Disneyland Hong Kong is the fifth and smallest of Disney’s parks.  It opened in 2005 and is in Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island, 20 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport and is a 30-minute MTR (Mass Transit Railway) ride from Central, Hong Kong. 

During its’ construction, Disney ensured that the park features Chinese culture and customs.  The park also conforms to the ideals of Feng Shui, the Chinese art of placement to enable the best energy flows.  For example, a walkway near the main entrance had a bend put into it so that good energy wouldn’t flow into the South China Sea and be lost.

How big is Disneyland – Hong Kong?

The park covers 310 acres and is currently being expanded.

What’s there?

There are currently four themed areas: Main Street U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland  Three new areas – Grizzly Trail, Mystic Point and Toy Story Land – are being build south of the current Adventureland.  The new areas are expected to be all completed by 2014, (when the park will expect to accommodate between 8 and 9 million visitors per year.  It’s currently visited by around 5 million per annum.

Is everything in Chinese?

No – the people who play the Disney characters speak English and Chinese (including dialects of Cantonese and Mandarin).  Guide maps are in English, French and Japanese.  The maps in Chinese feature both traditional and simplified characters.

What do the themed areas consist of?

The areas contain the following attractions:

Main Street, U.S.A.

• High School Musical: LIVE!
• Disney in the Stars
• Disney on Parade
• Muppet Mobile Lab
• Art of Animation
• Animation Academy
• Main Street Vehicles
• Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad
• Hong Kong Disneyland Band
• Dapper Dans
• Ragtime Piano
• City Hall

Characters that can be seen in Main Street, U.S.A.: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto.

Adventureland

• Festival of the Lion King
• Tarzan’s Treehouse
• Jungle River Cruise
• Jungle Puppet Carnival
•  Jungle Drumming
• Liki Tikis

Characters that can be seen in Adventureland: Chip ‘n’ Dale, Timon and Terk.

Fantasyland

• Snow White Grotto
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Cinderella Carousel
• Mad Hatter Tea Cups
• Sleeping Beauty Castle
• Sword in the Stone
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Fantasy Gardens
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
•  The Golden Mickeys
•  ”It’s a Small World”
•  Fantasyland Train Station
•  Court of Miracles Sideshow

Characters that can be seen in Fantasyland: Snow White, Cinderella, Alice, White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts, Pricess Aurora, Merlin, Marie, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Belle, Esmeralda, FaMulan, Mushu.

Tomorrowland

• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
•  Stitch Encounter
•  Space Mountain
• Autopia
• Orbitron
• UFO Zone
• Jammitors
• Push

Characters that can be seen in Tomorrowland: Stitch

The three new areas will contain:

Grizzly Gulch

•  Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
•  Grizzly Gulch geysers play area

Characters that can be seen in Grizzly Gulch: Br’er Bear

Mystic Point

• Mystic Manor
• Mystical Garden
• The Storytellers Sandbox

Toy Story Land

•  Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
•  Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin
•  RC Racer

Characters that can be seen in Toy Story Land: Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie.

Are there parades?

Yes!  In true Disney tradition, there is a parades every day and a fireworks show in the evening.  There is also a special parade on wet days.  Main festivals such as Halloween, Christmas and New Year are also marked by special entertainments.

• Disney on Parade – a daily parade of 9 floats carrying Mickey Mouse and friends, Chip ‘n’ Dale, the Disney Princesses, Alice, Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie.
• Disney’s Rainy Day Express – a cute parade with a train carrying Disney Characters in bright raincoats.
• Disney in the Stars – Nightly fireworks, timed to go off with the beats of Disney Music.

What are the opening hours of the park?

You can check here for opening hours, firework displays and times of shows.  Disney say that these are for reference only and may change on the day.  They advise visitors to pick up a ‘Times Guide’ at Guest Relations when they arrive at the park.  The guide gives further information about the days’ shows and any alterations that may have occurred.

Love visiting the Disneyland Parks but hate waiting in lines!

Take advantage of FASTPASS.  The FASTPASS ticket system saves your place in the queue to an attraction so that you can leave and enjoy more of the park.  You simply return later (during your given time) so that you can re-enter the queue and have minimal time to wait.

FASTPASS is free!

To get a FASTPASS, insert your Park admission ticket in a FASTPASS Distribution Machine at the attraction of your choice and the machine will give you your FASTPASS.

Please be aware that a FASTPASS allows admission only to the single FASTPASS attraction where the ticket was issued.

Which Hong Kong Disneyland attractions accept FASTPASS?

• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
•  Space Mountain
•  The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
•  Theater in the Wild featuring Festival of the Lion King

 It’s important to note that you can’t get a second FASTPASS to any other FASTPASS attraction until after the time marked on your current FASTPASS.

 Disney advises that FASTPASS attractions are subject to change and ask you to refer to the time guide on the day of your visit.

 Can I bring very young children to the park?

Yes, the attractions are designed to be enjoyed by guests of all ages. However, young children must be accompanied by an adult. Some rides have a minimum height requirement.

 What’s the weather like in Hong Kong?  Should I bring anything with me when I visit Hong Kong Disneyland?

The climate is warm so wear light, layered clothing and sunscreen.  It’s helpful to bring hats for children.  It’s also an idea to brink a telescopic umbrella just in case.  If you don’t want to carry things around the park, there are lockers in the Main Street, U.S.A., area.

Are there facilities for the wheelchair users?

Yes.  The attractions, shops and restaurants (as well as the queues) can all manage wheelchairs.  There are also designated areas for wheelchair users to view the parades.  Anyone with special needs (including child care needs) can check here for further information.

How can I find out the latest information about what’s happening at Hong Kong Disneyland?

Simply go here and register for email updates and special offers.

Disneyland is everyone’s favorite day out

Hong Kong Disneyland is continuing the tradition of fun for people of all ages.  Families, couples and singles all love it.  Next time you’re in Hong Kong, be sure not to miss the latest park from this beloved company.

Some of the rides at Disneyland are so popular that the regular queue can have a waiting time of up to 100 minutes. Waiting in long lines means you have less time to spend on other activities that you may want to see.  So make sure you take advantage of Disney’s FASTPASS to cut down your waiting time.

Check your park map for the attractions that have FP marked next to them. In Disneyland these attractions are:-

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Splash Mountain
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Autopia
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Space Mountain
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

So decide which of the attractions you want to get a fastpass for and do this first.  Either check the Times Guide located in Main St for a list of the waiting times for the Fastpass attractions or simply go to the attraction and check out the clocks that show what time you need to return to take the ride.

There is a clock that shows the time for the regular queue to reach the ride from a pre-ordained entry point  and sometimes you may be lucky enough to find that there is only a 15-30 minute wait in which case it is just as easy to join the queue.

However, if you find the wait is going to be too long, find the FASTPASS kiosk for the ride you are interested in and make sure each person in your party who is going on the ride, inserts their Park ticket into the Fastpass kiosk. A green light will come on and a FASTPASS ticket showing what time you need to return by, will be dispensed.  Now you can go and play in the Park instead of waiting in line.

You will find that the FASTPASS ticket will give you an hour in which to return to take the ride. You may obtain the FASTPASS ticket at 10am and it may show a return time of between 2:00pm-3:00pm, so this is the time you need to get back to take the ride.

On your return to the ride you go to the FASTPASS return line and hand over your ticket. Now you walk into the ride with little or no waiting, right past all the people standing in line and once you are at the head of the queue you board the ride before the people in the regular queue.

On the bottom of the ticket will be a time printed that lets you know when you can obtain another FASTPASS ticket. This is so easy and convenient and allows you to get the most out of your time in the Park.