In a year filled with expansions and milestone celebrations, one Disney resort is again contending with the forces of nature.
Guests arriving yesterday discovered that most attractions were closed, with only a small selection of rides and shows left available. The disruption, far from unusual in this part of the world, points to the unique challenges of operating a global theme park empire.
Disney parks are designed to be open nearly every day of the year. Orlando, for example, typically closes only during major hurricanes. Tokyo Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland have faced brief suspensions due to earthquakes, weather advisories, and government orders. Yet no park in the companyās portfolio encounters regular interruptions as frequently as its outpost in Hong Kong.
Typhoons and strong winds have been complicating factors since the resortās 2005 debut. Hong Kong Disneylandās location on Lantau Island places it directly in the path of seasonal storms. Yesterdayās closures were triggered by just such a system ā and forecasts suggest more are on the horizon. Typhoon Ragasa is expected to reach Hong Kong on Wednesday.
A Short List of Open Attractions
On September 19, a Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was issued in Hong Kong, forcing Disney to shutter every outdoor attraction at the park. Popular rides like Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, Jungle River Cruise, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the World of Frozenās Wandering Oakenās Sliding Sleighs were all closed.
Guests shared details of the restrictions online. One notice posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, read: āSignal 3 is in effect today. Outdoor attractions are closed. Only the attractions listed in this diagram will be open. And thatās the explanation!ā
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ćØčŖ¬ęććć¾ććļ¼ pic.twitter.com/hbWgXA0bfZ— aico (@aico_and_tweet) September 19, 2025
The official list showed just 12 options, including Frozen Ever After, “itās a small world,” Mystic Manor, Hyperspace Mountain, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Iron Man Experience ā Presented by AIA Hong Kong, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle! The remainder were shows and walk-through experiences. Festival of the Lion King, however, has been dark since September 3.
Weather Interrupts a Celebration Year
The closures could not have come at a more pivotal moment. Hong Kong Disneyland is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, rolling out major additions aimed at strengthening its appeal. The park recently opened Wayfindersā Table, Disneyās first Moana-themed restaurant, and launched the āFriendtastic!ā parade, its largest ever, with 11 floats, 100 performers, and characters from Zootopia (2016) and Encanto (2021).
For guests, however, parades and dining canāt fully replace a lineup of working rides. Seven operational rides at a Disney park is a rarity, underscoring just how severe the weather conditions were. With Typhoon Ragasa approaching, the potential for more closures threatens to overshadow the anniversary festivities.
Hong Kong Disneylandās history has been defined by both ambition and struggle. Despite world-class attractions like Mystic Manor, the park has faced long-term financial challenges and uneven attendance. Weather-related shutdowns remain one of its most visible obstacles ā a reminder that even Disney magic is no match for the elements.
Have you ever visited a Disney park during inclement weather?
