A Sneak Peek of the New Shanghai Disney Resort, Opening This Thursday
TPG Contributor Cindy Gossett gives us a sneak peek of what we can expect to see at the new Shanghai Disneyland theme park and its two new on-site hotels, all part of the new Shanghai Disney Resort opening this Thursday. (All photos courtesy of the Shanghai Disney Resort).
Disney fans, rejoice! The sixth Disney Resort — now the second-largest in the world after the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando — opens this Thursday in Shanghai, giving visitors access to a shiny new theme park as well as two new on-site hotels. Here's a look at what you'll find.
Shanghai Disneyland
Many attractions will seem familiar if you've visited any of the other Disney parks — but with new twists. Mickey Avenue, for instance, takes the place of Walt Disney World’s Main Street USA and serves as the entrance to the park.
Like other Disney parks, Shanghai Disneyland will feature an iconic castle that leads to Fantasyland. The new Enchanted Storybook Castle is the largest castle ever built by Disney and will be home to a fine dining restaurant called the Royal Banquet Hall, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique — where kids can be transformed into Disney princesses — and Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, a family-friendly underground boat ride.
While Adventure Isle will be recognizable as Adventureland, this "land" offers a thrilling water rapids ride (opening at a later date) and a challenging ropes course instead of the traditional attractions typically found in this area of the park.
Shanghai Disneyland will also feature Tomorrowland, but this time, Space Mountain will be replaced by an indoor roller coaster based on the movie "Tron."
Treasure Cove is Disney’s first “land” themed entirely on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, including an updated version of the classic Pirates ride in Walt Disney World, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure.
The central hub of the park is called the Gardens of Imagination and will feature attractions like the classic Disney Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride, Marvel Universe, a carousel based on the Disney film Fantasia and The Garden of the Twelve Friends, a new attraction starring various Disney and Pixar characters that's based on the the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac.
Disneytown and Wishing Star Park
The Shanghai Disney Resort is also opening a shopping and entertainment complex called Disneytown, similar to Orlando's Downtown Disney area. In addition to unique Disney shops and restaurants, there will be a theater devoted to a new Mandarin version of the award-winning Broadway musical "The Lion King."
Disney's Wishing Star Park is also worth checking out, especially if you need a break from the crowds. Relax in the gardens, take the kids to the Dragonfly Playground, catch beautiful views of Wishing Star Lake or stargaze at the Starlight Amphitheater for the perfect end to a day at the theme park.
Shanghai Disney Hotels
The Shanghai Disney Resort is also opening two on-site hotels. The Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, the smaller and more glamorous of the two, will feature an elegant fountain and a massive three-story lobby. Guests can spend time at the King Triton Pool, a "Little Mermaid"-themed indoor pool or the Hakuna Matata Oasis, a "The Lion King"-themed water play area. There's also complimentary shuttle service to the theme park, Disneytown and Wishing Star Park. Prices start at ¥1650 (about $250) per night in June.
The Toy Story Hotel, based on the Disney-Pixar films, is the resort's larger and more family-friendly hotel option. Painted with a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds like Andy's wall in the movies, this hotel will feature many of the toys and games found in his room — you'll also see signs around the hotel written on Etch-a-Sketch screens.
There's a water play area perfect for kids of all ages — and anyone who's young at heart. Guests can walk to the theme park or get there via complimentary resort shuttle service, which also gives visitors access to Wishing Star Park and Disneytown. Prices start at ¥850 (about $129) per night in June.
Who's planning to visit Shanghai Disney? Have you been to any of the other international Disney parks yet?
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.