Hong Kong Disneyland to mark 20th anniversary with year-long celebration

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will mark its 20th year in operations with a full year of celebrations that will feature new attractions and its biggest parade ever, Friendtastic. This 30-minute parade will feature 11 floats and more than 100 performers, as well as more than 30 Disney characters.

The 20th anniversary celebrations will also include characters in specially-designed anniversary costumes, anniversary collectibles and limited edition performances.

The celebrations run from June 2025 to May 2026.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Managing Director Michael Moriarty noted "our incredible cast members are putting their all into getting everything ready for the year-long party. This milestone celebration will be filled with immersive entertainment, extraordinary moments, and boundless Disney magic and surprises - we cannot wait to welcome everyone from around the globe to HKDL's most unforgettable celebration yet.

The Most Magical Party of All also will feature a new 15-minute stage show in front of the park's Castle of Magical Dreams, Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle! This show will feature Mickey and other Disney characters in their 20th anniversary party outfits, dancing to Hong Kong Disneyland's 20th-anniversary anthem and two new original songs. LED screens, giant balloons, banners, fog jets, and cold pyro will accentuate the production.

Moriarty advised the hotels and theme park complex recorded 7.7 million visitors in 2024, and he hopes to welcome everyone throughout the celebratory year.

Moriarty added “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. Different Asian countries have different vacation periods and school holidays, which helps to spread crowds throughout the months.

“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.”

The Momentous spectacular will come to life at sunset 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 continued “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.”

Images.Credit: Hong Kong Disneyland