Question - Shanghai Disney in December 2017

[MouseMe]

After leaving Hong Kong (and HKDL, see our question in that forum!), our next stop is Shanghai, where we will be going to Shanghai Disneyland. This is the key point of our entire trip, as it is the only remaining Disney Park that we have yet to visit.

We have a couple of questions - if anyone can give us some advice, it would be appreciated.

First, can you purchase date-specific tickets in advance? Ideally, we'd like to purchase tickets as soon as possible.

Second, we can go either December 27, 28 or 29. Does anybody know which of these dates might be less crowded?

Lastly, we've been reading about the various Passes and Tour options. Can anybody provide some guidance? As I said, we've been to every Disney Park, so we don't need a tour to show us around. We've never had a problem going it alone. But to avoid some of the time waiting in line would be worthwhile.

We realize that it will likely be crowded that time of year, and can roll with it. We also tend to be night people, and are more likely to arrive mid-morning and stay until closing.

Does anyone have any advice?

After this, we finish this trip at Tokyo, with a return to TDS. We need more Gyoza Dogs! See our questions in the Tokyo forums!

Thank you!

[maconMouse]

First, can you purchase date-specific tickets in advance? Ideally, we'd like to purchase tickets as soon as possible.

Yes, it is strongly recommended that you do so online from the SDL website or park app. In fact, it requires that you select a date for your one or two day ticket. They are only available about two months out. For example, right now, you can buy through the end of June. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends, and the time of year can affect prices (value season vs. peak season).

I was there in early March 2017. Went for four days on a Monday - Thursday, and did not have any problems with crowds. The time of year you're going is busy, but certainly not as busy as around the Chinese New Year in late January.

You are going to love SDL! It was my final park of the twelve in the world to see as well, and I enjoyed every second. Everything is new, fresh, and so magical. The cast members are simply phenomenal!

Lastly, we've been reading about the various Passes and Tour options. Can anybody provide some guidance? As I said, we've been to every Disney Park, so we don't need a tour to show us around. We've never had a problem going it alone. But to avoid some of the time waiting in line would be worthwhile. Does anyone have any advice?

I did not do the one tour they provide since I was so familiar with Disney Parks. I have heard good things about it though.

Do not miss the live shows (esp. the Tarzan show and castle stage show), and the afternoon parade is a must see. A great spot to see it is across from the Wandering Moon Tea house just outside the Gardens of Imagination. Be sure and get your photo with your particular Disney animal in the Chinese Zodiac. Do the Storybook Castle walk through. Of course, don't miss the Pirates ride, Tron, Voyage to Crystal Grotto, and the Camp Discovery Exploration trail in Adventure Isle. Here's a helpful link.

http://www./w/articles/2016/06/13/5-...ai-disneyland/

Soak up the small details along Mickey Avenue, especially in Remy's Patisserie. Don't miss the live band. After the fireworks, exit through the Disneytown Village exit. It's much less crowded, and you'll also be right at some great restaurants and shops. On Mondays, there is a special Mickey Mouse Film Festival in the Grand Theatre where the Lion King is performed. If you have time, check out the two Disney resorts. I stayed in the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, and absolutely loved it. Have a magical trip and post lots of photos!

[Sanstress]

We were at the park on Dec. 21-25 in 2016. It was rainy and cool on December 21, 22, 23 and then it was sunny and clear on December 24 and 25. I'm sure it was more the weekend than the weather, but there was a definite increase in the crowds. Not like TDR though - still manageable, but longer waits. You said you'd likely arrive mid-morning and stay until closing. I looked at my notes and the park closed at either 7pm or 8pm during the week and at 8:30 on the weekend. Hours could be different this year, but keep that in mind when you plan on what time you will arrive in the morning.

We bought our park tickets two months out as maconMouse stated above. We stayed at the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and the tickets were linked to our hotel reservation.

I followed the tips and read the trip reports on the Disney Tourist Blog and TDR Explorer to plan my itinerary and found them to be very helpful. Happy planning!

[OC2Epcot]

We were at Shanghai Disneyland last year near Christmas. The days we were in the park were also a weekday. Crowds were very light. Unlike in the US, Christmas week is not a major holiday in China. Their winter holiday will be closer to the end of the year. Our average wait for every attraction was only about 15 to 20 minutes. The longest wait we had was for Peter Pan and that was 30 minutes. Just as any park, arriving early is helpful too. We in line to enter the park 1 hour before the official opening. Some light rain here and there and cold temperatures, but loved the non-crowded park during the holidays.