Expert tips for visiting Hong Kong Disneyland

We love Hong Kong for so many reasons. It’s one of those destinations that’s guaranteed to make an impression of travellers from all walks of life. In recent years, Hong Kong has become particularly family-friendly, with families with children of varying ages choosing this fascinating part of the world as their holiday destination.

The opening of Hong Kong Disneyland some 13 years ago, cemented its status as a family destination. Consisting of 7 lands (soon to be 9 thanks to the future addition of Marvel Land and Frozen Land), Hong Kong Disneyland is the perfect day out for all the family and a great escape from the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong.

Exploring the ‘happiest place on Earth’ isn’t easy, however. There’s so much to do and to see, which makes negotiating its rides, live shows, and activities a bit of a minefield. To ensure you don’t miss a thing, we’re here to share our top tips for visiting Hong Kong Disneyland.

Travel by train

Public transport in Hong Kong is some of the best, cleanest, fastest and most reliable on the planet. Take advantage of this by journeying to Hong Kong Disneyland affordably by train.

You can catch the Disney Resort Line from Sunny Bay Station and after two stops and 20 minutes, you’ll be there. Better yet, the trains that run on the Disney Resort Line are all Disney-themed, meaning the magic can start a little earlier than planned.

If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, consider skipping the shuttle bus and walking. The shuttle bus at Disneyland is notoriously inefficient, with guests dropped off 5 to 10 minutes’ walk from the entrance. Guests at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel can get to the park on foot in 12 to 15 minutes, and don’t have to waste time queuing for a shuttle bus.

Choose your date wisely

There’s a huge difference in ride wait times when visiting on a weekday rather than a weekend. By planning your bucket list trip to Disneyland for a weekday, you can really make the most of your time in the park. As well as being selective about the day you visit, you should also be wary of the time you arrive.

Hong Kong Disneyland may not open its gates until 10am on most days (which is late when compared to other Disney Parks), but arriving for the rope drop at the opening will see you beat the queues. Hong Kong Disneyland tends to get busy at lunchtime, hitting its peak between 3pm and 5pm. By arriving early, you can maximise your ride time and spend less time queuing.

Purchase your tickets in advance

Don’t waste precious time queuing for your park tickets on the day. Tickets for your Disneyland experience can and should be booked in advance. The best way to do this is online as Little Day Out details:

“In this day and age, there is no reason not to purchase your tickets online. Save time that would otherwise be spent queuing at the gates and purchase your Hong Kong Disneyland Park tickets online. Ticket options include both one- and two-day tickets. Once purchased, simply print it out from the comfort of home, head past the lines of people queuing at the ticketing booths and go directly to the gates to enter the park.”

Meal vouchers can also be purchased online before your visit. Food outlets in the park can be rather pricey when paying in cash. Meal vouchers are a great way to save money on the day, which means more funds for souvenirs.

Time character interactions right

Disney character meet and greets are definitely a part of the fun, but meeting your favourite Disney characters shouldn’t be a chore. No matter how much you want to, don’t make a beeline for the first character you see.

Use these early hours to ride attractions that tend to have long wait times and leave meet and greet opportunities until later in the day when everyone else is queuing!