I'd go with the EWR-HKG route on Continental. You can get DL miles on CO. May even be able to book as a DL codeshare? Route could be MCO-ATL-EWR-HKG. Takes one full leg out.

If you want to stay on DL or other DL codeshares, I'd go MCO-ATL-ICN-HKG. You cna probably fly KE metal from ATL all the way to HKG. I have, if memory serves. ICN is nicer than NRT now, and unless they're done remodelling NRT it can be very difficult to transfer. Haven't been there in a while.

Best planning suggestion is to minimize stateside layovers & connections on return flight. That's when you'll have the greatest difficulty with jetlag. Flying from Southeast to HKG, I always planned 25-30 hours door-to-door.