Disney Imaginations Hong Kong Design Competition 2025 welcomes global talent in milestone year

Creativity is soaring to new heights as Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) announced the winners of the Disney Imaginations Hong Kong Design Competition 2025. For the first time, the competition welcomed participants from international universities, underscoring HKDL’s commitment to nurturing talent across borders and elevating global creativity.

The event, celebrating its 12th anniversary, attracted an impressive 200 teams and over 640 participants. This year marked a milestone with applications from prestigious institutions such as the University of Toronto and Goldsmiths, University of London, alongside local universities and those from the Greater Bay Area. Eight teams were selected as finalists, with their presentations judged by a panel of executives and Imagineers from HKDL.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, praised the program’s vision. “Disney Imaginations Hong Kong Design Competition is now one of the best-known youth creative competitions in Hong Kong, providing an amazing platform for youngsters with different geographical, education and professional backgrounds to showcase their technical, artistic and creative expertise.

The government aspires to encourage and support our younger generation to seize opportunities and to shine bright in the creative industries, bringing the integration of arts, culture, sports, creativity, tourism and entertainment in Hong Kong.”

This year’s hypothetical challenge tasked participants with envisioning life in the year 2124, creating engaging and educational experiences to address global issues. Finalists delivered bold solutions tackling problems like ocean destruction, pollution, and magnetic field disruptions. Their forward-thinking designs impressed the judges and highlighted the competition’s focus on combining creativity with real-world impact.
The winning team, E13, dazzled with their immersive storytelling and visionary design. As champions, they won a cash prize, an exclusive visit to another Disney park, and a coveted three-month internship at Walt Disney Imagineering Hong Kong. This hands-on experience provides them with the ultimate opportunity to jumpstart their careers in creative design and innovation.

 “We never expected to win, as the other entries were outstanding,” E13 shared. They joined the competition to unleash their creativity and seize a valuable hands-on opportunity. Together, the four members from two schools combined their skills to successfully build an eco-friendly ‘spacecraft’ concept.

“Storytelling has the magical power to connect us all,” said Michael Moriarty, managing director, HKDL. “This competition provides young talent with a platform to express their creativity while learning from top industry professionals. By welcoming participants from international universities this year, we’ve taken creativity to the next level.”

The competition’s legacy is evident in its lasting impact. Many past winners have gone on to become Disney Imagineers or theme park designers, with ten alumni contributing to landmark HKDL projects like World of Frozen and Castle of Magical Dreams. Their contributions underscore the program’s role in shaping future creative visionaries.

Jo Phoa, director of creative development of HKDL, explained, “This year marks HKDL’s 20th anniversary, with a variety of new activities planned. The winners will gain hands-on experience across projects and locations, supported by workshops to enhance their skills. The internship will cover multiple departments, not just engineering, to broaden their expertise.”

First launched in the United States in 1991 by Walt Disney Imagineering, the Imaginations Design Competition expanded to Hong Kong in 2011, making HKDL the first international site to host the event. Now known as the Disney Imaginations Hong Kong Design Competition, it continues to inspire participants to blend technical, artistic, and creative skills in crafting immersive concepts.

The competition is part of Disney Future Storytellers, an initiative that inspires the next generation of storytellers and innovators. Through programs that provide hands-on experience, it inspires youth to dream about their future, build their talents and skills, and become who they imagine they can be.

With the success of this year’s competition, HKDL remains a beacon for nurturing creativity, innovation, and global talent, paving the way for the next wave of storytellers and visionaries.