Shanghai Disneyland is an incredibly popular and busy theme park, attracting millions of visitors every year. That is why we are sharing a guide to the Shanghai Disney rides ranked best to worst – so you can choose which rides are a must and which rides to avoid.
1. Pirates of the Caribbean – This ride is by far the best ride at the park. With immersive 3D effects plus detailed, huge sets that you whizz through, you will genuinely feel like you are on a boat, moving along the sea before sinking under the water.
Who is this ride for: The whole family will enjoy this ride but especially teenagers and above; younger children may find this dark ride a little scary.
2. Soaring over the Horizon – The popular hang-glider simulator is reinvented at Disneyland Shanghai with a special segment at the end of your ride, only seen in the Shanghai version. The only downside to this ride is the queue! It is by far the most popular ride at Disneyland in Shanghai, with waits often over 120 minutes.
Who is this ride for: The whole family will enjoy this ride.
3. Tron – This is perhaps the biggest rollercoaster in Shanghai Disneyland, which moves you on TRON light cycles from indoor to outdoor with impressive visual effects that make you feel like you are racing. It is a better experience in the evening and we found, generally, the wait times go down for this rise as the day goes on.
Who is this ride for: Those that love rollercoasters and are at least 48-inches tall.
4. Camp Discovery – This is more of an attraction than a ride but, whenever we have visited Shanghai Disneyland, children seem to LOVE this ride. This is an exerting rope challenge that gives you a real sense of adventure and is often overlooked.
Remember to use the free lockers nearby and opt for the scenic trails if the challenging trail is too much. Aim to do this early to avoid the queues – the capacity of this attraction is very low, meaning you will find yourself waiting for some time.
Who is this ride for: Anyone who is physically able.
5. Rex’s Racers – Found in Toy Story Land, Rex’s Racers is a fantastic attraction that swoops you forward and back in a small car. The ride is thrilling and well-themed to the Toy Story Land.
Who is this ride for: Riders must be 120cm to ride
6. Peter Pan’s Flight – This is another ride you will see across the different Disney parks but, the Shanghai version is one of a kind. Using new technology, the experience feels new and more magical than those in the other parks we have visited. Getting a FastPass or doing this ride at night will help you avoid the queues – the shortest queue time I have experienced was 45 minutes for this ride.
Who is this ride for: The whole family will enjoy this ride.
7. Slinky Dog Spin – Another Toy Story Land favourite, the Slinky Dog Spin ride is a travelling loop ride which picks up enough speed for a small thrill.
Who is this ride for: Ideal for younger riders or those new to theme park rides.
8. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – This is a tame rollercoaster aimed for children but it is still a fun choice if you want a thrill ride. The queues can be long and probably aren’t worth it if you have been on the Walt Disney World ride.
Who is this ride for: Those who are looking for thrill rides.
9. Buzz Lightyear’s Planet Rescue – Who doesn’t love this ride? It isn’t much different to the Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story Mania rides but it is a great one for all the family and can often quieten down in the afternoon or during parade times.
Who is this ride for: The whole family will enjoy this ride.
10. Jet Packs – In Tomorrowland, you will find this futuristic spinner ride which moves up and down. Wait until the evening to ride this when it lights up neon alongside TRON’s cycles.
Who is this ride for: Those looking for a tame ride
11. Roaring Rapids – Many people love this ride but it misses the mark as far as a water ride goes. The queues are exceptionally long and the theming isn’t complex but, if you are visiting on a warm day, the rapids are a fun ride for groups.
Who is this ride for: Families on a warm day – don’t ride when it is a rainy, cold day.
12. Explorer Canoes – This attraction isn’t for everyone but we loved it. Jump on a canoe and ride around Adventure Isle and Treasure Cove; it is worth noting that not all guests join in with the paddle so it can be a slower ride.
Who is this ride for: The whole family will enjoy this ride but young children may struggle with the paddling.
13. Voyage to the Crystal Grotto – This slow-moving boat ride is a wonderful experience for the whole family, with water features and moving sculptures of your favourite character. It is a gentle ride and perfect for those hot days in Shanghai.
Who is this ride for: The whole family will enjoy this ride.
14. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – This dark ride is very similar to the Walt Disney Version and is one of the only dark rides in Shanghai Disneyland. Because of this, it is very popular, with queues often longer than 45 minutes.
Who is this ride for: The whole family will enjoy this ride.
15. Dumbo – This spinner ride can be found outside the Enchanted Storybook Castle and is often overlooked by visitors. It is a tame ride but worth doing if the queues are short.
Who is this ride for: The whole family will enjoy this ride.
16. Woody’s Round-up – This is a slow-paced, wagon styled ride in a whimsical Western town. As you sit in a cart, you find yourself swinging from side to side as you hear country hoedown music. The ride times are often fairly low for this ride too.
17. Once Upon a Time Adventure – This walkthrough tour takes you inside the castle, through various moments from your favourite Disney princess movies. There are some nice effects but unless you have young children, this attraction can be skipped.
Who is this ride for: The whole family will enjoy this ride.
18. Fantasia Carousel – I am putting this as the worse ride, not because it is particularly bad but it isn’t anything special. Think of any carousel you have been on, this is the same. I feel like Shanghai Disney missed the mark with this one; with the technology they have, this could have been much more engaging and creative.
So those are the Shanghai Disneyland rides ranked best to worst – Which ride is your favourite?
Don’t forget to check out the different parades and shows available in Shanghai Disney and have a great time!
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