4 November 2016 –
Bruce, Vicki and I flew from Chengdu to Shanghai after breakfast. I had previously communicated with the Shanghai Disney resort and had been assured that it would be easy to get a cab to take us to the Disneyland Resort (which is located on the outskirts of Shanghai). Sadly the resort doesn't have a shuttle bus option from the airports or train stations. As it was, while it was easy getting a cab initially it was quite challenging communicating with the driver. I had the address printed in Chinese and I'd learned the Chinese name for Disneyland. During the drive he even tried to cheat us and squeeze more money out of us. So not cool. So, while I do love China this is the part of China that I HATE. The lying and cheating that is prevalent throughout this country. For the most part, Chinese people are good-hearted, honest people but I guess every city has those that are ready to take advantage of others.
Dear Shanghai Disney – PLEASE OFFER A SHUTTLE SERVICE TO THE AIRPORTS AND TRAIN STATION FOR YOUR GUESTS THAT ARE STAYING AT YOUR RESORT.
It's Friday….Mark and the girls are scheduled to arrive in Shanghai late at night so that we can enjoy Disney together.
Well….the weather had other ideas for us. A deep fog settled into Tianjin on Friday evening such that my family was unable to fly out. I spent hours on the phone trying to get help from Ctrip (ctrip.com is a website I use for making flight arrangements in China). I was so angry and upset – they absolutely could NOT and would NOT help me. In order to book a last minute flight you have to pay the tickets with a mainland Chinese credit card – which you can only get if you're Chinese. Which we're not. Grrr….I was so mad. I was upset enough that I started swearing and cursing. And I kept begging and pleading for them to help me come up with something.
So, that means I'm stuck in Shanghai without my family. I'm not even a fan of Disney. This is so disappointing. This was to be our last family trip in China. And now it's been rudely taken away from us. (Even after all these months I'm still grumpy about this.)
The only good thing is that I was able to get a refund on Mark's and the girls' Disneyland tickets, which I'd prepurchased along with the hotel room. I'm grateful that the manager on staff that night was friendly and kind. I'm sorry that I was in such a foul and terrible mood.
I will say that the resort is in a good location in regard with the park. Friday night, we (Bruce, Vicki and myself) walked over to an outdoor shopping complex located just outside the gated park entrance. We found all kinds of western food options and shops …including the Cheesecake Factory (where we ate a fine dinner) and Starbucks (breakfast!).
Here's the address card should you ever need it….not that it will do you any good. Our taxi driver was puzzled and confused by the address.
In the resort lobby…
Here's the room. Finally I found a room in China where we could all comfortably sleep…and my family isn't here with me. Plus, I'm bummed that I don't have a view of the park. I thought I paid extra for a room with a view. So, not only am I here alone, I didn't even get a view. And for the price we paid for this room you bet I'm not happy.
Cups with Disney decorations….
Pull down bed…Mickey Mouse painting is cute.
Do you see the castle in past the lake?
We walked around the shopping complex located outside the park and we saw this big Lego store:
Early Saturday morning…walking to the Starbucks for coffee and breakfast:
What do you think this picture is made of? CUPS!
I am intrigued by this display of cups on sticks just outside Starbucks:
We were in line just as the gates to the park were opened. After getting through security we were off to find our first ride.
We're going to try getting on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. We were shocked…and irritated and annoyed that all the Fast Passes were already all taken when we first arrived. So that meant we had to wait and wait and wait….in a very long line with people trying to push ahead of us. I think we waited 45 minutes for this ride. I'd heard from friends that this was a fun ride. I sure hope so.
This was a fun ride…was it worth the wait?
The ride was all in Chinese. Amusing.
Like I said, all the Fast Passes were ALL GONE before we even set foot into the park…even though we were one of the first to be in the park. Vicki did an amazing job of knowing whom to talk to and managed to get Fast Passes for us for the one ride she absolutely loves…The Seven Dwarves Mine Train. Grumpy is her absolute favorite character. 🙂 Fast Pass made the difference….
We did manage to get on the Buzz Lightyear ride. It was very similar (maybe even the same?) as the one in Hong Kong. The ride was all in Chinese.
I bought this commemorative can of Coke (with my lunch):
I'm so sad that the girls aren't here to see this:
They'd just love to meet these characters:
In the middle of the castle:
Chinese horoscope in glass (how cute!):
Beautiful mosaic murals inside the castle:
Queen of Hearts…."OFF with your head!"
Mad Hatter's Tea party:
So..I don't have photos from the last ride we went on. I must say, Bruce and Vicki are lucky people. As it was, we were resting (on this hot and sunny day) and I'll admit I was feeling pretty darn grumpy (but trying hard not to show it). Up wandered a miracle…Murray, Vice President of Public Affairs at Shanghai Disney. Vicki and Bruce are both frequent Disney visitors and he spent a long time to talking to them – they had lots of valuable feedback (first the good and then the not-so-good) to share with Murray. He asked us if we'd had opportunities to enjoy the rides we most wanted to ride – the answer was NO. (remember all the fast passes had been taken AND the waits on the rides exceeded ONE HOUR). He very generously got us on – right away with NO waiting – on to the best ride of the park – Soaring Over the Horizon. Best. Ever. and I didn't manage a single photo of Murray or the ride. However, I'm very grateful to Murray. He changed my perception of Disney. I sincerely appreciated that wonderful VIP treatment. Thank you!!! You made my day!!!!!
Back to the park…
Here's the hotel (back side that faces the park):
Bruce and I met up to watch the evening show featuring the castle:
The evening light show/display was lots of fun! Too bad none of my photos show the full depth of the show…it involved lasers, fireworks, and an amazing light show.
Sunday morning….
I said our good byes to Vicki and Bruce. They're off to Hong Kong and I'm heading back home to Tianjin.
From Shanghai to Tianjin the country is socked in with deep fog. I am SO very very VERY grateful for my friends for buying me train tickets. Trains are running on schedule but flights are severely delayed.
And…remember me saying how disappointed I was that Disney doesn't offer shuttle services to airports or train stations? Well, I was told at the Disney resort desk that the taxi would cost only 50 RMB to get to the train station. Hmpf. I paid 300 RMB!!!! INSANE!
Yeah, I WON'T be coming be back here.
Best ever seat….I truly mean it. This was the best ever seat. I was so grateful to be riding in this fantastic, first class, all by myself compartment:
"Manual make water out"
So…that was the last trip I did in China. Didn't quite turn out the way I'd hoped. I'm still bummed we left China on this nasty, sad tone.