Disney Debuts ‘Moana’ Replacement After Axing 20-Year Old Fixture

For Disney, anniversaries often serve as turning points. They are moments to both reflect on the past and showcase what comes next. As Hong Kong Disneyland reaches its 20th anniversary this week, the park is doing exactly that — blending nostalgia with renewal.

The resort, which debuted in 2005 as Disney’s first foothold in China, has always balanced tradition and transformation. Early years leaned heavily on recreating beloved experiences from California and Florida, but recent expansions have shifted the focus toward stories that speak directly to contemporary audiences.

These shifts have not been subtle. In recent years, guests have watched as the once-familiar landscape of Hong Kong Disneyland has gained bold new anchors. World of Frozen (soon to also open at Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris) became the park’s most-hyped land. Marvel has turned Tomorrowland into a stage for Iron Man and Ant-Man. And now, Adventureland has received a distinctly Polynesian influence.

Goodbye to an Opening Day Staple

Tahitian Terrace, a tropical eatery that greeted visitors from opening day, closed this week. For many, it represented a quieter corner of the park, a place where the lush setting matched the escapist tone of Adventureland. Yet two decades later, Disney executives opted to reimagine the space for a modern audience.

In its place stands Wayfinders’ Table, a new restaurant inspired by Moana (2016). Debuting less than a year after the release of Moana 2 (2024), the choice connects Hong Kong Disneyland’s Adventureland more directly to a story of exploration and discovery — one already familiar to fans who attend Moana: A Homecoming Celebration, the live show that has played nearby since 2018.

Wayfinders’ Table ties dining into Moana’s themes of voyaging and community. The menu nods to international flavors with roasted chicken legs, prawn curry, kofta and lentil masala. A standout is Explore the Ocean, a dessert of banana coconut fritters arranged on a boat that resembles the one Moana sails in the film.

「Wayfinders' Table」一部の内容が公開！

9/12リニューアルオープン⛵️#HKDL_food#HKDL https://t.co/rJeVWTk552 pic.twitter.com/4YXhUFNNEp

— Emporium HKDL情報🏰✨ (@hk_emporium) September 11, 2025

The addition reflects Disney’s broader Moana strategy. At EPCOT in Florida, the walk-through attraction Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, has become a centerpiece of the park. Parades and stage shows across Paris, Tokyo, and California have all brought the character into seasonal celebrations.

The timing is deliberate. Launching during the park’s 20th anniversary celebrations, Wayfinders’ Table signals more than a menu change — it underscores Hong Kong Disneyland’s evolution. Instead of relying solely on nostalgia, the park is choosing to position itself for the future.

Take a closer look at what lies beyond at Wayfinders’ Table, now open at Hong Kong Disneyland! 🍽️🌊

Take a closer look at what lies beyond at Wayfinders’ Table, now open at Hong Kong Disneyland! 🍽️🌊 https://t.co/we4AcLVB4i pic.twitter.com/kHWicgeLAN

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 12, 2025

 

This milestone also comes as the resort emerges from years of pandemic-related challenges. Like many global Disney parks, Hong Kong Disneyland faced prolonged closures and attendance restrictions. Only recently has it returned to profitability, driven in part by new attractions and the growing demand (in Disney’s eyes, at least) for immersive, IP-driven experiences.

The anniversary celebrations have not stopped with Moana. The resort also unveiled fresh previews of upcoming projects inspired by Pixar and Marvel Studios, ensuring that its next chapter will continue to expand beyond its opening day blueprint.

Would you like to see more Moana at Disney parks?