A Disney resort canceled its nightly fireworks show and offered thousands of guests refunds and alternate ticket options after a massive incident in Hong Kong claimed 128 lives, a rare step by Disney that underscores the gravity of the tragedy for the city.
The November 26 apartment fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court complex quickly became one of the deadliest residential blazes in Hong Kong’s recent history. In the aftermath, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued condolences to the victims’ families and those affected.
At the park, guests could feel that something was off, but few initially knew why. What could silence the grand finale of Disney’s spectacular fireworks show?
Hong Kong’s Disney Resort Cancels Event As 128 Die And Hundreds Are Missing In Major Disaster
It was just about a week back that Disney’s announcement of “Dynamic Pricing” at its theme parks in the U.S. drew strong reactions from all quarters.
No one knew then, but a week later, something much more relevant and consequential, affecting human lives, would hit one of Disney’s theme parks on the other side of the world.
The fire in seven buildings at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court complex happened nearly 20 miles from Hong Kong Disneyland, yet its emotional shock spread far beyond the fire’s location — touching visitors and staff alike.
Disney’s Actions After The Fire
The death toll from the massive fire at a Hong Kong apartment complex climbed to 128 as of Friday, while search and rescue teams continued looking for roughly 279 people still reported missing.
In the wake of the tragedy and out of respect for the hundreds affected, Disney canceled multiple scheduled programs.
- Canceled a scheduled appearance by actor Joey Yung at the “Zootopia 2 Selected Magic Access Members Special Screening.”
- Canceled “the evening Gala Premiere” at Hong Kong Disneyland on 27 November.
- Canceled its nightly fireworks show and offered thousands of guests refunds and alternate ticket options
In an unprecedented move, Disney offered guests with valid tickets who entered the park that day a rare perk: a return visit within six months with a reservation.
The homepage and social media profiles for Hong Kong Disneyland were changed to a black-and-white color scheme to express mourning for the tragedy.
Hong Kong Disneyland Announcements
Hong Kong Disneyland said on Instagram that “follow-up arrangements” for the film’s screening would be announced soon, according to Entertainment Weekly.
“Guests who entered the park today with a valid ticket may use the original ticket for a revisit on another day within six months from the day of entry,” it said.
Canceling “Momentous: Party in the Night Sky”
Far beyond a standard fireworks show, “Momentous: Party in the Night Sky” blends projection mapping, choreographed music, and a cutting-edge drone element.
Recently updated for Hong Kong Disneyland’s 20th anniversary, the nighttime spectacular fireworks display is a standout for many visitors, especially those traveling from abroad.
The cancellation is not just about a missing performance; it reflects a collective moment of mourning.
The Deadliest Fire In Hong Kong For Nearly 80 Years
Police believe substandard renovation materials may have fueled the blaze, noting that contractors used mesh that failed to meet standards and installed large amounts of Styrofoam in windows and exterior walls, which acted as accelerants once the fire started.
Also, the entire building was encased in bamboo scaffolding and green netting, as seen in the image below (taken a day before the fire).
Authorities have placed two Prestige Construction directors and an engineering consultant under manslaughter suspicion, alleging the company used unsafe materials and acted with “gross negligence.”
Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung announced the death toll on Friday but warned that more bodies may still be found.
Hong Kong leader John Lee said during a press briefing on Thursday, “The fire has resulted in many casualties, including a fireman who died in the line of duty,” Lee said in an earlier statement posted to social media. “I express my deep sadness and my deep condolences to the families of the dead and the injured.”
The gravity of the incident brought Chinese President Xi Jinping to express his condolences and sympathies to the victims’ families and those affected in a statement.
His instruction to authorities was to “do everything possible to ensure search and rescue operations, medical treatment for the injured, and post-disaster relief, and to provide necessary assistance to relevant departments and local authorities to minimize casualties and losses.”
Besides the catastrophic number of fatalities and missing persons, the blaze also forced some 900 of the housing complex’s 4,800 residents to move to temporary shelters.
More than 140 fire engines, over 800 firefighters, and paramedics were deployed, with drones supporting the massive response.
