Dreaming Day and Night: A Splurge Worth Every Penny

With visa exemptions for travel from Japan to Shanghai until the end of December 2025, visiting Shanghai Disneyland has never been easier! 🦊🐰🤍
If Disney is your main destination, staying at an official hotel is an absolute must!

Recently, I made my second trip to Shanghai this year ✈️🇨🇳. This time, to fully enjoy Shanghai Disneyland, I decided to stay at the "Shanghai Disneyland Hotel." After experiencing it firsthand, I can confidently recommend it for those planning a Disney-focused trip with a bit of city sightseeing before or after. 🙆🏻‍♀️💖

**Highlight 1: Just 5-10 Minutes to the Park**
Shuttle buses run every 15 minutes, and ferries every 20 minutes, but in my experience, they seemed to operate even more frequently ⛴️💨. That said, I recommend heading to the boarding area early, especially in the morning and after the park closes. After the night show, I managed to catch a ferry just before departure, but other guests behind me had to wait for the next one due to full capacity. So, timing is key!

Additionally, after completing my morning objectives, I felt tired and sleepy in the early afternoon. Thanks to the hotel's proximity, I could leave the park, rest in my room, and head back out for the night show. Staying at the official hotel was a lifesaver! 🙌

**Highlight 2: Exclusive Perks for Hotel Guests**
The shuttle buses and ferries are exclusively for hotel guests, and you'll need to show your room key card to board. You can get this card even before the official check-in time by stopping by the front desk for the check-in process. If you plan to visit the park or Disneytown, it's a good idea to drop off your luggage and complete the check-in process first 🫡.

Hotel guests also enjoy one-hour early entry to the park for each night of their stay 🉑. While early entry can be purchased separately, hotel guests have access to a dedicated entrance. I arrived at 7:20 AM and passed in front of the castle by 7:32 AM, with only a 5-minute wait for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train—practically a walk-through! On a previous visit in March, arriving at the same time via the general entrance meant a 15-minute wait for the same ride. This perk is definitely worth it 👍🏼. (More on early entry in a separate post!)

**Highlight 3: Japanese-Speaking Cast Members**
Language barriers can be a concern when traveling abroad, especially in China, where English isn't always widely spoken. I only know "Nihao" and "Xiexie" in Chinese, so I was quite anxious before my trip 🫨🫨. However, this five-star hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ exceeded my expectations. The cast member who assisted me during check-in spoke Japanese! Though not fluent, they handled everything in Japanese, which was incredibly helpful 🥹.

I also saw a cast member with an English & Japanese badge assisting another Japanese guest in the hotel shop. Even if no Japanese-speaking staff are available, they use high-performance translation devices to communicate effectively. So, Japanese travelers can rest easy! 👌🏽👌🏽

**Highlight 4: Immerse Yourself in Disney Magic 24/7**
As expected from an official hotel, the Disney magic continues even after you leave the park 💮💮. From Mickey and Minnie statues at the entrance to character illustrations in the lobby, Mickey's voice in the elevators, and themed decorations in the rooms, the Disney experience is everywhere. You might even encounter characters strolling around the hotel! It's as magical as the park itself, if not more 😭❤️🩹.

In conclusion, this was a long report, but I can assure you that your stay will be nothing short of amazing! Time to save up and plan my next visit 🤩🤩.