Fighting Monsters
Hong Kong Disneyland celebrated its 20th birthday earlier today. It's hard to believe that Disney's first Chinese park is already two decades old. It's come a long way from its original four-land layout, having doubled that number now. Much of that came in the 2013 expansion that brought Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, and Toy Story Land. Of those three, my favorite is Mystic Point, because it's the home of the incredible Mystic Manor--my favorite Disney ride of all time and just a stunning masterpiece of whimsy and wonder and surprise. It's their take on the Haunted Mansion, but more supernatural and magical than moody and spooky. When Lord Henry Mystic's adorable pet monkey, Albert, opens up an enchanted music box--unleashing the magic and bringing all the manor's artifacts to life--everything goes awry. But it's a fantastic experience and perfect Disney storytelling. And it has its own share of fun, fearsome creatures of sorts!