February 2024
We usually try to find family-friendly hotels on holidays — somewhere clean, convenient, with enough beds for the four of us. Bonus points if there’s a good breakfast spread or a pool to unwind at. But for this trip, we decided to go all in.
We wanted to give J a truly magical holiday — and, truth be told, the practical side of us wanted a smoother entry into Disneyland, instead of rushing both kids onto public transport in the early hours.
Where the magic begins
There are actually three hotels at Hong Kong Disneyland — Disney Explorers Lodge, Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, and Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. Since it was our daughter’s first time, we chose this hotel for its classic, princess-y vibe. We wanted her to feel like she was stepping into a fairytale — and from the moment we arrived, it did just that.
Tucked away on Lantau Island, the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel already felt like a retreat before we even stepped in — grand, peaceful, and slightly surreal in its fairytale charm. Pulling up to the red-roofed, white-columned building with the sea in the distance, the kids were buzzing with excitement.
Inside, the hotel lobby was plush and warmly lit, with chandeliers overhead, soft carpets underfoot and gentle Disney touches all around. And the best part? A cosy kids’ area tucked to one side, playing Disney cartoons.
The highlight for us? A cosy kids’ area right by the lobby, where cartoons were playing on loop. Our two happily settled in without a fuss, which gave me a rare and glorious few minutes to check in in peace. When the staff handed over our Disney-themed keycards, it really did feel like the holiday had officially begun.
The room: Charming and comfy
We booked a Standard Room with two double beds. When we entered, we were greeted with a view that overlooked the beautifully manicured garden and the iconic Mickey-shaped hedge maze. The kids pressed their noses to the glass immediately, trying to trace the maze path with their fingers.
The room had a calm, classic charm. Not overly themed, but full of quiet Disney magic — like hidden Mickeys along the wallpaper border, a character silhouette tucked into the lamp base, and those signature Mickey-shaped tap handles in the bathroom. A cheerful Disney character painting hung above the beds, adding just the right pop of colour.
There was more than enough space for the four of us. The beds were comfy, the pillows decent (not the too-soft kind), and we appreciated the thoughtful kid-friendly touches: a step stool by the sink, child-sized slippers and even their own little toiletries set.
It was clean, comfortable and just charming enough to feel special — a room that let us settle in and smile at the details.
Around the hotel: Maze walks and seaside breezes
After settling in, we headed downstairs for a walk — and it was lovely! The hotel grounds are beautifully maintained, with wide open spaces, neatly trimmed gardens and that sense of calm you rarely find on a theme park holiday.
The kids made a beeline for the playground, which was tucked in a quiet corner near the Mickey Maze. It wasn’t huge, but just enough to let them climb, slide and run off some energy. From there, we wandered down towards the sea. There’s a lovely walking path that runs along the waterfront, with benches along the way and plenty of space to just pause and breathe.
We stood for a while looking out at the water, and the kids really enjoyed the sea breeze. YB believed he saw a baby shark swimming in the sea. In the cool and crisp February air, everything felt a little slower. It reminded me that the magic of this place isn’t just in the rides and characters — sometimes, it’s in the in-between moments too.
One of the lovely surprises during our stay? The free activities sprinkled throughout the hotel. One afternoon, we saw a sign for a towel-folding session happening in the lobby — so we just popped downstairs and joined in. No bookings needed. The staff were patient and friendly, and the kids loved turning simple towels into Disney characters.
Food & dining: From character breakfasts to crystal dinners
We had breakfast at Enchanted Garden, the hotel’s character dining spot. While the kids were excited at first, the experience felt a little underwhelming. Only a couple of characters came out — we saw Goofy, but not much else — and the energy was quite flat. I don’t know why but I was hoping for real princesses…
The buffet itself was alright, with the usual range of international breakfast items, but nothing particularly memorable. If you’re considering it for the character experience, you might want to temper expectations.
For dinner, we booked a meal at Crystal Lotus — the hotel’s fine-dining Chinese restaurant. It’s best known for its elaborate Disney-themed dim sum during lunch, but we ended up having dinner there instead. The food was well-prepared and beautifully presented, though it leaned toward the pricey side. It’s definitely a splurge meal, more suited for a quiet dinner than something kid-focused. Still, it was nice to experience a different side of Disney dining — more elegant, less themed.
Sparkle and souvenirs
Inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, there’s a charming little shop called Kingdom Gifts. It’s filled with shelves of Disney merchandise — from plush toys and princess dresses to stationery and collectibles. The kids were instantly drawn to the displays, and we found ourselves browsing longer than expected.
One big plus? We picked up our shoulder pals and Disney ears right here — which meant we didn’t need to queue or detour for merchandise the next morning at the park. We could head straight for the rides instead, which made the start of our Disney day so much more efficient.
Adjacent to the gift shop is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a salon where young guests can transform into Disney princesses. We had already booked our makeover session at the other Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique inside the park, but this branch is great if you prefer your little one to step into Disneyland already dressed like royalty. It looked like a dream come true for any aspiring princess. If you’re considering this experience, do book early — slots fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons.
Getting to the park: Smooth shuttle
One of the biggest perks of staying at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel? The easy access to the park. We didn’t have to hustle the kids out the door at dawn or wrangle with public transport. Instead, we had a relaxed breakfast and strolled out at our own pace.
We took the complimentary shuttle, which runs regularly and gets you to the entrance in just a few minutes. It was quick, efficient, and honestly such a relief — especially when you’re juggling bags, water bottles and two excited children. It also helped that YB loved sitting in big buses!
We only found out about a scenic walking path later, which we might have tried if we had more time or older kids. But the shuttle worked perfectly for us, especially on the way back when everyone was a little tired and full of theme park snacks.
Having that easy connection meant we could pace ourselves, and even return to the hotel midday if we needed to. And that was precisely what YB and I did as we were sadly down with bronchitis — we could actually hop on a quick shuttle and head back to the hotel to rest.
A treat to remember
Staying at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel was a treat — not something we do every holiday, but one we’re so glad we chose this time.
We came hoping to give J a magical experience, but what we got was more than just theme park access. It was those little moments — watching cartoons in the lobby, folding towel animals, running through the maze and looking out at the sea. The hotel gave us space to slow down and soak it all in.
Yes, it’s a splurge. But if you’re heading to Disneyland with kids and want to make the experience a little more special — and a lot less rushed — this might be one of those rare times when the convenience and magic are truly worth it.
Little Notes
Choose the right hotel for you: There are three official Disney hotels — each with its own personality. Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is perfect if you’re looking for that classic, princessy charm. But if your child is more into adventure or themed fun, Disney Explorers Lodge and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel might suit better. Don’t worry too much — even if you’re not staying at a particular hotel, you can still visit the others for meals or to explore.
Engage in complimentary activities: The resort offers a variety of free activities to enhance your stay, like Storybook Playroom, a kids playroom with Disney-themed games, crafts and movies for children aged 2 to 12 and Mickey Maze, the beautifully manicured Mickey-shaped hedge maze outside. There are also scavenger hunts and some drop-in craft workshops like the towel-making one we did.
Take the complimentary shuttle: The resort provides a free shuttle service that runs frequently between the hotels and the park entrance. It’s a convenient option, especially when traveling with young children or after a long day at the park.
Shop early to save time: Visit the hotel’s gift shop, Kingdom Gifts, to purchase Disney ears, shoulder pals and other merchandise. Buying these items in advance can save you time and allow you to head straight to the rides upon entering the park.
Skip the character breakfast: Perhaps it’s just us, but our kids didn’t even eat much beyond standard fare like hash browns and sausages. With only a couple of characters walking around, we just felt it was too expensive.
Plan ahead for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: If your child dreams of a princess makeover, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is available both at the hotel and inside the park. It’s advisable to book this experience in advance, as slots can fill up quickly.
This Little Season 