disneyland shanghai is the newest Disney park located in China.
On this post
This trip planning guide covers all facets of a visit to Shanghai Disney Resort, from transportation, currency, and dining.
So keep reading and don't miss out.
Disneyland Shanghai
This may be the sixth Disney resort to be built worldwide, but it's the first of its kind.
However, this resort, which opened in 2016, is in a size category of its own, at 11 times the size of the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
But what's inside is also different. THE walt disney company partnered with Chinese authorities on the nearly US$ 6 billion project.
And so, to convince the government, the Mickey Mouse masters agreed not only to clone an existing Disneyland, but to create something distinctly Chinese.
And so, to give the Chinese, in effect, their own specific version of Disney.
Language at Disneyland Shanghai
While it's possible to enjoy your trip without knowing any Mandarin, it's good to learn a few useful words like Ni Hao (Hello) and Xie Xie (Thank you).
All rides, attractions and shows are in the local language, but this does not affect your experience in the park in any way.
Signs and menus are in English, as are some advertisements, and you'll be given an English map upon entering the park.
Cast members speak basic English and some may be better than others but all are friendly and will try to help you however they can.
How does the visa to go to Disneyland in China work?
Most visitors to Mainland China will need a tourist visa to enter the country.
Which, however, you can get at the Chinese Embassy or at the Visa Center where you live.
Another option is the transit visa.
To obtain it, you must prove that you are in transit through China (i.e., that you already have a flight scheduled to leave China).
This means you are flying from Point A to Point B (Shanghai in this case) to Point C (anywhere but Point A).
That's why having the disneyland shanghai as part of a larger trip makes everything easier.
You can fly to Shanghai and get a transit visa and then fly to Hong Kong or Tokyo.
money used in china
The currency in China is Renminbi (RMB) and it is also known as Yuan (CNY), you may also hear the word Kuai being used.
You can take cash with you or change it once you are at the hotel.
Credit cards can be used in disneyland shanghai and on Disneytown, but American Express is not accepted.
How to get to Disneyland Shanghai?
The Shanghai Disneyland is located in the Shanghai International Tourism and Resort Zone in Pudong, at the end of Shanghai Metro Line 11.
Travel time from People's Square in downtown Shanghai to Disney Resort Station is 45 minutes, with a change of line at Oriental Sports Center.
If traveling from Pudong Airport direct to disneyland shanghai, a taxi is the quickest and easiest option.
As such, it should take around 40 minutes and cost around US$ 15. If using taxis during your stay, be sure to bring a hotel card with your name and address written in Mandarin, as most taxi drivers do not understand English.
It's a good idea to always have one of these cards with you, as you never know when you might need it.
chinese transport
In the first year after its inauguration in 2016, the disneyland shanghai received more than 11 million visitors.
Tapping into China's growing middle class, the park became an instant hit.
A big reason is how easy it is to get there.
Line 11 of the Shanghai Metro system runs directly to the theme park's front gates, providing one-pass access to over 24 million residents of the greater Shanghai area.
That's about equal to the entire population of Australia, and every city dweller can get to disneyland shanghai for no more than a basic metro fare.
As such, Shanghai's thriving metro is a marvel in itself.
Although it is the longest metro system in the world by route length, its first station was only opened in 1993.
Is it possible to use internet at Disneyland Shanghai?
Using the Internet is problematic in China, and Shanghai Disneyland is no exception.
The Great Firewall of China, as it is known, prevents websites, applications and services such as:
- Twitter;
- Facebook;
- Instagram;
- Google.
A multitude of other sites do not work in the country.
Even if you have a foreign phone, you are not exempt from this. However, iMessage and FaceTime work smoothly.
If you need to communicate with others, download WeChat for iOS or Android as it is the most popular messaging platform in China.
The hotels and Disney parks They have free Wi-Fi, but websites are also blocked.
To access blocked websites on these networks, you will need to install a VPN.
Remember that the Park's internet is unreliable and it is not recommended to rely on it.
Do you have accommodation at Disneyland Shanghai?
If you want to stay as close to the parks as possible, there are two hotels on site, the disneyland shanghai Hotel and the Toy Story Hotel.
If you stay at these hotels, you can enjoy the park through a separate entrance in Disneytown, and thus avoid crowds at the opening of the park. See the two hotels inside the park:
- disneyland shanghai Hotel;
- Toy Story Hotel.
The full list of benefits of staying at one of the two on-site hotels is listed on the Shanghai Disney Resort .
There are also hotels located within walking distance of the park. Courtyard Marriott Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone and Novotel Clover both are located near Kangxin Highway subway station.
Which, however, is on Shanghai Metro Line 11, just one stop from Disney Resort Station.
Check out these other options mentioned:
- Courtyard Marriott Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone;
- Novotel Clover.
It is also entirely possible to stay in the city during your stay, as is often the case on all trips, as the park is easily accessible via the Shanghai Metro or taxi.
Does Disneyland Shanghai offer meals?
The restaurants in disneyland shanghai and in hotels they are a mix of Chinese, Western and international cuisine.
These restaurants range from buffets, table and counter service.
Disneytown also offers a wide range of dining options, including a Starbucks.
You'll also find a variety of different snacks throughout the park, including theme park staples like popcorn, ice cream, waffles and turkey legs.
That's because there are some restaurants with table service Shanghai Disney Resort:
- Royal Banquet Hall (character dinner at Enchanted Storybook Castle);
- Aurora (Shanghai Disneyland Hotel);
- Lumière's Kitchen (Shanghai Disneyland Hotel);
- Club 33 (Only members can make reservations).
The water stations inside the Park are suitable for drinking.
Also, you won't find any Coca-Cola products, but all Pepsi and Pepsi Max products.
China Disney Park Ticket
Shanghai Disneyland offers 1-2 day park tickets.
Well, there are two different levels of tickets that vary in price, Standard (only on weekdays) and Peak (weekends and holidays).
Here are some options for purchasing your tickets:
- With your Disney Hotel reservation;
- Same-day box office;
- Through official app disneyland shanghai;
- Discounted tickets through Klook.
Remember that if you buy your tickets online, you will have to show your passport at the boarding gates on the first day (after that it will not be necessary).
However, if you buy your tickets with the Disney Hotel reservation, you will not need to show your passport at the turnstiles (this is done at the hotel).
Plan ahead and get to know Disneyland Shanghai
Undoubtedly, disneyland shanghai it's a must-visit for any theme park fan.
There's more than enough in the Park to justify a trip to this side of the world.
While the park isn't perfect and has its issues, it's been exciting to see it grow and evolve in the short time it's been open.
A trip to China sounds intimidating and you might hesitate to visit.
So, if you follow all the tips listed here, you'll be more than ready to make your trip happen!
You'll be glad you did, believe me.
I hope again that this post helped you in your research for your trip to Disney or Orlando.
As a way to help us keep the blog going, we just ask you to help us by sharing this publication and subscribing to our social networks as Facebook, Instagram or Youtube channel.
In addition to helping us, we are sure that there you will find hundreds of useful posts for your trip!
About the Author Carlos Braga:
Unparalleled experience in Orlando and Disney! As a former Universal Orlando team member and a passionate devotee of the magic of Disney, I have become a true Orlando travel expert. Before becoming a renowned travel consultant dedicated to Orlando, I had already made hundreds of visits to the parks, cultivating my knowledge and passion mainly over the last 7 years as a consultant and specialist in Disney travel.
My journey into this enchanted world began in 1995, when I took my first trip to Orlando. Since then, my love for Disney and the city has only grown. In 2023, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of 'Partiu Disney Parks', consolidating our role as one of the main sources of information about Disney and Orlando Parks.
During these six years of existence, we have continued to offer quality and updated content, being the reliable source for all those looking for essential information to plan their trip to Disney and Orlando. With my vast experience and passion for this magical destination, I am here to guide you every step of the way towards the most incredible Orlando and Disney experience!
