CNY Eve and Day 1 - Disney, The Peak, Ocean Park, Macau

Question

Hi,

My family (2 adults, a 14yo and a 7yo) will be in HK from 25 Jan (Saturday) to 30 Jan (day 2 of CNY). This will be our first time in HK during CNY and would like to check if anyone is able to help with the following on which day is least crowded to visit:

1. Disneyland HK - 27 Jan (Mon), 28 Jan (CNY Eve) or 29 Jan (day 1)?

2. The Peak - 25 Jan (Sat) or 26 Jan (Sun)?

3. Ocean Park - 26 Jan (Sun) or 29 Jan (day 1)?

4. Day trip to Macau - which is a good day to go? Will restaurants be open on 29 Jan (day 1)?

5. Will City Gate outlet mall be open in Tung Chung on 29 Jan (day 1)?

Thank you.

Answer

Visiting Hong Kong during Chinese New Year (CNY) is an exciting experience, but it also means crowds and higher demand at popular attractions. Here is a detailed guide for your planned dates:

1. Hong Kong Disneyland:

27 Jan (Monday) – The day before CNY Eve: Likely the least crowded of your options, as it is a weekday and before the main holiday begins.
28 Jan (CNY Eve) – Expect high crowds. Many locals and tourists visit on the eve to start celebrations.
29 Jan (CNY Day 1) – Extremely crowded. This is the first day of CNY, a major public holiday, so queues and crowd density will be at peak.

Recommendation: Visit on 27 Jan to avoid the heaviest crowds.

2. The Peak:

25 Jan (Saturday) – Busy weekend, but less crowded than the following Sunday, as CNY is approaching and people begin traveling.
26 Jan (Sunday) – Likely more crowded, as locals often take the weekend before CNY for leisure outings.

Recommendation: Go on 25 Jan for a more relaxed experience.

3. Ocean Park:

26 Jan (Sunday) – Busy weekend, but still manageable.
29 Jan (CNY Day 1) – Very crowded, similar to Disneyland. Long queues expected for rides and attractions.

Recommendation: Visit on 26 Jan rather than on the first day of CNY.

4. Day trip to Macau:

29 Jan (CNY Day 1) – Restaurants, attractions, and casinos are generally open, but expect heavy crowds as locals and tourists travel for the holiday.
Other days – Less crowded, but may conflict with other plans.

Recommendation: If you can handle crowds, 29 Jan is feasible for Macau. If you prefer a quieter day, consider 27 Jan or 28 Jan instead.

5. Citygate Outlets, Tung Chung:

29 Jan (CNY Day 1) – Citygate Outlets usually remain open during CNY, but hours may be reduced. Expect more local shoppers taking advantage of the holiday.

General Tips:

Start early in the morning for any attraction to beat peak crowds.
Use public transport like MTR to avoid traffic congestion; taxis can be difficult to find during CNY.
Consider booking tickets online where possible to skip entry queues.
Be prepared for longer waiting times at restaurants, especially in Macau and popular districts in HK.

In summary, your least crowded days for major attractions are: