Is It Worth Visiting Hong Kong Disneyland as an Adult?

Frankly, this Big Body never revisiting Disneyland after his chunky 12-year-old self stuffed his portly frame into a Mickey Mouse t-shirt, his finest New Balance shoes (yes, I was a New Balance guy even at 12), and athletic shorts, armed with his autograph book, and made the trip with his father and brother one sweltering summer. 

Side Note: It was actually a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, which I Googled and learned there’s a difference between the two – Disney World being far larger and a complex of numerous parks, resorts, and on-site transportation systems. But I digress. 

However, in the last four years in Hong Kong, I’ve been to Hong Kong Disneyland twice. 

Count it. Twice. 

As a single man in his early to mid-thirties (depending on how you look at it), I always assumed that my prime Disney days were behind me. That I was washed up and past my peak, that I’d look extremely out of place. I also imagined suspicious glances from parents and park employees, ready to call up the boys in blue to throw me in Disneyland jail, or worse, escort me out and toss me in actual jail.  

But thanks to two of my top dawgz in Hong Kong, one male dawg and one lady dawgette, that mental barrier was broken down for Big Body – leading to what I’d consider two of the most memorable days of my past four years in Hong Kong. 

Here is why you should completely shed any sense apprehension about visiting Hong Kong Disneyland as an adult, suspend disbelief for a day, and dust off and toss on a pair of those Mickey or Minnie ears you keep in that one box under your bed and wistfully glance at when trying to rustle up old receipts for tax season.  

But first, let’s dig into some of the practical deets about getting to the most magical place on Lantau, what day(s) to book tickets, and several other administrative formalities that all adults should mentally prepare for (especially if you’re making the pilgrimage with children). 

How to Get to Hong Kong Disneyland

Website, Address, & Details: https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/ 

• Location: Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Island, Outlying Islands.
• Price: HK$600+ for general admission up to HK$1,200 for Premier Access.
• Tickets: Hong Kong Disneyland Website or Klook (the latter for deals)

In reality, there are two key ways people get to Hong Kong Disneyland. Either you: 

• Booked a night or two at one of the several Disneyland resorts and hotels (ex. Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel) and all you have to do is literally walk right outside the lobby, or
• Are staying/living/maxin’ and relaxin’ on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon and will have to take the MTR (Hong Kong’s mass transit railway). 

If you’re in the first camp and can’t figure out how to get to Disneyland, then there’s not much to tell you. You’re already a lost cause and may God have mercy on your soul. If you’re in the second camp, here’s how to get to Hong Kong Disneyland. 

Whether you’re in Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, or somewhere in between (technically that places you in the middle of Victoria Harbour), your goal is to get to the Tung Chung Line (Orange Line) on the MTR and then ride it to Sunny Bay Station. From Sunny Bay Station, transfer to the dedicated Disneyland Resort Line (Pink Line), which is hard to miss thanks to the theme trains featuring Mickey Mouse and Disney designs to put you in the mood. 

As I live in Central, I simply pop on down to Hong Kong Station, where the Tung Chung Line begins (or ends). 

Isn’t that the beauty of Disneyland? The magic begins before you’ve even stepped foot in the park. Disneyland isn’t just a place, it’s a mindset.  

If it’s your first time in Hong Kong and you’re hesitant about taking public transportation, I assure you this is the most effective and affordable (and least painful way) to get to Disneyland. Don’t let your stress levels spike before your trip to the Magic Kingdom. It just ain’t worth it. 

Additionally, three types of color-coded taxis, Urban (red), New Territories (green), and Lantau (blue) all provide taxi services to Hong Kong – there should be no issues getting there after telling them ‘Disneyland Hong Kong’ or showing them on Google Maps. 

Local buses by Long Win Bus, Citybus, and New Lantao Bus also provide affordable and effective transportation to Disneyland – the key bus routes being from Tai Wai Station (R42), Tuen Mun Station (R33), Tung Chung (36), and Lantau Link Interchange (R8). 

Finally, a slept-on (and incredibly scenic) way to get to Hong Kong Disneyland is by taking the Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui Pier. However, keep in mind that this requires a round-trip ticket and there is only one trip per day. 

Round-trip tickets for adults cost just over HK$100, and under HK$100 for children ages 3 to 12. This ticket can also be combined for a discount/deal with a Disneyland package. 

I generally only recommend this method if (a) you’re planning on staying at one of the Disneyland hotels, or (b) don’t mind returning via the MTR or bus and eating the cost of the return trip. 

Additionally, the ferry departs Tsim Sha Tsui at 11 AM and arrives around 12:15 PM – so it may not be the best option if you want to get to Disneyland bright and early (and right as the park opens)! 

Day(s) of the Week I Recommend Visiting Hong Kong Disneyland

I won’t dive too much into the different Disneyland ticket types available, as there are more than I can count (or understand) but if you’re making the trip on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, or amid a major holiday season (ex. Halloween and Christmas) – you can bet your bottom dollar it is going to be busy. 

Hong Kong Disneyland structures its pricing system via tiers, with costs varying depending on the date or time of the year that you choose to visit. Specifically, it’s a tiered ticket price system, with dates divided into Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4. Tier 1 days at the park are the most affordable and are typically aligned with ‘off-peak’ days, while Tier 4 days reflect peak dates like weekends, public holidays, and one-off and/or special events.  

There are two ways as an adult (and with a group of friends) that I’d approach purchasing tickets. 

The first option is setting some time aside during the beginning of the week and purchasing a ticket on a Tier 1 day (ex. Monday or Tuesday). I’d also make sure it wasn’t during Halloween or Christmas. Group tickets (3 or more people) are fantastic for saving some money!

The second option is if the crew and I want to go on a busier day, like Friday or Saturday, it’s best to cover our bases and purchase a ticket that includes Disney Premier Pass – an add-on that offers one-time priority access to 8 selected attractions. This roughly costs HK$500 (USD 60) more than a standard general admission ticket. 

There is also another variation of Disney Premier Pass called FastPass that allows you to enter the park one hour early.  

In general, if you have some extra cash to spare, it’s your first time visiting Disneyland, or you’re with a large group and/or children, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to play it safe and purchase the Disney Premier Pass. 

A Note From My Top Dawgette Who Has a Yearly Disney Pass

Just because a day of the week is classified as a Tier 1 or Tier 4 day doesn’t always mean that the estimated corresponding number of parkgoers will show up. 

Some Tier 1 days can end up being extremely crowded and hectic while Tier 3 or Tier 4 days may be far less crowded than initially expected. 

My top dawgette has a yearly Disneyland pass and hits up the Magic Kingdom semi-regularly. She broke it down for me how she has seen it all – days that were classified as Tier 4 being nearly empty, while days that were classified as Tier 1 being jam-packed, with hour-long waits for lines. 

Further, the first year my friends and I went to Disneyland was on the Friday of the week preceding Halloween, it was considerably but not overwhelmingly full. But there would have been no way to feasibly cover as many roller coasters, attractions, and other rides as we did if it weren’t for my dawg picking up Premier Access passes for us. 

On my most recent trip, on the Monday preceding Halloween, there were almost no lines whatsoever. Luckily, we only purchased general admission tickets, as Premier Access passes would have been slightly excessive considering the lack of lines.  

Sometimes, it just makes no sense. There are outliers. So keep this in mind when purchasing tickets. This isn’t to fearmonger, rather, to help ensure that you don’t spend half of your day waiting in line because you thought there could be no way on a Tier 1 day that so many people would pack the park. 

Once again, if you want to “cross your t’s and dot your i’s,” paying extra for the Disney Premier Pass is well worth it.  

Pale Ale Travel Tip: It goes without saying but make sure to wear a comfortable pair of shoes. This isn’t ‘It’s a Small World’ and you can easily put in 15,000 to 30,000 steps if you cover the park once or twice over. 

How Early Should I Arrive at Disneyland Hong Kong?

The answer to this depends on you, who you’re with, and if you have any other Hong Kong attractions or experiences you want to see that day. However, my recommendation is – get to Hong Kong Disneyland as early as possible. 

When my top dawg first told me that he wanted to get there right when the park opened at 10 AM, I thought he was off his rocker. Then, when he expressed how he wanted to stay the entire day and watch the closing fireworks over the Sleeping Beauty Castle (“Momentous Nighttime Spectacular”) at 8:30, I thought I was going to have to lock him up with Brittany Murphy in Don’t Say a Word (RIP to B. Murph.). 

Well, maybe I’m the one who should be with Leo on Shutter Island because I can’t see NOT showing up to Disneyland right as the gates open. There’s just so much to do, eat, and see – and the time passes far quicker than you’d think. 

However, if you’re not super jazzed on getting 25,000 to 30,000 steps in for the day (understandably so), or only have a couple of days in Hong Kong, and want to split your day with another attraction, you can still show up in early afternoon and still accomplish all (or most) of what you want to do. You just have to be strategic. 

A good buddy of mine and his wife took the Ngong Ping Cable Car to the Tian Tan Buddha in the morning and then spent the early afternoon to night at Disneyland. So, several Hong Kong attractions can be experienced in one fell swoop. Either way, you’ll have to be at one or the other very early. 

Note: I probably wouldn’t try and do two distinct things (ex. Disneyland and Ngong Ping Cable Car) on a Tier 3 or Tier 4 day without a Disney Premier Pass. 

Alright, that’s a lot of administrative details right there – it’s time to get into the magic. 

My Top Attractions at The Happiest Place in Hong Kong

Feels like you are in a snow globe when looking at The World of Frozen.

While Disneyland Hong Kong is technically the smallest of all Disney parks in the world, it still spans 310 acres, hosts roughly 7 million visitors each year, and can take all day to explore. In fact, I consider the fact that it’s the smallest Disney park (by size) to be a plus as it allows for a more intimate and comprehensive experience. 

Specifically, Disneyland Hong Kong is sectioned into 8 themed areas: Main Street (U.S.A.), Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, Toy Story Land, and its newest World of Frozen (opened in 2023). 

This place is packed corner to corner with nostalgia. 

From the second you see the Disney-themed MTR line roll up with its windows shaped like Mickey’s bulbous head to the iconic Mickey floral arrangement just after passing through the ticket gate, sprawling 20th-century Victorian-style Main Street lined with themed knick-knacks, clothing, and food shops which leads to the technicolor Sleeping Beauty Castle, and costumed cast members, you know it’s time to suspend disbelief. 

Yes. I did get up on the carousel this time around. If any single point in the day I looked out of place, it was me riding on top of a carousel horsey next to a man holding up his son on the horse next to me.

It’s such a highly curated ecosystem and experience that there’s bound to be something that conjures up a memory from your childhood (hopefully a positive one). It’s inevitable. Everyone is going to walk away with a completely different experience based on how they grew up consuming (or are currently growing up with) Disney. 

And there’s something beautiful to that. 

I’m not here to go through every little detail of the entire park, but as an adult, these particular Hong Kong Disneyland rides, shows, attractions, and food stood out to me. 

Pale Ale Travel Note: Keep in mind that I haven’t gone on every single ride and/or seen every show. I’m still somewhat of a Hong Kong Disneyland neophyte but I’ve covered a lot of ground during my previous two trips. 

Shows That Will Knock Your Socks Off

For Big Body, the shows at Hong Kong Disneyland absolutely…steal the show when it comes to my favorite things to do. As someone who grew up heavily involved playing music, whether it is in the school’s concert band, a jazz lab amalgamation at band camp, or a 6-person ska band I started with 5 of my best friends, I love a good tune.

My mother will even tell you, I’m always making up random songs on the spot – especially when I’m in a good mood. 

There are two shows at Hong Kong Disneyland that I’ve seen both times and will keep going back for:  

1. Mickey and the Wondrous Book, and 
2. Let’s Get Wicked.

Mickey and the Wondrous Book

Mickey and the Wondrous Book is a Broadway-style stage production, set in a “magical library,” that walks you through some of the ultimate Disney movies and their stories. 

Boasting elaborate costumes (someone in a giant King Louie suit), choreographed dancing, performers with absolute pipes, and of course, a giant wondrous book, this is what I would consider an ‘oldie but a goodie’ (it’s been around for nearly ten years now!). 

I also think the theme of it is ‘bringing magical stories to life every time you turn the page’. 

Even though the show is in a hybrid Cantonese-English presentation, there are subtitles on both sides of the stage, which makes it extremely easy to follow. Also, Cantonese-speaking Olaf (Frozen) is a legend.  

Let’s Get Wicked

I remember on the first trip I ever took to Disney World, back when I was a wee little Big Body, and with my Australian grandmother and family visiting, I nearly had a heart attack when Jafar (Aladdin) came gliding into the resort’s breakfast buffet. I hid under the table which was odd as he was the number one villain that I wanted to sign my Disney-labeled autograph book. So, I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with villains. 

I think it’s because I have a criminal’s mind but an honest man’s heart, so when it comes time for any wickedness and villainy, I chicken out. The closest I can get to a villain (and their often grotesque-looking crew) is through a show. Something about a villain that sings and dances is less threatening to this Big Body. 

So, you can imagine I’m right in my element every single time the dawgz and I go to see the Halloween exclusive show Let’s Get Wicked. It’s basically a gladiatorial arena that’s broken into four camps, each group with its own distinct villain (Ursula, Gaston, Maleficent, and Dr. Facilier) to cheer for. 

Each villain then makes a grand entrance to perform a hit song – “Poor Unfortunate Souls” by Ursula being an absolute banger. There are theatrics for each villain’s performance, like giant illuminated Flotsam and Jetsam (eels from The Little Mermaid) puppets hoisted high in the air and ‘swimming’ around the arena, and Gaston and crew tossing back beers in the tavern, along with an acrobatic performance to top it all of (the woman spinning and dangling from a ring hanging from the ceiling is spectacular). 

It’s terrifying. It’s catchy. It’s enthralling. Every single performer in this show is incredibly talented and just leaves Big Body in awe by the end of it.  

Further, the villainous host of the show (I’m unsure of his name or what character he is) has been on point both years I’ve seen Let’s Get Wicked. It’s a tough act to come out in dead silence and antagonize the crowd. He does a fantastic job of setting the tone of the entire show. 

Next time, I would love to check out the interactive House of De Vil-lains show (for Halloween), hosted by the de-vil herself, Cruella De Vil, along with Hades (from Hercules) and the Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland). 

If you’ve seen it, let me know in the comments!

I strongly recommend interspersing these throughout the day as they can be the perfect refuge from the overbearing Hong Kong heat and humidity, keeping you fresh and able to make it to the nighttime fireworks. 

Mystic Manor

Located in the park’s ‘Mystic Point’, Mystic Manor is one of Hong Kong Disneyland’s most revered attractions – something I attribute to it being light-hearted, fun for the whole family, and exclusive to Hong Kong. 

While only found at Hong Kong Disneyland, I would basically call this the ‘Haunted Mansion’ equivalent found at other Disneylands across the world. 

There’s a blend of mystery and magic in this ‘trackless’ ride system which takes you through the various rooms of the Victorian-style manor. The ride offers glimpses into the exotic, rare, and magical treasures of Lord Henry Mystic, all of which are brought to life after his pet monkey ‘Albert’ opens an enchanted music box.

The ride’s finale sees a crescendo of magical energy as it flies back into the music box, followed by the mischievous Albert slamming the top shut and breathing a giant sight of relief – all before Lord Mystic returns and quips to himself whether the legends are true or not and thanking riders.

This is a favorite of my top dawgette and overall, I can’t say no to such an intricately designed interior with animatronics and cutting-edge project mapping!

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you’re an adult, then there’s a high probability you subsist off of caffeine to the degree that I do. Thank goodness there’s a Starbucks at Hong Kong Disneyland. And it’s right when you enter. Simply head down Main Street and you’ll see the Starbucks on your right. It can get pretty hectic and crowded though so just be prepared to wait! 

The Roller Coasters: Buckle Up, Buckaroo

While I’m terrified of heights, I make an exception when it comes to roller coasters. That doesn’t mean I’m not still terrified, it just means that oftentimes I find the “payoff”, aka “the drop” and adrenaline rush, to be well worth the initial pooping of my pants. 

Hong Kong Disneyland isn’t flush with roller coasters but the ones that they do have are very much worth the trip (and ride): Grizzly Gulch, Hyperspace Mountain, and Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs being the three traditional roller coasters in the park. 

RC Racer in Toy Story Land might be considered the ‘fourth’ roller coaster at Disneyland. But it’s one of those U-shaped tracks, very similar to the ‘Pirate Ship’ you encounter at most theme parks and carnivals. Terrifying but I’m not sure it’s a roller coaster by traditional definitions. 

Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars

An homage to the American frontier and the cowboys, miners, and pioneers who powered them (along with the saloons and red rock buttes), Grizzly Gulch is one of my favorite themed areas in the park, even though it only has a single ride – a high-speed steel roller coaster with over 1,000 meters of track. 

Nestled in an old rugged Old West mining town, Big Grizzly Mountain is true to its name and built around a giant bear-shaped mountain. As you queue for the ride, you’ll notice mining equipment, hilarious ‘Wanted’ posters, and nods to its mischievous beer residents. The sounds of snoring bears also might have you thinking you’re a Scooby-Doo prospector by the end of it. 

Once it gets going, the animatronic bears which interact with your car, “sabotaging” the mining operation add a bit of excitement and unpredictability to the ride.

There’s a surprise in the second half of the ride. I won’t spoil what it is because the first time I rode it, I thought the roller coaster broke and we were all doomed. 

Hyperspace Mountain

Hyperspace Mountain builds upon the classic Space Mountain concept but adds an intergalactic Star Wars twist. 

Personally, I consider it to be the best coaster of the two due to its faster speeds and an overall feeling of uneasiness it instills at points (part of that being attributed to it being entirely indoors). 

The synchronized John Williams score and soundtrack elevate each twist, turn, and drop, creating an oddly nostalgic yet intense ride. 

I wish I could describe more about this coaster other than “it goes fast” and “Star Wars good” but I’m a simple man and that’s all I need. 

The Snacks: Turkey Leg & South African Hotdog 

Snack-wise, there aren’t many better spots in Hong Kong. I know that sounds ludicrous but it really isn’t. Disneyland is home to an eclectic mix of both local (Cantonese) and international cuisine. 

Think everything from chicken finger dinners with french fries to flatbreads, sashimi platters, and spaghetti, to cha chaan teng-style macaroni soup, grilled squid, baked pork chop and rice, and even dim sum. 

My favorites, well, you already know – the giant turkey legs, served with mustard, which can be found in Adventureland and right off Main Street, U.S.A. (the locations I know of). It’s massive, it’s juicy, and it’s one of the few bites of turkey you take and don’t think it should only stick to being eaten just one day of the year (on Thanksgiving).

My ride-or-die’s and I had a great laugh as we all tore into the juicy (surprisingly well-seasoned) meat, elbows up, channeling our inner cave people. If there’s any one snack at Disneyland Hong Kong to get – it’s a turkey leg. 

No joke, I’d pay the HK$60 fare (there and back) just to get this bad boy. I’m not sure I’d shell out HK$600 for a general admission ticket but if I could convince a park-goer to sneak me one through the gates, then I’d happily pay the MTR fee. 

If you aren’t in the mood for the world’s 10th-best meat, that’s totally understandable, my second recommendation is the ‘South African Hot Dog’ from Karibuni Grill in Adventureland. A dog for the ‘dawg’ some might say. I’m sorry I don’t have a picture of this because when I say it’s a contender for the best hotdog I’ve ever consumed, I mean it. 

It’s slightly spicy and sweet (thanks to the caramelized onions), and sports an audible snap to the casing when biting in. 

I’ve also been known to crush a mango-lime slushie and Minnie Mouse-shaped ice cream (or two) while at Hong Kong Disneyland, so don’t sleep on the small carts that are found throughout nearly every corner of the park. 

Finally, during Halloween, Adventureland’s River View Cafe is home to the ‘Jack Skellington’s Nightmare Before Dinner’ show and…dinner. It also includes a meet and greet with Jack, Sally, and Oogie Boogie. The food is semi-buffet style and is hit or miss but the spectacle of it all is worth spending the money on. 

Picture for reference – mind you the first year we did it was in the midst of a pandemic that we shall not name, so we were required to wear masks so as to not send Jack and Co. back into the grave. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Should you book one of the ‘special dinners’ with a set menu – typically a semi-buffet of unlimited apps and mains that come to your table until you say ‘Stop’ – I recommend doing so online (and at least a day or two before). Doing so can save you several hundred HKD (or more).

The Booze Area (Adventureland)

The name of this blog is ‘Pale Ale Travel’ after all, so you already knew that one of my favorite parts of Disneyland was their ‘adult-friendly’ booze. Also, I don’t know if this area in Adventureland is called ‘The Booze Area’ but that’s what I’m calling it. 

On both trips to Disneyland, I found it quite adult-friendly post-4 PM to 5 PM, as this is when it became a bit more apparent that they sell alcohol (although still somewhat subtly). It also seemed that this was a popular time for adult groups to start showing up to the park for dinner, several drinks, and the general ambiance. You may read reviews from people online saying that they do not serve alcohol but as of my two most recent trips, I can confirm that they do.

This may just be seasonal and around Halloween though, so don’t quote me on it all year round. What I suspect is that the carts and kiosks may only seasonally sell alcohol (ex. Halloween) but the major restaurants should have several alcoholic options available all year round. 

Non-alcoholic beers can be found at select carts and kiosks across the park.  During Halloween (I’m unsure about other times of the year), Adventureland has a ‘cordoned off’ area (near the Karibuni Grill) that has several beers on draft – the most recent trip, a Mango Lasso Milkshake IPA by Hong Kong Beer Co.

The dawgz and I didn’t “get at it” by any means but it was nice to decompress with a beer after a long day of walking and constantly chatting. It was even nicer to slug that beer in an open-air treehouse and jungle, a stone’s throw from the water. I imagine Livingstone and Stanley did something similar once the presumptive nature of Henry’s question was affirmed by the Doctor himself.  

The beer also tasted that much sweeter knowing that a jungle head hunter might shoot a poison dart into my neck at any given moment. 

Honestly, I’d pit this ‘bar’ against most spots in Hong Kong when it comes to the overall vibe. And, it isn’t any more expensive than say somewhere like Bar Leone or even The Globe. 

Closing Fireworks

At 8:30 PM sharp, this is when the real magic happens. Make sure to head to the front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle for the coup de grace of nostalgic entertainment – the ‘Momentous Nighttime Spectacular’. 

It’s a 20-minute medley of some of your absolute favorite songs from Disney movies growing up, along with newer tracks/movies that you may not have seen (The Princess and the Frog for me!), paired with 3D projection mapping over the castle itself and choreographed fountains before the finale – the bewitching fireworks over the castle. 

I think it’s what Hong Kong’s ‘Symphony of Lights’, the multimedia light and sound show involving 45 landmarks and buildings along Victoria Harbour, aspires to be.  

This is one of those experiences that is well worth ‘burning it down’ for and staying to the end (even fighting off the thousands of people rushing home on the MTR). It felt like a recap of the entire day and the single experience that captures more ‘Disney spirit’ than is theoretically possible in just 20 minutes – each time inspiring me to Steamboat Willie strut my way out to the MTR.  

Pale Ale Travel Tip: One pretty incredible thing about the Disney experience is that they broadcast all rides and attractions, and show waiting times in real-time on their mobile app, so you can strategically work your way through the park. 

What Didn’t I Love at Hong Kong Disneyland?

Frankly, almost every ride, attraction, and experience had me chortling. As I mentioned above, it’s such a highly curated journey through childhood (past or present) that it’s nearly impossible not to crack a smile or feel fuzzy at some point. 

However, there was one ride specifically that didn’t jazz me up a ton. That was the Iron Man Experience in Tomorrowland. This was more due to personal preference rather than it being a poor ride. I just don’t do that particularly well in close quarters and can get a tad claustrophobic. 

While it’s the first Marvel-themed attraction in any Disney Park, it’s a 3D simulator that takes place in a somewhat cramped and musty movie theater-styled room. There were also a lot of herky-jerky movements, so I just walked out feeling quite nauseous and dizzy. 

However, the ride itself does take you through the heart of Hong Kong in a battle against Hydra, so I do have to give credit that it’s one of the more impressive cinematographic feats that captures some of the city’s most iconic scenery.  

Pale Ale Travel Tip: While Disneyland is one of the quintessential Hong Kong must-dos in Hong Kong, there is also another that I feel is criminally underrated – Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden. Make sure to check out my post breaking down why both of these Buddhist sanctuaries should be on your Hong Kong bucket list. 

Final Verdict: Are You Too Old to Go to Hong Kong Disneyland? 

No. You are not too old. Even if you’re by the definition of things ‘old’, you are still never too old to go to Disneyland. 

You should absolutely visit Hong Kong Disneyland as an adult. Everyone is a kid when they’re here. I’d estimate that nearly half of parkgoers at Disneyland Hong Kong go without kids. Disney transcends age. It’s pure nostalgia and everyone deserves to feel it. 

In this cold, cold world, one filled with tax deadlines, Jeff from HR who lingers a little too long at the watercooler, and that trainer at the gym who tries to push his PT services (unsolicited) every week, it’s incumbent on oneself to break out of their routine and bubble and suspend disbelief. It’s alright to be Goofy (pun intended), dig into a giant turkey leg, and giggle like you haven’t giggled since you were 10 years old while riding (Hyper) Space Mountain. 

If you feel like you’re missing out on exploring or ‘getting to know’ Hong Kong, I assure you that Hong Kong Disneyland is worth it. It’s an integral part of the city’s social fabric and is a unique experience only found in Hong Kong thanks to its blend of Cantonese, English, and Mandarin performances, exclusive attractions like Mystic Manor, the Iron Man Experience, and Ant-Man and the Wasp, and park design which adhered to Chinese tradition (feng shui) and sought to highlight the gorgeous backdrop of Lantau Island. 

If you have any further questions about visiting Hong Kong Disneyland (ex. How to get there, how I’d structure a day, etc…) or traveling to Hong Kong, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at info@palealetravel.com. 

Also, let me know your favorite Disney ride in the comments! If you say ‘It’s a Small World’ you are getting shadowbanned from commenting ever again on Pale Ale Travel… Just kidding!

Stay magical everyone,

Big Body