Since opening its gates in 2006, Hong Kong Disneyland has been among the go-to theme parks of Filipino families traveling overseas. It is, after all, the only Disneyland in the world that Pinoys can visit without having to go through the tedious process of applying for a visa. Not to mention, promo fares for Hong Kong-bound flights are being offered by airlines on the regular.
Indeed, the ease and convenience of traveling to Hong Kong allows Filipinos to experience what is known to be “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
Planning the ultimate Hong Kong Disneyland getaway, however, can be quite overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time visiting and you’re traveling with children and seniors. Without proper research and access to the right information, your initial excitement can quickly turn sour.
Fortunately, the internet is teeming with some great insider info, and we’re here to chip in and get you covered with all the tips you’d love to know before your much-awaited trip! Read on as we give you a lowdown on how to have the most magical day at Hong Kong Disneyland with your family:
Choose the date that works for you and your family
When is the best time to visit Hong Kong Disneyland?
Well, there is no definitive answer to this question. If your idea of the “best time to visit” is based on the weather, then a good time to go to Hong Kong is between the months of October and November, when the temperatures are cool yet mild.
If you wish to experience Hong Kong Disneyland’s seasonal specials, time your visit for Halloween or around Christmas. But if you just wish to avoid dense crowds, you can check the park’s ticket calendar for the peak dates.
Book your tickets well in advance
Although park tickets are available on-site, it would be best to purchase your tickets well in advance, up to three months ahead of your visit. This saves you time and some money, too!
Hong Kong Disneyland’s ticket prices start at 639 HKD for low dates and can go as high as 879 on peak days. This is why it is important to check the ticket calendar when planning your trip.
If you purchase your tickets on the official website of Hong Kong Disneyland using your MyDisney HK Account, you are also entitled to a special gift, a merchandise voucher, and a dining voucher (plus 20% discount on combo meal). All of these benefits amount to 157 HKD!
Consider staying at one of the Hong Kong Disney Resort Hotels
Treat the entire family to the most magical time by extending your stay in the Hong Kong Disney Resort with a staycation at any of its hotels: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, and the Disney Explorers Lodge.
Each hotel has its own character, so you’ll get to choose which one suits your family best. Is it the classic Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel? The more budget-friendly art deco-themed Disney’s Hollywood Hotel? Or, should you try out the new Disney Explorers Lodge?
Staying at a Disney Hotel also comes with some perks, like select accommodation packages are inclusive of park tickets, dining experiences with character meet-and-greets, and more.
You can view the current offers and discounts here!
Avail of Hong Kong Disneyland Meal Vouchers
Food costs in the park add up and can easily put a dent on your budget.
A quick fix for this is to get the Hong Kong Disneyland 3-in-1 Park Meal Voucher for 308 HKD, which will cover your lunch, dinner, and snack (choice of popcorn or ice cream) on the day of your visit. One meal voucher can save you as much as 57 HKD, which is quite a big deal!
Download the Hong Kong Disneyland Mobile App
The official Hong Kong Disneyland Mobile App—available to both Android and iOS users—is a definite must-have for your trip!
Use it to navigate your way through the park, check wait times and schedules for all the attractions, select dining locations, and experience taking photos and videos with beloved Disney characters in Augmented Reality (AR)—among many others.
Download the Hong Kong Disneyland Mobile App here!
Bring your own Wi-Fi device
It’s true: Hong Kong Disneyland has free Wi-Fi! But, since it’s a public network, connecting to the park’s internet service might put your sensitive information at risk. Not to mention, the connection can get spotty, the more people utilize the service.
To enjoy a high-speed internet connection anytime and anywhere in Hong Kong, you may opt to get your own Wi-Fi device for your trip.
Enter Big Sky Nation—the #1 Travel Connectivity Provider in the world based on verified customer reviews and ratings that offers a variety of travel internet products and packages that will suit every traveler’s budget!
If you rent a portable Wi-Fi device, you and your family will be glad to know that one unit is shareable up to five (5) devices! You can check out your options right here, right now!
Get the Disney Premier Access
You wouldn’t want to spend a good chunk of your time in Disneyland just waiting in line. So do consider getting the Disney Premier Access.
This special ticket that replaced the Fast Pass allows you to gain easy access to three (3) or eight (8) top attractions of your choice in the park, including the Disneyland classic “it’s a small world,” the Iron Man Experience, the Hong Kong Disneyland-exclusive Mystic Manor, and the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars.
Of course, skipping long queues comes with a price: The Disney Premier Access starts at 229 HKD for three attractions and 529 HKD for eight attractions. You can purchase it as an add-on to your park ticket and it will remain valid only on your chosen date.
Prepare for Hong Kong’s unpredictable weather
Hong Kong’s humid subtropical climate means the region experiences unpredictable weather pretty often. One moment, it could be sunny and the next moment, it could be raining cats and dogs. Don’t let this put a damper on your sweet holiday! Slather on some sunscreen and pack folding umbrellas and rain ponchos for good measure.
Apply bug repellent
Even the Happiest Place on Earth is not spared from pesky bugs, especially during the summer months! Before you go, apply insect repellent and reapply whenever necessary since Hong Kong Disneyland is low-key notorious for its resident gnats that cause itchy and painful red bites.
Time your shopping runs well
Although it may seem like a good idea to shop for souvenirs last so you wouldn’t have to carry purchases all day, you have to know that the lines at stores get really, really long just before the park closes. Based on visitors’ past experiences a good time to shop at Hong Kong Disneyland is as soon as the park opens, around lunchtime, and while the parade or Momentous is ongoing.
Think we’d stop at 10 tips? Nah! Because we’d like you to have the best time in the Happiest place on Earth, here are 16 insider tips that will elevate your Hong Kong Disneyland experience:
Snap a picture on the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Line Train
With its Mickey Mouse-shaped windows and handrails, the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Line Train is a popular photo spot in itself. But the problem is there are just too many people riding it! To snap Insta-worthy pics with your family, you can simply wait out for everyone to alight the train, since it won’t be departing so soon.
Enjoy the birthday perks!
Celebrating your or your kid’s birthday at Hong Kong Disneyland? Maximize your visit for the best day ever! Upon arriving, get the complimentary birthday button pin at City Hall on Main Street U.S.A., and wear it on your chest with joy, as cast members around the park greet you!
You can also avail of the customizable birthday T-shirt and Mickey Mouse hat from Hong Kong Disneyland’s official online store for your birthday #OOTD. Another birthday perk you wouldn’t want to miss is the Magic Birthday Latte, which you can get at the Main Street Corner Cafe Hosted by Coca-Cola. The Magic Birthday Latte comes with a greeting and a character on top.
Pin trading
This Disney tradition can be enjoyed by all ages! Get your lanyard, purchase pins you like, and trade an assortment of Disney pins—including limited-edition ones—with cast members all throughout the park! This activity is especially fun for young kids practicing their communication skills.
Collect character autographs
Another Disney Parks tradition is collecting character autographs, so whip out that autograph book and marker for your favorite Disney characters to sign when you meet and greet them!
The musical shows are a mustn’t-miss
From The Wondrous Book to The Festival of The Lion King, these elaborate and Broadway-level stage performances are not to be missed! So if you are taking a break from the thrill rides or just want to sit down and chill, catching Hong Kong Disneyland’s musical shows is the best way to go!
Check out the Hong Kong Disney Resort hotels
Even if you’re not staying, if you have some extra time to spare during your Hong Kong trip, you might want to swing by the Hong Kong Disney Resort hotels. They all offer unique dining experiences and even exclusive merchandise at their respective gift shops! The hotels are easily accessible through the Hong Kong Disneyland Bus.
Get the first visit badge
Is it your first time visiting a Disneyland park? Mark the occasion by claiming your celebratory badge at the Guest Relations office located within City Hall on Main Street U.S.A.
Bring tumblers or water bottles
One of the keys to having a fantastic day in Disneyland is to stay hydrated all day long. Fortunately, there are several water fountains throughout the park, where you can get a refill using your own tumbler or water bottle. Drink up!
Be on the lookout for Picture Spots
Hong Kong Disneyland is undeniably picturesque, but the best sites in the park for photos are marked by “Picture Spot” signposts, so be on the lookout for those to get the best backgrounds for your commemorative Disney holiday photos!
Light snacks are allowed inside the park
Children can get really antsy when they’re hungry and the long lines at snack kiosks in the park can render them even more impatient. You can avoid the hangry kid tantrums by packing some light snacks like packed biscuits and crisps.
Stroller rental is available at the Disneyland Fire Department next to City Hall in Main Street, U.S.A. Town Square
That being said, it is still best to bring your own stroller if you can. And since many strollers look alike, grabbing the wrong one is not uncommon in Disneyland, so make sure to place an identifying marker on your child’s stroller, so it doesn’t go missing or if it does, you’ll know how to describe it to the park’s authorities.
Wheelchair rental is also available at the Disneyland Fire Department for eligible guests with disabilities.
To rent a wheelchair, though, one must present an original copy of a valid Registration Card for People with Disabilities (PWD) issued by the Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. If you don’t have this document, you may try seeking assistance using your local PWD ID.
Get the ultimate Hong Kong Disneyland merch: A personalized shirt
Don’t miss the chance to have a Disneyland-branded tee personalized your way at The Emporium on Main Street U.S.A.!
Stamped coins make for great inexpensive souvenirs
At just 15 HKD, stamped coins are great souvenirs you can take home from the park. Just look for coin press machines that dot the park and the nearby Hong Kong Disney Resort hotels for this precious pocket-sized memento.
Take advantage of the train at Main Street Station.
Trips are scheduled every 5 to 15 minutes, and the entire train ride lasts for about 20 minutes. There are only two stops for this train: Main Street, U.S.A. and Fantasyland. The stop at Fantasyland is a short walk away from The World of Frozen, which makes it an excellent (and scenic!) way to get to Arendelle, especially if you’re with little children and seniors who are not too fond of long walks.
Cap off your day with Momentous
Dubbed “The Most Magical Show on Earth,” Momentous is Hong Kong Disneyland’s 20-minute nighttime spectacular that combines multi-sensory effects to bring the iconic Castle of Magical Dreams to life. Watch in wonder as you sing along to Disney’s greatest hits, rearranged into a *whole new* powerful and uplifting medley, so you can look back to this very moment with its very own soundtrack.
Your shining memories in Hong Kong Disneyland are best shared with your loved ones! Enjoy a seamless connection to high-speed internet with your own pocket Wi-Fi device from Big Sky Nation during your trip!
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