The power of inclusivity at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Accessible for guests with mobility, cognitive, visual and hearing limitations, Hong Kong’s iconic theme park steps up to lead  inclusivity and diversity initiatives in its shows and at the workplace

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) launched a new multimedia nighttime spectacular “Momentous” in mid-Jun this year, which won acclaim for its unprecedented storytelling experience.

The magical experience not only takes guests on an odyssey of life’s most cherished moments, but more importantly, it is accessible to guests with different abilities, including wheelchairs guests, which showcases Disney’s values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Hong Kong Disneyland is no stranger to inclusion, with its cast members alone comprising 34 nationalities and speaking 24 languages. “Inclusion is a journey in which you work with humility every day,” describes Alex Clifton, Executive Director, Entertainment & Costuming, HKDL.

“Disney has the responsibility to take the lead in diversifying our entertainment offerings to include everyone in the magical Disney experience because we are the global leader of entertainment,” he said.

As is the case everywhere in the world, HKDL is in the growing stage of inclusive entertainment and is working with different partners on its journey. “We listen and collaborate with partners to learn and grow with them,” Clifton said.

Innovative and inspiring entertainment for all

The groundbreaking “Let’s Get Wicked!” Halloween show is the first live theater show to fully integrate sign language into the body movements of performers. Performers were specially trained by the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK) for six weeks.

The live musical “Mickey and the Wondrous Book” will offer in-park “Theatrical Interpretation” services from Nov, with two professional sign language interpreters referred by ADAHK to sign the storyline of the entire 30-minute show on the side at the front of the theater stage for guests with hearing disabilities. Two such shows will be presented each month, with one weekday show and one weekend show.

Currently, free sign language interpretation for some of the lives shows is available upon request (made seven days in advance), such as “Festival of Lion King” and at the attraction “Jungle River Cruise.”

HKDL will continue to enhance its storytelling to extend the magic to people with different backgrounds and abilities. More offerings will be designed with accessibility for the disabled in mind.

HKDL also places great emphasis on innovation through collaboration with different partners. Last year HKDL successfully presented the first-ever live orchestra performance, “A Magical Nighttime Symphony” by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in front of the Castle of Magical Dreams. This Christmas season, the magic and the music will hit a high note at the resort. For three consecutive Fridays and Saturdays from Nov 25 to Dec 10, celebrations at the Castle of Magical Dreams will feature renowned musicians performing three different styles of music respectively at the all-new “Disney Live in Concert!” holiday music celebration, including classical music, jazz and musical!

Fostering inclusion in the community

Equal opportunities is another area through which HKDL continuously strives to extend its magic not only to guests, but also to the community.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which is on Dec 3. HKDL will hold a celebratory event on IDPD together with key community partners devoted to promoting disability inclusion and improving the lives of people with different abilities.

The spirit of inclusion also shines at Christmas during its Community’s Got Talent, in which over 1,800 differently abled people, including young cancer patients, students with visual disabilities, speech impairments or special education needs, as well as underprivileged students and senior citizens, have been taken part over the past years.

Charity begins at home

HKDL has been hiring people with disabilities through “Disney Side-by-Side Journey,” an equal employment opportunities program that partners with over 30 non-governmental organizations. Since 2007, the program has provided employment opportunities for over 230 physically or mentally impaired individuals, fostering an inclusive culture at the workplace.

Meanwhile, the “Barrier-Free Ambassador Training Program,” launched in 2021, is a partnership with the Federation of Handicapped Youth and offers workshops to help cast members put themselves in the shoes of people with disabilities to better understand their needs and feelings. It equips cast members with a barrier-free mindset, enabling them to enhance guest experience for people with special needs.

During the pandemic, Disney employees and cast members volunteering with the Disney VoluntEARs team also initiated community projects to light up faces with smiles.

One such project was a collaboration with the Neighbourhood Advice Action Council and the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong to support over 2,000 local ethnic minority families by delivering essentials during challenging times.

They also joined hands with Foodlink Foundation, a local charity dedicated to reducing hunger and food waste, with project “Disney Meal Box Express” to donate food to underprivileged communities. More than 260,000 healthy and freshly-cooked meal boxes have been handed out since 2014.

Spearheading Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Art Accessibility

HKDL has added inclusion into its core values since 2021, focusing on Five Keys – safety, courtesy, show, efficiency and inclusion. “Inclusion is the key ring that holds the other four rings together,” described Clifton.

“This is a bold responsibility for us as every dollar we invest, it will be invested in inclusion,” he stated. “We have to live up to Walt Disney’s promise to provide a uniquely accessible and welcoming environment for all guests.”

According to Clifton, inclusion and diversity mean more than just producing shows and entertainment for all guests with different abilities; it also requires solving challenges, identifying solutions, building infrastructure and enacting policies to make solid changes.

For instance, at HKDL, an Inclusion Advisory Council has been established for cast members from across 34 nationalities to voice their opinions.

To stress the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and arts accessibility, HKDL is focusing on four areas (C.A.R.E):

COMMITMENT: As part of its commitment to DEI, it aims to make its entertainment and park offerings accessible to all guests.

ADVANCEMENT: Building on HKDL’s strengths and successful entertainment offerings, the resort will continue to enhance park experiences for persons with disabilities.

RESPECT: It will treat everyone with respect and try to understand the needs of persons with different types of disabilities.

EDUCATION: It aims to position HKDL as a hub for arts accessibility by promoting public awareness about its DEI efforts by and for persons with disabilities.