No, not Dreamfinder and Figment. However you would possibly argue that this dynamic Disney duo is a non secular successor to old skool EPCOT Heart favorites, with some describing their attraction as a cross between the unique Journey into Creativeness and Haunted Mansion.
It’s me, I’m the one who argued that and described the journey that manner. The attraction in query is Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland and the dynamic Disney duo is Lord Henry Mystic and Albert, his mischievous pet monkey. The 2 greatest authentic Disney theme park characters of the final decade-plus (Mystic Manor opened in 2013, however we nonetheless think about it “new” for some motive).
This isn’t to be confused with one other dynamic Disney duo who we’ve additionally described as non secular successors to Dreamfinder and Figment: Sindbad and Chandu from Sindbad’s Storybook Voyages. That attraction is extra like a cross between “it’s a small world” and Pirates of the Caribbean, though it additionally has shades of the unique Journey into Creativeness.
It’s in all probability no coincidence that Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage and Mystic Manor are the “consensus” #1 and #2 ranked rides, respectively, on our listing of Sarah & Tom Bricker’s High 15 Disney Sights within the World. If ever you’ve questioned how Imagineering would possibly “remake” Journey into Creativeness 4.0 with trendy expertise, these two rides are the closest approximations. However I digress.
Right this moment’s thrilling area of interest information is that Hong Kong Disneyland has introduced its slate of late 2025 and 2026 seasonal occasions, and there’s one which followers like us is perhaps tempted to fly midway all over the world to expertise. Right here’s a rundown:
Disney Villains Crush the Wickedest Halloween Get together (Now by November 2, 2025)
The Disney Villains weren’t invited to the Most Magical Get together of All, so that they’re crashing it in spectacular model. Maleficent leads a depraved alliance of 10 infamous villains and their henchmen to storm Important Road, U.S.A. in “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together,” a brand-new expertise full of mischievous vitality and theatrical aptitude.
All through the season, iconic hero-and-villain pairings will infuse to the resort with depraved vibes, drawing company into unforgettable encounters. Come have fun with Maleficent and Aurora, the Queen of Hearts and Alice, and Captain Hook and Wendy. Plus, new this 12 months, The Scarlet Witch will likely be making an look!
Even Duffy and Buddies are becoming a member of the enjoyable. Wearing brand-new Halloween appears, becoming a member of Mickey and Buddies to welcome company with spooky attraction and playful spirit. Halloween is all the time an excellent time at HKDL, though it’s unlucky the park now not leans into scariness and unhinged makes use of of characters. That “period” might be gone for good.
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde Throw the Wildest Zootopia Celebration (November 2025)
This November, with the discharge of Zootopia 2, the dynamic duo Judy and Nick are internet hosting the season’s most thrilling celebration at HKDL, and everyone seems to be invited. Kick off the get together with them on the “Friendtastic!” parade. Meet them at Adventureland, and uncover all-new unique Zootopia-themed merchandise, scrumptious treats, and sudden experiences that may have you ever howling with delight.
Anna, Elsa and Kristoff Sparkle at A Disney Christmas Celebration (November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026)
Hong Kong Disneyland will likely be a blinding winter dream this Christmas. Glowing Christmas decorations, snow-capped Christmas timber, and lovely snowgies will fill each nook of World of Frozen, creating a very immersive vacation expertise.
“A Vacation Want-Come-True” Tree Lighting Ceremony will make its return with a heartwarming Frozen shock beneath whimsical snowfall and drones. In Fantasyland, Cinderella Carousel will twinkle with an all-new seasonal spin, whereas Ye Olde Christmas Market will rework right into a glowing vacation wonderland stuffed with gingerbread, Christmas cookies and extra!
We did Christmas at Hong Kong Disneyland final 12 months and it was incredible. We’d extremely advocate it. Among the leisure is totally different and pre-empted by the anniversary celebration this 12 months, however the park ought to nonetheless get extremely festive.
Bullseye Saddles Up for the 12 months of the Horse Get together (January 30 to March 1, 2026)
HKDL will welcome the 12 months of the Horse with a spirited Chinese language New 12 months celebration – led by Bullseye from Pixar’s Toy Story, who will make a shock look at Hong Kong Disneyland! Visitors can stay up for a rootin’ tootin’ get together stuffed with laughter, pleasure, and playful surprises, as Bullseye shares festive needs in true Pixar model.
Duffy and Buddies Host the Sweetest Followers Get together (March 20 to June 7, 2026)
Spring brings with it the annual Duffy and Buddies Play Days, a heartwarming fan gathering hosted by Duffy and his pals. This 12 months’s occasion contains unique plush collectibles, irresistible seasonal treats, and joyful moments from morning to nighttime – making it essentially the most whimsical celebration of the season.
The Most Mischievous Get together with Chip, Dale & Clarice (April 2026)
Chip ‘n’ Dale can not resist crashing the get together in Grizzly Gulch, the place the thrill is about to erupt. Together with famend explorer Ms. Clarice, they’re internet hosting a town-wide competitors to have fun the invention of the most important golden nugget ever!
The expertise is full of brand-new dwell music, interplay, and the chance to carry out alongside the city band! Be a part of this vibrant present that brings Grizzly Gulch to life!
All through the day, Chip, Dale, and Clarice will roam the land looking for new adventures in all-new interactive moments that make each encounter right into a fun-filled expertise.
Lord Henry and Albert Throw a Mysterious Get together (Could 2026)
Lord Henry, the eccentric adventurer and curator of Mystic Manor, is venturing past the manor to hitch the celebration! Visitors can journey into Mystic Level, the fan-favorite themed land unique to Hong Kong Disneyland, for a particular alternative to satisfy Lord Henry in individual. Including to the surprise, his playful companion Albert will likely be greeting company in an all-new interactive expertise.
That is fairly gentle on particulars, so planning a visit round this Mysterious Get together might be fairly the gamble at this level. However hear us out…
2026 Asia Disney Journey Planning
With the desk set for the primary half of 2026 at Hong Kong Disneyland, it’s time for a little bit “pondering out loud” touring planning that you could be discover useful. These are mainly the promoting factors, execs & cons, and so on., that we’re weighing when determining our personal journey dates subsequent 12 months.
Touring to Hong Kong Disneyland for the Mysterious Get together could be quite a bit. Similar goes for the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch. These are two of my favourite themed lands on the earth, and I’m very curious to see what they entail. Not curious sufficient to endure a 15 hour flight only for these occasions, however very curious.
The factor is, the attraction isn’t simply these occasions. Tokyo DisneySea’s twenty fifth Anniversary begins on April 15, 2026. Apart from the COVID closure and when Sarah was pregnant, we’ve attended the kickoff of each milestone anniversary at Tokyo Disney Resort because the Tokyo Disneyland thirtieth Anniversary “Happiness 12 months.” We don’t essentially must be there for the beginning of that this time, however wouldn’t thoughts.
As we’re beginning to slender our journey plans for 2026, one factor we preserve coming again to is the crowds at Tokyo Disney Resort. Final vacation season was very dangerous, and we’re doing it once more this 12 months. Our worry is that this 12 months goes to be extra of the identical. We will deal with that as there are a number of much less well-liked points of interest we love (to not point out simply being there), however it’d be good to expertise decrease crowds once more and really get an affordable quantity performed. Particularly as our daughter is having fun with rides increasingly.
To that time, final 12 months from late April by mid-June have been incredible. In watching wait occasions, it seems the identical was true this 12 months. Each the lead-up to Golden Week and the month-plus thereafter have been pretty calm and had manageable wait occasions. July was the slowest month final 12 months, and slowest so far in 2025, however the climate makes {that a} non-starter for us. The warmth and humidity are just like Orlando, generally worse.
On the plus aspect, seasons are extra pronounced, so often Could by early to mid-June are okay. Actually, as mentioned in When to Go to Tokyo Disneyland, our 3 favourite occasions within the parks are early April, mid-Could, and early to mid-November. Nevertheless, this solely tells half of the story, as we often spend a minority of our time in Japan at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Our second favourite general time in Japan is late March into mid-April 2026, which is the peak of sakura season.
If doing this date vary, you can begin in Kyoto in late March or early April for the height of cherry blossoms. Following that, head to Tokyo for the kickoff of the twenty fifth Anniversary, hitting the parks earlier than and initially of that celebration. This offers you the potential for decrease crowds for a few days and experiencing the parks celebration-free.
Alternatively, you could possibly wait till mid-Could 2026 for one more candy spot after the preliminary rush of the “Glowing Jubilee” celebration–simply remember to go after Golden Week. Now we have all the time had success with visiting in Could after the vacations. Crowds are often extra manageable, as each home and worldwide tourism has subsided for the season.
Both of these approaches units the desk for doing the Mysterious Get together in Mystic Level or the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Truthfully, I’m unsure which we’ll select. There are tradeoffs in both path. Going to Japan for sakura season is very really useful, because it’s completely attractive. There are lots of nighttime illuminations and different particular occasions. Together with fall colours season (my private favourite), that’s a bucket listing time to go to Japan. But it surely’s additionally rather more crowded than Could in Japan as a complete (not speaking TDR).
Greater crowds and (in all probability) larger costs is the draw back. Higher climate is the upside. Could is usually fairly good all through Japan, however I’d nonetheless take early to mid-April over it. The chance for warm days will increase nearer to summer time, and actually, we’re extra delicate to excessive warmth than we’re heavy crowds in Japan. We’ve additionally spent a ton of time in Kyoto, the place congestion tends to be worst, and know find out how to work round it. (For recommendation, see our submit: Kyoto Is Crowded. Right here’s How You Can Keep away from Japan’s Notorious Overtourism!)
There’s additionally the fact that top warmth is a a lot larger challenge in Hong Kong than it’s Japan these months, and we’d moderately go to in April earlier than heading to Japan than we’d in Could after leaving Japan. Despite the fact that assembly Lord Henry Mystic and Albert and partaking of their Mysterious Get together sounds incredible, the Most Mischievous Get together is a reasonably good comfort prize–and one that’s “meatier” at this level.
As might be apparent from the forgoing, our 2026 Asia journey plans are usually not but set in stone. Closing dates will possible be influenced by different externalities, however with nothing new opening at Walt Disney World or Disneyland in 2026, it appears possible that we’ll have flexibility in selecting the dates we’d want. At this level, we’re leaning in direction of HKDL originally of April for the Grizzly Gulch occasion, then flying to Osaka for sakura season in Kyoto, then taking the Shinkansen to Tokyo for the fifteenth Anniversary.
The overwhelming majority of our journeys to Hong Kong Disneyland have been for Halloween or Christmas. There’s a motive for that, as mentioned within the Greatest & Worst Instances to Go to HKDL. However, it’d be good to lastly expertise Duffy Days and one in every of these new springtime occasions. Actually, any excuse to return to our favourite little fortress park is an efficient one!
For the remainder of your planning wants, seek the advice of our Hong Kong Disneyland Journey Planning Information. It covers every thing it’s worthwhile to know for a go to to HKDL, together with critiques, technique, packing, and extra. Should you’re visiting town as effectively, please seek the advice of our Hong Kong Metropolis Information on TravelCaffeine, our non-Disney planning web site.
Your Ideas
Will you be visiting Hong Kong Disneyland in 2026? What’s the ‘candy spot’ so that you can go to the Disney parks in Asia? Planning to go for the Mysterious Get together in Mystic Level or the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch? Suppose Lord Henry Mystic and Albert are non secular successors, of kinds, to Dreamfinder and Figment? Should you’ve been to any of the Disney Parks in Asia, how do you assume HKDL stacks up? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of journey dates in Spring/Summer time 2026? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
No, not Dreamfinder and Figment. However you would possibly argue that this dynamic Disney duo is a non secular successor to old skool EPCOT Heart favorites, with some describing their attraction as a cross between the unique Journey into Creativeness and Haunted Mansion.
It’s me, I’m the one who argued that and described the journey that manner. The attraction in query is Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland and the dynamic Disney duo is Lord Henry Mystic and Albert, his mischievous pet monkey. The 2 greatest authentic Disney theme park characters of the final decade-plus (Mystic Manor opened in 2013, however we nonetheless think about it “new” for some motive).
This isn’t to be confused with one other dynamic Disney duo who we’ve additionally described as non secular successors to Dreamfinder and Figment: Sindbad and Chandu from Sindbad’s Storybook Voyages. That attraction is extra like a cross between “it’s a small world” and Pirates of the Caribbean, though it additionally has shades of the unique Journey into Creativeness.
It’s in all probability no coincidence that Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage and Mystic Manor are the “consensus” #1 and #2 ranked rides, respectively, on our listing of Sarah & Tom Bricker’s High 15 Disney Sights within the World. If ever you’ve questioned how Imagineering would possibly “remake” Journey into Creativeness 4.0 with trendy expertise, these two rides are the closest approximations. However I digress.
Right this moment’s thrilling area of interest information is that Hong Kong Disneyland has introduced its slate of late 2025 and 2026 seasonal occasions, and there’s one which followers like us is perhaps tempted to fly midway all over the world to expertise. Right here’s a rundown:
Disney Villains Crush the Wickedest Halloween Get together (Now by November 2, 2025)
The Disney Villains weren’t invited to the Most Magical Get together of All, so that they’re crashing it in spectacular model. Maleficent leads a depraved alliance of 10 infamous villains and their henchmen to storm Important Road, U.S.A. in “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together,” a brand-new expertise full of mischievous vitality and theatrical aptitude.
All through the season, iconic hero-and-villain pairings will infuse to the resort with depraved vibes, drawing company into unforgettable encounters. Come have fun with Maleficent and Aurora, the Queen of Hearts and Alice, and Captain Hook and Wendy. Plus, new this 12 months, The Scarlet Witch will likely be making an look!
Even Duffy and Buddies are becoming a member of the enjoyable. Wearing brand-new Halloween appears, becoming a member of Mickey and Buddies to welcome company with spooky attraction and playful spirit. Halloween is all the time an excellent time at HKDL, though it’s unlucky the park now not leans into scariness and unhinged makes use of of characters. That “period” might be gone for good.
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde Throw the Wildest Zootopia Celebration (November 2025)
This November, with the discharge of Zootopia 2, the dynamic duo Judy and Nick are internet hosting the season’s most thrilling celebration at HKDL, and everyone seems to be invited. Kick off the get together with them on the “Friendtastic!” parade. Meet them at Adventureland, and uncover all-new unique Zootopia-themed merchandise, scrumptious treats, and sudden experiences that may have you ever howling with delight.
Anna, Elsa and Kristoff Sparkle at A Disney Christmas Celebration (November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026)
Hong Kong Disneyland will likely be a blinding winter dream this Christmas. Glowing Christmas decorations, snow-capped Christmas timber, and lovely snowgies will fill each nook of World of Frozen, creating a very immersive vacation expertise.
“A Vacation Want-Come-True” Tree Lighting Ceremony will make its return with a heartwarming Frozen shock beneath whimsical snowfall and drones. In Fantasyland, Cinderella Carousel will twinkle with an all-new seasonal spin, whereas Ye Olde Christmas Market will rework right into a glowing vacation wonderland stuffed with gingerbread, Christmas cookies and extra!
We did Christmas at Hong Kong Disneyland final 12 months and it was incredible. We’d extremely advocate it. Among the leisure is totally different and pre-empted by the anniversary celebration this 12 months, however the park ought to nonetheless get extremely festive.
Bullseye Saddles Up for the 12 months of the Horse Get together (January 30 to March 1, 2026)
HKDL will welcome the 12 months of the Horse with a spirited Chinese language New 12 months celebration – led by Bullseye from Pixar’s Toy Story, who will make a shock look at Hong Kong Disneyland! Visitors can stay up for a rootin’ tootin’ get together stuffed with laughter, pleasure, and playful surprises, as Bullseye shares festive needs in true Pixar model.
Duffy and Buddies Host the Sweetest Followers Get together (March 20 to June 7, 2026)
Spring brings with it the annual Duffy and Buddies Play Days, a heartwarming fan gathering hosted by Duffy and his pals. This 12 months’s occasion contains unique plush collectibles, irresistible seasonal treats, and joyful moments from morning to nighttime – making it essentially the most whimsical celebration of the season.
The Most Mischievous Get together with Chip, Dale & Clarice (April 2026)
Chip ‘n’ Dale can not resist crashing the get together in Grizzly Gulch, the place the thrill is about to erupt. Together with famend explorer Ms. Clarice, they’re internet hosting a town-wide competitors to have fun the invention of the most important golden nugget ever!
The expertise is full of brand-new dwell music, interplay, and the chance to carry out alongside the city band! Be a part of this vibrant present that brings Grizzly Gulch to life!
All through the day, Chip, Dale, and Clarice will roam the land looking for new adventures in all-new interactive moments that make each encounter right into a fun-filled expertise.
Lord Henry and Albert Throw a Mysterious Get together (Could 2026)
Lord Henry, the eccentric adventurer and curator of Mystic Manor, is venturing past the manor to hitch the celebration! Visitors can journey into Mystic Level, the fan-favorite themed land unique to Hong Kong Disneyland, for a particular alternative to satisfy Lord Henry in individual. Including to the surprise, his playful companion Albert will likely be greeting company in an all-new interactive expertise.
That is fairly gentle on particulars, so planning a visit round this Mysterious Get together might be fairly the gamble at this level. However hear us out…
2026 Asia Disney Journey Planning
With the desk set for the primary half of 2026 at Hong Kong Disneyland, it’s time for a little bit “pondering out loud” touring planning that you could be discover useful. These are mainly the promoting factors, execs & cons, and so on., that we’re weighing when determining our personal journey dates subsequent 12 months.
Touring to Hong Kong Disneyland for the Mysterious Get together could be quite a bit. Similar goes for the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch. These are two of my favourite themed lands on the earth, and I’m very curious to see what they entail. Not curious sufficient to endure a 15 hour flight only for these occasions, however very curious.
The factor is, the attraction isn’t simply these occasions. Tokyo DisneySea’s twenty fifth Anniversary begins on April 15, 2026. Apart from the COVID closure and when Sarah was pregnant, we’ve attended the kickoff of each milestone anniversary at Tokyo Disney Resort because the Tokyo Disneyland thirtieth Anniversary “Happiness 12 months.” We don’t essentially must be there for the beginning of that this time, however wouldn’t thoughts.
As we’re beginning to slender our journey plans for 2026, one factor we preserve coming again to is the crowds at Tokyo Disney Resort. Final vacation season was very dangerous, and we’re doing it once more this 12 months. Our worry is that this 12 months goes to be extra of the identical. We will deal with that as there are a number of much less well-liked points of interest we love (to not point out simply being there), however it’d be good to expertise decrease crowds once more and really get an affordable quantity performed. Particularly as our daughter is having fun with rides increasingly.
To that time, final 12 months from late April by mid-June have been incredible. In watching wait occasions, it seems the identical was true this 12 months. Each the lead-up to Golden Week and the month-plus thereafter have been pretty calm and had manageable wait occasions. July was the slowest month final 12 months, and slowest so far in 2025, however the climate makes {that a} non-starter for us. The warmth and humidity are just like Orlando, generally worse.
On the plus aspect, seasons are extra pronounced, so often Could by early to mid-June are okay. Actually, as mentioned in When to Go to Tokyo Disneyland, our 3 favourite occasions within the parks are early April, mid-Could, and early to mid-November. Nevertheless, this solely tells half of the story, as we often spend a minority of our time in Japan at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Our second favourite general time in Japan is late March into mid-April 2026, which is the peak of sakura season.
If doing this date vary, you can begin in Kyoto in late March or early April for the height of cherry blossoms. Following that, head to Tokyo for the kickoff of the twenty fifth Anniversary, hitting the parks earlier than and initially of that celebration. This offers you the potential for decrease crowds for a few days and experiencing the parks celebration-free.
Alternatively, you could possibly wait till mid-Could 2026 for one more candy spot after the preliminary rush of the “Glowing Jubilee” celebration–simply remember to go after Golden Week. Now we have all the time had success with visiting in Could after the vacations. Crowds are often extra manageable, as each home and worldwide tourism has subsided for the season.
Both of these approaches units the desk for doing the Mysterious Get together in Mystic Level or the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Truthfully, I’m unsure which we’ll select. There are tradeoffs in both path. Going to Japan for sakura season is very really useful, because it’s completely attractive. There are lots of nighttime illuminations and different particular occasions. Together with fall colours season (my private favourite), that’s a bucket listing time to go to Japan. But it surely’s additionally rather more crowded than Could in Japan as a complete (not speaking TDR).
Greater crowds and (in all probability) larger costs is the draw back. Higher climate is the upside. Could is usually fairly good all through Japan, however I’d nonetheless take early to mid-April over it. The chance for warm days will increase nearer to summer time, and actually, we’re extra delicate to excessive warmth than we’re heavy crowds in Japan. We’ve additionally spent a ton of time in Kyoto, the place congestion tends to be worst, and know find out how to work round it. (For recommendation, see our submit: Kyoto Is Crowded. Right here’s How You Can Keep away from Japan’s Notorious Overtourism!)
There’s additionally the fact that top warmth is a a lot larger challenge in Hong Kong than it’s Japan these months, and we’d moderately go to in April earlier than heading to Japan than we’d in Could after leaving Japan. Despite the fact that assembly Lord Henry Mystic and Albert and partaking of their Mysterious Get together sounds incredible, the Most Mischievous Get together is a reasonably good comfort prize–and one that’s “meatier” at this level.
As might be apparent from the forgoing, our 2026 Asia journey plans are usually not but set in stone. Closing dates will possible be influenced by different externalities, however with nothing new opening at Walt Disney World or Disneyland in 2026, it appears possible that we’ll have flexibility in selecting the dates we’d want. At this level, we’re leaning in direction of HKDL originally of April for the Grizzly Gulch occasion, then flying to Osaka for sakura season in Kyoto, then taking the Shinkansen to Tokyo for the fifteenth Anniversary.
The overwhelming majority of our journeys to Hong Kong Disneyland have been for Halloween or Christmas. There’s a motive for that, as mentioned within the Greatest & Worst Instances to Go to HKDL. However, it’d be good to lastly expertise Duffy Days and one in every of these new springtime occasions. Actually, any excuse to return to our favourite little fortress park is an efficient one!
For the remainder of your planning wants, seek the advice of our Hong Kong Disneyland Journey Planning Information. It covers every thing it’s worthwhile to know for a go to to HKDL, together with critiques, technique, packing, and extra. Should you’re visiting town as effectively, please seek the advice of our Hong Kong Metropolis Information on TravelCaffeine, our non-Disney planning web site.
Your Ideas
Will you be visiting Hong Kong Disneyland in 2026? What’s the ‘candy spot’ so that you can go to the Disney parks in Asia? Planning to go for the Mysterious Get together in Mystic Level or the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch? Suppose Lord Henry Mystic and Albert are non secular successors, of kinds, to Dreamfinder and Figment? Should you’ve been to any of the Disney Parks in Asia, how do you assume HKDL stacks up? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of journey dates in Spring/Summer time 2026? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
No, not Dreamfinder and Figment. However you would possibly argue that this dynamic Disney duo is a non secular successor to old skool EPCOT Heart favorites, with some describing their attraction as a cross between the unique Journey into Creativeness and Haunted Mansion.
It’s me, I’m the one who argued that and described the journey that manner. The attraction in query is Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland and the dynamic Disney duo is Lord Henry Mystic and Albert, his mischievous pet monkey. The 2 greatest authentic Disney theme park characters of the final decade-plus (Mystic Manor opened in 2013, however we nonetheless think about it “new” for some motive).
This isn’t to be confused with one other dynamic Disney duo who we’ve additionally described as non secular successors to Dreamfinder and Figment: Sindbad and Chandu from Sindbad’s Storybook Voyages. That attraction is extra like a cross between “it’s a small world” and Pirates of the Caribbean, though it additionally has shades of the unique Journey into Creativeness.
It’s in all probability no coincidence that Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage and Mystic Manor are the “consensus” #1 and #2 ranked rides, respectively, on our listing of Sarah & Tom Bricker’s High 15 Disney Sights within the World. If ever you’ve questioned how Imagineering would possibly “remake” Journey into Creativeness 4.0 with trendy expertise, these two rides are the closest approximations. However I digress.
Right this moment’s thrilling area of interest information is that Hong Kong Disneyland has introduced its slate of late 2025 and 2026 seasonal occasions, and there’s one which followers like us is perhaps tempted to fly midway all over the world to expertise. Right here’s a rundown:
Disney Villains Crush the Wickedest Halloween Get together (Now by November 2, 2025)
The Disney Villains weren’t invited to the Most Magical Get together of All, so that they’re crashing it in spectacular model. Maleficent leads a depraved alliance of 10 infamous villains and their henchmen to storm Important Road, U.S.A. in “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together,” a brand-new expertise full of mischievous vitality and theatrical aptitude.
All through the season, iconic hero-and-villain pairings will infuse to the resort with depraved vibes, drawing company into unforgettable encounters. Come have fun with Maleficent and Aurora, the Queen of Hearts and Alice, and Captain Hook and Wendy. Plus, new this 12 months, The Scarlet Witch will likely be making an look!
Even Duffy and Buddies are becoming a member of the enjoyable. Wearing brand-new Halloween appears, becoming a member of Mickey and Buddies to welcome company with spooky attraction and playful spirit. Halloween is all the time an excellent time at HKDL, though it’s unlucky the park now not leans into scariness and unhinged makes use of of characters. That “period” might be gone for good.
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde Throw the Wildest Zootopia Celebration (November 2025)
This November, with the discharge of Zootopia 2, the dynamic duo Judy and Nick are internet hosting the season’s most thrilling celebration at HKDL, and everyone seems to be invited. Kick off the get together with them on the “Friendtastic!” parade. Meet them at Adventureland, and uncover all-new unique Zootopia-themed merchandise, scrumptious treats, and sudden experiences that may have you ever howling with delight.
Anna, Elsa and Kristoff Sparkle at A Disney Christmas Celebration (November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026)
Hong Kong Disneyland will likely be a blinding winter dream this Christmas. Glowing Christmas decorations, snow-capped Christmas timber, and lovely snowgies will fill each nook of World of Frozen, creating a very immersive vacation expertise.
“A Vacation Want-Come-True” Tree Lighting Ceremony will make its return with a heartwarming Frozen shock beneath whimsical snowfall and drones. In Fantasyland, Cinderella Carousel will twinkle with an all-new seasonal spin, whereas Ye Olde Christmas Market will rework right into a glowing vacation wonderland stuffed with gingerbread, Christmas cookies and extra!
We did Christmas at Hong Kong Disneyland final 12 months and it was incredible. We’d extremely advocate it. Among the leisure is totally different and pre-empted by the anniversary celebration this 12 months, however the park ought to nonetheless get extremely festive.
Bullseye Saddles Up for the 12 months of the Horse Get together (January 30 to March 1, 2026)
HKDL will welcome the 12 months of the Horse with a spirited Chinese language New 12 months celebration – led by Bullseye from Pixar’s Toy Story, who will make a shock look at Hong Kong Disneyland! Visitors can stay up for a rootin’ tootin’ get together stuffed with laughter, pleasure, and playful surprises, as Bullseye shares festive needs in true Pixar model.
Duffy and Buddies Host the Sweetest Followers Get together (March 20 to June 7, 2026)
Spring brings with it the annual Duffy and Buddies Play Days, a heartwarming fan gathering hosted by Duffy and his pals. This 12 months’s occasion contains unique plush collectibles, irresistible seasonal treats, and joyful moments from morning to nighttime – making it essentially the most whimsical celebration of the season.
The Most Mischievous Get together with Chip, Dale & Clarice (April 2026)
Chip ‘n’ Dale can not resist crashing the get together in Grizzly Gulch, the place the thrill is about to erupt. Together with famend explorer Ms. Clarice, they’re internet hosting a town-wide competitors to have fun the invention of the most important golden nugget ever!
The expertise is full of brand-new dwell music, interplay, and the chance to carry out alongside the city band! Be a part of this vibrant present that brings Grizzly Gulch to life!
All through the day, Chip, Dale, and Clarice will roam the land looking for new adventures in all-new interactive moments that make each encounter right into a fun-filled expertise.
Lord Henry and Albert Throw a Mysterious Get together (Could 2026)
Lord Henry, the eccentric adventurer and curator of Mystic Manor, is venturing past the manor to hitch the celebration! Visitors can journey into Mystic Level, the fan-favorite themed land unique to Hong Kong Disneyland, for a particular alternative to satisfy Lord Henry in individual. Including to the surprise, his playful companion Albert will likely be greeting company in an all-new interactive expertise.
That is fairly gentle on particulars, so planning a visit round this Mysterious Get together might be fairly the gamble at this level. However hear us out…
2026 Asia Disney Journey Planning
With the desk set for the primary half of 2026 at Hong Kong Disneyland, it’s time for a little bit “pondering out loud” touring planning that you could be discover useful. These are mainly the promoting factors, execs & cons, and so on., that we’re weighing when determining our personal journey dates subsequent 12 months.
Touring to Hong Kong Disneyland for the Mysterious Get together could be quite a bit. Similar goes for the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch. These are two of my favourite themed lands on the earth, and I’m very curious to see what they entail. Not curious sufficient to endure a 15 hour flight only for these occasions, however very curious.
The factor is, the attraction isn’t simply these occasions. Tokyo DisneySea’s twenty fifth Anniversary begins on April 15, 2026. Apart from the COVID closure and when Sarah was pregnant, we’ve attended the kickoff of each milestone anniversary at Tokyo Disney Resort because the Tokyo Disneyland thirtieth Anniversary “Happiness 12 months.” We don’t essentially must be there for the beginning of that this time, however wouldn’t thoughts.
As we’re beginning to slender our journey plans for 2026, one factor we preserve coming again to is the crowds at Tokyo Disney Resort. Final vacation season was very dangerous, and we’re doing it once more this 12 months. Our worry is that this 12 months goes to be extra of the identical. We will deal with that as there are a number of much less well-liked points of interest we love (to not point out simply being there), however it’d be good to expertise decrease crowds once more and really get an affordable quantity performed. Particularly as our daughter is having fun with rides increasingly.
To that time, final 12 months from late April by mid-June have been incredible. In watching wait occasions, it seems the identical was true this 12 months. Each the lead-up to Golden Week and the month-plus thereafter have been pretty calm and had manageable wait occasions. July was the slowest month final 12 months, and slowest so far in 2025, however the climate makes {that a} non-starter for us. The warmth and humidity are just like Orlando, generally worse.
On the plus aspect, seasons are extra pronounced, so often Could by early to mid-June are okay. Actually, as mentioned in When to Go to Tokyo Disneyland, our 3 favourite occasions within the parks are early April, mid-Could, and early to mid-November. Nevertheless, this solely tells half of the story, as we often spend a minority of our time in Japan at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Our second favourite general time in Japan is late March into mid-April 2026, which is the peak of sakura season.
If doing this date vary, you can begin in Kyoto in late March or early April for the height of cherry blossoms. Following that, head to Tokyo for the kickoff of the twenty fifth Anniversary, hitting the parks earlier than and initially of that celebration. This offers you the potential for decrease crowds for a few days and experiencing the parks celebration-free.
Alternatively, you could possibly wait till mid-Could 2026 for one more candy spot after the preliminary rush of the “Glowing Jubilee” celebration–simply remember to go after Golden Week. Now we have all the time had success with visiting in Could after the vacations. Crowds are often extra manageable, as each home and worldwide tourism has subsided for the season.
Both of these approaches units the desk for doing the Mysterious Get together in Mystic Level or the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Truthfully, I’m unsure which we’ll select. There are tradeoffs in both path. Going to Japan for sakura season is very really useful, because it’s completely attractive. There are lots of nighttime illuminations and different particular occasions. Together with fall colours season (my private favourite), that’s a bucket listing time to go to Japan. But it surely’s additionally rather more crowded than Could in Japan as a complete (not speaking TDR).
Greater crowds and (in all probability) larger costs is the draw back. Higher climate is the upside. Could is usually fairly good all through Japan, however I’d nonetheless take early to mid-April over it. The chance for warm days will increase nearer to summer time, and actually, we’re extra delicate to excessive warmth than we’re heavy crowds in Japan. We’ve additionally spent a ton of time in Kyoto, the place congestion tends to be worst, and know find out how to work round it. (For recommendation, see our submit: Kyoto Is Crowded. Right here’s How You Can Keep away from Japan’s Notorious Overtourism!)
There’s additionally the fact that top warmth is a a lot larger challenge in Hong Kong than it’s Japan these months, and we’d moderately go to in April earlier than heading to Japan than we’d in Could after leaving Japan. Despite the fact that assembly Lord Henry Mystic and Albert and partaking of their Mysterious Get together sounds incredible, the Most Mischievous Get together is a reasonably good comfort prize–and one that’s “meatier” at this level.
As might be apparent from the forgoing, our 2026 Asia journey plans are usually not but set in stone. Closing dates will possible be influenced by different externalities, however with nothing new opening at Walt Disney World or Disneyland in 2026, it appears possible that we’ll have flexibility in selecting the dates we’d want. At this level, we’re leaning in direction of HKDL originally of April for the Grizzly Gulch occasion, then flying to Osaka for sakura season in Kyoto, then taking the Shinkansen to Tokyo for the fifteenth Anniversary.
The overwhelming majority of our journeys to Hong Kong Disneyland have been for Halloween or Christmas. There’s a motive for that, as mentioned within the Greatest & Worst Instances to Go to HKDL. However, it’d be good to lastly expertise Duffy Days and one in every of these new springtime occasions. Actually, any excuse to return to our favourite little fortress park is an efficient one!
For the remainder of your planning wants, seek the advice of our Hong Kong Disneyland Journey Planning Information. It covers every thing it’s worthwhile to know for a go to to HKDL, together with critiques, technique, packing, and extra. Should you’re visiting town as effectively, please seek the advice of our Hong Kong Metropolis Information on TravelCaffeine, our non-Disney planning web site.
Your Ideas
Will you be visiting Hong Kong Disneyland in 2026? What’s the ‘candy spot’ so that you can go to the Disney parks in Asia? Planning to go for the Mysterious Get together in Mystic Level or the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch? Suppose Lord Henry Mystic and Albert are non secular successors, of kinds, to Dreamfinder and Figment? Should you’ve been to any of the Disney Parks in Asia, how do you assume HKDL stacks up? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of journey dates in Spring/Summer time 2026? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
No, not Dreamfinder and Figment. However you would possibly argue that this dynamic Disney duo is a non secular successor to old skool EPCOT Heart favorites, with some describing their attraction as a cross between the unique Journey into Creativeness and Haunted Mansion.
It’s me, I’m the one who argued that and described the journey that manner. The attraction in query is Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland and the dynamic Disney duo is Lord Henry Mystic and Albert, his mischievous pet monkey. The 2 greatest authentic Disney theme park characters of the final decade-plus (Mystic Manor opened in 2013, however we nonetheless think about it “new” for some motive).
This isn’t to be confused with one other dynamic Disney duo who we’ve additionally described as non secular successors to Dreamfinder and Figment: Sindbad and Chandu from Sindbad’s Storybook Voyages. That attraction is extra like a cross between “it’s a small world” and Pirates of the Caribbean, though it additionally has shades of the unique Journey into Creativeness.
It’s in all probability no coincidence that Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage and Mystic Manor are the “consensus” #1 and #2 ranked rides, respectively, on our listing of Sarah & Tom Bricker’s High 15 Disney Sights within the World. If ever you’ve questioned how Imagineering would possibly “remake” Journey into Creativeness 4.0 with trendy expertise, these two rides are the closest approximations. However I digress.
Right this moment’s thrilling area of interest information is that Hong Kong Disneyland has introduced its slate of late 2025 and 2026 seasonal occasions, and there’s one which followers like us is perhaps tempted to fly midway all over the world to expertise. Right here’s a rundown:
Disney Villains Crush the Wickedest Halloween Get together (Now by November 2, 2025)
The Disney Villains weren’t invited to the Most Magical Get together of All, so that they’re crashing it in spectacular model. Maleficent leads a depraved alliance of 10 infamous villains and their henchmen to storm Important Road, U.S.A. in “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together,” a brand-new expertise full of mischievous vitality and theatrical aptitude.
All through the season, iconic hero-and-villain pairings will infuse to the resort with depraved vibes, drawing company into unforgettable encounters. Come have fun with Maleficent and Aurora, the Queen of Hearts and Alice, and Captain Hook and Wendy. Plus, new this 12 months, The Scarlet Witch will likely be making an look!
Even Duffy and Buddies are becoming a member of the enjoyable. Wearing brand-new Halloween appears, becoming a member of Mickey and Buddies to welcome company with spooky attraction and playful spirit. Halloween is all the time an excellent time at HKDL, though it’s unlucky the park now not leans into scariness and unhinged makes use of of characters. That “period” might be gone for good.
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde Throw the Wildest Zootopia Celebration (November 2025)
This November, with the discharge of Zootopia 2, the dynamic duo Judy and Nick are internet hosting the season’s most thrilling celebration at HKDL, and everyone seems to be invited. Kick off the get together with them on the “Friendtastic!” parade. Meet them at Adventureland, and uncover all-new unique Zootopia-themed merchandise, scrumptious treats, and sudden experiences that may have you ever howling with delight.
Anna, Elsa and Kristoff Sparkle at A Disney Christmas Celebration (November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026)
Hong Kong Disneyland will likely be a blinding winter dream this Christmas. Glowing Christmas decorations, snow-capped Christmas timber, and lovely snowgies will fill each nook of World of Frozen, creating a very immersive vacation expertise.
“A Vacation Want-Come-True” Tree Lighting Ceremony will make its return with a heartwarming Frozen shock beneath whimsical snowfall and drones. In Fantasyland, Cinderella Carousel will twinkle with an all-new seasonal spin, whereas Ye Olde Christmas Market will rework right into a glowing vacation wonderland stuffed with gingerbread, Christmas cookies and extra!
We did Christmas at Hong Kong Disneyland final 12 months and it was incredible. We’d extremely advocate it. Among the leisure is totally different and pre-empted by the anniversary celebration this 12 months, however the park ought to nonetheless get extremely festive.
Bullseye Saddles Up for the 12 months of the Horse Get together (January 30 to March 1, 2026)
HKDL will welcome the 12 months of the Horse with a spirited Chinese language New 12 months celebration – led by Bullseye from Pixar’s Toy Story, who will make a shock look at Hong Kong Disneyland! Visitors can stay up for a rootin’ tootin’ get together stuffed with laughter, pleasure, and playful surprises, as Bullseye shares festive needs in true Pixar model.
Duffy and Buddies Host the Sweetest Followers Get together (March 20 to June 7, 2026)
Spring brings with it the annual Duffy and Buddies Play Days, a heartwarming fan gathering hosted by Duffy and his pals. This 12 months’s occasion contains unique plush collectibles, irresistible seasonal treats, and joyful moments from morning to nighttime – making it essentially the most whimsical celebration of the season.
The Most Mischievous Get together with Chip, Dale & Clarice (April 2026)
Chip ‘n’ Dale can not resist crashing the get together in Grizzly Gulch, the place the thrill is about to erupt. Together with famend explorer Ms. Clarice, they’re internet hosting a town-wide competitors to have fun the invention of the most important golden nugget ever!
The expertise is full of brand-new dwell music, interplay, and the chance to carry out alongside the city band! Be a part of this vibrant present that brings Grizzly Gulch to life!
All through the day, Chip, Dale, and Clarice will roam the land looking for new adventures in all-new interactive moments that make each encounter right into a fun-filled expertise.
Lord Henry and Albert Throw a Mysterious Get together (Could 2026)
Lord Henry, the eccentric adventurer and curator of Mystic Manor, is venturing past the manor to hitch the celebration! Visitors can journey into Mystic Level, the fan-favorite themed land unique to Hong Kong Disneyland, for a particular alternative to satisfy Lord Henry in individual. Including to the surprise, his playful companion Albert will likely be greeting company in an all-new interactive expertise.
That is fairly gentle on particulars, so planning a visit round this Mysterious Get together might be fairly the gamble at this level. However hear us out…
2026 Asia Disney Journey Planning
With the desk set for the primary half of 2026 at Hong Kong Disneyland, it’s time for a little bit “pondering out loud” touring planning that you could be discover useful. These are mainly the promoting factors, execs & cons, and so on., that we’re weighing when determining our personal journey dates subsequent 12 months.
Touring to Hong Kong Disneyland for the Mysterious Get together could be quite a bit. Similar goes for the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch. These are two of my favourite themed lands on the earth, and I’m very curious to see what they entail. Not curious sufficient to endure a 15 hour flight only for these occasions, however very curious.
The factor is, the attraction isn’t simply these occasions. Tokyo DisneySea’s twenty fifth Anniversary begins on April 15, 2026. Apart from the COVID closure and when Sarah was pregnant, we’ve attended the kickoff of each milestone anniversary at Tokyo Disney Resort because the Tokyo Disneyland thirtieth Anniversary “Happiness 12 months.” We don’t essentially must be there for the beginning of that this time, however wouldn’t thoughts.
As we’re beginning to slender our journey plans for 2026, one factor we preserve coming again to is the crowds at Tokyo Disney Resort. Final vacation season was very dangerous, and we’re doing it once more this 12 months. Our worry is that this 12 months goes to be extra of the identical. We will deal with that as there are a number of much less well-liked points of interest we love (to not point out simply being there), however it’d be good to expertise decrease crowds once more and really get an affordable quantity performed. Particularly as our daughter is having fun with rides increasingly.
To that time, final 12 months from late April by mid-June have been incredible. In watching wait occasions, it seems the identical was true this 12 months. Each the lead-up to Golden Week and the month-plus thereafter have been pretty calm and had manageable wait occasions. July was the slowest month final 12 months, and slowest so far in 2025, however the climate makes {that a} non-starter for us. The warmth and humidity are just like Orlando, generally worse.
On the plus aspect, seasons are extra pronounced, so often Could by early to mid-June are okay. Actually, as mentioned in When to Go to Tokyo Disneyland, our 3 favourite occasions within the parks are early April, mid-Could, and early to mid-November. Nevertheless, this solely tells half of the story, as we often spend a minority of our time in Japan at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Our second favourite general time in Japan is late March into mid-April 2026, which is the peak of sakura season.
If doing this date vary, you can begin in Kyoto in late March or early April for the height of cherry blossoms. Following that, head to Tokyo for the kickoff of the twenty fifth Anniversary, hitting the parks earlier than and initially of that celebration. This offers you the potential for decrease crowds for a few days and experiencing the parks celebration-free.
Alternatively, you could possibly wait till mid-Could 2026 for one more candy spot after the preliminary rush of the “Glowing Jubilee” celebration–simply remember to go after Golden Week. Now we have all the time had success with visiting in Could after the vacations. Crowds are often extra manageable, as each home and worldwide tourism has subsided for the season.
Both of these approaches units the desk for doing the Mysterious Get together in Mystic Level or the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Truthfully, I’m unsure which we’ll select. There are tradeoffs in both path. Going to Japan for sakura season is very really useful, because it’s completely attractive. There are lots of nighttime illuminations and different particular occasions. Together with fall colours season (my private favourite), that’s a bucket listing time to go to Japan. But it surely’s additionally rather more crowded than Could in Japan as a complete (not speaking TDR).
Greater crowds and (in all probability) larger costs is the draw back. Higher climate is the upside. Could is usually fairly good all through Japan, however I’d nonetheless take early to mid-April over it. The chance for warm days will increase nearer to summer time, and actually, we’re extra delicate to excessive warmth than we’re heavy crowds in Japan. We’ve additionally spent a ton of time in Kyoto, the place congestion tends to be worst, and know find out how to work round it. (For recommendation, see our submit: Kyoto Is Crowded. Right here’s How You Can Keep away from Japan’s Notorious Overtourism!)
There’s additionally the fact that top warmth is a a lot larger challenge in Hong Kong than it’s Japan these months, and we’d moderately go to in April earlier than heading to Japan than we’d in Could after leaving Japan. Despite the fact that assembly Lord Henry Mystic and Albert and partaking of their Mysterious Get together sounds incredible, the Most Mischievous Get together is a reasonably good comfort prize–and one that’s “meatier” at this level.
As might be apparent from the forgoing, our 2026 Asia journey plans are usually not but set in stone. Closing dates will possible be influenced by different externalities, however with nothing new opening at Walt Disney World or Disneyland in 2026, it appears possible that we’ll have flexibility in selecting the dates we’d want. At this level, we’re leaning in direction of HKDL originally of April for the Grizzly Gulch occasion, then flying to Osaka for sakura season in Kyoto, then taking the Shinkansen to Tokyo for the fifteenth Anniversary.
The overwhelming majority of our journeys to Hong Kong Disneyland have been for Halloween or Christmas. There’s a motive for that, as mentioned within the Greatest & Worst Instances to Go to HKDL. However, it’d be good to lastly expertise Duffy Days and one in every of these new springtime occasions. Actually, any excuse to return to our favourite little fortress park is an efficient one!
For the remainder of your planning wants, seek the advice of our Hong Kong Disneyland Journey Planning Information. It covers every thing it’s worthwhile to know for a go to to HKDL, together with critiques, technique, packing, and extra. Should you’re visiting town as effectively, please seek the advice of our Hong Kong Metropolis Information on TravelCaffeine, our non-Disney planning web site.
Your Ideas
Will you be visiting Hong Kong Disneyland in 2026? What’s the ‘candy spot’ so that you can go to the Disney parks in Asia? Planning to go for the Mysterious Get together in Mystic Level or the Most Mischievous Get together in Grizzly Gulch? Suppose Lord Henry Mystic and Albert are non secular successors, of kinds, to Dreamfinder and Figment? Should you’ve been to any of the Disney Parks in Asia, how do you assume HKDL stacks up? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of journey dates in Spring/Summer time 2026? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
