How to visit Shanghai Disney Resort & Hong Kong Disneyland

How to visit Shanghai Disney Resort & Hong Kong Disneyland
Last Updated: 23rd June 2024
Prices quotes are for guide purpose only. For an accurate price, request a quote today

How can I visit both Shanghai Disney Resort & Hong Kong Disneyland ?

The distance between Shanghai and Hong Kong is about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles), and yes the most popular and way to travel between the two is via direct flights, needing about 3 hours onboard the plane, a least 2 hours for airport security etc on departure and an extra hour for border checks on arrival. So as an alternative, and a great way to see a bit of the China countryside on your travels, we have opted to include the high speed train from Shanghai to Hong Kong, crossing the borders between the two countries in just under 8 hours. What is more, these trains provide fantastic onboard amenities, offering everything you need for a stress-free trip including cushy seats, plenty of legroom, and more than generous luggage space.

Our guide itinerary below is based on a real booking we recently made for a customer and serves as an example of a generally good time of the year to visit Shanghai Disney Resort & Hong Kong Disneyland, however the following extra information may inspire you to travel at a different time of year, depending on your preferences and budget.

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Shanghai Disney Resort is the newest of all Disney destinations, having only opened just a few years ago in June of 2016. It is located in the Pudong region of Shanghai in China and is the 6th Disney resort to open worldwide. While it may only have a single park, it is in fact three times larger than Hong Kong Disneyland, with more land expansion on the horizon and even two more gates planned for the near future. Most recently the resort welcomed the open of the world’s first Zootopia themed land, with unique ride technologies and character meets unlike any found around the globe.

Depending on your love of different type of holiday weather, summer months can be very hot and humid while the winter a bitterly cold alternative. Spring is a mild time of year to visit making it a more comfortable season, with Autumn generally a time for international guests to avoid since you’ll find yourself among the very popular cultural festivals and golden week which can make visiting parks a very stressful activity due to the sheer numbers of visitors.

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Hong Kong Disneyland can be found on Lantau Island, just a short ride away from the International airport and was the third Disney destination and the first to open outside of the US. While it originally minicked Walt Disneyland, over the years the park has developed its own identify, creating a reimagined Castle of Magical Dreams representing beloved Disney Princesses and Queens.

Hong Kong Disneyland also boasts being the first destination worldwide to feature a World of Frozen; a land where you can immerse yourself fully in the epic landscapes of the beloved Frozen film franchise. This park also features a unique & culturally acceptable version of the Haunted Mansion named Mystic Manor, where you can explore a mysterious museum and discover enchanted artifacts.

If you want to avoid the crowds, we’d recommend visiting anytime from January to March or from September to November. However if you wish to experience the special events and celebration then the high season from April to August may tick your box or the festive months of December to January.

First things first, this is just an idea of itinerary to visit Shanghai Disney Resort & Hong Kong Disneyland. Every aspect can be changed, amended, added to and explored in a million different ways to fit with your desired dream holiday and budget.

This holiday package includes flights from the UK, however we can always package with flights from anywhere in the world in your own currency. All you have to do is request a quote.

The price quoted is based on live pricing, so is subject to change at any time. It’s simply designed to give you an idea of what the costs could be. Your package may cost more or less depending on what you want included.

We would also mention that booking an adventure to visit both Shanghai Disney Resort & Hong Kong Disneyland can only done 11-months out from your preferred departure date since most of the flights, hotels, tickets etc that you will require will not be on sale before then.

We never quote for holiday elements that are not physically bookable or offer quotes based on a best guesses. No company should be booking you a holiday they can not guarantee would take place.

It’s also worth noting that both Shanghai Disney Resort & Hong Kong Disneyland hotels are currently only available to book 6-9 months out from an arrival date, but there are a lot of excellent off site hotels around both Shanghai Disney Resort & Hong Kong Disneyland which are of a really good value in comparison and only steps away from the parks. These off site alternatives are what we have based the itinerary below on and can offer a way to discover the magic of visiting both Shanghai Disney Resort & Hong Kong Disneyland while keeping the overall costs down.

There are other extra items we haven’t included costs for as these are subject to the individual such as possible visa costs, depending on the country you hold a passport for. Food & Drinks costs are also not included, and other general expenses such as buying merchandise and add on sightseeing options are also not included.

Departure Day
London Gatwick – Pu Dong International 
British Airways – Premium Economy – Flight Time 12 hr(s) and 35 min(s)

While economy can be the cheaper travel option, you may want to upgrade to premium economy for your outbound and return journeys. These are very long flights and that little extra leg room and more comfortable seating is a blessing (trust me, it’s worth the extra expense). Plus with premium economy you generally get access to an airport lounge for a little pre-flight champagne (or soft drink if you prefer)

With this flight you will be taking off one day and landing the following day due to crossing international date lines.

Transfers: Private Car Airport To Hotel Included

Day 1

3 Nights | Melia Shanghai Parkside | 4 Star
Room: Standard King Room with Breakfast

Located alongside Xingyuan Lake, this is an oasis of calm between the hustle and bustle of Shanghai and the fun of Disney Park. A glamorous boutique hotel with comfortable facilities, the perfect starting point for discovering all the charm of this unique destination. Comfortable accommodation in the traditional Shanghai Shikumen architectural style, with magnificent facilities, activities for kids and fusion cuisine in the Mosaico Restaurant.

Disney Hotel Upgrade: You may want to consider upgrading to either the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel or the Toy Story Hotel when they go on sale. Generally this is from around 6 month out from arrival.

Day 2 – Day 3

Shanghai Disney Resort
Inc. 2 day park entry tickets per person

Day 4

Transfers: Private Car Hotel to Train Station Included

Shanghai Hongqiao – Hong Kong West Kowloon
G99 High Speed Train – 1st Class – Journey Time 7 hr(s) and 47 min(s)

Transfers: Private Car Train Station To Hotel Included

4 Nights | Disney Hollywood Hotel | 4 Star
Room: Marvel Standard Room

Experience the enchantment of Disney movies like never before at the revamped Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, where you become the star of your own adventure. Dive into a journey filled with unforgettable Disney moments from the past, celebrating the tales that have inspired us, the characters that have moved us, and the stunning art that captivates us.

Disney Hotel Upgrade: You may want to consider upgrading to either The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney Explorers Lodge for an extra magical adventure.

Day 5

Rest day. After a lot of traveling, everyone needs a little downtime before entering a new park. Take this time to use the facilities, indulge in the dining,  and explore the magic that is found inside the Disney Hollywood Hotel.

Day 6 – Day 7

Hong Kong Disneyland
Inc. 2 day park entry tickets per person

Day 8

Transfers: Private Car Hotel to Airport Included

Travel back to United Kingdom
Hong Kong International – London Gatwick
British Airways – Premium Economy – Flight Time 15 hr(s) and 00min(s)

Like with the outbound flight, you may want to upgrade to premium economy for that extra leg room and nicer onboard food. These flight taking off one day and landing the following early hours.

Making dining reservations for each resort: 

It is worth getting to know the various dining locations when you visit all the Disney Asia parks, from the table service options to quick service, via the various official resort app. Then make a plan of where you would like to eat each day. Some places may need advanced reservations and others will be quick service locations where you queue up and wait.

– Hong Kong Disneyland Call guest services on +852 3550-3388.
– Shanghai Disney Resort – Book via Live Chat on the official website. There are only 4 restaurants which require prior reservations.

Official Park Apps

Available to download from both the Apple App Store & Google Play Stores.

Hong Kong Disneyland:
We recommend linking your tickets to the app ahead of arrival, however you can always present a printed out version as well, just make sure the QR is readable. Your photo will be taken at the gates and linked to your ticket. Refusal to have your photo taken will result in refusal of entry to the park.

On the app you can secure free standby passes and paid premier access passes. We would recommend seeing what the queues are like before purchasing any premier access, however as this itinerary is only including 2 days in this park, a premier access purchase may just be worth it regardless.

Shanghai Disney Resort:
You should link your tickets to the app ahead of arrival to make things easier at the parks. When these tickets are purchased, your ID (passport) and name is linked to them. At the gates, your photo will be taken and linked to the ID and name. Refusal to have your photo taken will result in denial of access to the parks. You will need to bring your original ID with you as well as cast members at the gate will need to see this. Again, not having your ID will result in entry refusal.

Like with Hong Kong Disneyland, you can secure free standby passes and paid premier access passes via the app. Again seeing what the queues are like before purchasing any premier access, but having them may just make your days flow smoother.

Local Extra Information 

Hong Kong 

• We recommend having HKD$1000 (about £100) in cash.
• Use your credit card to make bigger purchases at Hong Kong Disneyland.
• Outside the Resort not all places accept credit cards.
• Taxis are usually cash-only.
• Taking a taxi in Hong Kong is generally cash-only. Only use taxis at the taxis stand. Have your hotel address written in Chinese. There’s a good chance the driver won’t speak English.

Shanghai 

• We recommend having RMB¥950 (about £100) in cash.
• Use your credit card inside Shanghai Disneyland for many purchases (including food).
• Public transportation in Shanghai requires cash.

Extra Tip: Always choose local currency when paying by credit card to potentially avoid foreign transaction fees.(check with your credit card provider first). Always good to save a little extra off those merchandise purchase costs when you visit all the Disney Asia parks on your next big adventure.

Let’s start planning your visit to Shanghai Disney Resort & Hong Kong Disneyland today