HKDL - Up to date guide / plan for visit?

[Agent 86]

Hi all,

I've checked my usual reliable resources, being TDR Explorer (https://tdrexplorer.com/ultimate-hong-kong-disneyland-trip-planning-guide/) and Disney Tourist Blog (https://www.disneytouristblog.com/hong-kong-disneyland-trip-planning-guide/) for a guide on what we need to prioritise first thing to avoid long wait times, what rides warrant purchasing Premier Access tickets, etc. But, I haven't found the usual level of detail I would find for visiting Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.

I presume that this is because the crowds at HKDL are vastly different, however I do like to plan a bit beyond "go to Toy Story area first".

Does anyone have any recommendations? Or is such planning unnecessary, even when travelling with small children?

Thank you!

 

[gelatoni fan]

"Go to Toy Story area first" is a bad plan because it usually opens later than the park (often 10:30-11AM but sometimes as late as noon).

Assuming a normal weekday and prioritizing rides over character greetings, starting with Frozen and Fantasyland would be best. Then, I recommend going to Toy Story when it opens and loop back around towards Mystic Manor. In the afternoon, you can fit in Small World which opens later, Jungle Cruise and whatever else you missed in Fantasyland around showtimes. A visit to Tarzan's Treehouse could also be fun for the children if they're skipping a lot of the bigger rides. Tomorrowland is easy to do at night, especially if your small children aren't tall enough for Iron Man and Hyperspace Mountain.

The only Premier Access that might be worth considering on a normal weekday is Duffy's Playhouse if you want a character photo but don't want to wait. You may consider Premier Access for shows if it's busy or you like to be in the front but I don't recommend buying it for parades. On busy weekends and holidays, Frozen Ever After and even Mystic Manor could also be considered although it may not be needed if your children will skip a few of the more intense rides.

If your children are tall enough and want to ride everything including Grizzly Mountain Mine Cars, then it's a good idea to have a plan. If you'll skip rides with height requirements, then it's pretty easy as long as you ride Frozen Ever After, Winnie the Pooh and Dumbo before the lines get to 30 min and you don't miss the last raft to Tarzan's Treehouse.

 

[Agent 86]

Thanks gelatoni fan!

We'll be riding everything, except for RC Racers (unless the line is super short and they do rider switch). Hyperspace Mountain will be single rider with ride switch (if available). Our daughter is a thrill seeker, except for roller coasters in the dark.

We're thinking about getting the "early entry" for at least once day, which should enable us to knock out Arendelle and most of Fantasyland from all reports. I didn't realise that different lands open at different times. I'll have to check that closer to our visit to make sure we don't race for an area that is closed!

It looks like Tarzan's treehouse has been closed since February 2025? We really want to do it as out daughter loves Tom Sawyer island at TDR, but given it has been closed almost all year, I presume it's an unannounced "permanent" closure much like TDR?

We won't worry about Duffy and Friends, unless something changes before our visit as they're not really on our daughter's radar. She's much more interested in the princesses, Pluto, Judy and Nick, etc.

 

[DianaMB333]

Hi!
I will be there on friday Nov 28 and Sat 29th
already have early entry pass both days

Waiting for the booking window to open to buy the DPA package (show + 8 attractions)… would it be needed both days? Or just one day to ensure attractions and the other one focus on entertainment?

Also I hot the 2 days ticket and hotel reservations that i gavent been able to link in the app/website, those tickets are in my wallet; but dhould I call to link all to secure the park reservation?

Thanks!

 

[gelatoni fan]

Thanks gelatoni fan!

We'll be riding everything, except for RC Racers (unless the line is super short and they do rider switch). Hyperspace Mountain will be single rider with ride switch (if available). Our daughter is a thrill seeker, except for roller coasters in the dark.

We're thinking about getting the "early entry" for at least once day, which should enable us to knock out Arendelle and most of Fantasyland from all reports. I didn't realise that different lands open at different times. I'll have to check that closer to our visit to make sure we don't race for an area that is closed!

It looks like Tarzan's treehouse has been closed since February 2025? We really want to do it as out daughter loves Tom Sawyer island at TDR, but given it has been closed almost all year, I presume it's an unannounced "permanent" closure much like TDR?

We won't worry about Duffy and Friends, unless something changes before our visit as they're not really on our daughter's radar. She's much more interested in the princesses, Pluto, Judy and Nick, etc.

If you get early entry, make sure to line up for the princesses at the Royal Reception Hall at the castle a few minutes before regular guests get in. It usually becomes the 2nd longest line in the park after Mickey immediately at opening.

Pluto would be on Main Street or Fantasy Garden across from the carousel while Judy and Nick appear in Karibuni Marketplace next to Festival of the Lion King. The characters that appear each day are random so there's no guarantee that Pluto and Nick/Judy will be out or which princesses will be in the Royal Reception Hall.

I didn't realize Tarzan's Treehouse has been closed again for so long with no reopening date. I barely think about it because the rafts would close before sunset anyway so seeing it closed is not weird.

 

[gelatoni fan]

Hi!
I will be there on friday Nov 28 and Sat 29th
already have early entry pass both days

Waiting for the booking window to open to buy the DPA package (show + 8 attractions)… would it be needed both days? Or just one day to ensure attractions and the other one focus on entertainment?

Also I hot the 2 days ticket and hotel reservations that i gavent been able to link in the app/website, those tickets are in my wallet; but dhould I call to link all to secure the park reservation?

Thanks!

I can't answer the second question but you definitely shouldn't buy the DPA package for both days. Some of the included rides like Ant Man and Mystic Manor will likely only have 5 minutes wait for a good portion of that Friday.

Saturday Nov 29th is a Christmas Concert day so crowd levels will likely be elevated. If you're going to spend extra money on anything, I recommend reserved seating for this show. If you have attractions with long waits on Saturday, you can buy single attraction DPA once you're in the park. Some attractions like RC Racer and Oaken's are available as one attraction but not in the DPA package.