Disney theme parks worldwide are known for seasonal celebrations, and this September, Halloween is underway across the globe. Domestic parks like Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort host Oogie Boogie Bash and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, while international locations are introducing their own unique offerings.
Hong Kong Disneyland is joining the festivities with Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party, running from September 19 through November 2. Disney is calling it “The Biggest Villains Party of All.” The story focuses on Maleficent, who, frustrated by being uninvited to a royal gathering, encourages guests to summon other uninvited villains. Early concept art features characters such as Oogie Boogie, Gaston, Jafar, the Evil Queen, Hades, Captain Hook, and Lady Tremaine, along with their sidekicks, promising a new kind of Halloween event for the park.
In addition to the Villains event, the Jungle River Cruise is preparing a seasonal transformation. Since its opening in 2005, the Hong Kong version has stood apart from Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, offering elephants, hippos, and a finale with fire and water spirits. It’s presented in Cantonese, Mandarin, or English, depending on the skipper, adding a local touch.
The official website describes an adventure through a remote tropical river with elephants, gorillas, hippos, and possibly a headhunter. Guests navigate on a weathered tramp steamer past cargo nets, wooden crates, timber canoes, and rusty anchors, guided by a skilled skipper.
This fall, the attraction will feature a Halloween overlay. Michael Moriarty, Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland, posted a nighttime video of the Jungle River Cruise on Instagram with the caption: “Something’s amiss at the Jungle River Cruise…Who’s ready for a new after-dark story?”
Across Disney parks, seasonal overlays are a familiar part of the guest experience, with each resort adding its own creative spin. Hong Kong Disneyland is now joining the lineup with both Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party and a reimagined Jungle River Cruise, giving visitors a fresh way to experience Disney storytelling during the Halloween season.
