Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening Report — Part 4
While the last color in the dusk sky faded, I stood at a rail in Tomorrowland (if you only knew how many photos almost identical to this–but with different skies–I have…), overlooking a fountain and TRON: Lightcycle Power Run. As I stood there, letting what I had just experienced soak in, I found the background music once again catching my attention.
Some of my favorite BGM loops are favorites not because I think they’re amazing pieces of music, but because of the associated memories that hearing the music evokes. To this day, when I hear the Aquasphere Plaza (Night) BGM, I distinctly remember the end of my first day at Tokyo DisneySea. I have similar associations with the Innoventions Plaza, Wilderness Lodge Christmas, and (old) Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MSUSA) loops.
I’m no psychologist, so I can’t even begin to speculate as to how or why this occurs, but to me it’s amazing how just hearing music can trigger positive emotions years after the fact. I suppose that’s one of Disney’s many “tricks,” and why so many fans have such powerful nostalgia for the parks. I now have a nugget of nostalgia for a land that left an underwhelming initial impression on me. I guess that’s how they get ya? 😉
As I stood there watching the last light fade, I realized that the sky was still gorgeous, and maybe I should keep taking photos. We were supposed to meet for Soaring Over the Horizon in 25 minutes, so I figured I’d better get moving.
For whatever reason, I decided to shoot blue hour handheld, which was a pretty terrible idea. I guess I was still operating with the ‘quantity over quality’ mentality, but the result is a lot of grainy or not-quite-sharp photos. Good(?) thing, Instagram uses a compressed, low-resolution interface!
The wait time for Soaring Over the Horizon was still in the 2-hour range, but we had FastPasses from the morning–otherwise we wouldn’t have done it. I’ve already written a full Soarin’ 2.0 Review that covers my thoughts on the attraction, but for this version, I’ll add that the queue is incredibly well done, and the pre-show is amusing even if you can’t understand it.
An intentional campiness with pre-shows seems to work well for WDI, as fans end up quoting lines and remembering throwaway visual gags. This pre-show video reminder me a lot of the U.S. pre-show for Soarin, even though they are substantively different. Other than that, Soaring is the same attraction as Soarin’. The same cheesy CGI and/or gorgeous visuals, depending upon your perspective. It ends flying over the city of Shanghai, which I assume occurs because construction of the park was not far enough along when filming took place. However, why not just finish it like they built the Taj Mahal…in CGI?!
After Soaring, we only had a few minutes to find a spot for the fireworks. Having dealt with the chaos in Gardens of Imagination on opening day (and seeing the same while racing around for sunset earlier), we decided to avoid that, and instead go for a unique–but partially obstructed–view on the side of the castle. Worked well for photos, even if the projections were entirely obscured.
After that, it was time to eat. We quickly realized that virtually every restaurant was closed, so we decided to just head to Tomorrowland and use our FastPasses for TRON: Lightcycle Power Run. On our way, we noticed that Stargazer Grill was still open.
The 3 of us were starving, so we ignored the “never eat in Tomorrowland” adage and decided to give it a try. Our meal was definitely good by Tomorrowland standards, but weak by Shanghai Disneyland standards.
The unquestionable highlight of the meal was the gloves provided for eating fried chicken. You may recognize him as Captain America, but above Mark Willard demonstrates why he’s (soon to be) famous in China as a fried chicken hand model. Like a shooting star daring to chase its boldest dreams, Mark holds the chicken high to the sky, dreaming of becoming China’s next top fried chicken hand model. If you can dream it, you can do it, Mark.
This was our first nighttime ride on TRON: Lightcycle Power Run and…clearly I had a good time. Creepy on-ride photo aside, the attraction is better at night. The outdoor portion is excellent in the evening.
After that, it was time for photos…
Not having learned any lessons from the sunset, I again fixated on the castle.
In fairness, though, Enchanted Storybook Castle basically beckons the camera, and you really have no choice.
That, and security sweeps the other lands first (since Mickey Avenue is open after park closing), so your options are essentially the castle, Gardens of Imagination, or Mickey Avenue. Of those, the castle is by far the most photogenic.
I did spend a decent amount of time just wandering around Mickey Avenue, as security was really slow to clear the front of the park. Guests were still in the shops well after an hour past closing. Given that this was only day 2 of operations, I’m assuming this is something that will get tighter once they put more experience under their belts.
The more I saw Enchanted Storybook Castle, the more it grew on me. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I think the style works in the context of the park, and the design is more appealing in the flesh, when you’re looking at it within the context of an environment, and not as apt to focus on specific details that tend to stick out when examining it via photos.
That’s the end of the second day of official operations at Shanghai Disneyland! Unlike the previous evening, the bus was still operating, so we didn’t have to walk all the way back to Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. That sunset was definitely the highlight of the day for me, and a memory of our first visit that I’ll never forget.
We’ll pick up with day 3–our last day in Shanghai before heading to Hong Kong Disneyland–in the next installment. Thanks for reading!
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YOUR THOUGHTS…
What do you think of Shanghai Disneyland thus far? Do you think sunsets are the language of love? Is music an important part of the Disney experience for you? Any questions that we haven’t answered yet? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have, in the comments!
By the time we finished Pirates, the Park was almost closed. To make the feeling last as long as possible, we soaked up the atmosphere around the Park. I just didn’t want to leave, but when security starts to usher you towards the front of the Park, you don’t have a choice. To thank all our loyal readers who stuck it out this far on our journey, here’s a short vlog during our time at Shanghai Disneyland for the Grand Opening.
The easiest way to the airport is via taxi. I asked the front desk to hail one for me and had them write down the cost. Have someone write down the cost for you, so the taxi driver has a harder time overcharging you. That has never happened to me, but is known to occur. The ride cost about 120 yuan.
I love your trip reports and read every word!!
I was not able to get to page 2 either.
OK the number 2 worked, just not the link above it.
Page 2 doesn’t work for me is it a prob on my end or with the site? Love the trip reports!!!
The Wall is to keep out the white walkers.
Do you have any general tips for Shanghai Disneyland? I’m lucky enough to visit in early September since we were planning a trip to Shanghai anyways for the past two years. I am fluent in Chinese/English so language won’t be a difficulty for me. I have been to Disneyland numerous times but no other park.
We will be staying in the Toy Story Hotel. When I read other people’s reviews I noticed that many have observed that over 2000 people were waiting for the gates to open. Did you have a problem getting fastpasses with this many people in line?
Also, do you have any advice for what to do outside of Shanghai Disneyland? This is my first time visiting China!
This was Day 2? Wow I’d forgotten how beautiful that sunset was! I was on the Challenge Trails right at sunset, and while it was a really gorgeous place to be, it was unfortunately one where I wasn’t allowed a camera to capture the moment. I got my sunset pictures the next day, mainly from Alice’s maze.
I watched Ignite the Dream from a similar spot too (having been caught out thinking that the show would start at 9pm, and realising at about 8:20pm that it actually started at 8:30pm lol!). I was just on the other side of the pond. It was too close and all you can see in my pictures is the scaffolding from the opening day ceremonies. Now that I see your photos, I’m disappointed I didn’t think to move a bit further back.
Fantasyland was awesome after the show. After riding 7DMT with a 5 minute wait in SR, I pretty much walked on to both Peter Pan and Voyage to the Crystal Grotto. I did most of my castle focus the previous night 😉
Don’t spoil the “surprise” about the next day’s sunset! 😉
I wish we didn’t have FastPasses (both nights) in the evening, as the lines really died down around the time (before and after) of Ignite the Dream. I guess that’s the benefit of staying on-site at a park that is heavily serviced by trains.
I didn’t say whether I was happy with my sunset photos the next day or not 😉
I don’t think the lines for Soaring died down much at all – you should be glad you had your FP for that one!
Love the trip reports!
Thank you for the incredible photos, especially the sunset.
The photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing. I always love your pictures. 🙂
As always your pics are stunning…I agree,the music in the parks is such a big part of the magic…I will probably never get to Shanghai so I’m enjoying your trip experience….