Update on Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion: Moana, Frozen, Marvel and More

As we’ve reported earlier, Hong Kong Disneyland is undergoing a massive expansion.

The new expansion will see new attractions and experiences based on Moana, Frozen, Marvel and more.

A press release was issued yesterday outlining some of the upcoming attractions, as well as an adjusted timeline for completion.

You can read it below.

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This new show, featuring inspirational visual storytelling, dancing, puppetry and music, recounts the adventures of Moana after she returns to her home village of Motunui. The show is set in an entirely new outdoor venue in Adventureland, Jungle Junction, that echoes the Pacific Islands architecture, décor and designs as seen in the smash-hit animated film.

Officiating the kick-off ceremony were Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Michael Colglazier, president and managing director, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts – Asia Pacific.

Chan said, “Over the past two years, “Star Wars” and “Iron Man” have turned into resident superheroes, capturing the imagination of our Park visitors.  And I have no doubt that the inspired musical theatre, and visual storytelling, of Moana, will do very much the same.”

“‘Moana: A Homecoming Celebration’ heralds a new era of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort as the first of many new and exciting offerings coming to the resort as part of a multi-year transformation,” said Colglazier. “The new Moana entertainment experience showcases what we do best at Disney, immersing our guests in their favorite stories as only Disney can. We’re excited to see Hong Kong Disneyland Resort continue to grow and create more fun for guests, with new attractions opening through 2023.” 

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A new approach to storytelling, showing Moana’s inner beauty

The atmosphere stage show takes place in an all-new outdoor, open-space venue in Adventureland. Guests can join this interactive show with Moana, six performers and two live drummers as they share Moana’s epic adventures with the demigod, Maui, to restore the heart of Te Fiti, the mother island who gives life.

Guests are invited to be a part of the show and interact with performers, from playing drums to joining forces in dramatizing the attack of the Kakamora pirates, to moving like ocean waves to help guide Moana on her journey, to cheering Maui as they encourage him to help Moana. A group of kids from HKDL’s Tung Chung community partner, Hong Kong Outlying Islands Women’s Association, joined at the show preview today, being the first group of guests taking part in this unique interactive experience. HKDL hopes that they will be inspired from Moana’s fearless and environmentality displayed in her adventure.

Throughout the show, performers are playing multiple roles as they re-tell Moana’s adventures, with the use of different voices, acting, choreography and props, inspiring guests’ imaginations and creativity, further immersing them in the show.

“This atmosphere stage show is the first at any of the Disney Parks to feature the beloved and brave heroine Moana,” said Samuel Lau, HKDL managing director. “The addition of the all-new atmosphere stage show once again showcase HKDL’s commitment in continuously bringing some of the most popular Disney characters and stories to life through never-before-seen attractions and experiences for guests from all over the world here in Hong Kong.”

The show features over 30 tailor-made props, specially-created costumes and handcrafted decorations, all based on the animated film, “Moana,” and traditional Polynesian culture. The creative team behind the show spent over a year preparing the costume designs for the performers and drummers, inspired by the styles traditionally worn in parts of the Pacific Islands, including Fiji, Samoa and Tahiti. The music and dances are also designed to celebrate the culture and the film.

As an inspirational Disney Princess, Moana is a truly powerful role model for all ages. She is a vibrant, tenacious, optimistic, determined, and compassionate young girl who is struggling to find her true self and identity. This first-ever atmosphere stage show at HKDL opens a window for guests to learn and further explore Moana’s inner beauty through extraordinary storytelling.

To provide a total experience, guests can also meet Moana in person in Adventureland! Also, a series of offerings themed to the animated heroine will be launched in the summer, including hotel recreation activities, food and beverage, as well as merchandise.

Latest images on HKDL’s multi-year expansion to be unveiled

The new Moana atmosphere stage show is just the beginning of the transformation of HKDL. Next year, an all-new attraction featuring Ant-Man and The Wasp – the second Marvel ride-through experience at the resort – will debut as the park continues to expand the Marvel-themed area.

With the incredible popularity of the Iron Man Experience attraction at  HKDL, guests can indulge in epic action adventures alongside Super Heroes and immersing themselves in the ever-growing Marvel universe. In the new thrilling adventure, guests will team up with Ant-Man and The Wasp to fight Arnim Zola and his army of Hydra swarm bots. HKDL has become an ultimate hub for exciting Marvel experiences in Asia.

The transformation of the park’s iconic centerpiece, the castle, has also begun. The newly transformed venue will be home to a new daytime show and nighttime spectacular in 2020.

HKDL will also be welcoming an all-new, immersive Frozen-themed area in 2021. In this time of happily-ever-after, peace and prosperity have returned to the kingdom of Arendelle. Queen Elsa has now embraced her magical ice powers, and she and Princess Anna have created a Summer Snow Day for the merriment of the kingdom. Guests are invited to take part in this joyous occasion and celebrate the day that Anna saved Elsa with an act of true love. Guests can join a musical journey to Elsa’s Ice Palace and also venture across the bridge to explore the neighboring forest. They will enjoy an exciting family thrill ride that traverses the natural landscape, built by Wandering Oaken for this special occasion. Whatever discoveries and experiences guests enjoy, they will find that Arendelle offers countless opportunities for surprise and delight during this kingdom-wide celebration.

Stay tuned to The Kingdom Insider for more details on Hong Kong Disneyland as they are announced.