Trip to Macau & HongKong - Day 5 - Hongkong Ocean Park

Trip to Hongkong Ocean Park

Ocean Park is an amusement park started by the HongKong Government and now run by the Ocean Park Corporation. It also encompasses a marine mammal park, oceanarium & an animal theme park.The theme park is built on top of a mountain and all the rides are located on the mountain peaks.. You can see the ocean on one side, mountains on the other side when you are on the rides… So ready steady go… Off to Hongkong Ocean Park.

Hongkong Ocean Park- How to get there?

The fastest and probably the best way to get to Hongkong Ocean Park is via the MTR  We took the train from Jordan MTR to Admiralty station.

Hongkong Ocean Park is served by dedicated Citybus bus service 629 (fare HK$10.60) from Admiralty (West) Bus Terminus (MTR Admiralty Station Exit B) outside the Lippo Centre on Drake Street on Hong Kong Island. Buses operate at 10/15 minute frequency from 9am to 4pm daily. Journey time to Hongkong Ocean Park is approx 20 minutes. Following closure of the Tai Shue Wan entrance in early January 2011 all buses now terminate at Ocean Park's main entrance except on certain days when Tai Shue Wan entrance is used for crowd management purposes.

The last bus back from Hongkong Ocean Park to Admiralty is at 9pm

(courtesy : http://hongkongextras.com/_ ocean_park.html)

Bus to Ocean Park from Admirality MTR Station

Though there was a huge crowd heading towards Hongkong Ocean Park, but still the City bus employees managed it so well & organized buses accordingly. We hardly waited for 5 minutes to get onto the bus & leave to Ocean Park. The route to Ocean Park was very scenic we started taking pics geared up for another day of adventure & fun.

Ocean Park Hongkong- Entrance

Cable Car to Summit

Views from Summit- Breathta

The Park:

HongKong‘s first theme park, located atop a mountain with scenic locations around, a cable car journey to take you to the top, colorful aquariums, what else do you need? The Park is divided into 2 sections, The Waterfront & The Summit. These are again subdivided into 8 more sections. You can reach the top by either the Cable Car or the Ocean Express.

The crowds are well managed by the management & there is no need to worry about reaching the waterfront on time. Cable Car ride is about 8 – 9 minutes with a view of the South China Sea on one side. Ocean Express train has a multimedia effect which creates an effect of going underwater & takes us about 3 minutes to The Waterfront.

Views from Cable car to Summit

Ticket Price: HKD 225 per ticket if purchased from MTR Stations.

Hongkong Ocean Park- The rides not to miss:

Hongkong Ocean Park--Adventure land

Mine train:

A steel roller coaster located on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. The railings look as though they are rusted.. But don’t panic… It is for the feel of traveling in a mine train. Head to this first & enjoy the ride as many times as you want.

Mine Train Ride- Hongkong Ocean Park

Space Wheel:
A giant wheel sort of a ride with enclosed seats, because you ll be at almost 90 degree inclination with respect to the ground.. Getting too technical.. Sit & enjoy for yourself. 

Raging River:

A couple ride, where you ll be seated inside a log shaped enclosure that ll take you around some scenic places & finally a free fall, sure to get wet..

Thats me!!!!  After Raging River Ride

Hongkong Ocean Park- Thrill Mountain

Hair Raiser: A floorless roller coaster that definitely doesn’t let you down. Fun/Adventure seeking riders are sure to have their dose during this ride. The ride travels at up to 4.0G during acceleration and 88 kilometres an hour – the fastest for a roller coaster in Hong Kong. Well just one word to describe it - " WOW " . 

Rev Booster: This ride works on the principle of centrifugal force and riders are surely bound to scream . Hold on to yr seats tightly 

Hongkong Ocean Park-Marine World

The Dragon: This roller coaster is one of the fastest in HongKong & goes upside down at least thrice.. I got a bad headache after this.

The Abyss: I was wondering whether to go on this since The dragon had given me a bad headache, but I had seen videos before coming to HongKong & wanted to try this for sure. It takes you to a height of 62 m (Imagine, Ocean Park is already on top of a mountain, & u go 62 metres above that!!!) and I could see almost half of HongKong from there. This is what I tell my husband every time because he didn’t want to take a risk in this ride. I am sitting there just admiring the whole surrounding sitting there and I think - Oh My God,  I m flying. Then there is this free fall from that point till you reach about 20 metres from ground level !!! l. I seriously thought my belt has given way and I would fly out. Such a huge adrenaline rush !!!

Me trying the Abyss

                                       

Crazy Galleon: A suspended ship that tilts passengers back and forth through a 75° arc, 15 metres above the ground. If you suffer from motion sickness this is probably not the ride for you. 

Hongkong Ocean Park-Polar Adventure:

Arctic Blast: A roller coaster that takes you through various twists & turns amidst snowy rocks. A ride that can be enjoyed with the whole family. 

                               

A Nice Rollercoaster for the family

Hongkong Ocean Park- The shows not to miss:

Sea Dreams: An enthralling spectacular show where dolphins & sea lions dance, perform and entertain us at the Ocean theatre. Please do not miss this show.

Hongkong Ocean Park- Dolphin Show

Dolphin show- One of the best and not to miss

Symbio:  A beautiful lights and water show which is a specialty of Ocean Park and the best way to round off a beautiful day. 

  

Hongkong Ocean Park- Symbio

Hongkong Ocean Park- Symbio

Hongkong Ocean Park-Other things to do list:

1: Panda Conservatory-  As the name suggests it is the home to cute pandas that were gifted to Ocean Park. Probably not as big as the one in Singapore Zoo but it is still worthwhile to visit. 

2: North Pole Encounter and South Pole Encounter- Your  chance to meet the wild residents of the North and South Poles. Do expect to freeze as it is really cold inside. 

                               

Penguins- Hongkong Ocean Park

Hongkong Ocean Park- Tips : 

1. The weather predictions for that day were minimal showers, but it rained cats & dogs & the rides were suspended for a while. Plan your trip accordingly & go to theme parks on days when the weather forecast reads clear skies as it is no fun when they stop rides. 

2.  Follow the directions given in Hongkong Ocean Park & also have the park map with you always. Have a back up too since you might get wet in rides or lose it somewhere.

3. Arrive early as Hongkong Ocean Park is one of the most visited parks in the world and you can always expect large crowds. 

4. Go to the summit early in the morning as it becomes easier to enjoy the best rides before rush. You would need atleast 5-6 hours to enjoy all the rides and shows at the summit. You could come back to the Oceanfront in the evening to enjoy the attractions. 

5. Take the cable car to go up to the Hongkong Ocean Park-summit and you can come back via the Ocean express. This way you can avoid the huge crowds at the cable car station as the day progresses. 

6. Take advantage of the single riders line if possible cos the queues can be atrociously large at some place. I took advantage of the same to ride the Polar Express.