If you thought Disney vacations couldn’t get any pricier, think again. Travelers heading to one international Disney park are about to see yet another cost increase—and this time, it has nothing to do with ticket prices, food, or Lightning Lanes.
Disney fans are all too familiar with rising prices. In recent years, the cost of everything from park tickets to Mickey-shaped snacks has steadily climbed, with no signs of slowing down.
While Disney maintains that these increases support park maintenance and enhance guest experiences—despite CEO Bob Iger recently acknowledging concerns about affordability—many visitors feel that the magic is slipping out of reach as a Disney vacation becomes more expensive than ever.
A New Fee for Hong Kong Disneyland Travelers
Starting in October 2025, a new price hike will hit guests flying to Hong Kong, home to Hong Kong Disneyland, the smallest of Disney’s resorts but one of its most unique.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), has announced that it will raise its Air Passenger Departure Tax (APDT)—a mandatory fee for all departing flights.
Currently set at HKD 120 ($15.43), the tax will increase to HKD 200 ($25.71), impacting all flights purchased after October 1, 2025. While a seemingly small bump in the grand scheme of airfare, it’s yet another added cost for travelers already shelling out big money to visit Disney’s smallest theme park.
The move is part of a broader effort to tackle Hong Kong’s financial deficit, with officials expecting the tax hike to bring in an additional HKD 1.6 billion ($205 million) per year. Travelers over the age of 12 will be required to pay the fee as part of their ticket cost, though some passengers may qualify for an exemption and apply for a refund through Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department.
Is Hong Kong Disneyland Still Worth Visiting?
For hardcore Disney fans, Hong Kong Disneyland remains a must-visit—even with rising costs. It may be smaller than other Disney resorts, but it packs a punch with some of the best exclusive rides and attractions in the world.
In 2023, the park opened World of Frozen, a full-fledged land based on Disney’s billion-dollar franchise. It features cutting-edge attractions like Frozen Ever After and Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, as well as themed eateries and stunning immersive details that bring Arendelle to life like never before.
Beyond Frozen, the park is home to a unique Marvel-themed area, Stark Expo, located in Tomorrowland, where guests can ride Iron Man Experience—the only Iron Man attraction at any Disney park. Meanwhile, Mystic Manor, Hong Kong Disneyland’s take on the Haunted Mansion concept, is widely considered one of Disney Imagineering’s most creative rides ever built.
With airfare, hotels, and in-park spending all on the rise, a Disney vacation is already a major financial commitment—and this new airport tax is just another added expense. While a $10 increase might not break the bank, it does highlight a bigger issue: the increasing cost of international Disney travel.
Would you still plan a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland despite the rising costs?
