Shanghai Disneyland Highlights: Toy Story, Tron, and More

Intro

Welcome back, dear readers! Today, I’m diving into one of the most memorable parts of Day 3 on my Round the World Trip 2024—Shanghai Disneyland! After an exciting morning exploring Zootopia and Pirates of the Caribbean, I couldn’t wait to uncover more of this unique park. This afternoon was packed with fascinating discoveries as I wandered through Toy Story Land, Tomorrowland, and the enchanting Enchanted Storybook Castle. Each area held surprises, from character meet-and-greets to thrilling attractions like the original Tron Lightcycle Power Run.

So grab your Mickey ears and join me as we journey through this magical afternoon at Shanghai Disneyland, encountering familiar Disney magic with some unexpected twists along the way!

Toy Story Land

Still on Day 03 of my Round The World Trip 2024, and after having enjoyed Zootopia and Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland Shanghai during the morning, I was ready to have a blast this afternoon, exploring more areas of this fantastic park.

Next up, we were coming to Toy Story Land, or at least a version of it, different to the more complete one in Hollywood Studios.

Most attractions seemed to be more focused on kids but it still seemed fun regardless. One of the Toy Story attraction tho, was located in Tomorrowland, which I would go in later.

This land reminded me a lot of the one in Hong Kong, although I went in a couple of rides there, and none in this one. At least the characters were out and about, like Woody and Jessie meeting and greeting guests.

Tomorrowland

Continue walking the map counterclockwise, I went to Tomorrowland, which weirdly enough is located towards the right on this park. Also, it has some Marvel items even though there is a Marvel Universe land here, and also has, like I mentioned earlier, a Toy Story ride: Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue.

Tron Realm

One thing that is consistent with other parks, is that Tron is located in Tomorrowland, and this one was the first version of this ride. The one in Orlando is very very very similar, but there are some differences. I liked the experiences like Tron Realm, where they would showcase Chevrolet cars, and of course it was nice getting some AC in these high temperatures.

Tron Lightcycle Power Run

I have never watched a Tron movie, and would probably not watch the next one coming up, but I enjoyed this ride a lot when I went to Magic Kingdom. Now, I had the chance to go in the original one, included in my Disney Premier Access Package, so it would be a short line for me.

It was a lot of fun, but as always very short.

Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue

Since I was already in the area, and had the Premier Access for this ride, I opted to go on the Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue. I usually avoid these type of rides, but I still have some fun.

Meet Baymax at E-Stage

My time at Tomorrowland was coming to an end, but could not avoid seeing Baymax meeting and greeting in this land.

I had many cultural shocks while in Disneyland Shanghai, like everyone wearing an umbrella, hot water dispensers and other things I prefer not to mention, but the Smoking Area in a Disney Park was just amazing. China definitely is one of the most smoking countries in the world, and that extrapolates to these parks. Although, just like I would see in Paris, people would just smoke at any outdoor space here, I guess until getting caught by a cast member.

Enchanted Storybook Castle

One of the greatest things about this park is that the castle has so many features, it is walkable and has attractions. Also, you could look at the very top, like they really thought about everything when designing this castle.

Meeting and greeting characters can also be done in the castle, mostly princesses and princes.

And right next to the castle, you can find the Alice in Wonderland Maze. Cute to see it from above, but like why would I go there by myself in the middle of this sunny and hot day lol.

Frozen: A Sing-Along Celebration

To precisely escape from this heat, at least for a bit, I went to the Frozen: A Sing-Along Celebration. This show narrates de story of the first Frozen movie.

The selling point of the show, is not only the famous songs and stories, but the fact that the public has to migrate from room to room between scenes. Instead of the scenario moving, it was us who had to get up and go to the left to the next room, where a different part of the movie was going to play. Not sure if this is efficient in the long run, but at least it was fun seeing the very well crafted props on the show.

Elsa, of course had her moment and oh surprise! 2 songs from Frozen 2 as well as their outfits are included at the end of this show.

I do not think I had seen scenes from Frozen 2 in any of the Disney Parks. It was just amazing cause I love Into The Unknown.

The show came to a fantastic end with snope (fake snow) falling down in the theater.

Voyage to the Crystal Grotto

Ok now I got out of the Frozen show, and it was not too frozen. It was 34 C (93 F) and felt like 43 C (109 F). It was extremely hot. Using an umbrella was helping me but you really have to stay hydrated in these conditions. I packed a bunch of Gatorade packets that you can find on Amazon. They’re super great during these heat waves.

The next ride was not far from Frozen thankfully, and I was able to get to Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, a relaxing boat ride through many of the Disney stories.

Like Beauty and the Beast…

Or Tangled, with Rapunzel and Finn…

Or dancing to Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid with Ariel and her friends.

Summer Blast Castle Show

It was Summertime in Disneyland Shanghai, and that included the Summer Blast Castle Show, something I had never seen in any Disney Park. Basically, they would blast water on the audience lol. It was fun, full of music and appearances from many Disney characters.

Daisy, Donald, Minnie, Mickey, Goofy and Chip and Dale on their summer outfits, were ready to blast the audience with a lot of water. I had no need at all to get all wet, but it seemed fun for whoever was right in front of the castle.

Zootopia is to be included everywhere in this park, and this was no exception. Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde were present during the show.

One thing that took me out was the huge inflatable of Hank the Octopus from Finding Dory.

And the basting started, it was kind of funny seeing the people laughing and screaming. They probably did not expect the high pressure of the blast. They probably got drenched from all of the water thrown at them.

“Once Upon a Time” Adventure

To continue in this area, I went this time to “Once Upon a Time” Adventure at the castle, a walk-through attraction showcasing the story of the Snow White.

The effects where cool, reminded me a little bit of the ones I saw in Disneyland Tokyo.

I had completely forgotten that Snow White * dies * and then gets resuscitated by a nonconsensual kiss from the prince, but hey I am just giving an opinion.

Disneyland Shanghai app

The Disneyland Shanghai app works well and it is similar in the interface to the Walt Disney World one. Around this time the wait times were definitely crazy.

But it is very informative, and it is good not only for wait times, but also to see what times the shows are. Be aware that for example for Frozen, I got turned around when I arrived 5 minutes earlier. I would recommend being there like 30 to 20 min in advance.

Adventure Isle

I had not explored this land, and I would probably get there later, but for now I was just passing by because I needed to get a food break.

Mickey and Pals Market Cafe

And that was going to be on the Mickey and Pals Market Cafe, where I was craving dumplings. I needed them. The place is great, food is served immediately, very efficient.

The pork dumpling were amazing. To think it was the first savory thing I had tried today was crazy. I am literally writing this and would love to be back there, they were that good.

Disneytown

If Walt Disney World has Disney Springs, and Disneyland Anaheim has Downtown Disney, then Shanghai has Disneytown. Omg, look how menacing and hot the sun looks in this picture.

After the food, I needed to refresh, so I got out of the park, they just needed the ticket when coming back.

This shopping area was dead. All the guests were inside of the park. Even World of Disney, the main store of the resort, was a little bit empty. Maybe it was the heat? I mean, the park was crowded.

Then I remembered I had seen a Donald the Duck inflatable on the lake by Disneytown and I had to go find him. And here he was, is not him so cute?

Target acquired! The Starbucks. I needed like a Frappuccino for this heat wave, and to relax for a bit in this coffee shop, and the AC.

The interior of the Starbucks store was amazing!

Still with coffee in hand I walked back to the park, exploring a little bit more of the Disneytown. The Lego store had to be included in this development, right?

And just like that, I was getting back into the park for the last hours of my day in Disneyland Shanghai. But a last entry is missing from this day, do not miss next up.