Two-Day Visit to Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park

Published on 2024-08-24 Company: Family travel Average cost per person: 500 yuan Timeframe: August Duration: 2 days The summer of […]

Published on 2024-08-24
Company: Family travel
Average cost per person: 500 yuan
Timeframe: August
Duration: 2 days

The summer of 2024 was truly hot, from mid-July to the end of August. Despite the scorching weather even in mid-August, the number of visitors at the park did not decrease. In the morning, the park was relatively quiet, but the afternoon saw a different scene. Although Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park includes the word ‘ocean,’ it is not a place for swimming. However, it offers many indoor activities to escape the sun, which is why we chose to visit. By selecting one of the park’s hotels, guests can enjoy unlimited entry and exit on the day of check-in and the day of check-out. In essence, it allows for two full days of fun from 9 am to 9 pm. If you get tired, you can return to the hotel to rest and then head back out to enjoy the park. There are two hotels available, one with an ocean theme and the other with an Ultraman theme. It is highly recommended to book these in advance online for better rates. I decided to go at the last minute and purchased the tickets through Ctrip, only to find out that I had to pay an additional 200 yuan to confirm the visit for the next day, so booking early saves you money. If you drive, there is an underground parking lot available on the lower level, with free parking for residents until 10 pm on the second day. You can check in immediately upon arrival, but you won’t be able to access your room until the key is handed over at 3 pm.

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Upon arrival, you have the option to check in at the park first and conveniently store your luggage there at no cost. Please be mindful to check out by noon the following day. The hotel’s back entrance provides a dedicated entry point that is a bit farther from the main park entrance but closer to the park’s interior areas.

It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the times and locations of the various performances in advance. Some shows are scheduled close together and require early admission. Given the distances involved, transitioning seamlessly between performances can be challenging. Therefore, planning to visit for two consecutive days will allow you to cover almost all attractions.

I attempted to take a photo of the performance schedule but was unable to locate it, so I resorted to Baidu for a rough idea.

Regarding dining options, the hotel has a restaurant on-site. However, I opted to eat outside. You have the option to order takeout, which is delivered directly to the hotel entrance. Alternatively, you can explore nearby residential areas for a variety of restaurants.

I had heard that hotel guests could enter the park half an hour earlier in the morning, but I didn’t experience that privilege; I had to wait until 9 am for admittance.

Aside from the performance activities, there are several amusement rides available. The rafting ride is the most popular, with an average wait time of 2 hours and a minimum height requirement of 1.2 meters for children. Another roller coaster, with a minimum height requirement of 1.3 meters for children, is less crowded in the morning and can be completed in about 40 minutes. As for other rides like the carousel, they are more manageable, although waiting for at least half an hour is to be expected.

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This reformatting aims to present the information in a logical flow, making it easier to read and understand.In summary:
1. Book the hotel package in advance, at least a week ahead.
2. Familiarize yourself with the performance schedule beforehand if possible. It’s not crucial as you can inquire during your visit. Two days should be sufficient to cover all activities.
3. For all performances, queue up at least 30 minutes in advance. If you want a good seat, arrive even earlier.
4. Since you’re staying at a hotel, you can order takeout for lunch and enjoy it in your room with air conditioning. Having dinner outside is also a good option. The meals inside the park are satisfactory as well.
5. Bring plenty of water when entering the park and consider carrying a handheld fan. A handheld air conditioner fan would be great as it can get hot while waiting in lines.
6. Outdoor entertainment and indoor performances are free except for the aerial tramway which costs 25 yuan per person (free for children under 1 meter). There is a queue for these activities. Some outdoor entertainment options offer VIP access for paying extra to skip or reduce waiting times.