Hong Kong Disneyland officially reopened, with safety measures in place, on June 18 after months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At the reopening, guests were able to see the new ‘Castle of Magical Dreams’ as it enters the final stage of construction. The castle is due to be completed in late 2020.
As part of the castle transformation, Disney Princess-themed towers are being added, each featuring iconic patterns, textures and colours.
New castle nearing completion
The Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland, Stephanie Young, hosted a special celebration before the park opened on Main Street. She was joined by Disney characters to mark the official reopening.
At this celebration, Young said that the new castle “represents a shining beacon of courage, hope and possibility, which we will forever hold dear to our heart.”
Among the first guests on June 18 were over 100 families from the neighbourhood of Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Island. Young confirmed that the resort plans to work with non-profit organisations to invite other families to visit in the coming months.
“I am grateful for the support of the incredible Hong Kong community, commitment of medical staff and dedication of our cast members who managed through this challenging time,” Young said.
Increased health and safety measures in place
Young continued, saying that “the health and safety of our guests and cast members continues to be at the forefront of our minds, and our cast members have been working tirelessly to put all the necessary measures in place for guests to enjoy a magical visit.”
With that in mind, extensive health and safety measures were put in place for the park’s reopening. There was a limited attendance and social distancing was in place in queues, restaurants, ride vehicles and more. Sanitation and cleaning have also been increased throughout the park.
Hong Kong is slowly reopening after COVID-19 as Ocean Park Hong Kong also reopened on June 13.