Hong Kong Disneyland opened on September 12, 2005, in Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island, becoming the second Disneyland-style park built in Asia after Tokyo Disneyland. The park is owned and operated by Hong Kong International Theme Parks, a joint venture in which the Hong Kong government holds a 52% stake and The Walt Disney Company holds the remaining 48%.
Though it’s the smallest of all Disneyland parks worldwide, with public areas covering roughly 27.4 hectares (68 acres), Hong Kong Disneyland has grown steadily since opening, adding new lands like Mystic Point, Grizzly Gulch, and the Frozen-themed World of Frozen in 2023. Its centerpiece, Castle of Magical Dreams, replaced the original Sleeping Beauty Castle in 2020 and stands roughly double the height of its predecessor.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
- Operator: Hong Kong International Theme Parks (HK Government 52% / Disney 48%)
- Opened: September 12, 2005
- Size: About 27.4 hectares (68 acres) of public park area
- Annual Visitors: About 7.9 million (2024)
- Daily Capacity: About 34,000 visitors, the lowest of any Disneyland park
- Signature Attraction: Castle of Magical Dreams
The Ride Experience
Hong Kong Disneyland is organized into eight themed lands, including Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Mystic Point, Grizzly Gulch, Toy Story Land, and the newest addition, World of Frozen, which opened in November 2023. Attractions blend classic Disney staples with lands unique to this park, such as Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars in Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Manor in Mystic Point.
Despite its smaller footprint compared to sister parks in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris, Tokyo, and Shanghai, Hong Kong Disneyland packs in immersive theming, and its compact layout makes it easy for guests to experience most major attractions in a single day.
Design and Cultural Touches
Hong Kong Disneyland’s design incorporated feng shui principles throughout planning and construction, including the placement of a bend in a walkway so that good qi energy would not flow directly into the South China Sea. These cultural considerations were woven in alongside traditional Disney park design to help the resort resonate with local and regional guests.
The park anchors the larger Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which spans about 126 hectares (320 acres) including hotels and entertainment areas, and remains the most-visited theme park in Hong Kong.
Explore more: Explore more Theme Parks.
Hong Kong Disneyland FAQs
When did Hong Kong Disneyland open?
Hong Kong Disneyland opened on September 12, 2005, becoming the second Disney park in Asia after Tokyo Disneyland.
Who owns Hong Kong Disneyland?
It’s owned by Hong Kong International Theme Parks, a joint venture between the Hong Kong government (52%) and The Walt Disney Company (48%).
What is the park’s signature attraction?
Castle of Magical Dreams, which replaced the original Sleeping Beauty Castle in 2020, serves as the park’s iconic centerpiece.
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Photo: Ashwin Kumar / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.