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

My daughter throws her Dumbo Tsum Tsum stuffed animal in the air in front of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort sign.
My daughter tosses her Dumbo Tsum Tsum in the air.

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.

Egg waffle with cream dessert at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Egg waffles are a must-eat in Hong Kong

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

Fantasyland at Hong Kong Disneyland has Dumbo, it's a small world, and other popular rides.
Dumbo does tend to have some of the longest lines.

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.

Hong Kong Disneyland castle renovation
The castle under renovation before the new spires were put up.

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

Guests walk into Toy Story Land at Hong Kong Disneyland

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.

Hong Kong Disneyland's Dole Whip equivalent dessert
Churro soft serve ice cream from Jessie's Snack Shack at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Jessie's Snack Cart at Hong Kong Disneyland

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.

Mystic Manor exterior — it's one of the best rides at Hong Kong Disneyland
The Mystic Manor exterior.

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.

Hainan chicken rice from The Explorer's Club, the best Hong Kong Disneyland restaurant in my opinion.
Hainanese chicken rice at the Explorer’s Club restaurant

None of the food in the park is Michelin-star quality, but it’s improved over the years. 

Frozen dessert cart in Mystic Point at Hong Kong Disneyland

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

My daughter's Dumbo sticks his head out of the photo area at Grizzly Gulch at Hong Kong Disneyland
Photo spot at 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

The Jungle Cruise tours at Hong Kong Disneyland are given in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.
Don’t skip the Jungle Cruise

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.

My daughter "holds up' the Tomorrowland globe at Hong Kong Disneyland, where some of the best rides like Hyperspace Mountain and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters are located.
The giant Tomorrowland Sign

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.

The Star Wars Command Post at Hong Kong Disneyland is an interactive show that younger kids may like. It's basically Jedi training.
My daughter and some of her friends in the show.

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.

The new Iron Man Experience arrived at Hong Kong Disneyland in January 2017.
Photo is used courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland

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.

Hong Kong Disneyland dining: Starlight Diner menu
The Starlight Diner Menu

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.

Priority Admission Pass entry at the Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop ride at Hong Kong Disneyland
Priority Admission Pass (now Disney Premer Access) entry at Toy Soldier Parachute Drop skips even the Fast Pass line, which can be “long.”

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

Get to Hong Kong Disneyland a few minutes before it opens to see the opening ceremony, pictured here.
They will let guests into the park to the end of Main Street U.S.A. at least 15 minutes before opening. This photo was taken before the castle renovation began.

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

My daughter at age 2 greeting Pluto at Hong Kong Disneyland's Fantasy Garden.

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

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is located outside of Hong Kong Disneyland at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
When it's raining in Hong Kong, make reservations for character dining at a Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.

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:

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. 

Distance to Hong Kong Disneyland from the hotels.
Directional signage in front of Hong Kong Disneyland

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

Disney's Hollywood Hotel is an excellent choice at Hong Kong Disneyland.
My daughter in front of 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.

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Disney Explorers Lodge

Disney Explorers Lodge is the newest Hong Kong Disneyland hotel.

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.

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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.

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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

The Disney Resort Line to Hong Kong Disneyland has windows shaped like Mickey Mouse.
Everyone loves the Mickey windows on the Disney Resort Line MTR train.

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?

Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).

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110 Comments

  1. My husband loves going to Hong Kong, yet he never invites us along! I so want to make this trip but not with three kids…maybe one at a time 🙂 One day we’ll make it!

    Reply

  3. Interesting turn on the line cutting…at the Sphinx in Egypt, it was the Germans who were cutting and jostling the rest of us. We were in Hong Kong as kids and I remember everyone wanting to touch our hair, and especially my mom’s hair – she had light blond hair which, as you say, was a rarity. Looking forward to the hotel review.

    Reply

    1. Thanks! I think they must have gotten the memo about touching. No one does that anymore, luckily!

      Reply

  4. Oh, I love Hong Kong! Your part about the train and how inexpensive it is really made me miss zipping around that city with my Octopus card! I still have it in my wallet!

    Reply

    1. You’ll love that I lost my Octopus card (as I always did when I lived there) and found it in my purse on the day we were leaving and it was loaded with $. Just means I’ll have to go back then!

      Reply
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  7. Thank you for sharing this experience. I had been worried about how crowded the park would be with Mainland tourists but it looks nothing as bad as it can get on the Mainland. It also sounds easier and cheaper than Disneyland Paris albeit smaller.

    Reply
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    1. I have heard no stories but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Hong Kong is a very small place, relatively speaking so if there was an issue I would have heard about it in my parenting circles or in the newspaper when I was living there. They do have a well marked place off Main Street where you are to go in case your child is lost. I would assume the risk is no greater than at the other Disney parks. In fact, I feel safer at this one.

      Reply

  10. I’ve never been to Hong Kong and would love to go some day and visit Disneyland there. But for right now, it is easy for me to visit Disneyland in Orlando, Florida. Disneyland is a wonderful place to visit no matter where it is located.

    Reply

  11. We’re headed to hong kong very soon and would love information on family friendly hong kong hotels:) (currently overwhelmed and can’t believe we’re bringing the kids).

    Reply

    1. I should write about that actually. I prefer Central Hong Kong, which is also expensive. But it’s safe and more kid friendly. I would say it depends also on how long you are going for. There are also serviced apartments that have small kitchens and can be less expensive and easier for families. We stayed at Central 88 which is in a great location, albeit on a busy street. I also love the Peach Blossom (1 month minimum stay) in the mid levels. For hotels, my two favorites are the Four Seasons Hotel (we lived in the apartments for years) and the Mandarin Oriental (not the Landmark Mandarin Oriental – though that’s very nice too, less family friendly). The MO is not super stroller friendly, getting in and out of the hotel, but there is usually a doorman. I wrote about it here – https://lajollamom.com/2011/06/hong-kong-with-kids-the-mandarin-oriental-hotel/ and the Four Seasons a few times on their blog. Any of the hotels in Pacific Place (Admiralty) would be great too. I am less familiar with Kowloon side.

      Reply

  12. Our family (w/ 4 kids) are visiting HKDL later this week, and I was wondering if they are strict on their return times for fast passes? We are frequent visiors of DL in Anaheim, and there you can return to the ride pretty much any time after the “starting” return time, as long as it is the same day. Is it the same @HKDL? This will help with our planning, and I haven’t found an answer on any forums yet…

    Thanks for a great post!

    Reply

    1. That is a good question, I don’t know the answer. I can ask my friends that still live there. I usually go at the time the fast pass says. I’m going to guess that they are strict with the times.

      Reply

  13. Hi, I would be visiting HK this coming may..Would like to ask your insights on how to travel with 2 kids (8 and 3 yo)? Will be there for 4 days and would like to visit Disneyland, more attractions for kids and also shopping. I am a bit confused on where to book hotel without getting the kids too tired due to long travel. Where is the optimum place to stay where I would be halfway the airport, shopping areas and disneyland? Or can you give me advise on best option?
    Thank you so much!

    Reply

    1. Hi. I always prefer Central. It’s a very easy 23 minutes by Airport Express train and it takes about the same amount of time by MTR to get to Disneyland. Central is also about 15 minutes (depending on traffic) to Ocean Park (in the other direction of the airport), another place you must visit with kids. The hotels are more expensive, but it’s very easy to navigate especially if you have kids, and very safe. I find Kowloon much too hectic for kids, unless you were at the Peninsula, Intercontinental or Ritz Carlton. The Ritz is a little out of the way, however. Admiralty is on the other side of Central and also has several large hotels connected to a mall called Pacific Place where there’s a grocery store and lots of kid-friendly dining.

      Regardless of where you stay, it’s a city that involves a lot of walking. I brought a stroller for my 4-year-old last spring and would have been miserable without it. But this year, we’ll go without and see how it goes. It will be a lot of taxis, I’m sure.

      Reply

  14. Hi!

    I’m so glad to find your blogs. I’m about to go to Indonesia in June and will have a 9 hours layover in hk (from 7 am to 4 pm) on a Thursday. I will be traveling with my 3 yrs old daughter. I really want to take her to hk Disneyland during this 9 hours wait for the next flight. Do you think it’s a good idea since the park will be opened at 10.30 am and we must go back around 2 to the airport? What is the event or ride where I should take her inside Disneyland within this very short visit. I enjoyed your articles tremendously.

    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Yes! I’ve never done this but I am told that you can store your bags at HKIA if they are not being checked through to Indonesia. Follow the taxi signs and take a blue Lantau taxi to Disneyland. It’s about a $100-$150 HKD cab ride (20 minutes-ish). Buy your tickets in advance an pick them up at the will call window (again, I usually do this at Central Station but look into it – I’m told you can pick up at HK Disneyland). Spend about 2-3 hours at the park. It’s so small that on a weekday that’s not a holiday it will be enough time. On weekends just be prepared to wait in line a bit longer (though by US standards, this isn’t long at all). Make sure you grab a map/schedule as some characters (if this is important to your kids) are out at certain times. Because you get in so early, perhaps call the Disneyland Hotel and see if there is space to dine at the character breakfast before the park opens. You must reserve it well in advance. There is a complimentary bus from Disneyland Hotel to Disneyland that runs frequently and takes just a few minutes. Then from Disneyland take a taxi back to the airport. You never know, but you should miss traffic in the hours you need to transfer.

      I have taken flights that lands in HK at 6:00am. It helps to have an exciting activity for the kids to do in order to fight their exhaustion from travel.

      If your baggage is being checked through to Indonesia and you have your ticket printed, then you don’t need to be at HKIA at 2pm. It’s a highly efficient airport so you can arrive 2:30 – 3pm typically without a problem.

      Reply

  16. Hi
    we are going to Hong Kong for 3 days in August with our 5 year old daughter.

    Where is the best place to stay? There seem to be two disney hotels but they seem quite expensive. How do they compare to other hotels in the city?

    We are looking at getting a 2 day pass.

    Please email me back

    Thanks
    Peter

    Reply

    1. Hi! I have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. It is a little hectic and expensive for what it is but my daughter looooved it. I prefer to stay in Central Hong Kong, however, the larger hotels there can be even more expensive depending on time of year and which you pick. There are a few smaller boutique hotels that are less expensive – maybe check Expedia to get an idea of price and availability. It is so easy to get to Hong Kong Disneyland from the Central that you don’t need to stay at the park if you don’t want to. The Tung Chung MTR line is the one that takes you to the Disney train and it stops at Kowloon Station. In theory you could stay in Kowloon too, but it would likely add on a few minutes to the journey unless you’re staying around Kowloon Station. Most people tend to stay in Kowloon near the Tsim Sha Tsui station (TST) so you’d need to somehow change trains or taxi to Kowloon Station to get to the Tung Chung line. I hope this all makes sense!

      Reply
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  19. Me and my parents are going to Hongkong this coming April 21-24.. And we’re going to HKDL. Is 9-10 hours okay to spend in DL? And we’ll be staying in Shamrock Hotel in Kowloon, is it near the night markets and malls? Thank You. 🙂

    Reply

    1. It is definitely more than enough time. In fact, you may find that it is too much time! We were there last summer and there are new areas like Toy Story Land and Grizzly Gulch that will have slightly longer wait times than the usual rides, because they are new.

      Public transportation in Hong Kong is excellent so you can definitely be flexible with your schedule.

      Reply

  20. Hi,
    I am from the Middle East (Oman) and it would be my frost time in HK with my husband and 3kids, 7years, 5years, 1year.
    I have a few questions:

    What would you recommend is a good duration to enjoy the day rides and night shows in disneyland HK, 4days at the hotel?

    I intend to drive directly from airport to Disneyland, will it be a long drive?

    After doing disneyland, anything interesting for kids in central HK worth spending 2 nights or so?

    How to Chinese react to our brown skin color? Welcoming?

    Reply

    1. Hong Kong Disneyland is very small so you really don’t need more than a day or two there, unless your kids are huge Disney fans. If you are stayinlang at one of the Disney hotels, there are shuttles to the park that run every 15 minutes or so allowing you to play it by ear when the kids get tired, etc. It’s very easy. The character dining and character dress up (My Little Princess) are at the hotels (Disneyland Hotel, usually) so do make a reservation in advance if you’d like to participate.

      We took a blue Lantau taxi to Disneyland from the airport and it took about 20 minutes. It’s a very easy ride.

      Hong Kong is a very international city so please don’t worry about the color of your skin. My daughter likes Ocean Park (I do too), which is a sea-themed park on the island with shows, rides and a spectacular view. Also on that side of the island is a sort of touristy restaurant called Jumbo which is a large boat you take a small boat to get to. My daughter likes that. She also likes taking the Peak tram up to the Peak for lunch. There is space for them to wander, shop, and great photo opportunities for you. If the weather cooperates, you can see all of Hong Kong. Cafe Deco on the Peak used to have a Sunday brunch with entertainment for the kids. They renovated last summer, so I am not sure if they still do it. If not, the Peak Cafe is kid-friendly with a nice outdoor patio. The star ferry is a fun way to get from Kowloon to Central that kids like.

      Skip the Hong Kong Zoo–it’s spread out and a lot of walking for what it is.

      Hope this helps–enjoy your stay!

      Reply

        1. Sorry, I am just seeing this! There aren’t really any hotels over there, but you could stay in Wan Chai or Admiralty (they are expensive but hotels at Pacific Place are all great) that is close by and still have MTR access. To get to Ocean Park, you’d need to taxi as the MTR doesn’t run on the south side of the island, unfortunately.

          Reply
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  22. Great report,
    We are going end of September (wife and I, our 4 year old son and a cousin). What else you recommend and where should we stay, thinking of staying 7 days.
    Thanks

    Reply

    1. You picked a great time of year to go with the best odds of good weather. Ocean Park on the island is great for age 4 and could be an all day adventure. I would suggest taking a ferry to another island like Lamma Island to walk around, eat or go to the beach. Brunch on the weekend is a family affair and Cafe Deco on the Peak used to offer kids entertainment during Sunday brunch but I’m not sure if they still do that. Enjoy!

      Reply

  23. Hi do you think I am safe travelling to Hong Kong with my four year old alone? I want to try something different? Also any info on immunisations please x

    Reply

    1. I find Hong Kong to be very safe though I mostly roam on the island in mainly Central and in Kowloon. As with any big city, it depends on where you are staying, I’m sure. Though it costs a bit more, I would try to stay in these areas. Sheung Wan, right next to Central, tends to have less expensive hotels and it still quite convenient. I traveled there now alone with my daughter all the time.

      Reply

  24. Hi,
    Thank you for the advise on disney. We are going to hk for 9 nights in July and we plan to spend 2 days at disney. I have a 8 year old and a 4 year old. Do u think 2 days in Disney is enough? Any suggestions what to do in hk besides disney with the kids?

    Reply

    1. Hi! Apologies for the late reply! I would go to Ocean Park on the island. Kowloon has a couple of fun museums. My daughter is 6 and likes the markets (not for long though). I would go to the Peak for lunch and perhaps a walk (it’s the best view of the city and great for photo opps). Take the tram at least one way. My daughter also likes to take the mid levels escalator, which can be scenic and I believe it’s the longest escalator in the world so she thinks that’s neat. Stop and have lunch in the mid levels at one of the many restaurants. Lots are kid-friendly.

      It rains in July so it’s good you are planning two days at Disneyland, just in case it rains on one day. You might want to go at night for the fireworks and cooler air. The park isn’t big so two days is enough.

      Reply

  25. Hi. My daughter is turning 4 this July and we want to take her to Hong Kong Disneyland on her birthday. How’s the weather in Hong Kong on the month of July? I’m kinda worried coz some say that it’s typhoon month or rainy? We don’t want to spend plane tickets & hotel if the weather is not good. We don’t mind summer weather thou.

    Reply

    1. July is during typhoon seasons so it could rain–a lot. If it isn’t raining, the weather is hot and humid but it’s not intolerable. Maybe carry an umbrella for shade (you might need it for rain, just in case). It’s a hard decision. You could book a character breakfast at Disneyland Hotel or do the Princess for a day program where the girls can dress up, just in case the park is too rainy.

      Reply

  26. your blog is very helpful. thank you so much. Im planning to go to Disneyland this june and planing to book in disneyland hotel, if i do so, for example i wasnt able to see all the sites in one day, since im booked in the disneyland hotel can i go back the next day without paying for the entrance fee?

    Hoping for your reply if you know the answer. Again thank you in advance

    Reply

    1. Hi. I doubt they would let you go again for free due to bad weather but perhaps call the concierge desk at the Disneyland Hotel? They would best be able to advise you about that.

      Reply

  27. hi! i would like to ask if the HK$450 admission fee already includes the rides and attractions like the toy story land, mystique, etc or its just plain entrance fee only? thanks!

    Reply

    1. Yes, it includes admission to the rides. You pay additional for special experiences and, of course, food.

      Reply

  28. Hello there, nice review! Btw, I want to ask you, how exactly can we get to the Disneyland feom the airport, is it better by taxi or train? And, do you think it’s worth it to go for around 5 hours only because we only have an 8hr stop in hongkong. I hope you can advise.

    Reply

    1. Hi! The best way is to get into a blue Lantau taxi from the airport and it costs about $120 HKD give or take. We usually only go for half a day. Hong Kong Disneyland is small but they have added a Toy Story Land and Grizzly Gulch. The newer rides have longer lines, typically. Have fun! If it’s pouring down rain, I’d give it a skip as rides will close.

      Reply

      1. Toy Story is great to hear 🙂 Now booking for an overnight stay though, better to see the fireworks! Can you recommend a nearby hotel in the same area for Disneyland?

        Reply

  29. Dear Ja lolla mum;
    Which mall in Hong Kong can I get nice evening dresses for 1 and 5 year old girls. Something fancy. Something like party princess in Malasiya if you are familiar with it.

    Reply

    1. I am afraid I don’t know the answer to this! It’s easy to find cheongsams in the markets but I am not sure about frilly dresses. I will ask my friends if they know. It is expensive but there are a number of designer children’s stores in the Prince’s Building in Central.

      Reply

  30. Great blog!thanks for all e brilliant info!
    Taking my 7yr old twins to Disney HK 2 full days but the other 2 days are a ? What wud u recommend we do which entails not too much traveling and not too exotic (spicy/hot) food? Also what do u recommend on clothes and shoes? Do you recommend going out to night markets for these 2? we r at the royal view hotel w transfers but do u recommend getting an MTR card for other 2 days? Thank you for our wonderful insights!
    More power to you!

    Reply

    1. It’s very easy to buy MTR tickets as you need them so don’t worry about not having an MTR card unless it’s less expensive based on the number of rides you’ll take.

      I recommend closed-toed shoes in Hong Kong. The streets and sidewalks can have uneven pavement and gutter water. Clothing depends on the time of year but even in summer, you need a sweater as it will be hot hot hot outside and freezing cold air conditioning inside shops and other buildings.

      I keep meaning to write about Ocean Park but you should take them there too if your budget permits. It’s a sea-themed park on the south side of the island that you’ll have to bus or taxi too (no MTR service). Skip the zoo as it’s a little depressing. Food that isn’t spicy is easy to come by. Hong Kong is full of Western food like sandwiches (Subway is everywhere as is McDonalds) and salads even.

      Reply

  31. Thanks so so much for your tips and guidance. .both me and my kids loved disney land! Your blog helped to prepare me and know my expectations. Thanks again.
    Safa

    Reply

  32. Hi, we were looking at coming over for about 5 nights next April 11 and was hoping to stay at disneyland resort but as its hong kong a school holidays were concerned re cost and how busy disneyland would be and how busy Hong Kong would be even? And if we did stay there how far away are the shops etc and is the shopping good reasonable prices? Taking our 6 year old girl and 14 year old son? Then was thinking of flying to Singapore? Your thoughts would be great as no travel agent seems to be able to help me and be honest? And if you think it would be better to stay in Hong Kong and just get a transfer to disneyland that’s fine just need some help. Thanks again Natalie

    Reply

    1. Hi Natalie. Actually, we visited during a school holiday in 2012. Lines averaged about 45 minutes for popular rides, which is normal at Disneyland in Anaheim. So though that is crowded for Hong Kong we weren’t fussed by it. Hong Kong Disneyland does have a Fast Pass option where you can grab a ticket for an assigned time to return to the ride. Even Fast Pass lines can be a small wait so don’t expect to cruise right on to the ride at your assigned time, though it’s a massively improved line. On the other hand, April is such a lovely time to visit with little risk of rain. The best thing to do is buy your park passes in advance so at least you can skip the ticket booth lines. And, go right when it opens. The most crowded lines are the new attraction lines–Grizzly Gulch and Toy Story Land–and Dumbo. Disneyland Resort is very convenient (make reservations for character dining there well in advance), but the MTR subway system is so good in Hong Kong that from Central and Kowloon, Disneyland is easy to get to regardless. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel a few years ago and I was grateful for the convenient location to Disneyland but underwhelemed by the rooms. I do not think they have renovated since then but am not sure. I prefer Central/Admiralty as a base for convenience to the top restaurants, shopping and other attractions, but the hotels are expensive. If you want to stay on the island look a little bit east or west of Central like Sheung Wan or Wan Chai (though the latter can be busy with nightlife depending on where you are) to save on cost. Kowloon is a little hectic for me, but also an excellent choice because you can MTR or ferry to Central easily. Central is also where the ferries to the outlying islands depart from. I would say that the cheap shopping is mostly in Kowloon though it can be found in spots everywhere. Also, you can’t really walk anywhere of interest other than Disneyland whereas in Kowloon or Central, you can usually walk to plenty of restaurants and shopping. Hope this helps!

      Also, Singapore is just plain awesome with kids. The Night Safari is a must-do as well as the zoo, bird park and Sentosa island attractions like Universal Studios. I took my daughter when she was 4 and she loved it. Plus the food is amazing if you’re comfortable eating at the hawker stalls. It’s much more inexpensive than Hong Kong on a number of levels. I’m a shopper so we usually stay near Orchard Road at the Four Seasons or Regent.

      Reply

  33. Hi,

    Thank you for your advise on Disney. It is helping to plan my trip. Which attractions do you suggest to go first for me not to stay a long time in line. I really would love to know the ones that have a big line. Thanks, Leticia

    Reply

    1. Dumbo has a huge line always. When we were there a few months ago Toy Storyland had long lines at about 45 minutes. It’s a Small World typically has a fast-moving line or no line and the rest are hit or miss. They have signs that will tell approximately how long the line is before you enter it and some lines have a Fast Pass option. The character greeting area on Main Street, right when you walk in, typically has a long line so I would skip that unless your kids insist. Have a great time!

      Reply

  34. Hi

    Stumble upon your site. It was great reading it. Thank you for the tips that you have been sharing with everyone.

    I am planning for a HK disneyland trip this Dec 2013. I am bringing my kids aged 4 & 2 along.
    Just concerned about the long queues. Other than that i am excited too as i have never been to Disneyland myself.:)

    Am i right to say that both English and Cantonese is used at the park? [ please correct me]

    Thanks 🙂

    Reply

    1. Yes, both English and Cantonese are spoken. I believe they make announcements in Mandarin too. Rides like Small World are sung in English, however. At that age, I would go straight to Fantasyland to do the character greetings when they start at noon (check the calendar). The characters can have long lines as the day progresses and it’s irritating the be in line when they leave to take their little 10 minute or so breaks. I would go right when it opens and head to the newer attractions like Grizzly Gulch if those are interesting to your kids. Dumbo always has a long line. It’s not a big park so maybe go over the map with your kids to figure out what they’re interested in and head to those spaces first.

      Reply

  35. Hi what is the best time of yesr to visit hong kong with my five year ols son please? When it is cheapest to fly etc, but still hot and safe…ie monsoons etc etc. Thank you xx

    Reply

  36. Hi,

    I’m going to HK Disneyland in Aug, for 2 nights without realising it is school holiday in China and HK. We’re bringing our 5 yo daughther and it will be our 1st Disneyland visit for 3 of us. I heard many horrible stories about cutting lines and i guess we just have to deal with it when we’re there.
    I’ll be heading straight to Disneyland from airport. Some people sugest to go via MTR as the train to disneyland is wonderful. Do you have any idea what they have in the train hehe? Should i skip and just take the taxi?
    If i booked the 2 day pass online, where shall I pick up the ticket? I plan to book both hotel (disney’s hollywood hotel) and ticket online, can i pick up the ticket at hotel (hopefully less queue) compare to park entrace?
    Thks

    Reply

    1. August 1 is a school holiday which means it will be crowded. I would go right when it opens and study the map prior to decide where to go first. There is line cutting, but I noticed during my last visit it was better than usual. It’s very, very frustrating.

      I would just take a taxi. I don’t know how long you are staying, but to MTR anywhere from Disneyland you have to take the Disney line anyway. All it is, basically, is an above ground MTR train with mouse ears for windows, mouse ears for in ceiling hand rails to hold on to (I don’t know the technical term) and a character display in the train. Because it only goes to the Disney Resort, everyone is in a good mood, which makes it magical on the way there. It’s not worth knocking yourself out for!

      I would call the hotel. I stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and I believe we could have picked up our tickets there. I didn’t do it though so do confirm that. Also, if you’re going to do any character dining or the My Little Princess program (where the girls get dressed up), make reservations in advance. The character dining sells out. Have fun!

      Reply

      1. Thks for your quick reply. I’m goin to HK for 3D2N night with mission
        DIsneyland only to celebrate our 5yo girl birthday. We’ll be there on sunday n monday and we’ll leave HK on tuesday. Hopefully the weather n people will be nice too us 🙂 and thks for your advise, we’ll probably skip the train and take the taxi 🙂

        Reply

  37. Hi La Jolla Mom…
    I am so glad I’ve found your blog..it really helps with anxious-family like us..

    hubby & I will travel to HK Disneyland with my 6 and 4 years old..
    and I have few Qs. poppin in my mind:
    1. how much the food around the Disneyland would cost (like a corn cob or a turkey drum stick)? ooh my.. I’m dying to try them!!!

    2. is Blue Lantau Taxi the easiest/most affordable way to get around -if you want to buy food outside Disneyland Hotel?
    (because I already booked the aeroplane ticket with hotel package altogether) and hubby just a bit disappointed with me that I didnt check that the package doesnt include “meals”
    and when he checked Disneyland Hotel Breakfast meal deal was quite pricey..

    Im just trying to survive the budget without upsetting anyone… LOL
    (sounds so poor hahahaha xD … just stayin home Mom..thats why..lol lol)
    and
    we speak zero cantonese/chinese..that’s why I feel more nervous-trepadacious here..

    I havent had a holiday for so Long!!! so Im looking forward for your advice & for our trip in few months time!!!

    thank you so much in advance La Jolla Mom!!! 😀
    xxx

    Reply

  38. Hi. Thanks for all the info.I have some questions please.I am planning to visit HK in October for 3 days .Want to know if one day to disney land is enough ? planning to visit ocean park one day.

    Shall I book 2 days to disney land? or shall I visit other attraction

    note kids age 9 and 7 .

    Please put your comments on
    – which ferry is better to take to macau. fro kowloon or central? noting I will be taking the MTR from lantau island to the ferry station.

    – I have read many different view and fee structure for the Airport express metro. can you advise the best , cheapest from either kowloon or central station?

    Reply

    1. If you are only in Hong Kong for 3 days, I think one full day at Disneyland is enough especially if you’re going to Ocean Park, too. The ferries to Macau are the same companies so it doesn’t matter which place you leave from. Except, if you are headed to the Cotai Peninsula where Four Seasons and Venetian are, you should go to Central and take Cotai Jet, which goes straight there and is much nicer than TurboJet. I think it’s worth the extra few $ to upgrade to first class on Cotai Jet (I’ll be writing about Cotai Jet shortly) because you’ll have a nicer view, better seats and it feels more open.

      We almost always take the Airport Express because it’s easy and quick. A round-trip ticket is cheaper than one-way and though I didn’t check last week when we were on Cathay, but if you fly Cathay Pacific, they used to offer slightly discounted tickets through their inflight sales magazine. I don’t know of any other cheaper tickets. You can buy them online through MTR and save about the equivalent of $1 USD, but you’ll stand in line to redeem the voucher versus using cash (credit card purchases will need to be done in this line though anyway) at a ticket machine. Have fun!

      Reply

      1. Thanks for the reply.

        One quick question, how close is the kowloon MTR to ferry station.is it walking distance considering that we will be carrying luggage.

        Reply

        1. The closest MTR station to the China Ferry Terminal is TST (Tsim Sha Tsui) MTR station. Take exit A1. You’ll probably want to taxi if you have a lot of luggage otherwise it will be a hassle. You’ll walk through Kowloon Park though.

          Reply

          1. Thanks alot for the info….I think I did a mistake booking a hotel in Lantau island,. seems far from everything in HK.
            but anyway I wouldlike to know if it is it different taking the ferry after stopping in Sheung wan MTR? will it be walking distance from MTR to the ferry station or similar to kowloon , i have to take a taxi after the MTR to reach the ferry station.

            on other note, I have read alot about the tickets. it seems bit confusing. there is different tickets used ,what do you recommend? octopus? or normal ticket? are they the same?

  39. Hi, Im thinking of staying in hkg disney hollywood hotel for the first 2 nights in hongkong. Is there any resturants or cafe around that we can get our meals from besides those in the hotel? Is Citygate nearby if we go and spend half a day there?

    Reply

    1. Citygate is accessible via MTR. You’d just take the hotel shuttle to the MTR station which is the Disneyland Resort station. Switch trains at Sunny Bay to the Tung Chung line, get out there and walk to Citygate. Great outlet shopping and quick food. The shuttle to the MTR is free and the MTR tickets themselves aren’t expensive so there’s no real cost other than your time. Other than that, there is nothing within walking distance of the hotel except Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel which is typically more expensive than Hollywood Hotel. You could also try Maritime Square which is also accessible by MTR to Tsing Yi. Both Tung Chung and Tsing Yi are about 12-15 minutes by MTR from the Disneyland Resort station.

      Reply

  40. Thank you for all of this wonderful information on Hong Kong! We will be visiting there for 5 weeks (end of Feb through beginning of April) and cannot wait! My husband will be working for the most part, so my 14 month old daughter and I will be exploring. I’m reading up on everything that I can, and would love even more info on anything and everything, if you have anything else that you can think of! Parks, places to eat, shop, play…do’s and don’ts…what to pack vs what I can buy there…I like to be super prepared 😉 And PS we’re in San Diego too!

    Reply

    1. Hi Stephanie. So sorry for the delay. What part of Hong Kong will you be staying in? At that age, my daughter and I went to Gymboree, Panda Junction and other indoor gyms. Though she was also happy to hang out in the stroller. Honestly, you can buy almost everything there at the luxe grocery stores for not too bad of a mark-up. I also had a GREAT pediatrician in Central, Dr. Thondup, if you need one there. Feel free to email anytime katie at lajollamom.com.

      Reply

      1. Thanks for the ped info! I hadn’t even thought of that! Though I sure hope we won’t need it. Our apartment is in Wan Chai, on Hennessey Rd. And my husband’s office is in Central.

        Reply

  41. Hi,
    We are planning a holiday to Hong Kong Disneyland in early December says 1st December for a few days. Will it be crowded then? We had bad experience there in our first visit to the park in August, over crowded, cutting queue etc.we ended up in frustration and the kids didn’t get to enjoy the park.thanks.

    Reply

  42. Hi La Jolla Mom,

    Just read your blog as I need tips in going to HK Disneyland for few hours as we had our tickets via Cathay Pacific coming from Qatar. We will be having a stop over at HK and were thinking going to Disneyland. I’ll be travelling with my husband and 2 kids ages 12 & 10. We will be arriving in HKIA at 240pm and our flight back to Manila at 10pm. I know it’s a short time as this is unplanned just trying to spend the waiting time at least.

    Can I ask for your advise which is faster going to Disneyland is it by taxi or train? And my kids will not be taking rides we’ll just stroll around, but do we need to fall in lines to meet n greet the Disney characters? And other things please you can suggest on those few hours.

    Thank you so much for your information here and looking forward for your reply.

    Regards,

    Reply

  44. Hi there, I’m currently researching on how to go to Hong Kong Disneyland, where to stay that is near the Disneyland and when is it better to go. Can you suggest any affordable hostels or hotel near Disneyland and other attraction and what month is Disneyland not that crowded with a nice weather, I;m on a limited budget right now so can you suggest anything that is within pocket reach?? I’m from the Philippines by the way and I’m going there with my Grandma and sister. Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Marjorie. I regret that I do not know about hostels but there are a lot of reasonably-priced (for Hong Kong) hotels near the airport on Lantau Island. I would search for a hotel using that criteria or Kowloon even (hotels away from the Harbour are lower in price). I would definitely visit on a weekday perhaps in the fall or spring. Definitely look at the Hong Kong public holiday calendar as there are things like Ching Ming festival and days off specifically in Hong Kong and China that are not celebrated in the rest of the world. Theme parks will be crowded on these days. Good luck!

      Reply

  45. Hi La Jolla Mom ⭐️. My daughter is turning 7 on December and i am planning to surprise her with a Disney trip, what would be the appropriate clothing on the first week of december and is it crowded on weekdays? Thanks a lot.

    Reply

    1. Hi. It is less crowded on weekdays, thankfully, if they are not a school holiday (I think you should be fine early in December). It will be a little cool actually in Hong Kong so sweater/jacket and pants is advisable. It is always best to layer in Hong Kong anyway because temps inside buildings are often drastically different than outside. Have fun!

      Reply

      1. Hi! I find this really helpful and didn’t notice I have been reading your blogs for an hour now. We’re booked for the 13th of Dec, with 8 and 4-yr old kids. I don’t want to blow our budget and would like to ask for an honest, unbiased opinion. How much pocket money one should at least have to decently enjoy a 3D2N stay in Hongkong with a disneyland tour? In HKD is fine.. Thanks so, so much!

        Reply

  48. Hi, were planning to visit Disneyland, its our first-time in 3rd week of August thia year, would you advise me of the weather? Bec my daughter is turning 7 in August 20,.I want to spend her birthday in DL.,would be be good to visit that date? Pls..thank you.

    Reply

  50. Hi,

    My family and I are going to Hong Kong Disneyland this December. I was wondering if you could tell me more about Octopus cards. I’m wondering how they work and where we can buy them.

    Reply

    1. Yes, definitely get Octopus cards. You can buy them at any MTR station customer service booth (easy to spot). You fill it with money and top it off at a machine if you need more. This way, you’re not having to deal with individual tickets all the time!

      Reply

  51. Hi,

    I found very useful information in this sharing. Thank you so much
    I plan to travel to HK this Chinese New Year and I know that the theme parks will be very crowded on the CNY days. Hence, I plan to do it before a few days, example 2-3 days before Lunar New Year Eve. Would it be much less tourist in Disney Land on those days? I am traveling with my 2 little 5 years old girls so I don’t refer a packed area

    Also, should we spend 2 days to have more time for them?

    Thank you so much

    Reply

    1. Hi Trinh! It will be crowded but I think your plan is a good one. Avoid the days that are public holidays/weekends during CNY in Hong Kong (I believe the public holiday is Feb 16 – 19 but double check). Whether you spend one or two days there really depends on how tired your girls will get. You could split it up into two days: one in the morning right when it opens and one in the later afternoon so you can see the fireworks. This is easier to do if staying at a Disney Resort hotel. But you really can see the entire park in a day if the lines are moderate.

      Reply

    1. Hi! You can not buy a Fast Pass. You have to use your park ticket at a Fast Pass machine to dispense one. Have fun!

      Reply

  53. Hi,
    Thank you for taking time to help mums like me plan a trip for my girls.

    I will am planning a trip to Disneyland for the Christmas show in end November 2017 and have some questions which I will really appreciate if you can help me with.

    1. Is HK Disneyland suitable for a 2 and 4 year old?
    2. Is November weather too cold for HK Disneyland?
    3. You mentioned booking the hotels on Agoda, I just saw some deals on hkdisney website…any experience with that?
    4. If I book the VIP Tour, do I need to buy fast passes?
    5. What time in the day is the best time to book the VIP Tour?

    Sorry for so many questions and a huge Thank YOU!

    Reply

    1. Sunita! So sorry that I am just seeing this.

      1. Yes, it is definitely suitable for 2 and 4 year olds. At that age, my daughter particularly loved character greetings so I would get one of the souvenir autograph books and a pen in one of the gift shops at the beginning of your visit.
      2. November will not be too cold. It should be between 19 – 24°C (66 – 75°F)
      3. I would book the hotel wherever you find the best price and cancellation terms (sometimes you have to prepay and you might not be ready for that).
      4. With the VIP Tour, you would also need to buy park tickets, not Fast Passes.
      5. With the VIP Tour you will have priority ride access so it’s up to you! You’ll have to call to book, I believe so perhaps ask the cast member if there are any special events happening on the day of your visit that they could assist with.

      Have fun!

      Reply

  54. This is very useful! I am planning for my 5 yr old daughter’s first out of the country trip. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  55. Hi 🙂

    Thank you for the guide. It’s really helpful. I’m planning to go mid-December on a weekday and was wondering if you know how busy it gets using the MTR if we leave after the fireworks.

    Thank you!

    Reply

  56. This is the ultimate guide for Disney Hong Kong. I’ve read more than 5 others but this is the most comprehensive like a wikipedia page. My daughter had the most fun in her life in Disney HK. Here is a short youtube video of her experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8MRQrlCqlQ

    Reply

  57. Hi, I will be visiting to hk Disneyland this week. May I know is it common for toddlers to wear their own costume there? As my daughter is particularly crazy about Elsa and Anna but I know the frozen village has ended, are there any chance to meet both of them?

    Reply

  58. Hello. When staying at a Disneyland Hotel, do we still need to purchase an admission ticket to get in at Disneyland Park? Thank you in advance for addressing my query.

    Reply

    1. You do. You can buy them at the hotel. We just stayed at the Disney Explorer’s Lodge a few weeks ago. There is also no discount for tickets at the hotels.

      Reply

  59. What do you think of the meal vouchers sold at klook? are they worth the purchase? I read that their vouchers are valid for 1 meal item to the value of HKD$150. (klook seels them for HKD$145 i think) But from what i can see, most of the meal items are around 80-110 HKD. So i am not sure if the vouchers are good value.

    Reply

    1. I am on the fence about meal vouchers in general at Hong Kong Disneyland. They do save you money but for instance on our last visit, we weren’t able to take advantage of the included snack. I like the flexibility of not having them.

      Reply

  60. We will be visiting Hong Kong Disney this summer. Do you know about the luggage situation if we are planning to spend a night at the Explorer’s Lodge? We will probably arrive earlier than check-in time to the resort,and planned to do an evening in the park, spend the night, and then do a bit the next morning with the one night/2 day ticket option. Our only concern was luggage, and picking up park tickets since we’ll plan on visiting the park before the hotel. Any advice or info?

    Reply

    1. Hi Tyler. You have a couple of choices. You can take your luggage to the hotel and drop it off there. They’ll store it for you (that’s what we did). Or, there’s a luggage locker right by the MTR station. If you exit the MTR and head toward the park, you’ll see it on your right-hand side. After the park, you can put your luggage on the shuttle to the hotels (they have lots of luggage storage on the buses).

      https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/guest-services/luggage-valet-and-storage-lockers/

      Reply

  62. I’m confused that you have to buy a ticket to Hong Kong Disneyland first, then make the reservation? We’re only able to go to Disneyland on a certain day, what if I can’t get a reservation for that day? And the web site didn’t have dates in November 2023 available.

    Reply

    1. Hi Christine. You would buy a date-specific ticket so you select the date when you buy the ticket. I just looked too and I don’t see November available on the Hong Kong Disneyland website but I do see it available if you were to buy through Klook.

      Reply