What do you get when you combine a bunch of Disney characters and a magical theme park? You get the Happiest Place on Earth, of course! Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the most visited amusement parks around the world—the home to thrilling rides such as Hyperspace Mountain, mouthwatering Disney-inspired snacks, and charming boat rides.
But for such a popular destination, this theme park isn’t the largest (hey, ‘It’s A Small World After All’) and you may find yourself battling it out with other travelers for something as simple as popcorn. Huge crowds, bad weather, and long lines might get in the way of your magical moment, and we don’t want that to happen. So we’ve prepared this Hong Kong Disneyland Beginner’s Guide for you!
From convenient transportation, recommendations for adrenaline filled rides, and transportation info to hidden gems, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the ultimate guide you’ll need before before your trip to Hong Kong Disneyland!
When to Visit
Basically in Hong Kong Disneyland, or literally any amusement parks you find yourself in, you’d want to avoid the following: Summer tourist season (not only are the crowds high, but so is the humidity), weekends, and holidays (especially around Chinese New Year).
We recommend visiting from October to early April — where the weather goes from breezy to pleasant. If you’re lucky enough to score a ticket around mid-October or mid-December, expect a more magical time as this themed park gets even more themed with either spooky Halloween or Winter wonderland decorations for the holidays!
How to Get There
Whether it’s their fast-paced culture or their on-the-dot schedule, Hong Kong is pretty much known for their flexibility and adaptable transportation. Even if you can’t speak the language, there are multiple ways to travel to Disneyland:
1. By Public Bus
- Downtown Hong Kong to Hong Kong Disneyland: Take route 33 or route 42 where buses operate during morning peak hours till the latest ‘Disney in the Stars’ Firework show at night.
- Lantau Link Toll Plaza to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort: Hop on bus route ‘A’ or ‘E’, and interchange with Route R8, which runs during the day to Hong Kong Disneyland.
- Operating Hours: 6:00am to 12:05am, every 15-25 minutes
- For more details on Hong Kong via Public Bus, click here.
2. By MTR
Here’s a great way to begin your childhood adventure: Hopping on Disney-themed trains! For adorable Mickey Mouse-shaped grab handles, windows, and posters, hop on to the Sunny Bay Station to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Check out our full guide on how to get around Hong Kong with MTR!
- Duration: 6 minutes
- Operating Hours: 6:15am to 12:45am
- Cost: HK$ 7.5 per adult, HK$ 3.5 per child and senior.
3. By Taxi
Probably the easiest and most convenient way to travel. The taxi fare from Hong Kong Airport to Disneyland is about HK$130. Sit tight and relax as you simply mention ‘Hong Kong Disneyland’ to the driver, without specifying the address.
4. Disneyland Water Tour
Think the Disney MTR is a lil’ too predictable? Arrive in style with a special Disney character-themed Star Ferry tour. Hop on board and pass by different picturesque views of Hong Kong Islands while getting your hands on loads of photos. The ferry departs from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier and arrives at Disneyland Resort Pier.
- Daily Schedule: Running twice a day at 11:00am and 5:00pm
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Cost: HK$105
Where to Get Tickets
You can purchase tickets directly from the entrance counters on-site, but that’s only if you want to kill time for 30 minutes up to an hour. The best you can do is to purchase a ticket online! The Hong Kong Disneyland website shows deals for their tickets but at most times they go unannounced, so you might have to keep a lookout for these discounts.
Too busy to wait for discounted deals? Book your Disneyland tickets with the best price here via KKday.
Fast-Pass Tickets
If you hate waiting in lines just like the next guy, we recommend getting a FastPass. These unique passes work the same way as our Skip-The-Line-Ticket of Eiffel Tower, or Taipei’s 101 Quick Pass ticket. In short, they help you avoid long waiting times for rides such as Hyperspace Mountain, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Iron Man Experience.
You can buy your FastPasses over the counter or on the official Hong Kong Disneyland website.
Exclusive Rides to Disneyland Hong Kong
1. Iron Man Experience
Just like the Star Wars franchise, Disney is now a proud owner of all things Marvel and that includes this attraction, the Iron Man Experience! Simply put a pair of 3D glasses and get on board a stationary ride to experience flying around while fighting crime with the metal-garbed superhero.
Much like any 4D attraction, expect plenty of water drops, unpredicted motions and thrilling sensory effects that bring the iconic Marvel story to life! .
2. Fantasy Gardens
Stroll along the zigzag pathway filled with colorful flowers, lacy trees, and wondrous topiaries. This garden is a perfect spot for that romantic walk. Discover every hidden destination at the garden with your special someone!
4. Inspirational Lake
This place is still one of the most shiny and well-kept hidden gems at Hong Kong Disneyland. Although not in Disneyland itself, Inspiration Lake is just a short 15-minute walk from the main park and is a 12-hectare body body of water that features remarkable views of the mountains of Lantau Island.
Pay HK$100 and get a chance to explore the lakeside with a paddle boat. Relax afterwards with a picnic on the grassy knolls and the scenic sunset.
Rides You Cannot Miss
1. Paint the Night
If you only have time to catch one parade, then make sure it’s Paint the Night parade. Enjoy huge crowds of Disney characters making their way across the Main Street as they light up the night with their glowing outfits, neon light floats, and acrobatic dancers with their rainbow hula hoops.
Join them dance the night away, you can purchase your very own Mickey Glow Mitt or Minnie Glow Bow, which lights up in time to the music and the light effects of the performers.
2. Hyperspace Mountain
Think you’ve conquered the most thrilling coaster ride of your life? Well, think again. Hyperspace Mountain, formerly known as Space Mountain, is one of the most fast-paced ride you can possibly find in Asia.
But don’t let this indoor roller coaster fool you. Hyperspace Mountain will mimic the setting of many different Star Wars planets and galaxies and will deliver plenty tight turns and loops as you doge blaster shots from imperial TIE fighters.
3. Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
If you can’t live the dream, then maybe your kid can. Calling all parents with younglings, er, children from 4 to 12 years old! There’s a place right beside the Hyperspace Mountain for wannabe padawans where little kids dress up in brown Jedi robes and wield a green or blue lightsaber.
Enter the battlefield bravely (completely safe!), and confront Darth Vader or Kylo Ren themselves as you fight against the dark side of the force and save the galaxy. Better hurry, spaces are limited.
- Daily schedule: 11:45am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm, 4:45pm, and 6:00pm.
4. Animation Academy
Love Disney just as much as you love your art? Here at Animation Academy, you can become a Disney animator and master how to draw a Disney character in 20 minutes. Learn tricks and tips on how to illustrate from the OG Mickey Mouse to the hilarious Olaf from Frozen and take the masterpiece home with you.
Souvenirs
From Mickey-themed headbands to Elsa’s gown, you can pretty much find souvenirs around Disneyland. Bring your friends part of the childhood experience as you spot one of the many outside stores.
Must-Try Disneyland Treats
1. Guangdong BBQ
Head over to Clopin’s Festival of Food to find out why HK Disneyland is different. Giving you a taste of fine Chinese cuisine, you’ll find classic char siu (HK pork BBQ) with rice to fuel yourselves from a tiring day.
- Location: Clopin’s Festival of Food, Fantasyland
2. Popcorn Carnival
When crossing Main Street, expect New York style multilayer sandwiches, flavorsome baby back ribs, spaghetti with the sauciest meatballs and more dishes brought from the Big Apple. But whatever you fill your stomach to, be sure to leave room for a bowl of popcorn carnival. This must-eat snack or dessert features vanilla ice cream stuffed in crunchy caramel popcorn.
- Location: Main Street Corner Café, Main Street USA
3. Cotton Candy
Can you really call it an amusement park without trying out some delicious cotton candy? As you explore different rides and sites, be sure to keep an eye out for the fluffiest crystallized sugar in Hong Kong. Be on the lookout for Instagrammable glow-in-the-dark cotton candy, which is just as yummy.
4. American Cheeseburger
Need a little comfort food? Turn back time and find yourself at this chrome-inspired surroundings of this diner. Checkout huge collections of rocket and milky way wall decorations. Once you’re all comfy, take a bite of the best cheeseburger that will take you out of this world.
- Location: Starlight Diner, Tomorrowland
Tips & Tricks:
- Arrive early: The early bird gets the worm! Or in this case, few waiting times on rides. Best time to start lining up: 10:30am
- Bring light snacks: Hong Kong Disneyland doesn’t allow heavy packed meals or huge bottles of drinks. Bring only a few small snacks such as bread rolls, and liquids up to 200ml—this is the most they can allow
- Download the app: Enhance your Disney experience through your mobile phone. You can check approximate wait times for attractions, browse the whole park map, see the latest schedules, and much more. App is available for both Apple and Android.
Satisfy childhood dreams as you munch on Disney-inspired food, meet beloved Disney characters, and live the life of your childhood dreams. Honestly, there’s a lot more that we could add to this guide but you don’t need to overthink every minute of your visit to Disneyland. Sit back, buckle up, and go have the most magical time of your life!
Looking for more things to do in Hong Kong to fill in your itinerary? Check out:
- Ocean Park Hong Kong Tickets
- Fast Track Victoria Peak Tram and Combo Ticket
- Hong Kong DukLing Harbour Cruise
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