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November 2018 *** January 2019
Following their solving of a murder and saving of a wedding, Quentin Quire and Hank McCoy woke up in bed together and and Quentin's telepathy had finally returned after the Shadow King incident. Warren Worthington began the long road to redeeming himself, talking things over with Miles Morales and asking Hope Abbott for help in rebuilding his reputation; Kevin Sydney was doing something similar after his sudden departure, asking Marie-Ange Colbert for his job with X-Force back (with some adjustments) and having a long talk with Gabriel Cohuelo about why he left. Things were less successful with Nina Thurman, who remained angry and hurt at his 'betrayal'.
Wanda Maximoff returned to the mansion after getting help from the Exemplars in rebalancing her powers after the blood curse. New resident Theresa Cassidy arrived from Muir Island, where she had been helping with their fundraising, with intentions to assist with the Mutant Underground.
The biggest drama of the month was a malfunction of the Danger Room as the result of some SHIELD tech, which resulted in various mansion residents being thrown into fictional worlds- The Last of Us, Harry Potter, The Illiad, Star Wars, Minecraftand Welcome to Nightvale. Each group had to work their way through each scenario, with or without awareness of their plight. Garrison Kane and Everett Thomas became the retrieval party, while Team!Science worked to repair the damage. Everyone survived without lasting damage beyond some bruises, but there was a lingering mistrust of the Danger Room for some time. Jean Grey was unsettled by Laurie Collins' willingness to sacrifice a team mate to cure a zombie virus and Kyle Gibney echoed the sentiment when Laurie told him about it.
Artie Maddicks was also having problems, although unrelated to the Danger Room incident, and Gabriel Cohuelo discovered just how much Artie resented Xorn's solution to the end of the world and the 'fake' versions of dead friends roaming around, Terry being the latest.
Shortly after this event, Christian Kane appeared, asking for the X-Men to assist with a rescue mission on a remote island. It seemed straightforward, but no-one had anticipated the giant monsters battling each other, and it was with difficulty that their targets were extracted.
After all the drama of the end of the month, Amanda Sefton took her X-Force teammates to Beaumont-les-Bains, the small French township where she had a cottage, given to her by Remy once upon a time, and the group had a chance to bond over red wine and good food.
Dec 1 - Murder They Tweeted: Hank texts Sue a picture of Quentin at the wedding, and about the murder; Quentin and Hank have some post-wedding fun. Miles goes to confront Warren post-demon about his actions while he was possessed.
Dec 2 - Murder They Tweeted: Quentin discovers two things in the morning: he's in bed with Hank, and his telepathy is back.
Dec 3 - Alex announces he's fundraising for presents for the children of the Mutant Underground and asks for donations and help shopping.
Dec 4 - Laurie texts Kyle to ask if he can smell electronics.
Dec 5 - Wanda returns after several months with the Exemplars, working on restoring her powers to normal after her encounter with the Destines.
Dec 6 - Maya mentions she asks Salvation Army staff about their beliefs, with no intention of donating. Quentin's good mood leaves Jean feeling rattled, even though he actually does have good news for once.
Dec 7 - Amanda discovers Pete Shelley, a member of Buzzcocks, has died. Jean posts an article about how the centre of the galaxy smells like rum and raspberries.
Dec 8 - Darcy realises she forgot Clint's birthday. Jubilee finally finishes her paperwork and reflects that she's been home for longer than usual. Terry arrives at the mansion.
Dec 9 - Darcy posts a Queen tribute to Chanukah to celebrate the last night. Kevin drops in on Gabriel with booze and disarming honesty as they discuss his reasons for leaving. Terry and Jean meet up for shopping and donuts.
Dec 10 - Kevin returns to the Snow Valley offices to ask for a job. Terry meets Sooraya and they talk about the Mutant Underground and Terry's fundraising for Muir. Terry meets Angelo to talk about X-Corps. Warren asks Hope for help rebuilding his ruined reputation.
Dec 11 -
Dec 12 - Jubilee texts Gabriel to ask him how he feels about cocktail parties. Gabriel texts Kevin to tell him he took some of his booze while he was gone.
Dec 13 - Jubilee texts Kevin now that he's back, informing him of an interesting wager she's made. Jean-Phillipe makes a journal entry about footage from the Miss Universal National Costume being discussed online.
Dec 14 - Bobby makes a journal entry about the figure 8 in the 8 of diamonds card.
Dec 16 - The Danger Room Paradox: Garrison, Everett and Team!Scienceget down to upgrading the Danger Room with new tech on a quiet Sunday afternoon, which doesn't go as expected; having worked out the extent of the disaster, plans are made to fix things; in the Harry Potter Universe, group of newly de-aged mansionites - Angelo, Alex, Hope, Marie-Ange, Jean-Phillipe and Stephen - find themselves a little… wrapped up; in The Last of Us, Laurie, Xavin, and Felicia have been dropped into an unknown location in what appears to be the middle of winter and will have to determine what's going on and who else is there, while in another spot nearby, Jean, Rahne, and Natasha are going through the same thing; in Welcome to Night Vale, it's ...not that welcoming for Topaz, Nica, Miles, Jubilee and Warren; in Minecraft, Kyle and Terry arrive in a strange place that appears to be made of the color orange and cubes, and incidentally they are also made of cubes; Darcy and Bobby are also in a world of cubes, although theirs is more floral and forested, and Bobby identifies the world as Minecraft; Star Wars: A long time ago in a galaxy far away... Kevin, Bobbi, Wanda, Sooraya, Maya and Amanda are a group of Rebels infiltrating an Empire prison planet, with no idea of their true identities or that this is all a fiction; and in The Illiad, Meggan, Sharon, Ty, Kurt, Clea, and Logan have been dropped into the middle of the Greek camp and have to quickly take stock of the situation without being discovered; Harry Potter: o matter where you go, there's always a troll; The Last of Us: the group now seeks shelter, clues to what has happened to the world, and where exactly they are, amd another question that looms large is why Natasha has a note indicating they need to go to Baltimore; Welcome to Night Vale:the local library serves as a good place to hide, minus the librarians; Minecraft: Terry and Kyle explore, offer commentary on the weirdness of their environment, and accidentally discover they can make things; they also discover that they can not only talk to people nearby, but to each other - which is a surprise since they're scattered all over what seems to be an infinitely large world; Star Wars: after their 'crash landing', the group follows former-slave-convict-now-thief Aola'Toor into the prison; The Illiad: after questioning a hapless soldier who stumbled out of his tent, the group now knows they've somehow ended up on the beaches below the city of Troy during the Trojan War, and the question now becomes how do they get back to their own reality; Harry Potter: say hello to the a-maze-ing flying Angelo as he solves the second riddle; The Last of Us: food must be found, no matter how unpleasant the job is and after narrowly escaping a zombie ambush where Rahne is bitten, the group establishes camp in an abandoned house and have split up to find transportation and supplies; Welcome to Night Vale: the group's various issues, along with an Angel tagalong, help them get through town and find Cecil's boyfriend; Minecraft: Bobby has set the others to making things, and nobody but him likes it, and Clarice is especially displeased; Darcy discovers that when you die, you lose your stuff - but not your life - and that she might be able to hack Minecraft with her powers, maybe, if Bobby could just remember any of the in game cheat commands; Star Wars: so far, so good - the group manage to get to the strong room and retrieve their prize, before things go horribly wrong; The Illiad: after coming up with their plan of action, the group splits into two smaller groups with Sharon and Logan off to cause the biggest distraction they can while the others work on getting to the walls of Troy; Harry Potter: Death is only temporary, uuuuuuuuuuuh right? Hope is 'killed' for the sake of solving the next riddle; The Last of Us: after a restless night in the abandoned house, the group leaves in the large SUV they've managed to start up and provision, as the faster the progress they make to Baltimore the better; Welcome to Night Vale: Cecil has been taken by a Librarian, so our heroes go in to save him; Minecraft: Bobby is the only one who knows anything about this game, but he has a theory about how they might get to go home; It turns out Bobby's plan involves more of the same - digging, farming, building; Star Wars: the traitor is double-crossed, the former Sith is dead and the rest of the group are in a cell - has the mission completely failed?; The Illiad: Meggan and Clea have split off from Kurt and Ty to face off against Aetenor and Dolon, respectively; The Last of Us: as it gets toward sundown, the group decides to seek shelter again for the night, as they don't know the hunting patterns of the zombies and they need to look for more supplies for Rahne and for themselves.; Minecraft: Kyle and Terry and Darcy make food - and Darcy reports that she can't cheat them home by command-killing the dragon; poor Clarice - she's gotten all the teleporting of a Minecraft Enderman and all the downsides too, like not wanting to be looked at, and Terry and Clarice make armor and conversation; Star Wars: Tara's body is hauled away to be transported back to her Inquisitor father; The Illiad: in the open plains below the city of Troy, Sharon and Logan dressed in the battle gear they had stumbled upon earlier cause a ruckus and face off against Hector and Aeneas, heroes of legend; The Last of Us:Rachel has joined their group amidst their escape, and the consensus had been to get this place in Baltimore as fast as possible to save Rahne, who's stuck in an between state of werewolf and not, and avoid any more close calls; Minecraft: Bobby explains enchanting weapons to Kyle, and Kyle does not turn himself into a parrot; it turns out some of their powers do work in this weird Minecraft world, they just have to be clever about it; Star Wars: meeting up near the hangers after their escape, the Rebels fight their way out to a shuttle, and off the planet; The Illiad: Kurt and Ty breach the walls of Troy in whatever shape or form they can then go back for the others; the walls of Troy have been breached and in the ensuing chaos everyone has to find each other again because their chance of survival is better in larger numbers, and no one wants to get accidentally left behind; Harry Potter: the final showdown, where, spoiler alert: Marie-Ange gets to stab someone; Team!Science manage to haul back the group from The Illiad, but it's not the gentlest ride, and Garrison and Ev come up with the solution of going to fetch each group themselves; Star Wars: mission accomplished, the Rebels are on their way back to base, and two strangers turn up in the shuttle while they're in hyperspace; Minecraft: having found what they need, the group is sent down to dig obsidian and build a portal; the team goes through their portal - and finds the way home; The Last of Us: while the group debates what to do for Rahne, a solution arrives from an unexpected place; everyone retrieved, Team!Science gets down to shutting things down for good; Cecilia makes a journal entry saying I told you so.
Dec 17 - Felicia posts to her Instagram to let people know she's alive, but pissed off. The Danger Room Paradox: Topaz texts Ty and Hope about her adventures in Night Vale and her lack of magic there; Miles is relieved to have his normal body back; Marie-Ange asks X-Force to check in after the Danger Room incident; Darcy never wants to hear Minecraft zombies again. Clarice complains about the cost of private islands. Matt shares his favourite Christmas music by Straight No Chaser.
Dec 18 - The Danger Room Paradox: Maya boasts about being a Star Wars hotshot pilot; Laurie texts Kyle about arguing with Jean about wanting to cut into Natasha's head to cure the zombie virus; Terry texts Kyle to let him know Minecraft doesn't count as a second date.
Dec 19 - Clint invites the mansion to a decorating party at his and Matt's fathers' apartment in New York; he also texts Matt to ask if he wants to spend the night before at the condo.
Dec 20 - Gabriel checks on Artie and discovers just how Not Okay he is.
Dec 21 - X-Men Mission: Skull Island: Christian Kane meets with the X-Men to ask for help with a group of Chinese mutants seeking a crash site and valuable information on Skull Island.
Dec 22 - X-Men Mission: Skull Island: Cyclops and Rogue fly through an unusual storm to get to the island and manage to land the Blackbird; safely on the ground, two teams go out to find the information and crash survivors and the Chinese team while one team stays to repair Blackbird, damaged in the storm; Cyclops, Dominion, Nightcrawler, Spider-Man and Xavin encounter giant bugs and the native people living on the island; Marvel Girl, Rogue, Blink, Bevatron, Wolverine and Dagger find the Chinese team battling a kaiju; back at the Blackbird, Dust and Spectrum, along with Hank, Reed and Sue, work on repairs and taking readings; at the village, Cyclops' team finds the plane crash survivors who tell them the island is a battleground for giant monsters; Marvel Girl's team have trouble convincing the Chinese team they are there to help as well as battling the monster; the Blackbird team is attacked by a giant carnivorous plant; Christian Kane texts Dominion to ask for help escaping a cave they're trapped in by giant bugs; Cyclops's team wind up fighting another kaiju; Marvel Girl's team and the Chinese mutants battle a giant ape; the science team head to the cave and discover that the island itself is two enormous creatures battling each other by spawning giant monsters and agree it's best to leave the island to itself; Christian departs with the survivors and the data while the X-Men take off in the Blackbird.
Dec 25 - Christmas Day.
Dec 26 - Boxing Day. Lorna leaves Alex a present, 2 tickets to see Imagine Dragons in Vegas on New Years Eve. Garrison and Adrienne relax poolside while on vacation for Christmas and discuss next steps.
Dec 27 - Maya wonders if she should take up extreme sport, Garrison points out the Danger Room has programs that can simulate that. Amanda puts up a message to X-Force letting them know about the team's new years plans if anyone's interested.
Dec 28 - Megan posts up to let people know she took her first holiday somewhere warm, and she really enjoyed it, apart from the mosquitoes.
Dec 29 - Topaz posts to let people know that Black Mirror might just be messing with her head. Laurie posts she doesn't really get the point of musicals like The Sound of Music.
Dec 31 - In Beaumont-les-Bains, X-Force has dinner with the Baron d'Rochfort and are welcomed to the town.
Murder They Tweeted
The Danger Room Paradox
X-Men Mission: Skull Island
Retrieved from "http://x-journal.net/Wiki/index.php?title=December_2018&oldid=85129"
Monthly Summaries


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More moviegoers see films on video in some form than ever before -- whether streaming on demand, cable or satellite, instant download services, DVD or Blu-ray. Even high-profile pictures become available to home viewers before or at the same time as their theatrical release. Reviewing them is a job for... The Demanders!
Syfy's Deadly Class Fails to Live Up to Its Potential
by Allison Shoemaker
"Name one Cure B-side," one of the students of "Deadly Class" challenges another, the classic purity test in which someone desperate to craft a personality around what they like asks another person to prove whether or not they've successfully done the same. The accused does not respond with a B-side. Instead, he drops that it's his dead sibling that loved The Cure, and they are dead. A third tries to empathize and apologize, saying he didn't know about the very dead sibling, and the second student responds by sneering that the third could never have known because they exist on, ahem, very different social planes. One is not cool enough to know "Adonais." One is not cool enough to know about the dead brother. The first is just kind of an asshole. Not one of them has put much thought into the exchange—and it's that that makes it a perfect example of the squandered potential of "Deadly Class," a series that inches toward dark comedy and feints world-building but mostly just goes through the motions.
That's not to say it's totally unenjoyable. Quite the contrary. There's plenty in Syfy's latest, an adaptation of the Image comic series of the same name, to engage, provided you like any of the following: pictures of animals used instead of sentences; "The Breakfast Club"; katanas; people saying things like "All I have left are memories of sunshine," "I don't believe in God, but I'm a hypocrite," and "Civility's just lying to people about your true feelings" with a straight face; Benedict Wong; the "boarding school, but make it exxxtra sexy and dangerous" vibe of "The Magicians" with none of the self-deprecation; moose-and-squirrel Russian accents; deep-cut needle drops; blazers; the word "rat"; the scene in every high school movie where a fellow nerd explains where all the different cliques sit and points out the alphas; Henry Rollins; poisons; shit-talking Ronald Reagan; bestiality; serfdom; "Carrie"; childhood trauma; and Lana Condor. Some of these things are great. But here's something you won't find: structural thoughtfulness, evolving relationships, exploration of any of the ideas presented, or finely drawn characters.
It's that last one that really hurts. It's the one shortcoming that can't be dismissed in service of sitting back to simply enjoy the scattered but undeniable pleasures found throughout. And it's a fatal flaw, because the whole point of living vicariously through high school again is that you get to peel back the "B-sides," posturing, and tropes to see what lies beneath. These are exactly the sort of characters, in exactly the kind of place, where such exploration should be thrilling. We enter with Marcus (Benjamin Wadsworth) a homeless kid with a dangerous reputation recruited to King's Dominion Atelier of the Deadly Arts by Saya (Condor), an aloof, deadly overachiever with ties to the Yakuza. Marcus gets the hard sell on this elite high school for would-be stone-cold killers from Master Lin (Wong), who has complicated feelings about the family business. He immediately makes a friend of sorts in the spirited Maria (María Gabriela de Faría) and an enemy in her abusive boyfriend Chico (Michel Duval) before finding a home with mohawked joker Billy (Liam James) and the other non-legacy "rats," and with Willie (Luke Tennie), an intimidating figure with whom Marcus makes an unexpected connection. Henry Rollins teaches them all about poison.
I watched four episodes of "Deadly Class" for this review, yet with startlingly few exceptions, I know nothing more about those characters, or the others in the story, than described above. I might actually know less about the women—the men are, at least, relatively consistently drawn, but the women change to suit the story as needed. How obliging.
None of that is the fault of the uniformly game cast, who do the best they can with material that ranges from "weird, but fun" to "distressingly hollow," t more toward the former than the latter. Example: At one point a dad tells his son, "Life isn't a dress rehearsal," right before dying in a horrific freak accident, and there's no trace of a wink, yet outside of blaming Ronald Reagan for the death of his parents (to be fair, he's got a point) this piece of backstory goes almost completely unexplored. That's in keeping with the series as a whole—an interesting story, idea, or theme will be introduced; the characters hand-wave at it, and it's like it never happened. While most detrimental to character development, it's nearly as frustrating with regard to story. Take the episode where the students are locked into a hallway that slowly fills with poison gas and told to get to a certain room and answer a riddle in exchange for the antidote. Sounds like a great episode set-up, right? It's done in under 15 minutes, including a beat where one character considers letting another die by simply choosing not to save him. It happens, it's over, and all that might make it interesting has gone.
The same, to a certain extent, is true of the show's visual language, though in this case the scattered, unfocused energy actually serves the story. Director Lee Toland Krieger, who helms the pilot, seems to excel in creating a world that seems to be both firmly rooted in and existing outside of a specific time (he also directed the pilots for "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," "Riverdale," and "You," which share this quality); smash cuts and bold titles let us know when we've arrived in class, but I have no idea where the dorm rooms are in relation to the classrooms, and where (and how) any of it exists within the restaurant that acts as a front for the school. But that's good! Visually, sitting down with "Deadly Class" is like sitting down in a giant, dimly lit hotel ballroom, one without windows or clocks. Time loses its meaning, and you could emerge into a snowstorm or a beach and both would make equal sense.
If that sounds promising to you, "Deadly Class" might be up your street. Perhaps you can enjoy the clumsy dialogue and winning performances (particularly from Condor, playing a girl that "To All The Boys I've Loved Before'"s Lara Jean would find extremely confusing) without fretting over the loose threads, faulty logic, and incredibly broad strokes. And it's possible that these things could improve, once "Deadly Class," like Marcus, settles into its new situation. There's certainly a spark from time to time. But for now, "Deadly Class" is failing to live up to its potential. It's messy and hollow. It's all a front. I bet it can't even name a single Cure B-side.
Four episodes screened for review.
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Since he started as film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1967, and began covering movies locally and at international film festivals, Roger Ebert has met and interviewed countless movie idols, artists and unknowns -- some of them even before they became famous. There's hardly a major figure in the history of movies, from the last part of the 20th century into the 21st, that he hasn't encountered.
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"Life Itself," based on Roger Ebert's memoir and directed by Steve James, will open in theaters and be available On Demand on July 4, 2014.
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Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Trip Planner
Welcome to the Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Planner!
On this page, we have put together a variety of categories that, when clicked, give you a wide range of detailed information to help you plan the various stages of a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland.
Links to Other Pages & Websites
Many very useful and important links are provided in each section on the left, but below we have also included some of the main ones that you may need.
Useful Pages at Character Central:
Hong Kong Disneyland Guidebook Main Page
HKDL News and Rumours Forum
HKDL Trip Planning and Discussion Forum
Character Central Hong Kong Trip Reports:
July 2011 Trip Report (Summer Season)
October 2012 Trip Report (Halloween Season)
Disney's Official Hong Kong Disneyland Main Landing Page
Pictures of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Flights & Transfers
Booking Your Flights
We have flown both Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong (HKG). My experiences with both a somewhat mixed.
In October 2012 we flew with Cathay Pacific from London Heathrow. On this particular trip we flew Cathay Pacific because they offered good connecting options to Tokyo, as we intended to go to Tokyo 4 days later.
The flight from Hong Kong to Tokyo is a further four hours.
Cathay's prices are overall not bad. They are one of the cheaper options, which is another factor in why we chose them.
I liked the airline overall and would recommend them. By my own standards, I wouldn't say they are the best I have flown, but they are better than nearly all US based airlines (though in my experience that isn't hard). If you're going to fly direct from Europe and have a bit more cash to spare, I would actually recommend Virgin Atlantic, who fly direct from London Heathrow. I fly Virgin to the US all the time (several times per year, at least), and if I could afford it, would definitely fly them to HKG, too.
Flights from West Coast USA and Europe both are around 11 or 12 hours. If you fly from Europe you'll usually flying overnight, and arrive the following day. Hong Kong is 7 hours ahead of the UK/GMT during the summer.
If you fly from the US, you'll usually fly westbound and head over the date line, which causes all sorts of confusion with your body! You'll be losing an entire day when you arrive, but when you return, you'll gain most of a day back. As an example, one time visiting Tokyo from the West Coast, we were actually able to visit Tokyo Disney Resort on the morning we left, and arrived in California "3 hours" later, and went to Disneyland there for the rest of the day! It certainly is an interesting, and exhausting, experience!
As a guide, flights from Europe can cost anywhere from 800 to 1000 pound/euros return fare. From the US, they can cost anywhere from $1000 upwards.
Booking early gets you the best fares
Flying internationally nearly always means the best deals are had when you book as far in advance as you can. Prices normally go up as more seats sell.
Upon landing in Hong Kong you proceed through all the usual annoyances associated with travelling internationally. The airport is modern and the staff friendly, and everything is well signposted in English.
The immigration line, though can look long, always moves fairly quickly and efficiently.
Once you have cleared customs you can collect your luggage and exit into the main terminal area.
Upon arrival in the main terminal, you immediately find that it is very different to Japan (if you're doing a multi-trip). There doesn't seem to be the strict rule of law imposed at every turn, and things seem more relaxed. The stores are not as bizarre and they even have a more westernised feel to them.
On your return journey you'll be pleased to find a HKDL Store just past the security gates (meaning on the departures side).
The store has a good selection of merchandise and included some of the offers from the park.
Transfers to Your Hotel and Disney
Once you have cleared customs and immigration, and collected your luggage, various options for getting to your hotel await you.
Trains, taxis and busses are all readily available at the exit of the terminal. All these options are discussed below.
Taking the Train
Getting to HKDL from the airport is interesting because, the airport is very near the resort, and yet you have to change trains twice to get there!
The route you have to take is:
Airport - Tsing Yi
Tsing Yi - Sunny Bay
Sunny Bay - Disneyland Resort
Tickets can be purchased at the airport for your entire route to HKDL. Check the MTR website for the latest fare information.
Overall it isn't a complicated or painful experience. Everything in HK runs very efficiently and smoothly, and you'll be in HKDL in no time. Just be careful to check the signs for where to go to get tickets and which platform. Arriving in an unfamiliar country, with no idea of how their system works can be confusing at first.
Trust me, it isn't all too bad, but just be prepared to really have to pay attention.
The HKDL Station and Trains are well themed
The train from Sunny Bay station is really neat because it is just a Disney service that goes back and forth from one side of the mountain to the other. The train is all decked out with Disney icons and is certainly a nice welcome to the resort.
The train station at HKDL is equally well themed, and very clean.
From the train station you can take the short walk to the bus stop to get the shuttle to your hotel.
It's a very short ride around the outside of the park boundary to get there.
Overall, getting to HKDL is easy enough, although a little expensive.
Taking a Taxi or a Bus
When we left from our stay in October we decided to take a taxi, and to be honest, that was cheaper than the train, quicker and more comfortable. Also of course it was door to door!
Next time we go to HKDL we'll take a taxi both ways to save us time and money.
Many (if not nearly all to be honest) Hong Kong and Kowloon hotels offer a free shuttle bus service. A lot of these have a desk at the main terminal building after you exit from the customs area. Check with the hosts at the desks to see which bus will take you to your chosen HK hotel.
If your hotel doesn't have a designated desk, the hosts can normally put you in the right direction anyway, or ask at the general airport information desk, and they can tell you where a specific hotel bus pick-up is located.
If You're Staying in the City
If you're staying in Hong Kong, Kowloon or anywhere else, the best thing to do is take the airport express train direct from the airport to the centre of Hong Kong, where you can then make any connections.
The Hong Kong 'MTR' system is very clean, efficient and safe. You'll have no problems using it.
I have included the links on the panel on the right, but I just want to point out that the official Hong Kong Airport website has a ton of information for visitors, including links to all sorts of useful bus and train websites, and lots more really good travel information for visitors. Definitely recommend you read it!
The Hong Kong Disneyland Official website has a good amount of information and links about trains and busses. Links can be found on the side panel to the right of this article.
Useful Flights & Transfers Links
Airport Websites:
Official Hong Kong International Airport Website
Airline Webites
Transport Websites:
Official Hong Kong Disneyland Transport and Access Information Page
Hong Kong MTR (trains) Official Website
Airport Express website
The Disney Hotels
Seeing as there are only two Disney Hotels on property at HKDL, and seeing as HK is pretty cheap overall, we have actually been lucky enough to stay in both.
As there are only two, I can go into a bit more detail about them here, more so that I would on the other Trip Planners for the other resorts.
In October 2012 we stayed in the Hollywood Hotel, which is the cheaper of the two.
Our room at the Hollywood Hotel
Our first impressions of the Hollywood Hotel were very good, and over the course of 3 days I have to say that it became one of my favourite Disney hotels I've stayed in to date.
It is beautifully situated on the water with excellent views across to Hong Kong. The grounds and gardens are immaculately kept, and are stunning.
The hotel offers free wifi in the lobby, and paid access in guest rooms.
There is one gift shop, a lounge-bar, a main restaurant for main meals, and a quick service place for breakfast and snacks.
There is an outdoor pool and various other normal facilities that you would expect.
The rooms are very well equipped with all the modern amenities that you could need, including a kettle.
You get some really neat, unique stationary items left too, and if you bag them each night, the next day housekeeping will leave you more! I absolutely cannot fault the Hollywood Hotel.
In May 2013 we stayed in the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
Our room at the HKDL Hotel
Our room had a view towards the pool, pier and further out you could even see Hong Kong and Kowloon!
The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is gorgeous, and replicates some of the design features and styles of the Grand Floridian in Florida, or the Disneyland Hotel in Paris.
Like the Hollywood Hotel, the grounds are immaculate and pretty, too. There is both an indoor and outdoor pool, a maze, gift shop, three restaurants, a bar/lounge, and other facilities.
Although I don't think we were meant to per se, we actually could pick up free wifi in our room, but that isn't advertised. Free wifi is usually only available in the lobby. Guest room internet usually requires a credit card. I guess we just got lucky!
The rooms are well appointed, spacious, and feature tea and coffee making facilities, and a surprisingly large bathroom.
Getting to the Park
From the both hotels you can either walk to the park (about a 25min stroll along the beautiful promenade), or you can take the shuttle bus from outside the main lobby of each hotel.
The bus drops you off next to the train station, which is about a 5min walk to the park entrance.
Dining at the Hotels
For our experiences dining at the hotels, see the dining section.
Staying Off Site
If you wish to stay off site, then you'll most likely find yourself in Hong Kong itself, or on the island of Kowloon.
Both are equally as fascinating and diverse, and offer a wide range of hotels to suite all budgets and needs.
Our room at the Mandarin Oriental
We have stayed in the Mandarin Oriental in central HK, which is a stunning deluxe hotel, and we have stayed in the Cosmo Hotel Wan Chai, which is definitely on the budget end.
Of course I'd be lying if I said they were equally as good (the Mandarin blew us away), but both were comfortable, functional and offered great locations.
I suggest you look around Expedia and other travel websites, stay away from anything under 3 star ratings, and read reviews before booking anything.
I have linked to the Cosmo and the Mandarin on the side panel.
Useful Hotel Links
Official HKDL Hotel Pages on the HKDL Website:
Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Official Page
Disney's Hollywood Hotel Official Page
HKDL Hotel Pages Here at Character Central:
Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Page
Disney's Hollywood Hotel Page
Other Recommended Hotels Websites:
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Website
The Cosmo Hotel Website
Other Useful Hotel Websites:
Purchasing tickets for HKDL is very easy. The options are very simple.
You can buy a one day or two day pass, or an annual pass know in HKDL as Magic Access.
Current ticket prices range from HK$450 to HK$585. Discounts are available for children and seniors.
Self Service Ticket Machines for Pre-Purchased Tickets
You can buy your tickets online beforehand, or at the gates. As well as the regular kiosk service serviced by Cast Members, there are electronic booths where you can print your own. I believe these are currently for ones you have pre-purchased online, but that could have changed, and you MIGHT now be able to buy new ones here too. A credit card will be required to use the machines.
HKDL is so quiet most of the year, that we have never purchased our tickets in advance (save one evening, which I'll explain in a moment), and always bought them on the day.
Special Event Days
On occasion HKDL might make available special tickets, such as at Halloween time, when they have their special Halloween parade on the weekends, in the evenings.
These are NOT party tickets, and regular day admission is perfectly fine, but there may be other reasons why you may want to take advantage of these tickets.
If you don't plan to arrive until later in the day, or only want to attend the special Halloween happenings, then buying one of these tickets would be cheaper - except you should do it in advance online.
These tickets guarantee you that even though you do not hold full day admission, that even if the park is full because it's a special event day, you will be allowed entry.
Magic Access (Annual Passes)
Hong Kong Disneyland tickets are so cheap that if you end up visiting for more than several days at a time, or even multiple trips in a year, then an annual pass - known at HKDL as Magic Access - is definitely worth your while.
With an AP comes not only park entry, but like the US and DLP parks, special benefits and discounts.
Useful Ticketing Links
Official Hong Kong Disneyland Ticketing Website
Official Hong Kong Disneyland Magic Access Website
Attractions & Fastpasses
In the past HKDL was criticised heavily for its apparent lack of attractions. Well, having been there three years in a row, and seen each new land open, I can honestly say that HKDL definitely does not lack things to do anymore.
In the beginning, yes, it was small. I guess you could say that physically, parts of it do still feel small, but that doesn't mean it still has nothing to offer.
By my own count (and not the Disney count that usually includes non-attractions such as the Liki Tikis, meet 'n' greet areas, and City Hall), HKDL with the opening of Mystic Manor, has 21 attractions (also excludes the two stage shows - I've listed those in the shows and entertainment section).
Twenty-one I know is not a lot by a Magic Kingdom style park standard, but as I pointed out, there are also the stage shows, plus all the other entertainment offerings that do not fall under attractions.
The attraction wait times are nearly always very short
If you've been to any other Disney Park around the world, most of the attractions at HKDL will feel very familiar, but like the other parks and their little differences, HKDL also has some unique elements.
The biggest difference is the wait times. HKDL is a breeze, and wait times are nearly always very short - if there is a line at all.
As for attractions themselves, let's start with Mickey's PhilharMagic and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, which are virtually identical to their US counterparts, but still enjoyable nonetheless.
The Main Street Vehicles offer an identical experience to the other vehicles of the world. One way trips up or down the street, except in HKDL the view is a bit different.
Like all the parks there is a Carousel
The Orbitron, Dumbo, the Tea Cups and the Carousel are again, like for like. The differences being that you'll see different scenery around the attractions while spinning around on them.
If you have been to DLP, then the RC Racer, Parachute Drop and Slinky Dog are almost the same, again except some cosmetics and scenery surrounding them.
Space Mountain as a whole is very similar to California's, but the ride cars are tiny and the interior queue and boarding area is different.
The Stitch Encounter is just like DLP's (if you haven't experienced this, think Turtle Talk with Crush at EPCOT or DCA), but usually the HKDL one can be more amusing. Maybe the comedic talent in China is better than in France!
Their "it's a small world" is more akin to California's, but has some unique sets inside. HKDL's version was also the first version to include Disney Character dolls inside as part of the attraction - California later copied this idea. Outside, at night, the facade is lit in thousands of twinkling lights, and looks very pretty.
So, with that, what's left to experience that is different, I hear you ask?
Well, their Tarzan's Treehouse is in the middle of the Rivers of Adventure, and while the actual treehouse is almost the same as California's, you have to take a raft across to it, and it is completely surrounded by HKDL's Jungle Cruise! The views from up top are decidedly more tropical too!
Their Jungle Cruise is definitely recommended. The scenery is different and the ending is unique.
Over at Grizzly Gulch there are the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars. Anyone who claims that this is the same as Big Thunder is lying. The Runaway Mine Cars are entirely unique. The story and theming is different, and the whole experience is a world apart from the four other Thunder Mountains. For a start, the Runaway Mine Cars travel backwards for an extended time!
It is a lot of fun and one of the highlights of the park since its expansion.
Mystic Manor is brand new and state of the art
For us though, the new highlight, and the creme de la creme of attractions in the park (and probably the world, to be honest!), is Mystic Point's Mystic Manor.
Mystic Manor is home to Lord Henry Mystic and his pet monkey, Albert.
You are invited on a special tour of Lord Henry's home, but of course things go wrong! Filled with dazzling special effects and trackless ride vehicles, Mystic Point is what all Disney attractions should be modelled on! Do not miss it!
Disney's FastPass Service
FastPass Machine at Buzz Lightyear
Currently HKDL only offers FastPass at Space Mountain, Winnie the Pooh and Buzz Lightyear. Even the park's newest, and best, attractions - Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Manor - do not offer FastPass because the park simply isn't busy enough to warrant them.
Recommended Attractions
Here is a list of our recommended attractions at HKDL. Each attraction can be clicked, to take you to its dedicated page here at Character Central.
The Jungle River Cruise
Stitch Encounter (nearly always funnier than the DLP one)
Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
Space Mountain (FP)
Mystic Manor
(FP) = Disney's FastPass service normally available at this attraction
Useful Attractions Links
Character Central HKDL Main Landing Page (click the Attractions tab for full attraction listings)
Official HKDL Attraction Information Pages:
HKDL Official FastPass Information Page
HKDL Main Park Landing Page
Official HKDL Operational Updates:
Official HKDL Attractions and Shows Calendar (operating hours, closures etc)
Parades & Entertainment
Hong Kong Disneyland, despite its size, does have a fair amount of entertainment.
Day Parades
The current day parade is Flights of Fantasy. Without a doubt worth watching for anyone who likes to see a Disney parade and the characters. Although no special characters feature, the floats are really neat, and the costumes are great. It's lively and fun, and just works for HKDL.
The rain doesn't stop the characters having fun!
When it rains in the park (which is often by any account), they replace the parade with the Rainy Day Express, which is a cute cut down version of the parade. It features the core characters from the parade aboard a special train. Mickey and friends even wear cute rain jackets!
There are regular fireworks of an evening. These, honestly, are not that great. The soundtrack is nice, but if there's a big crowd, you're tired or other circumstances prevent you from watching properly, then you aren't missing much.
During Christmas and Halloween Seasons, there are special parades or cavalcades that take place, also.
Bands and Live Entertainment
The Hong Kong Disneyland Band
The park does have several roaming bands and live entertainment offerings.
On Main Street you'll regularly find the Hong Kong Disneyland Band and a smaller brass/jazz band.
In Adventureland they have tam-tam drummers, and in Grizzly Gulch there is the Welcome Wagon Show and Grizzly Joe who wanders around strumming his guitar.
Tomorrowland used to have the JAMMitors, but I don't know if they re there regularly anymore.
At Mystic Point you can watch the Freight Depot Show.
Stage Shows
The Golden Mickeys is spectacular
There are two main stage shows presented in the park. The first is the amazing Golden Mickeys in Fantasyland. Filled with great characters, spectacular scenery and costumes, and lovely music, it is definitely a must see.
The second show is HKDL's own version of Animal Kingdom's long running Festival of the Lion King. Everyone I know who has seen this show, and myself included, enjoy this version much more than the DAK one. It is colourful, well presented, and generally has a different feel and approach to it. It seems to just work better here.
The fireworks at HKDL are pretty, and I like the soundtrack, but by all accounts, they aren't anything spectacular. The show does not feature big rockets, or loud bangs; the fireworks are fairly low and more just "showers" or sprays. Definitely a magical end to a Disney day, but don't set your expectations too high!
Guided and VIP Tours
Just like the other Disney Parks around the world, HKDL offers a selection of guided and VIP tours. There are a variety of experices on offer, and these can change regularly depending on demand and season. Check with City Hall on Main Street during your visit for more detailed information.
Recommended Shows and Entertainment
Here is a list of our recommended entertainment offerings at HKDL. Each attraction can be clicked, to take you to its dedicated page here at Character Central. Note: This list does not represent everything, just our own highlights.
Flights of Fantasy Parade
Festival of the Lion King
The Golden Mickeys
Useful Entertainment Links
Pages Here at Character Central:
Character Central HKDL Main Landing Page (click the Shows and Entertainment tab for full entertainment listings)
Official Hong Kong Disneyland Pages:
Dining at HKDL is a really pleasant experience. They seem to have an excellent variety of food, usually all cooked fresh in front of you (even at large counter service places such as Royal Banquet Hall, it's prepared fresh!), and the restaurants are clean and efficient.
The biggest problem is that there aren't very many restaurants at the resort, but what they do have is very good.
Dining in the Park
We would recommend the Royal Banquet Hall in Fantasyland, Tahitian Terrace in Adventureland, Corner Cafe on Main Street and both Tomorrowland counter service places are all very good too. The Star Liner Diner in Tomorowland in particular has some nice desserts!
The only place I've never really liked is Clopin's Festival of Foods in Fantasyland, but that could just be me.
Desserts at Small World Ice Cream are top notch!
The only place in the park that is dedicated to ice cream is a small kiosk down at the back of the park, in front of "it's a small world".
I have to say the desserts here are amazing, but I cannot figure out why in this hot, humid climate they don't have a full ice cream parlour like all the other resorts around the world! There is also very little seating back there, and the desserts are pretty big, so be careful not to drop them in transit while finding a place to eat it!
Popcorn and other light snacks can be found on carts throughout the park, along with more regionalised options that may seem really odd to western guests (fried squid sold on the same cart as bottled drinks and popcorn seems odd to me!).
There are a number of dining options at both on site hotels. From casual quick dining, table service, and buffet.
From our own personal experiences we would highly recommend the Enchanted Garden character buffet at the HKDL Hotel, and Chef Mickey's buffet at the Hollywood Hotel (Chef Mickey is in attendance on select days, but not all the time).
I was less than impressed with the breakfast at Hollywood hotel
One morning during October 2012 we had breakfast at the Hollywood Hotel's quick service place, Hollywood and Dine. It was ok, but I didn't like the sausage, and felt I would have been better off with something from the park. The food tried to be more Western, but had an Asian flare, that at least for me personally, I didn't like. That isn't to say the food wasn't good at all - it's just me!
Chef Mickey is a buffet restaurant which on select nights features Chef Mickey himself. Of course, he was there when we went.
It isn't an actual character meal per se, as Mickey isn't always there.
Mickey wears his chef outfit, and stays in one location. You are seated and given a ticket to meet Mickey when your number is called. It's actually a fairly efficient system and worked well.
The buffet food is really good and I loved the look and feel of the restaurant. I would definitely recommend it, especially if Mickey is there when you go!
We have also eaten breakfast at the character dining Enchanted Garden at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, and none of the other restaurants, therefore I can't comment on those.
Mickey and the gang at Enchanted Garden
Enchanted Garden is the only permanent character dining restaurant on property. It is one of our must-sees each trip.
The food is buffet style and is really very good. There is a lot of variety, and it is well presented.
The restaurant has really nice views over the lower outside ground area, and an outdoor terrace.
The characters and atmosphere are more relaxed there than many other character meals we've ever had around the world, which was nice.
During Chinese New Year, Halloween and Christmas seasons the characters at the restaurant have special costumes.
Useful Dining Links
Useful Pages on the Official Hong Kong Disneyland Website:
Theme Park Dining Main Landing Page
Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Dining Main Landing Page
Hollywood Hotel Dining Main Landing Page
HKDL Character Dining Main Landing Page
Useful Pages at Character Central
Hong Kong Disneyland Main Page (to find dining options, select the Restaurants tab)
HKDL Hotels Main Page (to find dining options, select the Restaurants tab)
Shopping at Hong Kong Disneyland is a mixed bag of experiences. On the one hand Hong Kong Disneyland definitely lacks any major retail space, but at the same time has some great offerings.
Tomorrowland has the smallest stores in the universe
The stores are incredibly small; even the Emporium on Main Street is like a miniature version of the Disneyland in California one!
If you take a look at our detailed park guidebook pages, you see that the theme park itself only has 18 listed stores, plus the usual carts and stands scattered throughout.
There are only two Disney Hotels currently on property, and these feature one store each. Both of these store feature a key range of merchandise from the park.
HKDL merchandise is unique and cheap
Having said all of that, I absolutely love shopping at HKDL! The merchandise is so much more interesting than the other parks (in particular compared to the US).
They have a huge selection of fantastic pins, very cute plushes and really unique items that you don't see anywhere else (lunch boxes and bags, fans, candy items, to name but a few).
On top of that, merchandise is so much cheaper than anywhere else. Compared to Tokyo Disney Resort (which will bankrupt you), HKDL probably has the lowest prices of any Disney Park.
Package Pickup
If you don't want to carry your purchases around all day, and you can't rent a locker, then purchases made in most stores can be sent to the front of the park for collection later. Guests staying at either HKDL Resort Hotel can have their purchases sent to the hotel gift shops.
Shopping Recommendations
Every shop offers something different and quirky, so here are our top recommendations for shopping at Hong Kong (clicking each item will take you to its dedicated page here at Character Central):
Hong Kong Disneyland Park
Emporium, Main Street USA
Star Command Suppliers, Tomorrowland
Bear Necessities, Grizzly Gulch. Despite only being a cart, this has some very specific and neat Grizzly Gulch merchandise!
At the Disney Hotels
Kingdom Gifts, Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
Celebrity Gifts, Disney's Hollywood Hotel
Useful Shopping Links
Links to the Official Hong Kong Disneyland Resort pages for shopping locations.
Shopping at Hong Kong Disneyland
Recreation page that mentions shopping at the HKDL Hotel
Recreation page that mentions shopping at Disney's Hollywood Hotel
The Park, Environment and Cast
The cast members at HKDL are the absolute friendliest we've ever met, bar none. They will bend over backwards to help you in any way possible.
They love to help, love to give out free character stickers (of which HKDL seems to have an infinite amount and variety!), and they love to make sure you are having the best time possible.
The park, resort areas and the hotels are absolutely immaculate. Some areas are so spotless you'd think the park just opened that day.
The respect for the park and its environments is unrivaled, we think. There is one exception, and that is that the Castle (which is Sleeping Beauty Castle, and from the outside looks exactly like Disneyland in California's - except there is nothing in it!), is really drab.
HKDL's Castle needs to be repainted
I don't know what happened to their colour scheme, but in the three years we have been visiting it has always looked the same. It should be repainted a completely different colour to freshen it up.
Castle aside, couple all that positive stuff in with the amazing merchandise, dining and unique attraction experiences (please see all those appropriate sections for details), if you haven't been to HKDL, then a trip is well overdue!
Visas and Entry into Hong Kong
British and US Citizens with no criminal convictions or endorsements can enter HK without a visa, and will need to fill out a landing card on arrival. You actually have two parts to it, one which is given upon entry and the other exiting the region. To visit mainland China all visitors usually need a visa and should check before travelling.
It's a tough choice to figure out when you want to visit. Hong Kong is very hot all year round, but we have been in July when it is so humid you can barely breathe, and I do not recommend that to anyone!
We've been in October, April and May also, and found the weather at those times to be really quite pleasant (if a little changeable).
In terms of crowds, HKDL is the least busy Disney Park I've ever been to. Attraction and character lines can build up during peak times, but honestly, compared to the other four resorts at peak times, HKDL is a breeze.
We've rarely had to wait for anything, and you can normally find spots for the parade throughout the park right before it steps out.
Being in HKDL is so relaxed and calm, you'll almost forget you're in Disney!
Hong Kong is 8 hours ahead of the UK during summertime, and 6 hour ahead of most of Europe.
There is a 13 hour time difference during the summer for the East Coast USA, and 16 hours for the West Coast.
Hong Kong does not usually observe Daylight Savings Time, and so these time differences may vary by an hour each way outside of the summer (depends on whether your own time zone changes or not).
How Long Should We Stay?
When you look at how many overall attractions and shows the park has, and how deathly quiet it is most of the year (in terms of lines), you'd think you would only need two days tops.
I can assure you once you have spent a day in the park, you'll want to keep going back!
The park has some sort of enchanting draw about it, and it makes you feel so happy and relaxed about being there. It really is the most pleasant park we've ever been to.
To ensure you see everything at least once (including all shows and parades etc), and probably twice if the park is especially quiet, you'd need at least 3 days, we think.
If it is Christmas or Halloween season, then maybe four days.
Four days might seem a lot, but in order to really know the park, see all the shows and absorb it all, four days at a seasonal time of year seems very fair (although three would work too if you didn't have the time or money).
The currency of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dollar, and at the moment HK$10 equates to about 84p (British). The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort accepts HK$ and RMB at most full service locations (shops, restaurants etc that are not cards or stands).
An ATM (cash machine) is located at City Hall on Main Street USA. Unlike in Japan, most foreign bank cards work in Hong Kong. Credit and debit cards may need to be unlocked by calling your service provider in order to work abroad (mainly Europeans need to do this. It is a fraud prevention measure).
Most main foreign currencies can be exchanged into HK$ at City Hall. Check on the day of your visit.
Guest Services - Strollers, Wheelchairs, Lockers etc
Pricing for Strollers and Wheelchairs on Main Street
Hong Kong Disneyland is a very modern park, and all facilities, like the rest of the park, are immaculately kept and serviced often.
Located on Main Street, the park has stroller and wheelchair rentals.
Prices start at HK$90 for strollers, and HK$60 for wheelchairs.
Baby care, first aid and City Hall are also located on Main Street. City Hall is where you can ask questions, make complaints or ask assistance for most other needs.
There is also a first aid center in Grizzly Gulch.
Locker rental is available on Main Street, about half way up, on the right (down Center Street). If you don't want to rent a locker, purchases made in most stores can be sent to the front of the park for collection later. Guests staying at either HKDL Resort Hotel can have their purchases sent to the hotel gift shops.
Disabled guests are accommodated in a variety of ways, and you should check with City Hall on Main Street for a full list of services available to you.
Useful Guest Services Links
HKDL Official Guest Services Main Page
HKDL Official Guest with Special Needs Main Page
Official HKDL Weather Tips Main Page (has useful information about typhoons and evacuation procedures - yes, it does happen!)
HKDL Official Monthly Calendar
Meeting the characters at HKDL is a lot of fun. The lines are short, the characters are always fun and seem to have a real vibe about them, and they have some cute costumes at different times of the year.
Although the park does not really have a huge selection of characters, we really enjoy meeting them in HKDL because of the relaxed approach and the friendliness of the cast members and guests.
You can meet a variety of Disney pals, from the Princesses, Mickey and friends, Pooh, Stitch, Buzz Lightyear, Koda and Kenai and even PUSH the Talking Trash Can!
Main Street tends to be the home of Mickey and Friends, while Fantasyland has the Princesses.
Fantasyland is also home to Fantasy Gardens, which is a really pretty area that is dedicated to character meet 'n' greets. Usually you can find Mickey or Minnie, a Pooh friend, and two other characters (sometimes another of Mickey's friends and a Princess, though this can vary).
The Barrel of Fun in Toy Story Land is the dedicated place to meet Woody and Jessie.
Chip 'n' Dale's Grizzly Gulch outfits are super cute!
The cutest regular outfits in the park are those of Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale over at Grizzly Gulch.
Prospector Chip and Dale are probably my among my favourite costumes anywhere!
During special times of the year, such as Chinese New Year, Christmas and Halloween (and sometimes other special events too), the Disney Characters will appear in themed costumes throughout the park. During Halloween Season Jack Skellington and Sally Stitches greet guests, and at Christmas time Santa may even appear!
For more detailed information about meeting characters at HKDL, check out each of the park's lands dedicated pages in our HKDL guidebook.
Useful Character Greeting Pages Here at Character Central
Fantasy Gardens Meet 'n' Greet
Barrel of Fun Meet 'n' Greet
We also have a "cheat sheet", which is a big list of where to find every character at HKDL. Click here to access it.
Seasons & Events
Like the other parks around the world, HKDL celebrates various holidays.
Chinese New Year is obviously a big one since the park is in China. During that time they have special entertainment going on, as well as greetings with the Disney Characters in their really cute Chinese outfits. The outfits nearly always change year-on-year too! The actual date of Chinese New year can change year on year, but is near the end of January or the start of February.
During the summer, in the past the park has featured water themed cavalcades, mini parades and special greetings (Mickey and friends in summer outfits for example). The summer entertainment seems to be inconsistent though year-on-year, so it's best to check nearer the time of your visit.
Disney's Haunted Halloween
Halloween is celebrated at HKDL, and we absolutely loved it! In some ways it is very similar to the US, but in other ways completely different!
All your favourite characters dress up for the season
They have character greetings (Mickey and friends in Halloween costumes, plus Jack and Sally), Space Mountain becomes Ghost Galaxy, and they have a special parade (most recent version was the Glow in the Park Parade). Then they have some darker, more sinister and adult offerings. I am not one for things that make me jump or scare me, but honestly, they do an amazing job with their controlled environments they set up.
The first is Revenge of the Headless Horseman, and is a ghoulish circus nightmare, filled with performers who jump out at you! The other is the Graves Academy, a creepy, run down school filled with spooky students and teachers!
Halloween at HKDL is frightfully good fun!
Both of the above are full walk through experiences, set up within the park. I cannot express to you what a spectacular job they do of theming these temporary environments! I have never seen Disney do such a good job on something that only lasts a month! The sets, props, performers and overall experience is incredible - even if they scare you half to death in the process!
They also have the Cursed Jungle, which involves roaming performers in Adventureland who creep around scaring unsuspecting guests. Finally, there is the vampires vs. werewolves dance performance on Main Street.
At night the parks lighting is altered, as is the soundtrack, and it really feels like a scary, ticketed Halloween event - but it's all included in regular admission!
Halloween is truly excellent, so be sure to try it!
Disney's Sparkling Christmas
Christmas Season is Magical
HKDL do celebrate Christmas also. Again, they have a cavalcade, character greetings, lovely decorations and other holiday entertainment.
Unlike Halloween, there are no real attraction alterations or additions, but overall the park has a special seasonal feel to it, and is most certainly worth a visit.
At all seasonal times of the year, as with all the other parks, you'll find special merchandise and food offerings.
At the Enchanted Garden restaurant in the HKDL Hotel, the characters change their costumes according to the season. For example Halloween and Christmas they dress in special outfits that are different from those in the park.
Tomorrowland really comes to life at night
There wasn't really anywhere else I could put this, but I wanted to make specific mention to nighttime at the Park.
If you have ever visited another Disney Park, you'll know that as night falls, a different kind of magic sweeps over the magical realms. Main Street comes alive with tens of thousands of flashing lightbulbs, and the Castle is lit in multicolored effects.
Hong Kong Disneyland's Fantasyland is very pretty at night, especially around the Clopin's Festival of Foods area. Their "it's a small world" is exceptionally pretty, and is lit in thousands of multicolored changing bulbs. It is definitely the prettiest of all the "small world" attractions.
Tomorrowland comes to life with its electric neons, and the Big Grizzly Mountain famous rock faces are lit for all the Wild West to behold.
Useful Seasonal Links
Official HKDL Website Pages:
Hong Kong Disneyland Seasonal Events Landing Page
HKDL Seasonal Pages Here at Character Central:
Disney's Haunted Halloween Main Page
(sadly we've only been to Halloween Season so far. Our other two trips were "out of season")
Visiting the Area
Set on a group of islands in the South China Sea, just off the mainland, Hong Kong manages to have a wonderful balance of East meets West.
Massive buildings in greater size and number than I had ever seen before, beautiful mountains and lush green landscapes all engulfed in the waters of the western Pacific Ocean.
What I find interesting and somewhat amusing is that due to the region's previous ruling by the British, HK has an interesting mix of British things intermingled with Asian. The road signs for example are all very British. As are all the traffic lights and signals. There are British banks, and all the signs and notices tend to favour English first, then Chinese.
They also drive on the same side of the road and have double decker busses just like the UK!
You probably also won't able to help wonder how many 100 story apartment blocks a city could need.
Part of the view from Victoria Peak
The highest point above the city is at Victoria Peak Garden. The first time we went to HK, Our driver did an amazing job of navigating the practically vertical hills high above the city and once we arrived at the peak it became apparent we made the best choice of our stay.
The views over the surrounding city, islands and bay area are second to none. With panoramic views for miles and miles and lush green scenery, it is truly a beautiful sight.
Some of the buildings in HK must be amongst the tallest in the world as they are simply enormous, but up in this tranquil paradise the hustle and bustle below look merely like a model village from a theme park. It is simply incredible. There is a mountain side tram that runs up and down the side to the very point I was talking about, and it is in the central HK city area, but you would have to find out where exactly.
Also near the peak is a small shopping mall (because malls at the top of mountains are normal, right?!) that includes a McDonald's, and other useful amenities.
I definitely think that Hong Kong is a much more interesting city than Tokyo. Not that we didn't like Tokyo, but HK just had more character to it and was visually stunning, as opposed to the very industrial and sprawling Japanese capital. One night we also had a meal at a very upmarket Chinese restaurant in a large tower block. I don't recall the name, but you had to be a member to go there - which our hotel was, which meant we could use it. So if you ever stay at the Mandarin Oriental, ask about those exclusive members only restaurant around the corner - it's definitely worth a try. Before we move on to the resort itself, I'll just mention some practical things that we came across that might be useful to someone reading this.
Easily accessible on the MTR system, and facing HK island is the 'sister' island of Kowloon.
Just as fascinating and diverse as HK itself, Kowloon has streets jam-packed with retail, dining and other vendors, selling their unique items.
There is a definite mix of western and Chinese influences that have collided to create this wonderfully individual, yet familiar place. You'll find McDonalds on every block, and the weirdest Pizza Huts you'll ever eat at, alongside more traditional Chinese stores and restaurants.
Big name brands, and small local outlets are crammed into the long and busy Kowloon streets.
Street vendors (carts) sell a mixture of unusual items, mostly seafood. Be warned - some of it might turn your stomach!
Kowloon Night Market
The Kowloon Night Market is a famous street market that takes place most evenings, and offers the chance to get some discount bargains, ranging from accessories, toys, clothing and more. One big tip - be sure to haggle to get the best price!
Kowloon also has its own Walk of Fame, situated on the waterfront facing HK island (with amazing views of the city!), which pays homage to the most famous Chinese exports, such as Bruce Lee.
Official Discover Hong Kong Tourist Website
Lonely Planet Hong Kong Page
Trip Advisor Hong Kong Page


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Tag: Ngare
News: Japanese Studies
Congratulations to Kinyo Prize Winners!
Post author By Michael Cronin
The Kinyo Prize for Excellence in Japanese was established through the generous support of Mr. Kazuo Nakamura of Kinyo Virginia, Inc. This prize is given annually to recognize the hard work and achievements of the top student at each level of our Japanese program. This year's recipients are (from left): Jeffrey Ngare, Katherine Worcester, Jack Brorsen, and Claire Dranginis. Read about them below.
First Year: Jeffrey Ngare
Many students made great efforts and saw great progress in first-year Japanese, but Jeffrey was outstanding in his devotion to study and his passion for the language. He never hesitates to devote extra time to assignments. He has also tried to learn the cultural aspects of Japanese in depth while expanding his knowledge of the linguistic side of the language.
Second Year: Katie Worcester
Katie is an exceptionally diligent and hard working student with an outstanding linguistic sense. She tackles every classroom activity and assignment seriously. This semester, to encourage the people affected by the recent earthquake, she wrote a message that was not only grammatically accurate and well crafted, but that showed her true warmheartedness. We sincerely hope her message will uplift the spirits of the Japanese people.
Third Year: Jack Brorsen
Jack has pushed himself very hard both inside and outside the classroom to improve his Japanese. He continually sets new goals for himself after completing a task. He always tries to elevate his understanding of Japanese. Overall, his performance this year has been stellar and very deserving of this award.
Fourth Year: Claire Dranginis
Since her freshman year, Claire has impressed us as an extremely thorough and diligent student, with a quiet enthusiasm for Japanese language and culture. Last year, she spent one semester as an exchange student at Keio University in Tokyo, where she attained the highest level of language proficiency. This year, in Japanese 402, Claire has shown herself to be witty, gregarious, and fun-loving, helping to relax the atmosphere in class by humorously using Japanese onomatopoeia. Upon graduation, her plan is to teach English in China. She is already looking toward her next goal.
To all the awardees, congratulations on a job well done! Your dedication to language-learning is an inspiration.
Tags Brorsen, Dranginis, Ngare, Worcester


Saif Ali Khan, who is gearing up for the release of "Baazaar" and a period drama "Tanaaji: The Unsung Hero" alongside Ajay Devgn, talking about his acting skills said that acting is something that grows with time. Saif said that he has spent a lot of time in introspection rather than focusing on the world outside.
"I think I'm a late bloomer in some ways. My acting is getting better and better today. And I think acting is something that grows with time - something as an understanding and maturity... To know what to do what not to do," Saif said.
The eldest child from a high-profile interfaith marriage, the actor recalls spending his formative years with the Westerners, whose laid-back, outdoorsy lifestyle he identifies with.
But living in Bombay, the actor says being introspective has now become a way of life.
"When I'm abroad, I'm out all the time, running around Taimur or going out to lunch and dinner, not in a very touristy way, but quite chilled out," Saif said.
"Living in Bombay, I don't go out much. In Bombay, no matter how much money you have, it's better to be inside, at least, for me. I've spent a lot of time inward looking rather than outward looking. So I read, I think and I read more. And I listen to music," he added.
Saif, who later enrolled in Winchester College, says it is only now that "the ancient halls of education" finally clicked something in him and he tries to understand what the teacher meant while talking about 'Ring Cycle' by German composer Richard Wagner.
"I'd listen to Wagner's Ring and think let me read the translation while I'm listening to it and some ridiculous things like this, which I would never do normally. I have become more and more academic for some reason...I look up those things now and I read about them and I have a curious mind. A lot of looking inward has made me used to reading, thinking and sometimes I answer questions like what I'm feeling and it leads to at least the illusion of understanding," he said.
The actor will next be seen in "Baazaar", which is based in stock market with a mentor-protege relationship as its spine and he dubs the film as the rise of the anti-hero.
Saif plays a seasoned stock trader, Shakun Kothari, who unlike his previous suave-oozing roles, is a "bit crass in places".
"There might be a little grace to the character. I think when I was a kid I used to watch Alain Delon movies. He was the best looking guy that's ever been. This French actor used to play these slightly darker roles but he used to give it a little style and in my head I thought, that's cool. I've always been slightly intrigued by darkness more than the light side of things,'' he said.
"I find light to be misleading or boring. But as one gets old, even light needs strength to be reflected or to play Ram or to play a hero properly. You have to tap into different things. It's just something I enjoy. I actually wouldn't mind cornering the market (of anti-hero). It would be good fun to be known as that. Whereas earlier, people used to be like 'Oh, you are playing negative roles'. Now, it's becoming more grey," he said.
Besides "Baazaar", the actor will also be seen in period drama "Tanaaji: The Unsung Hero" alongside Ajay Devgn, who plays the title role.
Saif is reportedly set to play Udaybhan Rathod, the Rajput officer and fortkeeper appointed by Jai Singh, chief of the Mughul army under Aurangzeb.
He says the kind of roles he has been finding are some negative roles, but he believes they are actually anti-heroes.
"'Tanaaji' director said, 'You're like Imran Khan or Shahid Afridi. It's like you are the cricket captain of Pakistan. You're amazing but you're on the wrong side."
And yet his filmography finds space for a struggling, good cop, Sartaj Singh in "Sacred Games". The actor is floored by the reviews of the show and is excited for the second run of the Netflix India original.
The audience ate right out of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Ganesh Gaitonde for channelling the character's in-your-face assurance and notoriety and Saif remembers having an argument with director Vikramaditya Motwane on why was his Sartaj "so passive"?
"I felt like he's getting slapped by everybody. What's happening? Some second rate thug Bunty is jhaaping him. I got irritated. But it takes time. And if you see the show and I saw it much later... I asked him, 'Are you sure you want me to do this role because this other guy has such a fun colour?' and I was told that those things are true but we have seen that before,'' he said.
"So I said to myself that 'just be confident'. Sartaj is a fascinating character. He's holding the show forward. Technically, the show is not moving forward without him. He is the soul and grounds it. And then, you need something to believe in otherwise everyone can be immoral," he said.
"The idea was not to get tensed that the other guy is seeming to get all the attention but just more attention. And on a deeper level, and enough journalists have said it to me to get my justification that it is Sartaj's show. He could have easily been this gun-toting cop but he's not. He's screwed on every level in his personal life. He's trying to commit suicide, maybe by drinking the drain cleaner. Everyone is hitting and punching him, he's so down. Perhaps that's what made us feel that he's different. I think the fact that I did it and did it quite willing to get slapped made a difference," he said.
A spokesperson for Irrfan Khan Wednesday dismissed the reports that the actor will soon start shooting for Hindi Medium 2. The 51-year-old actor is currently in London undergoing treatment for a neuroendocrine tumour.
The spokesperson, however, said that Irrfan may return to the country after Diwali.
"The story floating about Irrfan starting Hindi Medium 2 shoot in December are all based on speculations. However, there is a possibility of him returning to India after Diwali," the spokesperson said in a statement.
A report in an online portal had claimed the actor will be flying to India to shoot for the sequel of his 2017 hit.
Irrfan first spoke of his health on March 5, when he revealed that he was suffering from a 'rare disease'. He later revealed that he has been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour, a rare disease that can target various parts of the body.
Priyanka, who will next be seen in The Sky Is Pink, also posted a video of fiance Jonas performing at the TIDAL annual benefit concert. "Amazing @nickjonas," read the caption. Other photos from the concert have surfaced on several fan pages. Earlier too, we have seen the Desi girl of Bollywood cheering and hooting for Jonas at his music concerts.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas made their relationship official in India with an intimate roka ceremony. The couple have been quite expressive about their love ever since. Their several photos together have often invited frenzy of their fans on social media. The two are expected to tie the knot this year and according to reports, Priyanka has zeroed in on Jodhpur as the wedding destination.
On the work front, Priyanka Chopra will be seen in Hollywood movie Cowboy Ninja Viking, where she will be sharing screen space with Chris Pratt. Her Bollywood outing The Sky Is Pink also stars Farhan Akhtar and Zaira Wasim.
Actor Shahid Kapoor's wife Mira Rajput, 24, showed of her newborn son, Zain Kapoor, for the first time at the Mumbai airport. Mira gave birth to their second child in September and after waiting for weeks, we almost got a glimpse of his sweet face on Tuesday. New airport photos and videos on social media show Mira as a hands-on, loving mom to her children, son Zain and two-year-old daughter Misha Kapoor.
The sweet photos show the doting mother-of-two cradling her newborn son Zain as they made their way outside the airport, although the baby's face was hidden under a blanket. They were accompanied by Misha and a nanny who tended to the little girl. New mom Mira wore black skinny jeans and a simple white tee for the family travels.
After welcoming son Zain on September 5, actor Shahid Kapoor reflected on how becoming a father for the second time had affected his work and life in general. A couple of days after Zain's birth, he revealed the name of their newborn son on Twitter. "Zain Kapoor is here and we feel complete. Thank you for all the wishes and blessings. We are overjoyed and so grateful. Love to all," he wrote in his tweet. He also thanked Mira's doctor in a special post.
Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput have been an adorable duo since they tied the knot in July 2015 at Delhi. The couple are also parents to two-year-old daughter Misha. On the work front, Shahid will begin work on his new film, a remake of Telugu hit Arjun Reddy. He will also be seen in a biopic on Asian gold medallist boxer Dingko Singh.
The phrase "women oriented" maybe a popular word in cinema now but actor Renuka Shahane says television, for one, has always been a medium dominated by female actors whether the content is progressive or regressive.
The 52-year-old actor, who led shows such as Mrs Madhuri Dixit and Kora Kagaz in the 1990s, says with the arrival of daily soaps, she decided to lay low.
"Whether it is progressive or regressive, TV has always been a women's medium. Most of the heroes and heroines of the small screen have been women. In that sense, I have done much more TV than films. In the '80s and '90s films, women were not given meaty roles except a Sridevi once in a while.
"I have been privileged to get really good stuff when television was in its Golden Age. Then, I kind of took a backseat at the right time when the daily soaps took over and it changed the profile of television totally. It's still women oriented. But I look out for roles that are progressive, which is a rarity on TV," Shahane told PTI in a telephonic interview.
The actor, who became a household name after 1994 release Hum Aapke Hain Koun!, says she took a sabbatical after she gave birth to her first son, Shauryaman in early 2000s as she always wanted to be around for her children.
Shahane is married to fellow actor Ashutosh Rana and the couple shares another son, Satyendra.
"I was very clear about being a hands-on mother. I wanted to do that for a long time. I enjoyed seeing them growing up. And I wasn't missing work much anyway as the content that was being made did not excite me much. So I didn't feel like going out of my way to work," she says.
Now that they are grown up, the actor is stepping out and reclaiming her place. The actor currently stars in the second season of Dice Media's webseries What the Folks, which explores how modern-day families grow together despite their differences.
She believes the digital space has emerged as a great platform today. "It has opened a whole new world. You can relate with the content that was being done in the '90s on TV, but of course, in a modern context because things in the digital sphere are always on par with what is going on globally," she says.
"What the Folks" first installment saw Nikhil caught in a bittersweet relationship with his wife Anita's parents, when he moves in with them for a few days.
Season two, which is currently streaming on YouTube, introduces Nikhil's parents played by Shahane and Shishir Sharma. Shahane describes her character Vandana as a modern working woman who is unlike TV's stereotyped mother-in-law.


Brogan Group's expanding Mastclimber & Hoist division has seen a number of its employees receive their Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme certificates this year. Pictured above are just four of the MCWP division employees that have achieved supervisor status.
The course is designed to ensure all candidates undergoing the training are able to confidently supervise sites, gaining knowledge in a number of different areas.
All of our supervisors hold SSSTS qualifications as a minimum, with a view to progressing onto SMSTS. Brogan Group are dedicated to the ongoing training and development of each employee's skillset to deliver industry leading services.


PAME has released its meeting summary from the PAME-ii 2018 meeting in Vladivostok, Russia. It includes a meeting summary, the list of participants, the meeting agenda and the list of documents.
PAME and CAFF have established a Joint ARIAS (Arctic Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Action Plan) Implementation Coordinating Group (ICG). First meeting in January 2019, looking at potential future projects.
PAME is currently updating its recommendations from the 2009 Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA) Report, the Arctic Ocean Review Final Report (AOR 2013) and the Arctic Marine Strategic Plan (AMSP), in consultation with all other Arctic Council working groups and task forces, as relevant.
PAME is preparing the third meeting of the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum. It will further strengthen the work of the Forum, and its web-portal (www.arcticshippingforum.is).
PAME has approved to develop a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Arctic Regional Hydrographic Commission (ARHC), subject to concurrence by the SAOs. Correspondence to start 2019 with ARHC!
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) gave a presentation at PAME II-2018, and based on this PAME invited the WMO to submit to PAME I-2019 a paper on the Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) scheme, focusing on the number of ships operating in Arctic waters that participate in the scheme and the value of information they collect to enhancing maritime safety.
PAME continues to work towards a harmonised implementation of the Polar Code. PAME will compile a list, summarising how each Arctic and Observer State understands and applies in practice the IMO's Polar Code; encouraged them to continue to work towards a harmonized and effective implementation of the Polar Code.
PAME aims to convene a joint submissions by all eight Arctic Council member states on the Regional Reception Facilities Plan (RRFP) – Outline and Planning Guide for the Arctic, to IMO's MEPC 74 meeting in 2019.
The ASTD project is progressing well, its database will be launched in January 2019. Much-waited by PAME's members.
PAME is planning to convene a workshop in 2018 to more systematically engage Observers in PAME's shipping related work. See the Arctic Council Observers here.
Part II of the MEMA project will see a report released in May 2019. It's one of PAME's highlight in work with indigenous people.
PAME welcomed the Draft Guidelines for Implementing an Ecosystem Approach to Management of Arctic Marine Ecosystem. Based on a recognized need from Arctic Council ministers, the Guidelines will Assist scientists, policy-makers, managers and communities in EA Implementation.
PAME is planning a 2nd International EA Conference to be held in Bergen, Norway, in late spring/early summer 2019 has been drafted with a focus on the issue of scale integration in EA implementation.
A regional action plan on marine litter is a potential project for the Icelandic Chairmanship in the Arctic Council within PAME. The desktop study on marine litter, including microplastics, will be a PAME deliverable in May 2019.
PAME works towards strengthening the coordination and collaboration with other working groups by inviting them to nominate experts in PAME's expert groups working on activities of mutual relevance.
The next PAME meeting will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in February 2019.


You've done your research, worked to expand your network, and strategized about how best to market yourself. Now it is time to take the next step to actualize your career goals. There are a variety of ways to make that next step, from on-campus recruiting and internships to international placements. Explore the different paths to attaining your ideal job.
Once you have completed all of your research, and you have begun to build or expand your network, you need to do an overview of the current job market and the type of career you seek. This will allow you to recalibrate any of your assumptions, or adjust your skill set to address the most recent sector or industry trends.
Industries and companies sometimes undergo change in a short amount of time, in response to systemic trends or global events. Do not assume that a particular sector or industry that was thriving a few years ago is currently enjoying that same rate of growth or level of financial health.
There are online resources that can help provide forecasting and search guides for various types of jobs. Rotman Management Career Guides offer a great overview of various types of jobs and industries.
There are many different online job posting platforms now available, and it is important to understand the search functionality and job parameters unique to each. Invest some time to learn how each of these sites categorizes and lays out their job listings.
Rotman Commerce Job Posting Board: Search for and apply to full-time, part-time, internship, summer and volunteer opportunities. Each year thousands of employers post exclusive jobs for Commerce Students. We recommend you visit the Rotman Business Information Centre – Careers to research company information before applying.
Students are encouraged to review job postings on the Career Learning Network – CLN. Each year over 10,000 jobs are posted to the University community.
Canadajobs.com: Canada's source for job search "how-to" articles and tips.
CareerBuilder: Search for jobs in Canada and around the world.
Eluta.ca: Search for new jobs in Canada.
Government of Canada Job Bank: Search for jobs by province.
Job Search Canada: Search for careers by field or degree with Canada's National Career Education and Planning tool.
Job Postings Magazine: Student jobs, entry level jobs, internships across Canada.
Neuvoo: Job postings across Canada, with over 40,000 postings in Ontario alone.
Ontario WorkInfoNET: See links to work- and career-related websites in Ontario. There are also WorkInfoNets for each province and territory across Canada.
Resume Target: includes a job board that allows you to set up daily job alerts and compiles a list of suitable job postings from major and niche job boards across North America.
Working.com: Search for jobs across Canada, get career advice, and read about current labour market trends.
Workopolis.com: Lists a variety of job opportunities.
Wowjobs: Search more than 100,000 jobs from thousands of job boards, classifieds and company sites in Canada.
Charity Village: Canada's site for the non profit sector.
Aboriginal Inclusion Network: Canada's aboriginal job board.
Ontario Municipal Jobs: Ontario's site for jobs in cities, counties, municipalities, towns, townships and villages across the province.
Media Careers Canada: jobs in film, television, photography, marketing and digital media.
International Experience Canada: 35 and under? Travel and work abroad through 3 programs: working holiday, young professional and international co-op internship.
Contact Singapore: Launch a bright future in Singapore.
On-Campus Recruiting is a recruiting method used mostly by large, global employers seeking to hire students into new graduate positions starting in Spring. Positions are open to undergraduate students entering their final year of study. Employers consist mainly of companies across the financial services, consulting, consumer packaged goods, technology, and healthcare sectors.
OCR is a highly competitive process spanning beyond Rotman Commerce to all undergraduate and many other graduate programs across the GTA, Ontario, Canada and abroad with employers seeking to hire the top talent of the graduating class. Factors such as undergraduate GPA, relevant work experience and fit are all important factors for interview selection. Interviews require significant preparation including company research, networking with alumni, and detailed technical/case and behavioural preparation.
To highlight the competitiveness, note that under 10% of the graduating class will secure employment via the OCR recruiting cycle, leaving the remaining 90% to pursue a self-directed job search, much like working professional students already rely on.
Preparation for OCR begins with researching target industries, companies and roles, participating in club or case competitions, preparing extensively for technical interviews, refining your pitch and networking with alumni and company representatives. The Fall OCR cycle itself consists of company presentations open only to graduating students, job posting applications, and (possibly) interviews.
As an undergraduate student, you need to be prepared to alter your schedule to suit the employer and their recruiting campaign. This means planning to reschedule personal and extra-curricular activities to accommodate a possible busy interview recruitment season.
Students are encourage to visit the Rotman Commerce Portal for updates on OCR dates, events and information sessions.
Log on to the Rotman Commerce Portal > Career Centre > Resources for useful resources related to On-Campus Recruitment.
Internships are a great way to learn a work culture, test drive your skills, and network within an industry. By exploring these experiential learning opportunities, you can increase your understanding of a business and further network with key players.
Consider that an internship can function as a sort of extended job interview. Look for tasks or assignments where you can maximize your exposure to the work and spend face time with professionals.
Explore various internship opportunities starting with the links included below.
Log on to the Rotman Commerce Portal > Career Centre > Resources for more resources on internships and experiential learning.
The Professional Experience Year (PEY) Internship Program at the University of Toronto provides undergraduate students with a 12-16 month paid internship where they can apply their academic knowledge in a project-based professional environment as part of ongoing career development.
PEY is open to Rotman Commerce students in years 2 or 3 who seek to combine their business education in accounting, finance, management and marketing to the business community. Past students have completed internships roles as business analysts, marketing interns and in supply chain services.
Many employers find this type of internships to be extremely valuable in determining hirability.
Working in other countries allows you to broaden your horizons. Consider the different options that may open up if you explore working internationally. Whether it is a temporary working holiday placement, or a full-time assignment, gaining experience abroad can help to refine your interests and allow you to discover new or previously hidden values.
This type of placement can greatly enhance your resume for employers that do business internationally.
Ensure that your assignment aligns with, or compliments, your existing skill set in order to maximize that experience for future potential employment.
Many organizations specialize in connecting job seekers with international placements (see links below). Choose the type of placement that fits best with your study or existing travel plans.
Once you have had a successful interview, the final step is understanding an employment offer. It is important to have done your research thoroughly before this stage, so that you understand what level of salary, benefits, and other perks are common for this type of career.
Often the turnaround on this stage is very short, so you need to respond confidently and quickly to any offer you receive. Your potential employer will not revoke an offer if you inquire, in a professional manner, if the salary and other components are negotiable.
Salary: the base compensation of the position.
Bonus Structure: any additional compensation linked to performance or KPIs.
Benefits: health, vision, dental, counselling, additional HR support, etc.
Additional Perks: vacation entitlement, profit sharing, stock options, working from home, flexible/personal time, tuition, fitness membership, corporate discounts.
Understand the pay scale for the type of position. Naturally, asking for a markedly larger salary than the range offered can cause a loss of the employment offer. Conversely, asking for compensation below the offered range can denote a lack of experience, confidence, or capability.
The most important ingredient for negotiating is attitude. Plan with a positive attitude and the desire for a win/win outcome.
Negotiate from a reasonable position with rationale for the alternatives you propose.
Link all negotiable items to the job itself.
If there are several points to negotiate, set them all out at one time.
You may want other items besides base salary e.g. vacation, signing bonus, accelerated time to promotion, etc.
Negotiate job content, including responsibilities, authority, interactions, and staff support at the time of the offer.
When negotiating salary, know what the going rate is for comparable positions in similar size companies in the industry and location.
Avoid discussing perks until major issues (salary, bonuses, etc.) have been agreed upon. Mentioning them earlier can put issues on the table that can be negotiated away.
Never make an impromptu decision during a negotiation. You must decide the limits of your flexibility before you begin negotiation.
Use the links below to better understand the types of offer and compensation packages for your desired career, and calibrate your negotiations accordingly.
Teaching Rotman Commerce students makes it easy to stay inspired and keep course material fresh. Every year, and with out prompting, students send me great examples of data and articles to include on topics ranging from work hours and longevity to Olympic performance and a nation's wealth. Course evaluations often praise my enthusiasm, but it is easy to be enthusiastic when working with great students.