I spent the past two days at Shanghai Disneyland, staying at the Toy Story Hotel. This was my first visit (and 5/6 Disney resorts for me, just Paris to go).
Going to jot down some thoughts in no particular order and share some photos at the end.
Going to jot down some thoughts in no particular order and share some photos at the end.
- In general, SDL accomplishes feeling like a unique Disney park for the modern era, where things are not the same but still familiar to anyone who has been to a castle park before. Mickey Avenue is one of the most up front examples of this. It’s not Main Street but it gives off a similar feeling. It’s like if Toontown had a Main Street and it immediately starts the park off with a much more energetic and modern tone than other parks. After seeing Mickey Ave in person, I have to say that as much as I want Main Street to stay at the U.S. parks forever, if they ever go for the unthinkable and replace it, I kinda honestly wouldn’t mind Mickey Ave as a replacement.
- Crowds felt light. Was a bit surprised especially given that the second day I went was on Saturday. Longest wait I experienced was around 75 mins for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for a posted 65 min wait. Pirates was a near walk on the entire time I was there which really surprised me. I was expecting Zootopia to be the most difficult ride to get on but it wasn’t bad at all, I rode it twice waiting somewhere around 30 mins both times.
- Zootopia is a huge hit, the number of guests dressed as Zootopia characters and the reaction to them in shows and parades leads me to think that it’s probably the most popular Disney IP in China by far. Other popular IPs are Frozen and Duffy and friends (The Lina Belle M&G had by far the highest wait time of anything in the park, peaking at an absolutely insane 420 mins, which might be the highest wait time I’ve ever seen for anything in any theme park).
- Zootopia Hot Pursuit: I rode it twice and thought it was pretty good and technically impressive, but didn’t really think anything more of it than that. There are some very big and impressive AAs in the queue, particularly the police chief.
- Shanghai Pirates: This is probably the most impressive attraction Disney has ever made. And I use that word “impressive” very deliberately because I wouldn’t necessarily call this one of Disney’s “best” or even one of "my favorites”. The best attractions are those that make you feel something, and I don’t think this ride makes you feel anything in particular beyond “wow this is impressive”. The sheer scale of the sets is absolutely mind boggling and unlike anything I've ever seen in any other attraction. Maybe Spider-Man at IoA is the closest. Much like how original PotC accomplishes making you feel like you’re somewhere else (outside when you’re not), this ride accomplishes making you really feel like you’re in a Davy Jones underwater realm.
- Tron was down for refurb both days but I was thankfully able to experience it at WDW earlier this year so it didn’t bother me that much. It’s apparent how Tron was purpose built to anchor Tomorrowland in Shanghai while MK’s was dropped in later.
- Tomorrowland is incredible here and has a completely different modern sci-fi vibe compared to all the other parks.
- Guest etiquette: I had heard the horror stories, and while I didn’t experience any public urination, I did experience line cutting and a general disregard for personal space. This was especially a culture shock coming from Japan, where I live. Guests filming the entirety of attractions/shows on their phones is also the norm here. There were typically at least a couple people in my ride vehicles who would have their phones out for the entire ride which was distracting. Also noticed that guests would smoke wherever they wanted, for example in the middle of pathways.
- Maintenance seemed pretty good park-wide, although some of the outdoor set pieces could use a repaint. Especially on the Voyage to the Crystal Grotto boat ride, which has a few rough looking figures. The final Jack AA in PotC was broken the second day, he was standing there under a black curtain.
- CMs: I didn't really feel like they were up to the Disney standard. Maybe I would not feel that way if I could understand them in Mandarin. None of them were bad at their jobs, but some of them just seemed kind of bored. I felt service was better at the hotel than in the park. English level was poor, lower than at TDR I think. I was surprised that even some of the hotel concierges couldn't speak English.
- Extra: It was fun noticing all the references to other parks. Some things I noticed: Living With the Land reference in the Zootopia queue, the Roaring Rapids queue plays an old time radio instrumental of "Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing", "Yo-Ho" is not to be found in the PotC attraction but it features pretty prominently in the Jack Sparrow Stunt Show pre-show. Also might be wrong but I thought I heard area music from Cape Cod at TDS in the exit gift shop for PotC.
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