Hong Kong Disneyland yesterday became only the second Disney park to reopen this year. One of the smallest Disney theme parks, Disneyland Hong Kong first closed in January 26 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and has remained closed since. Shanghai Disneyland was the first park to reopen, welcoming guests back on May 11.
Guests will be required to book reservations online up to seven days in advance, in an effort to maintain crowd control. Upon arrival, guests will have to undertake temperature checks and must be wearing face masks when on the park. Priority bookings will be given to Magic Access members, who are annual pass holders.
“We are proud to be part of the Hong Kong community, which has worked hard and shown fortitude in how it has handled the pandemic,” Stephanie Young, the park’s managing director, said in a statement.
Another major component of the Disney Experience, character interaction, will be limited as to avoid any further spread of the disease. For now, guests won’t be able to have up close and personal interactions with their favourite characters but will instead be able to enjoy them in socially distanced performances such as shows.
Throughout the closure of the park, work has continued on the newest attraction, the Castle of Magical Dreams. Although it isn’t complete, visitors to the park will be able to see the progress that has been made. A new ‘Frozen’ themed section will also be coming to the park in the near future.
Elsewhere in Hong Kong, family favourite theme park Ocean Park has also reopened this week, after more than four months of closure. Similarly, to Disneyland, all guests must wear a mask and undergo temperature checks. The park has reopened at 25 per cent capacity, with plans to gradually increase to 50 per cent.
