Hongkong Toyshop and Disney HK guide, Travel guide to Hongkong

Hi guys, I'm not sure if this is the place to post this, so feel free to move it to appropriate thread :) Copied from the thread I posted over at the other board.






Here's a toyshop location guide in Hongkong, someone posted this in Toyboxdx 2 years ago(I forgot who, if anyone ever finds out, please let me know so I can acknowledge him/her)

There was orginally an illustrated map version of the guide but I lost it when I reformated my hard drive.


EXTREMELY Important note

You will also need a reference map to Hongkong itself! These are available only at the HONGKONG AIRPORT CUSTOMS CHECKOUT Area. Try to look around everything, there will be free maps at one of the racks in the nearby area.

Recommendation: Copy this text to Microsoft WORD and reduce text size to as small and ledgible as possible. Then print out and cut to fit wallet size so you have a portable reference once you're there. Things WILL get dicey if you try to rely only on memory recall after reading this and then try to track down the shops admist the sweltering heat and hoards of people.


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Anyway, in Hong Kong island itself, there are 2-3 main areas to shop, all streets can be located from the free tourist maps you get from the airport, BUT if you have to ask a local in English, be prepared for some blank stares. The police are pretty obliging though, if you can spot one in the crowded streets.

VERY IMPORTANT: The shops don't open early. Shops on HK island open around 11~12pm. Shops in Mongkok open around 2~4pm. You can set out early to locate the shops first, but you'll have to wait till afternoon before you can open your wallet. Ask for the price politely, and DON'T BARGAIN unless you're serious about buying the toy. Rule of thumb: You see the price tag and can afford it, ask for a better price and don't haggle too much. You see no price tag? It's gonna cost you at least HK$1500 and up. It doesn't help if you're recognizably non-local... so stick to toys with price tags unless you're seriously gonna splurge.



Edit(Feb 05,2007):Just some additional info, toyshops nowadays in Hongkong seemed to adjusted their hours. Some shops now close as early as 9PM, I suppose the best time to toyhunt would be 4-8PM. :)





WANCHAI AREA
1. Tai Yuen St, just opposite the road from the exit of Wanchai MTR station. At least 3~4 shops selling mostly current toys, including most Bandai, Yamato etc releases. Look overhead for the signboards, ignore the unappealing store fronts and go right INSIDE for the goodies.

2. Wanchai Rd, there are 2 to 3 dept stores with toy shops inside as you walk along towards the direction of Causeway Bay. Look out for In-Zone building on the right side of the street, store on 2nd floor, and later, "Dong Fong 188" building on the left. You may not recognize the characters for "Dong Fong" but you can't miss the "188". Beware of staggering amount of porn vendors amidst the toy shops!

3. Right after Dong Fong 188 as you approach the junction, turn left towards Hennesy Road and you'll find the building numbered 302-308. There's a fantastic shop inside with loads of vintage toys, but little current stuff.

CAUSEWAY BAY
1. After Wanchai, head towards Causeway Bay (CWB) on foot, 'coz you'll be halfway between either nearest MTR stations anyway. At CWB, don't miss out SOGO, Mitsukoshi and Seibu dept stores - they might have some old stuff not carried by the usual toy sellers.

2. Toyzone HK, 16th Floor Causeway Bay Commercial Building, Sugar St (or "Tong Kai" in Cantonese). If you love vintage Japanese toys, you MUST NOT MISS this shop... They are stacked to the ceiling with old toys... I went there 3 times in 6 days and found great buys each time. Friendly people too. Highly recommended!


Now for KOWLOON... specifically, MONGKOK. If you're strapped for time, all you need to do is concentrate on Mongkok, specifically, the area bordered by Sai Yeung Choi Rd South, Dundas St, Soy St and Nathan Rd. This one square block of shops has enough toys inside to sate your every appetite.

1. On the side facing Nathan Rd, lookout for SINO CENTRE(Important note here!! As there are more than 9 MRT Exits from this station ---Take MRT "Exit E2"). On the ground floor is the store front for Kanto Hobby. Lots of bargains for current toys (like US$90 for a 1/48 Yamato). but the bigger surprise is when you take the lift to the 12th floor where they have a bigger room with more goodies on show. Unfortunately, the M&M reissues are not at very good prices... HK$1400 a pair. Almost everything else is a bargain. Don't wipeout your budget at one go!

2. After SINO, at the junction of Dundas St is TRENDY ZONE. The stores upstairs is a mish mash of fashions and collectibles, but the basement is where all the cool toys are. I got a VF-1S Super Valk reissue for only HK$300 there...

3. Turn the bend towards Sai Yeong Choi Rd South and you'll find CTMA CENTRE. Another treasure trove of toy shops, too many to single out. About 4 floors up and 2 floors below. This place is fantastic, but the shops open from 4pm onwards. Some don't open till 8 or 9!

4. Just round the bend from CTMA on Soy St, before the Subway entrance (not an MTR entrance), is a colorfully neon'd out building called CHIC something-or-other. Go in and look around, some cool things are to be found, but not much of a bargain place.

5. If you still have strength in your legs, haul yourself down along Dundas St past the stinkingly bad smells of the fermented toufu eateries on the left. After a while you'll notice an amazing amount of airsoft toy gun replicas on display. There are also lots of model kit shops in an alleyway along Dundas St. I bought a Kyosho r/c Gunwalker for HK$600... cool fun for that price!

6. After Dundas, you'll hit Kwong Wah St. Yet another street with r/c and model kit shops on both sides of the road, all the way till the end. Some vintage kits (not much), and a sprinkling of toys amidst the plethora of HG/MG/PG/Bandai/Tamiya etc.

That's it... there's actually a couple more places in Mongkok, along Argyle St, but you might have trouble finding them. Also remember, you need a STRONG BLADDER to shop around in Hong Kong. There aren't many public toilets, not even in hotels or shopping centers (except the really big, brightly lit ones, with no toys inside). Your best bet is a KFC, McDonalds or any other fastfood place if you need a toilet break.


While in Mong Kok, there's a couple more shops to look out for. Walk along ARGYLE ST towards SAI YEE ST. Keep to the left side of the main road.

1. First you'll encounter SING TAT Building, just after the junction for Tung Cho St. SING TAT's ground floor is full of mobile phone stalls and accessories dealers. Proceed to the 3rd floor for a couple of toy shops. WARNING: The 2nd and 3rd floors are also filled with porno dealers. Not good if you're with kids or squemish companions.

2. Continue down Argyle St and just before the junction of Sai Yee St, look up and see a HUGE signboard that says "111". You might miss it during the day because it isn't lit up and the signs are all so crazy. But "111" is a great place not to be missed!

Nothing on the 1st floor, but the 2nd floor has quite a few great shops with plenty of old and new toys. Don't forget to check out the BASEMENT of "111" either. It's a warren of toyshops down there!

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In Summary, if you're in a hurry or with other family members while traveling, just make a beeline for Sino Center and CTMA at Mongkok.... CTMA has "Superman Toys" toystore at the top floor. Contrary to the name, it does not sell any DC related items but rather it boasts an INCREDIBLE store display of Astroboy, Kamen Rider, ULtraman, SOul of Chogokin from the owner's own collection. It's a proverbial Toy Museum!! From Lifesize statues to busts, Japan action figures, boxed and loose.... the works!!! I guarantee you'll get stuck there staring at it for at least 30 minutes!:)

I've heard stories of shops(entire buildings rather :o) in Japan's Akihabara district(the techno-geeks dream heaven dito!) that have much much much more to offer in terms of display.... scary.



Other sources of information

- Hotel Yellow pages.. it has a 5- page directory listing of toyshops... have fun trying to call them up one by one and then try to get them to describe how to get to their shop...hehe... I didn't have the time to try this while I was there. :D

- Hongkong Local Toy Magazines. These are availble at NEwstands but sell out rapidly. They often contain advertisements by HK toyshops as to where one can find them. If the text in the ad is in Mandarin, have the Hotel reception Staff write a translation for you the address.

There are 2 types of mags, one is Hyper Model, containing only coverage of Model kits such as Gundams, Resin kits of Anime characters etc---- easy to find. The second Mag is the one to hunt down. Sells out really fast but has coverage of mostly everything involving Japanese toys. Gashas, Bots, busts, lifesize anime porn love dolls(no joke!)... each mag sells at 120 HK$ ... roughly 840 Php... but has lots of pics and custom jobs.

















REGARDING DISNEYLAND HONGKONG
A few tips if you plan to go to Disney HK.

TRAVEL FARE
-It's cheaper(and much, much faster!) to take the cab from the airport to go to Disney than taking the MTR Train(assuming if you're going to stay at Disney hotel). However it's only cheaper if you travel in a group of 3 or more.

It's way cheaper paying for taxifare compared to paying for trainfare for 3-4 people.

But, if you're just two people, then just take the MTR from the airport to Disney









-Grab extra maps to keep as "clean" souveniers, the ones you use to navigate Disney will be so crumpled by day end, it won't be worth keeping.




-Skip the Winnie the Pooh ride, it's totally not worth the hassle. It's like a "Tunnel of Love" ride with mechanical "pooh-related" characters coming out to surprise you, easily the worst attraction IMHO.












ABOUT FAST PASSES
-Use "Fast pass" a lot. The "Fast pass" is a system where you save time by getting seats early.

Simply get to the fast pass dispenser at the ride you want to go, insert your gate entrance ticket into the dispenser and it will give you a reserve slot(Fast pass ticket) for next hour's show.


Eg. You want to play the Buzz Lightyear shooting game, go to the station 1 hour ahead of time, insert ticket into the dispenser machine at the station, get your "fast pass" and come back at the alloted time written on the "fast pass". This will save you an insane(I mean it) amount of time. You don't have to wait in line.


BTW the fast pass only works per timeslot, so you can't go to the Buzz shooter and then get a second fast pass at another ride for the same timeslot. The system will automatically recognize your ticket and reject your request for another fast pass at the same timeslot.


In short, you can't hoard fast passes. Only one ride at a time.

You can get a new fast pass once:
a) you've used the previous fast pass, or
B) the timeslot has elapsed, in which case you can get a new fast pass for the next timeslot(don't worry, the rides are all free )


You can actually do the entire HK Disney in less than one day, if you use the fast pass system right(and don't mind killing your feet walking like crazy in between attractions). Oh, BTW, not all the rides have Fast passes.











TARZAN
-The second thing to skip would be the Tarzan treehouse, nice but nothing really exciting and it's a REAL steep climb up the stairs to the tree house, plus you have to wait in line to ride on the ferry going to and coming from the treehouse(there're no bridges to connect the land masses to Tarzan's treehouse, just ferrys). Nice if you've got time to kill and want a shot of the view.



LION KING
-The Lion King Musical is ok, but for me would be the third thing to skip if you're short on time(the first still being that lame Winnie the Pooh ride)




MICKEY AWARDS
-DO NOT MISS the Mickey Awards and the 3D "Imax" Mickey's PhilHarMagic, these are some of the really good attractions at HK Disney. The Mickey Awards are like the Oscars with recaps of excellent musical scores from your favorite Disney movies.





BUZZ LIGHTYEAR ASTROBLASTERS
-Basically a shooter ride, my nephews enjoyed this the most, there's a secret target that will get you 100,000 points or so, it's at the start of the ride, everything else you shoot will just get you only a measely 700-1,500 points.





SPACE MOUNTAIN
-"Space Mountain" is a scary roller coaster ride. The sharp turns and curves are just freaky. It's indoors so it looks harmless from the outside. But man, oh man, DO NOT accompany children or the elderly on this ride. It will make them cry, I've seen it. They should post the warnings up better for the elderly.










REGARDING FOOLS WHO CUT IN LINE
BTW, be prepared to fend off your place in line from jerks who will cut in line. There is a serious problem with a lot of the people there, they just keep squeezing into your space and later they will be in front of you in the line. This happened on more than one ride. Some folks are just rude. "Makipag patintero pa muna" before you can get a ride. Bad. As a friend of mine once said: "If only looks could kill.."





SPLURGING CASH
Last but not least, be prepared to spend an insane amount of money here. Sure the rides are all free once you pay the ticket, but the food? 80-100HK$ per plate(that's 700PHP) and the softdrinks and mineral water are 20HK$ a bottle(140PhP! for a can Coke??) wow. :o

And that's not counting the souveniers you'll be tempted to buy, pretty much 25HK$- 400 HK$ for the standard stuff, while the 18-24K gold studded and silver plated stuff run into the 2000-12,000HK$ zone and the rare collectable buttons? 30,000HK$. Window shopping is free and you can take photos of what you like in the shops though.





MAKE YOUR OWN SOUVENEIR COIN
-throughout all the Disney Item shops there will be two machines that dispense pressed coins with Disney Characters on them(at 10 HK$ a piece, it's the cheapest thing in all of HK DisneyLand)


A single machine has 3 characters you can select(each store has
2 machines so that's a total of 6 characters in all per shop).


If you're trying to find a specific character, ask the clerks, they have an index to help you find which store has the coin of the character you need(haha, I spent most of our last hour running around all the stores with Astrogirl trying to hunt down the coins) Not a bad marketing strategy to make one visit all the item stores.






STITCH?
I wasn't able to try out the Stitch(from Lilo and Stitch) ride, since there are different screening times for Cantonese and for English audio and we always got there when it was in Cantonese audio. If anyone got in, please feel free to add to this guide on what that ride is about :)






Whew
:)
Gold

these are great tips. especially the disneyland guide. thanks. now if i could only go to hongkong :( .

Fare to HK is now only P2K ... courtesy of Cebu Pacific

... of course this is one way...and you need to pay travel taxes... :D

This is a great guide. I might be taking a trip to Hong Kong later this week.
Anyone know if the Mongkok shops are a good place to visit for Marvel, DC and other US toys?

Thanks!

Hmm.. best bet would be Toyzone over at Sugar street, then the Comic shops. Don't expect great finds though. Manila is still the best place for US toyhunting compared to other places in Asia (except for Singapore occassionally :) )




Gold

I just went to hong kong disney with my kid. One thing I noticed about the park is 95% of its rides are designed only to entertain our kids. Unlike it's counterpart in Orlando wherein half the rides are for kids while the other half are designed to entertain the teenagers and adult guest.

If you are a parent and have decided to take your kids to hongkong disney. I suggest you try all the rides, I guarantee your kids will love them. My kid love the winnie the pooh ride so much that we rode it four times till he stopped bugging me. We also watched the Tarzan show and the lion king show, and we both had a great time. Bottomline is if you are planning to visit hongkong disney, I am sure most of us had allocated the whole day to spend inside the park. SO why don't you all give all the rides and shows a chance. Who knows, what other people may dislike, you may like it. And since you paid the same amount for your entrance ticket, why not try all their rides and watch all their shows so you can get your money's worth. And since the park is not as big as the ones in orlando and california, I guarantee that you can finish the park in one whole day.

The park is fairly new and they are still expanding ( this is based on all the heavy equipment I saw outside my hotel bedroom window). But honestly, compared to its U.S. counterpart, hong kong disney is fairly small and it offers far less rides compared to the ones in Orlando. But if you are a parent and you are planning a vacation with your kids. I really recommend that you go visit hongkong disney. Trust me, your kids will love it.