Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland may be the smallest Disney park, but for me, that’s part of its charm. This tiny slice of Disney Magic on Lantau Island is about a third the size of Disneyland in Anaheim, making it a quick, easy day trip while you’re in Hong Kong. While you can definitely spend more than one day here, it’s not necessary.
Getting to Hong Kong Disneyand: Transportation Made Easy
The MTR Disneyland Resort Line makes it super easy to get to Hong Kong Disneyland. The special Disney-Fied trains can be caught at the Sunny Bay station, which is connected through the Tung Chung Line. Depending on where you are staying in Hong Kong, this could potentially mean two to three connections. The line goes directly to the park, and from there, it’s a short walk to the park’s main gates.
While you can take shuttles or taxis to Hong Kong Disneyland, it’s unnecessary (and much more expensive than the MTR) unless you are very short on time. The MTR ride has served me well on three visits to the park, and it’s a very economical way to get there and back.
Tickets, Pricing & Park Logistics at Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland pricing is similar to regular Disneyland: it’s tiered by expected occupancy. Busier days like holidays and weekends cost a premium, while quieter weekdays are typically a little cheaper. That said, park tickets for Hong Kong Disneyland cost under $100 on my most recent visit. A far cry from the $249 you can sometimes expect to pay in California! If you’re planning to visit on a busier (higher-priced) day, plan to arrive early for rope drop. On quieter days, arriving in the afternoon is completely doable. I arrived on a random weekday after 12 p.m., and there were virtually no crowds (it helps that it was a rainy-ish day).
Park Size & Layout
When I say this park is small, I really mean it. You could likely walk the entire park in 30 minutes if you didn’t stop for rides, attractions, or food. It’s easy to navigate, and the signs are in English, so if you’ve been to other Disney parks, you shouldn’t get too lost.
Hong Kong Disneyland Layout & Exploration Strategy
Navigating the Lands
Hong Kong Disneyland is laid out much like most Disney parks, with Main Street USA running straight down the middle toward the castle. Tomorrowland is on the right, Fantasyland is straight ahead, and Adventureland is on the left. Some deviations include Mystic Point, Toy Story Land, and the World of Frozen, since they aren’t in the California park.
Tomorrowland & The Avengers Campus Feel
I highly recommend doing a counterclockwise loop starting with Tomorrowland; it’s a fairly efficient way to knock out some of the more popular rides right away. Much of Tomorrowland is Avengers-themed, but it still retains the look and feel of a classic Tomorrowland. The restaurant is also Avengers-themed, with Iron Man burgers and specials based on various superheroes. I loved the Iron Man Experience. The walkthrough showcases ships from the comics and Tony’s suits over the years. The ride is essentially an Iron Man-themed version of Star Tours, except you’re at Stark Tower in Hong Kong!
Fantasyland Classics & International Twists
Next is Fantasyland, which looks pretty much the same, with a few small exceptions. Here, you’ll find the Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the Cinderella Carousel, right about where you would find them in California. The food options here are fairly similar to the California park, but they also have some fun international twists. You’ll also find unexpected snacks at the various food carts; Hong Kong isn’t quite as churro-crazy as America!
World of Frozen: The Crown Jewel
From here, head down the underpass to the World of Frozen. This Frozen-themed land is one of only two in the world; the other is in Paris. This part of the park has two rides, shops, a bakery, and food options. If you’re lucky, you may catch the animatronic Olaf hobbling around. Sadly, I visited before he debuted in the parks. The Frozen Ever After ride was a lot of fun; I rode it twice, with only a five-minute wait the second time (a far cry from the over 90-minute wait for the Rapunzel ride at Tokyo DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs). If you’re lucky, you can even catch Queen Anna greeting guests inside the ride line!
Food to Enjoy: Snacking & Dining Highlights
Character Dim Sum & Crystal Jade
I’ll be honest, this round, I was there so briefly that I didn’t really bother to eat. I do have a couple of food recommendations and some spots on my Hong Kong Disneyland list for a longer visit. Crystal Jade is a fantastic spot for Cantonese cuisine with a Disney twist. Here, you can find the Instagram-famous character dim sum items. The rules have changed a bit since my previous visit: some days have everything, while other days offer only one or two options.
Plaza Inn & Park Eats
You can also check out Plaza Inn inside the parks for a taste of Disney-style dim sum. While they don’t have the character pieces, you can still grab Mickey-shaped goodies, like those at Crystal Jade; however, Plaza Inn prices are a bit lower despite being inside the park.
Anniversaries & Final Thoughts
Hong Kong Disneyland recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and Disney doesn’t take anniversaries lightly. The park was decked out in colorful regalia, the characters wore fun costumes, and most restaurants had specialty foods to celebrate the big 20.
Overall, Hong Kong Disneyland is such a fun spot for families and Disney fans alike. I love the small size since it’s easy to navigate in just one day. It’s also the least crowded Disney park I’ve ever been to and has been that way for well over a decade.
Check out more Hong Kong posts here!
