Shanghai Disney Resort

Overview

Located in Pudong New Area, approximately 19 miles east of central Shanghai, Shanghai Disney Resort is the first Disney resort in mainland China and the sixth in the world, opened in 2016 after 17 years of planning and construction. Covering an area of 963 acres, the resort includes Shanghai Disneyland (the main theme park), two themed hotels (Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel), the Disneytown shopping, dining, and entertainment district, and Wishing Star Park, a public recreation area with a lake. The park features seven themed lands: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Adventure Isle, Treasure Cove, Tomorrowland, and Toy Story Land, with many exclusive attractions designed specifically for the Chinese market, including the Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure ride, considered one of the best Disney rides in the world, and the largest Disney castle in the world, the Enchanted Storybook Castle. Blending classic Disney magic with Chinese cultural elements, the resort draws over 10 million visitors annually, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in China.

Opening Hours

Shanghai Disneyland’s standard opening hours are 09:00 to 20:30 daily, with entry starting at 08:30 for visitors with early entry tickets. During peak seasons including Chinese New Year, summer vacation (July to August), National Day, and weekends, opening hours are often extended to 21:30 or 22:00, with special evening events including parades and fireworks shows. Disneytown is open from 10:00 to 22:00 daily, with restaurants and bars staying open until midnight or later. The two resort hotels are open 24 hours a day for guests. The park may occasionally close early for special private events, with notifications posted on the official Shanghai Disney Resort website and app at least 2 weeks in advance. Special seasonal events including the Spring Festival celebration, summer carnival, Halloween party, and Christmas celebration are held throughout the year, with extended opening hours and special event tickets available.

Ticket Price

Ticket prices for Shanghai Disneyland vary depending on the season: regular day tickets cost $59 per adult, $44 per child between 3 and 11 years old, and $44 per senior over 65 years old. Peak day tickets (weekends, public holidays, and summer vacation) cost $75 per adult, $56 per child and senior. Special event tickets for seasonal events including the Halloween party and Christmas party cost between $80 and $100 per person. Children under 3 years old enter for free. Two-day park tickets cost $106 per adult and $79 per child/senior for regular days, and $135 per adult and $101 per child/senior for peak days. Tickets can be purchased via the official Shanghai Disney Resort app, website, or major online travel platforms, with advance booking highly recommended, especially during peak seasons when tickets often sell out weeks in advance. Resort hotel guests get access to early entry 30 minutes before the park opens to the general public, as well as exclusive benefits including priority access to selected rides. Fast passes for popular rides are available for free via the official app, allowing you to reserve access to rides and avoid long queues.

Transportation Guide

Shanghai Disney Resort is easily accessible via public transport. The most convenient way is by metro: take Line 11 to Disney Resort Station, Exit 1 or 4, which is directly connected to the park entrance and Disneytown via a covered walkway, a 5-minute walk from the station. The metro runs from 06:00 to 22:30 daily, with extended service until 23:00 on days when the park closes late. Special Disney-themed shuttle buses run from major locations in central Shanghai including People’s Square, The Bund, and Xujiahui, costing $3 per person one way, departing every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 09:00 in the morning and returning from 20:00 to 22:00 in the evening. If driving, the resort has a large public parking garage with over 10,000 spaces, charging $7 per day for cars, with free parking for resort hotel guests. Taxis and ride-hailing services from central Shanghai cost approximately $15 to $20 one way, depending on traffic, and take 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you are staying at one of the resort hotels, complimentary shuttle buses are available between the hotel, park entrance, and Disneytown every 10 minutes.

Core Highlights

Shanghai Disneyland has many unique attractions that you won’t find at other Disney parks. The Enchanted Storybook Castle, the largest and tallest Disney castle in the world, is the park’s iconic centerpiece, housing a walkthrough attraction featuring scenes from all Disney princess stories, a luxury restaurant, and the starting point for the evening fireworks show. Don’t miss Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, an exclusive ride in Treasure Cove that uses state-of-the-art projection technology and animatronics to create an immersive pirate adventure, consistently ranked as one of the best Disney rides in the world. Other popular rides include Tron Lightcycle Power Run in Tomorrowland, a high-speed roller coaster that reaches speeds of 60 miles per hour, Soaring Over the Horizon in Adventure Isle, a hang-gliding simulation ride that takes you over famous landmarks around the world, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland, a family-friendly roller coaster through the dwarfs’ diamond mine. The daily parade, "Mickey’s Storybook Express," runs at 15:30 daily (times may vary during peak seasons), featuring floats with all your favorite Disney characters, music, and performances. The evening "Ignite the Dream" fireworks show, held 30 minutes before the park closes, features fireworks, projection mapping on the castle, and music from Disney movies, a must-see for all visitors. The best time to visit is on a weekday during off-peak seasons (March to May, September to November) when crowds are smaller and queue times for popular rides are shorter. For photography, the best spots are in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle, along the parade route, and during the fireworks show in the central square. Don’t miss the many Disney-themed snacks available throughout the park, including Mickey-shaped ice cream, popcorn buckets, and character-themed cakes and drinks.

Travel Tips

The recommended visit duration for Shanghai Disneyland is 1 full day, though 2 days is ideal if you want to experience all the rides and attractions without rushing. Download the official Shanghai Disney Resort app before your visit, which shows real-time queue times for all rides, show schedules, park maps, and allows you to reserve free fast passes for popular rides. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the park opens to get through security and entry quickly, and head straight to the most popular rides (Pirates of the Caribbean, Tron, and Soaring Over the Horizon) first to avoid long queues later in the day. Bring comfortable walking shoes, as you will be walking 5 to 7 miles throughout the day, and bring a portable charger, as you will use your phone a lot for the app and photos. Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the park, except for small snacks and water bottles, though there are many dining options inside the park ranging from quick service to fine dining. Note that the park can be very crowded during weekends and peak seasons, with queue times for popular rides reaching 2 to 3 hours, so plan your itinerary carefully and use fast passes to maximize your time. If you have the budget, staying at one of the resort hotels is recommended, as it allows early entry to the park and saves travel time to and from the city. Nearby attractions include Disneytown, which has many shops, restaurants, and a cinema, free to enter even if you don’t have a park ticket, and Wishing Star Park, a beautiful public park with a lake where you can rent boats and enjoy the scenery.