollars, you can exchange them at rosewood in Beijing. Cash will be needed when we shop at Stanley market, great wall market and some are needed for shanghai yu garden shopping area. At the parks, most accept credit card. The only places you need cash are outdoor vending. You can use Visa and Mastercard. American express is not widely used around here. So I would say no on that.

Are we really restricted to only one suitcase or can we bring two? What are the weight restrictions?

Suitcase is only one checked in luggage per person. 44lbs limit. Based on my experience they never weigh carry on and personal item as long as physical sizes adhere the requirements.

Electric Converters - do Japan and China use the same ones?

I honestly dont know about Japan converters. In this trip, the converters you will need is for the one in Hongkong. Beijing and Shanghai hotel has the same ones as ours. No converters needed for mainland china. UPDATE: Christian said the hotel in Hong Kong will provide converters.

Do the hotels we'll be staying in have irons?

Irons is not in your rooms but you can always request for them to bring one to your room.

We'll have the opportunity to visit Club 33. What is the dress code? Can men wear polo shirts or is it more dressy?

For club 33, as long as men wear long pants, not have go be dressy. Jeans okay as long as it is nice jeans, closed toed shoes even sneakers are okay. No flipflops for both men and women. And no beach wear or sportswear. Polo shirts are okay.

How convenient is it to ship items home (souvenirs, etc.)? Is it expensive?

Shipping is a little complicated because the hotels dont ship themselves. But they can call on a "fedex" type service to come to the hotel to weigh and box your things and you would know from there how much the shipping cost would be. They are particular that no electronics can be shipped or anything with batteries.

Do we need to make dining reservations at park restaurants before our arrival?
We have reservations for the Disney Dim Sum lunch at the HKDL Hotel. Do you recommend any particular favourites we should try?


For dining reservations, i suggest it for the big ones. Sit down restaurants at hotels would be a good idea. Crystal lotus specifically. If you do want to reserve and order the cute dimsum, they need at least 48hours in advance by rule. They dont make them as you come in. It is prepared ahead. For Hk disneyland, corner cafe reservation is a good idea. For the rest, mostly quick service. For shanghai disneyland, if you want to dine at Aurora at the hotel would be a good place to make reservations. Also the one at the castle as well. For dimsum, the green alien pork dimsum and the jack skelington halloween special shrimp dimsum are my favorites.

Can you recommend any books that would be helpful for us to read before our trip?

For books, I normally like reading travel guide or if you have netflix watch documentaries on the wall. Also try to see the last emperor movie.

On Day 10, we go to the gardens in the morning, then have free-time until dinner and the acrobats. Will there be a meeting time/place/transport arranged to get us to the dining location?

On day 10, timing is still up in the air depending on time changes of activities we are doing. But to answer your question, there is transportation. Are you guys planning something specific for that free time?

What are the washroom facilities like in China? Do we need to bring any personal items?

The most challenging part on washroom will be beijing because there will be more "squatty potties" but we will always make sure we do a stop on the ones that has at least a western option. We always suggest bringing toilet papers from hotels. Maybe always bring wipes and hand sanitizer specially when your on your own. Seat covers are rarely an option for most restroom stops.

Are we restricted from bring any prescription meds like inhalers or epipens?

No restrictions on meds. Bigger liquids has to go to check in luggage.

If we have International Plans with our phone service carriers, can we use our phones within China?

Based on my experience if you have international plans, you can get through the social media part. But I had guests who said it is slower or sometimes not all social media works. Vpn sometimes is iffy because the government will restrict it or make it slow sometimes. So purchase vpns closer to travel time. Hongkong you will be fine its the mainland part that has the restrictions.

There is a concern about the air quality. How bad is it. Should people bring masks to wear?

Air quality varies in all honesty. It could be blue today and totally smoggy the next day. In my 4 years of guiding here i never had to whip out masks for that purpose. Some guests who has asthma or maybe a bit more sensitive to air quality can bring a mask.

Is pin trading popular in the parks? Should the pin traders in our group bring some to trade?

Pin trading is soso in the parks but there are pin trading. I would say more in Hk disneyland. So tell them to bring some. I have guests on my last tour excited coz they found opening day pins on cast members lanyards.

Christian added some information about what to expect about the weather and battery chargers.

Based on my most recent tour, the weather is a bit extreme so please tell our friends to prepare. Humid and hot in Hongkong like florida. Drier in beijing and for some reason it rained for like 80 percent of the time in Shanghai. Small umbrellas and maybe cooldanas would be beneficial or fans as well. A good rain gear is recommended.

Also please tell everyone to make sure their powerbanks are labeled properly because that is the one thing that airports here can be strict with. If its not properly labeled, they will confiscate it and we cant do anything.
 
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Thanks Michael!

In the last Skype call, it was talked about going over to the Bund to walk around. If there's a group going on Day 10, we'd love to join. Not sure if there's a easy way to coordinate it. The Bund is the Art Nouveau colonial side of the river with a promenade. Across the river is the 21st century Pudong. That was the coolest thing I saw in Shanghai. It may not be possible, but seeing it at night (just like HK's Victoria Harbor) was particularly amazing.
 


Important question for some of us: How is the wine in Japan and China?
 
Thanks Michael! This is great! To answer his question about Day 10 -

Frank and I want to go to Bund, take tunnel to other side, see Disney Store – Pearl Tower – Shanghai Tower – take ferry back to Bund (or other way around, Ferry to other side, Shanghai Tower – Pearl Tower – Disney Store – tunnel – Bund) [sunset] )
 
Thanks Michael! This is great! To answer his question about Day 10 -

Frank and I want to go to Bund, take tunnel to other side, see Disney Store – Pearl Tower – Shanghai Tower – take ferry back to Bund (or other way around, Ferry to other side, Shanghai Tower – Pearl Tower – Disney Store – tunnel – Bund) [sunset] )

We may be up for that. I'd be curious what the time frame is otherwise is on Day 10. The evening Era show starts at 7:30pm according to their website.
 


From what I understand the wine situation should be very good in China. I have heard often that a lot of wine is “going to the China market” usually after I ask why it is hard to find x wine now. Assure Val. I am not sure about Japan. I have read a lot about their whisky culture (they are even making their own). Usually not what I drink but I will have to try.

I would also be interested in the bund on day 10 also.

Chandra
 
"Also please tell everyone to make sure their powerbanks are labeled properly because that is the one thing that airports here can be strict with. If its not properly labeled, they will confiscate it and we cant do anything"

Not sure what this means. Here's where my efforts to avoid learning anything about technology hurts me. What is a powerbank and how is it supposed to be labeled?

Lots of helpful answers from Christian. I'm glad to know we can exchange HK dollars at the Rosewood (if we have any left).

Laurie
 
Most of the wine on menus in China comes from Australia and Europe with some American options. If you can't find me and Kate at night after SHDL closes, check the Bacchus Lounge.
 
We will be up for the Bacchus Lounge as well!!!! To answer Laurie's question I presume that Christian means a backup battery or portable charger for electronics like cell phones and tablets.

Chris
 
Thanks Michael!

In the last Skype call, it was talked about going over to the Bund to walk around. If there's a group going on Day 10, we'd love to join. Not sure if there's a easy way to coordinate it. The Bund is the Art Nouveau colonial side of the river with a promenade. Across the river is the 21st century Pudong. That was the coolest thing I saw in Shanghai. It may not be possible, but seeing it at night (just like HK's Victoria Harbor) was particularly amazing.
I would also be interested in joining.
 
Thanks Michael! This is great! To answer his question about Day 10 -

Frank and I want to go to Bund, take tunnel to other side, see Disney Store – Pearl Tower – Shanghai Tower – take ferry back to Bund (or other way around, Ferry to other side, Shanghai Tower – Pearl Tower – Disney Store – tunnel – Bund) [sunset] )

As mentioned on the Skype call we will be stalking you in this as it sounds and looks really good.
Ian & Diane
 
I still haven't gotten VPN yet, but a friend has told me about renting mifi. Has anyone done this before? https://www.xcomglobal.com/how-it-works/

Hi
We have just registered with expressvpn for a month to see us through the time we are away, very painless process.
We have also hired a "mifi" for the time we are in Japan. We should be picking it up at the hotel thurs\fri, If It works I'll post on here how i find it.
Ian & Diane
 
Hi everyone,

I am not going on the trip but have heard Kevin talk about it and it sounds amazing - I know you are leaving soon so just wanted to wish everyone safe travels!

Of the places you are going I have only been to Hong Kong - which I loved! You are going to have an amazing experience I am sure!
 

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