Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will mark its 20th year in operations with a full year of celebrations that will feature new attractions, characters in specially-designed anniversary costumes, anniversary collectibles, limited edition performances and parades – and it is opening its party, from June 2025 to May 2026, to the world.
In a press meeting in Singapore on April 10, Michael Moriarty, president and managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Management, said the hotels and theme park complex recorded 7.7 million visitors in 2024, and he hopes to welcome “everyone” throughout the celebratory year.
“Hong Kong is within a five-hour flight time from so many places in Asia, making Hong Kong Disneyland Resort accessible to almost half of the world’s population. We would like everyone to join us in our celebrations,” said Moriarty, adding that different Asian countries have different vacation periods and school holidays, which helps to spread crowds throughout the months.
He added that The Most Magical Party of All, as its year-long celebration is named, will offer an opportunity for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort “to capture Disney aspirers” – Disney fans who have yet to visit a Disneyland park.
“When we look around the (Asia) region, we see millions of people who are Disney+ subscribers, who watch Disney movies, or have a relationship with Disney by buying Disney merchandise online or in stores. They are connected with the brand, but have yet to visit a Disneyland resort. We call them Disney aspirers, and we want to create a strong reason for them to visit now,” he said.
That motivation will come in the form of special 20th anniversary arrangements and programming. All characters will be “debuting their costumes just for the anniversary in a large fashion show”, and the resort will be decked out in “magic inspired” decorations. Merchandise and F&B will also adopt a celebratory tone.
Visitors can expect brand new songs and special “Disney spectaculars” live events.
Mickey and Friends, Duffy and Friends, and Disney princesses will put on an anniversary-only castle stage show. The largest-ever Friendtastic Parade will also make its debut, featuring 11 party floats – including one designed just for Hong Kong with petals of the city’s official flower, the Bauhinia Blakeana – and 11 groups of Disney friends.
When the sun prepares to set, the Momentous spectacular will come to life with an anniversary edition, taking park visitors from day to night with enchanting drone choreography.
The celebrations extend beyond the theme park and into the resort’s three hotels that are equipped with 1,750 guestrooms.
Corporate groups looking at a park buyout during the year-long celebrations can take the opportunity to weave anniversary elements into their programme.
According to Moriarty, the resort has attracted “several large buyouts” for 7,000 to 15,000 people post-lockdown, and corporate clients recognise Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s bleisure appeal.
Moriarty’s stop in Singapore to meet with travel trade partners and the media was part of a wider Asia road show covering Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and China.
He told TTG Asia that traditional trade agencies and online travel agencies remain crucial partners in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s distribution strategy.
“Traditional travel trades and online travel agencies are not all fighting for the same customer, and they know best what their customer wants and how they would like to travel and experience Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. They work with us to come up with the right product mix, perhaps more food coupons for this customer segment and merchandise discount for the other,” said Moriarty.
Moriarty and team are particularly keen on communicating The Most Magical Party of All to the Singapore travel audience, as the market is one of the resort’s top five international markets.
“There is such a huge Disney fandom here in Singapore. In fact, in December 2024, one out of every three seats on a plane coming from Singapore to Hong Kong is occupied by someone going to visit Hong Kong Disneyland Resort,” he shared, adding that Singapore visitors give a 95 per cent satisfaction rating after their visit.
