Shanghai Disneyland Trip Planning Guide

Shanghai Disneyland is the newest Disney Park and the first in Mainland China. The Park opened officially on June 16, 2016. Shanghai Disney Resort is in Pudong, Shanghai, China, and includes the theme park, Disneytown, Wishing Star Park, the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, and the Toy Story Hotel.

Over the past three years, the park has gone through rapid changes, and it’s exciting to watch it evolve. This does make for a challenge when planning a trip, though. Our updated guide gives you the latest tips, recommendations, and information to help you plan the perfect visit. I recommend getting the Lonely Planet Guide to further research if you spend time in the city. It’s worth visiting the city of Shanghai for a few days.

Since the Grand Opening, I’ve made multiple trips to the Park and have stockpiled many items to add to this guide. Many Explorers make Shanghai Disneyland part of a bigger Disney Asia Trip (Hong Kong Disneyland & Tokyo Disney Resort) to make it easier regarding Chinese Travel Visas (Don’t worry, I’ll explain this).

Once you’re done studying this guide, you’ll feel like you’ve visited since day one!

Table of Contents

• Chinese Travel Visa
• When to Visit
  • Crowd Calendar
• Park Tickets
• Hotels
• Dining
• Attractions & FastPass
  • Disney Premier Access
• Entertainment & Fireworks
• Disneytown
• Travel Tips
  • Culture
  • Transportation
  • How to Access Blocked Websites
  • Before Your Trip
• Do they speak English at Shanghai Disneyland?
• Is Shanghai Disneyland worth the visit?

Visa for Mainland China

I have to stress that you’ll need to understand how travel visas work for Mainland China. Otherwise, you may be denied entry into the country. While I don’t know if this is happening to anyone personally, I don’t want it to happen to you. Please read this section carefully. While I don’t cover every detail, I’ll give you the essential highlights, and then it’s up to you to research your situation.

Apply for a Visa in Advance

To visit Mainland China as a tourist, you must have an L-type visa in your passport before arrival (there are a few exceptions, which I’ll cover). Visit the nearest Chinese Embassy in your area to apply. You can read our complete guide explaining this process.

Visa Free

If you have a passport from specific countries (64 countries), you can travel to Mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days. This came into effect on November 30, 2024. Countries include:

• Most European Countries
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Fiji
• Japan
• Singapore
• UAE

Visa Free Transit

Some countries do not need a visa ahead of time and are granted a visa upon arrival (which I won’t list here, so check with your country of origin.) Mainland China has expanded their visa-free travel to 240 hours (from the 72 and 144-hour options), which are given to you upon arrival. This is the easiest way to enter Mainland China if you don’t plan to stay more than 10 days.

There are restrictions, and it is only granted to those with specific passports, so I recommend reading up on it in detail.

Have your hotel reservations and flight information printed out in advance. Ensure your passport’s name matches the hotel reservation and flight’s name. For hotel reservations, have everyone’s full name on the reservation (matching their passport). For the Disney Hotels, you may have to call (use Skype) to add additional people’s names to the reservation — they’ll e-mail you the newly updated reservation.

To be eligible for visa-free transit, you must prove you are transiting through China (meaning you have a flight booked to leave China). This means you are flying from Point A to Point B (Shanghai in this case) to Point C (can be anywhere but Point A).

Example: Tokyo (Point A) to Shanghai (Point B), then to Hong Kong (Point C)

Qualified Countries:

• Canada
• United States of America
• Mexico
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Chile
• Australia
• New Zealand
• 25 Schengen Agreement Countries
• 15 European Countries
• 6 Asian Countries

This is why having Shanghai Disneyland as part of a more significant trip makes it easier. You can fly into Shanghai and get the transit visa, then to Hong Kong or Tokyo.

Information is from Travel China Guide, an excellent resource for travel-related information to Mainland China, and my personal experience.

When to Visit Shanghai Disneyland

The biggest decision to make is when to visit. You’ll have to consider public holidays, weather, and personal preferences, which affect crowd levels.

The climate in Shanghai is distinct in its seasons. This means the winters are cold and the summers are hot (similar to Japan). The summer is hot and humid (June-September), with temperatures averaging 35°C (95°F). The winter is uncomfortable (December to February), getting down to 0°C (32°F) in the evenings. Weather-wise, Autumn is mild.

Is Shanghai Disneyland Crowded?

Shanghai Disneyland saw 11.8 million visitors in 2018, which isn’t a small number. An excellent rule of thumb is to avoid public holidays. The Park is crowded and, in some cases, reaches capacity. Chinese New Year and National Day are the biggest holidays in the country and last about a week. Even on a normal day, it’s common to see higher wait times across the board on a weekday.

Is one day enough for Shanghai Disneyland?

One day at Shanghai Disneyland isn’t enough. So how many days do you need at Shanghai Disneyland? I always recommend two full days to experience everything at the Park. Much walking is involved, so you’ll want to conserve your energy.

Crowd Calendar

There’s no crowd calendar for Shanghai Disneyland, but in this section, I’ll explain the best and worst times to visit so you can avoid the crowds and have ideal weather.

Attraction Closures

Shanghai Disneyland announces ride closures approximately 15 days in advance. That does make it more difficult to plan accordingly. The best place to check is the Shanghai Disneyland website.

Best Times to Visit

Here’s what I believe are the best times to visit Shanghai Disneyland:

• March through May
• October and November

During these months you’ll have comfortable weather. While it’s a bit cooler in March, you’ll visit right after Chinese New Year, and the crowds are lighter. As for October, avoid the first week as this is National Day, but if you visit afterward, the crowds are gone.

If you don’t mind the cold, December and January are another good time to visit. The temperatures during this time get as low as 0°C (32°F).

For specific days during the week, I recommend Tuesday through Friday. Park tickets are more expensive on weekends and public holidays than weekday tickets (more on that in the ticket section). Mondays are generally busier because people want to avoid paying the higher price for a weekend ticket.

Worst Times to Visit

It’s best to avoid these major holidays if you plan on visiting Shanghai Disneyland.

• Chinese New Year (January or February)
• July and August (School Holidays)
• National Day (First week of October)

Chinese New Year (called the Spring Festival) changes yearly, usually in January or February. This is the most important celebration in China and is a family holiday. This means a lot of families visit Shanghai Disneyland during this time.

The summer holidays for most students are in July and August. Not only is the park busy, but it’s also the hottest time of the year, which is unpleasant.

National Day is another week-long holiday in China and is in the first week of October.

As a reminder, always remember to check the public holiday calendar before you decide on exact dates.

Seasonal Events

Shanghai Disneyland offers seasonal events with limited-time food, decorations, character greetings, and entertainment. The only downside is that, unlike Tokyo Disney Resort, the Park doesn’t announce event dates far in advance. It’s common to have an announcement a week or two before the event begins. It’s best to check our latest news closer to your trip.

Seasonal events typically include:

• Chinese New Year (January to the beginning of March)
• Springtime (March to June)
• Summer (June to the beginning of September)
• Halloween (End of September through October)
• Christmas (November to January 1)

Shanghai Disneyland Park Tickets

Shanghai Disneyland offers both 1-day and 2-day Park tickets. There are two different tiers of tickets that vary in price: Standard (weekday only) and Peak (weekends and public holidays).

Here are a few options to buy your Shanghai Disneyland Park tickets:

• With your Disney Hotel reservation (easiest)
• Ticket booths on the same day (I don’t recommend this)
• Through the official Shanghai Disneyland App
• Discount Tickets through Klook

If you buy your tickets online, you’ll have to show your passport at the ticket gates on the first day (after that, you won’t need to). However, if you buy your tickets with your Disney Hotel reservation, you won’t have to show your passport at the turnstiles (this is taken care of at the hotel).

Shanghai Disneyland Annual Pass

If you plan to visit the Park for quite a few days, then it’s worth considering their annual pass. There are three levels: Silver, Gold, and Diamond. Check the official website for pricing.

Hotels

Shanghai Disney Resort offers two Disney Hotels — the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel (starts at about $260 USD per night) and the Toy Story Hotel (starts at about $135 USD per night). You’re able to book hotels for six months in advance. Both hotels are fantastic and offer character greetings and restaurants.

If it’s within your budget, I recommend staying at either of these hotels. Getting to the Park from within the city isn’t the easiest, and much like Tokyo Disney Resort, you’ll want to get to the Park at least 30-60 minutes before it opens.

You’ll get a few perks by staying at the Disney Hotels:

• Guaranteed Park entry
• Free shuttles to/from the Park
• One additional FastPass
• 30-minute early entry

The 60-minute early entry is enough to justify spending extra time to stay at one of the Disney Hotels. The main entrance into the Park is unpleasant and crowded, and it takes 30 to 60 minutes to get there (depending on the crowds). Before entering the park, you must go through security first and then the ticket turnstiles.

For hotel guests’ early entry, you go through the Disneytown entrance 60 minutes before the Park opens (you enter close to Tomorrowland).

Recommendations

If you’re on a budget, then the Toy Story Hotel is a great option (not to mention your only option for a budget Disney Hotel). If you don’t mind being off-property, then here are a few recommendations:

• Courtyard By Marriott Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone
• The QUBE Hotel
  • 20-minute taxi ride to the Resort from the city

The Courtyard is my top choice for an offsite hotel. It’s near Shanghai Disney Resort and offers a free shuttle to/from the Park. The only downside is that if you want to do anything in the city, you’ll have to take the free shuttle to the metro (it’s not walking distance).

Dining

Restaurants in Shanghai Disneyland Park and the hotels combine Chinese, Western, and International cuisine. These restaurants range from buffets to table and counter service. Disneytown (Shanghai’s version of Disney Springs or Downtown Disney) has a wide range of dining options, including a Starbucks.

You’ll also find various snacks throughout the Park, including theme park staples such as popcorn, ice cream, waffles, and turkey legs (which garner long lines, oddly enough).

There are a few table service restaurants at Shanghai Disney Resort:

• Royal Banquet Hall (Character Dining inside the Enchanted Storybook Castle)
• Aurora (Shanghai Disneyland Hotel)
• Lumiére’s Kitchen (Shanghai Disneyland Hotel)
• Club 33 (Only members can make reservations)

One important note is the tap water in Shanghai is not suitable for drinking (brushing your teeth with tap water is okay). You’re given free bottles of water in your hotel room. The water stations inside the Park are safe for drinking. Also, you won’t find any Coke products; it’s all Pepsi products and Pepsi Max.

Restaurant Recommendations

Here are my recommendations for the best places to eat:

• Pinocchio Village Kitchen (Pizza)
• Barbossa’s Bounty (BBQ ribs)
• Wandering Moon Restaurant (Chinese cuisine)
• Toy Box Café (Western options & cute desserts)
• Tangled Tavern (Western and Asian cuisine)
• Mickey & Pals Market Café
• Royal Banquet Hall

Both Tribal Table and Wandering Moon Restaurant offer vegetarian options. I am not aware of any vegan-friendly options in the Park. If you have food allergies, most restaurants can accommodate you. You’ll have to consult with each restaurant individually (there’ll be a Cast Member who speaks English in most cases).

Snack Recommendations

• Remy’s Patisserie: Duffy and Friends-shaped Panna Cotta (the flavours are just okay, but super cute)
• Remy’s Patisserie: Shanghainese Pork Bun (this is one of my favourites)
• Toy Box Café: Toy Story drinks with the collectible tumblers
• Toy Box Café: Lotso Bubble Waffle
• Il Paperino: Donald’s Waffle & Soft Serve

Tips

• Check restaurant menus through the official app or website
• Save on dining by getting a meal voucher through Klook
• Make a reservation at the Royal Banquet Hall ahead of time (use Skype)
• Guests take breaks in the quick service restaurants, even during off-peak dining hours (find a table first if you can)
• If a Cast Member doesn’t speak English, there are English menus you can point at
• The water stations inside restaurants are hot or warm water (use the fountains outside for cold)
• Outside food is not allowed

I also recommend getting food allergy cards (I haven’t used this service, but I did some research and read positive things). If you have severe allergies, then the information in this Reddit thread helps.

Attractions & FastPass

Shanghai Disneyland offers some of the world’s best and most modern Disney attractions. Undoubtedly, these attractions are part of the main reason you’re making the journey to Shanghai.

In my opinion, the best rides include Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, TRON Lightcyle Power Run, and Camp Discovery.

A FastPass shortens your wait time for an attraction. You’ll have to make a FastPass reservation through the official Shanghai Disneyland App or the dedicated kiosks around the Park. It’s included with your Park admission at no extra cost.

Knowing how to use the FastPass system and having a strategy can make or break your day. Read my field-tested FastPass strategy that explains everything you need to know, including what the best rides are.

Disney Premier Access

This is the paid FastPass option, which allows you to gain access to the FastPass lines for certain attractions. This is perfect if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip or you don’t want to deal with long lines.  This article explains how to use Disney Premier Access.

Entertainment & Fireworks

Shanghai Disneyland offers a variety of stage shows, character greetings, a daytime parade, and a nighttime spectacular — all of which are in Mandarin. Even with the language barrier, the stories are simple enough for you to get the idea most of the time. Here’s a list of my entertainment recommendations (you see now why I say you need at least two days at the Park):

• Ignite the Dream – A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light
• Mickey’s Storybook Express
• Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular
• Golden Fairytale Fanfare

The spectacular fireworks show, Ignite the Dream, is a perfect way to end your day at the park. This doesn’t rival Disney Dreams over at Disneyland Paris, but it’s marvellous for their first fireworks show. I prefer watching the show from the end of Mickey Avenue and not from the Gardens of Imagination. The reason is that the Gardens become intensely crowded and I find this unpleasant (you’re also told to sit).

Parades are a passion of mine, and while Mickey’s Storybook Express is not the best parade, the music gets you moving. A standout feature of this parade is that Mulan appears as her warrior alternate ego, Ping, and comes in riding on her trusted companion, Khan. The parade route is long, so finding a decent spot to stand is easy.

Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular is an over-the-top stage show worth watching. Even though the entire show is in Mandarin, there’s enough action that you won’t notice you have no idea what anyone is saying.

The best way to describe Tarzan is that it’s a light version of a Cirque du Soleil show.

Then one of my favourites is the Golden Fairytale Fanfare in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle, a stage show with gorgeous costumes, music, and appearances by several Disney Characters.

Always check the official website for showtimes.

Character Greetings

Shanghai Disneyland features several Character Greetings throughout the Park, from Marvel and Star Wars characters to Duffy the Disney Bear. The outside greetings (mainly in Mickey Avenue) are quite popular and have long waits. It’s best to ask a Cast Member when a character comes out.

Disneytown

Disneytown is Shanghai’s version of Downtown Disney or Ikspiari at Tokyo Disney Resort. It offers a variety of shopping and restaurants, including The World of Disney Store, Starbucks, and The Cheesecake Factory.

Travel Tips

Here are tips and advice to make your time at Shanghai Disneyland less stressful and enjoyable.

• Major credit cards are accepted in stores and restaurants (kiosks are cash)
• If you need cash, the ATMs in the Resort accept most foreign cards (check with your bank)
• Arrive at the Park about 60 minutes before opening (if you aren’t staying at the Disney Hotels)
• Buy the Shanghai Disney Photo Pass in advance
• Having a Mandarin Phrasebook will help with communication issues (also great if you don’t have access to Google)
• Mandarin and English are spoken at Shanghai Disney Resort (Hotel Cast Members & Managers usually speak a level of English)
• The language barrier isn’t too much of an issue, even though most Cast Members in the Park don’t speak English

Culture

Travelling to a foreign country comes with first-hand experiences in cultural differences. Here’s a list of a few you’ll notice during your visit:

• Portion sizes for food are similar to Western diets
• Queuing can feel disorderly at times, so be aware guests sometimes jump the queue (cutting the line)
• It’s not uncommon for children to relieve themselves in public (with parental help)
• While there are smoking areas and signs indicating where smoking is not allowed, some guests may ignore these signs
• Unauthorized merchandise sellers exist in the Park. They likely won’t interact with you, but always buy from the stores or official kiosks in the Park

Transportation

When flying into Shanghai, you land either at the Pudong International Airport (recommended) or Hongqiao International Airport. The easiest and quickest way to the Disney Hotels and the “Courtyard By Marriott Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone” hotel is by taking a taxi.

Taxi

A taxi to the area is anywhere between 140 to 160 RMB ($20 to $25 USD). Only take taxis from the taxi stand at the airport (follow the signs). People will ask you if you need a taxi; ignore them and go to the taxi stand. This way, you know you’ll get a reputable taxi.

If you go with anyone who approaches you, you’ll likely be overcharged for your taxi. I was quoted 400 RMB ($60 USD) for a taxi to Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, which is a rip-off.

Have your hotel name written in Mandarin (Chinese) to show the taxi driver. Taxis will only take cash, so make sure you have some on you. There’s an HSBC ATM just outside of immigration (before you leave into the arrivals area) where you can take out cash if your card is on the Visa Plus network.

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Shanghai Disneyland Hotel

上海迪士尼乐园酒店申迪西路1009号
浦东新区, 上海 201205
+86-21-2099-8002

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Toy Story Hotel

玩具总动员酒店申迪西路360号
浦东新区, 上海 201205
+86-21-2099-8003

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Courtyard By Marriott Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone

上海国际旅游度假区-万怡酒店
秀浦路3999弄17号,201315 上海
+81 21 5150 9988

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Metro & Maglev

Another option is the Maglev and subway, which takes about an hour to get to the Resort after a few transfers. I recommend buying the “Maglev Single Trip + Metro One-Day Pass” (55 RMB or $8 USD) right at the Maglev station (follow the signs). That way you are able to get to Shanghai Disney Resort station without having to buy extra tickets:

• Maglev from Pudong International Airport
• Transfer at Longyang Rd to Line 16 (Heading towards Dishui Lake)
• Transfer at Luoshan Rd to Line 11 and head right to “Disney Resort”
• Download the Explore Shanghai Metro App (iOS & Android)

To get back to the airport, ask the concierge to call you a taxi. They’ll make sure you get a legitimate taxi. Ask the concierge to write down how much the trip costs. This way there is less chance of a dispute if the taxi tries to overcharge you. A taxi ride from the Disney Hotels costs about $20 USD.

How to Access Blocked Websites

Using the Internet is troublesome in Mainland China, and Shanghai Disneyland is no exception. The Great Firewall of China, as it’s known, prevents websites, apps, and services such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google, and a plethora of other sites from working while in the country. Even if you have a foreign phone, you are not exempt from this. However, iMessage and FaceTime work without any issues. If you need to communicate with others, then download WeChat for iOS or Android (it’s the most popular messaging platform in China).

Disney Hotels and Park have free Wi-Fi, but websites are blocked here, too. The official app does work on this Wi-Fi, however. To access blocked websites while on these Wi-Fi networks, you’ll need to install a VPN. I recommend Surfshark and have used it while travelling. Keep in mind that the Wi-Fi in the Park isn’t reliable and I don’t recommend relying on it.

If you’re with T-Mobile in the US, they offer an international roaming package (you can access all your apps and websites). The only downside is it’s 2G, which means it’s incredibly slow and not ideal for sharing video and photos.

SIM Card

If you have an unlocked smartphone, there’s a simple way to access all your apps and websites. This 4G SIM Card works in both Hong Kong and Mainland China. I use this each time I visit Shanghai (that’s how I can post to Instagram while I’m there).

Before Your Trip

A simple list of things to do, read, or buy before your trip. This makes planning things so much smoother.

• Download the Official Shanghai Disneyland App and create your account
• Download the Metro App for iOS or Android to navigate the trains
• Save yourself money by getting discount Shanghai Disneyland Park & meal tickets
• Buy this SIM Card to get around blocked websites & apps (Great Firewall of China)
• If you need a Wi-Fi device, I recommend this one (you’ll need to use a VPN to access most sites)
• If you plan on using a VPN, install it before you get to China
• Perfect your trip to Shanghai with the Lonely Planet Guide (I love using this for research)
• Read DisneyTouristBlog’s Shanghai Guide too (it’s always good to get other opinions)
• Budget about $50 USD (320 RMB) per day in cash (get this before you go from your bank)
• If doing the transit visa, make sure your full legal name is on your hotel reservations
• Print out all hotel and airline reservations

Pro Tip: The Shanghai Disneyland Park Map and ride wait times are available through the app. If you download ahead of time, you can study the map to familiarize yourself with the Park and see wait time patterns.

Do they speak English at Shanghai Disneyland?

Cast Members don’t widely speak English at Shanghai Disneyland. Don’t let that deter you from visiting, though. Cast Members working at the front desk at the Hotels and Guest Relations will have English-speaking staff. If you don’t speak Chinese (Mandarin), you’ll be fine at Shanghai Disneyland.

Most entertainment and shows are in Mandarin and not English. However, they’ll speak English if you give character greetings with face characters.

Is Shanghai Disneyland worth the visit?

Undoubtedly, Shanghai Disneyland is a must-visit for any theme park fan. There’s more than enough in the Park to justify journeying to this side of the world. While the Park isn’t perfect and has its issues, it’s exciting to watch this Park grow and evolve in the short time it’s been open.

I love this Park; it holds a special place in my little Explorer’s heart. Once you visit, you’ll understand why.

A trip to China sounds intimidating, and you may hesitate to visit. By following all the advice listed here, you’ll be more than prepared when you make your trip happen! You’ll be happy you did trust me.

More on Shanghai Disneyland

Do you still want to consume more content on Shanghai Disneyland? Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. Here are videos, podcasts, and other resources to help you with your trip.

Trip Reports

Read and watch my firsthand experience at Shanghai Disneyland through my written trip reports and vlogs.

• Winter Trip Reports (Parts one, two, and three)
• VLOG: Christmas Trip Report (Parts one, two, and three)
• VLOG: Spring at Shanghai Disneyland (Part one and two)

Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening 2016

I was fortunate to visit Shanghai Disneyland on its first official day on June 16, 2016. What an incredible experience! I won’t ever have the chance to do it again. I’ve documented the entire adventure for you to read, watch, or listen to:

• Initial Thoughts
• Grand Opening Trip Report (Part one, two, three, four)
• Grand Opening Podcast Episodes (full episode & FAQ episode)
• VLOG: Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening

Explorer Thoughts on Shanghai Disneyland?

Do you have any more tips and advice to add? Let us know in the comments!

If Shanghai Disneyland is part of a larger Disney Asia Trip, you won’t miss out on other travel guides for Tokyo Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland!

If you found this guide useful, please share it on social media to get the word out. I’ve also included gorgeous images to pin to Pinterest.