Heather Concannon Disney’s newest theme park, Shanghai Disneyland is nothing short of a marvel. With state of the art attractions, authentically Chinese entertainment and…
Heather Concannon
Disney’s newest theme park, Shanghai Disneyland is nothing short of a marvel. With state of the art attractions, authentically Chinese entertainment and six intricately themed lands, it is overwhelming to decide what to do — especially if you’re strapped for time.
I had the opportunity to visit the park for just one day, last August and wanted to make the most of my visit. After hours of research and studying the map (because SURPRISE! Shanghai Disneyland’s layout is drastically different than any other Disney park), I came up with a plan to hit the most innovative and unique experiences in the park.
Here are a few of my must-do’s and tips for your visit:
It may seem like a no-brainer to visit Shanghai Disneyland’s central landmark, however, this majestic masterpiece is unlike no other Disney castle. The Enchanted Storybook Castle is the largest castle in Disney history, at 197 ft, and represents all of the Disney princesses.
In addition to the gorgeous main hall, the castle is home to the Royal Banquet Hall, several character meet and greets, the “once upon a time” interactive walkthrough, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, live shows and, of course, the firework display. Even if you don’t have any interest in the additional offerings, it is worth it just to walk through and admire the beauty of this one-of-a-kind castle.
If there is one attraction you NEED to experience during your visit to Shanghai Disneyland, it’s TRON Lightcycle Power Run. The high-speed roller coaster based on Disney’s 1982 film, “TRON,” is an unbelievable and thrilling ride. I was told prior to my visit that I, an avid roller-coaster lover, was going to fall in love with how much fun TRON is. Honestly, it exceeded all expectations. From the moment you launch to the moment the ride is over, my cousin and I could not stop laughing — it was that much fun.
TRON is one of the seven attractions that offer a FastPass option. The FastPass program allows guests to come back at a designated time and wait in a shorter line. I highly recommend getting a FastPass for this ride considering it is one of the more popular attractions in the park.
Although there is a “Pirates of the Caribbean” attraction in every Disney park (with the exception of Hong Kong Disneyland, as they did not want a reminder of their horrid history with pirates), nothing quite compares to Shanghai Disneyland’s.
Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure follows Captain Jack Sparrow and Davey Jones on a wild, swashbuckling journey through ship graveyards and even into battle.
It has come to my understanding that Pirate of the Caribbean is one of the most technologically advanced attractions Disney Imagineers have created. And holy Barbossa, it is INCREDIBLE.
Enormous pirate ships tower over guests as they sail past lifelike animatronics and massive projection screens. It is the most remarkable and jaw-dropping Disney attraction I have experienced.
Unfortunately, there is no FastPass option for Pirate of the Caribbean. Until that changes, I would recommend making it your duty to cross this attraction of your list first thing in the morning.
My family and I waited 90 minutes in 100-degree weather, on a packed queue but guys, trust me — it is worth it.
What better way to end your Disney day than with a 20-minute spectacular of projections, fountains, lasers and fireworks? Grab a snack on Main Street (I’d recommend Remy’s Patisserie for a Mickey-shaped sweet) and definitely don’t miss these.
Whatever you decide to do, Shanghai Disneyland is a magical experience unlike any other with lots of unique offerings, innovative rides, and must-see entertainment!
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