Disney Announces Major Theme Park Update After 20 Years—Here’s What’s Changing

Disney has unveiled a series of changes after 20 years of one theme park.

Since Disneyland Park opened in July 1955, Disney’s dominance of the theme park sphere has spanned nearly 70 years. During that time, it put its name to five additional resorts dotted across the globe: Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort (which is technically owned and operated by The Oriental Land Company), Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland.

20 Years of Disney Park Struggles

This year marks 20 years of one park: Hong Kong Disneyland. The park first opened in 2005, built to expand the brand into the Asian market. However, from the start, it struggled with low attendance, largely due to its small size and limited attractions compared to other Disney resorts.

Early criticism focused on the park’s lack of unique rides and reliance on cloned attractions from other Disney parks. The park faced additional setbacks during major events like the 2008 financial crisis and political unrest in Hong Kong, which impacted tourism. Even Disney’s investment in expansions, such as the addition of Mystic Point and Grizzly Gulch, took time to boost visitor numbers.

More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic led to prolonged closures and travel restrictions that further hurt Hong Kong Disneyland’s recovery efforts. Despite these challenges, the park has continued to expand, with major additions like World of Frozen and a brand-new castle aiming to reposition Hong Kong Disneyland as a top-tier destination in Asia.

Fortunately, revenue and attendance have both been on the rebound as of late. In mid-2024, it was announced that Hong Kong Disneyland had turned a corner financially, having fully paid back its revolver credit facility funded by  The Walt Disney Company in December 2023.

Its upward trajectory is set to continue in 2025, with the park unveiling an entertainment overhaul to celebrate its birthday in September.

Updates to Hong Kong Disneyland

“The Most Magical Party of All” will kick off at some point this summer, accompanied by the debut of the “Friendtastic!” Parade. This is set to be the largest parade in the park’s history, featuring 11 floats. It also has the honor of being the first daytime parade since Flights of Fantasy (which launched for Hong Kong Disneyland’s 10th anniversary) ended in 2020.

Meanwhile, “Momentous” Nighttime Spectacular (one of Disney’s best fireworks shows to date, in our opinion) will receive a tweak for the 20th anniversary. New scenes will be added to the show, as well as drones and projections down Main Street, U.S.A., similar to Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom Park and the recently debuted Disney Tales of Magic at Disneyland Paris.

A new stage show—limited to the run of “The Most Magical Party of All”—will also premiere in front of the Castle of Magical Dreams. This will star Mickey and friends alongside Hong Kong Disneyland favorites Duffy, LinaBell, CookieAnn, and StellaLou. The show will be offered for a limited time only during the anniversary celebration.

Of course, in true Disney park fashion, the celebration will also include 20th anniversary-themed food and beverages, exclusive merchandise, and decorations throughout its three hotels (Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Explorers Lodge, and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel).

Sadly, one thing is missing from this lineup: Paint the Night. Like Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland previously hosted the nighttime parade down Main Street, U.S.A. on a daily basis. While Paint the Night is set to return to Disneyland Resort for its 70th anniversary this year, it doesn’t seem like Hong Kong Disneyland will receive the same treatment any time soon.

Have you ever visited Hong Kong Disneyland?