Tips for Visiting Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland, the youngest member of the Disneyland family, is conveniently located near Thailand. With a direct flight from Bangkok to Shanghai taking just over 4 hours, followed by a short metro ride, you can easily reach the magical world of Shanghai Disneyland.

GoNeverStop, a fan of Disney celebrities since childhood, had the opportunity to visit the first Disneyland in the world in California. Impressed by the experience, they took the opportunity to visit Shanghai Disneyland during their trip to China. They have returned with valuable tips to read before visiting Shanghai Disneyland or Shanghai Disney Resort.

Disneyland's Iconic Princess Castle

1. No Outside Food Allowed

Disneyland is notorious for its expensive food, leading many visitors to attempt sneaking in outside snacks. However, be warned: security at the entrance is strict. Unlike casual checks at train stations, Disneyland officials thoroughly inspect belongings. During my visit, I tried bringing in breakfast from a nearby restaurant, but the security guard meticulously searched my bag and discovered the food. While they didn't confiscate it, I was instructed to finish it outside the park before entering. No leftovers were allowed, and a staff member monitored me until I finished my meal.

Disneyland Entrance

Some groups brought so much food that it looked like they had opened their own mini-supermarkets. It was a lot of food, and I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for them, as they wouldn't be able to finish it all in one sitting.

Don't miss out on the delicious treats at Disneyland! Each zone offers unique and tempting options, so there's no need to bring your own snacks.

The ambiance of the restaurant is reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Pirates of the Caribbean-style cuisine

2. Download the Shanghai Disney Resort app before entering

This app is fantastic! It allows you to purchase Disneyland tickets without waiting in line, check wait times for each attraction, use it as a navigation map, view show schedules, and book FastPass reservations (available for TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan's Flight, Roaring Rapids, and Soaring Over the Horizon). It also displays which attractions are closed for the day. Be sure to download the app before you leave for your trip to save time.

App Interface of Shanghai Disney Resort

3. Single Ride: A Great Option

Some amusement parks offer a "Single Rider" option, which allows individuals to use a dedicated lane and avoid waiting in long queues.

Disneyland Single Ride Ticket

Of course, I came alone this time. If I had a choice, I would definitely choose the lane for single riders. Most of the time, no one uses this lane, so you can get on the rides almost immediately. However, if you are in a group and don't care about sitting together, you can try using this lane.

Stroll through the crowds without queuing with Single Ride.

4. Free water is available in Disneyland.

In Disneyland Shanghai, as in other places in China, there are free drinking water dispensers. However, we have yet to find hot water dispensers, unlike in other locations. We wonder if Disney is concerned about people using the water to make instant noodles or tea.

Free water refill stations in Disneyland

The only place we saw hot water was in the Disney restaurant.

Free hot water service at Disneyland restaurants

5. If you want to watch the show, go early.

Bear in mind that China is a densely populated country. Arriving early allows for a better chance of securing preferred seating. During our visit, we aimed to attend the final show of the day. Despite arriving five minutes prior to the scheduled start time, the staff had already closed the doors, citing the venue's capacity being reached. This experience serves as a reminder to arrive significantly earlier for future events.

Disneyland Shows

6. The final show is a must-see.

Every night at Shanghai Disneyland, there is a show called Ignite the Dream - A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light, which is absolutely amazing. The show uses the Shanghai Disneyland castle, which is the largest castle among all Disneyland castles, as a backdrop and projects moving images onto it. The show is also accompanied by music and other dazzling show techniques. Even though we were tired, exhausted, and cold at the time, we were still very impressed by the show. It was so amazing that we forgot everything else.

Disneyland castle at night is also beautiful in a different way.

I hope these 6 tips for visiting Shanghai Disneyland will be helpful to those who are planning a trip, even if it's just a little bit.

For more travel reviews in the style of "Jinn Jeen", please visit the GoNeverStop page.