So, you have decided to visit Hong Kong Disneyland! You now have a list of the rides and attractions you want to experience. It’s a very long list, and you want to try as many as you can. Which ride should you go on first? What’s the best way to go about it? In this article, we’ll share with you what we feel is the best Hong Kong Disneyland itinerary to help you make the most of your time at the happiest place on earth.
We have been to Hong Kong Disneyland six times. And I’m not saying this to brag. I’m saying it, so you know that the itinerary I’m about to share with you is based on real, personal experience. Almost every time we visit, we get to experience at least 11 rides. Sometimes 12, sometimes 14 or 15, but never below 11.
Note: We’re not saying that following this itinerary will make you experience all of the rides because that still depends on a whole lot of variables, such as wait times, weather, and show schedules. Think of it as more like a route. You need to make your own decisions when you’re already there, given the circumstances.
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Before You Visit
Before we share with you the itinerary, there are some things you need to do BEFORE you even visit:
- Have a good breakfast. First of all, before going to Disneyland, make sure you have good, sufficient breakfast. Walking around any Disney park isn’t like any other walk in the park. It can be pretty exhausting, especially when it’s hot and sunny, so come prepared with enough energy. Also, it’s best to eat before entering Disneyland because, as we have established in our previous videos, food inside the park is darn expensive.
- Download the Hong Kong Disneyland app. It will show you not just the map of the park and directions but also the wait time for each attraction, which will be crucial in making decisions. Yes, we follow this itinerary we’re about to share, but feel free to adjust. If the wait time for an attraction is too long, you can rearrange a few items on this itinerary.
- Visit on a weekday. To ensure you get to try as many rides as possible, avoid the weekends, Mondays, and holidays. Tuesday to Thursday is the best period. It’s cheaper too!
- Familiarize yourself with the park’s layout. Be familiar with the lay of the land, so you won’t be going around in circles.
Hong Kong Disneyland Zones
Hong Kong Disneyland is the smallest Disney resort in the world, but it has eight themed areas or zones that you can explore: [HK DL map]
- Main Street, U.S.A. A turn-of-the-century American street where vintage charm meets souvenir shopping and parade views. This is the first zone that will greet you immediately after the entrance.
- Adventureland. A lush jungle escape with river cruises, tribal drums, and Tarzan’s treehouse.
- Fantasyland. Classic fairytales come alive with whimsical rides, royal castles, and magical meet-and-greets.
- Tomorrowland. A sleek sci-fi playground packed with Marvel action and intergalactic adventures.
- Toy Story Land. Step into Andy’s backyard and feel like a toy among giant props and playful rides.
- Grizzly Gulch. A wild west mining town with runaway mine trains and bear-sized surprises.
- Mystic Point. A mysterious land of optical illusions, jungle gardens, and the legendary Mystic Manor.
- Arendelle: World of Frozen. A snowy Scandinavian kingdom where Frozen comes to life through rides and immersive scenery. This is the newest and currently the most popular.
Early Park Entry
One thing you have to know is, currently, Hong Kong Disneyland is offering an Early Park Entry add-on on top of the regular ticket. For an additional fee, around HKD 100, this pass will allow you to access the World of Frozen zone one hour earlier than the official opening time of the park. So, let’s say the park opens at 10AM, you can already explore World of Frozen as early as 9AM. That’s just one hour, but that’s a big head start. It should be enough to explore the zone.
This sample itinerary will still work even without the Early Park Entry, so you don’t really have to get it if you don’t want to spend more. But if your budget allows, go for it because it’s worth it.
CHECK HK DISNEYLAND TICKET OPTIONS HERE!
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If you have this pass, arrive at Hong Kong Disneyland at least an hour before the scheduled opening time. Then look for staff members holding signs because they have a special entrance route for those who avail of the pass. Once in, you’ll get to see Disneyland without the crowd, too, as you make your way to World of Frozen on the other end of the park.
If you don’t have an Early Park Entry Pass, that’s OK. Show up early and make your way to World of Frozen just the same.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! If your are looking for hotels and attractions in Hong Kong, please also visit our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Here, we compiled all our recommended hotels and attractions. Just visit this page: TPT Masterlist. Then, scroll until you see the section about Hong Kong. We also have a compilation for other destinations around the world.
1. World of Frozen
You might be asking, “But Yosh, if I don’t have an early park entry pass, why would I go to World of Frozen first? That’s literally on the other side of the park from the entrance!”
Frozen Ever After
Because it is one of the most popular zones right now, especially this ride: Frozen Ever After. And the line here just keeps getting longer as the day progresses, until maybe the late afternoon. But by then you’ll probably be too tired to return to it. So for me, it’s best to prioritize it because it is really, really good — arguably the hottest ride at Hong Kong Disneyland these days — and it’s really a crowd drawer. Just get it out of the way first.
Here, you’ll go on a boat cruise across a charming snowy village while the animatronics of Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf sing the movie’s iconic soundtrack. But beware, it has a few surprises up its sleeves. Not too wild, but it’s so much fun.
Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs
And while you’re already here in Arendelle, take the time also to try the Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, a family-friendly roller coaster also inspired by Frozen.
If you still have time left…
Once you’re done with Frozen, make your way out to Fantasyland. If you still have time left within the one-hour head start, go ride whatever you can here, like Dumbo Flying Elephant and Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, since they are already open as well.
But if you already used up your first hour, just keep walking south until you see a giant statue of Woody…
2. Toy Story Land
Welcome to Toy Story Land!
RC Racer
Toy Story Land has only three rides. The one we suggest that should be on top of your priority list is RC Racer — and let me tell you, this one looks way friendlier than it feels. It’s basically a giant orange half-pipe where you’re strapped into RC, Andy’s car, and launched back and forth until you’re dangling almost vertically at the top. Think Anchors Away at Enchanted Kingdom, but way wilder.
My stomach dropped with every swing, and half the time I couldn’t decide if I should scream or laugh. I did both at the same time! That’s how insane it was for me. We want you to prioritize this because the line here moves the slowest. It’s also the most fun.
Toy Soldier Parachute Drop
Then walk to Toy Soldier Parachute Drop. You get strapped in with the Green Army Men and lifted up high before bouncing down like a parachute in training. It’s not as terrifying as RC Racer, but the slow climb builds up just enough suspense, and the view of the park from the top is actually pretty sweet. The drops give you that fun little tummy tickle—like being on a kiddie-free-fall ride but with better theming.
It’s also very popular, so expect the lines to be long and they move incredibly slow too. If you’re taking this on alone, good. You can easily bypass the line because this is the only ride at Hong Kong Disneyland that has a special solo-rider lane. This is how it works: Every gondola has six seats, and sometimes, when the riders on the main line are settled, some seats remain vacant. The staff members fill them out by getting solo riders. And normally, there are very few solo riders, so the wait times for them are significantly shorter.
If you’re a party of two or more, you can still take advantage of it. But know that you will be separated from your group. If you want to save time, go for it.
Slinky Dog Spin
Right across from the Parachute Drop is the Slinky Dog Spin, which is the tamest and mildest of the three. Very demure. It’s just Slinky trying to catch his tail. It’s super fun for small kids, but I, as a grown man, don’t enjoy this, to be honest with you. It’s giving me nothing. Zero thrills at all. I always just get dizzy.
Once you’re done with all three, continue walking forward to the next zone…
3. Mystic Point
You’ll know you’ve stepped into Mystic Point because it is a drastic change from Toy Story Land or even Fantasyland.
Garden of Wonders
The air seems thicker here, the trees shadier, and everywhere you look, there are strange statues and odd relics, especially at the Garden of Wonders, where optical illusions make statues twist and contort depending on where you stand.
Mystic Manor
But at the heart of it all looms the grand Mystic Manor, the home of Lord Henry Mystic, Hong Kong Disneyland’s very own eccentric explorer. I love this ride, one of my all-time favorites. It’s so family-friendly and so, so fun. It’s storytelling at its finest. It’s also an original concept, not some familiar Disney movie retelling.
The second you board the trackless carriage, the magic begins. The story unfolds as Lord Henry proudly shows off his artifacts, while his pet monkey Albert, curious as ever, fiddles with a mysterious music box. Suddenly, the whole collection springs to life. Paintings move, statues dance, and entire rooms transform before your eyes. With the trackless ride system, every turn feels unpredictable, like the mansion itself is leading you on a wayward detour. And it’s indoors, so it will give you a break from the sun.
Mystic Point is one of the smallest zones here at Disneyland, so just walk a few minutes and you’ll be out of it. Then, you’ll be greeted by a mining town. Enter…
4. Grizzly Gulch
This themed land can only be found in Hong Kong Disneyland. Walking in, you’ll see clapboard buildings, dusty props, and a big, rocky mountain. You’ll pass by the very tempting Lucky Nugget Saloon, which is a restaurant that has a takeout counter. As appetizing as it may be, don’t pay attention to it for now. You don’t want to fill your tummy before braving our next ride, which is…
Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
At first glance, Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars looks like a classic runaway mine train. I hopped on expecting the usual twists and turns, but this coaster is full of surprises. Midway through the ride, the track literally shifts beneath you, sending your cart backwards into the dark before shooting you forward again at high speed. And just when you think it’s over, a couple of grizzly animatronics pop up, causing even more “accidents” that push the ride into pure chaos. It’s thrilling, hilarious, and completely different from the coasters you’ll find in other Disney parks.
Lunch Break
Once you’ve conquered it, then you can have lunch. Walk back to the Lucky Nugget Saloon and grab something to eat. It’s best to keep your lunch light, as we still have a lot of rides to try, and you don’t want a party in your tummy. This food stall is okay because they have chicken, fries, Caesar salad, and pasta salad.
We’re not recommending this because of the taste or flavor, but only because it’s the closest one in the area, and it’s more convenient than a proper restaurant. Also, because they sell Hong Kong milk tea slush with soft serve (HKD 62, PHP 450), which is my favorite!
Just find a bench or table in the vicinity. Looking for a completely shaded area? You can walk to this bridge, and under it you’ll find a set of benches.
If you don’t like the menu at the Lucky Nugget Saloon, don’t worry. Close to this bridge, you’ll find Karibuni Grill, which serves Honey Soy Sticky Chicken Wings, Elote “Corn on Cob” Tajin, Cheddar Cheese Hot Dog, and Korean Squid. They also sell those giant turkey legs (HKD 160, PHP 1165). Lots of options in this area, which is why we love having lunch here.
But at this point, we have already stepped into another themed land.
5. Adventureland
Welcome to Adventureland!
This is Disneyland’s version of a wild, tropical paradise. The entire place is wrapped in lush greenery and jungle sounds and the echoing of the drums. This is great because it’s high noon or early afternoon at this point, and you would want to escape the sun. And we have the best solution for that.
Festival of the Lion King
This is the Theater in the Wild, where you can catch the Festival of the Lion King, an indoor live Broadway-ish musical with acrobats, fire dancers, and larger-than-life costumes and floats. It’s a 30-minute show, and it’s really great, so be sure to see it.
Attention! The Festival of the Lion King is temporarily suspended from September 3, 2025 onwards. Check the official website for updates.
Again, feel free to adjust your itinerary. If you finish your Runaway Mine Carts ride before noon and you’re not hungry yet, catch the noontime performance and grab your lunch later instead.
They fill the entire theater, so there are usually no long lines, and if there are, they can usually accommodate everyone.
Jungle River Cruise
After the show, head over to the Jungle River Cruise. It’s campy, it’s funny, and somehow it never gets old, especially with the little surprises the skippers throw in along the way. This is also a great afternoon ride because the heat isn’t too harsh here as you’re surrounded by trees and water.
Tarzan’s Treehouse
Across the land, towering above the treetops, is Tarzan’s Treehouse. It’s more of an exploration play area than a ride. You can climb up the rope bridges and wooden walkways, which provide little vignettes from Tarzan’s story. I haven’t visited this in a long time, as I usually skip it. I’ve seen it once before, and I felt like that was enough, so we don’t have any recent footage. And as of writing, this attraction is still closed until further notice. It’s best to check the official website for the announcement regarding the reopening.
Once you’ve had your dose of jungle fever, it’s time to re-enter Fantasyland.
6. Fantasyland
If there’s one place in Hong Kong Disneyland that screams “classic Disney,” it’s Fantasyland. Here, you’ll be surrounded by carousels, pastel facades, and the kind of whimsical soundtrack that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a childhood dream.
It’s the heart of the park, and honestly, it’s impossible not to feel a little giddy here, especially as you stare at Castle of Magical Dreams, looming above you. Originally Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, it was completely reimagined into a soaring, multi-towered centerpiece that represents 13 Disney princesses. Each tower reflects a different princess, from Ariel’s seashells to Mulan’s cherry blossoms.
At this point, forget about the order and play it by ear. Go where the line is the shortest. But there are two attractions that I want to highlight.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
First is Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a 4D musical show where Donald Duck gets into trouble with Mickey’s magical orchestra. With water sprays, scents, and a whirlwind of Disney movie scenes, it’s the perfect spot to sit down, cool off, and be swept up in some nostalgia. I absolutely love this show! I always watch it when I visit any Disneyland theme park.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Second is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, a family-friendly dark ride that’s surprisingly popular. If you see that the wait time here is not that bad, grab the chance because the line here fills up fast. Here, you hop into a honey pot and follow Pooh and friends through the Hundred Acre Wood. It’s cute, cozy, and a little bit trippy.
Kid-Approved Rides
Fantasyland is also quite small, but it is packed with attractions, although most of them are for small children, but adults are also welcome, of course. If you have kids, then you won’t have a choice. Your kids WILL insist on riding:
- Cinderella Carousel. This is basically just that — a grand carousel.
- Mad Hatter Tea Cups. A ride where you can spin yourself silly under colorful lanterns.
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Here, you hop onto your own Flying Dumbo. It’s like a carousel, but you soar in the air and you control how high or how low you go. I actually quite enjoy the Dumbo ride, even as an adult.
But often, when I visit, I usually just skip these three rides.
It’s a Small World
And of course, as you exit Fantasyland, don’t miss to make a stop at It’s a Small World! The ride takes you on a boat through colorful sets filled with dolls in traditional costumes from all over the world. Hong Kong’s version is extra special because it includes Disney characters woven into the scenes. Spot Mulan in China, Aladdin and Jasmine in the Middle East, and even Lilo & Stitch in Hawaii. And the Philippines is featured here, too!
And yes — the song will get stuck in your head. But not for too long because soon you’ll be replacing it with other Disney songs.
7. Main Street, U.S.A.
When you exit Fantasyland, you’ll find yourself close to the front of the castle and Main Street, U.S.A. There are two events that you might want to catch here.
Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle!
First, Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle! This is a 15-minute high-energy concert-style show featuring Mickey and Friends, Duffy and Friends, and of course some of our fave Disney Princesses like Belle, Tiana, and Aurora. The schedules vary daly, so it’s best to check this page for the exact times: Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle Schedule.
I actually saw the 11:30 AM performance before, but it’s way too hot, so what I’m recommending is to catch the late afternoon or even the evening performance, which I feel is a more comfortable choice.
Friendtastic! Parade
Same with the Friendtastic! Parade, which you can also catch from Main Street, U.S.A. This is the biggest parade in Hong Kong Disneyland history, showcasing 11 larger-than-life floats, featuring Mickey and friends and your favorite characters from Toy Story, Zootopia, Encanto, Monsters Inc., Up, and of course, Inside Out. Over 100 performers make the atmosphere really grand and festive!
As of writing, it only happens once daily, falling between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM. Other months or seasons have late afternoon or evening schedules, too. You can go to this page for the show’s exact time: Friendtastic! Parade Schedule.
I saw the 1PM parade before, but I feel like the late afternoon or the evening schedule is better to avoid the sun.
After the parade, it’s time to enter another dimension. Well, sort of.
8. Tomorrowland
Walking into Tomorrowland feels like stepping into a sleek, futuristic sci-fi city. It’s like you’ve time-traveled.
Hyperspace Mountain
What I recommend that you prioritize here is Hyperspace Mountain because it draws in the biggest crowd. This is a Star Wars-themed indoor roller coaster. You start in almost pitch darkness, then you weave through tie fighters and laser blasts. The soundtrack booms, the turns are sharp, and by the end, you’re screaming and cheering. It’s easily one of the most exhilarating rides in the whole park.
Iron Man Experience
After this, walk all the way to the other end, and you’ll find the Iron Man Experience, which also happens to be Marvel’s very first Disney ride in the world. You strap into a “StarkVision” flight vehicle, slip on your 3D glasses, and suddenly you’re soaring over Hong Kong with Iron Man himself, blasting drones and dodging explosions. It’s part simulator, part action movie, and seeing familiar Hong Kong landmarks in the middle of the battle gives it a really cool local twist.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle
Then just next door is Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle, which is basically a high-tech shooting game turned ride. You shrink down to the size of an ant, grab a laser blaster, and help the heroes fight off swarms of Hydra bots. It’s frantic, fun, interactive, and also competitive because you can compare scores with your seatmate. This is also suitable for kids and seniors, as it doesn’t have drops and twists.
Orbitron
Lastly, Orbitron, where you pilot your own retro-styled spaceship. I’ve tried it just once before. But now I always skip it, probably because it’s too similar to the Dumbo ride. Also, because I’m usually completely exhausted at this point. And to me, it looks like I’m not the only one.
I have explored Tomorrowland in the morning and early afternoon too, and no, it wasn’t too crowded. But even less so in the late afternoon or early evening. In fact, at the Iron Man and Ant-Man rides, I virtually just walked straight into the ride because the lines were too short. It happened to us twice.
Dinner Time
If you’re hungry, you can grab dinner here at Starliner Diner, which offers burgers and fried chicken with fries. We had Marvel burger meal (HKD 140, PHP 1020) and 2-pc fried chicken meal (HKD 140, PHP 1020)
9. Momentous Nighttime Spectacular
And once you had your dinner, make your way back to Main Street or the area in front of the castle to catch the Momentous Nighttime Spectacular, which happens at either 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM, or 9:00 PM, depending on the season.
This is HK Disneyland’s jaw-dropping evening show. Think of it as Disney’s greatest hits album brought to life: the castle transforms into a massive projection screen, scenes from classics like The Lion King and Mulan, all the way to Frozen and Coco, play out with music that gives you goosebumps.
Fireworks explode overhead, fountains dance in sync, lasers cut through the night sky, and — the cherry on top, this year as it celebrates its 20th anniversary — hundreds of drones form dazzling shapes above the park.
10. Exit HK Disneyland
As soon as Momentous Nighttime Spectacular is over, people will start flooding out of the park. You can join them, or you can stay a little bit and let the madness pass, so you can exit more peacefully.
The last train leaves the Disney Resort Station at 12:40 AM, way past midnight, as of writing. So there’s really no need to hurry or join the crowd, unless you need to be elsewhere that night.
Reminders
- If at any point you want to buy a souvenir, go for it. There’s usually a store at the exit point of every ride.
- As you can imagine, this itinerary is so packed. It is possible if you’re visiting on a weekday of an off-peak season. But it might be challenging on a weekend.
- Keep an eye on the wait times and decide based on those. If you feel like you’re running short of time, feel free to skip some of these and again, play it by ear.
Hong Kong Disneyland Itinerary Summary
Here’s a quick rundown of the route and itinerary. As always, you can customize or tweak this to suit your interests and preferences.
- Enter HK Disneyland: Get Early Park Entry Here!
- World of Frozen
1: Frozen Ever After
2: Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs - Toy Story Land
3: RC Racer
4: Toy Soldier Parachute Drop
5: Slinky Dog Spin - Mystic Point
6: Garden of Wonders
7: Mystic Manor - Grizzly Gulch
8: Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars - Lunch
- Adventureland
9: Festival of the Lion King
10: Jungle River Cruise
11: Tarzan’s Treehouse - Fantasyland
12: Mickey’s PhilharMagic
13: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
14: Cinderella Carousel
15: Mad Hatter Tea Cups
16: Dumbo the Flying Elephant
17: It’s a Small World - Main Street, USA
18: Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle
19: Friendtastic! Parade - Tomorrowland
20: Hyperspace Mountain
21: Iron Man Experience
22: Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle
23: Orbitron - Dinner
- Castle of Magical Dreams/Main Street, USA
24: Momentous Nighttime Spectacular - Exit HK Disneyland: Last train leaves at 12:40 AM.
Where to Stay Near Hong Kong Disneyland
For an even more magical Disney experience, book your stay at one of the Disney hotels at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Below are the three hotels to choose from.
Disney Explorer’s Lodge
Where to Stay in Hong Kong
Outside of Disneyland, the closest area to Disneyland is Tung Chung and Hong Kong SkyCity. These areas are also near the airport. However, if you’re also exploring other parts of Hong Kong during your trip, you may also consider other areas like Tsim Sha Tsui or Central.
For more details about different areas to stay in Hong Kong, you can check out our Where to Stay in Hong Kong article. But you may also check out these top accommodations in Hong Kong based on online user reviews for recommendations.
- iClub Sheung Wan Hotel, Hong Kong Island. Check Rates & Availability!
- Ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan Hotel, Hong Kong Island. Check Rates & Availability!
- Mini Central, Hong Kong Island. Check Rates & Availability!
- B P International, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability!
- Stanford Hillview Hotel, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability!
- Metropark Hotel Mongkok, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability!
- Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability!
- Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Hotel, Tung Chung. Check Rates & Availability!
- Four Points By Sheraton Hong Kong, Tung Chung. Check Rates & Availability!
- Regal Airport Hotel, Hong Kong SkyCity. Check Rates & Availability!
Search for more Hong Kong Hotels!
Have Peace of Mind While Traveling!
Getting a travel insurance is optional, but we highly recommend this, especially when traveling abroad. Travel can be unpredictable, and though we hope we’ll never use it, having it gives us peace of mind in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For international destinations, consider PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance. You can GET IT HERE. Don’t forget to use WORTHIT for a special affordable rate.
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2025 9 8 – First uploaded
Photos by: Yosh Dimen and Asta Alvarez
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