It’s been around a year since the Disneyland 60th Anniversary Celebration began and with it, a new night time parade. I thought it would be fun to go back and watch the Paint the Night Parade from Hong Kong Disneyland to compare it to the version we enjoy out here at Disneyland in California. Check it out…
First up is the version of Paint the Night at Hong Kong Disneyland. This is where the parade originated.
Then, for Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary, they made some changes and brought Paint the Night out to the original Disney theme park.
It was kind of fun to watch the Hong Kong version after watching the Disneyland version so many times. First, I loved hearing the soundtrack in a different language. However, some of the differences were kind of cool as well. Right from the start, we can see a difference. On the intro float with Tink, in Hong Kong, Peter Pan is not riding along on the back. Also, notice that the parade has a stop in it. The walking on stilts guys with their light paint brushes were interesting, but I could see why they were not retained at Disneyland.
The next noticeable difference is that Marlin and Dory are not following the Little Mermaid float at Hong Kong Disneyland. I like having Marlin and Dory in the parade in California, it’s not a huge omission. Why? There’s nothing in the music that includes them. So, while I like having Marlin and Dory, it’s okay that they are not in the Hong Kong Disneyland version of the parade.
From there, the differences keep rolling. After the Little Mermaid float at Hong Kong Disneyland, they roll out the Beauty and the Beast float followed by the Toy Story float. Disneyland California flips the order to have Toy Story coming first. It makes sense to flip the order for the California version. Why? Because at Disneyland California, there is also a Frozen float. This float is not in the Hong Kong Disneyland version. So, flipping Toy Story and Beauty and the Beast works best out in California. That way they can go from Toy Story to two of the princess themed movies back to back. In Hong Kong, there is no need for this.
Both parades end with Goofy, Pluto, and Minnie riding small little bug-like floats leading to Mickey Mouse in one of the coolest floats I’ve ever seen. Because the Disneyland California version of the parade adds the Frozen float, it is slightly longer in duration. I loved the initial concept of this parade as you see in Hong Kong Disneyland. However, the Disneyland California version took a really cool parade and made it slightly cooler. What do you guys think? Do you have a preference?
Why I runDisney 
i love the Disneyland one probably just because it is close to me! one day I will make it out ot Hong Kong
I just saw Paint the Night in California when I was there for the Tinkerbell half! I loved it so much we saw it twice while we were there. Definitely my favorite parade, I wish they would add it to WDW that way I could enjoy it all the time!
I love the Paint the Night Parade as well. However, I love that Disneyland has some things that WDW doesn’t. After all, WDW has plenty that Disneyland doesn’t. It’s kind of a soap box item for me. It’s okay for the theme parks to have some differences. However, I totally get it. You want the theme park closest to you to have the cool things. I’d love for Disneyland to have Mickey’s Philharmagic, the Festival of the Lion King and the Finding Nemo shows. I’d also love an EPCOT West. Oh to dream! I am beyond thrilled that BOTH Disneyland and WDW are getting a Star Wars Land. Something that huge should be at both parks. I also wish we could have Star Wars Weekends out here.
By the way…the way to enjoy the shows whenever you wish? YouTube. I know that it’s not the same as being there in person. But, it’s a good alternative to nothing. Just sayin’.