Hong Kong Disneyland has shut down online ticket sales and hotel bookings after a cybersecurity incident in which roughly 17,000 park admission ticket QR codes were stolen from its online ticketing system. Police are investigating, and as of Sunday, November 15, online sales remain suspended with no return date announced.
Here is everything we know so far, and what it means if you have a Disney trip coming up.
What Happened at Hong Kong Disneyland
According to the South China Morning Post, an IT worker at the resort on Lantau Island noticed unusual activity in the resort’s computer system and then discovered that the ticket QR codes had been stolen. The Herald Business reports the problem was spotted late Thursday, November 12.
Hong Kong Disneyland announced the cybersecurity incident on Friday, November 13. The Standard reports the resort immediately shut down its online ticketing and filed a report with police.
The stolen data is the QR codes guests scan to enter the park. The resort’s official website now shows a system maintenance notice, with online ticket purchases and hotel bookings temporarily unavailable.
Police Are Investigating
Hong Kong police received the report on November 13 and are treating the case as access to a computer with criminal or dishonest intent, with the Lantau District Crime Squad leading the investigation, according to Dim Sum Daily. No arrests had been made as of Saturday.
Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has also contacted the resort to learn more about what happened, and Hong Kong Disneyland says it will notify the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. So far, it has not been confirmed whether any guest personal information was taken beyond the ticket QR codes themselves.
What Hong Kong Disneyland Is Telling Guests
A resort spokeswoman told the South China Morning Post, “Hong Kong Disneyland strongly advises guests to purchase park tickets directly through official channels or contracted travel agents and platforms.”
While the website is down, guests can still buy tickets or book hotel stays through:
- Hong Kong Disneyland’s contracted travel agents and platforms
- The official WeChat mini program
- The official Fliggy flagship store
- The authorized Douyin shop
- The ticket booths at the park’s main entrance
The resort has also tightened ticket checks at the entrance so stolen codes are harder to use. That could mean slightly longer lines at the gates for now.
What Questions Are Still Unanswered
- When will online sales return? Hong Kong Disneyland has not announced a date.
- Are existing tickets affected? The resort has not said whether any of the stolen codes belong to tickets guests already purchased.
- Was personal data taken? That has not been confirmed either way.
Dim Sum Daily notes that Cityline handles the resort’s online ticket bookings, while Hong Kong Disneyland’s own IT department oversees its internal network. Francis Fong, honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, told the outlet the case may point to weaknesses in how ticket QR codes are created, stored and verified.
Does This Affect Walt Disney World or Disneyland?
Based on everything reported so far, this incident involves Hong Kong Disneyland only. There have been no reports of any issues with ticketing at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort or the other Disney parks, which use separate ticketing systems.
Still, it is a good reminder for any Disney trip: buy your tickets directly from Disney or an authorized travel agent, and be wary of discounted tickets from resellers or social media sellers. If you want help planning a Disney vacation the safe way, get a free, no obligation quote from our preferred travel partner MEI/Mouse Fan Travel.
We will update this post as Hong Kong Disneyland shares more information. Stay tuned to The Main Street Mouse for the latest Disney parks news from around the world.
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