May is the best time to visit Disneyland every year～

Since our baby turned two, we have been coming to Disneyland two to three times a year. After summarizing, May is the most suitable month to visit. First, the weather in May is neither as hot as summer nor as cold as winter. The summer heat is really unbearable, standing in line outdoors under the scorching sun is no fun at all; winter cold is slightly better than summer heat, but wearing heavy down jackets makes it hard to take beautiful photos; so spring and autumn are more suitable for having fun at Disneyland. We come every May to enjoy it once. Also, winter and summer school holidays are very crowded, with longer waiting times, so May, which has no holidays, is relatively better. We usually avoid peak times and come in the afternoon when the sun is no longer strong. The kids’ favorite ride is Zootopia Hot Pursuit. We always use the FastPass to ride it once quickly, then depending on the queue, we might ride it one or two more times. The last two visits, the ride was under maintenance for a long time, which is a frequently broken attraction. No need to mention the fun spots, Disneyland is the happiest place in the world～ But there are a few downsides: First, at the entrance, there are many scalpers renting strollers and selling counterfeit dolls, and they relentlessly follow you asking if you want to buy; second, it’s crowded, which makes many people anxious and rushed, not relaxed or happy. Especially at night during the fireworks, even the park security is very strict, constantly urging you to leave; lastly, the service attitude at Disneyland has worsened over the years, unlike the first few years after opening when staff maintained great enthusiasm even under high pressure. Btw, the kids still want to come, so just keep a relaxed mindset! Below is an in-depth Shanghai Disneyland travel guide covering time planning, route suggestions, must-visit attractions, and tips to avoid pitfalls, helping you efficiently enjoy the park: ⏰ 1. Time Planning 1. Best Time: - Date choice: Prefer weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday), avoid weekends and holiday crowds. - Arrival time: Arrive at security 30-60 minutes before official opening (usually 8:30, check the app for exact time). - Stagger rides: For popular rides (like Soaring Over the Horizon), go straight at opening or one hour before closing; during parade (12:00/15:30) and fireworks (20:00/20:30), some queues are shorter. 2. Duration: - 1-day trip: Focus on core rides + 1 show + fireworks, plan FastPasses wisely. - 2-day trip: Day 1 for rides + shows, Day 2 for missed rides, repeats, and deeper experience (recommended for families or first-timers). 🗺️ 2. Efficient Route Recommendations Counterclockwise route (for thrill-seekers): Morning: Adventure Isle (Soaring Over the Horizon → Roaring Rapids) → Treasure Cove (Pirates of the Caribbean) → Fantasyland (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train) Afternoon: Tomorrowland (TRON Lightcycle Power Run → Buzz Lightyear) → Gardens of Imagination (Parade) → Fantasyland (Peter Pan) Evening: Enchanted Storybook Castle (arrive 1 hour before fireworks to secure spot) Clockwise route (for families/leisure): Morning: Gardens of Imagination (Mickey meet & greet + carousel) → Fantasyland (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh → Mad Hatter Tea Cups) → Treasure Cove (Pirates of the Caribbean) Afternoon: Adventure Isle (Camp Discovery) → Tomorrowland (Stitch Encounter) → Watch shows (Frozen / Mickey’s Storybook Adventure) ⭐ 3. Must-Visit Attractions & Experiences Thrill-seekers’ top picks: - TRON Lightcycle Power Run: The world’s only motorcycle coaster reaching 100 km/h, stunning light effects (height ≥122cm). - Rex’s Racer: U-shaped track with high-speed drops and strong weightlessness (similar to pirate ship). - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: Family-friendly coaster combined with fairy tale scenes, fun and thrilling. Immersive experience musts: - Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle for the Sunken Treasure: Naked-eye 5D sea adventure with realistic water effects (invested by Jack Ma). - Soaring Over the Horizon: 5D world tour with smell and visual feast (recommended first ride or FastPass). - Peter Pan’s Flight: Suspended ship flying over London night sky, full of fantasy. Shows & Atmosphere: - “Storm at Sea”: Captain Jack stunt show with aerial fights and explosions, best-reviewed show. - Nighttime Spectacular: Castle projections + fireworks + fountains, must-see finale (arrive 40 minutes early). - Disney Color Celebration: Street party, spring limited, interactive tri-color formations (March-May). Photo spots: - Alice in Wonderland Maze (Red Queen’s head + castle background). - Gardens of Imagination castle diagonal (near Crystal Lotus exit). - Mickey Avenue windows & spring flower walls (tulip/cherry blossom themes March-May). 📌 4. Practical Tips 1. Time-saving tips: - No-bag channel: Carry a foldable canvas bag in your pocket, hold essentials (ID/phone/power bank) for quick entry. - FastPass use: Scan and bind tickets in app after entry, prioritize grabbing FastPasses for “Soaring Over the Horizon,” “TRON Lightcycle,” etc. (one every 2 hours). - VIP card: Family “6-attraction package” (~¥898/person) includes Dwarfs, Pirates, etc.; single attraction cards (¥140-180) fill gaps. 2. Essentials: - ID, power bank (hard to rent in park), empty water bottle (free drinking water), cash (rain ponchos only accept cash ¥10). - Comfortable sneakers (20,000 steps daily), sunscreen/hat (lots of outdoor queues). 3. Hidden activities: - Dream Passport stamps: Collect stamps at 14 checkpoints, redeem souvenirs at the end. - PhotoPass service: Designated photographers take pictures, download for a fee (great for group photos). 💎 Summary The essence of Shanghai Disneyland is “immersion + pace control”: ✅ Must-dos: Early entry + FastPass for popular rides, Pirates of the Caribbean second ride, Captain Jack show, secure fireworks spot. ❌ Avoid: Long queues for toddler rides, outdoor rides during midday heat, lingering in shops (shop within last hour before closing). 💡 Upgrade experience: Stay at park hotels for early entry; prioritize spring limited events (Run, Color Celebration). Adjust routes flexibly based on energy, reserve 1-2 hours for free exploration, and enjoy the magical details of Disneyland! 🏰✨