Hong Kong’s tourism industry is no stranger to weather-related disruptions, but this season has proven particularly challenging. Within just five weeks, four separate storms have neared the city, straining businesses and putting large-scale attractions under constant threat of closure.
Among the venues most affected is Hong Kong Disneyland, which has, to varying degrees, faced repeated closures. With a new tropical storm moving in, uncertainty over operations is once again mounting.
The arrival of Severe Tropical Storm Matmo has prompted local officials to act quickly. At 7:40 p.m. on Friday, the Hong Kong Observatory issued its No. 1 typhoon signal — the lowest on its scale, but a clear indication of worsening conditions. It is the twelfth storm of 2025 to trigger an official alert, the highest tally since records began in 1946.
Observatory Issues Typhoon Signal
“Matmo is expected to maintain a distance of about 500km or more from Hong Kong [on Friday night] and [Saturday] morning. The standby signal, No 1, will remain in force until noon [on Saturday],” the Observatory said.
“Depending on the intensity of Matmo, the distance of its associated gale force winds from the Pearl River Estuary and the change in local wind conditions, the Observatory will then assess the need of issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals,” it added (via the South China Morning Post).
Forecasters expect the storm to “intensify progressively” as it nears the Leizhou Peninsula and eastern Hainan Island. Squally showers and thunderstorms are predicted from Saturday afternoon, with rough seas likely throughout the weekend.
Impact on Disney Park Operations
Though no new closures have been confirmed, Hong Kong Disneyland typically responds swiftly to typhoon signals. Outdoor attractions — including Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the newly-spooky Jungle River Cruise — are usually suspended once warnings rise to Signal No. 3.
Evening entertainment such as Momentous: Party in the Night Sky is also often canceled in severe weather.
The park most recently endured a full closure during Super Typhoon Ragasa in September, when guests were evacuated partway through the day on September 23. The resort remained closed on September 24, reopening only after conditions stabilized.
In 2023, Typhoon Saola caused extensive damage that left the resort shuttered for two full days.
With Matmo now looming, the possibility of another shutdown – or at least mass ride closures – is very real.
Stay tuned for more closure updates.
