Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) has been creating magical experiences for many years, attracting local, mainland and international guests from around the world. The resort has cemented its place as a world-class landmark and key pillar of Hong Kong’s tourism industry, making significant contributions to the economy and community. The theme park reports its highest net profit, EBITDA, revenue and attendance since opening in 2005. The resort’s success is driven by a diverse team of cast members, in which its legal team playing a key role in providing support behind the scenes. Rita Tang, Assistant Chief Counsel – Head of Legal, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, will share some of the magic behind with us.

Legal team as the enabler of resort safety and seamless operations

HKDL’s legal team plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the brand’s reputation while also ensuring the overall resort safety and seamless operations. Through compliance regulations, the team protects both guests from around the globe and the 9,000 cast members of the resort. In addition, the team provide professional legal support to prepare the new attractions to welcome its guest.

For example, before the world’s first and largest World of Frozen launch, the legal team experienced the new attractions before they opened, including the popular Frozen Ever After and the Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs roller coaster. The team worked with other departments to formulate safety regulations, ensuring compliance with both Disney standards and government safety regulations, ensuring the best guest experience.

HKDL’s cast members come from over 46 different countries and regions and speak over 30 languages.  The legal team works with human resources teams to support cast members in navigating various regulations, enabling the resort to recruit from various countries and regions, maintaining HKDL’s appeal to guests from these regions as an international theme park, while creating a magical experience for guests and fostering an inclusive work environment.

The legal team has safeguarded guests during COVID as well as other epidemics. The resort has set a good example for the industry with its quality standards. HKDL operates a theme park and three hotels, which include restaurants and outdoor vending carts. The park also has theaters, resulting in a large number of licenses. For example, since the regulation at that time stated that eating in outdoor areas is not allowed, to facilitate a good guest experience, the park sealed the popcorn in plastic bags, turning the popular snack into a souvenir. Guests could take it back for their own consumption or share with friends and family. Subsequently, in response to the government's latest regulations on disposable plastics, popcorn packaging was changed to paper boxes, demonstrating the legal team and other departments' flexibility to comply with the latest regulatory arrangements.

Legal team as enabler of new guest offerings

HKDL’s legal team catalyzes the resort’s business growth through the strategic management of a multitude of corporate alliance agreements and comprehensive legal support for a diverse array of events, productions and publicity, such as the launch of social media business accounts and online merchandise sales. Their efforts have unlocked numerous business opportunities for HKDL, allowing guests to experience a broader range of Disney experiences. HKDL recorded a historic result in FY24 and the legal team is one of the key magic makers behind the results.

The legal team helps facilitate cooperation with other commercial institutions and local cultural groups, as well as ensure the smooth running of large-scale events. Take 10K Weekend, a fun run event with nearly 20,000 participants, as an example. The event venue is located in the resort's coach parking area, which has land use restrictions. The legal team studies land use and licensing requirements and applies to the relevant departments so that HKDL can legally set up a merchandise store, food & beverage kiosk, kids zone, etc.

The legal team fosters cooperation with commercial institutions, like Starbucks operating in the park, 10K Weekend presented by AIA Vitality, Blue Cross presenting Frozen Ever After, Main Street Corner Cafe Hosted by Coca-Cola, etc. It also enables cooperation with local cultural groups like Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Children's Choir and Hong Kong Ballet by providing business compliance advice, coordinating cooperation details between both parties, bringing guests more diverse and innovative offerings.

Legal team as enabler of community program

Legal team provides professional legal advice for various community projects, including handling IP and copyright usage, to ensure the smooth implementation of these projects. For example, it supported collaboration between HKDL and Hong Kong Children's Hospital to design and produce a series of new patient clothing which embraces practicality and fun elements, helping to reduce anxiety and add some joy to uplift the healing experience of paediatric patients.

It also joined hands with Make-A-Wish to grant wish for wish kid Josephine. After Josephine finished the jewelries design, it was produced by HKDL merchandise team and sold at park merchandise shop. All proceeds, as per Josephine’ wish, were donated to those in need, including children facing similar challenges as her.

Most welcoming workplace – Disney’s positive work culture

As one of Hong Kong’s largest employers in the tourism and family entertainment industry, HKDL is not only the happiest place for guests but also for those who work here. Disney supports cast members both professionally and personally through its commitment to fostering a family-friendly and inclusive work environment at all levels within the organization.

Rita exemplifies this culture by balancing a successful legal career and her role as a mother, reflecting the resort’s commitment to employee well-being. Rita’s daughter was born the same year she joined HKDL. HKDL witnessed both her career growth and her daughter's growth. Disney has become part of the bonding between Rita and her daughter.

2024 marked Rita’s 15th year at HKDL. This milestone was celebrated at the Service Celebration, an event honoring cast members who have dedicated 10 or more years to the company.

International Industry Recognition for Legal Excellence at HKDL

For over 33 years, The Legal 500 has evaluated the capabilities of law firms and senior legal professionals across more than 150 jurisdictions. Their awards celebrate excellence in the legal field. In 2024, Rita was recognized in The Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Hong Kong 2024, a prestigious achievement highlighting her contributions to legal expertise and safety compliance. Her success feeds into the professionalism and excellence of HKDL’s legal team, which has also gained industry recognition.

HKDL is celebrating its 20th anniversary, with year-long celebrations kicking off this June. The legal team and all other Magic Makers at the resort are looking forward to sharing more wonderful Disney stories with guests.