Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) is committed to making Hong Kong a top tourist destination while playing a key role in the local community. By the end of fiscal 2024, HKDL welcomed over 106 million guests since its opening in 2005.
As one of Asia’s top attractions, HKDL draws significant numbers of visitors from mainland China and beyond. Over the past decade, the resort’s financial performance has seen more years of net loss than profit, particularly challenging in 2020 due to the pandemic period, recorded HK$2.66 billion net loss. However, the tide turned last year as HKDL achieved a milestone net profit of HK$838 million, marking a year-on-year improvement of HK$1,194 million. This success was driven by the debut of the world’s first and largest Frozen themed land and the much-anticipated announcement of its 20th anniversary celebrations.
To further celebrate the “20th Anniversary Fantastic Party”, HKDL has brought out a new theme of Halloween, a group of Disney villains gathered together to throw the party turning the park into the home of villains. From September 19 to November 2, visitors will immerse themselves in a world of spooky surprises and new Halloween experiences during the most “villainous” edition of “Disney Halloween Time.”
1. Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party
The festivities kick off with the debut of the “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party,” where Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty” leads a notorious crew of Disney Villains and their minions in a dramatic takeover of Main Street, U.S.A. The iconic street will echo with sinister laughter and eerie melodies as the villains, resentful of being excluded from past celebrations, rally guests to join their ranks. Costumed visitors can embrace their dark side and parade alongside these iconic antagonists.
2. Meet-and-Greets with Disney’s Most Iconic Characters
Beyond the street party, visitors can head to the Halloween Time Festive Gardens, where Mickey and Friends, Winnie the Pooh, and Chip and Dale, etc delight guests in their adorable new Halloween costumes. “I lined up for half an hour, but it was totally worth it when I saw Chip and Dale in person. They looked so cute in their skeleton bat outfits!” shared Winsy Zhou, a visitor from Shanghai. “They struck different poses while taking pictures with me and even complimented my Halloween dress. I really enjoyed this immersive experience.”
3. Wicked Fun Trick or Treat Trail
For visitors seeking more interactive fun, the park offers its annual Halloween tradition of playing the Trick or Treat Trail games across various themed lands like Fantasyland, Mystic Point, and Toy Story Land, etc. Cast members set up pumpkin stations at these spots, inviting visitors to line up and participate in fun challenges to earn free treats for their candy bags. “I got 24 candies after playing the Trick or Treat Trail game! The challenge was super easy, I just had to pose like Mickey Mouse ears with my sister,” shared Yoyo Li, who was dressed as Sleeping Beauty, while her sister dressed in an Elsa costume.
Hong Kong Disneyland Trick or Treat Tour Location and Time Details:
4. “Let’s Get Wicked”
Another annual entertainment that draws visitors is the “Let’s Get Wicked” live performance, which replaces the original Lion King show during the Halloween season. This show received the prestigious “IAAPA Brass Ring Award” in 2022 for “Most Creative Halloween Haunt, Show, or Experience.” It features five iconic Disney villains, including Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty”, Ursula from “The Little Mermaid”, Gaston from “Beauty and the Beast”, and more. The performance begins with a magic treat, where the host interacts with different sections of the audience, livening up the atmosphere. Furthermore, one lucky audience would be invited on stage to interact with Mother Gothel. This 30 minute live performance showcases each villain performing their signature songs, by using stage effects like fire, dramatic lighting, and themed props, the show takes the audience on an immersive musical journey while recalling the stories of Disney’s villains.
5. Jungle River Cruise
As night falls, the newly designed “Jungle River Cruise”, enhanced with eerie lights and mysterious sounds, elevates the tension of the jungle adventure to a thrilling climax. In 2025, the “Jungle River Cruise” introduces a brand new nighttime Halloween edition experience. This time, the storyline revolves around the search for the missing Captain Gary, featuring added special effects and more terrifying story elements. “The night tour of this game is even more exciting! Especially the skelebone on the treehouse, the headlights on the boat, and the fire sections, everything is twice as scary compared to the daytime tour!” said Kent Yip, a visitor who experienced the “Jungle River Cruise”.
Under Hong Kong Disneyland’s 20th anniversary celebration and seasonal festivals like Halloween and the upcoming Christmas season, the park promotes unique and limited-time entertainment and merchandise, creating a larger event with a broader appeal than any single event could achieve alone. This strategy increases opportunities for revenue generation and it is expected to further boost its net profit by the end of 2025.