Believe it or not it’s not exactly size that matters. On paper HKDL has more “attractions”
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Shanghai Disneyland from a first timers view
- Thread starter marni1971
- Start date
For what it's worth, I just came back from both resorts/parks, and Hong Kong was by far my favorite of the two, and I went in expecting the opposite. I thought Shanghai lacked the magic and is my least favorite of the castle parks. Though I will say Shanghai's Pirates is the best attraction across the two resorts in my opinion.
Pizza Moon
Well-Known Member
Everything is better themed at Shanghai. The attention to detail at HKDL's OG land's is lacking
Didn’t say it isn’t
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
Yes and no IMO.
The best of Shanghai is better than the best of Hong Kong.
But when Shanghai's bad, it's worse than anything at Hong Kong Disneyland.
And that's with the acknowledgment that Hong Kong's original areas are a bit half-formed. Even with that being the case, I'd still make the case that, say, HKDL's Fantasyland is a considerably better environment over the Shanghai version.
Pizza Moon
Well-Known Member
With Frozen maybe. Otherwise it’s too small even with Small World.
I think HKDL’s Disneyland biggest issue is Tomorrowland honestly, and despite them throwing 3 Marvel rides at it it basically is still the same land, unlike their other wonderful expansions. I even really liked Toy Story Land with the lush Hong Kong landscape, felt it was more intimate in a good way over Shanghai.
Even on Main Street you notice it lacks detail versus Mickey Avenue/Gardens of Imagination.
That’s because of its minuscule budget. I’d argue Grizzly Peak and the Mystic complex hold their own against any other park.
Pizza Moon
Well-Known Member
Totally agree! Same with Frozen. Though the queue for Runaway Minecars leaves a little to be desired.
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
I've only visited pre-Frozen, but I'd still give HKDL the win in Fantasyland over Shanghai at the very least.
I'd take small and charming over large but relatively featureless and undistinctive.
I will concede that every time I look at HKDL's Main Street it looks a bit more off-kilter than before; even so, Mickey Avenue is...well, certainly an idea they attempted. I'm not particularly confident that they did it particularly well.
But anyway, YMMV.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
Grizzly is one of Disney's greatest coasters, so much fun. Simply one of their best rides anywhere. And its surroundings area is also superb, great placemaking.
Mystic and its restaurant are gorgeous. Pictures don't do this area justice. Ridewise, I find it good rather than superb. It leans a bit too much into artifacts and effects being the story, rather than the means to tell one.
One can add HK Jungle Cruise and by extention pretty much all of their Adventureland to their list of 'can hold its own against any other park'. Secretly, Iron Man too. That thing just works.
IMDREW
Well-Known Member
When did you visit Shanghai? I went with opening and got back for a second visit last year. Fantasylands vibe changed massively due to the now grown trees. Makes the land feel much more intimate and magical.
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
2019.
I'm sure that the tree growth will help, but I just didn't find the land to my taste, nor did I feel it bettered the approach of any previous Fantasyland.
The only thing it really had going for it was the updated Peter Pan IMO.
Agreed 100%. Even with the trees there's still large sections of the land that have wooden fences as the only thing going on visually. The flaw is having the Crystal Grotto attraction in the middle of the land and yet deciding to not have it be visible.
Disgruntled Walt
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
Is that fence where the Grotto attraction is?
Pizza Moon
Well-Known Member
I hope they replace the ride. Genuinely just an awful downgrade from Small World; it's basically a prime expansion plot
Oh, it’s fun. Even a cartoon jungle cruise.
I think this one is between Fantasyland and Toy Story across from Pan, but they're everywhere so it's hard to keep track. The area directly behind is worse, with unthemed tents and picnic tables. The last pic here is definitely behind the grotto because you can see the castle.
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BrianLo
Well-Known Member
Yes I’m 90% sure this is TSPL that is the issue, not really Fantasyland proper. Not Crystal Grotto.
The empty expansion pad(s) are the problem, but not really Fantasyland proper in my opinion. The counter clockwise loop from Pan to Pooh is quite nice and I really like how well the 100 acre woods has grown in.
What it needs is expansion into the picnic area and north.
Pizza Moon
Well-Known Member
I don’t disagree but I honestly feel like long-term plans, maybe by the park’s 25th they should have a replacement, particularly if the rate of expansions don’t slow too much with a second park.
Shanghai has lots of expansions pads, but also weirdly not actually that many in the cosmic scale of things? If they want to have say Villains Land behind Fantasyland, it could give them the justification to swap the boat ride for a Mulan ride and miniland (what they should’ve done to begin with), and reminds of other missed opportunities like a full fledged Sleeping Beauty/Maleficent ride at DLP.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
Perhaps more than any other ride
the Grotto gains enormously from being done at night, with theatrical lighting creating intimacy and bringing life to the show scenes. It goes from 'nice' to 'magical'. From sailing past Disney Store props to a superb dark ride.