Hong Kong Disneyland – WDWNT Archive

Hong Kong Disneyland Ticket Prices Increase Today

WDWNT on December 21, 2017

Effective December 15, 2017, ticket prices for Hong Kong Disneyland have increased between 4% to 9%, according to the South China Morning Post. It’s the fifth annual price increase at the resort.

Prices for one-day admission are now HK$619 (US $79.24) for adults and HK$458 (US $58.63) for children, up from HK$589 (US $75.40) and HK$419 (US $53.64), respectively.

The regular two-day admission price has increased to HK$799/HK$589 (US $102.26/$75.38), from HK$759/HK$539 (US $97.14/$68.96). (U.S. dollar rates are based on current exchange rates.)

Guests visiting through the end of this year can take advantage of special discounts, however. The resort is currently offering a special “Play and Shop 1-Day Ticket Offer” for the old prices (HK$589/HK$419) that includes a HK$50 (US $6.40) merchandise gift voucher and a buy-one get-one popcorn voucher. According to the Hong Kong Disneyland website, tourists visiting Hong Kong, excluding residents of Mainland China and Macau, are eligible for the special offer. There’s also a special “Discounted ‘2-Day Fun’ Ticket” for HK$649/HK$461 (US $83.06/$59.00) available through Dec. 31, with no listed restrictions on guest eligibility.

Annual pass prices have increased as well. However, Hong Kong residents who purchase three or more annual passes will receive a 15% discount through April 10, 2018.

The 30% discount for Hong Kong residents with disabilities remains in place. The price for seniors (age 65 and over) remains at HK$100 (US $12.80) for one-day and HK$170 (US $21.76) for two-day admission.

The South China Morning Post also reported that annual passholders who renew early can get a 20% discount, and Hong Kong residents can continue to purchase regular one-day admissions at the previous prices through February 15, 2018. These pricing exceptions are not listed on the Hong Kong Disneyland website.

The price increase comes just two days after Hong Kong Disneyland’s major rival park, Ocean Park, announced it would increase admission by 9% effective January 1, 2018. Both Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park have been operating at deficits.

It also comes just a few weeks after Hong Kong Disneyland announced it would be ending its nightly “Disney in the Stars” fireworks show as of January 1 and beginning a major renovation of its castle beginning in early January. Those changes are part of the resort’s multi-year development plan announced last November, which also includes a new Frozen-themed land and new Marvel attractions.

Shanghai Disneyland also recently announced a price increase effective June 6, 2018. Hong Kong Disneyland’s tickets are the most expensive of the three Disney resorts in Asia.

New Christmas Offerings, End of “Disney in the Stars” Fireworks at Hong Kong Disneyland

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is celebrating “A Disney Christmas” through January 1, 2018. This year’s Christmas celebration will feature a brand-new castle stage show, snowfall, caroling, special food and shopping options, and more. It also marks the finale of the park’s “Disney in the Stars” nighttime spectacular, which will be presented for the last time on Jan. 1st.

New this year is “Mickey and Friends Christmastime Ball,” a fun-filled yuletide musical extravaganza presented two to three times daily at the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty Castle. The 20-minute stage show kicks off with a quartet of singers, after which Mickey, Minnie and other Disney pals take the stage to celebrate with music and dancing. Meanwhile, Donald is extra grumpy because his Christmas wishes have not come true yet. Each performance ends with a delightful snowfall moment.

On select days during the Christmas season, guests can watch special performances from nine different community choirs from around Hong Kong. The “Community Castle Sing Along” showcases these community choirs on stage in front of the castle before the “Mickey and Friends Christmastime Ball” as a special tribute to the many community moments the castle has embraced over the years.

There are even more special holiday events once evening arrives. Disney friends and townsfolk will wish for snow at “A Magical Twilight Snowfall” and in “A Holiday Wish-Come-True” Tree Lighting Ceremony as a live quartet shares renditions of some holiday classics. Giant projections will then transform Main Street, U.S.A. into a breath-taking winter wonderland. Like magic, the Christmas tree and Town Square will be illuminated with sparkling lights, bringing the town to life with yuletide joy.

The Christmas season in Hong Kong Disneyland also includes special character encounters. Olaf from Frozen returns to the park for Christmas, and Duffy’s new friend StellaLou will make her first holiday appearance. Santa Goofy will greet guests at the Christmas Post Office, where he’s handing out new postcards with a one-of-a-kind commemorative stamp. Guests can send unique holiday messages to loved ones around the world by dropping their postcards in the Santa Goofy Holiday Mailbox. Other Disney friends throughout the park will be decked out in festive new costumes as well.

More than 100 unique merchandise items will be available throughout the park and resorts, including over 70 items that are exclusive to the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. There will also be festive frames for PhotoPass photos and a line of newly-launched personalized imaging items such as postcards, door signs and photo albums.

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The park will also feature more than 70 unique food and beverage creations just for the holidays, including a special Coca-Cola Christmas Menu at the Main Street Corner Cafe. The resort hotel restaurants will also feature special Christmastime menus. New this season is the “Christmas Dessert Party at the Train Station,” where guests can sample a variety of sweet treats and enjoy a special viewing area for the “Disney in the Stars” Fireworks Show.

January 1, 2018 will mark the final showing of the “Disney in the Stars” nightly fireworks extravaganza. Sleeping Beauty Castle will begin a transformation in early January that will include a makeover of the castle along with a completely new daytime show and nighttime spectacular that will feature brand-new entertainment experiences. Farewell memorabilia for “Disney in the Stars” will be available at Hong Kong Disneyland beginning November 17; guests will also be able to collect “Disney in the Stars” commemorative stickers beginning November 18.

Guests staying at a Hong Kong Disneyland during the holidays will receive a collectible souvenir set in their rooms, including a Christmas amenities box, Disney slippers, a door sticker and a postcard. The resorts will also be decked out in with extensive decorations and offer Christmas-themed activities including arts and crafts workshops, a “Little Santa” training workshop, and more. Resort guests can also enjoy an exclusive Extra Magic Hour from December 21-23 from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.

Hong Kong Disneyland Announces Events and Attractions for 2018

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Following the announcement last month that Hong Kong Disneyland was kicking off a multi-year expansion designed to bring new attractions and experiences to guests, the resort has released a schedule of openings and seasonal events for 2018, including first-of-its-kind character experiences not currently available at other Disney parks.

Royal Princess Garden: Even before the year is out, the new Royal Princess Garden is scheduled to open in Hong Kong Disneyland in December 2017. This exquisitely-themed garden area will serve as a meet-and-greet area for Disney Princesses, and will also house Hong Kong’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Families can also purchase an Enchanted Storybook album that captures all of their Disney Princess moments.

Chinese New Year Event: The year 2018 is the Year of the Dog according to the Chinese calendar. To celebrate, Hong Kong Disneyland will feature Pluto during their Chinese New Year celebrations from January to March 2018. In addition, Main Street, USA, will be decorated in lucky red and gold decorations, Mickey and his pals will be dressed in festive costumes, and the park and resorts will feature festive Chinese New Year-themed meals, snacks and merchandise.

Disney Friends Springtime Carnival: From March through May, guests can enjoy whimsical character encounters during the colorful Disney Friends Springtime Carnival. In addition to a wide variety of character encounters throughout the park, the event features festive springtime sculpts for photo opportunities as well as an egg hunt with over 100 character-themed eggs hidden throughout the park.

“Moana: A Homecoming Celebration”: In May, the new Moana stage show will open in Hong Kong Disneyland in an entirely new outdoor venue in Adventureland. The 18-minute live show will recount Moana’s adventures after the storyline of the film, once Moana has restored the heart of Te Fiti and returned to her home village of Motunui. The new show features music, dancing and puppetry, and marks the first attraction to be opened as part of the resort’s multi-year expansion.

Summer Event: Hong Kong Disneyland’s annual summer holiday event will feature new character additions this year from the Pixar catalog. From June through August, guests can meet Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone from the Oscar-winning The Incredibles, to coincide with the Hong Kong release of The Incredibles 2 in mid-July.

Disney Halloween Time: The annual Halloween event is one of Hong Kong Disneyland’s most popular. The 2018 incarnation of the annual festivities will feature even more spooky fun in September and October. In addition to Jack Skellington, the event will feature “Disney Villains that guests have yet to meet,” according to the resort.

A Disney Christmas: From November through January 1, 2019, guests can visit Hong Kong Disneyland for a special daytime show featuring Mickey and friends, carolers singing Christmas tunes, a special tree-lighting ceremony and much more.

Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters Closing in Hong Kong Disneyland This Month for MARVEL Shooter Ride

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Hong Kong Disneyland has announced that Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland will close on August 31st, 2017 to make way for a MARVEL attraction.

The MARVEL attraction (which will feature Ant-Man) was announced along with a massive expansion of the park. The announcement stated:

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters will be reimagined into a brand new experience for guests to fight alongside the icons of the Marvel Universe.

Buzz Lightyear will be meeting guests at the attraction August 8th-31st and complimentary stickers are being given out to guests. A line of “last call” merchandise has also been released at the park.

No opening date for the new MARVEL attractions in Tomorrowland has been given as of yet.

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MARVEL Super Hero Summer Event Announced for Hong Kong Disneyland

WDWNT on March 6, 2017

To celebrate the recent opening of the Iron Man Experience, Hong Kong Disneyland will celebrate MARVEL Super Heroes all Summer starting this June.

MARVEL Super Hero Summer will feature encounters with Captain America and Spider-Man, as well as a brand new walkthrough experience set exclusively in Hong Kong to immerse guests in the MARVEL Universe. An array of MARVEL merchandise and food and beverage will also be offered throughout the park.

CONFIRMED: Hong Kong Disneyland Transforming Original Castle, Announces Frozen & MARVEL Themed Lands w/ Original Rides

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

New Hong Kong Disneyland Castle

Some of The Walt Disney Company’s most powerful franchises will come to life in a way guests can only experience at Hong Kong Disneyland

Characters and stories from “Frozen” to await guests in an exciting, completely new themed area, while fans will be in the middle of the action with their favorite Marvel Super Heroes

HONG KONG (Nov. 22, 2016) – Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) announced a multi-year development plan to take the park to a new level of excitement, leveraging some of the most beloved and successful franchises of The Walt Disney Company. Plans include new themed areas, attractions and entertainment, launching almost every year from 2018 through 2023.

Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion Site Plan

Guests will experience Marvel and “Frozen” like never before as HKDL leverages the best of Disney to bring both these world-renowned franchises to life in their own immersive areas. The centerpiece of the park and the gateway to Fantasyland – the castle – will also be transformed to create spectacular entertainment experiences for guests.

“We are more excited than ever about the future of Hong Kong Disneyland,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We are bringing the best of The Walt Disney Company to this wonderful tourist destination, giving guests from around the world an experience only Disney can deliver and an experience they can only have with us at Hong Kong Disneyland.”

Some highlights of the new experiences that will delight Disney fans and guests from around the world include:

An epicenter of Marvel Super Heroes that will continue to unfold. From the launch of Iron Man Experience, the Marvel universe continues to grow at HKDL. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters will be reimagined into a brand new experience for guests to fight alongside the icons of the Marvel Universe. Further, another thrilling attraction dedicated to one of the most popular Marvel franchises will be added to expand the epicenter of Marvel Super Heroes as exciting events unfold in phases. These experiences will replace the Buzz Lightyear and Autopia attractions.

MARVEL Shooter Ride to Replace Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland

An exciting new “Frozen” themed area where characters and stories from the kingdom of Arendelle will come to life in ways guests have never experienced before at a Disney park. Guests will enjoy two new attractions and be immersed in Arendelle with uniquely themed dining, shopping, and entertainment.

A completely transformed Castle and Hub area to showcase brand new daytime and nighttime shows and entertainment offerings that will celebrate every prince and princess who ever wished upon a star and dared to follow a dream. An “Adventureland Show Place,” which invites guests to “Moana’s Village Festival” through a series of daytime entertainment offerings anchored around a lively stage show in a new interactive entertainment environment. In addition to experiencing live shows and immersive Disney storytelling, guests can meet Moana, heroine of the new Disney animated film that will be released globally starting November 2016.

The major development plans extend the excitement and amazing growth at HKDL, as the resort is set to open the eagerly anticipated Iron Man Experience officially on January 11, 2017 and the richly themed Disney Explorers Lodge resort hotel later in the first half of the year.

HKDL has continued to grow since its opening in 2005 and has broadened its appeal to families and young adults as well as diverse markets, including local, mainland China and overseas guests.

The three themed areas launched between 2011 and 2013, Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point, have enhanced the park’s attractions and entertainment offerings and boosted the park’s attractiveness to different market segments. In 2013, Mystic Manor was awarded the prestigious Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction, the equivalent of the Oscar in the theme park industry. In the following year, the nighttime parade “Disney Paint the Night” was launched and subsequently honored with a Thea Award.

In celebration of HKDL’s 10th Anniversary in 2015, the new stage show “Mickey and the Wondrous Book” and a new walk-through experience “Fairy Tale Forest” were introduced. This past summer, “Star Wars: Tomorrowland Takeover” presented attractions and offerings themed after another classic Disney franchise.

“The all-new developments will further reinforce HKDL’s position as a world-class tourist destination for everyone, including families and young adults, and help build lifelong memories across generations of families,” said Samuel Lau, executive vice president and managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland.

HKDL’s two shareholders – The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government – have agreed on the development plans, subject to funding approval by the Company’s Board of Directors and Legislative Council for their respective share of investment.

RUMOR: Hong Kong Disneyland to Tear Down Sleeping Beauty Castle

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

I have heard some crazy rumors in my lifetime, but never in a million years could I fathom that a Disney theme park would remove its castle. Surprisingly, it seems that Hong Kong Disneyland park will be…

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Hong Kong Disneyland

Rumor has it that Hong Kong Disneyland is unhappy with the carbon copy of Sleeping Beauty Castle that they received from Disneyland back in 2005 when the park opened. While the small castle looks rather beautiful with the real mountains behind it, the castle itself is rather unimpressive.

2005 was a very different time at Walt Disney Imagineering and in the Walt Disney Company. Some might even call it the dark ages. The company was still under the direction of Michael Eisner, who was frightened by the failures of Disneyland Resort Paris, a project in which they spent time and money to build a gorgeous park that just never grew the audience they expected. He also was on his way out of the company as many shareholders were becoming restless with many of the company’s decisions.

In designing and executing Hong Kong Disneyland, the company wasn’t looking to break the bank. In fact, at one point in development, the Castle wasn’t even going to have a backside, it would be hollow like a movie set. Like I said folks, the dark ages.

Still, it was cheaper to just copy what had been built in California, a small Castle with little interior. It seems that Hong Kong is a little jealous of little brother Shanghai Disneyland’s giant Storybook Castle and wants a bigger and more impressive park icon of their own.

Storybook Castle at Shanghai Disneyland

If the plan comes to pass, a larger castle (smaller than Shanghai, but completely unique in design) will be built on the site of the current Sleeping Beauty Castle in Hong Kong. This would mark the very first time that a castle was torn down in a Disney theme park.

This project is part of a rumored second expansion phase of the park that would include new attractions as well. The last expansion phase added Mystic Manor, Grizzly Gulch, and Toy Story Land to the park.

An announcement from Disney is expected soon.

What do you think? Does this seem like a good idea or should the current castle be left alone?

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Iron Man Experience “Stark Expo Shop” Opens at Hong Kong Disneyland

WDWNT on November 8, 2016

While we still await the opening of Disney’s very first MARVEL ride attraction, the Iron Man Experience, the Stark Expo shop attached to the highly anticipated motion simulator ride has already opened to the public. Below we have some photos of the area to share with you, courtesy of TDRExplorer.

There is still no solid opening date for the attraction, but at least guests can shop at the adjacent Stark Expo shop, right?

The main marquee for the area is actually a giant screen. Currently, it plays a number of graphics that say “Coming Soon”.

The inside of the shop features tons of MARVEL character merchandise and plenty of images related to the upcoming attraction.

The attraction itself takes place in the city of Hong Kong, so it would need to be reanimated if it were to ever be cloned for any of the other Disney theme parks around the world.

The simulator vehicles fly side-by-side with Iron Man in many of the wall graphics.

The Stark Expo is a parody of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair which is a landmark moment in Disney Parks history, so it all kind of comes full circle with this being featured in a theme park.

The Moljinir of Thor and one of Iron Man’s repulser blasting hands on display in the shop.

As you can see in the video, there is also an experience where guests can digitally suit up as Iron Man and battle through the streets of Hong Kong.

Annual pass holders at Hong Kong Disneyland (called Magic Access Members there) can purchase the only piece of merchandise actually branded to the attraction so far: a limited edition junbo-sized pin.

Pretty neat, huh?

First-Ever Interactive Nighttime Show Coming to Hong Kong, Is Disneyland Park Next?

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

Disney is reportedly about to unveil its very first truly interactive nighttime show in Hong Kong according to newspaper reports. The long-rumored “Disney Paint the Night” parade will reportedly debut in October and give guests the opportunity to control light colors on floats when they purchase a special device…

Think of it as taking the Glow with the Show technology to the next step by instead letting the guests control lights on the floats. The technology is already being tested at Disney California Adventure where guests who win the nightly Mickey’s Fun Wheel Challenge are granted a short window to control the lighting on Mickey’s Fun Wheel.

Rumors indicate a similar parade is being designed for Disneyland in California and may debut sometime in 2015 as part of the park’s 60th anniversary celebration.

Hong Kong Disneyland Announces New Hotel and Nighttime Show

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Hong Kong Disneyland recently announced plans to open a third hotel as the popularity of the resort grows following the completion of the park’s expansion project

Hong Kong Disneyland Proposed Third Hotel Concept Art

The park’s two existing hotels reported occupancy increasing to 94%. Following advice from the Hong Kong government, park management announced plans to open a third hotel in 2017. The just-announced hotel still has to receive final approval, but with its planned 750 rooms, total available rooms for the park will increase by 75%.

The estimated $550 million (US) hotel will be funded by a cash injection from Disney, the Hong Kong government and partial conversion of an existing loan from the government. The Hong Kong government currently is the majority owner of Hong Kong Disneyland at 52% with 48% owned by the Walt Disney Company.

Hong Kong Disneyland Proposed Third Hotel Concept Art

The new, as yet unnamed hotel, which will be built between the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and the Hong Kong Disneyland Hollywood Hotel, is being positioned as luxury hotel themed around “exotic locations from around the world”. It will occupy almost 16 acres, feature almost 603,00 square feet of floor area and an outdoor exotic adventure themed area to continue and extend the theme of the hotel, as well as 3 restaurants.

At the event announcing the third hotel, Hong Kong Disneyland also reported their financials. For their financial year ending September 2013, the park, which opened in 2005, experienced profits climbing to $31.2 million (US) due to a revenue increase of 15% to $631 million (US). Park attendance also increased by 10% to 7.4 million, with spending per head increasing by 6%.

“Steady growth was registered across the three main sources of guests from the local community, mainland China and international markets, with the latter two accounting for about two-thirds of total guests,” said Andrew Kam, HKDL managing director.

Three new themed areas – Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point, as well as special entertainment such as “Disney’s Haunted Halloween”, “Disney’s Sparkling Christmas”, “Golden Chinese New Year Celebration”, “Star Guest Program” and “Monsters University” programs drove the 10% park attendance growth.

Several new entertainment offerings are being planned over the next 2 years such as a nighttime spectacular called “Disney Paint the Night” in 2014, 10th anniversary celebrations in 2015, and a new attraction based on Marvel’s “Iron Man” in late 2016.

Tag: Hong Kong Disneyland