Disney. The happiest place on earth. With locations in Anaheim, California, Orlando, Florida, Marne-la-Vallée (near Paris), France, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, China, and Urayasu, Chiba, Japan there is a place close to almost everyone.
And now Disney has made the world even smaller. By opening a new location with an amazing and large park in Shanghai, China. And it’s sure to become the premier park in Asia.
One of the first things you’ll notice as you go through the gate is the lady holding the sign that says please don’t run. This is something of the norm in China. I have seen signs similar to this when visiting the terra-cotta warriors and the Great Wall of china.
Disney is new to the Chinese. And all though they don’t know all the characters or movies, that’s soon to change. Frozen is the favorite at Shanghai Disney but they still love the rides. The TRON roller coaster seems to be one of the favorites of the young in China. And they all want to be first every morning.
All of your favorites are here. Including Dumbo, the Snow White and the seven dwarfs roller coaster, Peter Pan, the carousel just to name a few. There are also many new characters, most Notably the cast of Frozen. This is in the form of a live stage show where all of your favorite songs are acted out and sung…in Chinese.
And, of course, there is what I believe should be everybody’s favorite ride. And that’s Pirates of the Caribbean. This one is also in Chinese but in my opinion is one of the greatest rides of all time. Also the language difference is not a deterrent as this ride relies on technology.
One of the most interesting part of this Disney land is the locals that are constantly trying to sell non authorized Disney memorabilia. From the time you stand in line until you go home that night, locals can be found in and out of the park selling these cheap knock offs. They also offer to be a guide for those that aren’t familiar with the park. Although I didn’t see any, I’m sure that they offer guides that can translate as well.
You can also exit the Disney gate and go into the Disney village. This offers many restaurants including the Cheesecake Factory. It also includes many shopping areas including the Disney store. there are bands that play in the center of the village and it keeps the Disney Spirit as well as cleanliness. I asked but it seems that penny wasn’t working the day we were there. Maybe she was out selling pharmaceuticals to some of her new clients.
So if you’re looking for something. Or if you would like to hear all of your favorite characters speaking Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese or French do your self a favor and go to all the Disney’s located throughout the world. Each and every one of them are indeed the happiest places on earth.
