Home
China

2026 Shanghai Disneyland Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Holly Connors·

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

Shanghai Disneyland doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves as one of the Disney Parks outside of the USA, but it is absolutely worth visiting! We loved almost everything about our experience and have a lot of tips to share.

It’s the largest Disney park outside of the United States. It has the tallest Disney castle in the world. It’s home to the only Zootopia land on the planet. And it has at least two rides that regularly get named among the best Disney has ever built, anywhere.

We visited Shanghai with the sole purpose of checking off our final Asia Disney Park on this trip, since we were already visiting Hong Kong Disneyland. There were some unexpected surprises along the way, and this guide will make sure you’re prepared.

Purchase Your Shanghai Disneyland Tickets Here

shanghai disneyland castle.

Shanghai Disneyland – Quick Guide

  • ✔ Location: Pudong district of Shanghai
  • ✔ Best for: Disney fans of all ages, families wanting something different
  • ✔ Time needed: 1–2 days
  • ✔ Top highlights: Zootopia Land (world’s only), TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure
  • ✔ Good to know: Tickets need to be purchased online & it’s worth getting Disney Premier Access passes

About Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland opened in June 2016 and is the sixth Disney resort in the world. In 2026 it celebrated its 10th Anniversary, with special parades, limited-edition merchandise and updated entertainment running throughout the year.

It’s the largest Disney park outside the US, arranged around the Enchanted Storybook Castle, the tallest and largest Disney castle ever built, shared by multiple Disney princesses rather than a single character.

It is currently the largest Disneyland castle park in the world by area. And you will feel it as you navigate the park. So many steps…

What sets Shanghai Disneyland apart from every other Disney park in the world is that almost nothing was copied from the existing parks. The lands are unique, the rides are unique, and in some cases they’re better than anything Disney has built elsewhere.

It’s not the park the Disney internet talks about most, but it should be getting a lot more hype.

Just outside the park entrance, Disneytown is a free shopping and dining precinct that doesn’t require a park ticket, worth knowing if you want to browse before or after your day.

Important: Shanghai Is In Mainland China

Before anything else, unlike Hong Kong, Shanghai operates under China’s internet restrictions. Your usual apps (Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram) won’t work without a VPN.

The good news is that the Shanghai Disney Resort app works fine in China, no VPN is needed for the park itself. But you’ll want your eSIM with a built-in VPN set up before you land, for everything else.

You will also need passport details for every family member when buying tickets online. Don’t leave this until the last minute.

👉 Read our guide to visiting China as a first-timer for the full rundown on apps, VPNs and what to sort before you fly.

Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSim. There’s no need to swap physical SIM cards. It takes just a few minutes to set up before you leave. We always use an eSim from Airalo.

Planning A Trip To Shanghai Disneyland

How To Get To Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland is in the Pudong district of Shanghai, and the easiest way to get there is by metro.

  • By Metro (easiest): Take Shanghai Metro Line 11 to Disney Resort Station. The line runs straight to the park entrance. The journey from central Shanghai is roughly 40-50 minutes.
  • By taxi/ride-hailing: Use Didi (China’s ride-hailing equivalent of Uber) if you prefer not to use the metro. Book via the Didi app with Amap for navigation.
  • From Pudong Airport: Around 30-40 minutes by taxi, or Metro Line 2 to transfer to Line 11.

Alternatively, stay at one of the Shanghai Disneyland resorts or a nearby hotel that offers a free shuttle service. We did this, staying at Comfort Inn by Ramada in Pudong, around 20 minutes from the park.

Book Your Airport Transfers
After a long flight, the last thing you want is to figure out transport with tired kids and luggage. We often book a transfer in advance so everything is sorted before we arrive.

You can check options with Welcome Pickups for a smooth arrival experience.

When To Visit Shanghai Disneyland

shanghai disneyland 10th anniversary.

Shanghai Disneyland draws enormous crowds, particularly since the opening of Zootopia Land. Wait times for the biggest rides can reach 2 hours or more on busy days, so timing your visit matters.

Choosing the Right Season

  • Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to October) are the best windows, pleasant weather and smaller crowds compared to peak periods
  • July and August are hot, humid and very crowded. Avoid if possible.
  • Chinese New Year (late January/early February) and Golden Week (early October) are the absolute busiest times. The park can feel overwhelming.

Avoiding Busy Times

  • Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends
  • When the park is celebrating an anniversary or other special events, there will be more visitors than usual
  • Zootopia Land consistently has the longest queues regardless of when you visit. Arriving at opening and going there first is the main way to manage this.

We visited during Summer since this was our Winter break back home. It was extremely hot and humid, which made the full day from park opening to fireworks very draining. Make sure you hydrate A LOT! There are free water bottle filling stations everywhere.

Seasonal Events and Special Experiences

  • Anniversary celebrations – These usually come with new shows, updated parades and exclusive merchandise. They tend to do anniversary celebrations every 5 years so the next would be 15 years in 2031.
  • Daily parades – Mickey’s Storybook Express and FriendSHIP Duffy & Friends.
  • Nightly fireworks show – Castle fireworks and projection show, worth staying for in the evening. This changes from time to time but a must-see if the kids can stay up that long.

How Many Days Do You Need At Shanghai Disneyland?

Shanghai Disneyland is big, big. Two days is the recommended amount to cover the park without rushing.

But if you are limited on time, as we were, you can definitely manage it in a single day. Although we do recommend Premier Access passes if you don’t want to spend the whole day in queues (more on that below).

  • 1 day: Possible but you’ll need to prioritise and accept you’ll miss things, especially if queues are long
  • 2 days: Gives you time to cover every land at a reasonable pace and revisit anything you loved

The best way to tackle a single day is with both an early access pass and Disney Premier Access passes, or visit on a very quiet weekday with a very clear plan.

👉 If you’re combining Shanghai Disneyland with Hong Kong Disneyland or Tokyo Disney on the same trip, one day here is the realistic option, but have a clear plan before you walk in. Our Tokyo Disney guide covers how the parks compare if you’re planning a full Disney Asia trip.

Shanghai Disneyland Ticket Options

Tickets for Shanghai Disneyland are date-specific and sell out on busy days. Book as far in advance as possible.

  • Tickets are available online through the official Shanghai Disney Resort website, Klook, or the official app
  • Prices vary by date and season so check current pricing before booking as this changes
  • Passport details are required for every person when purchasing, so have these ready before you start the booking process

Purchase Your Shanghai Disneyland Tickets Here

Disney Premier Access

Shanghai Disneyland has Disney Premier Access (DPA) as its paid priority pass system. There is no free alternative here, unlike Tokyo Disney at the time of our visit.

Passes are available per attraction, and the strongest uses are:

  • TRON Lightcycle Power Run – the signature rollercoaster, regularly a 90+ minute waits
  • Zootopia: Hot Pursuit – the most popular ride in the park right now. Queues build to 120+ minutes by mid-morning on busy days.
  • Soaring Over the Horizon – long waits throughout the day

The alternative strategy is to arrive at opening and head to Zootopia or TRON first, before the queues build. On quieter days, this can get you on both without paying for priority access.

We managed this with Tron and then used our DPA later in the day to go again.

You can purchase Disney Premier Access through the Shanghai Disney Resort app during your visit, but they do sell out. Or via the website or Klook in advance.

We purchased DPA bundles via Klook before our visit, and honestly, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. Even getting in quickly and moving to Zootopia first thing, the line was already long and we already had to use our express pass.

The best thing about having Disney Premier Access on the rides you are most eager to ride is that you won’t miss out by running out of time.

The queues can get to 2+ hours on busy days. And it means if the line is short later in the day, you might get to ride twice. We managed a second ride on Zootopia in the evening with a 20-minute wait instead of the 3-hour one it had earlier in the day.

Do you need Disney Premier Access passes for Shanghai Disneyland?

YES. If you have just one day, splurge on the passes.

Even before visiting, I knew it was a non-negotiable for us as we don’t want to fly halfway around the world for a once-in-a-lifetime visit only to spend it lined up in queues all day rather than experiencing the attractions.

In fact, next time I would also get early entry passes as well for that extra time before the crowds arrive, to get a lay of the land and enjoy it before it becomes overwhelming and busy.

If you want more tips on where your money is worth spending at a Disney park, our Disney money-saving guide breaks it down.

Insider Tip: Download the Shanghai Disney Resort app before you leave home. It shows real-time wait times, maps, show schedules and lets you manage your day. It works in mainland China without a VPN.

Purchase Your Shanghai Disneyland Disney Premier Access & Early Entry Passes Here

Shanghai Disneyland Accommodation

Disney Hotels

Two official hotels sit within the resort, connected to the park by complimentary shuttle:

Both offer early entry advantages and are the easiest base if you’re planning to spend multiple days at the park.

Off-Site Accommodation

We stayed at the Comfort Inn by Ramada in Pudong, around 20 minutes from the park, which offered a free shuttle service to both Disneyland and Pudong International Airport.

Another popular option is Novotel Shanghai Clover, which is around the same distance.

Staying in central Shanghai and commuting via Metro Line 11 is also completely practical, around 40-50 minutes each way, with a much wider range of hotels and price points available in the city.

The only downside is that it’s a long trip, and you have to navigate public transport late at night if you stay the full day. If you’ve ever done a full Disney day, you know that sometimes splurging on something closer is worth it.

Planning Your Day: Read This Before You Go

4-6 Months Before Your Visit

  • Book your Disney hotel if you want to stay on-site

2-4 Weeks Before Your Visit

  • Buy your park tickets and have every family member’s passport details ready
  • Download the Shanghai Disney Resort app
  • Sort your eSIM and VPN for mainland China. Our China travel guide covers exactly what to sort before you fly.
  • Book any dining reservations through the app if you want table-service restaurants

The Week Before Your Visit

  • Check the ride closure schedule on the official app or website
  • Decide which lands you most want to cover and note which rides need priority passes
  • Have your passes downloaded/added to apps for easy entry

The Day Of Your Visit

  • Arrive early. Gates can open before the advertised time.
  • Head straight to Zootopia Land or TRON when the park opens, before queues build
  • Book your first Disney Premier Access pass immediately if you plan to use them and didn’t book in advance

The Eight Themed Lands of Shanghai Disneyland

Mickey Avenue

The entry street equivalent of Main Street USA, but uniquely Shanghai, with Chinese characters in the architecture. Shops line both sides but you likely want to save browsing for the end of the day.

There are quite a few restaurants and dining options here.

Gardens of Imagination

The central hub around the Enchanted Storybook Castle. The castle itself is the standout. It is enormous and unlike any other Disney castle.

  • Enchanted Storybook Castle – stage shows and character meet-and-greets happen here throughout the day. Check the schedule on the app.
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant and a carousel are here for younger kids
  • ILLUMINATE! fireworks spectacular launches from the castle in the evening

If you’re visiting during Summer and need an air conditioning break, Once Upon A Time Adventure is a walkthrough attraction inside the castle. There are quite a few stairs and some cool effects as you walk through.

Zootopia

zootopia shanghai disney.

The world’s only Zootopia land and one of the most popular sections of the park, having opened in late 2023. The theming is immersive in a way that’s immediately obvious when you walk in. It feels like you’re actually in Zootopia.

  • Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, a trackless dark ride that critics regularly name among Disney’s best ride systems anywhere. Judy Hopps chases a villain through the streets of Zootopia in a police cruiser. It’s excellent. GET HERE FIRST.
  • Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde character meet-and-greet

Hot Pursuit is actually fantastic! It’s a really fun ride, very cool effects and one little tip is that if you have Disney Premier Access, you skip most of the line and miss out on some really cool theming along the way.

Totally not worth waiting 2 hours just to see it, but if you get lucky and the wait is short at some point during the day, it’s worth doing the full line experience. For younger kids, the ride will make more sense after the walkthrough as it shows where the bad guys escaped prison and there’s some really funny theming.

Nick’s Snack Stand in this land sells the “Pawsicle” (Zootopia popsicle), a blueberry-raspberry bar shaped like a paw print. Worth grabbing for the photo if nothing else.

There is also the popular giant popsicle, which is actually chocolate rice crispy treats. We didn’t get either. They are sooo overpriced but popular on social media.

pawpsicles.

👉 Insider Tip: This is where you go the moment the gates open. Queues for Hot Pursuit hit 90-120+ minutes by mid-morning on busy days. It got up to 3 hours during our visit and half of the queue is in not undercover.

Tomorrowland

tron ride at night.

Home to the park’s signature thrill ride.

  • TRON Lightcycle Power Run, a motorcycle-style roller coaster that launches you at speed through a digital lightcycle world. Fast, thrilling and spectacular. One of the best coasters in any Disney park, anywhere.
  • Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue, interactive dark ride, fun for all ages

Tron is definitely pretty epic. We rode during the day and most of the ride is actually indoors but people rave about doing it at night for the parts that are outdoors. We rode it twice.

Buzz Lightyear is the same ride as some of the other parks with shooting the targets and competing against your ride partner. We found it often had a short queue so we rode it a couple of times.

Treasure Cove

pirates of the carribean ride.

Pirate-themed land and home to what many consider the best ride in the entire park.

  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure – This is NOT the same ride as the version in the US parks. It uses magnetic boats and enormous IMAX-scale screens and is widely considered one of the most technically impressive rides Disney has ever built. Captain Jack Sparrow fights a sea monster. It’s stunning.
  • Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular, live stunt show

We loved this version of Pirates of the Caribbean more than any other we’ve been on. Totally worth the hype. We didn’t get the chance to watch the Stunt show.

Adventure Isle

camp discovery trails.
camp discovery trails.

Indiana Jones-style jungle exploration area.

  • Roaring Rapids – a raft ride that gets extremely popular in Summer (expect to get wet)
  • Challenge Trails at Camp Discovery – exploration area good for kids, with climbing and rope bridges
  • Junior Explorers Camp – Fun training camp for kids

We visited on a very hot 37 degree celcius day and could not wait to get soaked on Roaring Rapids, yet nearly every other person was wearing a poncho. They either brought them with them or purchased them in line and tossed them after.

Our eldest daughter got absolutely soaked. The rest of us, not so much. The kids loved this ride as one of their top rides of the day. For us, it’s good, but we’ve ridden similar many times.

The unexpected treat of the day might have been the Challenge Trails. This is essentially a high ropes experience where you have a harness on, and you’re attached to the tracks that run throughout the climbing areas.

There are challenges to suit all different difficulty levels.

My youngest is scared of heights and usually panics on these experiences but she stuck with the easy options. I went somewhere in the middle and my teen went for the hard ones. It was actually so fun! Simon took a break while we did this since it was super hot.

Fantasyland

Classic Disney characters and family rides, built around views of the castle.

  • Peter Pan’s Flight – A classic dark ride
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – A classic dark ride
  • Voyage to the Crystal Grotto – a boat tour of Fantasyland. A relaxing ride with different themed areas based on classic Disney characters.

These rides were all enjoyable but Peter Pan’s Flight and Winnie the Pooh did not compare to the versions at Tokyo Disneyland Resort. Their version of Peter Pan is a 3D motion experience, and their Winnie the Pooh is much longer with bouncing carts.

Toy Story Land

toy story land shanghai disneyland.

Andy’s toy-themed world with a few rides. Toy Story Land has become one of the most iconic lands at most Disney Parks now. Shanghai is no exception.

  • Woody’s Roundup – This is a reimagining of a ride at most Disney Parks, such as the Mater Junkyard Jamboree in California. It spins around in a figure-8 track
  • Rex’s Racer – A U-shaped thrill ride. Don’t underestimate this one!
  • Slinky Dog Spin – A very basic rollercoaster that goes in circles, good for younger kids

We did not ride Rex’s Racer at Shanghai as the line was always huge… which seemed surprising. But we did ride the exact same ride at Hong Kong and holy moly, it ended up being the scariest ride of the trip.

It’s definitely more of a thrill ride as you go back and forth up the big horseshoe-shaped track. It feels much higher when you’re up there, and your stomach stays up in the air on your way down with that free-fall feeling.

Simon and our youngest daughter loved it. Our elder daughter and I thought it was horrible… HAHA!

Soaring Over the Horizon

Soaring isn’t in any of the lands. It’s in its own pavilion.

  • Soaring Over the Horizon – A flight simulation ride taking you over famous global landmarks. Similar to the version in other Disney parks (and to Dreamworld’s equivalent in Australia). Beautiful but long waits. Use a Premier Access pass or come late in the day when queues drop.

We didn’t get a chance to ride this version as the queue was always huge and we didn’t have passes for it, but we did do the Tokyo version and it is a really great ride if you have the chance. Not scary!

Our Favourite Attractions

The Must-Rides

In order of what we actually loved:

  1. Zootopia: Hot Pursuit – Everything the hype said it would be and then some. The trackless ride system is something else.
  2. TRON Lightcycle Power Run – one of the best coasters any of us have ever ridden, full stop.
  3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure – Not the same ride as the US version at all. The IMAX-scale screen sequences and the magnetic boat system make it feel like a completely different attraction.
  4. Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue – More fun than it looks. The interactive shooting element keeps it interesting for all ages.
  5. Challenge Trails at Camp Discovery – A brilliant break from queuing and one the kids can really get into. Better than you’d expect from a climbing area.
  6. Roaring Rapids – Circular rafts and rapids. You will get wet.

Worth Doing

These aren’t the headline acts but all worth fitting in if queues are manageable:

  • Soaring Over the Horizon – Beautiful, especially if you haven’t done the equivalent at another park. Even if you have, the Shanghai version has its own landmarks.
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – A nice rollercoaster with medium thrill level.
  • Peter Pan’s Flight – Classic dark ride, always worth a go
  • Rex’s Racer – If you love thrill rides, don’t skip this one as it’s one of the biggest thrills at Shanghai Disneyland.
  • Voyage to the Crystal Grotto – A gentle boat tour through Fantasyland that gives you a different perspective on the castle. Good rest stop mid-day.
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – harming and easy, good for a quieter moment in the day

Only Do If Lines Are Short

Skip these if there’s a queue of any real length:

  • Woody’s Roundup
  • Slinky Dog Spin
  • Jet Packs
  • Dumbo The Flying Elephant
  • Hunny Pot Spin
  • Explorer Canoes

Height Requirements For Key Rides

If you’re visiting with younger kids, check these before you go so you can plan your day. Here are some of the current height restrictions for the most popular rides:

  • TRON Lightcycle Power Run: 122cm minimum
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure: 81cm minimum
  • Soaring Over the Horizon: 102cm minimum
  • Roaring Rapids: 107cm minimum
  • Zootopia: Hot Pursuit: 81cm minimum
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: 97cm minimum
  • Rex’s Racer: 120cm minimum

Always verify current requirements on the official Shanghai Disney Resort app or website before visiting, as these can chan

Food At Shanghai Disneyland

coconut castle ice cream.

We didn’t go too crazy on food. We got burgers and fries for lunch, and had a popsicle each. Mine was the coconut castle ice cream bar, and it was so perfectly refreshing on a Summer day. The kids had a Duffy strawberry ice cream bar.

For dinner, we dined in the Mickey & Pals Market Cafe and got a mix of Chinese and Western dishes.

Shanghai Disneyland is generally considered to have better park food than most other Disney parks, with more variety and options that go beyond standard theme park fare.

Tips for dining:

  • Eat early or late. Avoid the 12-1pm and 6-7pm rush.
  • Use Disney Mobile Order in the app to skip counter queues
  • Bring a reusable water bottle and use refill stations to save money on drinks

Shopping And Souvenirs

Shanghai Disneyland has exclusive merchandise you won’t find at other Disney parks, particularly around the Zootopia land and when they are having their anniversary celebrations.

I got 10th anniversary Disney ears as a special memento for the trip.

Insider Tip: If there’s something specific you want, buy it when you see it. Popular items sell out during busy periods.

What To Pack For A Day In The Park

  • Reusable water bottle – Water fountains are available throughout
  • Comfortable walking shoes – The park is enormous
  • Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Light rain jacket or poncho – Shanghai weather can change quickly. Our best Disney ponchos guide has the options worth buying.
  • Portable charger – The app drains your battery faster than you’d expect
  • Small backpack
  • Alipay or WeChat Pay – Set up the apps before you leave your home country as they require verification texts.

For a full breakdown of everything worth bringing, our Disney packing list covers it by season.

Make sure you check the list of things not allowed in the park before you visit too. They are very strict. No tripods or selfie sticks has been a rule at Disney Parks for years (although not very well enforced at Hong Kong).

But what I did miss was no flash bulbs, and I had forgotten to take the small clip-on light out of my Osmo Pocket camera bag, so they confiscated it for collection at the end of the night.

Practical Tips For Visiting Shanghai Disneyland As A Foreign Visitor

  • Your passport is your ID – You need your passport to book tickets online and it also needs to be scanned at the gate for each guest.
  • The Disney app works without a VPN
  • Alipay and WeChat Pay are the easiest ways to pay for food and merchandise inside the park. Set these up before you leave home. Our China travel guide walks through exactly how.
  • Cast members at the major attractions tend to have basic English. Signage is in both Chinese and English throughout the park.
  • Lockers are available near the park entrance
  • Comfortable shoes are a must as even the walk to the entrance is a long way from the car park. We had done 5 thousand steps before we got to the gate.

What To Do If It Rains

Shanghai can get heavy downpours with very little warning, particularly in summer.

  • Outdoor queue areas may close temporarily during heavy rain. If that happens, it’s a good time to head to an indoor attraction or grab food.
  • Some outdoor rides suspend in rain and restart once it passes
  • Pack a poncho or rain jacket regardless of the forecast
  • This is a good time for a food court visit although everyone will have the same idea

If you’re visiting with kids and expect to be waiting in long queues, our things to do while waiting in line guide is worth a read before you go.

This is one thing we never travel without

Travel insurance is one of those things you hope you never need — but it’s absolutely worth having, especially when travelling with kids. For flexible coverage, we’ve used SafetyWing, and World2Cover through Klook is another solid and affordable option.

Nighttime Fireworks: Where To Watch

shanghai disney castle at night.

ILLUMINATE! is absolutely worth staying for. The castle projection show with fireworks is one of the best nighttime Disney shows we’ve seen.

The castle foreground area gives you the best view but you need to be there well over an hour before the show starts to get a good spot. Families plant themselves there early and it fills completely.

We didn’t want to spend an hour waiting around, so we found a spot further back in the hub area right before it started. We could still see and enjoy the show from there, although not as good of a view if you’re willing to get there early.

Don’t stress if you’re not front and centre. You will still find a place to see.

Check show times on the app when you arrive and factor in where you want to eat dinner so you’re already in roughly the right area beforehand.

Biggest Surprise

One of the things that I think Shanghai Disneyland gets the most hype for is their unique take on some of the classic rides.

There is no doubt that their Pirates of the Caribbean is the best of the 3 versions we have ridden (California & Tokyo included).

The use of screens makes it so much more visually stunning and exciting than the usual animatronics. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the very clever special effects reveal of Jack Sparrow near the end.

The theming in Zootopia land is fantastic. So much detail that you need to spend a while absorbing it. And make sure you pop back for a look at night too.

The other surprise is how enormous the park is. We did around 37 thousand steps each on our one-day visit. I think that might be my new record!

The Pram Situation

Something we were completely unprepared for and we have to mention it: the prams.

Shanghai Disneyland has enormous double prams available for hire outside the park entrance, and they are everywhere. They’re big, they’re wide, they’re hard to miss.

But what made them kind of hilarious was that they are being used by people of all ages.

We saw children who were clearly well past stroller age being pushed around in them. We saw teenagers.

And on more than one occasion we watched fully grown adult men pushing their wives through the park while she sat in the pram quite contentedly.

No children involved. Just the saying ‘happy wife, happy life’ in action.

Or men napping in the strollers while their family were off having fun.

It was hilarious to see, and honestly, it’s a genius move when you think about it. Shanghai Disneyland is an enormous park, and your feet will be destroyed by the end of the day.

Be Prepared For A Different Queuing Experience

zootopia land at shanghai disneyland.

This is worth knowing before you go, particularly if Shanghai Disneyland is your first Disney park.

The crowd size at Shanghai Disneyland can be enormous, and the social norms around queuing are simply different to what most Western visitors are used to.

People push into lines. It happens regularly, and it happens without any apparent awareness that it might be considered an issue. We saw it throughout the park, including families with young children stepping directly in front of us in queue lines that we’d been standing in for a while.

This is not unique to Disney. It’s a cultural norm across China and not something people are doing to be aggressive or deliberately rude.

Going in knowing that makes it a lot easier to let go of in the moment rather than spending energy being frustrated by it. It did make us pretty cranky at one point towards the end of a long, very hot Summer day. I gave them my best evil glare…

A few things that help:

  • Stand close to the person in front of you and keep your group together. Gaps invite entry. My youngest said ‘stand wide’ and put her hands on her hips.
  • The Disney Premier Access queues tend to have better crowd management and shorter lines overall, which is another reason they’re worth buying.
  • If it bothers you on the day, take a breath and remind yourself that the rides are worth it and that it’s a cultural difference rather than just plain rudeness.

The park itself is extraordinary, and the crowds are part of the experience of visiting one of the busiest theme parks in the world. Just go in with your expectations in place and you will have a much better time.

Shanghai Disneyland Review: What Did We Think?

shanghai disneyland in summer.

This guide would not be complete without our overall opinion on the Park. This was our 5th Disney Park, having been to California and Tokyo before this trip and also Hong Kong a few days later.

Shanghai Disneyland is worth visiting. We loved the park itself. The size made it a little overwhelming and exhausting, but incredible. The rides were great, and we filled in the entire day from opening until fireworks.

It’s expensive (but it’s Disney) and it’s crazy busy! Expect it to be one of the most crowded Disney Parks in the world, but it’s worth braving those crowds.

I wouldn’t visit without Disney Premier Access passes for at least your top rides. Potentially early park entry passes too.

I would also recommend staying on site if you can afford the splurge of a Disney hotel because it means you could go back to your room for an afternoon nap and a rest if you have kids (or even if you don’t), and that can be a game changer. It also means no long trip back to your hotel afterwards.

We didn’t stay on site, and there aren’t a lot of large hotels nearby. We did stay on site for both Tokyo Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland, and it was much easier.

Either way, absolutely Disneyland in Shanghai is a must-visit if you are visiting China or planning a trip just to tick off all the Disney Parks around the world.

Book Your Shanghai Disneyland Tickets Here

FAQ

How many days do you need at Shanghai Disneyland?

Two days gives you the most comfortable experience. One day is possible but requires a clear plan, early arrival, and ideally, Disney Premier Access passes.

Is Shanghai Disneyland worth visiting for international tourists?

Yes, without question. It’s one of the best Disney parks in the world and unlike any other Disney park because of its unique take on many of the classic rides as well as some that don’t exist elsewhere. If you’re building an Asia itinerary and Disney is part of it, Shanghai should be on the list. The combination of Zootopia Land, TRON and Pirates of the Caribbean makes it worth the trip on its own.

Do you need a VPN at Shanghai Disneyland?

The Shanghai Disney Resort app works fine without one, which is handy since it’s your main tool for wait times, mobile ordering and show schedules. You’ll want a VPN-enabled eSIM for everything outside the park though. Our China travel guide covers what to sort before you fly.

Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSim. There’s no need to swap physical SIM cards. It takes just a few minutes to set up before you leave. We always use an eSim from Airalo.

What is the best ride at Shanghai Disneyland?

Zootopia: Hot Pursuit and Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure both have a strong claim. Zootopia is the most technically impressive trackless ride system we’ve experienced anywhere. Pirates is nothing like the US version and regularly gets called one of the best rides Disney has ever built with incredible use of screens and TRON is the best coaster. You can’t go wrong with any of them.

Is Shanghai Disneyland good for teenagers?

Yes, it’s probably one of the best Disney park for teenagers specifically. TRON, Zootopia: Hot Pursuit and Pirates all deliver the kind of experience that holds up for older kids who’ve outgrown the classic gentle rides. Our girls loved it.

Can you visit Shanghai Disneyland without speaking Mandarin?

Yes. All major signage is in both Chinese and English, the app is available in English and cast members at the headline attractions tend to have basic English. You’ll be fine navigating the park.

What Expansions Are Coming To Shanghai Disneyland?

Over the next few years, Shanghai Disney Resort is getting a Spider-Man-themed land including a new high-speed rollercoaster (which looked epic from what we could see). They are also getting 2 more Disney hotels and opening a second theme park gate to make entry quicker.

Plan Your Visit

Plan Your Trip

Here are a few things we always organise before travelling:

Book Your Shanghai Disneyland Tickets Here

More Disney Planning Resources