Shanghai Disneyland, Pudong 上海迪士尼樂園
Gareth Thomas
Opened in spring 2016, the most recent addition to the world of Disney theme parks in the Pudong district of Shanghai offers an exciting day trip for visitors taking advantage of the new 144-hour visa-free transit policy.
It is located at the end of metro line 11, and can also easily be reached by taxi. Getting a taxi from Disney Resort back to the centre is a struggle, so the subway is the better option by far. Be sure to pick up a return subway ticket when you arrive in order to avoid lengthy queues at the end of the day.
Shanghai Disney Resort has many of the standard rides which you can find at Tokyo Disney Resort but with the addition of Pirates of the Caribbean and TRON Lightcycle roller coaster.
The spectacular Pirates of the Caribbean is an immersive cinematic boat ride that is a hit with kids and adults alike; head for this ride as soon as you enter the park to avoid long queues later on. The thrilling TRON roller coaster is not for for the faint-hearted, sitting on a motorbike with only your feet locked in; if you are brave enough, try letting go of the handlebars and sitting up straight for the entire ride!
Waiting times for rides tend to be much shorter than at theme parks in Japan, but you may wish to invest in an executive pass in August to avoid the summer heat, especially if you have young children. These passes can be purchased on the left as you enter the main gate and are for seven rides, excluding Pirates of the Caribbean.
As you would expect, restaurants in the park can get very busy but are kept very clean and the quality and choice of food are better than in other Disney parks. However, you may consider escaping the crowds and popping out of the park to the Blue Frog Bar & Grill in DisneyTown for a gourmet burger and a fine selection of beers and cocktails.
Wait around at the park until nightfall for the daily fireworks display and laser show projected onto Enchanted Storybook Castle. The fireworks are less than impressive, but the laser show is certainly well worth the wait. The best place to see the show is from the terrace of the restaurant Wolfgang Puck in DisneyTown. The exclusive terrace is only open to customers who order the set menu.
Shanghai Disneyland Facts
Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016. 11 years after Hong Kong Disneyland.
It is 3 times bigger than Hong Kong Disneyland.
Shanghai Disneyland Resort has two Disney-themed hotels: the 420-room Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and the 800 room Toy Story Hotel.
Resources
www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/en/dining/disneytown/blue-frog-bar-grill
wolfgangpuck.com/dining/wolfgang-puck-kitchen-bar-shanghai
Shanghai Disneyland Access - how to get to Shanghai Disneyland
Shanghai Disney Resort (shanghaidisneyresort.com)
Chuansha New Town
Pudong New Area
Shanghai, China
Tel: 86 21 3158 0000
Hours: 8 am-8 pm
Admission: 370 Yuan for adults
The nearest subway station to Shanghai Disneyland is Disney Resort Station on Line 11. The station and some trains on Line 11 carry the Disney brand livery.
There are several express tourist buses to Shanghai Disneyland.
Line 1: To Shanghai Railway Station (Shanghai Long-Distance Bus Terminal)
Line 2: To Shanghai South Railway Station (Shanghai South Long-Distance Bus Terminal)
Line 3: To Hongqiao Transportation Hub (Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station / Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport)
Line 4: To Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Terminal 1)
Line 5: To Shanghai Stadium
Line 6: To Hongkou Stadium
Line 7: To Nanpu Bridge
Local buses Pudong 50, Pudong 51 and Pudong 52 go to Shanghai Disney South Transport Hub.
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