A Fairytale World
Construction of Shanghai Disneyland began on April 8, 2011. Trial operations started on May 7, 2016, and it officially opened at 12:00 PM on June 16. Thinking about it, it’s been a little over a year now, and I hadn’t visited until recently. Now that the initial opening hype has faded, and with an experienced guide leading the way this time, we picked a weekday to go in and properly experience it.
Speaking of which, it’s truly amazing that such a fairytale world could be built right here in Shanghai. Although it’s far from the city center, it takes less than an hour to get there from downtown, and the subway goes directly to the park, making it incredibly convenient. For tourists coming from out of town, arriving via Pudong Airport is even more convenient; staying anywhere along the Line 2 extension is very accessible, which has also helped boost the surrounding local economy.
Precisely because it is located away from the city center, with no other buildings visible in the distance, the dream of creating a true fairytale world could be realized.
Tickets
You can book online, purchase directly through the app, or buy tickets on-site; prices are the same across all channels: 499 RMB for weekends and 370 RMB for weekdays. Seniors aged 65 and above and children between 1m and 1.4m tall receive a 25% discount. After purchasing via the app, simply scan the ticket holder’s ID card at the entrance to enter. A paper ticket with a QR code will also be printed out. This ticket can be used to claim FastPasses, link Premier Access, link photos, etc., so make sure to keep it safe while inside the park. Additionally, upon passing through the turnstile for the first time, a photo will be automatically taken to verify the ticket holder.
Now, after entering the park, you can claim FastPasses directly in the app by simply scanning the QR code on your ticket. Reserve a time slot, and when the time comes, just head over and enter directly without waiting in line. There is also the official Premier Access. Once you have your ticket, you can similarly scan the QR code to link it and purchase Premier Access, which offers skip-the-line access to 8 must-visit attractions with no time restrictions. Prices fluctuate based on daily crowd levels. Initially, it seemed to cost around 600 RMB per person or 150 RMB per attraction, but now it’s only 275 RMB per person or 50 RMB per attraction. However, note that each skip-the-line opportunity can only be used once and cannot be reused.
Dining
As of November 15, 2017, bringing outside food into the park is prohibited. There are several restaurants inside the park, but they only serve fast food. Set meals (food + soft drink) range from 70 to 100 RMB, and snacks (hot dogs, buns) cost around 30 to 50 RMB. The quality is extremely poor; establishments with this level of quality would absolutely not survive in the city center. Fortunately, Disneytown is located right at the entrance, offering a full array of high-quality chain restaurants found in the city, all at consistent city-center prices. With a valid same-day ticket, you can enter and exit the park as many times as you like, so it is highly recommended to handle all your dining needs in Disneytown. Additionally, there are direct drinking water stations throughout the park, which is very convenient.
Barbossa BBQ next to Pirates of the Caribbean
Treasure Cove
This area is exclusive to Shanghai globally. It is a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed zone featuring lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and pirate ships~~~ It perfectly captures the style of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. There is also a show called “Storm Riders: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular,” which is quite exciting. Be sure to check the schedule in the app and arrive about 20 minutes early to queue up.
8 Must-Do Attractions
Basically, all the attractions that require queuing are listed here, and these are exactly the ones covered by the Premier Access skip-the-line service:
These attractions are located in Treasure Cove and can be tackled together, though river rafting is currently suspended due to the season:
- Soaring Over the Horizon – Adventure Isle
- Roaring Rapids – Adventure Isle
- Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure – Treasure Cove
These attractions are all clustered around the castle. The first two are relatively thrilling, similar to roller coasters, while the latter three are more geared toward children:
- TRON Lightcycle Power Run – Tomorrowland
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Fantasyland
- Peter Pan’s Flight – Fantasyland
- Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue – Tomorrowland
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – Fantasyland
Almost all of these 8 attractions are experienced while seated in a vehicle or boat, and most last under 10 minutes. However, even on a weekday during this super off-peak season, some attractions still require a 1.5-hour wait. So, if you can solve the queuing problem, you’re all set~~~ Photography is nearly impossible on almost all these rides—either it’s too dark or moving too fast—so put away your phones and cameras and just focus on enjoying the experience~~~
Other Attractions
Aside from the 8 must-do attractions, most other rides hardly require any waiting. You can check their descriptions in the app to see if any interest you. The ones that do have lines are typically kid-friendly rides like carousels… There are also completely open attractions like the Alice in Wonderland Maze.
Queen of Hearts Garden
Floats
The float parade runs twice daily, and the schedule doesn’t seem to be fixed. You can check the app on the day of your visit or ask park staff directly. It takes place on Mickey Avenue, starting from the Tomorrowland side. This is definitely worth watching; we watched it right from the starting point. Remember to pick a spot near a corner and out of direct backlight for better photos~~ Afterward, we headed straight for TRON.
Fireworks
Last time, watching the fireworks from the terrace at Wolfgang Puck was decent, but the angle was a bit off and the distance too far. This time, we arrived half an hour early to secure a spot, and it worked out well—we got a prime position in the center, just a few rows behind the VIP area, and finally saw everything clearly…. The actual fireworks don’t make up a huge portion of the show, but combined with the water screen projection, fountains, flames, laser projections, and pyrotechnics, plus excellent sound coverage across the entire plaza, the overall effect is spectacular. It was far superior to the view we had last time at Wolfgang Puck.
Money, Money, Money
Disney PhotoPass is Disney’s official photo app. Each attraction features fully automated cameras that take your picture during the ride, displayed on large screens at the exit. Simply scan the QR code where you see your photo to link it to your account. Digital photos cost 59 RMB each, printed photos are 99 RMB each, and an unlimited one-day digital photo package is 199 RMB. There are also many photographers with tripods stationed at iconic spots around the park to take your picture, and those photos are included as well~~~ You can purchase everything directly within the app.
If you have enough money to spare, you can pay for these VIP services:
VIP Tour Service: A dedicated guide takes you directly to specific attractions, seating you in the best spots with absolutely no waiting—you won’t even see the regular queues. This naturally includes VIP seating for the fireworks. Pricing is 2,700 RMB/person for the 3-hour version (minimum 3 people), or 16,000–18,000 RMB for up to 6 people for the 6-hour version.
Royal Banquet Hall inside the castle: A 3-course dinner plus meet-and-greet photo ops with your favorite Disney characters, priced at 368 RMB + 15% service charge per person. You can also add VIP fireworks seating for an additional 200 RMB.
Chandelier inside the castle
Paintings inside the castle
The overall hardware standards of the park are exceptionally high. It boasts the tallest Disney castle in the world, and all dialogue is in Mandarin, making it very friendly to domestic visitors. Speakers are cleverly hidden in various locations to ensure a premium audio experience from every angle, and the streetlamp designs are uniquely styled—it truly sets the standard for theme parks. Next time, I might consider visiting again when spring flowers are in bloom~~~
That said, I have to admit that public etiquette among some locals leaves something to be desired. Scalpers are plentiful both at the entrance and inside the park, especially near the ticket booths, which can be quite intimidating. Rumor has it that during peak crowds, line-cutting and similar behaviors still occur frequently. Staff members also appear exhausted from dealing with massive numbers of guests. So, if you’re planning a trip to Shanghai Disneyland, make absolutely sure to visit during off-peak periods~~~
Photos in this post were taken with a SONY A5100 + 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, post-processed in Lightroom.
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