A sourced account of travelshorts’ 2024 trip. Opinions and costs describe that journey; hotel benefits, prices and access may have changed. Summaries are editorial paraphrases, attributed to the creator. Read our source notes.
Travel day 18 of 23 · Reconstructed date: 2024-04-10 · Source: travelshorts · Editorial edition: 3 November 2026.
What happened on day 18
- Experienced
Chungking Mansions
Exchanged 2,000 Chinese RMB for 2,120 Hong Kong Dollars with no commission at a currency exchange in Chungking Mansions.
Video evidence (2)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 3:44Caption timestamp checked
It looks like I'm going to get 2120 Hong Kong dollars, which is a reasonably good exchange rate.
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 4:18Caption timestamp checked
So we've got our Hong Kong dollars for the trip now. This is known as the Chungking mansion.
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 3:44Caption timestamp checked
- Experienced
Victoria Harbour
Took the historic Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui across Victoria Harbour to Central Pier on Hong Kong Island.
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 8:02Caption timestamp checked
We're on the Star Ferry. We're going across the water to Hong Kong Island itself.
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 8:02Caption timestamp checked
- Experienced
Hong Kong Observation Wheel
Rode the Hong Kong Observation Wheel next to Central Pier overlooking Victoria Harbour.
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONGVideo description
and ride on Hong Kong Observation Wheel (Hong Kong Ferris Wheel).
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONGVideo description
- Experienced
Victoria Peak
Rode the Peak Tram from the Lower Terminus to Victoria Peak and admired 360-degree panoramic views from Sky Terrace 428.
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONGVideo description
Next up was the Peak Tram that took us all the way up to Victoria Peak and the Sky Terrace 428 which gave us panoramic views over all of Hong Kong.
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONGVideo description
- Experienced18:00
Disney's Explorers Lodge
Traveled via MTR and resort shuttle to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and checked into Disney's Explorers Lodge (room 7553).
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 41:43Caption timestamp checked
Okay, we've just checked into the Hong Kong Disneyland Explorers Lodge Hotel. We're in room 7553.
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 41:43Caption timestamp checked
What the creator thought
Hotel
Travelshorts’ observation: The Salisbury YMCA Harbour View King Suite costs around £285/night and offers essentially the same iconic Victoria Harbour skyline view as the neighbouring luxury Peninsula Hotel which costs over £800/night.
The Salisbury - YMCA of Hong Kong
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 1:21Caption timestamp checked
And for a Harbour view room there, you're looking at upwards of £800 a night. Here, we're right next door. We have the same view. Just because this hotel really isn't up to the same standard as a Peninsula, I'm paying about £285 per night here.
Recommendation
Travelshorts’ observation: Passengers should sit on the right-hand side of the Peak Tram when ascending Victoria Peak for the best views over Hong Kong.
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 19:01Caption timestamp checked
So you need to go to the right-hand side of the tram. Otherwise, it's not as good.
Where they actually stayed
Disney's Explorers Lodge
Actually stayed · 3 nights · Day 18 · Day 19 · Day 20
Room recorded: Standard Two Queen Room.
Travelshorts’ account: Lovely 4-star Disney resort with adventurous explorer theme and direct resort shuttle access to Disneyland park.
Observed during this stay: courtesy shuttle bus to Disneyland park, outdoor swimming pool, resort courtesy shuttle bus, swimming pool, themed hotel lobby. These are historical observations, not a current amenities guarantee.
Video evidence (3)
- HONG KONG DISNEYLAND Didn't Go As Planned · 0:32Caption timestamp checked
So to get to the park, we just got the courtesy shuttle bus from our hotel, which is Disney's Explorers Lodge.
- HONG KONG DISNEYLAND - THE BEST DAY EVER!Video description
After leaving our hotel, Disney's Explorers Lodge Hotel, we get the shuttle bus to Hong Kong Disneyland.
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 41:43Caption timestamp checked
Okay, we've just checked into the Hong Kong Disneyland Explorers Lodge Hotel.
Getting around
Ferry: The Salisbury - YMCA of Hong Kong to Victoria Harbour
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 8:02Caption timestamp checked
We're on the Star Ferry. We're going across the water to Hong Kong Island itself.
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 8:02Caption timestamp checked
Metro: The Salisbury - YMCA of Hong Kong to Disney's Explorers Lodge
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONGVideo description
Before returning to the Salisbury YMCA to pick up our bags from concierge and then catching the MTR all the way to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONGVideo description
Costs mentioned in the videos
Historical amounts with their original currencies and price scopes. Listed prices and category summaries are distinguished from amounts paid; these are not a day-total calculation.
- Star Ferry single crossing (Adult)HK$5.00
Transaction · Paid · PER_PERSON · Victoria Harbour
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 10:03Caption timestamp checked
For an adult, it was HK$5, which is about £0.50,
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 10:03Caption timestamp checked
- Star Ferry single crossing (Child)HK$2.90
Transaction · Paid · PER_PERSON · Victoria Harbour
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 10:06Caption timestamp checked
and for a child, it was HK$2.9
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 10:06Caption timestamp checked
- Don Don Donki snacks, drinks, and cosmetics£30.00
Transaction · Paid · TOTAL · Hong Kong
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 30:40Caption timestamp checked
So we've just spent about £30 something pounds on some snacks, some drinks,
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 30:40Caption timestamp checked
- Ice cream dessertsHK$86.00
Transaction · Paid · TOTAL · Hong Kong
Video evidence (1)
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 32:56Caption timestamp checked
This came to 86 Hong Kong dollars, which is about £9.
- FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG · 32:56Caption timestamp checked
Watch the original account
FIRST DAY IN HONG KONG SURPRISED US - First Impressions of HONG KONG
Travel day · Uploaded 2024-10-26 · Day 18