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Whether you’re a theme park enthusiast or just planning a trip to China, the often underrated Shanghai Disneyland should be near the top of your itinerary. Home to the world’s largest Disney castle, the iconic TRON Lightcycle Power Run, and the only Zootopia-themed land in any Disney park, Shanghai Disneyland offers a magical experience unlike any other.
Whether you’re travelling as a family, visiting as a Disney fan, or simply looking for an unforgettable day out, this Shanghai Disneyland guide covers everything you need to know before you go, from the best thrill rides and themed lands to where to eat, how to get there, and insider tips for making the most of your visit.
Why Visit Shanghai Disneyland?
Shanghai Disneyland is not only the biggest castle park in the world, it is also one of the most unique. Featuring the world’s only Zootopia Land filled with incredible details for you to discover, and some quirks that you could only ever find in China, your time in the park will always be an unforgettble one.
As well as some incredible rides you’ll find in other Disney parks, you’ll find exclusive attractions including Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, and the world’s biggest Disney castle, dedicated to all Disney Princesses.
The Best Thrill Rides at Shanghai Disneyland
While I wouldn’t say Shanghai Disneyland is packed full of thrill rides, there are still some great rides and coasters to keep even the biggest adrenaline junkies entertained.
TRON Lightcycle Power Run
This was by far the ride I was most excited for and it didn’t disappoint! Often ranked as one of Disney’s greatest roller coasters, TRON Lightcycle Power Run launches riders on futuristic lightcycles through the digital Grid. The motorcycle-style seating is like nothing I’ve experienced before and even just the building the ride is in makes it worth it. Make sure you go early or late in the day to miss the queues!
Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure
Forget everything you know about Pirates from other Disney parks. Shanghai’s version is an entirely different experience featuring enormous projection screens, motion-based ride vehicles and breathtaking special effects. Many Disney fans consider it the best Pirates attraction in the world. I’m not usually a huge fan of rides like this which rely and projections and perspective but the battle sequence was absolutely incredible.
Zootopia: Hot Pursuit
There would be outrage if Shanghai Disneyland didn’t have a Zootopia ride! Exclusive to this park, the trackless dark ride takes guests through the streets of Zootopia alongside Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Expect cutting-edge animatronics and plenty of surprises, including an immersive queue that is one of the best I’ve ever seen!
Rex Racer
The horseshoe track of Rex Racer may look unassuming but it actually provides one of the biggest thrills in the park! The queue is usually pretty big but in a park with minimal big thrill rides, it’s worth the wait.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
A family-friendly coaster featuring smooth turns, gentle thrills and beautifully themed scenes from Snow White. If you’re after a big coaster, this probably isn’t worth the wait for you but if you’re lucky enough to catch it under 30 minutes, jump in the queue!
How Is Shanghai Disneyland Different To Other Parks?
One of the biggest differences you’ll notice at Shanghai Disneyland is the massive presence of Duffy and Friends. For those who don’t know (aka, me before I got there), Duffy is Mickey Mouse’s teddy bear and is INCREDIBLY popular in China. The line to meet one of the friends reached 4 hours at one point and a very large proportion of people were dressed in the the style of the characters.
You’ll also encounter a lot of people dressed as Judy Hopps from Zootopia. And I mean, A LOT of people. So many in fact that each day they pick 2 women dressed as Judy to feature in the afternoon parade.
While all Disney parks have ample photo taking opportunities, it quickly becomes clear that this is the main reason for visiting for a lot of people. It’s not uncommon to see people with professional photographers following them and lines for character meets are much, much longer than the lines for the rides. You’ll also find that even the thrill rides allow you to have your phone on them, with many people filming throughout.
Best Food at Shanghai Disneyland
Shanghai Disneyland offers a great range of food from Chinese classics to international favourites. And of course you can find a few Disney themed snacks around!
Some of the best food options include:
- CookieAnn cafe on Main Street for breakfast which serves a variety of cakes, crepes and coffees including a Mickey shaped cinnamon swirl.
- Mickey pretzel from the Fantasyland Cart
- Il Pepperino on Main Street serves Donald Duck and LinaBell waffles in place of the Mickey waffles found in other parks, but you can find mini Mickey waffles at some food carts in Toy Story Land.
- Winnie the Pooh shaped beef and mushroom sandwich and Tigger Tail Sichuan pork sandwich from Pooh and Friends Treats
- The iconic pawpsicle from Zootopia Land.
For table-service dining, the Royal Banquet Hall inside the castle offers a magical princess-themed experience, while Barbossa’s Bounty in Treasure Cove serves seafood and barbecue in a beautifully themed pirate setting.
How to Get to Shanghai Disneyland
Shanghai Disneyland is located in Pudong, approximately 20 kilometres from central Shanghai, but it’s super easy to get to from the city.
By Metro
The easiest and cheapest way to reach the park is via Shanghai Metro Line 11, which stops directly at the Disney Resort Station. You’ll likely need to get another train to connect to a line 11 station. It takes around 70-90 minutes to get to the resort from the city centre but it’s very easy. From the station, use exits 1 or 4 for an easy walk to the park entrance.
By Taxi
Taxis are widely available across Shanghai and provide a convenient option if you’re staying further away or travelling with children. Make sure you download the DiDi app for your time in China as this is their version of Uber. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer here.
Staying at the Resort
Guests staying at the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel or Toy Story Hotel enjoy convenient transport to the park and additional guest benefits, including early park entry on eligible packages.
Top Shanghai Disneyland Tips
Arrive Early
Queues for the most popular attractions build quickly. Arriving before park opening gives you the best chance to experience TRON and Zootopia with shorter waits. Bear in mind that the gates are quite a walk from the metro station and taxi drop off so make sure you factor this into your timings.
Consider Disney Premier Access
There are quite a few different options for Premier Access, the Shanghai fast track service, some of which are more affordable than others. From 1 ride passes to multi-ride bundles, you can get something that works for you.
Download the Official App
The app displays live wait times, show schedules, restaurant information and mobile food ordering. This is also where you can buy and manage your Premier Access if you choose to do this.
Stay for the Nighttime Show
As is the case with most Disney parks, the castle projection and fireworks show at the end of the day is a must see! Get there early for a good view at the front, or head further down Main Street to get a quick exit once it’s over.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Shanghai Disneyland is enormous. In fact, it’s actually the biggest Disney castle park in the world so don’t underestimate the amount of walking you’ll do. Expect to walk well over 20,000 steps during a full day.
Bring a Portable Charger
As is the case everywhere in China, you’ll need your photo for everything from transport to tickets to maps to wait times, so bring a battery pack to make sure you have enough charge to get yourself home!
Visit Midweek
If possible, avoid weekends and Chinese national holidays when crowd levels increase significantly. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are usually the best bet for a quiet park.
Be Prepared for Rain
The weather can Shanghai can change quickly so be prepared for it to rain while you’re in the park, especially if you’re visiting between May and September. The shops at the metro station sell ponchos and umbrellas for less than the shops in the park.
How Long Do You Need To Spend At Shanghai Disneyland?
Unlike other Disney resorts, there is only one park so you don’t have to deal with hopper tickets or needing two days to cover 2 parks. That being said, the park is big so there’s a lot to explore but it depends on what you’re interested in.
If you’re going purely for big rides then one day will easily be enough for you to tick off everything. However, if you want to meet all of the characters, watch the parade and complete the Disney Passport while you hunt out all of the little details hidden around the park, then two days, with an overnight stay at the Disneyland Hotel, might be better for you.
I imagine one day will be enough for most visitors, especially when there’s so much more to see when visiting Shanghai!
Is Shanghai Disneyland Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
While it may not be packed full of adrenaline rides, the park is still well worth a visit. There are so many unique aspects and cultural differences that make Shanghai Disneyland a real must visit. Honestly, it would be worth going even just for a day of people watching!
