Shanghai Disneyland, the sixth Disney theme park globally and the third in Asia, is also the largest Disney fantasy park in the world. It boasts the tallest themed castle, the most advanced rides, the most spectacular shows, and the most unique Chinese elements.
Whether you’re a Disney fan, a family visitor, or a thrill-seeking youngster, you can find your own joy and surprises here.
So, how can you make the most of your visit to Shanghai Disneyland? This article will provide you with the most comprehensive Shanghai Disneyland guide, covering ticket booking, transportation, touring routes, must-do attractions, recommended shows, dining, shopping, and more, to help you plan your perfect Shanghai Disneyland trip.
Ticket Booking
Shanghai Disneyland adopts a time-based pricing system, with ticket prices varying according to peak and off-peak seasons and holidays. Currently, Shanghai Disneyland offers the following ticket types:
- 1-Day Ticket: Adults (over 1.4m) 399-575 CNY, Children (1-1.4m) 299-431 CNY, Seniors (over 65) 299-431 CNY.
- 2-Day Ticket: Adults (over 1.4m) 775-1103 CNY, Children (1-1.4m) 581-827 CNY, Seniors (over 65) 581-827 CNY.
- Half-Day Ticket: Adults (over 1.4m) 299-431 CNY, Children (1-1.4m) 225-323 CNY, Seniors (over 65) 225-323 CNY. Half-day tickets can only be used after 3 pm.
- Annual Pass: Adults (over 1.4m) 2599-3299 CNY, Children (1-1.4m) 1949-2474 CNY, Seniors (over 65) 1949-2474 CNY. Annual passes come in two types: Starlight Annual Pass and Golden Annual Pass, both valid for one year. The difference is that the Starlight Annual Pass has some blackout dates, while the Golden Annual Pass has no restrictions.
In addition to tickets, there is a product called “Disney Premier Access” that allows you to enjoy fast-pass services for designated attractions, saving you queuing time. Disney Premier Access comes in the following packages:
- Disney Premier Access 3-Attraction Family/Adventure Set: 330 CNY/set. Includes fast-pass services for 3 attractions.
- Disney Premier Access 6-Attraction Family/Adventure Set: 480 CNY/set. Includes fast-pass services for 6 attractions.
- Disney Concierge Service Classic Set: 980 CNY/set. Includes fast-pass services for 8 attractions.
- Disney Concierge Service Deluxe Set: 1380 CNY/set. Includes fast-pass services for 10 attractions.
Please note that Disney Premier Access can only be purchased on the day of your visit on the official Shanghai Disneyland website, and the quantity is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. Also, Disney Premier Access does not include admission tickets, which need to be purchased separately.
So, how can you book tickets for Shanghai Disneyland? Here are a few ways:
1.Book on the official Shanghai Disneyland website or app
This is the most direct way, but you need to register an account in advance and bind the identity information (name, ID number, etc.) of each visitor to their corresponding ticket when purchasing. Additionally, you need to reserve your visit date on the official website or app after buying the tickets; otherwise, you won’t be able to enter the park.
2.Book on online travel platforms
This is a more convenient way, as you don’t need to register an account or bind identity information. You only need to provide a mobile phone number to purchase tickets. Moreover, online travel platforms sometimes offer discounts, allowing you to buy tickets at lower prices. For example, on a certain platform, you can find the following discounted ticket packages:
- Shanghai Disneyland 1-Day Ticket + Wonderful Dining Package (includes 5 dining discount vouchers): Adults 491 CNY, Children 365 CNY. Includes a 1-day ticket and designated lunch, dinner, beverage, snack, and Royal Banquet Hall dining discount vouchers (5 in total).
- Shanghai Disneyland 1-Day Early Bird Ticket + 5 Dining Discount Vouchers: Adults 676 CNY. Includes a 1-day early bird ticket (requires booking at least 10 days in advance) and park dining vouchers (5 in total).
- Shanghai Disneyland 2-Day Ticket + Wonderful Dining Package (includes 5 dining discount vouchers): Adults 910 CNY, Children 681 CNY. Includes a 2-day ticket and designated lunch, dinner, beverage, snack, and Royal Banquet Hall dining discount vouchers (5 in total).
3.Purchase at Shanghai Disneyland ticket booths
This is the least recommended way, as you’ll need to spend a lot of time queuing to buy tickets, and you may encounter sold-out situations. Even if you manage to buy tickets, you still need to reserve your visit date on the official website or app; otherwise, you won’t be able to enter the park.
Transportation Guide
Shanghai Disneyland is located at 310 Huangzhao Road, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, about 30 kilometers from the city center, 20 kilometers from Pudong International Airport, and 50 kilometers from Hongqiao International Airport.
You can choose from the following ways to reach the park based on your starting point and preferred mode of transportation:
- Metro: Take Metro Line 11 and get off at “Disney Station.” After exiting the station, walk for about 10 minutes to reach the park entrance. The first and last train times for Metro Line 11 are 5:58-22:30 (Monday to Friday) and 6:00-22:30 (Saturday to Sunday). The one-way ticket price depends on the travel distance, with a maximum of 9 CNY.
- Bus: Take bus routes 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, or 67 and get off at “Disney Station.” After getting off, walk for about 10 minutes to reach the park entrance. The bus operating hours are 6:00-23:00 (Monday to Friday) and 6:00-23:30 (Saturday to Sunday). The one-way ticket price is 2 CNY.
- Taxi: From the city center, it takes about 1 hour to reach Shanghai Disneyland by taxi, with a fare of around 100 CNY. From Pudong International Airport, it takes about 30 minutes, with a fare of around 60 CNY. From Hongqiao International Airport, it takes about 1 hour, with a fare of around 150 CNY.
- Self-driving: If you choose to drive to Shanghai Disneyland, you can set your destination as “Shanghai Disney Resort Parking Lot” and follow the navigation instructions. The Shanghai Disney Resort Parking Lot is divided into the Main Parking Lot and the South Parking Lot. The Main Parking Lot is closer to the park entrance but has higher fees, while the South Parking Lot is farther from the park entrance but has lower fees. The Main Parking Lot charges 10 CNY per hour, with a daily maximum of 80 CNY; the South Parking Lot charges 5 CNY per hour, with a daily maximum of 40 CNY. If you park in the South Parking Lot, you can take the free shuttle bus to the park entrance.
In summary, there are many ways to reach Shanghai Disneyland, and you can choose a suitable method based on your preferences and budget. However, no matter which method you choose, be sure to plan your route and time in advance to avoid wasting your play time.
Touring Routes
Shanghai Disneyland has seven themed areas: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle, Tomorrowland, and Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land. Each area has different attractions, shows, dining, shopping, and other facilities, allowing you to experience different themed styles and storylines.
So, how can you arrange your touring routes to cover the highlights of Shanghai Disneyland? Here is a suggested touring plan to help you plan your visiting order and time.
AM 8:00-8:30
Arrive at the park entrance in advance and prepare for entry. Before entering, you can check the operating status and wait times of each attraction on the official website or app to prioritize popular attractions or those with shorter operating hours.
AM 8:30-9:00
Enter Mickey Avenue and admire the retro-style buildings and shops, taking photos for check-ins. If interested, you can book the Disney PhotoPass service at the Memory Maker to hire professional photographers to take beautiful photos for you.
AM 9:00-10:00
Head to Adventure Isle and experience the Soaring Over the Horizon attraction. This attraction simulates a global tour from the air with very realistic and stunning effects. It is recommended to book the Disney Premier Access service in advance on the official website or app to avoid wasting too much time queuing.
AM 10:00-11:00
Go to Treasure Cove and experience the Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure attraction. This attraction simulates scenes and stories from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies with spectacular and thrilling effects. It is recommended to book the Disney Premier Access service in advance on the official website or app to avoid wasting too much time queuing.
AM 11:00-12:00
Head to Tomorrowland and experience the TRON Lightcycle Power Run attraction. This attraction simulates a high-speed roller coaster in a futuristic world, with very fast speeds suitable for thrill-seeking visitors. It is recommended to book the Disney Premier Access service in advance on the official website or app to avoid wasting too much time queuing.
PM 12:00-13:00
Enjoy lunch at the Stargazer Grill in Tomorrowland. This is a themed restaurant with space-related decor and dishes, which is very unique. It is recommended to book a table in advance on the official website or app to avoid waiting too long.
PM 13:00-14:00
Go to Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land and experience the Slinky Dog Spin attraction. This attraction simulates scenes and characters from the Toy Story movies and is very suitable for parent-child play. It is recommended to book the Disney Premier Access service in advance on the official website or app to avoid wasting too much time queuing.
PM 14:00-15:00
Head to the Gardens of Imagination and experience the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction. This is a roller coaster attraction that simulates the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which is very fun and heartwarming. It is recommended to book the Disney Premier Access service in advance on the official website or app to avoid wasting too much time queuing.
PM 15:00-16:00
Go to Fantasyland and experience the Peter Pan’s Flight attraction. This attraction simulates scenes and stories from the Peter Pan movie and is very suitable for visitors who love fairy tales and fantasy. It is recommended to book the Disney Premier Access service in advance on the official website or app to avoid wasting too much time queuing.
PM 16:00-17:00
Watch the “Frozen” musical in Fantasyland. This is a musical adapted from the Frozen movie, which is very spectacular and touching. It is recommended to book seats in advance on the official website or app to avoid missing the show.
PM 17:00-18:00
Watch the “Disney Town Square Performance” on Mickey Avenue. This is a performance involving classic Disney characters and a band, which is very joyful and lively. It is recommended to arrive at the square in advance and find a good spot to enjoy the performance.
PM 18:00-19:00
Enjoy dinner on Mickey Avenue. You can choose from the following themed restaurants:
- Royal Banquet Hall: This is a restaurant that simulates the palace of Disney princesses, with dishes mainly in Chinese and Western styles, which are very exquisite and delicious. You can also take photos with Disney princesses and experience a fairy-tale atmosphere.
- Remy’s Patisserie: This is a restaurant that simulates scenes and characters from the Ratatouille movie, with dishes mainly in French style, which are very authentic and elegant. You can also take photos with Remy and Emile and experience French charm.
- Pinocchio Village Kitchen: This is a restaurant that simulates a cottage in an enchanted forest, with dishes mainly in pizza and burgers, which are very affordable and convenient. You can also take photos with classic Disney characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy, and experience warmth and coziness.
It is recommended to book a table in advance on the official website or app to avoid waiting too long.
PM 19:00-20:00
Shop on Mickey Avenue. You can buy various Disney-themed merchandise at the following stores:
- Memory Maker: This is a store that specializes in selling Disney PhotoPass service photos and frames, where you can purchase the beautiful photos you took in the park and keep wonderful memories.
- Sweethearts Confectionery: This is a store that specializes in selling various desserts and candies, where you can buy desserts and candies of various flavors and shapes to satisfy your taste buds.
- Avenue M Arcade: This is a store that specializes in selling Mickey-related merchandise, where you can buy various Mickey plush toys, clothing, accessories, stationery, and other items to show your love for Mickey.
PM 20:00-21:00
Watch the “Ignite the Dream – A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light” fireworks show in Fantasyland. This is a nighttime fireworks show composed of elements such as lights, music, water screens, and fireworks, which is very spectacular and stunning. It is recommended to arrive at the Fantasyland lakeside in advance and find a good spot to enjoy the fireworks show.
PM 21:00-21:30
Leave Shanghai Disneyland.
Tips
- Prepare necessary items in advance, such as water bottles, umbrellas, sunscreen, hats, jackets, etc., and use lockers or storage areas to store items when necessary.
- Respect and abide by the park’s rules and safety instructions, and follow the instructions of staff to avoid accidents or troubles.
- Respect and be friendly to other visitors and Disney characters, and be polite and queue up when taking photos to avoid affecting others’ play experience.
- During the play, maintain a happy and positive attitude, and enjoy every wonderful moment to avoid missing beautiful memories.
The above is the strategy I prepared for you for Shanghai Disneyland, and I hope it will be helpful to you. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment.
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