Conveniently Located and Accessible
Nestled on Lantau Island, the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is only 30 minutes from the downtown area and 15 minutes from the airport. Public transportation such as the train, taxis, and buses all connect to the resort area making it a breeze for you and your guests to get to the magic quickly upon arrival. If any of your guests have mobility challenges or strollers, the resort and the park are accessible in which you can even rent wheelchairs. (While Hong Kong is progressive and cosmopolitan by being composed of diverse cultures and ex-pat communities, accessibility is actually a rarity in Asia as many places are not very wheelchair-friendly yet. So thank you, Disney enchantment, for including everyone who's coming to see their loved ones get married!).
Editor's Tip: I highly recommend using the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) during your stay. The train system stretches all over Hong Kong and makes traveling within the area very easy for out-of-towners, especially those who might be visiting Asia for the first time. All signs are in English and Chinese, so understanding directions will not be a problem. Learn the phrase "m̀hgòi" [pronounced mm-goi] right away as this means "thank you" in Cantonese! (However, if you're more familiar with "xiè xie" [pronounced sheay-sheay] in Mandarin, locals will still understand you and appreciate the effort.)
For about $11 USD, you can hop on the train at the airport, connect to the dedicated Disneyland Resort line at Sunny Bay Station, and arrive immediately in front of the park entrance. To get to your hotel, there are courtesy resort shuttle buses at the station. Every Disney cast member we bumped into at the station knew English (and wanted to practice their English!) so we found the correct buses easily on our day visit.
Diverse Backdrops for I Do's
From the White Gazebo to the Dreamer's Garden to the West Lawn, there are different looks for different styles at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. For a classic romantic couple, the Gazebo boasts a picturesque garden view, but there are also two adorable hearts embedded in the concrete where vows are exchanged. For a couple who wants a more secluded and private ceremony, the Dreamers' Garden can provide a sweet area lined in greenery while also being located right next to the ballrooms. And for the couple envisioning something completely custom and personalized, the West Lawn overlooking the South China Sea shares its blank canvas for any kind of gorgeous ceremony design and layout. (Our personal location favorite is the White Gazebo, of course, because to enter the area, you and your loved ones have to walk through a heart-shaped topiary arch which makes for the cutest photos!)
No matter which backdrop you choose, there are several subtle architectural details that will make you smile if you look carefully around you. In homage to Chinese culture, the Imagineers designed the park and the hotels with feng shui in mind. From the 1,288 crystal lotus decorations throughout the Crystal Lotus in-hotel restaurant to the position of the gardens and paths, harmony is all around you... which is the best kind of vibes for a wedding day! And of course, it would not be a Disney experience without the hidden Mickeys woven throughout the properties. (Hint: Pay attention to the metal scrollwork throughout this timeless hotel's Victorian-inspired interior!)
Royalty, Fantasy, or Fun Wedding Themes
No matter what your dream fairy tale is, Disney can make it happen even halfway across the world. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort's destination wedding packages touch on everything you could ever want when it comes to a uniquely magical experience in Asia. Their reception packages can include anything from a western or Chinese menu, Disney-themed decor, fresh floral centerpieces, dedicated in-house Bridal Assistant, Disney character visits, professional lighting and audio, and more. One of our favorite details that we have never seen before? If you're having a small, intimate wedding, you can even ask for an epic Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings 5-tier faux wedding cake just for photos! Because yes, please and thank you, be still our extra hearts!
For a wedding dinner banquet ballroom reception, pricing varies and is charged based on a table of 12 people. It starts at around $325 USD, but the wedding team at Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings can accommodate any budget or vision. Since most destination weddings tend to be intimate in size, there are also non-ballroom banquet options available (like the on-site restaurants) that can be considered for your event. Unlike a lot of Virginia wedding venues, all packages are separate from one another, so you can book ceremony, photography, and reception individually for a completely custom experience.
To make planning stress-free, there are four general themes from which to start building your Disney wedding: Mickey & Minnie, Cinderella, Royal Wedding, or Touch of Fantasy. You can guess the vibes for each one just by their names! For couples who were raised on Disney romance, Cinderella is inspired by all things love and fairy tales including glass slipper centerpieces and whimsical lighting. If you cannot get enough cuteness from Disney, Mickey & Minnie's theme is adorably playful in red and gold Chinese traditional chic with iconic mouse outlines in signage and decor. The Touch of Fantasy theme weaves favorites from multiple inspiration sources with above-and-beyond creative ideas like a personalized LED backdrop and star-shaped scatter lighting. Literally anything is possible, and it lives up to ultimate magic goals when it comes to the Disney brand.
Editor's Experience: I'm a diehard Disney fan, Belle is my spirit animal, and any Disney park is my happy place. With that said, my everyday style does not lean towards the overtly Disney; I'm in love with the subtle. Envision Beauty and the Beast quotes on cuff bracelets and the concept behind Disneybounding -- that's my personal Disney jam. (P.S. This is hilarious because my childhood best friend practically breathes Mickey shapes so we have a fun time chatting Disney!).
So when I asked the Fairy Tale Weddings team if they could accommodate for those who want the nostalgia of Disney magic without character design, they said, "Absolutely!" From lighting to linens to menus, everything is tailored to your own Disney style. So brides or grooms, if you're like me, there are theme options for you, too! They start with the above relatable themes, but then allow you to customize into something that no one else has had before. "A dream is a wish your heart makes" is 100% relevant in this case.
Exclusive Disney Park Access for Portraits
You can't not jump continents and not get wedding photos in the Hong Kong Disneyland park! That'd be a tragedy! And the only way to have special access to these kinds of photos is to book your wedding through Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, so you know you'll have one-of-a-kind memories to share with your loved ones. While impromptu casual photos can be taken all over the park with your Fairy Tale photographer, the exclusive locations that the wedding team will arrange for you are Fantasyland, Toy Story Land, and Mystic Point. You won't have to worry about other park guests photobombing your moments because these portrait locations are planned and sectioned off for you and your sweetie within a specific timeframe. That perk alone is worth the trip for any avid Disney fan!
Some fun treats in the photography packages are lunch and dinner dates at restaurants in the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, free use of Disney's PhotoPass app, general 1-day admission tickets for two, and even bridal accessories should you forget yours at home. Let them treat you like royalty because it's all part of getting married in Hong Kong!
For more photo inspiration, information, and swoon moments, head over to the Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings at Hong Kong Disneyland website. Whether it's your first adventure to the East or a repeat passport stamp in your book, this place is a perfect marriage of cultures meant for happily ever afters.
- Chelsea
Disclosure: Many thanks to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort for hosting Tidewater and Tulle! And while the disclaimer is that we were given a fab personalized tour to experience the Disney magic in Hong Kong, these words, video, and our love for the brand are all our own. Some of the above product links are affiliate-linked and purchasing through these links helps support Tidewater and Tulle and its wonderful partners! You can find our full disclosure policy here.
PHOTO CREDITS
All photos taken by Chelsea LaVere except wedding couple imagery which were provided by Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings.
