Discovering Shanghai Disneyland: An Adventure Worth Taking?

[@brucelindsaygilchrist]

I moved to Shanghai to work for Disney in Spring 2016 and was fortunate enough to be there during trial operations and for the grand opening. It's a great park, and 'distinctly Chinese' is certainly accurate. The 'Garden of the 12 Friends' is a great photo spot, with mosaics representing the animals of the Chinese Zodiac, as represented by Disney characters! The cultural touches, including the architecture, really make the park feel interesting and different. That being said, if you are vegetarian/vegan, you are likely to struggle for food options as meat is included in almost all dishes. There are many restaurants in neighbouring DisneyTown which would be able to cater for you though :)

[@andrewdelodance7864]

It's just not fun. I think that was my takeaway. There are a few incredible attractions, and I was actually impressed with a lot of the vegetation, but as my then 11-year old told the cast member who was surveying guests as we were leaving; "it feels like you murdered Tinkerbell".

[@janebaker4912]

It's it true about people using no toilet parts of the park no as a toilet?

[@fhcscK]

@@janebaker4912of course not

[@ronszabo6057]

I lived in Shanghai from 2019 to 2022 and was an annual pass holder here. My wife and absolutely love this park. It is probably much closer to early Disney parks than the other park in terms of vibe. Zootopia land looks like it will be Epic. Challenge Trails, TRON, and Pirates are incredible. The fireworks/light show is probably the best Disney has ever done. 10 👍 up!!!!

[@jordanmiller4102]

I’m an American who worked for a company with operations in Shanghai and got to visit once before covid. I was highly satisfied with the experience, regret not going more than once on that trip, and wish I could have had more trips. Easy choice to go for Disney parks fans if you can swing it. Hard to compare to parks like WDW because of the differences in size and culture. I’m sure I missed some richness due to the language barrier, but it was in no way a problem.

[@jlafunk]

I have a goal to visit all Disney parks in the next 10 years. Shanghai looks beautiful. I feel as if your review is reminiscent of when Animal Kingdom opened and people didn't know what to make of it. So, I'm really excited to see it since I love Animal Kingdom for it's scenery, meandering paths, calm vibes, and quirkiness in general.

[@seanmcdirmid]

Animal Kingdom is perfect, except for the smells, it looks so vivid, but smells so steril. Frankensense in Asia and maybe Africa would do a lot to make it feel better.

[@ElliPelli110]

Me and my dad visited this park back in 2018 and we loved it. Definitely a different vibe from the other Magic Kingdom style parks, but I'm really happy to have experienced it.

[@ddc163264]

We stayed there for over a week. At the Disneyland Hotel. While there was some issues, for the most part, it was better than Paris BY FAR and could teach the domestic parks many lessons in service. We ate in the Castle. The crystal grotto ride is best seen at night. It's just plain during the day, but very beautiful at night. Looking across the lake is just spectacular at night as well. Pirates is just amazing (when it works). Not speaking english was NEVER a problem once in the park area or at the hotels. It only was a slight issue using transportation outside of the park, but even then we managed and got anywhere we wanted to go even to the Shanghai disney store and to the largest Starbucks (Roasters) in the world. We even took in the 2nd tallest building in the world as well. So it wasn't difficult to get around at all. We have Tokyo and Hong Kong left (may never get there). But out of ALL the others, Shanghai was best overall even OVER WDW as a single park. Great food, solid attractions, good service (for the most part) and just be prepared that it IS humid. similar to Florida, not CA.

[@Dutch_traveler]

i am one of those people who has visited all the Disney parks worldwide and i believe that this park is very worth to visit

[@vjspivey]

was there in 2017, Shanghai has the best versions of Buzz Lightyear, Tron/tmrwland, Pirates, Soarin', Roaring Rapids, and also Peter Pan ties with Disneyland. (my opinions.) ... the Soarin' shaman and mystical rock mountain is literally the best version, yet even in her magic spells, she has that 'good job pal' moment.

[@Tasya_letoile]

I am visiting this year, thanks for the video.

[@Jacob4546]

You didnt even talk about Camp Discovery, the only rope obstacle course in any Disney park and it looks like the best attraction in the entire resort

[@synthsol5522]

For those of us that only visit theme parks once a year, universal/disney orlando and disney sea are the reasonable options

[@synthsol5522]

Assuming you don’t have a theme park in your state

[@semichic7411]

Some people don’t live in the United States 😭

[@DavidSusiloUnscripted]

Background music is far too loud.

[@Spudeaux]

My mom, aunt, & sister visited Shanghai Disneyland in 2019 with my cousin who was living there at the time and his girlfriend (a local), and they all loved it. I went to WDW with Mom & Dad recently and she was saying that you could probably visit Shanghai Disneyland for the same amount of time was WDW and pay close to the same price for the trip including air fare because of how much cheaper tickets and accommodation were in China.

[@andrewdelodance7864]

I lived in China for 13 years and went to Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland several times, and that is absolutely true.

[@bb97000]

I was lucky enough to visit this park twice in 2017 and 2018. I want to revisit when Zootopia Land opens.

[@pazzariatv]

I think that if you have the money, and are a huge Disney fan, then yes. It's absolutely worth visiting. If you are concerned with visiting only one or two Disney parks, and/or wish to stay in the States, then, just either go to your local resort, or come to Florida. I'm a shareholder, lifelong Disney fan, former cast member, certification of learning from the Disney Institute recipient, lives in Celebration, etc...

[@bradkoerner1]

If you are a Disney Parks fan, I definitely recommend Shanghai DL. I got to visit during a work trip and the park is fantastic. The attractions are really well done. I love the range of scales between DL, HKDL, MK and Shanghai. Disneyland and Hong Kong are intimate, cozy in nature. Shanghai is just vast, with beautiful panoramas and plenty of space to absorb the crowds. As westerner, be forewarned though that local customs may put you off - most notably the total lack of "personal space". People will push and shove in every line at all times, even when totally not needed.

[@murrayking7770]

Great review and it truly is a great experience. On the language issue, while the shows are in Chinese, a surprisingly high number of Cast speak at least some English and the resort provides a fully bilingual APP to help guests navigate the park. I highly recommend the Pirates stunt show, seeing pirates sword fighting in mid-air without any ropes or harnesses is true Disney magic and is a global first.

[@linettea8268]

Been to all Disney parks on the planet 🎉 each has something special and Shanghai is no exception, I would rate it a must see we’ll before the Paris option even factored in it is the one I live closest to😂😂😂

[@AudreyMealiff]

Dang, this IS a place I want to visit!!! For sure!

[@snarkus63]

I could never afford the trip, but I've watched park walkthroughs... it looks fantastic.

[@TheGraduate702]

I’m not a fan of long plane trips, so I will have to pass on Shanghai and stick to WDW . 😊

[@OnePandeh]

Music is a bit too loud

[@zanzabar4ky7]

They don't need it in Florida, but we needed at DCA to replace hollywoodland. It would be such an easy overlay change and they're plenty of room for three to four rides.

[@jonyap1496]

The mistake I made was to think that Shanghai Disneyland is a one day park. So, I planned for only one day transit in Shanghai specifically to visit Disneyland. If you love themeparks, then I would suggest spending at least 2 days in Shanghai Disneyland.

[@heilinmongolia]

I am planning a trip here in December 2023. We are travelling by land from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It looks like a lot of fun!

[@camilaisabel4215]

I had the opportunity to visit Shanghai Disneyland back in 2019 and I really enjoyed my time in the park it has some really unique atrractions and a different feeling that other disney parks. I'm looking for the perfect time to visit again.

[@PengutheFoxVR]

After Zootopialand opens

[@camilaisabel4215]

@@PengutheFoxVR probably, and hopefully while I’m in Asia I can visit Honk Kong Disneyland and the Tokyo Resort

[@EuiHwanP]

The Pirates ride alone is worth the visit! One of the best Disney rides I've ever been on, on par with Rise of the Resistance in terms of immersion. With that said, I feel like the park hasn't fully come into its own yet. I understand the cultural reasons behind it, but the park did feel too vast and required too much walking from one attraction to another. I'm hoping that the park will improve as more attractions get added because it really is one of the most unique Disney parks in my opinion.

[@brucelindsaygilchrist]

You're absolutely right! It is cool walking around the park though and seeing all the empty plots of land though that they've got earmarked for future builds. There's a huge area at the entrance of Tomorrowland that's gonna have something awesome in it I've no doubt!

[@jukio02]

Park is only 7 years old, will have to wait decades for it to find it's rhythm.

[@mauricedehaan570]

Been there and it's genuinely epic. Admittedly my only reference point is Paris, but everything they built is top notch and with extreme budgets. When we visited Paris again after that it felt like very mediocre and neglected (which was probably true for a long time) albeit more romantic and coherent. Especially if you visit Peter pan it just feels cheap and not maintained in Paris. The pirates attraction is hands down the most impressive attraction I've ever been on. Tron one of the most immersive Rollercoasters (but I love tron and the design language so not very objective). And the pirates show was amazing as well. It does feel like a big open space though. And since China only has two real national holiday breaks you can clearly see everything is built for those peak moments. We were there 1 week after the October national holiday and we only had to wait 20 minutes for the seven dwarfs coaster. Interesting info on the reason for having the outdoor section on tron. And I also never realized there was something that resembles a train station but not an actual train 😂

[@googleuser2609]

This is a great review: insightful, concise, informative.

[@becc1453]

Besides safety announcement, meetings with human characters are also in English because they are mostly foreigners. My friend says chatting with Belle was like taking a IELTS test. She asks what your favorite book is and you have to make conversation with her LOL.

[@BradleyFish-ln4vl]

NOW I WANT TO GO

[@rush1er]

Awesome! I hope WINNIE THE POOH gets an update to his ride. WINNIE THE POOH is such a classic Disney character. I mean, Shanghai and POOH BEAR go together like Xi and Pooh

[@alterdavidj]

The ropes course (Challenge Trails) are extremely fun and unique. Don't miss them if you get a chance to visit this park!

[@StuffwellakaTy]

Zootopia IS needed at Animal Kingdom because of the lack of attractions in the park and believe it or not, it can and will fit more than you think.

[@chris_allupinya5613]

I went February 2019 and loved this park. Restrooms were terribly dirty and line jumping is a major issue which I didn't take kindly too once I caught on to it.

[@Nabhan82]

Visited in 2017 and twice in 2019, great big park and has some stunning attractions but definitely not enough rides compared to other parks. Still had a great time visiting the park but don't see myself going again anytime soon unless the new Zootopia land is worth it.

[@michaelweaver9040]

I have been to Shanghai Disneyland, and I found it charming and exciting. Tron and the Pirates of the Caribbean really are spectacular, and, in fact, those the only two attractions I rode twice that day. But be warned, as stated in this video it is sprawling. It took me a couple days for my feet to rest up from the walking adventure.

[@dollie107]

I am planning to go to all 12 Disney Parks over the next couple of years! So Shanghai Disneyland is on my list 9:51

[@brucelindsaygilchrist]

Also great video, guys! Hope you get to visit the park one day soon!

[@JamesLawner]

Shanghai Disney looks and feels almost like a refined version of Hong Kong Disney.

[@ZontarDow]

Much as Hong Kong, Shanghai is not on my bucket list since for the past 5 years it's been legitimately dangerous for people of my country to visit due to state kidnappings of our nationals in the country. It looks like a nice park but I can wait a few decades for a once in a lifetime trip when things are less dangerous.

[@jukio02]

Stop listening to mainstream media. So long as you are not a spy, you'll be fine. 😂 There's hundreds of thousands of foreigners living in China, tens of thousands of them are Americans.

[@user-vv7ir1pl4j]

Currently in shanghai disney watching this rn

[@jcbnyc2009]

Been. Helped in the making of it.

[@markfunnell1898]

I live in USA, and this is the only park I’ve ever been to…twice… it’s amazing! The review seems very down but don’t let that fool you… Tron is awesome, the rapids ride great, the grotto ride is cute. Can’t wait for Zootopia-land

[@aamirlimbada871]

Awesome park with modern technology, but in my opinion, it is kind of lacking in quantity. It certainly has quality though!

[@chrismemphis8062]

A ticket is about $50-$60

[@Fastpassfox]

My thoughts: I want Zootopia in Animal Kingdom

[@andrewdelodance7864]

I visited twice....once about 6 months after their opening, and two summers ago, during the pandemic (I was trapped in China for two and a half years...separate story). The attractions are insane. Pirates is ridiculous. You don't believe what you're seeing even when it's your sixth time. Tron is also in the US now, but the last time I was on it, it was the last ride of the night, pitch black coming out of the tunnel into the hot Shanghai night, front row, and I was the only one on the train. Incredible. It was my first time experiencing Soarin, and I adored it. There is nothing magical about it. Walking around the park shows no magic. One feels no mystical anything. It's always grey and gloomy and one can see the industrial area all around the park. I did get on the "Voyage to the Crystal Grotto" on my last visit.....what?? why???????? It is just bizarre....one cannot understand how the finale was the finale, or really anything one has just witnessed. They've gotten much better at managing the crowds with unique customs and cultures. I was disappointed with the live performances. The energy was far, far below the company standards. Technically, the performers were fine, but they just didn't want to be there. I felt like the attempts at balancing the Western overproduction (which is what I love and do) with the Chinese arts was very superficial. Huge amounts of potential, but it just didn't deliver. It's China....don't expect English....and you're absolutely not going to get any, except at Guest Services, where there are very very competent trilingual speakers. The rest of the park, if you're not speaking Chinese, you're going to go through several attempts with different cast members before you find someone speaking outside of Mandarin. It's China, don't expect English. The projection faces were malfunctioning on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, so there were singing dwarves with no eyes. Visa anything, including Visa free, is daunting in China. Visa free is far less daunting than anything else, but don't expect everything to go without a hiccup. If you get a win, be happy about it. It's a fun day trip for exactly what ReviewTyme said; if you'd like a glimpse of another place in a familiar environment, and I would definitely include "on a stopover". It is easy to get a connecting route through Shanghai to most points in Asia, if one is going to Asia, and it would be a great anchor day for the several day, short stay visa free China entries.

[@jukio02]

I think it's because this was park wasn't built for foreigners, it was designed for Chinese people. Chinese people aren't like Americans where things need to be "magical" all the time. Just like how the Disney park in France was designed more for Europeans, and not tourists outside of Europe. I hear from Americans all the time that the park in Paris is okay, nothing special.

[@andrewdelodance7864]

@@jukio02 maybe…..maybe….I’m not entirely sure. I’ve been to HKDL at least 20 times and I think that’s one of the most magical parks in the Disney universe. It is smaller than a mid size Six Flags, but it really is magical.

[@jukio02]

@@andrewdelodance7864 Maybe, it's the size. Cause, I think Disneyland here in California is better than Magical Kingdom, and the reason for me is because of the size of the park.

[@curious_eyes]

Hi! You got a very informative video here! Thanks! Would like to ask if you can bring mirrorless cameras like sony a6600 inside shanghai disneyland?

[@Jake76667]

i was planning to visit mainland china & shanghai disneyland back in 2019 but because of the chinese government's views on american tourists & the covid 19 outbreak, we unfortunately had to cancelled that trip

[@TheSamtheman081]

Which Disneyland should I go to? Should I go to Tokyo,Shanghai or California. What time of year to get good weather and low crowds.

[@Caleb-zt5ht]

If I were to travel outside the USA, I'd go to Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea.

[@AnakinSkywalker_1858]

Great choice so much better than this park That doesn’t even have a main street.

[@lars7282]

It looks emotionally empty but very well realized. And I like the size of everything. But where Euro Disney from the get go tried to find the more European elements of Disneys brands (which of course wasn’t very hard), this one completely ignores „China“ as it seems.

[@leewhite82]

no, it’s not. I went last week and it is not big enough for the amount of guest there are. Big park but few ride options. Every ride has minimum 60 minute wait, and I mean ever ride, even the horse carousel and dumbos flying circus. There is nothing “distinctly Chinese” about this park, and it a lot less attractive than Orlando Disney World. It’s also very expensive, especially if you get the fast pass. And it can take hours just to get in the park through security. Disneyland is getting more and more like a Las Vegas casino resort. With a single focus on getting your money rather than entertaining or inspiring your guests.

[@MattArn]

how is zootopia not needed in animal kingdom? AK needs another attraction or 2..

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Yeah, the Disney park complements the concentration camp so well

[@LeBasfondMusic]

I detest Peter Pan as both an attraction and a film, but the Shanghai one (complete with not having Native stereotypes) got me. I was so moved and wowed. And this was just from a KZbin video ❤❤

[@michaelbonner4126]

2:48 really big, indeed.

[@jevinday]

Currently selling my stuff so i can walk to Shanghai Disney. Not sure how I'm gonna cross the pacific ocean on foot though...

[@QDude24]

Having to walk a lot between attractions with nothing in between? Sounds like Efteling

[@onehorseopensleigh]

I know a few people who worked on SDL. It’s beautiful and perfect for its demographic, but as Westerners, they felt very uncomfortable living there and working on it. Most of the park is beautiful, if you can close your eyes to the political shenanigans Bob Iger pulled to build the place. But for citizens who can afford to visit the park, it really is an amazing experience that carefully considered their culture. I went for a day and thought the park itself was superior to Tokyo Disneyland. Yes, really.

[@enzmondo]

Disney literally spared no expenses for the Chinese. Except when they did in Hong Kong.

[@IDK-ui5en]

I’m really jealous of shanghai being from Hong Kong I often wonder if shanghai had gotten the budget park and Hong Kong got the grand and elaborate park cause hkdl is really a mess rn and is so far behind any Disney park yes it has its own charm and it’s worth a visit but if u visited other Disney parks before u might just go and say “oh that’s it…” and be kinda disappointed

[@enoch1087]

Actually, many mainlanders rate HK Disneyland higher than Shanghai’s. They think HK’s one is more beautiful and manageable. Ofc, Shanghai Disneyland is expected to have the best attractions around the world as it is the newest Disney Park.

[@IDK-ui5en]

@@enoch1087 that explains the amount of mainlanders in hk Disney on public holidays but I always have wondered why come here when there’s a park in shanghai that is so much times better than hk Disney but grass is always greener on the other side isn’t it

[@IDK-ui5en]

@@enoch1087 I really hope frozenland does well and finally bring a profit I see a lot of people online saying they are planing a trip to hk just for frozenland I really hope they will turn a profit this year and years on so maybe they will get the funds to continue the grand plans they originally had when the park was announced

[@enoch1087]

@@IDK-ui5en You visited both parks? To be honest, I have only visited the hk disneyland. But from what I’ve heard of (Mainlanders and Japanese), they said Hong Kong Disneyland is way better than they thought. Yes, other parks may have the newest designs, most fascinating rides, they thought that hk Disneyland is super special. It is really a magical place rather than a densely populated theme park.

[@enoch1087]

@@IDK-ui5en I’m a Hker. Where are you from?🙃

[@JustinCoasters]

Why wouldn't it fit in Animal Kingdom? If A Bugs Life can fit, So can Zootopia

[@frikitiki]

With the opening of Shanghai, I claimed the title of the first podcaster to visit all the Disney theme parks on the globe. It is worth visiting, absolutely. People worry about about the language. What I found was the following: many at the lower levels didn't know English, but they went off and got a supervisor or manager who respectively had good and then were bilingual. Communication was not an issue. The City was a different story. I basically went from Airport to hotel which had issues to Disney (No problems)) back to airport (again, no problems). Something that I really complained about was bringing TRON to the US, it should have remained exclusive to Shanghai. Overall the park as stated, was distinctly Chinese, with a touch of Disney. I still have 3 years left of my Visa and would like to get back to visit more of the country and it culture outside of Disney, but the park itself did have items that are exclusive to it and should be checked out. I have a number of flickr albums and if given permission I can post the links here as to what was going on during the opening. Right now w/ FB, I have reminders coming up from doing Universal Osaka, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort and then finally the Grand Opening of Shanghai Disneyland and a grand Asia tour.

[@Colleen1701]

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Nah, I'll take a hard pass on that one.

[@maui3551]

Shanghai, Disneyland is beautiful but not really for me and I'm okay with that

[@billrzeszutko3526]

Thanks, Shanghai.

[@Marylandbrony]

My favorite ride their is the Ride dedicated to Xi Jinping. Better known as the The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

[@ginadoyle4089]

Disney never should have invested in China.

[@liamcollinson5695]

It doesn't look bad but i think i would prefer Disney sea instead

[@TobiasBroad]

Honestly probably not for all but the most most dedicated Disney fans, the crowds and wait times are insane currently and only seem to get worse with each new experience or addition.

[@ProBreakers]

I wanna go

[@byswiss]

"China is a common layover for many destinations" ... uh, not really

[@IkePaz]

not for me

[@Deetroiter]

Look at that...not a single ounce of 'Pride" anywhere...

[@SoCalGuy20]

The only flex this park tries to have, is that it sits on a lot of land. The rides look good. It seems so different from a traditional "castle park", that they might as well have just named it something else. The caste doesn't look magical like the others. Bigger doesn't mean better. As a big Disney fan, I'd go to this park, but it would be at the bottom of the list.

[@FifthGate]

Obnoxious thumbnail. It's for the people of Shanghai and its region.

[@JordiLA]

For chinese people.

[@TempoLOOKING]

A good park for them to divesting from. Walt would be disgusted.

[@HD-Daddy]

My family hv been to all Disney and Universal parks in the US, France, Japan, HK I Wouldn’t make this park a destination.

[@seanmcdirmid]

Most of it is cookie cutter, so not much reason to go there vs. Disney Sea in Tokyo. Unless you live in China of course.

[@MrProy33]

Nope. Not Disneyland. No train? That's not Walt. No true Main Street USA? That's not Walt. Disney Shanghai is a joke.

[@alejandrotuazon4831]

Since China keeps sending warships and bases into my country, I'll never go to this park. Even beyond international relation issues, I have Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea nearer so no benefit in going to this one if I can go elsewhere

[@skatealex1]

This park looks nice but China is a terrible country (their government/leadership), especially lately so I wouldn't wanna give them money personally.

[@Newhorizons4u]

Unfortunately the locals make the park an awful experience. Going to the toilet in bushes, smoking, pushing through queues, laying on the floor of toilets and the castle shirtless smoking, fighting and more. There are more security than cast members.

[@alterdavidj]

I'm an American and I've been to this park twice and not once witnessed any of these issues you describe....

[@leewhite82]

I saw a fight between one man and two women on the way into the park. What is wrong with these people?

[@AnakinSkywalker_1858]

@@leewhite82 they're mad

[@tkenx553]

Bob Iger will never stop patting himself on the back for that “distinctly Chinese” quote. Guy’s a hack whose only move is to buy other properties.