Hong Kong Disneyland marks 20th anniversary with charity donations and ticket giveaways
Resort is transforming paediatric clinics at eight of city’s public hospitals into colourful play areas to lift spirits of child patients
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which marked its 20th anniversary this summer, launched its year-long celebrations, “The Most Magical Party of All”, in June with the largest ever “Friendtastic!” parade in the park’s history, the anniversary-only show “Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle!” and its grandest nighttime spectacular “Momentous: Party in the Night Sky”.
However, the resort’s spectacular outdoor line-up of entertainment formed only part of year-long festivities, which also include many community initiatives and activities that reinforce its continuing support since its 2005 opening for hospitals, non-governmental organisations and charities.
One such event, held on a Saturday saw the usually quiet rooms and corridors at Tuen Mun Hospital’s Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Specialist Out-patient Clinic in Hong Kong’s New Territories host a children’s party where the iconic Disney characters of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse posed for photos while mingling with the young patients.
The “PlayWell with Disney 20th Anniversary Magical Party”, which was attended by Michael Moriarty, managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland, also featured Disney party hosts singing 20th anniversary theme songs as the guests clapped along, a magician performing impressive tricks, and a selection of game booths, while numerous Disney “VoluntEars” – comprising cast members – interacted with the children.
Moriarty said: “In collaboration with the Hospital Authority and dedicated medical staff, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has been supporting child patients for 20 years. We are pleased to say that, over time, we have brought joy to over a thousand child patients in hospitals throughout the city.”
All of the children invited to the party are living with chronic or long-term illnesses, which means they often need to visit the hospital for time-consuming procedures such as blood tests.
“Most of my patients have congenital anaemia or other blood-related conditions,” Dr Rever Li Chak-ho, deputy hospital chief executive of Tuen Mun Hospital, says.
“They need to come back for follow-up visits every two or three months, and each time they have to get their blood drawn. It can hurt a little, and they never know if they’ll need an injection that day.
“We understand that coming to the doctor can be worrying for them. That’s why we really want children not just to receive treatment, but also to feel less stressed and even enjoy the experience when they come here.”
As part of its 20th anniversary pledge, Hong Kong Disneyland is donating more than HK$5 million (US$640,000) to support the community this year. More than half of the funds will be used to improve the in-hospital experiences of child patients at eight of the city’s public hospitals.
To brighten up the clinic’s environment, Hong Kong Disneyland transformed the interior into a vibrant play area by creating colourful murals on the walls featuring numerous popular Disney characters and adding a large-screen mobile cinema, which continuously plays classic Disney films to entertain the young patients as they wait to see the doctor.
Henry Fan, chairman of the Hospital Authority, praised the resort during the party for helping to create a child-friendly environment at the clinic that provided uplifting and magical Disney moments for young patients and their parents.
“I believe children who come for follow-up consultations, as well as the families who accompany them, will be provided with an enhanced waiting experience with the new child-friendly atmosphere,” he said.
“We would like to thank Hong Kong Disneyland for their support and donation for letting our patient-centric initiatives come true.”
Twelve-year-old An-yu, who has lived with anaemia since early childhood, is one of the beneficiaries of the effort.
“Every few months when I come to Tuen Mun Hospital for check-ups, I feel nervous,” she says. “But now, with Mickey and Minnie and all the Disney characters around me, it feels like my childhood friends are right here, giving me comfort. Hospital visits have become far less scary and much more enjoyable.”
Li says Hong Kong Disneyland’s support has made the clinic a happier, more comfortable environment for child patients and their families during their visits. “The atmosphere in the clinic has changed completely,” she says. “Children and families can now relax while they are waiting to see medical staff; some even dance and sing along to songs of the Disney films that are being shown. It’s an incredible boost to their emotional well-being.”
Another young patient, Tsz-huen, 11, says the clinic’s colourful murals provide more than just decoration by helping to lift the spirits of children during visits. “My favourite character is Joy from Inside Out,” she says, pointing to the character on the wall.
“Joy is always cheerful and positive, which reminds me to stay optimistic – even when things get tough.”
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Disney VoluntEars hosted another party on August 21 for young patients and their families at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital in Kowloon City.
Cast members gave a performance while the children dressed up as Disney princes and princesses and enjoyed the royal-themed Disney party. Game booths, including one that allowed the youngsters to make their own bracelets, were also set up in the hospital lobby.
The resort has also specially designed and distributed Chinese-language Disney Princess booklets, including activities such as colouring and paper cutting, which were distributed at the party. It plans to give them to more children at other “PlayWell with Disney” initiatives.
Angelina Cheung, Hong Kong’s commissioner for tourism, was joined at the party by executives from Hong Kong Disneyland’s leadership team, including Tim Sypko, the senior vice-president for operations, and Lesz Banham, the vice-president and chief financial officer.
Beyond the city’s hospitals, Hong Kong Disneyland is allocating the remaining funds from this year’s anniversary community donation to youth empowerment and creative initiatives in the city. These programmes include the dynamic “Hong Kong Disneyland Dance-off Party”, which is being carried out in collaboration with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups – a group dance competition for teenagers and young adults aged 16 to 24.
Teams of two to eight participants can sign up by registering and submitting a one-minute video online showing their dance skills. After the preliminary rounds, six teams will be chosen to compete at the grand finale held on the Tomorrowland stage at the resort on October 18.
Hong Kong Disneyland is also working with the Federation of Youth Groups, the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong and the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong in running dance workshops to help foster young talent and inspire the city’s next generation of art and design creatives.
It has already organised one dance workshop for youngsters during the “Hong Kong Disneyland Magical Junior Dance Party” held at the resort, where Disney VoluntEars taught the children dance moves to two original theme songs, “I Got You” and “Friends Forever”, which were created for the 20th anniversary.
In addition, the resort will provide funding to help the Federation of Youth Groups set up a professional dance studio in Tin Shui Wai for young people wanting to pursue their love of dance.
The company is also donating 200,000 theme park tickets this year through its “Gift of Happiness” programme, which will go to children, youths, seniors, the underprivileged, newly arrived families, members of ethnic minority groups, individuals with disabilities, patients and special schools. The scheme is well supported locally, with over 500 applications for tickets received from local NGOs and organisations.
Over the past 20 years, Hong Kong Disneyland has become part of the city’s social fabric and brought joy and happiness to many people. In 2018, it introduced its “Dress Well” project to provide specially designed hospital gowns featuring Disney characters to help make medical visits for children feel less daunting.
Last year it donated more than 6,000 Disney-themed “Hospital Care Packages” for children staying in hospitals, which contained items including stress balls and stationery.
These different initiatives are part of the company’s continuing commitment to providing local community service. Since 2008, the resort has worked with the local charity Make-A-Wish Hong Kong to fulfil more than 340 wishes for children battling serious illnesses. This long-term collaboration has provided unforgettable experiences and helped to lift the spirits of these sick children.
Disney VoluntEars – cast members who have together contributed nearly 123,000 volunteer hours to local causes over the past two decades – are at the heart of the company’s community efforts.
Anita Lai, Hong Kong Disneyland’s vice-president of communications and public affairs, says the staff’s continuing support and dedication embody its unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of Hong Kong’s community.
“Our aim has always been to spread happiness and create meaningful memories – not just inside the resort, but throughout Hong Kong,” she says.
“Celebrating 20 years reminds us of our journey so far and deepens our dedication to supporting our community, bringing comfort, joy and inspiration to those who need it most.”
The resort has also played an important role in helping to promote the success of Hong Kong as both a regional and global travel destination, Lai says. “Other than supporting the community’s development for 20 years, Hong Kong Disneyland has made a positive impact on the city’s tourism and economy as a flagship entertainment destination,” she says.
“We continue to work hand in hand with the Hong Kong government, Hong Kong Tourism Board and industry partners to promote the city as a must-see destination and Hong Kong Disneyland as the premium resort in the region. Our future is limitless, and we cannot wait to write many more chapters in Hong Kong.”