Don’t let the massive crowds ruin your experience — read this Shanghai Disneyland guide to make the most out of your trip!
Last Updated: 6 May 2025
As a huge (read: borderline obsessed) Disney fan, Shanghai Disneyland was up there on my list of must-sees on our trip to Shanghai.
Shanghai Disneyland has many attractions spread across eight different themed zones, including the highly-raved-about Zootopia area — only available here!
As with just about every Disneyland in the world, we knew that crowds were inevitable and queues for rides could be unbearable.
Imagine spending your hard-earned money on a ticket and dedicating an entire day there only to spend it waiting in 100-minute long queues and covering just five or six rides. It’s like what they say, “if you fail to plan then you plan to fail.”
This is our ultimate Shanghai Disneyland guide to help you get a head start on your Disney day — a compilation of pre-trip tips, a breakdown on the Disney Premier Access, must-see attractions, suggested routes and more!
1) Plan the Best Time to Visit
Maximise your experience at Shanghai Disneyland by picking the best possible day to visit. It’s always packed in Disneyland, but on certain days it’s really packed. If you’re not a fan of spending most of your time in queues, be sure to avoid:
Weekends — Fridays and Saturdays tend to be more packed than Sundays. If your itinerary allows, the best time to come is between Tuesday to Thursday when the crowds are more manageable. Plus, tickets are cheaper on weekdays!
National Holidays — Chinese New Year (1st two weeks of February), Mid-Autumn Festival (1st week of October) and National Day Golden Week (1st week of October). Check the exact dates as they vary year to year.
School Holidays — China has two main school holidays you should avoid — winter break (January to February), and summer break (July to September).
2) Save Time & Money by Pre-booking Your Tickets
Pre-booking your tickets means you skip the hassle of queuing to buy tickets at the counter — one less thing to worry about!
There’s a number of ticket types you can choose from, so here’s a very quick rundown on what they are, plus a comparison of their prices on Klook vs. the official Shanghai Disney Resort website.
Definitions
Dated ticket: Buying a ticket for a specific date
General admission: Buying a ticket without a specific date. Make a reservation in advance on any eligible visitation days after purchase.
| Ticket Type | Description | Cost (Official Website) | Cost (Klook) |
| Early Bird 1-Day Dated Ticket | Book 10 or 15 days in advance | From 425RMB (~S$77) | From S$74 |
| 1-Day Dated Ticket with 2 Disney Premier Access | Enjoy DPA for – Zootopia: Hot Pursuit – The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | From 655RMB (~S$117) | ~S$161 |
| 1-Day Dated Ticket | Same-day booking allowed | From 475RMB (~S$85) | ~S$83 |
| 2-Day Dated Ticket | Same-day booking allowed Enables you to enter the park for 2 consecutive days | From 966RMB (~S$173) | ~S$147 |
| Early Bird 2-Day Dated Ticket | Book 10 or 31 days in advance | From 788RMB (~S$141) | From ~S$157 |
| 1-Day General Admission Ticket – Advanced | Visit the park on eligible dates | 539RMB (~S$97) | ~S$94.50 |
| 2-Day General Admission Ticket – Advanced | Visit the park on eligible dates | 659RMB (~S$118) | N/A |
*Note: Ticket prices depend on the type of ticket, day, and season (peak/off- peak) in which you’re visiting the park.
As you can see, you may enjoy a neat discount via Klook, depending on the ticket you purchase.
How to redeem Klook tickets: All you have to do is show your passport and the QR code on your phone at the entrance, and you’ll receive a physical ticket.
*Pro-tip: Enjoy 5% OFF your Shanghai Disneyland ticket when you book with our code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> on Klook. Use up to 3x, and new users get 10% off their first booking. T&C’s apply!
3) Download the Shanghai Disney Resort Mobile App
The official Shanghai Disney Resort mobile app will greatly enhance your visit. You’ll be able to make Disney Premier Access purchases (more on that later), view estimated waiting times for rides and check timings for parades and shows. Best part: it’s free!
Upon entering the park, scan your ticket to link it to the app and you’re good to go!
4) Pack only the Essentials
No one likes lugging around a heavy bag while exploring the park. So pack only the essentials for a light trip!
– Passport: You’ll need to present this at the entrance.
– Cash/Credit Card: We recommend using mobile payment via Alipay or Wechat since transactions are much easier and fuss-free. But do bring some cash and credit cards as well, just in case!
– Water bottle: This is essential, especially when the weather gets hot. There are free water coolers scattered around the park for you to refill.
Do note that selfie sticks and tripods are strictly not allowed in Shanghai Disneyland — these will be confiscated during the security check.
But if you need a locker, they’re available for 60RMB (small) and 80RMB (big).
5) Arrive At Least an Hour Before the Gates Open
Ever heard of the phrase “On Time = Late”? At Shanghai Disneyland, this couldn’t be more true. We arrived 30 minutes before opening time and already were forced to join a seemingly never-ending queue.
Note that there are two rounds of queuing before you get to enter — the security bag check and then scanning of tickets.
We recommend arriving at least an hour before the park opens. Opening hours are usually 9AM – 8PM, but differs slightly for holidays and special occasions. Check the official park calendar for exact hours before you visit.
6) Make Use of the Disney Premier Access
Fastpasses were phased out after Covid-19, and in their stead is the Disney Premier Access (DPA). For an additional cost, you’ll get to enjoy shorter queue times!
*Note: The price of Disney Premier Access varies by visiting date, attractions, entertainment shows, and the date of purchase.
How to Purchase the Disney Premier Access
Unlike its old counterpart which could be collected as a physical ticket, the Disney Premier Access is entirely digital and booked via the Shanghai Disney Resort app.
From there, you can buy DPAs for individual attractions and shows (140RMB – 180RMB), or purchase a set (435RMB – 2,530RMB) that can include up to 15 different attractions and shows.
DPA sets can be purchased up to 7 days in advance, whereas DPAs for individual attractions can only be bought on the day of the visit.
Once you’ve purchased your DPA, you’ll receive a QR code.
How to Use the Disney Premier Access
Photo credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
Simply go to the Priority Access queue of the attraction, or reserved viewing area of the entertainment venue. Then simply show your QR code in “My Plan” on the Shanghai Disney Resort app to get in!
*Note: A DPA might come with a specific time slot for entry. Always check the validity period of your DPA to avoid missing your time slot!
What Attractions and Shows are Under the Disney Premier Access?
The DPA is applicable to specific attractions and entertainment shows. Click Read More to view a list of attractions and shows that you can get the DPA for (as of May 2025):
Read More7) Must-see Attractions
With so many things to see and so little time, Shanghai Disneyland can be slightly overwhelming for a first-timer. It’s good to have a rough feel of the available attractions so you can map out your game plan for the day.
Here are the highlights for each of the eight themed zones:
Zootopia
In case you missed it, Zootopia is a new themed area which opened in December 2023, and it’s only available at Shanghai Disneyland!
It’s one of the prettiest areas in the park thanks to the dazzling backdrop of Zootopia buildings. Unfortunately, that’s also why it’s so crowded all the time. On days that are particularly packed, you’ll need to queue to enter the area!
(1) Zootopia: Hot Pursuit: This ride brought us on a wild chase in a moving “police car”. The animatronics and visual effects of the rides were great, and the swerving of our car added a lot of fun! The queuing area was also well-designed, showing us the interior of the Zootopia police station and jail.
Adventure Isle
Think Indiana Jones meets Wild Wild West. The main feature of Adventure Isle is the Roaring Mountain, where the Roaring Rapids and Challenge Trails are located (more below!).
(1) Roaring Rapids: A Disney favourite. Climb aboard a raft and get drifted away by the currents. Don’t underestimate the seemingly calm waters — you WILL get wet.
Photo credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
(2) Soaring Over the Horizon: One of the park’s most popular attractions! This ride takes you on an immersive journey over some of the world’s most iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Great Wall of China in Beijing!
Photo credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
(3) Camp Discovery Challenge Trails: This attraction was a fun surprise. Three unique elevated rope courses spread over the terrain of the Roaring Mountain will make you feel like you’re in a Jumanji scene. Challenge your friends to the ninja warrior-like course to see who comes out on top. A whole lotta fun for people of all ages!
Toy Story Land
Toy Story Land screams childhood memories for those of us who grew up on the franchise. The bright colours and overall positive vibes will guarantee to have you singing “you’ve got a friend in me”.
(1) Rex’s Racer: Zoom back and forth on a U-shaped track! Think Viking ship but on wheels.
Photo credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
(2) Slinky Dog Spin: No theme park would be complete without at least one spinning ride. Enjoy some head-spinning fun as Slinky chases his own tail!
Fantasyland
Find all the Disney classics at Fantasyland — princesses, Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan themed rides!
(1) Enchanted Storybook Castle: Standing at 60m, this is the largest Disney castle ever built. Here you’ll find all the OGs — Cinderella, Snow White and more! It’s like a sorority house, but for your favourite Disney princesses.
(2) Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: This ride is an all-time favourite family-friendly rollercoaster. There aren’t any heart-dropping loops but it’s still some good old-fashioned fun.
Photo credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
(3) Alice in Wonderland Maze: This beautifully designed garden is unique to Shanghai Disneyland. Plus it’s a great spot to snap some Instagram shots!
(4) Peter Pan’s Flight: Escape to Never Land with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and the rest of the gang! This ride features fun storytelling of the Disney classic and is targetted towards kids.
Gardens of Imagination
Photo credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
The Gardens of Imagination sits right in the centre of Shanghai Disneyland and is where the famous fireworks show happens!
(1) Fantasia Carousel: Immerse yourself in fairytale wonder as you climb aboard whimsical creatures on the Fantasia Carousel!
(2) Marvel Universe: Meet your favourite superheroes in the Marvel Universe. We got to meet Captain America and Spiderman!
We had a chat with Captain America who spoke English, and Spiderman who spoke Chinese. I was definitely tongue-tied and had to think quickly so I wouldn’t look stupid (LOL).
Besides the Meet-and-Greet, there’s an area where you can step into the shoes of Iron Man through virtual reality, and try out his latest tech!
(3) Gardens of the Twelve Friends: Check out your Chinese zodiac in Disney character form — you guessed it, this clever blend between traditional Chinese and Disney elements can only be found at Shanghai Disneyland!
Tomorrowland
A visit to Tomorrowland is like stepping into the future. Sleek buildings and sci-fi music give birth to a themed zone that’s literally out of this world.
(1) TRON Lightcycle Power Run: The most thrilling ride of the entire park, this was worth the long queue.
It’s based on the sci-fi film Tron, which explores a virtual reality world known as “The Grid”. Instead of typical coaster seats, you’ll be on a lightcycle zooming through the circuit. The ride’s duration was longer than we thought, with a number of dips that made our hearts jump to our throats. Is that badass or what?
(2) Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue: Armed with pulse blasters, shoot at targets to destroy Emperor Zurg’s army and accumulate points! It’s even more fun when you’re competing with your friends to see who gets the highest score.
(3) Jet Packs: Soar through the sky and control the height at which you fly via hand-held controls!
Treasure Cove
Ahoy mateys! Sail (or walk) over to Treasure Cove to live out your dreams of exploring the seven seas.
(1) Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure: This ride was a feast for the eyes. The decor was stunning and the visual effects were breathtaking. There’s so much to see I’m pretty sure we’d spot something new if we were to take it again. 10/10 would recommend! Queue time for this ride is typically shorter compared to other popular attractions.
Mickey Avenue
Mickey Avenue is the first zone you see when you enter the park and also where most of the character meet & greets take place! Take photos and interact with your favourite Disney characters here or pick up souvenirs and candy at the various stores.
*Pro-tip: Although Mickey Avenue has the biggest souvenir shop in Shanghai Disneyland, the World Disney store located at Disneytown has the largest selection of merchandise!
8) Don’t Forget the Shows
Mulan’s segment for Mickey’s Storybook Express was so epic.
Shows are a huge part of the Disneyland experience! Here’s a breakdown of some of the shows available:
(1) Mickey’s Storybook Express (Gardens of Imagination, Tomorrowland and Toy Story Land): You can’t say you’ve been to Disneyland without seeing the iconic parade. Mickey’s Storybook Express happens twice a day at 12:15PM and 3:30PM — check the app for accurate show schedules.
Witness your favourite characters like Mulan and Mickey Mouse himself strut through the park in true Disney celebratory style.
(2) Frozen: A Sing-Along Celebration (Fantasyland): If Frozen is your jam, then you can’t miss this. Sing along to “Let it go” and “Love is an open door” with Elsa, Anna and Kristoff!
(3) Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular (Treasure Cove): Watch Captain Jack and his crew outsmart the naval forces through 30 minutes of comedy mixed with exciting stunts! With several timings throughout the day, this is a show not to be missed.
(4) ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration (Gardens of Imagination): What better way to end your Disney day than with a magical fireworks display? More on the best time to get a seat for the show below!
Note: All the shows are in Mandarin. Don’t worry though — they’re still incredibly entertaining even if you don’t understand the dialogue! The top-notch visuals and cast were more than enough to keep us entertained.
9) Suggested Routes for Shanghai Disneyland
Now that you have a rough idea of the rides you want to take, start planning your route for the day! This Shanghai Disneyland guide provides two recommended routes — the Thrill-Seeker route, and the Scenic Route.
Both routes include Shanghai Disneyland’s must-sees, but the Thrill-Seeker Route prioritises action while the Scenic Route highlights Instagram-worthy attractions and shows.
Attractions with asterisks (*) mean it’s under the Disney Premier Access!
Thrill-Seeker Route
1) Roaring Rapids* (Adventure Isle)
2) Camp Discovery Challenge Trails* (Adventure Isle)
3) Soaring Over the Horizon* (Adventure Isle)
4) Eye of the Storm – Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular* (Treasure Cove)
5) Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle for the Sunken Treasure* (Treasure Cove)
6) Seven Dwarfs Mine Train* (Fantasyland)
7) Zootopia: Hot Pursuit* (Zootopia)
8) Rex’s Racer* (Toy Story Land)
9) TRON Lightcycle Power Run* (Tomorrowland)
10) Jet Packs (Tomorrowland)
11) Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue* (Tomorrowland)
12) Mickey’s Storybook Express Parade* (Around the entire park)
13) ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration* (Gardens of Imagination)
If you have time to spare before the fireworks, catch Slinky Dog Spin or re-ride some of your favourites (hint: TRON)!
Scenic Route
1) Camp Discovery Challenge Trails* (Adventure Isle)
2) Soaring Over the Horizon* (Adventure Isle)
3) Eye of the Storm – Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular* (Treasure Cove)
4) Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle for the Sunken Treasure* (Treasure Cove)
5) Zootopia: Hot Pursuit* (Zootopia)
6) Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (Fantasyland)
7) Peter Pan’s Flight* (Fantasyland)
8) Alice in Wonderland Maze (Fantasyland)
9) Enchanted Storybook Castle (Fantasyland)
10) Marvel Universe (Gardens of Imagination)
11) TRON Lightcycle Power Run* (Tomorrowland)
12) Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue* (Tomorrowland)
13) Mickey’s Storybook Express Parade* (Around the entire park)
14) Fantasia Carousel (Gardens of Imagination)
15) Ignite the Dream Fireworks Show* (Gardens of Imagination)
*Pro-tip: Go for the “normal queue” on your first ride of the day, and get a Disney Premier Access for an attraction later in the day. The waiting time for the first ride shouldn’t be too long if you enter the park once it opens.
10) Remember to Have Lunch
Photo credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
Food can be a little pricey in the park, but you can still find options for under 100RMB! These include Stargazer Grill (Tomorrowland), Toy Box Cafe (Toy Story Land) and Tangled Tree Tavern (Fantasyland).
Don’t forget the mini food stands scattered throughout the park as well. Two items we enjoyed were the Beef and Kimchi wrap from Chipmunk Snacks and the Winnie the Pooh-shaped Sandwich from Merlin’s Magic Recipe.
There’s also Disneytown located right beside Shanghai Disneyland. Here, you’ll find well-known restaurant chains like IPPUDO, The Cheesecake Factory and Xin Wang (dim sum).
Photo credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
The entrance to Disneytown from Disneyland is at the Gardens of Imagination. You can always re-enter once you’re done!
11) Save a Spot 50 Minutes Before the Fireworks Show
Photo credit: Shanghai Disney Resort
I knew it was gonna be crowded, but I was not ready for the Black Friday-like mass of human bodies crammed together in a limited space.
My advice: for a clear, unobstructed view, head to the Gardens of Imagination at least 50 minutes early. Grab a few snacks to munch on while you wait for the show to begin.
By 6PM, a crowd was already forming for the 8PM fireworks show. We squeezed in a couple more rides and only returned 30 minutes before. All the good spots were long gone by then and we were left scrambling for a decent view all the way back, near the beginning of Mickey Avenue!
The fireworks and lights show was still amazing though, even from afar.
Bonus Tips
(1) Disney’s Pin Trading Culture: Unknown to many, Disneyland has a culture of pin trading! Purchase a set of pins from any gift shop and trade with cast members throughout the park.
(2) Free Stickers: Great news — you can get souvenirs for free! Approach Guest Services to ask if they have free stickers. We managed to bag a few Duffy stickers ourselves!
(3) Scavenger Hunt: Join Shanghai Disneyland’s scavenger hunt! Buy a Shanghai Disney Passport from one of the souvenir shops and collect stamps from stamp kiosks located throughout the park. Once you’ve collected all the stamps, you’ll receive a surprise gift!
Getting to Shanghai Disneyland
Public Transport: From the city centre (People’s Square Station, Line 8), take the Shanghai Metro to Disney Resort Station, Line 11. It only costs 6RMB (~S$1.20) and takes around 45 minutes.
Taxi: A cab ride from the city centre will cost you around 118RMB (~S$23) and can take up to 40 minutes depending on the traffic.
Maximising Your Trip to Shanghai Disneyland
Disneyland is always a big-ticket item on tourists’ must-do’s , which means crowds can get insane almost all year-round, especially at rope drop (when the park opens for the day).
Pre-booking tickets online via Klook helped save us a lot of trouble and took away the unnecessary anxiety of having to purchase tickets on the spot. And it saves you money as well!
*Pro-tip: Enjoy 5% OFF your Shanghai Disneyland ticket when you book with our code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> on Klook. Use up to 3x, and new users get 10% off their first booking. T&C’s apply!
By sticking to a gameplan and utilising the strategies in this Shanghai Disneyland Guide, we managed to hit a total of 14 attractions and shows — and even re-rode some of our favourites! Let’s just say we loved TRON so much we took it three times.
Planning a trip to China? Check out our 2-Week China Itinerary — Rail Adventure Across Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou!
Have your own Shanghai Disneyland secrets or tips that you’d like to share? Comment them down below!
