No, not Dreamfinder and Figment. However you may argue that this dynamic Disney duo is a religious successor to old-fashioned EPCOT Middle 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 trip that approach. 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 finest authentic Disney theme park characters of the final decade-plus (Mystic Manor opened in 2013, however we nonetheless take into account it “new” for some cause).
This isn’t to be confused with one other dynamic Disney duo who we’ve additionally described as religious 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 record of Sarah & Tom Bricker’s Prime 15 Disney Points of interest within the World. If ever you’ve puzzled how Imagineering may “remake” Journey into Creativeness 4.0 with trendy expertise, these two rides are the closest approximations. However I digress.
In the present day’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 may be tempted to fly midway all over the world to expertise. Right here’s a rundown:
Disney Villains Crush the Wickedest Halloween Occasion (Now by November 2, 2025)
The Disney Villains weren’t invited to the Most Magical Occasion 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 Primary Avenue, U.S.A. in “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Occasion,” 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 visitors into unforgettable encounters. Come rejoice with Maleficent and Aurora, the Queen of Hearts and Alice, and Captain Hook and Wendy. Plus, new this yr, The Scarlet Witch will probably be making an look!
Even Duffy and Mates are becoming a member of the enjoyable. Wearing brand-new Halloween appears to be like, becoming a member of Mickey and Mates to welcome visitors with spooky appeal and playful spirit. Halloween is at all times 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 celebration with them on the “Friendtastic!” parade. Meet them at Adventureland, and uncover all-new unique Zootopia-themed merchandise, scrumptious treats, and surprising 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 probably be a blinding winter dream this Christmas. Glowing Christmas decorations, snow-capped Christmas timber, and lovable 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 full of gingerbread, Christmas cookies and extra!
We did Christmas at Hong Kong Disneyland final yr and it was incredible. We’d extremely advocate it. Among the leisure is totally different and pre-empted by the anniversary celebration this yr, however the park ought to nonetheless get extremely festive.
Bullseye Saddles Up for the 12 months of the Horse Occasion (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! Company can stay up for a rootin’ tootin’ celebration full of laughter, pleasure, and playful surprises, as Bullseye shares festive needs in true Pixar model.
Duffy and Mates Host the Sweetest Followers Occasion (March 20 to June 7, 2026)
Spring brings with it the annual Duffy and Mates Play Days, a heartwarming fan gathering hosted by Duffy and his mates. This yr’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 Occasion with Chip, Dale & Clarice (April 2026)
Chip ‘n’ Dale can not resist crashing the celebration in Grizzly Gulch, the place the joy is about to erupt. Together with famend explorer Ms. Clarice, they’re internet hosting a town-wide competitors to rejoice the invention of the most important golden nugget ever!
The expertise is full of brand-new reside 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 seeking new adventures in all-new interactive moments that make each encounter right into a fun-filled expertise.
Lord Henry and Albert Throw a Mysterious Occasion (Could 2026)
Lord Henry, the eccentric adventurer and curator of Mystic Manor, is venturing past the manor to hitch the celebration! Company can journey into Mystic Level, the fan-favorite themed land unique to Hong Kong Disneyland, for a particular alternative to fulfill Lord Henry in particular person. Including to the surprise, his playful companion Albert will probably be greeting visitors in an all-new interactive expertise.
That is fairly gentle on particulars, so planning a visit round this Mysterious Occasion 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 slightly “pondering out loud” touring planning that you could be discover useful. These are principally the promoting factors, execs & cons, and many others., that we’re weighing when determining our personal journey dates subsequent yr.
Touring to Hong Kong Disneyland for the Mysterious Occasion can be so much. Similar goes for the Most Mischievous Occasion 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 for the reason that Tokyo Disneyland thirtieth Anniversary “Happiness 12 months.” We don’t essentially have to be there for the beginning of that this time, however wouldn’t thoughts.
As we’re beginning to slim our journey plans for 2026, one factor we preserve coming again to is the crowds at Tokyo Disney Resort. Final vacation season was very unhealthy, and we’re doing it once more this yr. Our concern is that this yr goes to be extra of the identical. We are able to deal with that as there are a number of much less in style sights we love (to not point out simply being there), however it’d be good to expertise decrease crowds once more and truly get an affordable quantity achieved. Particularly as our daughter is having fun with rides an increasing number of.
To that time, final yr from late April by mid-June have been incredible. In watching wait instances, it seems the identical was true this yr. Each the lead-up to Golden Week and the month-plus thereafter have been pretty calm and had manageable wait instances. July was the slowest month final yr, and slowest thus far in 2025, however the climate makes {that a} non-starter for us. The warmth and humidity are much like Orlando, generally worse.
On the plus aspect, seasons are extra pronounced, so normally Could by early to mid-June are okay. In actual fact, as mentioned in When to Go to Tokyo Disneyland, our 3 favourite instances within the parks are early April, mid-Could, and early to mid-November. Nevertheless, this solely tells half of the story, as we normally 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 in the beginning of that celebration. This offers you the potential of decrease crowds for a few days and experiencing the parks celebration-free.
Alternatively, you would wait till mid-Could 2026 for one more candy spot after the preliminary rush of the “Glowing Jubilee” celebration–simply make sure to go after Golden Week. We now have at all times had success with visiting in Could after the vacations. Crowds are normally extra manageable, as each home and worldwide tourism has subsided for the season.
Both of these approaches units the desk for doing the Mysterious Occasion in Mystic Level or the Most Mischievous Occasion 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 extremely advisable, because it’s completely attractive. There are a number of nighttime illuminations and different particular occasions. Together with fall colours season (my private favourite), that’s a bucket record time to go to Japan. But it surely’s additionally way more crowded than Could in Japan as a complete (not speaking TDR).
Larger crowds and (in all probability) larger costs is the draw back. Higher climate is the upside. Could is mostly fairly good all through Japan, however I’d nonetheless take early to mid-April over it. The likelihood for decent days will increase nearer to summer time, and truthfully, 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 easy methods to work round it. (For recommendation, see our put up: 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 greater difficulty in Hong Kong than it’s Japan these months, and we’d somewhat go to in April earlier than heading to Japan than we might in Could after leaving Japan. Regardless that assembly Lord Henry Mystic and Albert and partaking of their Mysterious Occasion sounds incredible, the Most Mischievous Occasion 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 aren’t but set in stone. Ultimate 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 choose. At this level, we’re leaning in the direction of HKDL in the beginning 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 cause for that, as mentioned within the Greatest & Worst Occasions to Go to HKDL. However, it’d be good to lastly expertise Duffy Days and one among these new springtime occasions. Actually, any excuse to return to our favourite little citadel park is an effective one!
For the remainder of your planning wants, seek the advice of our Hong Kong Disneyland Journey Planning Information. It covers every little thing that you must know for a go to to HKDL, together with opinions, technique, packing, and extra. If you happen to’re visiting the 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 Occasion in Mystic Level or the Most Mischievous Occasion in Grizzly Gulch? Suppose Lord Henry Mystic and Albert are religious successors, of kinds, to Dreamfinder and Figment? If you happen to’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 season 2026? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
