If you’re visiting Hong Kong with kids, you must take them to Hong Kong Disneyland. We’ve been to every Disney Resort in the world, and it’s our favorite park.
To give you a little background, we lived in Hong Kong and still go to Hong Kong Disneyland (also known as HK Disneyland or HKDL) quite a bit. In fact, we have been there more times than many of our friends who still live there.
We’ve stayed in all three Hong Kong Disneyland hotels, eaten Disney dim sum, dressed up at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique multiple times, enjoyed character dining, and much more.
In this guide, I will share insider tips for making the most of your visit, including how to buy tickets for Hong Kong Disneyland, how to skip the lines, what the upgraded experiences are like, hotel reviews, and more to ensure your visit to this fantastic Hong Kong attraction is absolutely perfect.
I also specialize in helping readers plan Hong Kong family vacations (my list of Hong Kong family hotels is a must-read) and may be compensated should you buy tickets through links in this post.
Introduction to Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland opened in 2005. It is the city’s largest theme park but the smallest Disney park in the world. Smaller size though is part of its charm as it has lower capacity limits and usually shorter lines (we’ll discuss lines later).
Cast Members speak English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Like other Disney parks, they are incredibly friendly.
The park was designed to adhere to principles of feng shui, incorporates Chinese culture throughout, and is built on reclaimed land in Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island.
The park has seven lands (themed areas) that we’ll go over in detail and boasts elaborate holiday decor during Halloween, Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Easter.
Health and Safety Measures
Guests must purchase Hong Kong Disneyland tickets in advance and make a reservation before entering the park.
Part of the reservations process includes fulfilling Vaccine Pass requirements as mandated by the Hong Kong government, Be sure to check COVID-19 current requirements before you purchase your Disneyland ticket.
Requirements continue to change, but at the time of this writing, face coverings are required except when dining. All park guests may be subject to a temperature check at the park’s entrance.
In addition to increased sanitation measures, distancing markers are placed throughout the park to remind guests to keep space between each other. Most attractions, restaurants, and shops will be open, although they might operate at a reduced capacity.
Some interactions, like certain character meet-and-greets, may also be at reduced capacity.
Hong Kong Disneyland Castle of Magical Dreams
One of the park highlights includes the Hong Kong Disneyland Castle. It’s the only Disney castle that pays tribute to all Disney princesses, including Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, Moana and Anna, and Elsa — and the pursuit of their dreams.
When park guests walk around the castle, they’ll see elements that may remind them of their favorite heroine’s storyline. A Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is located in the Storybook Shoppe. You can see the “Momentus” nighttime spectacular show filled with music, choreographed fountains, lasers, and lights surrounding the castle.
The castle opened on November 21, 2020 in honor of the park’s 15th anniversary. It was Sleeping Beauty Castle in its former life.
The Seven Themed Lands: Rides, Attractions & Dining
One of your best guides around the park is the Hong Kong Disneyland app. You can refer to its map but also check it for the park schedule and any attraction closures.
Main Street u.s.a
The buildings of Main Street U.S.A. at Hong Kong Disneyland are architecturally identical to those on Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland in California. The difference is that there are stories appropriate to the park’s Hong Kong location woven in.
It looks like 20th-century small-town America. This is where the best souvenir shops are located, like the Emporium.
Tsum Tsums and Ufufy plush stuffed animals are VERY popular in Hong Kong, as is Duffy. In fact, you can see Duffy, ShellieMay, Gelatoni, and StellaLou inside the Main Street Cinema store here.
Rides and Attractions:
- Animation Academy
- Art of Animation
- Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad – Main Street U.S.A. Station
- Main Street Vehicles
Upon entering Main Street U.S.A., there is a grassy rotunda where a character greeting is usually in progress. Since it’s near the park entrance, the line here can be long, so we skip it and wait for other Disney character greetings.
Eat: Part of the joy of visiting Disneyland is the food! The Corner Cafe has a decent selection of pasta and salads, set menus, and afternoon tea. It’s just fine, nothing great. For takeaway, grab a tasty pastry or sandwich from Market House Bakery (which also has a Starbucks inside of it with Hong Kong Disneyland branded mugs if you collect these).
If you want table service Cantonese food, like very good dim sum, go to Plaza Inn, which is run by a popular brand called Jade Garden. Inside you’ll also find Chinese comfort food by Cha Cha Room.
Near here is also a snack cart with waffles, turkey drumsticks, and more, in addition to outdoor tables. We picked up the above egg waffle with cream a few visits ago.
Fantasyland
A walk from Main Street U.S.A. through the Hong Kong Disneyland castle lands you in Fantasyland, where young children will be the happiest, and the rides are near each other.
This is what the castle used to look like.
Rides and Attractions:
- Cinderella’s Carousel
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Fairytale Forest presented by PANDORA
- Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad – Fantasyland Station
- “it’s a small world” (the line moves very quickly if there is even a line)
- Mad Hatter Tea Cups
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Poo
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic (an adorable 4D show – recommend for younger kids)
- Sword in the Stone (Disney characters appear here sometimes; otherwise, it’s just a fake sword in a stone)
Fantasy Gardens is where character greetings take place. It’s relatively shaded, and there are nice benches to sit on. Characters appear in pagodas that are spread throughout the garden.
A photographer is on-site to take professional photos for purchase though they also will take photos using your camera.
Eat: Royal Banquet Hall has four stations: Grill, Japanese, Guangdong, and International. We ate here last time, and the kids enjoyed the dim sum, sushi and other foods on offer. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality.
I would choose this over Clopin’s Festival of Food, which is mediocre Chinese. Clopin’s usually displays mock dishes at the entrance to give you an idea of what the food looks like. (If you want Asian food, I highly suggest you go to Mystic Point’s Explorer’s Club… but they do not have Chinese food.)
The ice cream stand near the exit of “it’s a small world” is also fantastic though recently not always open.
Toy Story Land
This land is themed after the popular Toy Story movies and is conveniently located next to Fantasyland.
Rides and Attractions:
- Barrel of Fun
- RC Racer
- Slinky Dog Spin (a must for young kids)
- Toy Soldier Parachute Drop (one of the best rides in the park with a great view, but the line does not move quickly)
You’ll be asked to put your handbags and belongings in a cubby before boarding Toy Soldier Parachute Drop. If you have a smartphone on a neck strap (a DSLR is too big) or a secured-to-you GoPro, the view right before the parachute drops is pretty great (weather permitting).
Eat: There is only Jessie’s Snack Roundup here which sells drinks and snack foods, including soft serve with boba. The snacks seem to rotate, but during our last time, we ordered the pineapple freeze drink with pandan and soft serve, which is somewhat similar to Dole Whip. We always stop here for the fun desserts.
Mystic Point (Exclusive to Hong Kong Disneyland)
Mystic Point is the most recent land to open at Hong Kong Disneyland, and you won’t find it at any other Disney park.
The not-to-be-missed and only ride is Mystic Manor. It is similar in style to the famous Haunted Mansion ride but with an entirely different storyline and much more high-tech special effects.
This land is where mysterious forces and supernatural events occur in the heart of a dense, uncharted Papua New Guinea rainforest and where an explorer named Lord Henry Mystic lives (in Mystic Manor, of course).
Rides and Attractions:
- Garden of Wonders
- Mystic Manor (one of the best rides in the park with great special effects and music scored by Danny Elfman)
- Mystic Point Freight Depot (a place for kids to walk through and explore)
Eat: The Explorer’s Club Restaurant is the best Hong Kong Disneyland restaurant. Here, different counter-order stations feature Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian food. I usually order very good Hainanese chicken rice, and my daughter’s recent bento box was also excellent.
The only complicated thing is that if you want Southeast Asian food and your kids want Japanese food, you’ll need to line up twice (I sometimes do, and it’s not too inconvenient). This Hong Kong Disneyland restaurant has five dining rooms themed after various parts of the world. All food on the menu here is also Halal.
None of the food in the park is Michelin-star quality, but it’s improved over the years.
Mystic Point also has a frozen dessert snack cart. Beware that these treats melt quickly in the summer and, therefore, need to be eaten right away (and with plenty of napkins).
Grizzly Gulch
Grizzly Gulch is Hong Kong Disneyland’s version of Frontierland, which mirror’s the 19th-century Wild West.
It is small, and the only ride is Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, which is a roller coaster similar in style to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland in Anaheim.
This is my favorite ride in the entire park and an excellent intro to roller coasters for younger kids. We’ve taken several of my daughter’s roller coaster shy friends on it, and they loved it.
It’s different because it shifts from a high forward speed to a high but manageable backward speed at one point. The ride’s launch is cool, too.
The rest of Grizzly Gulch is quick to walk through.
Rides and attractions:
- Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
- Geyser Gulch
- Wild West Photo Fun
Eat: There is a popcorn cart and a snack outlet.
Adventureland
If you’re a Disney fan like me, you’ll be thrilled to learn that this is the largest Adventureland in all of the Disney Parks.
Rides and Attractions:
- Jungle River Cruise (signs indicate where to queue based on language)
- Karibuni Marketplace (characters tend to hang out here)
- Liki Tikis (it’s more of an interactive water play area, not a ride)
- Rafts to Tarzan’s Treehouse
- Tarzan’s Treehouse
Eat: There are two snack carts here that sell Korean squid, turkey legs, and other snacks. You can also find fresh-cut fruit here, too. The Tahitian Terrace offers quick-service Southeast Asian cuisine.
Tomorrowland
This land is experiencing the most change and is now home to the most popular ride in the park.
Turn right after leaving Main Street U.S.A., and you’ll land in Tomorrowland.
Rides and Attractions:
- Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!
- Hyperspace Mountain (Space Mountain, really, with a Star Wars twist)
- Iron Man Experience
- Orbitron
- Star Wars Command Post
- Iron Man Tech Showcase – Presented by Stark Industries.
My daughter and her friends recently enjoyed Jedi training at Star Wars Command Post. At age 10, they were a bit old for it, but the theatrics are funny to them. The show is in Cantonese.
Iron Man Experience is a big deal because it is exclusive to this park and the first Disney attraction based on a Marvel property. It is awesome.
I love how they feature prominent Hong Kong buildings during the ride (that, truthfully, might not be recognizable to tourists who just landed).
Here’s the ride description.
Here’s the ride description
The eminent innovator and pioneer, Tony Stark has selected Tomorrowland in Hong Kong Disneyland to host Stark Expo, where he will show off his latest high-tech creations in various exhibition halls – the Hall of Legacy, the Hall of Protection, the Hall of Energy and the Hall of Mobility. Guests will be among the first to explore Tony Stark’s latest innovations up close and fly in a gravity-defying Iron Wing flight vehicle in Iron Man Experience. He has also made Hong Kong the Asia headquarters of Stark Industries hereafter.
The park spent over three years designing and creating Iron Man Experience – complete with flight simulators, 3-D projection, surround sound, and other special effects that immerse guests in the Marvel story of a battle with the evil forces of Hydra.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! is the first attraction to feature Ant-Man and The Wasp. It is also the first-ever Marvel attraction in a Disney Park to feature a female Super Hero as a title character.
This ride takes the place of Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters but is similar in that riders shoot at targets to try to reach the highest score possible.
Tomorrowland closures: Besides Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Autopia was removed to make way for the Iron Man Experience. It’s too bad because I found the right-drive cars a hoot as we drive on the left in the United States.
Eat: The Starlight Diner is the best place in the park for a burger, a basket of chicken fingers, and other similar American-style food.
They have a vast dining area, the counter ordering seems to move quickly, and kids will like the space-themed decor. There is also a BB-8 snack cart that sells some good ice cream and a very popular popcorn cart with multiple flavors.
10 Best Hong Kong Disneyland Rides
Our favorite Hong Kong Disneyland rides are as follows:
- Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars (Grizzly Gulch)
- Hyperspace Mountain (Tomorrowland)
- Mystic Manor (Mystic Point)
- Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! (Tomorrowland)
- Iron Man Experience (Tomorrowland)
- Toy Soldier Parachute Drop (Toy Story Land)
- it’s a small world (Fantasyland)
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Fantasyland)
- Jungle River Cruise (Adventureland)
- RC Racer (Toy Story Land)
On a typical day, you can manage this entire list and then some.
How to Minimize Ride Wait Times
Note: This advice is mostly applicable when there are crowds during times when the park is operating at full capacity.
Like other Disney theme parks, if you can go right when the park opens on a weekday that is not during a holiday, this is your best bet for avoiding crowds. It’s what we do, and we’re able to more or less walk on and off of rides.
We did go in August a few years ago, which is the peak holiday season. It was miserably hot and crowded with loads of tourists from the mainland. The new Shanghai Disneyland has eased these crowds a little, but they are likely to still be there during school holidays like this.
When it was considered crowded during a recent Easter week, a wait for Dumbo (one of the most popular rides) was 25 minutes. Having just been to Shanghai Disneyland, where wait times exceeded 3 hours, 25 minutes was not a big deal to me.
This is considered “long” by Hong Kong Disneyland standards. The exception is that the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop can easily be an hour’s wait time during any season. In my opinion, this Hong Kong Disneyland ride has the slowest-moving line in the entire park.
Download the Hong Kong Disneyland App
The Hong Kong Disneyland app will tell you approximately how long the wait times are at certain rides, where and what time certain characters will appear, show a GPS-enabled map, make reservations, and provide various other details. Downloading this free app is a must.
Disney Standby Pass
After you enter the park, you can use the app to get a Disney Standby Pass for select attractions. Your group will select an attraction and receive a time to visit. Currently, this is applicable to character meet and greets.
- LinaBell at Main Street Cinema
- Princesses and Queens at The Royal Reception Hall
- Magic Access Member Exclusive: Character Encounter at The Annex
Disney Premier Access Pass
There are two types of Disney Premier Access that you can choose to purchase online in advance or when you enter the park. Walk-up purchase locations vary and are designated by the resort and change from time to time.
Advanced purchase is available online only, and Disney sometimes runs promotions for 10% off, so it makes sense to purchase your Premier Access pass online.
These passes allow guests to enter rides via a shorter queue. It’s important to know that this queue for favorite rides like Iron Man can still be 20 minutes long (or longer), but this is shorter than the main line.
Disney Premier – 3 Attractions (HKD 159) provides one-time priority access to your choice of three of the following attractions:
- Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
- Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!
- Mystic Manor
- Iron Man Experience
- it’s a small world
Disney Premier Access – 8 Attractions (HKD 329) provides one-time priority access to:
- Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
- Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!
- Mystic Manor
- Iron Man Experience
- it’s a small world
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Toy Soldier Parachute Drop
- Slinky Dog Spin
If one of these rides is closed, you do not receive an extra Premier Access entry or a discount on pricing. During our most recent visit, Toy Soldier Parachute Drop was closed.
3-Hour Disney Spectacular Tour
Hong Kong Disneyland’s VIP tour is called the Follow Your Dreams guided tour. At the time of this writing, the price is HKD 5988 (about USD 728) for up to six people and does not include park admission.
This VIP tour provides direct access to rides of your choice and reserved seating at shows.
I have never needed this tour (but I have booked the Shanghai Disneyland VIP Tour). It is worth considering during summer weekends, August, and Chinese New Year or for peace of mind if the possibility of crowds worries you. And, it will be helpful to avoid waiting in line during summer heat and humidity.
Read on for more information about the Hong Kong Disneyland hotels.
Miscellaneous Hong Kong Disneyland Tips: What to Bring, Amenities & More
Arrive Before the Park Opens
Guests may enter the park through the turnstiles at least 15 minutes early (probably earlier, but I’ve never tried) so that you can get to the end of Main Street U.S.A. before the park officially opens.
One reason to do this is to see the opening ceremony, where a pre-selected child/family will cut the ribbon with scissors.
The main reason, though, is that being this far into the park will put you in a prime position to get to your favorite ride first. I suggest you head to Toy Story Land for the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop or Tomorrowland for Iron Man or Ant-Man.
What to Bring and Rules
Be sure to pack sunscreen and bug spray. The latter is especially useful if staying until nightfall.
If visiting in summer, bring a travel umbrella for shade and a hand-held fan (the latter will be sold at a premium in the park if it’s hot — likely be a cute, Disney-branded fan). I’ve recently been using a USB fan that plugs into my phone though fans that mist water are super handy during a Hong Kong summer.
You are not permitted to bring in outside food or drinks. Adults over the age of 16 are not allowed to wear costume masks. Selfie sticks are not allowed and neither are wheeled shoes, scooters, or skates. Read the rest of the park’s rules and regulations.
Leaving a Stroller
I brought a Bugaboo stroller multiple times and never had an issue with leaving it anywhere in Hong Kong Disneyland while I went on a ride.
However, I never left anything valuable in it, and this is something to be done at your own risk. Stroller rentals are available at the park, too.
Disney Character Greetings
Character greetings are possible throughout every land in the park. The Town Square greetings in Main Street U.S.A typically have long lines because everyone enters the park here and gets overly excited to see Mickey, Minnie, and their friends.
I would say to skip this greeting area. Use the Hong Kong Disneyland app to find other characters to meet. The Disney Princesses are usually at Royal Princess Garden, for example.
Characters commonly sign autograph books, which you can buy in the Emporium on Main Street. It is a nice souvenir for your kids to have from their fun day in the park. They can put the stickers they receive from staff around the park in this book, too.
Character Dining and Princess Dress-up
Character Dining occurs at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Hotels. Here is where you can normally see them (check before you go).
- Enchanted Garden (Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel): Character dining dinner and breakfast buffets (lunch buffet on weekends only) featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and other characters. This is the most upscale of the character dining options.
- Dragon Wind (Disney Explorer’s Lodge): The Chinese restaurant offers a character dining breakfast buffet (regional and Western options are available) and a character dining lunch buffet on weekends and public holidays.
- World of Color (Disney Explorer’s Lodge): Donald and Goofy in Explorer’s outfits at breakfast accompany an international selection of breakfast buffet dishes.
- Chef Mickey (Disney’s Hollywood Hotel): Mickey Mouse puts on chef gear and poses for photos at the breakfast buffet.
Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is also where a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is currently located. If you use the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, the kids will want to visit the park afterward, so plan for this.
In the past, we’ve also used this Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, followed by character dinner at Enchanted Garden, and made it into the park for some evening fun and fireworks.
See also:
- Little Girls Become Princesses at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Cute Disney Dim Sum at Hong Kong Disneyland
- Should You Book Hong Kong Disneyland Character Dining
Luggage Storage
In between the park entrance and the Disneyland Resort Station (where you catch the MTR to Central and Kowloon) is a luggage storage area where you can stow bags if need be. Rolled luggage is not allowed in the park.
Here’s how to find it. From the MTR station and Disneyland Resort shuttles, walk through the big Hong Kong Disneyland Resort sign toward the park. You’ll pass the luggage storage area on the right.
Expansion Plans
Some major expansion plans are underway at the park. These include a Frozen land called Arendelle: World of Frozen, dedicated to all things Elsa and Olaf. It is supposed to open in late 2023.
How Much Time to Spend in the Park
You can absolutely spend a full day or even multiple days, especially if you’re a Disney enthusiast. However, a half-day in either the morning or afternoon is worthwhile, too.
The park is relatively small and home to rides similar to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris, and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. The park tickets are less costly than most Disney theme parks, so if you visit for a half-day, your wallet won’t suffer too much.
Consider how much time you are spending in Hong Kong. If the answer is just a few days, a half-day at the park will allow you to explore the rest of the things to do in Hong Kong with kids (the list is long). Ocean Park is another Hong Kong theme park that we like to visit, too.
The time of year that you visit definitely matters. Summer heat and humidity in Hong Kong are brutal. If you are not used to this weather and need to visit during the summer, it would be wise (especially with young kids) to break the visit into two half-days.
One half-day could be first thing in the morning, and another could happen in the evening. I have written a guide for visiting this Disneyland in the summer.
Hong Kong Disneyland Tickets, Annual Passes & Add-Ons
You can buy general admission Hong Kong Disneyland park tickets as follows.
Single-Day Passes
Adult tickets start at HKD 639 HKD (USD 82), and children’s tickets start at HKD 475 (USD 61). The price can increase on peak days. They also offer 2-Day Hong Kong Disneyland tickets and promotional packages throughout the year.
Meal Vouchers
Hong Kong Disneyland offers the ability to upgrade your ticket to include meal vouchers in advance. Right now, through Hong Kong Disneyland, the only available option is the 3-in-1 Meal Voucher or Park Lunch Plus Hotel Dinner 3-in-1.
To enjoy the benefits, you’ll need to plan to spend the entire day at the resort. Klook also offers a variety of Hong Kong Disneyland Meal Vouchers that you can consider.
In the park, the voucher needs to be scanned on your smartphone (or a printed copy) when ordering your food.
I usually don’t buy meal plans, but these can save you money, especially if you order meal combos in the higher range of what is allowable. The participating restaurants are my favorite anyway, and I find them easy to use.
Magic Access Annual Passes
Magic Access annual passes (prices start at HKD 1348 for adults) are available to all guests, regardless of country of residence. There are various levels of Hong Kong Disneyland annual passes.
If you plan to go for two days and stay in the hotel, it is worth considering an annual pass. They include a 10% discount on food outlets and shops within the park, discounted hotel stays, discounts on hotel dining, and more. Some passes have a few blackout dates that you’ll need to check.
The top tiers of Magic Access are more suitable for Hong Kong residents and extended stays, but it’s worth comparing the options.
Where to Buy Hong Kong Disneyland Tickets
Right now, again, you must purchase admission in advance in order to make a reservation to visit the park. You can do this at:
- park ticket booths (this has temporarily been suspended)
- online through Hong Kong Disneyland
- Klook: If you can wait one day for the ticket to become available, Klook is a top-rated discounted ticket source in Asia. You simply show a mobile or printed QR code at the gate, and each Klook purchase gives you credits to redeem for other tickets.
- Disney’s Hollywood Hotel
- Disney Explorers Hotel
- Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
- most Hong Kong luxury hotel concierge desks
Even during normal times, I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance so you can skip the ticket booth line at the park. Note that the Hong Kong Disneyland kiosk in Central Station is closed, so you can no longer buy tickets there.
Benefits of Staying in Hong Kong Disneyland Hotels
The three Hong Kong Disneyland hotels are very different from each other. I wouldn’t necessarily say that one is better than the other. Which you choose depends on the experience you’d like and your budget. We have stayed in each one so I can accurately review their benefits.
Extra Perks for Hotel Guests
It didn’t use to be that, Hong Kong Disneyland hotel guests had perks, but they do now! And they’re valuable.
Hotel guests use an exclusive “Disney Hotel Guests Entrance” at the Main Entrance of the park. Hotel guests do not receive early entry to the park.
Additionally, guests can take a complimentary resort shuttle between any of the three hotels and the Disneyland Resort Public Transport Interchange as an easy transport option.
Staying at the Disneyland hotels also amplifies the Disney magic with character visits, Disney-themed hotel activities, and magical themed playrooms. Guests can search for hidden Mickeys in the hotel gardens or enjoy a seaside promenade stroll while baby amenities like cribs and bathtubs make it easy to care for the littles.
For an extra special treat, consider a themed suite such as the Avengers suite at Disney Explorers Lodge, the Cinderella suite at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, or the Frozen suite at Kingdom’s Club.
Booking online also entitles you to a room upgrade (from standard to deluxe) and a complimentary drink.
Notes about the hotels: A convenient shuttle runs between the hotels and the park. You can walk from the Hong Kong Disneyland hotels to the park, but most people do not.
The hotels are both busy, so, in my experience, they lack that white glove experience one might expect in a similarly-priced hotel in other parts of Hong Kong. That said, my daughter loves staying at Hong Kong Disneyland, so we usually do it for at least one night during our Hong Kong trips.
Reservations: I’ve included links so you can check the prices on Agoda, a major booking engine in Asia.
Disney’s Hollywood Hotel
Art Deco in style, Disney’s Hollywood Hotel is the least expensive option. However, I found it a good value for money. Kids will love the piano-shaped pool, relaxed vibe, and expansive grassy areas to run through.
Character breakfast and dinner happen here (dates and times for the latter vary), and the food is honestly not bad. Standard rooms are quite colorful though comfortable. You can read our full Disney’s Hollywood Hotel review for more details.
Disney Explorers Lodge
The 750-room, resort-style Disney Explorers Lodge opened in April 2017. It’s furnished according to the four different tropical climates of Asia, Oceania, South America, and Africa and priced in between Disney’s Hollywood Hotel and Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
Learn why this is our favorite Hong Kong Disneyland hotel in my Disney Explorers Lodge review.
Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
This hotel is the luxury option though it pales compared to the fabulous five-star hotels elsewhere in Hong Kong. Victorian in style, similar to Orlando’s Grand Floridian, the rooms are fine and a bit nicer than Disney’s Hollywood Hotel though I wouldn’t classify them as luxurious.
This hotel is where Crystal Lotus (the excellent Cantonese restaurant that offers Disney dim sum), Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and more elaborate character dining is located.
There is a pool, a fun hedge maze kids love, and nice South China Sea views from the rooms. I haven’t written a review of this hotel yet but I will shortly.
If you’d like to immerse in all things Disney and enjoy the perks resort hotels offer, then, by all means, stay at the resort.
The park is so easy to get to (details below) that you could very easily stay in Central or Kowloon in a nicer hotel for the same or less money. We usually stay at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong and the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. Both are kid-friendly and well-located in Central, but Hong Kong is full of wonderful hotels—truthfully, some of the best in the world.
See also: 23 Best Hong Kong Family Hotels from Luxury to Budget and Best Hong Kong Luxury Hotels
Don’t Forget About Inspiration Lake Recreation Center
This neat area of Hong Kong is an overlooked gem, especially in temperate weather. It is indeed a lake with a woodsy park next to it. Admission to Inspiration Lake is free, and it’s a beautiful place for exercise, walking, and a change of pace. Surrey bikes and pedal boats are available to rent. There is also a snack shop.
How to Get to Hong Kong Disneyland
From Central Hong Kong: It’s easy and inexpensive to get to Hong Kong Disneyland park via the MTR. Take the Tung Chung MTR line to Sunny Bay station (all Tung Chung MTR line trains from Central head in the same direction because they start in Central). At Sunny Bay, switch to the Disneyland Resort Line. It’s an effortless ride that takes about 20 minutes.
Other MTR lines from across Hong Kong navigate you to Sunny Bay and then to the Disneyland Resort Line. The MTR is an easy subway system because of English signage and maps in each train car. The trains “speak” in English too. And they’re clean, probably because you’re not supposed to eat or drink on them.
Taxi from Central: Don’t do it if you don’t have to because Hong Kong traffic can be brutal. However, I took a taxi midday on a weekday from the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel to Central Hong Kong once, and it was fine and not too pricey.
From Hong Kong International Airport: Even though the airport is also on Lantau Island, it takes about 15 minutes or so with no traffic to get to Hong Kong Disneyland. Be sure to take a blue Lantau taxi. Red taxis go to Central, Kowloon, and a few other parts of Hong Kong. Green taxis go to the New Territories.
You can also take the Airport Express to Tsing Yi station, where you will transfer to the Tung Chung line. Take Tung Chung to Sunny Bay station, where you will board the Disneyland Resort Line to the park. It will take about 35 minutes.
Cultural Differences to Expect
Visitors are primarily Hong Kong residents and from mainland China. The ratio of adults to kids is much higher in comparison to U.S. Disney Parks.
Kids: If your child has light coloring, they may receive attention as this look is still not standard on the mainland. My daughter is a strawberry blonde with pale white skin and blue eyes. She is frequently stopped by very nice mainland Chinese who compliment her features or would like to take a photo of her or with her.
Line cutting: Contrary to the polite behavior I mentioned above, there can be line cutting. Hong Kongers quickly point out that the people who do this are foreigners. Instances of line cutting are becoming less frequent in recent years, but I suggest you stand in line with purpose and a wide stance, if that makes sense, to prevent people from slipping through.
Food: When Hong Kong Disneyland first opened, I ordered a hamburger at Starlight Diner that was a bun, mayonnaise, patty, and raw cucumber slices that were supposed to be American-style pickles. The burger situation has since improved. My point is that it’s important to remember that you’re in Asia, and Western food might taste and look a bit different than you’re used to.
Manage your kids’ expectations that they might see and taste snacks that aren’t normal to them but are completely normal to kids from other parts of the world. Encourage them to try something new—this is part of what I love about travel and visiting Disney Parks around the world. If you are looking for the most Westernized food options, your best bet is Starlight Diner.
FAQs About Hong Kong Disneyland
Feel free to ask a question in the comments, and if I don’t know the answer, I can get it for you. These are the FAQs that families I help plan Hong Kong vacations for ask the most.
Do People at Disneyland Hong Kong Speak English?
Yes, Cast Members speak English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. English speakers will have an effortless time navigating the park, reading guide maps, and interacting with staff.
What Castle Is Located at Disneyland Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong Disneyland castle is called the Castle of Magical Dreams. It’s the only Disney castle dedicated to 14 Disney princesses and heroines. When they renovated it, this was the first time a Disney castle had ever fully closed.
How Far Is Disneyland Hong Kong From the Airport?
The theme park is about 13km from Hong Kong International Airport. It will take about 15 minutes by taxi to get there without traffic. If you go by Airport Express train and MTR, this journey should take about 35 minutes.
How do I get to Disneyland Hong Kong from the airport?
The easiest thing to do is take a blue Lantau taxi to Hong Kong Disneyland from the airport, as the theme park does not offer an airport shuttle.
Alternatively, you can take the Airport Express train to Tsing Yi station, where you can transfer to the Tung Chung line. Take the Tung Chung line to Sunny Bay station, where you will transfer to the Disneyland Resort Line.
Should I Stay in a Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel?
There are several advantages to staying in a Hong Kong Disneyland hotel. You’ll enjoy easy access to the park and some additional perks reserved only for hotel guests. These hotels can also sleep families of four in two-bed rooms, which is unusual for Hong Kong.
However, HK has some of the best luxury hotels in the world, just a short MTR ride away. So, if you like nice hotels, I recommend you stay in Central or Kowloon.
When Is the Best Month to Visit?
The best month to visit Hong Kong Disneyland is between October and April when the weather isn’t hot and humid. You’ll want to avoid visiting on public holidays, including Chinese New Year, because of the crowds. It is nice to visit around the holidays because of the festive decor and extra entertainment.
Are There Extra Magic Hours?
No. Hong Kong Disneyland does not have Extra Magic Hours.
Should I Visit Ocean Park or Disneyland?
Families find that there is so much to do in Hong Kong that they only have time for one theme park. Deciding between Ocean Park and Disneyland is difficult, but here’s what to consider. If you are a Disney fan, do not have a Disney park near you, or do not have plans to visit one in the future, you’ll love HKDL.
Teens like the roller coasters and rides at Ocean Park, but little kids also have plenty to do. If you have kids with an interest in sea life or animal interactions, this is your place. It’s neat to visit a theme park outside of your home country that is well-run, safe, and different from the ones you’re used to.
I hope that you enjoy your visit to this fantastic Disney Park that we love so much.
(I have also written about Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, Disneyland Paris, Magic Kingdom, Disney California Adventure, Disneyland Resort, and Shanghai Disneyland.)
What do you enjoy most about Hong Kong Disneyland?
Leave a Reply