Disney parks are known for their magical atmosphere, reliability, and immersive experiences, but even the happiest places on earth are no strangers to unexpected disruptions.
Today, guests visiting one Disney park were forced to deal with a major setback as severe weather conditions led to the temporary closure of all outdoor attractions.
Hong Kong Disneyland, the smallest of Disney’s global resorts, is no stranger to unpredictable weather. Located on Lantau Island, the park is especially susceptible to tropical storms and the challenges they bring. Despite the occasional nature of these disruptions, they’ve caused notable challenges for Disney’s operations in the region.
Today’s storm, which brought both heavy rain and lightning strikes, resulted in a slew of closures, sure to leave many guests disappointed.
A Stormy Day at Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland has dealt with weather-related closures before, with the park undergoing the same procedures multiple times in recent months.
A heavy rainstorm warning was issued, and the lightning strikes made it unsafe to operate many of the park’s outdoor attractions. These closures affected some of the park’s most popular rides, including Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Wandering Oaken’s Slidng Sleighs, and the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad.
This disruption was particularly impactful given the outdoor nature of many of the park’s attractions. Some of the rides impacted were favorites for both families and thrill-seekers alike. The complete list of affected attractions included the Jungle River Cruise, Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Tarzan’s Treehouse, and Toy Soldier Parachute Drop, among others.
Despite the inconvenience, the park made clear that this was a temporary issue. Everything is expected to return to normal tomorrow, with the weather forecast predicting a much clearer and brighter day ahead.
A History of Storm-Related Disruptions
This isn’t the first time that weather has caused major disruptions at Hong Kong Disneyland. Tropical storms have impacted the park on numerous occasions, with some of the worst storms causing significant damage.
In 2023, Typhoon Saola made landfall, battering the resort with winds that reached speeds of up to 120 mph. The storm caused trees to fall at the park’s entrance, making it impossible to operate many outdoor attractions.
Despite these setbacks, Hong Kong Disneyland has been resilient. Since its opening in 2005, the park has faced a number of economic struggles, including low attendance numbers and early financial losses. The addition of new attractions in recent years, including Stark Expo and the World of Frozen, has helped turn things around, with the park posting a net profit of HK$838 million (US$108 million) for 2024.
The park’s 20th anniversary celebration this year promises even more exciting new additions. “Friendtastic!” Parade, which is set to be the park’s largest daytime parade ever, will feature a wide range of Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy. It also marks the park’s first daytime parade since 2020, following the pandemic. This celebratory event demonstrates just how far Hong Kong Disneyland has come, despite the challenges of its early years.
In the face of unexpected weather disruptions, the Disney park has shown time and again that it can bounce back. The storm of today may have caused some inconvenience, but with clearer skies ahead, Hong Kong Disneyland is ready to continue offering the magic that guests come to expect.
Have you ever been caught up in a tropical storm at a Disney park? Share your experience with us!
