Shanghai Disneyland is an experience unlike any other Disney park I’ve visited, including Disneyland Tokyo and our U.S. parks.
There are unique features and important differences that can make your visit memorable, but also present some challenges if you’re not prepared.
From ride systems and park layout to crowd behavior, knowing what to expect can really enhance your day.
Here’s everything I wish I knew before stepping into the world of Shanghai Disneyland, so you can feel ready for your adventure and make the most of every moment.
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Tips for Visiting Shanghai Disneyland Park
Park Entry
It took me over an hour to get into the park without Early Entry, so plan accordingly. You will be funneled into a line just to enter the security area. Once you are through security you will then enter the actual park entrance line.
I arrived at the first line at 7:45 AM and entered the park at 9:20AM.
Tripods aren’t allowed, even the non-extending ones, and there’s a luggage check before security. I checked in my tri-pod for around 10 RMB.
Early Entry
On my second day, I used the Early Entry pass for about $26. It made a world of difference, allowing me to enter quickly and get a head start on popular rides like TRON and Snow White’s Mine Train. Just note that Zootopia Land isn’t included in Early Entry.
The Early Entry pass needs to be purchased within the week of arriving and they do sell out. That’s why I was only to purchase it for one of my Park days.
Bring Your Passport
You’ll need to bring your passport with you to enter the park, as it’s required for entry along with your ticket.
They will enter your passport number at the front gate and then scan in your ticket. Have both with you. A photo will also be taken at this time.
Purchasing Shanghai Disneyland Tickets
I purchased my Shanghai Disneyland ticket through the Shanghai Disneyland App a few weeks before my visit. I paid using AliPay as my Apple Pay was not a form of payment on the app.
You will need to set up AliPay prior to arriving in Shanghai and this will be how you pay for everything around Disneyland and Shanghai.
Navigating the Main Transportation Depot
The main transportation center is great to be dropped off in the morning but at nights it can be very chaotic. Your DiDi app might not work due to the crowds, plus there are people selling things everywhere and lots of people honking and it’s honestly overwhelming.
On my second day, I found a quieter lot in Disney Town area across from the Cheesecake Factory. You will need to pay 30 TB (YUAN) to exit the lot and you will have to let your driver know ahead of time so they even enter the lot. It helps if you have someone that can speak Mandarin. A nice cast member helped me and spoke with my driver to make sure he came to the correct lot.
Disney Town is Downtown Disney
Shanghai’s version of Downtown Disney is fantastic, with great shops, restaurants, and plenty of coffee options beyond Starbucks. I highly recommend trying Manner Coffee; their coffee is amazing, though they don’t offer food.
They offer a number of restaurants, regular clothing and merch shops and of course a giant World of Disney store.
Mickey Avenue, Not Main Street
Shanghai Disneyland doesn’t have the traditional Main Street U.S.A.; instead, you’ll find Mickey Avenue. It’s a charming introduction to the park with a different vibe than what you might expect.
There is only one gift shop on this street, located on the left side as you enter. It is a very large gift shop though – so don’t be worried.
To the right of the street, as you enter, you can find a Duffy-themed gift shop/cafe.
Be Prepared for the Heat and Crowds
The heat in Shanghai can be intense, and there’s not much shade around the park. I noticed that people will sit anywhere they can find air conditioning, even on bathroom floors, in shops, and in the exit hallways from rides. If you’re looking for a break from the heat, be prepared to get creative!
The crowds are unlike anything I’ve seen at Disney Parks before other than on New Year’s Eve at Disneyland.
People will try to push past you in lines, they will press up against you and continue to push forward.
If you get claustrophobic around people (like me) then investing in Premier Pass for top rides is key.
I had to leave the line for Soarin because people kept pressing up against me and I would have left the line for Pirates but there was no exit in sight.
Please be prepared and keep your cool. I did a lot of affirmations to help with my anxiety and it helped 90% of the time.
Crowds and Personal Space
Crowding and cutting in lines is common at Shanghai Disneyland. People will push up against you in line or during shows, with little regard for personal space. If you’re claustrophobic, be prepared for some uncomfortable moments.
I, unfortunately, experienced a panic attack in the line for Soarin’ due to the crowding and had to leave the line. It’s something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to personal space issues. Purchasing the Premier Pass helps with shorter lines and less crowding.
Strollers for Everyone
One thing I immediately noticed was young teens around 12 years old in strollers. At first, I didn’t pay much attention but I kept seeing it over and over. And then I saw adults sitting in strollers too. The adults weren’t being pushed in the strollers but they were sitting in them to take a break.
The stroller sizes are much larger and wider in this park and can support an adult. It seemed like families would rent them to use for a break in the shade – which makes sense when the parks are crowded.
Charging Stations
Unlike the U.S. parks, Shanghai Disneyland doesn’t use Fuel Rods. Instead, they offer full-size chargers for rent. Keep this in mind if you’re relying on your phone for photos, directions, or the park’s app.
Your Phone Will Drain Fast
If you’re visiting in the summer, be aware that the heat will drain your phone battery incredibly fast, especially if you’re constantly taking pictures. My phone wouldn’t charge past 20% the entire day.
I packed three chargers, and none of them could fully charge my phone—they just kept it alive, so I had to keep it plugged in all day. This is something you’ll want to plan for if your phone is essential to your visit.
My phone also had a ‘heat advisory’ on all day – for over 6 hours until the temps got down to around 90 degrees.
So your phone will literally be running hot and it will hate you lol. Try to keep it in your bag or in the shade as much as possible.
Download the Shanghai Disneyland App
Just like at any other Disney park, downloading the app is a must. It’s your go-to for everything from ride wait times to dining options. Plus, the app offers a unique feature called the ‘Standby Pass,’ which allows you to queue virtually for certain rides, freeing you from waiting in long physical lines. This pass is free but only available on certain days, and you’ll find it under ‘Plans’ in the app after you’ve scanned into the park.
Food and Treats
The food at Shanghai Disneyland reminded me a bit of Tokyo Disney’s offerings, which are good with a ton of options. But I particularly enjoyed their treats like popcorn, desserts and drinks, which I found to be superior to what we have in the U.S. Plus, everything is shaped cute like characters. Absolutely loved it!
Merchandise Sellers
Inside and outside the park, you’ll find people selling merchandise, including both official Shanghai Disneyland items and off-brand items. It can be overwhelming, especially at night as you’re leaving the park.
It’s kind of like when you go to a concert or a professional game and people are selling hats and shirts outside. This is the same but with Disney merch and they are inside and outside the park. By outside the park I mean still on Disney property but around Disney Town and the parking lot.
Long Lines and Premier Pass
Lines in Shanghai Disneyland can be longer than those at Disney World. The Premier Pass (their version of Fast Pass or Genie Plus) is expensive but offers flexibility. I liked that you didn’t have a strict 1-hour window to return; you just had to use it before the land closed.
I purchased a 6-pack of passes and it made a huge difference. I highly recommend buying for the big rides.
Unique Park Layout
Shanghai Disneyland’s layout is different from what you might expect. Tomorrowland is on the left side of the castle, and Adventure Isle and Treasure Cove replace Adventureland and Frontierland. And each of those lands is located to the right of the castle.
It did kind of trip me up that lands had different names and were on different sides of the park but using the mobile app saved me a number of times. It was very helpful.
Shanghai Disneyland also has a Zootopia Land—the only one of its kind! You absolutely cannot miss this land!! They have a line just to enter the land, so secure a Premier Pass for the ride and you can use it to also enter the land faster.
The Grand Castle
Shanghai’s Enchanted Storybook Castle is the largest of any Disney park, honoring all the princesses. It’s breathtaking and a must-visit inside.
They went into so much detail for this castle – it felt real!! It’s grand and really pays great tribute to our princesses.
There’s a Storybook walkthrough in the castle that’s so cute and gives you access to walk up inside the castle – don’t miss it!
Rides and Attractions at Disneyland Shanghai
Several rides at Shanghai Disneyland are different from what you might expect. Pirates of the Caribbean was hands down my favorite ride from the trip. I don’t want to spoil anything but it was a 10/10 experience.
And Buzz Lightyear was so fun too!! I really didn’t expect to love this ride as much as I did. Defintiely another win in my book.
Toy Story land is different from its Orlando counterpart. The rides are smaller but unique. They do have a ride that’s similar to our Mader ride in Cars land but the other two rides are specific to that park.
Shanghai Disneyland does have a Soarin ride but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to ride Soarin’ due to the crowding and my panic attack, but it’s a popular attraction you want to prioritize.
Unique Merchandise at Shanghai Disneyland
Expect to find a lot of Duffy and Friends, Zootopia, and Pixar merchandise. However, don’t expect much for the Disney princesses beyond kids’ costumes—there’s no Little Mermaid merch, which was disappointing.
You can find the princess merch inside the Castle but I didn’t see it anywhere else. And they only sell kids costumes and Princess dolls. No princess ears or shirts or anything.
You’ll also see lots of sun hats because the heat is so intense and lots of fans and cute keychains. The keychains were my favorite!
Smoking Policies at Shanghai Disneyland
While there are designated smoking areas, people smoke freely around the park, which can be unpleasant if you’re sensitive to smoke.
I didn’t see anyone get in trouble for smoking in the park but they were asked to move to the designated areas. But yes, smoking is very popular here.
Photo Shoots Everywhere
Taking photos is a major activity at Shanghai Disneyland—not just the usual quick snapshots, but full-on photo shoots. There are non-Disney photographers throughout the park with professional cameras and props, offering their services, especially around the castle and inside stores.
Many guests also have their own photo shoots, gathering plushies, dressing up, and even bringing their own lighting equipment. This is fun but also can make areas like shops feel more crowded and overwhelming.
Be prepared to see tons and tons of photoshoots happening and if you want to book one, do it! My friend said, usually you pay and they take photos and they send them to you later after they edit them. This also happens at other big tourist spots around Shanghai. So it’s a pretty common thing. But always be aware of who you are paying and make sure the terms are laid out clearly.
Visiting Shanghai Disneyland
Shanghai Disneyland is an incredible experience, but it’s different from other Disney parks in ways that may take a little getting used to. From the unique layout to the local customs and ride systems, knowing what to expect can make all the difference.
Hopefully, these tips will help you feel more prepared and confident as you explore the park, so you can focus on enjoying the magic. Be ready to try new snacks, meet your favorite characters, and take in the amazing details of the park. Most importantly, have fun and make the most of your adventure!
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About the Author:
Hey there! I’m Julia, a passionate theme park and travel writer. My love for theme parks has fueled my obsession with sharing tips and adventures for years. Join me as I uncover the magic of Disney Parks and beyond!
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