A Whirlwind Trip to Shanghai Disneyland!

[Dentam]

After admiring the mosaics in the Garden of the Twelve Friends, we checked out the wait times board near the Castle (this one shows you the wait times throughout the park and switches between Chinese and English, so it takes awhile to catch all of the times). Buzz Lightyear was listed as 20 minutes, so we made a beeline over there!

I took a quick shot of the sun setting over Tron before we got into line at Buzz.



Now, I have never been good at Buzz Lightyear and usually make whoever is sitting next to me a very happy winner. This time was no different, except it was actually the worst I have ever done! Not completely my fault though since I could barely see my laser the entire time and the ride kept stopping on us, which Kelly concluded was the time for her to hit the same target on her side over and over and over again, giving her a lead of thousands upon thousands of points!




After that humiliation, it was time for some more sugar!

We headed back toward the Castle to check wait times again, hoping that the line for Soarin' would have gone down by then. No such luck.






So, it was off to Remy's again, where we shared a delicious chocolate chip cookie and got a couple of sodas. We relaxed and enjoyed some people watching.



There was a cute newspaper stand outside next to the outdoor patio that all had Remy's as the front page news.



After relaxing for a good 15-20 minutes, we decided that we should probably go check the wait times one more time. They were still long, so we decided to just find a seat for the nighttime show right up in front of the Castle. We would have an hour and a half wait, but at that point our feet were about done and sitting on the ground sounded nice, even if it was wet.



Next Up: SDL's Nighttime Spectacular! (AKA: "Ignite the Dream")



​

 

[Dentam]

We found a great spot to sit right along a fence in front of the Castle and settled in. I think it was at this point that I noticed my camera battery was almost dead.... It was probably due to all the time I'd spent scrolling through my trip photos while waiting in lines. I didn't have this problem on any of the other days of our two week trip.

Oh well, what can you do? I managed to get a few pics of the "Ignite the Dream" show, which was VERY GOOD! It has fewer fireworks than most Disney nighttime shows but I felt like the show was a bit longer and it had a lot of cool effects with lighting, water, and projections on the castle.



Okay, so quick side note here - everyone was great about staying seated for the show, but we did experience a lot of people walking through everyone who was seated prior to the show starting, even when there was clearly no room for them to sit down. One woman fell over onto the poor girl sitting next to me and the girl was crying because I guess her ankle was stepped on. One guy also wanted to squeeze in right next to Kelly where there was definitely not room for him. She told him we'd been waiting for over an hour, but I don't think he could understand her. Anyway, just another part of the crowd culture you'll experience while at this park. I think there are other spots further back where you won't experience this as much.

Now, onto the show! Or... the handful of pics I was able to get of it between my camera shutting down and then coming on again...







We were so impressed with this show and very glad that we had staked out our spot to watch it. The music was great, with some songs fully in English, and the projections and other effects used were top notch!

I was able to get a couple more pics on our way out of the park, but my camera gave up for good as we headed for the ferry to take us to SDL Hotel, so I don't have any pics of the ferry at night or looking across the lake to our hotel all lit up.





There was barely anyone in line for the ferry - we got the impression during this trip that not many people were staying at either of the Disney hotels based on how empty they seemed which was a-okay with us!

Once there, I quickly plugged my camera battery into its charger and let it charge for awhile. We then walked around the hotel until 1am taking photos. Those pics are coming up in the next few updates!!

​

 

[zanzibar138]

I can't believe I've only just stumbled across your TR! I love all the photos and hearing things from a different perspective. You got some really nice shots. Great spot for Ignite the Dream - where is that?

The castle was beautiful and I thought the interior of the ground floor was gorgeous! Unfortunately, we could not figure out how to go up the steps... we saw an exit but no entrance?​

​

Inside the castle is the 'Once Upon a Time Adventure'. The entrance to this attraction is outside the castle, and the wait times were hovering around an hour or more while I was there. Not worth it.

We decided to eat at Tony's - it was a large counter service restaurant with different themed rooms to eat in. We didn't see any western food options, and were fine with more steamed buns for our meal. Mine was bbq pork and I'm not sure what Kelly's had in them. She added a chocolate pudding to her meal that came in a cute panda souvenir cup.

I got a quick shot of another room in the restaurant as we were leaving - I liked ours a lot better!​

​

I ate at that restaurant too - in the room that you didn't like lol! It wasn't my favourite either, but it was absolutely packed while I was there and it was the only place I could find a table. I didn't know about the chocolate pudding - totally would have added that to my meal if I had known!

​

 

[Dentam]

I can't believe I've only just stumbled across your TR! I love all the photos and hearing things from a different perspective. You got some really nice shots. Great spot for Ignite the Dream - where is that?

Glad you found my TR! I don't know how to describe the spot for Ignite the Dream other than that it was in front of the Castle among different garden beds. There was a roped off portion in front of us that would have had a completely unobstructed view and had benches to sit on. There were only a few people up there and I think I saw a proposal, so maybe it was for special guests with occasions like that to celebrate?

Inside the castle is the 'Once Upon a Time Adventure'. The entrance to this attraction is outside the castle, and the wait times were hovering around an hour or more while I was there. Not worth it.

Hmm... we walked around the outside of the castle twice and didn't see it. Dang! But yeah, I don't think we would have waited in line that long for it.

I ate at that restaurant too - in the room that you didn't like lol! It wasn't my favourite either, but it was absolutely packed while I was there and it was the only place I could find a table. I didn't know about the chocolate pudding - totally would have added that to my meal if I had known!

​

It was packed when we were there too - we just happened to find a girl who had a table for four all to herself and she was done eating. A couple nabbed the table as soon as we started to stand up after we finished eating, so that was the winning strategy I guess, ha ha! I can't remember where Kelly found the pudding - maybe at the checkout area...

 

[GusIsaFoxhound]

Dentam, I've been away from your report for a few days, and had a lot of catching up to do! This really has been great. I was wondering why you didn't use FP for anything, but now see why, you poor souls. Zanzibar mentioned the room key/ no FP ticket, so between the 2 of you, I realize what I need to do. Also, your misfortune with the rain is a relief for me- I've just remembered to pack our cheap ponchos just in case!!
Your whole report is so good to read! I can't wait to get there! Our trip is getting better, as I just found out that we will see the Lantern Festival while we are at Nanjing- excited over that, too!
Mercedes, have you ordered your ticket through the hotel already? Is that what you mean about not having your room key/ticket?

 

[bcwife76]

Oh wow, it's so beautiful all lit up at night!!! Sorry your battery died but you did manage to get some gorgeous photos!!

 

[Dentam]

@GusIsaFoxhound - yes, bringing your own ponchos along is a great idea! Your trip is coming up so soon now and how exciting that you get to see the Lantern Festival!! Have a GREAT trip!!

@bcwife76 - it was beautiful at night and I do wish I could have gotten more pics, but at least I was able to get the few that I did!

Pics of the SDL hotel coming right up!!

 

[Dentam]

We took the short ferry ride across the lake and headed into the SDL Hotel to check in. As soon as we walked up to the lakeside entrance of the hotel, we were greeted by the crisp, air conditioned air of the lobby and the sweet scent of all the fresh flower arrangements inside. It is truly a beautiful hotel!!

The staff retrieved our luggage which had been transferred from the Toy Story hotel earlier that day and we were led to our room. The elevators here have Minnie Mouse greeting you!

I plugged my camera battery into its charger first thing and then we both took showers. By the time we were all freshened up, I decided that my camera should be good to go for a late evening of photos.

We walked around the hotel and grounds until 1 in the morning - it was just us and the cleaning crews! I think they thought we were a little crazy, but we didn't care - we were soaking it all in!

Without further ado, here is our room at the SDL Hotel!



Kelly got SO EXCITED when the bellman showed us how to make these really cool lights work above our beds!! It was a very nice Disney touch! The lights start with Tinkerbell's pixie dust on the headboard of the bed to the left...



then they travel to light up a hidden Mickey in the mirror in between the beds and then go onto the headboard of the bed to the right...



before ending in fireworks above the castle!!



The bathroom was gorgeous as well with a mosaic pattern in the tile, a beautiful mirror with Tink and a waterlily, and a lovely piece of artwork by the toilet that I believe is from Fantasia. The bathroom had a really cool sliding door to it also.



We just LOVED this room!!​

 

[Dentam]

And of course, you know I didn't stop at just a few pics of our room, so here are some more!

Here is one of the hallway outside our room and another of our room number (we were on the first floor):





A closeup of the mosaic pattern in our bathroom tiles:



In the drawer under the TV was a stash of supplies for tea - a must when in China!



A beautiful mirror and light across from the bed closest to the window and over a desk:



Even the vent had a hidden Mickey!



Next up, we headed out to explore the resort!

​

 

[Dentam]

Our room was facing a courtyard with a gazebo - everything was Cinderella themed!









​

​

 

[Dentam]

We walked by the indoor pool and took pictures from outside since it was closed.



Umm, not that pool, THIS pool!



More beautiful mosaics on the walls!





Then we proceeded indoors, and so began my obsession with light fixtures, artwork, etc...





We found Lumiere's Kitchen downstairs and seeing as Beauty and the Beast is my favorite animated Disney movie, I was instantly obsessed!



MANY more pics of Lumiere's in the next post!

​

 

[Dentam]

I can't even describe to you how much I LOVED this entire area!! So I will let the pics do the talking...









​

 

[Dentam]

I pried myself away from Lumiere's and we headed upstairs toward the main lobby.



I could live in this lobby... seriously!!







​

 

[Dentam]

More pics of the lobby - and yeah, there will be even more later...







More pics to come in the next update! Stay tuned...​

 

[dizzy daisy]

I am so happy to have found your TR! I've not looked too much at SDL so this is ALL new to me and I'm really enjoying it

 

[zanzibar138]

Loving all your pictures from the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel! I didn't get a chance to have a good look around. Bit sad I missed the Cinderella courtyard - that's a gorgeous statue.

 

[piraterunner]

This is such a fabulous report! Thank you so much! How many days would you recommend at this park?

 

[Dentam]

I am so happy to have found your TR! I've not looked too much at SDL so this is ALL new to me and I'm really enjoying it

I'm so happy you've found it too!

Loving all your pictures from the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel! I didn't get a chance to have a good look around. Bit sad I missed the Cinderella courtyard - that's a gorgeous statue.

That just means that you need to go back someday! I know I do considering I only did three rides while in the park!

This is such a fabulous report! Thank you so much! How many days would you recommend at this park?

Happy to have you here! I would recommend at least two days for the park. I know others have had good luck with just one day, but to really see and do everything at less than a break-neck pace, and to allow for any issues with weather, rides that are down, etc, I think two days minimum is a good idea.

 

[bcwife76]

Oh wow that hotel is incredible!! It's like a museum, so gorgeous!!

I am a HUGE fan of Inside Out...that painting of Joy.....I think I just stared at it for 5 minutes!

Your room looks gorgeous - how big was it? It looks huge! Love the effects over the beds

 

[GusIsaFoxhound]

Well, we're flying out in a bit over 12 hours, so no time to add anything after this. I will put my own report up once we're back with my own views and ideas for others to use.
Dentam, you and Zanzibar have been a great help to me- thanks!!
"I'm coming, Tron, I'm coming!!"