Disney in Fairy Tales - 3-Day Trip Review

Duration: 3 days. Time: July. Per capita cost: 700 yuan. With whom: Friends. The author visited these places: Shanghai. Thunder Mountain Flume, Frozen, Tron Lightcycle Power Run, Disney Town. Posted on August 5, 2020, at 17:19. I woke up very early in the morning and was so excited that I couldn’t sleep. Checking the weather for the day, it was cloudy and not very hot, so I wore a coat. Unexpectedly, this coat was really useful because the temperature at night was only a little over ten degrees Celsius and the wind was also very strong. As for what I brought with me, I traveled light and only carried a small shoulder bag, which also contained a disposable raincoat. I didn’t bring an umbrella but took a large-brimmed canvas hat that can block the sun and rain. I brought a water cup from Beijing because I heard from friends that there are many drinking water supply points inside Disneyland. Without having breakfast, I went to the lobby to wait for the shuttle bus. Everyone else was traveling in groups, only I was alone, but I didn’t feel lonely at all. In less than half an hour, the shuttle bus arrived at the parking lot of Disneyland. The driver explained the gathering place and the shuttle bus schedule, and then we dispersed. Walking on the bridge leading to Disneyland, accompanied by the background music of the Beauty and the Beast animated movie, I was filled with excitement. When I arrived at the entrance queue area, it was like a bucket of cold water was poured on me because there were so many people. After waiting for a long time, security check and entrance began. After entering, I still had to queue up to pick up the tickets, and there were all kinds of scalpers and line-cutting phenomena in between. Later, I calculated that from the time I arrived at the entrance area to when I played the first item (Soaring Over the Horizon), it took more than two and a half hours in total. After getting the ticket, I truly entered Disneyland. I began to bind the ticket to the official Shanghai Disneyland APP to obtain FP (Fastpass. Each person can draw up to three per day). As a result, the FP card for Soaring Over the Horizon could no longer be obtained, but I got a Tron Lightcycle Power Run card. The time period was approximately from 9:30 to 10:30. Since there was still some time before that, I also saw on the APP that the queuing time for Soaring Over the Horizon was less than one hour. So I went to queue up at the Horizon first, thinking that I could catch up with the time to use the Tron Lightcycle Power Run card anyway. During the queuing process at the Horizon, you can scan the QR code on the wall to participate in a popular science knowledge quiz game and also choose which team to join. Since it is indoors, the answering status of each team will be projected on the high walls on all sides. I joined the snake team and actually had a feeling of traveling to the world of Harry Potter. The questions were very difficult, but I finally got the third place in my team. It was quite interesting. Finally, it was my turn. The staff first led everyone to watch a video about Grandma Thunderbird.
We then proceeded into the hall of the project installation, where rows of seating equipment were arranged, and I was assigned to the last row. As the equipment elevated, the massive circular screen enveloped us. This project is a combination of visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile experiences. I won’t reveal the specifics, as the true delight can only be sensed through personal experience. However, I can mention that my acrophobia and thalassophobia almost took over (note: there were no scenes involving the sea). Coupled with not having eaten anything in the morning, I felt nauseous upon exiting and had to suppress the urge to vomit. After enduring the first project, I realized I wouldn’t make it to the Tron Lightcycle Power Run before 10:30 AM. Thus, I began to stroll leisurely, taking in the sights and capturing numerous photographs, the value of my previous research essentially nullified. The Battle for the Sunken Treasure is a popular attraction at Disney, and upon reaching the Pirates of the Caribbean area, I joined the queue. Contrary to appearances, it only took about twenty minutes to reach the front. Compared to Soaring Over Horizon, the wait for Sunken Treasure was remarkably considerate. During the queue, I also secured a FastPass for the Thunder Mountain Rapids, scheduled for 3:30 to 4:30 PM. I truly enjoyed the adventure of the Sunken Treasure, with Captain Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl, Davy Jones and the colossal sea monster, as if I was really partaking in this intense naval battle. Incidentally, there’s a small surprise at the end, though it left me wanting more, I moved on to the next attraction. By chance, I happened upon the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration just as it was about to start. Being alone, I managed to slip in at the last moment. Although I eventually found a seat at the back and the performance wasn’t as spectacular as I had imagined, the children were truly enthusiastic. They sang loudly with the music, dressed in Elsa’s queenly gowns, and circled the stage led by the actors, their interaction with the performers was delightful and enviable. Finally, I come to my most favorite and regrettable attraction—the Tron Lightcycle Power Run. By then, I was feeling quite hungry but had wandered near the Tomorrowland area. I hesitated, partly because I thought the attraction was rather thrilling and partly because I feared I might actually vomit after experiencing it. Remembering the boasts I had made to my friends, I still lined up. In fact, when I saw pictures of the Tron Lightcycle online before, the scenes seemed somewhat familiar, as I had watched the movie ‘Tron: Legacy’ in high school. It was really cool, even with a cyberpunk flavor.

Upon hearing from friends that there was a single rider lane, I found myself swiftly making my way to the innermost part of the queue while others were lined up like a long dragon. With only two people ahead of me and the ride designed for two per row, we single riders were directed by the staff to fill in the empty seats next to those who were alone. I was genuinely nervous, my palms sweating, and without anyone around me, it was one of the few moments in Shanghai where I felt alone. While the regular line took approximately 45 minutes, I was seated in just a few minutes. The ride was incredibly fast, and I was cheering as we reached the end. The combination of thrill and entertainment was perfectly balanced. I had previously ridden the world’s fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World, which was truly terrifying, with the whole ride at high speeds accompanied by a sense of weightlessness, as if my soul was always a step behind my body. However, the speed and visual effects of the Tron Lightcycle were exquisitely combined, with a very weak sense of weightlessness. As the wind howled past my ears, I felt as if I had truly traveled to a future world. Thinking that I had time in the afternoon to experience the Tron Lightcycle again, I went to Disney Town for a quick meal. By the way, there are many restrooms in Disney, but for some reason, I was searching for a long time when I urgently needed to go to the bathroom at night. Next, I visited the Marvel Headquarters, where there were staff dressed as Captain America for photo opportunities, but I wasn’t very interested. Iron Man’s armor was very shiny, and I took many photos. In fact, I really like the Avengers series, but the Marvel Headquarters in Disney was not as exciting. Unexpectedly, as I walked out, it started to drizzle. Wearing my own wide-brimmed hat was enough to fend off the light rain, and it was quite pleasant. Before I knew it, I had walked to the Disney Castle, where there were few people on the platform in front of the castle, and I quickly took a panoramic picture of the castle. It was a pity that the sky was overcast, giving a desolate atmosphere. I found out that the afternoon parade would start at half past three, so I could take advantage of this gap to play another project. I went to the Pirates of the Caribbean area again and visited the Sea Demon’s Revenge with a huge mermaid at the bow of the ship. Finally, I found the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and waited in line for about an hour. During this time, the sun came out, and it finally became a bit warmer. Riding on the mine train, I kept my eyes wide open and screamed throughout. In fact, this project is quite common in other amusement parks, but because it is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, it has a lot of sentiment, which adds a lot of points. The experience was very pleasant and suitable for children to play. On my way to the parade area, I also walked through the Alice Maze.
The maze is very simple because the walls made of green plants are very short. This is actually a very small amusement project. The Red Queen sculpture stands among them, and very beautiful photos can be taken. I arrived at the float parade area about half an hour in advance. The roadsides were full of people. I found a position where I could see the parade and stood firmly, always being on guard against others blocking my sight. Accompanied by the music that brings us endless joy, familiar classic Disney cartoon characters and floats carrying huge props passed by one by one. Everyone raised their mobile phones to record the beautiful moments as images. Rapunzel and Eugene are so happy. Elsa is so beautiful. Mulan riding a big horse is so majestic. The little sister waving the military flag is really so sweet… The parade ended at nearly four o’clock. I didn’t want to miss the FastPass again. So I hurried to the Thunder Mountain Rapids as soon as possible. During the waiting process, I put on the disposable raincoat that I had prepared long ago. Unexpectedly, the hat of my raincoat was actually broken (the raincoat was given out for free when I participated in a long-distance running event last year). Speechless and helpless. This rafting is not exciting at all. The people in our boat were chatting and laughing all the time. It was not until the end that there was a not-so-high downhill slope. As a result, all the water poured into the position where I was sitting, instantly drenching me thoroughly. My hair was wet and my shoes were also filled with water. Fortunately, the sun is good and I can bask in it. Seeing a rope project in front of the artificial high mountain and waterfall, I am a bit eager to try it. But I really want to play the Seven Seas Lagoon Treasure and the Tron Lightcycle Power Run again, so I continue to move forward. Next, I walked along the previous route to the Pirates of the Caribbean area and experienced the Seven Seas Lagoon Treasure again. It still only took me more than twenty minutes to line up. The girl sitting next to me was obviously frightened by the sudden sea monster, but I didn’t have thalassophobia at all throughout the process. After playing this project, I was very conflicted. On the one hand, I really want to experience the Tron Lightcycle Power Run again; on the other hand, I also want to experience the rope challenge that I haven’t played before. So I made a decision that I regret – to play the rope challenge. After queuing for more than an hour, it was finally my turn. When I reached the plank road, I regretted it. Because I am really afraid of heights. The spaced stone pillars are very terrifying. I dare not step on various suspended wooden boards and ropes. I just timidly walk on the regular plank road on one side. Looking at the children in the same batch as me walking across the rope net, I decided to challenge myself. When I tremblingly walked onto the rope net and took only one step, I found that I couldn’t turn back. I am short, but the safety rope is very short. When I finally slowly walked to the middle part, I suddenly felt like a hanging piece of cured meat, unable to move.
Lacking encouragement from those around me, I suddenly felt envious of the tourists who traveled in groups. At this moment, I had fallen behind the same batch of people, and not wanting to be seen by the next batch in my helpless state, I had no choice but to grip the safety rope tightly with both hands and inch my way to the other side. From then on, I behaved myself, always walking on the safe and solid path, watching the nimble young man swiftly traverse the most perilous rope, leaving me in awe. This activity is well-suited for those who love to climb and take risks, but it is quite unfriendly for those with acrophobia. To this day, I still regret choosing to participate in the rope challenge, as the time spent in line was enough for me to ride the Speeding Light Cycle twice. Thus, I silently made up my mind that next time I visit Disney, I must ride the Speeding Light Cycle at least three times to make up for this regret. The main event was the grand finale, the Disney Castle Nighttime幻影 Show. The Nighttime幻影 Show began at half past eight in the evening, and I started looking for a spot at seven, but many people had already secured the front positions. As the people in front were standing, I did not dare to sit down for fear of being stepped on. During the wait, I felt pain throughout my body. I calculated that the total time I spent standing in line throughout the day, starting from when I arrived at the Disney entry area, amounted to over six hours. To put it mildly, if you count all the sporadic waiting times, it could reach seven hours. The Nighttime幻影 Show was beautiful, moving me, who has seen many Disney productions. There are many related videos online with good shooting angles and clarity, but only by watching it in person can you truly enter this beautiful dream. I really love Disney and want to experience all the Disney parks around the world. After the Nighttime幻影 Show ended, taking advantage of the reduced number of tourists, I took some photos of the castle and the carousel lit up by the lights. The temperature was low, and the wind had picked up. Since our hotel’s shuttle bus would not arrive until ten, I wandered around the Mickey store. The items sold there were not cheap, and the quality was not particularly satisfactory, but it was still good to look at. The aunt holding the sign at the parking lot was really dedicated. We took the last bus back to the hotel, ending a full day of Disney travel. I ate warm food at the convenience store, and with this warmth, I entered dreamland.

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