Hong Kong Disneyland has a number of popular rides that are must-sees for any park-goer.
You can expect a few thrill rides that are great for the older kids, such as the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, Hyperspace Mountain, and the Iron Man Experience.
And if you’re counting roller coasters, there are technically a total of 3: Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, Hyperspace Mountain, and RC Racer.
Hong Kong Disneyland also has a number of family-friendly rides that cater to smaller children, such as the it’s a small world ride, Mad Hatter’s Teacups, Slinky Dog Spin, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
If you’re only visiting Hong Kong Disneyland for one day, you’re going to want to have a game plan on which rides you have on your hit list. In this post, I’ll go over some of my favorite rides and attractions so you can decide whether you want to ride them or skip them during your very own visit!
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HONG KONG IN A NUTSHELL
Here’s a quick overview of all the useful info you need to plan an awesome trip!
When To Go: October through December (peak season). January to April or June to September (off-season, good for decent weather and fewer crowds).
Where To Stay: Popular areas to stay in include Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Causeway Bay. You can discover some of my favorite Hong Kong accommodations in this post!
Nearest Airport: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
How to Get Around: Public transportation all the way! Hong Kong has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trains, trams, and ferries. The Octopus card is a super convenient way to pay for transportation and can be used on most forms of public transportation.
Must-Do’s: Take the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for epic views of the city skyline, visit the Big Buddha on Lantau Island, eat loads of dim sum, go to Hong Kong Disneyland, and party it up in Lan Kwai Fong (LKF).
Before You Go: Pack comfortable shoes for walking around the city, and be prepared for the humidity and occasional rain. If sightseeing is one of your top priorities, consider grabbing the Go City Hong Kong digital attraction pass to save loads of money on attractions! You can buy the Go City Hong Kong pass online here.
Internet access: If your phone plan doesn’t include free international data, we recommend getting a prepaid SIM card for internet access during your stay in Hong Kong. Another option is to use Airalo, an affordable eSIM option for travelers. With Airalo, you just purchase a data plan online and activate it on your phone without the hassle of purchasing a physical SIM card or picking it up in person!
Local Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) – click for current conversion rates
‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Cantonese:
- ‘Hello’ in Cantonese: Nei hou or Lei hou (你好)
- ‘Thank You’ in Cantonese: M̀h’gōi (唔該)
Pro Tip: You can buy Disneyland tickets in advance on Klook to save a lot more money than buying directly from the Disney site. This is where I purchase all my Disneyland tickets for Asia! They are legit and you’ll get your Disneyland tickets immediately via email.
Best Rides At Hong Kong Disneyland
Whether you’re looking for thrills or something more whimsical, HK Disneyland has got you covered. From classic favorites to ones that are unique to Hong Kong Disneyland, these rides will bring out the kid inside of you.
If you’re visiting Hong Kong, be sure to make some time to experience these amazing attractions. Here are some of my favorites.
Iron Man Experience
One of the super fun ones for Marvel lovers includes the Iron Man Experience, a 3D motion simulator ride based on the Marvel superhero. It’s pretty much like Star Tours, but Iron Man-themed.
The ride is set in the fictional location of Stark Expo. While waiting in line, you get to see the “history” of Stark’s inventions and technology which is really cool.
The attraction itself puts riders in the role of recruits who are enlisted by Iron Man to help defend Hong Kong from the villainous Hydra organization. The ride uses motion-based vehicles and 3D projections to simulate flight and combat.
While there is some jolting and seatbelts are required, there are no drops and it is suitable for guests of all ages. Having said that, if you have neck issues or don’t do well with 3D rides for one reason or another, I say skip this one!
Mystic Manor
Another one of my favorites is Mystic Manor. There’s no other Disney ride worldwide like this one!
This ride is themed around an eccentric explorer named Lord Henry Mystic and his mischievous monkey, Albert. The ride uses a trackless ride system, which means that the vehicles are not fixed to a track and are able to move freely through the ride’s environment.
The ride begins with guests entering Lord Mystic’s mansion, where they board a magical vehicle that transports them through a series of rooms filled with artifacts and curiosities from around the world. Along the way, they are accompanied by Albert, who has a habit of causing trouble and activating various magical effects in the mansion.
Mystic Manor is known for its highly immersive and interactive ride experience, as well as its colorful and high-tec special effects and elaborate set design. It is widely considered one of the best attractions at Hong Kong Disneyland!
Hyperspace Mountain
Then of course there’s Hyperspace Mountain, a refurbished version of the classic Space Mountain roller coaster, with a Star Wars-themed twist.
The ride takes guests on a high-speed journey through a simulated space battle between rebel and imperial forces. Along the way, they encounter laser blasts, meteors, and other special effects as they zoom through the dark, twisting tunnels of the mountain.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! is basically like Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters, but set in the fictional location of S.H.I.E.L.D. Science and Technology Pavilion.
The attraction puts riders in the role of recruits who are enlisted by Ant-Man and The Wasp to help defeat the villainous Hydra organization, which has launched an attack on the Pavilion.
The ride uses motion-based vehicles and special effects to simulate flight and combat. You will board S.H.I.E.L.D’s newest combat vehicle D/AGR aka the Dagger, and use its state-of-the-art EMP Blaster to disable the Swarmbots on your way to the Pavilion.
At the end of the ride, you can compare scores with your fighting partner! And just like Astro Blasters, some targets give more points than others (hint hint!).
Jungle River Cruise
Then there’s the Jungle Cruise boat tour, a classic Disney attraction that can be found at many of the company’s theme parks around the world.
The ride takes guests on a leisurely boat tour through a variety of exotic locations, including the Amazon rainforest, the Congo, and the Mekong River. Along the way, they encounter animatronic animals and other sights, such as ancient ruins, waterfalls, and even a volcano on fire!
A live cast member serves as the tour guide, providing humorous narration and pointing out various points of interest. For your boat cruise, you can choose between multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, and Cantonese which is cool!
Toy Soldier Parachute Drop
Toy Soldier Parachute Drop is a family-friendly version of a drop tower ride. This ride is based on the theme of toy soldiers and is set in the fictional Toy Soldier Factory.
The attraction features a tower with a height of approximately 100 feet (30 meters), and riders sit in vehicles shaped like toy soldiers. The ride begins with the vehicles ascending the tower, and then drops “rapidly” back down to the ground, providing a feeling of free-fall.
Having said that, it’s nothing as scary as a real drop tower ride. It’s more fun and family-friendly than anything!
In my opinion, this ride is perfect for younger kids and older guests who are not as into roller coasters but still want to experience a little tickle in their stomachs!
Toy Soldier Parachute Drop is suitable for guests who enjoy thrill rides and are at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall.
RC Racer
On the RC Racer ride, you’ll get to sit in a vehicle that looks like a toy remote control car and travel up and down a giant halfpipe track. Think of a classic pirate ship ride, but adrenaline-filled!
The ride starts by taking you up to the top of the track, where you’ll pause for a moment to take in the views of the park before plummeting back down toward the ground.
In addition to the excitement of the ride itself, RC Racer also features some fun and interactive elements, such as animatronic characters from the “Toy Story” movies that you’ll see along the way. Despite it being pretty short, RC Racer is a fun and exhilarating ride that is sure to be a hit with anyone who likes thrills.
The ride is located in the Toy Story Land section of the park.
Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars is my personal favorite roller coaster ride located at Hong Kong Disneyland.
I’m not going to spoil it by giving too much away, but the second part of this roller coaster had me and my entire family (mostly made up of seniors age 60+) laughing up a storm!
It is a refurbished version of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster, taking guests on a wild journey through the mountain, as they race through dark tunnels, over waterfalls, and around sharp turns.
This ride is themed around the adventures of a group of grizzly bears who have taken over an abandoned gold mine and turned it into a roller coaster ride.
This roller coaster features a mix of indoor and outdoor sections, with riders traveling through mines, forests, and mountain valleys as they experience twists, turns, and drops. If you’re scared of heights or coasters that go upside down, you won’t have to worry because there’s none of that on this one!
I’d recommend ALL roller coaster lovers to ride this at least twice if the line is short enough!
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
If you’re visiting with younger kids, you can’t miss this classic! For the adults, it gives you the chance to feel like a kid again.
The Dumbo ride can be found at many Disney theme parks around the world, including Hong Kong Disneyland. It is based on the 1941 animated film “Dumbo,” which tells the story of a young elephant with oversized ears who is mistreated by other animals because of his appearance. With the help of his good friend Timothy Mouse, Dumbo learns to overcome his challenges and discovers that he can fly.
The ride features small, carnival-style elephants that swing back and forth as they spin around, giving riders the sensation of flight. It is a gentle, family-friendly ride that is suitable for children of all ages.
A map of the park outlining all the rides and attractions can be found here.
Best Entertainment At Hong Kong Disneyland
In addition to the rides, there are a variety of entertaining shows that can’t be missed! From dance musicals to character encounters, these entertainment options will serve to enhance your Disneyland visit that much more!
Festival of the Lion King
Festival of the Lion King is a live stage show located at Hong Kong Disneyland. In my opinion, this is a not-to-be-missed attraction, especially if you or the kids are fans of the Lion King movie!
The show is based on the characters and themes from the Disney animated film The Lion King, and is set in the fictional Pride Lands. The show features a mix of music, dance, acrobatics, and live performances to tell the story of Simba, the young lion prince who must learn the responsibilities of being a leader and eventually reclaim his rightful place as the king of the Pride Lands.
The show includes popular songs from the film, such as “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and also features live animals, colorful costumes, and special effects.
Festival of the Lion King is suitable for guests of all ages and features both Cantonese and English during the show which is really fun to experience! Feel free to sing along to all the songs, too!
Follow Your Dreams Castle Show
With the colorful castle as a backdrop, this 20-minute castle show features a show featuring original song and dance and a number of classic Disney tunes with contemporary arrangements.
Mickey Mouse and his friends will take to the stage, accompanied by singers and dancers, large-scale props, and fun effects such as fog jets, bubbles, and sparklers.
If you visit during the holidays, this show is replaced by “A Disney Christmas”, which I’d highly recommend catching as well!
Toy Story Land
Wow, an entire land is being featured? Yes, I just had to do it. It’s unlike anything I’d ever seen before!
The land features several attractions, including:
- RC Racer: A spinning roller coaster that takes riders on a wild ride through the world of Toy Story.
- Slinky Dog Spin: A spinning ride that takes riders on a journey through Andy’s backyard with Slinky Dog as their guide.
- Toy Soldier Parachute Drop: A drop tower ride that puts riders in the role of toy soldiers as they ascend a tower and then drop back down to the ground.
- Woody’s Round-Up: A spinning ride that takes riders on a journey through Andy’s backyard with Woody and his friends.
- Alien Swirling Saucers: A spinning ride that takes riders on a journey through outer space with the aliens from Toy Story.
- Toy Story Land also features various shopping and dining experiences, as well as character meet-and-greet opportunities with Toy Story characters such as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie.
- You can also find churros here! Which are surprisingly hard to find at Hong Kong Disneyland…
Moana: A Homecoming Celebration
At Adventureland, Moana will sail to Hong Kong Disneyland and appear in an atmosphere stage show.
Jam-packed with inspirational music, dancing, puppetry and storytelling, it recounts Moana’s adventures to restore the heart of Te Fiti.
This one will be a ton of fun for Moana fans!
Garden of Wonders
Located at Mystic Point, the Garden of Wonders will give you the chance to stroll through a stately garden filled with curious archaeological antiquities that create fun 3D illusions for the whole family to enjoy.
Just like Mystic Manor, this is a Hong Kong Disneyland exclusive so it’s worth seeing while you’re at the park!
Disney Character Encounters
There are several opportunities for guests to meet and interact with Disney characters at Hong Kong Disneyland. Some options include:
- Character Meet-and-Greet: Guests can meet and take photos with their favorite Disney characters at designated character meet-and-greet locations throughout the park. These locations may vary and can include character dining experiences, parades, and special events.
- Character Dining: Guests can enjoy a meal with their favorite Disney characters at one of the park’s character dining experiences. These experiences take place at Enchanted Garden Restaurant inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Chef Mickey at Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, World of Color Restaurant and Dragon Wind at Disney Explorers Lodge.
- Character Parades: Guests can see their favorite Disney characters in action during one of the park’s character parades. These parades typically feature characters in costume, floats, and live entertainment.
- Special Events: Hong Kong Disneyland often hosts special events that include character appearances, such as Halloween parties and holiday celebrations. Characters will be dressed up appropriately depending on the occasion!
You can check the park’s schedule or ask a cast member for information on character meet-and-greet locations and times.
Where To Stay For Hong Kong Disneyland
Since Hong Kong Disneyland is located on Lantau Island, you can opt to stay on Lantau Island or choose a hotel on Hong Kong Island closer to the park.
Hotels near Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel – this 400-room hotel combines the splendor of a vintage seaside resort with the magic of Disney. It features elegant accommodations with modern amenities as well as 2 themed pools and a Mickey maze. You may also get a chance to meet your favorite Disney characters at this hotel!
Disney Explorers Lodge – Disney’s explorer-themed hotel with Polynesian/African vibes!
Hotels in Tsum Sha Tsui
TST is one of my favorite areas to stay in when visiting Hong Kong. This is a popular neighborhood in Kowloon, Hong Kong known for its shopping, dining, and entertainment options, as well as its convenient location near many of the city’s top attractions.
This is a great home base for your Disneyland visit because of its proximity to both the city and the theme park, as well as the number of transportation options you can take advantage of:
- Hong Kong Disneyland is just a 19-minute car ride away from TST, making it a great home base if you can get to Disneyland by car.
- Otherwise, it’s a 40-min train ride (you’ll need to transfer MTR lines to get there).
- There is also a ferry option from Tsim Sha Tsui district to the back of the Disneyland Hotel, operated by Star Ferry, that runs about once per day.
The Langham Hong Kong – I personally stayed at this sophisticated and stylish hotel during my last stay in HK. The sheets are so soft and feel like heaven! There’s a 3 Michelin-star restaurant here, T’ang Court, and a rooftop pool. It is a 5-minute walk from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR.
Page148, Page Hotels – a hip and modern hotel that’s pretty darn affordable for this part of town! This was my second choice when doing research on where to stay for my own trip.
Hong Kong Disneyland: Essential Tips For Your Visit
- You can buy Disneyland tickets and Disney meal packages ahead of time on Klook to save a lot more money than buying directly from the Disney site or at the park. This is where I purchase all my Disneyland tickets when traveling in Asia. You’ll get your PDF vouchers delivered to your email immediately upon purchase.
- The weather in Hong Kong can feel very hot and humid for people who aren’t used to it. To avoid being outside all day in uncomfortable heat that you’re not used to, go in fall or winter.
- Don’t forget to bring a hat and sunscreen! Even if overcast skies are in the forecast.
- Comfortable shoes are a must as you’ll be walking miles upon miles throughout the park.
- While the park is not as big as the one in Anaheim, California, you still won’t be able to ride all the rides in one day. A full-day is needed so that you can ride some rides as well as watch some of the entertainment shows (a great way to take time out of the day to sit down and rest).
- You are allowed to bring outside food and water into the park. This can be a great way to save money if you’re traveling on a budget.
- If you have the budget for it, try some of the food within the park! The menus have plenty of options to suit local tastes, like dim sum, abalone dishes, pork chop over rice, and seafood fried rice!
- If rain is in the forecast, bring a packable windproof rain jacket.
- The resort has three hotels, all run by Disney. If you stay overnight at one of their properties, you get to take their free shuttle buses which make a circuit of the resort every 10 minutes or so from behind the MTR train station.
- Bars are few and far between within the park property. In the entire resort, there’s only one full-service bar and it’s at the Hollywood Hotel.
- Weekdays will be less crowded than weekends. Shorter lines mean you can get onto more rides throughout the day!
- The park has WiFi, but it disconnects a lot when walking through the park. If you plan on using the internet for Google Maps, the Disneyland app, and even random internet searches when there’s no WiFi around, I’d highly recommend picking up a Hong Kong prepaid SIM card or an eSIM via Airalo. I did HK without a SIM card (just used T-Mobile’s free international roaming) and while Google Maps worked fine, even basic Google searches would take ages to load. Looking back on it, I’d opt for an eSIM data package for ultimate convenience!
Hong Kong Disneyland: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you bring outside food into Hong Kong Disneyland?
Yes, you are allowed to bring outside food and beverages into Hong Kong Disneyland. However, there are a few restrictions to keep in mind:
- You are not allowed to bring any glass containers or alcohol into the park.
- You are not allowed to bring any large coolers or large bags of food.
- You may not consume your own food or beverages in any of the park’s sit-down restaurants.
- You can’t bring foods that need to be reheated, and you also cannot bring in durian!
It is also important to note that Hong Kong Disneyland has a strict no-smoking policy, and smoking is not permitted anywhere in the park.
If you do choose to bring your own food into the park, you can find designated picnicking areas where you can eat your meals. These areas are usually located near the park’s restrooms.
Can you bring your luggage to Hong Kong Disneyland?
Since HK Disneyland is located not too far away from the Hong Kong International Airport, it’s natural for some visitors to want to visit the park upon landing in Hong Kong or right before their departing flight.
Hong Kong Disneyland offers a luggage valet service for guests who wish to store their luggage while they enjoy the park. This service is available at the park’s entrance and is provided by Bell Services.
To use the luggage valet service, guests can simply bring their luggage to the designated area at the park entrance, where a team member will take care of it for them. The luggage will be stored in a secure location and can be retrieved by the guest at any time.
The luggage valet service is convenient for guests who wish to enjoy the park without having to carry their luggage with them. It is also useful for guests who are arriving at the park early and would like to store their luggage before their hotel room is ready.
The per-piece storage fee is HK$110 (around US$15).
Consider Getting The Go City Hong Kong Attraction Pass For Disneyland
This easy-to-use mobile attraction pass can really help you see a lot of Hong Kong’s best attractions in a really short amount of time, and it can help you save a ton of money while doing so!
The Go City Hong Kong Pass is a digital attraction pass that provides easy access and admission to some of HK’s most popular museums and excursions — Hong Kong Disneyland included!
There are two types of passes–the All-Inclusive Pass and the Explorer Pass.
All-Inclusive Pass
The Go City All-Inclusive Pass is really great for travelers who want to see as much as possible while they’re in Hong Kong. With the All-Inclusive Pass, you can choose between a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7-day pass that will give you free admission to 20+ museums and attractions throughout the city.
The pass includes admission to the following heavy-hitters and immersive experiences:
- Hong Kong Disneyland 1-Day Ticket: HK$759.00 normal ticket value
- Ngong Ping 360: Cable Car & Ngong Ping Village Experiences: HK$335.00 normal ticket value
- Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour – Discover Ticket: HK$380.00 normal ticket value
- Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck: HK$218.00
- Noah’s Ark: HK$198.00
- Aberdeen 1773 Fishing Heritage: Sampan and Houseboat Audio Tour: HK$220.00
- Ngong Ping 360 Tai O Pass: HK$315.00
- Monopoly Dreams: HK$260.00
- Authentic Peking Duck Meal at Peking Garden: HK$550.00
- Big Bus Night Tour: HK$320.00
- Hong Kong Heritage and History Tour: HK$450.00
- World War 2 Walking Tour: HK$500.00
- Hong Kong Maritime Museum: HK$30.00
- Peak Tram Special Combo (Peak Tram & Sky Terrace 428): HK$148.00
- Beginners’ Chinese Ink Painting Class: HK$550.00
- Baking Ideas: Traditional Egg Tart Class: HK$399.00
- Chinese Tea Appreciation Workshop: HK$380.00
- Hurricane Candle Holder Workshop: HK$480.00
- The Art Of Chocolate Workshop and Tasting: HK$178.00
- Legend Heroes Park: HK$380.00
Prices start at HK$1479 (~ $180 USD) for the adult admission 2-day All-Inclusive Pass and you can visit literally as many attractions as you can fit into each day! If you opt for more consecutive days on your pass, the pass actually gets cheaper on a per-day basis.
Explorer Pass
If you don’t plan on visiting a ton of different attractions, Go City also has an Explorer Pass which will still save you a lot of money. With the Explorer Pass, you’ll pay one flat fee for a 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7-choice pass.
The Explorer Pass is best for ticking off a few of your must-sees!
You’ll then have 60 days to use the Explorer Pass on whichever attractions you’d like. There is also no need to pick attractions ahead of time, so you’ll have the flexibility to choose attractions as you go.
Passes start at HK$799 (~ $100 USD) for 3 choices. But similar to the All-Inclusive option, the more choices you opt for, the cheaper it costs per activity!
You can buy the Go City Hong Kong pass online here.
Looking for more Hong Kong travel tips? You may also like:
Hong Kong Disneyland Review: Is It Worth The Money?
Hong Kong Disneyland vs. Ocean Park: Which Is Better?
3 Perfect Days In Hong Kong: What To See, Do, and Eat
Shopping In Hong Kong: 6 Best Neighborhoods For Retail Therapy
Lamma Island Day Trip From Hong Kong: Things To Do
The Perfect Lantau Island Day Trip Itinerary: 6 Stops You Can’t Miss