2020 has been a hard year for Hong Kong Disneyland, with not one but two shutdowns related to COVID-19 earlier this year. And now it has been announced that Hong Kong Disneyland will be forced to close its gates due to rising COVID-19 infections in the region. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam said during a press conference today that all theme parks must be closed  for two weeks beginning this Wednesday December 2, until December 15. Disney has not released a statement about the closure yet, but we expect they will in the near future. 

This is now the third time Hong Kong Disneyland has been forced to close, as it first shut down from January 25th through June 18th, and then again from July 15th through September 25th. The park joins Disneyland Resort in California and Disneyland Paris, which are also closed due to local restrictions. Around the world, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Shanghai Disneyland are the only Disney resorts currently operating.

Of course, the timing couldn't be worse for Hong Kong Disneyland, as the park officially debuted its new icon, the Castle of Magical Dreams, just a little over a week ago on November 21. You can read more about this impressive new castle, which is inspired by the stories of beloved Disney Princesses heroes here.