HONG KONG DISNEYLAND
Hong Kong Disneyland located in a scenic coastal area with mountain backdrop at Penny’s Bay just off the North Lantau Highway on Lantau Island opened in 2005 and is the smallest Disney park. The park is owned by Hong Kong International Theme Parks, a joint venture between the Hong Kong Government and Walt Disney Company. The government stake was originally 57% but has since reduced to 52% owing to the Walt Disney Company injecting HK$3.6 billion finance in 2009 to provide for a major five-year expansion of the park. Disney receives a management fee which was originally 2% of gross revenue but following the re-financing and expansion plan has been revised to 6.5% of Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation).
Disney's entry into China began in 1986 when agreement was reached to show Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoon series in the mainland on China Central Television. In 1998 plans were announced to build a Disneyland theme park in either Zhuhai or Hong Kong and in 1999 Hong Kong was selected as the first Disney theme park in China. The park is essentially an American-style theme park with Chinese language services. The park capacity is 36,000 and although the park has the same land resources as the Californian park only Phase 1 of Hong Kong Disneyland has so far been developed and includes two hotels on the perimeter of the park. In the interests of visitor comfort the park restricts maximum attendance to about 32,000 and the park has achieved this level of attendance only during Chinese New Year 2006 although during Chinese New Year 2011 daily attendances reached over 30,000. A major park expansion is expected to be completed by 2013 when the park attendance capacity will increase to about 50,000. There are not the same number or variety of rides and attractions as other Disneyland parks and most visitors will be able to cover the park in a day. The opening of the park coincided with the revival of its competitor Ocean Park and Disneyland initially suffered from disappointing attendances and mounting financial losses. The park did not meet its target of breaking even by 2011 but its sixth year results for the period to the end of September 2011 show an annual attendance of 5.9 million, a 13% increase over the previous year, although well below the target of 6.96 million. Revenue increased to HK$3.6 billion and a net loss of HK$237 million was recorded, down considerably from HK$718 million in the previous year. Average daily attendance is about 16,000 with about 45% of visitors from mainland China and 24% from other overseas locations whilst 31% of visitors were local. Occupancy rates at the two hotels was 91%, up 9% from the previous year.
In November 2009 the central government announced agreement had been reached to build China's second Disney theme park in Shanghai. Initial expectations were that the park would be much larger than Hong Kong Disneyland and be a major competitor but it was subsequently announced that the first phase of the Shanghai park which is due for completion in 2014 will cover an area of 150 hectares making it smaller than the Hong Kong park.
Hong Kong Disneyland admission prices are the cheapest of any Disneyland and compare favourably with many other theme parks and also the reasonable prices of food and drink inside the park do represent good value for money. The quality of the stage shows, parades and stunning nightly fireworks display is excellent. The park will particularly appeal to younger children and their families and most visitors should experience a thoroughly enjoyable day out. Queues for rides are often short or non-existent except on the busiest days which are weekends and public holidays and visitors can generally enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. In September 2008 HK Disneyland received a major boost to its expansion plans when it paid off almost HK$3.3 billion in commercial loans which were refinanced with loans from Disney's own funds on much more favourable terms. The Hong Kong Government agreed in July 2008 to make available special "Disney Visas" to eight million Chinese mainland non-Guangdong residents who work in Shenzhen to boost visitor numbers and the first two-day group tours commenced during December 2008. Tourists on these tours, initially operated exclusively by CTS, are also be allowed to visit other "attractions" such as Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, Repulse Bay and Deepwater Bay and shopping "hotspots". Since September 2006 around 128,000 annual passes have been sold. In June 2009 it was confirmed that Walt Disney Company will invest HK$3.6 billion for a MAJOR PARK EXPANSION which will include 30 new attractions and three new theme areas, increasing the size of the park by 23% over five years with completion now anticipated in 2013 one year ahead of original expectations . The three new themed areas are "Toy Story Land", "Grizzly Gulch" and "Mystic Point". Toy Story Land opened on 18th November 2011 and includes a whirling rollercoaster named Slinky Dog Spin, Toy Soldier Parachute Drop in which visitors plunge from a 25-metre tower, and a U-shaped race track ride. Mystic Point will open in 2012 and Grizzly Gulch in 2013. The expansion is aimed at giving the park more appeal to young adults and will include over 600 new "cast members". Hong Kong Government's Legislative Council gave formal approval for finance restructuring in July 2009 to allow the expansion to proceed and a ground breaking ceremony to celebrate commencement of construction works was held on 13th December 2009.
The resort has land available for up to three additional hotels accommodating about 1000 rooms and it is anticipated that the park expansion will be transformed from a park that can be visited in one day to a one and a half day park.
Disneyland announced a revised ticketing structure with price increases of about 19% for some tickets from February 2009 although the increase was deferred until July 2009 for Hong Kong Residents and travel trade tickets. These were the first price increases since the park opened. A further price increase of about 14% took effect from August 2011, deferred until December 2011 for Hong Kong Residents and travel trade tickets.
In January 2012, Disneyland
announced it was planning to double visitor numbers to 11 million by
2022, by further park expansion and engaging in an alliance of
businesses, Lantau Economic Development Alliance, with a joint strategy
of turning Lantau Island into a major tourist destination, taking
advantage of the expected increase in visitors on completion of the
forthcoming Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau bridge, which will start off
Lantau Island, Hong Kong International Airport's third runway and the
Guangzhou - Shenzhen - Hong Kong express rail link. Disneyland has also indicated a long term desire to build a further four hotels at the resort.
GETTING THERE
For most visitors the most convenient method of transportation will be by MTR train to Disneyland Resort Station. However there are also several special Disneyland bus services which may be more convenient for some visitors and additionally a frequent shuttle bus service operates between the park and Lantau Link where connections can made with major bus routes serving the airport, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories.
MTR TRAIN FROM HONG KONG ISLAND OR KOWLOON
Hong Kong Disneyland has its own MTR station Disneyland Resort next to the park entrance. Disneyland Resort MTR Station is served by a short spur line from the MTR Tung Chung Line at Sunny Bay. The Tung Chung Line starts at Hong Kong Station** (the terminus station for the Airport Express) on Hong Kong Island and also serves Kowloon Station. The journey time from Hong Kong Station to Sunny Bay MTR Station (six stops) is approx 25 minutes. From Sunny Bay MTR Station a Disney themed train operates a frequent shuttle service for the four minute journey to Disneyland Resort Station. Services from Hong Kong Station operate daily from about 06-00 to 00-50 and from Sunny Bay MTR Station to Disneyland Resort from 06-20 to 00-10.
**Hong Kong Station is connected by pedestrian subway/moving walkways to Central MTR Station which is served by the MTR Island and Tsuen Wan Lines which operate along parts of HK Island and Kowloon and connect with other MTR lines.
The fare from Hong Kong Station to Disneyland Resort is HK$24.50 (or HK$21.70 if using Octopus Card).
Sunny Bay Station on the MTR Tung Chung Line is the interchange station for the four-minute ride to Hong Kong Disneyland on the Disneyland Resort Line
From the airport - Visitors wishing to travel to Hong Kong Disneyland from the airport by public transport can take the S1 shuttle bus (fare HK$3.50) from the airport to Tung Chung MTR Station (appx 10 mins). Take the MTR for one stop from Tung Chung to Sunny Bay (7 minutes) then change to the Disneyland Resort Line and take the shuttle train to Disneyland Resort Station (4 minutes). The fare from Tung Chung to Disneyland Resort is HK$13 (or HK$11.9 if using Octopus Card).
Mickey Mouse themed MTR train at Disneyland Resort Station
BUSES TO DISNEYLAND FROM HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON
Special Disneyland services direct from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to Disneyland were discontinued from 1 September 2008. However direct return buses from Disneyland to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon after the fireworks (the last event each day) still operate (see below for details of services R11 and R22). On Sundays and public holidays only, there is are limited direct bus services from Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan, Tai Wai and Shatin in the New Territories (see below).
Hong Kong Disneyland can be reached by bus by taking any airport bus and changing to service R8 "Disneyland Shuttle" at the Lantau Link Toll Plaza. Airport routes from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon include;
A11 from North Point, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and Sheung Wan every 15/30 mins from 5-10am daily (fare HK$40)
A21 from Hung Hom via Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok and Prince Edward every 9/20 mins from 5-30am daily (fare HK$33)
Disembark at Lantau Link Toll Plaza which is the first stop after the bus has passed over the Tsing Ma and Kap Shui Mun bridges which form part of the Lantau Link and connect with R8 "Disneyland Shuttle" which operates a frequent service until midnight (see below).
BUS FROM DISNEYLAND TO HONG KONG ISLAND OR KOWLOON
“DISNEYLAND EXPRESS”
Citybus operate two Disneyland Express Routes daily to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon using “luxury” double deck buses. These buses depart after the Disneyland fireworks (the closing event at Disneyland each day).
Route R11 (fare HK$38 to Hong Kong Island stops or HK$32 to all stops up to Cross Harbour Tunnel) – from Disneyland to North Point Ferry Piers on HK Island via Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Hung Hom, Cross Harbour Tunnel, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. Journey time appx 65 minutes to North Point.
Route R22 (fare HK$38) – from Disneyland to Yau Tong via Jordan, Hung Hom, Ma Tau Wai, Kowloon City, San Po Kong, Choi Hung, Telford Gardens, Kwun Tong and Lam Tin. Journey time appx 62 minutes to Yau Tong.
BUSES FROM NEW TERRITORIES TO DISNEYLAND
On Sundays and public holidays only direct bus services to Disneyland operate from Tuen Mun Railway Station (R33) and from Tai Wai Railway Station via Shatin Central Bus Station and Tsuen Wan Railway Station (R42) at 9am, 9-20am and 9-45am.
BUSES FROM DISNEYLAND TO NEW TERRITORIES
On Sundays and public holidays only there are services from Disneyland to Tuen Mun Railway Station (R33) and Tseun Wan Railway Station, Shatin Central Bus Station and Tai Wai Railway Station (R42), departing about 20 minutes after the fireworks display.
“DISNEYLAND SHUTTLE” BUS R8 FOR CONNECTIONS TO AIRPORT AND OTHER ROUTES
Citybus Route R8 (fare HK$7) provides a shuttle service between the Lantau Link Toll Plaza and Disneyland daily from 06-00 to midnight at intervals of 10/20 minutes. Journey time is approx 15 minutes. The Lantau Link Toll Plaza is served by all franchised bus routes operating between Hong Kong International Airport, Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. See “Airport Bus Services"
Bus Station at Disneyland Resort Public Transport Interchange. The coaches in the picture are Resort Shuttle buses serving nearby Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel
FERRY
Although a ferry pier has been built at the park there is currently no ferry service. This is planned for a future date but no details are yet available.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Entrance
TICKETS
Advance reservations are not usually necessary except for Special Days (see “Admission Prices” below). Tickets can be purchased at the following outlets;
Hong Kong Disneyland Main Entrance – daily from 9am until park closing at either the Main Entrance Ticket Booths or the Guest Relations Windows.
Hong Kong Station (Airport Express and Tung Chung MTR Lines) - Hong Kong Disneyland Ticket Express – ticket counter in the Tung Chung Line concourse. Open 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Tickets purchased online can also be collected here.
The Magic of Hong Kong Disneyland - Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 2. Open daily 9am to 9pm.
Avenue of Stars Kiosks - open daily 9-30am to 10-30pm.
Atrium 1, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui (until 1st January 2012). Open daily 12pm to 9pm
All Circle K convenience store outlets in Hong Kong
Travel agents – tickets can be purchased from selected travel agents.
Disneyland Hotel guests – guests of Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel are guaranteed admission to the park for the duration of their stay. Contact the Reservation Centre on (852) 1 830 830 or e-mail using the “contact us” form on the website. 
Ticket booths at the park's main entrance
ADMISSION PRICES (from 1st August 2011)
1-DAY TICKETS;
Adult – HK$399 Peak Days* and Special Days**
Child (3-11) – HK$285 Peak Days* and Special Days**
Senior (65 and over) – HK$100 Peak Days* and Special Days**
* Peak Days are Saturdays and Sundays, Hong Kong public holidays, school summer holidays and Golden Week holidays (May and September) except Special Days***. Peak Day tickets are valid for one visit on a Peak Day within 6 months of ticket issue.
**Special Days are Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and certain dates during Chinese New Year. Special Day tickets are date-specific.
Ticket days can be found by selecting “show ticket days” at;
2-DAY TICKETS;
From 1st August 2011 until 31st March 2012, 2-Day tickets are available for any two days within a 7-day period (except on "Designated Days" which are 24th to 28th January 2012).
Prices are;
Adult - HK$499 Child (3-11) - HK$355 Senior (65 and over) - HK$170.
See website for further details;
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/ticketsAndReservations/overview?name=2DayTicketPage
IN-TRANSIT EASY PASS - Until 31st December 2011 visitors arriving and leaving Hong Kong on the same day or before 2am the following day can purchase the In-Transit Easy Pass allowing park admission for HK$198;
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/special/listing?name=InTransitPage
OPENING HOURS
The park opens at 10am every day of the year although ticket offices and Guest Relations Windows open at 9am. Closing time varies between 7pm, 8pm or 9pm. Park closing times are announced on a monthly basis and to check latest announced dates visitors should check the Monthly Calendar on the park’s website;
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/home/home?name=HOMEPage
Normally the park closes at 7pm during winter months and at 7-30pm or 8pm at other times except Christmas and New Year, public holidays, school summer holidays and Chinese New Year when opening time is usually extended to 9pm.
Some of the park’s restaurants and shops stay open for at least 30 minutes after the official park closing times.
ENTRY PROCEDURES
Hong Kong Disneyland does impose security checks in the form of bag searches at the entry turnstiles. Items or materials considered dangerous are not allowed on the park.
There is also a park rule banning bringing food and drink from outside into the park. However the experience of many visitors is that the rule is not strictly enforced and the park appears to unofficially adopt a “light touch” as long as visitors are reasonable in this respect. Items such as sandwiches and light snacks are usually allowed in without comment. Alcohol is not allowed into the park.
Same day re-admission is allowed subject to hand-stamp.
GUEST FACILITIES
There are information points and guest relation services at the park entrance, at City Hall on Main Street USA and at other points within the park.
Toilet facilities are at the park entrance and within all zones inside the park.
There is a Baby Care Centre in Main Street USA near Corner Café.
Left luggage facilities are outside the park near the park entrance and lockers for rent inside the park in Main Street USA near Market House Bakery.
There is a Lost property counter at City Hall in Main Street USA.
There are luggage storage services (above) outside the park near the main entrance and luggage lockers for rent inside the park near Market House Bakery on Main Street USA
TIMES GUIDE
Visitors should obtain the “Times Guide” leaflet available from various points within the park on arrival. This details specific times and venues for parades, fireworks display, stage shows and character greeting times on the day of visit. It also details operating hours for café’s and restaurants, some of which do not operate during full park operating times and close on certain days.
ATTRACTIONS
The park is divided into four themed “zones”, Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.
The Disneyland Railroad circles the perimeter of the park. Currently the railroad journey is curtailed owing to development work.
MAIN STREET USA
Visitors reach Main Street USA immediately on entering the park. ATM’s, information services, wheelchair and buggy hire and a lost property counter are located in City Hall. There is a bakery and Cantonese restaurant (Plaza Inn), both operated by Maxims and International restaurant/cafe (Main Street Corner Café) operated by Lee Kum Kee. There are several snack bars, Emporium (Disney branded souvenir store), photo, confectionery, art and jewellery shops.
One of the two railroad stations is located at the entrance to Main Street USA. A collection of vehicles cruise up and down the street. 
Main Street transportation
Other attractions include Animation Academy and Turtle Talk with Crush. Muppet Mobile Lab also makes appearance on Main Street at various times and colourful street entertainers are regular visitors throughout the day.
Street entertainers are regular visitors to Main Street USA
ADVENTURELAND
The jungle-themed Adventureland is home to Tarzan Island, reached by raft, and Tarzans Treehouse. The island is encircled by Jungle River along which visitors can enjoy a boat cruise full of unexpected surprises.
The Jungle Cruise is full of unexpected surprises
The Festival of the Lion King Theatre is located in Adventureland and a spectacular 30 minute version of the “Lion King” show is performed up to four times daily.
Festival of the Lion King is a colourful music and dance spectacular
Adventureland has two restaurants, River View Café (Chinese and SE Asian menu) and Tahitian Terrace (noodles, BBQ food and wok dishes).
Professor Porter’s Trading Post shop is located in this zone next to the Tahitian Terrace Restaurant.
FANTASYLAND
Fantasyland is dominated by the Sleeping Beauty Castle which is the focal point of the nightly fireworks display and visitors must pass under its portal to enter this zone.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Attractions include Mickey’s PhilharMagic 3-D adventure, Dumbo the Flying Elephant Ride, Cinderella Carousel, Mad Hatter Teacups, The Golden Mickeys (30 minute show in the Storybook Theatre performed several times daily), Fantasy Gardens, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Ride, Snow White Grotto and “It’s a Small World”.
"It's a Small World" boat cruise ride was a new addition to the park in April 2008. Children of the world sing and dance to the song "it's a small world after all"
High School Musical: Live! is performed up to three times daily at the Sleeping Beauty Castle Forecourt and lasts about 20 minutes.
High School Musical: Live!
Some of the attractions in this zone close early to allow preparation of the fireworks display.
There are two restaurants, Royal Banquet Hall a large International restaurant offering a wide range of dishes including Japanese cuisine, Chinese Dim Sum and American Grill and Clopin’s Festival of Foods specialising in wok-fried food from the north west region of China.
Souvenir shops include Pooh Corner, Merlin’s Treasures and Storybook Shoppe.
TOMORROWLAND
Tomorrowland entrance
Attractions include Space Mountain (a thrilling indoor roller coaster ride), Stitch Encounter (an interactive show at the Space Traffic Control Centre), Orbitron (Flying Saucers), Buzz Lightyear Astra Blasters (interactive adventure), UFO Zone and Autopia (electric car ride).
Caught driving whilst using a mobile phone on Autopia!
Comet Café has BBQ, wok and noodle specialities from the Jiang Nan Region and Starlight Diner is a mainly fast-food café.
TOY STORY LAND Opened 18th November 2011. The first of three new themed areas forming part of Disneyland's HK$3.63 billion expansion programme. Rides include Slinky Dog Spin (a whirling roller coaster), Toy Soldier Parachute Drop (a 25-metre plunge from a tower) and RC Racer ( a ride using magnetic levitation to travel back and forth along a U-shaped race track featuring a 13-metre incline and drop).
PARADE
The colourful traditional musical parade of Disney characters takes place up to twice daily. The parade which takes about 15 minutes to pass starts in Tomorrowland near Space Mountain and travels through this zone and along Main Street USA towards the park entrance. The theme of the parade changes from time to time.
Buzz Lightyear heads the Disney Parade
CHARACTER GREETINGS
Characters appear in the park during the day and at specific times at various locations detailed in the "Times Guide" (see above).
Sleeping Beauty Castle is the location for several daily character greetings
FIREWORKS DISPLAY
“Disney in the Stars” is a spectacular nightly fireworks display centred on Sleeping Beauty Castle. The display commences at park closing time and lasts about 15 minutes. Best viewing points are Main Street USA and the magic roundabout at the end of Main Street.
FASTPASS SYSTEM
A FASTPASS Service is available for the following attractions;
Fantasyland – The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland – Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Visitors can use their park entry tickets in Fastpass machines to obtain a timed ticket for priority entry to these attractions. During periods when demand for rides is low the Fastpass Service is often suspended.
DISNEYLAND HOTELS
There are two hotels at Hong Kong Disneyland;
HONG KONG DISNEYLAND HOTEL
This is a 400 bedroom hotel overlooking the South China Sea on the perimeter of Disneyland. Bedrooms are Victorian themed and an array of Disney characters is present to enchant kids in this hotel. For full details, room rates and packages see;
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/hotels/landing?name=HongKongDisneylandHotelLandingPage
Hotel Hotline : (852) 3510 6000
Disneyland Resort Hotel
DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD HOTEL
A 600 room in 1930’s art-deco style also located close to the waterside. Facilities include a piano shaped swimming pool. For full details, room rates and packages see;
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/hotels/landing?name=HollywoodHotelLandingPage
Hotel Hotline : (852) 3510 5000
SPECIAL OFFER
From 1st July 2010 until 31st March 2012 guests of either hotel can purchase Stay2Day Tickets for HK$398 (adult), HK$288 (child 3-11), HK$198 (seniors 65 and over) allowing entry to the park on two consecutive days. For full details see;
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/special/listing?name=SpecialOffersStay2DayTicketsPage
HOTEL SHUTTLE BUS
There is a shuttle bus service from the park Public Transport Interchange for the short journey to both hotels. Both hotels can be reached on foot from the park entrance by following Park Promenade towards Disneyland Resort Pier. Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is the nearer of the hotels, which are 10/15 minutes walk from the park entrance.