There are many reasons to go to Hong Kong Disneyland, but their newest attraction, the Paint the Night Parade, is the most compelling yet. I don’t generally watch the parades when I’m in the parks, except an initial viewing, just to make sure I’m not missing anything. The only parade I make an effort to watch every time I can is the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, which is my favorite. Or was, that is, until my Thanksgiving visit to Hong Kong Disneyland.
Hong Kong Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle at Night with Tinker Bell flying by
I’d heard about the parade a few months ago (it had been in development for over two years) and it was a big part of the reason for my Thanksgiving trip. I’d heard there was going to be a new night parade at Hong Kong Disneyland and that it would be interactive. Paint the Night was everything I’d heard about and more. The first night, I was jet-lagged, but there was no way I wasn’t going to stay up to see the parade, with just two nights available. I had dinner at the Explorers Club, because there was a Paint the Night dinner set that included dinner for 2, a Mickey Magic Paint Brush and either a Mickey Glow Mitt or Minnie Glow Bow (I opted for the Glow Bow). As with the Glow with the Show Mickey Ears at Disneyland, the Glow Mitt and Glow Bow respond to signals in the parade, making viewers a part of the show.
Mickey Magic Paint Brushes at Hong Kong Disneyland
Children Paint the Night with their Mickey Magic Paint Brushes while waiting for the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
On the advice of my friend, Derrick, I waited in front of the Plaza Restaurant for an optimal experience. There are seven floats in the parade, combining Disney and Pixar characters, in an all LED light show, with over 740,000 individual lights. The first float is Tinker Bell, floating in a swirl of pixie dust.
Tinker Bell in a Swirl of Pixie Dust in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Tinker Bell in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Her Fiber Fairies dance around her and, when the parade stops, the Paint the Night paintbrushes come into play. Parade viewers can point their paintbrushes at the Fiber Fairies and change the color of their costumes! They can also change the color of other paintbrushes, which can make the time waiting for the parade go by a little more quickly. I took great pleasure in changing the paintbrushes of everyone around me to purple, cast members and guests alike.
Tinker Bell and her Fiber Fairies in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Children Painting the Fiber Fairies in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
My Purple Hong Kong Disneyland Mickey Magic Paint Brush
The Monsters, Inc., Scare Floor float follows Tink, with a series of doors that open and close in a light show that contains surprise guests. Sulley drives the float and Mike brings up the rear. I didn’t get a picture of her, but I did spy Boo at one point, which made my night. I did catch George, though.
Sulley on the Monsters, Inc. Float in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Mike and Scare Floor Doors on the Monsters, Inc. float in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
George in the Monsters, Inc. Float in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Next up is Lightning McQueen, leading Mack, who carries DJ. Mack’s sides perform a light show for viewers. The Cars Crew dance team have programmed costumes and the headlights on their costumes make them look like cars driving at night.
Lightning McQueen in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Mack in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Close-up of Mack in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Mack Light Show in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
DJ Rocking Mack in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
DJ riding Mack in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
The Little Mermaid float is next and is also interactive. We dive under the sea with King Triton and Ariel, who has a live mic and talks to viewers as she floats by. Flounder and Sebastian are floating along with Ariel and King Triton and, as the float passes by, fish swim after it playfully.
Little Mermaid Float with Dancing Coral in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Little Mermaid and Friends in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Little Mermaid Chatting to Guests during the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Under the Sea Float in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
As beautiful as the parade has been so far, nothing compares to what comes next. First a series of dancers, dressed in period costumes reminiscent of the Enlightenment with huge bouffant wigs that carry candelabra. Belle appears, then, standing before a tapestry of light that flickers from image to image, telling her story. The tail of the float is a series of four candelabra, accompanied by dancing swans with beautiful fiber optic eyelashes, and followed by Rose Goddesses – stilt walkers with rose headpieces over a long green stem.
Dancing Candelabra in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Belle Greeting Guests in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Belle and Rose in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Belle and Rose Close-up in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Beauty and the Beast Float in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Beauty and the Beast Kiss in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Candelabra in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Fiber Optic Eyelashes on Swans in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
The parade moves from the romantic to the playful with Slinky Dog romping on a Lite Brite, ridden by Woody and Buzz. Luxo Balls follow, rolling from side to side of the route.
Toy Story Float in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Slinky Dog Sees Me during the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Slinky Dog watching me during the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Slinky Dog in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Luxo Ball in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
And of course, the grand finale is comprised of classic characters. Doodle-bug type mini floats dance past carrying Goofy, Donald and Minnie. Sorcerer Mickey rides a wave of light high above us, followed by a swirling, twirling, ribbon of light that twists in and around creating a mesmerizing effect – my favorite part of the parade!
Donald riding a Doodle Bug in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Minnie riding a Doodle Bug in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Minnie’s Doodle Bug turned pink during the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Mickey Waving Good Night in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Mickey Waving Good bye in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Sorcerer Mickey in the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
The final float of the Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
If I could, I would personally thank the 80+ cast members who make this parade such a joy to watch every night. The second night I watched from Main Street, near the Christmas tree, waiting an hour and a half to make sure I had a good spot to watch Ariel interact with the views. Unfortunately, the park was very crowded and the parade did not make its second stop. Another parade-watching tip is to cross Main Street as soon as the parade passes the hub and work your way down to Town Square to watch the parade one more time as it goes backstage. I absolutely love this parade and will do everything I can to get back to Hong Kong to watch it again!
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