Some of the best Disney Park attractions come in the form of live performances over rides, and one of Disney’s upcoming entertainment offerings is sure to impress!
Much like rides, Disney’s live entertainment can immerse Guests into all kinds of stories while showcasing a totally unique performance. Shows can range from nighttime fireworks spectaculars like Disney Enchantment (or soon, Happily Ever After) in the Magic Kingdom, dinner shows like the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, or classic stage shows and parades.
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New experiences are arriving at several Disney Parks, with the upcoming opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run in the Magic Kingdom, and the recent opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in the reimagined Toontown at Disneyland Park.
Overseas, work continues on Zootopia (2016) additions to Shanghai Disneyland along with the debut of the first-ever Turning Red (2022) character experience in a Disney Park. Hong Kong Disneyland has exciting updates in the works as well, with a brand new immersive land inspired by Frozen (2013) set to open later this year. The performing arts scene at Hong Kong Disneyland is getting an exciting new addition this spring, too, and it’s a totally unique type of entertainment that we’d love to see at other Disney Parks.
The official Disney Parks Facebook account recently shared the news of a brand-new ballet coming to Hong Kong Disneyland for a limited time this spring. The announcement reads:
This spring 香港迪士尼樂園 | Hong Kong Disneyland is celebrating the powerful magic of dreams and wishes in the NEW show “StellaLou’s Wonderful Wishes Ballet” 🩰✨ At Disney’s Storybook Theater, from April 5 – 10 and from April 14 – 16, StellaLou will pirouette through practice, overcome challenges and, step by step, achieve one of her biggest dreams alongside her beloved friends Duffy, LinaBell and Gelatoni, PLUS dancers from Hong Kong Disneyland and Hong Kong Ballet!
The event is totally unique from any other live performance at Disney Parks as it is a collaboration between Disney’s own entertainment team and professional ballet dancers from Hong Kong Ballet. Tickets to other Hong Kong Ballet company performances typically start at about $140, so such a performance included in a trip to Disneyland can really be an excellent value for those interested in the art form and Guests who are fans of Duffy and friends.
Along with professional dancers, StellaLou is the star of this show. According to Disney’s official storyline, Duffy the Disney Bear became friends with StellaLou when he found her practicing her ballet routines on the American Waterfront. She later shared her dreams of becoming a dancer and joined Duffy’s lineup of friends who make appearances at this Disney Park.
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Duffy the Disney Bear, a gift from Minnie Mouse to Mickey Mouse, has continued to grow in popularity at Hong Kong Disneyland and several international theme parks despite his limited inclusion in the U.S.
While friends of Duffy have never been featured at Walt Disney World, Duffy himself previously had a character meet and greet in EPCOT, and he has occasionally popped up for special events. If StellaLou’s Wonderful Wishes Ballet proves to be a hit with Guests, it is always possible that we will see more of Duffy and friends in other Parks, or perhaps more collaborations with local artists, in the future.
Performances of StellaLou’s Wonderful Wishes Ballet run April 5 – 10 and April 14 – 16, 2023, at Hong Kong Disneyland, with additional information available on the Hong Kong Ballet Company website.