Visiting Shanghai Disney: New Year Fireworks Show and Exploring the City

**Shanghai Disney Spring Festival Trip 2023**

**Duration:** 3 days
**Time:** January
**Cost per person:** 1600 yuan
**With whom:** Family
**Activities:** Food, Photography, Culture, Freestyle Travel, Weekend Trip
**Published on:** 2023-03-11 16:50

This Shanghai Disney Spring Festival trip began with a promise made to my child a year ago. The birthday Disney trip that was delayed due to the pandemic finally materialized in 2023. Seeing the favorable situation before the Spring Festival, we decided to seize the last window of opportunity before the holiday and quickly arranged a trip to Shanghai Disney for the New Year. Having visited Shanghai Disney twice before with my wife, we had experienced most of the attractions. This time, the trip was primarily for our child, to immerse her in the Disney atmosphere and enjoy the special New Year’s fireworks show. It would be even better if we could play more of her favorite attractions. The itinerary was planned for three days and two nights, not only focusing on Disney but also exploring Shanghai, the most prosperous city in China.

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### Itinerary:

#### Day 1:
– **Self-driving from Hangzhou to Shanghai**
– **Lunch on Dingxi Road**
– **Leisure time at the Bund in the afternoon**
– **Dinner at Dad’s Kitchen**
– **Night tour of the Bund**
– **Staying at a hotel near Disney**

#### Day 2:
– **Self-driving to Disney for a full day of fun**
– **Returning to the city’s Kempinski Hotel in the evening**

#### Day 3:
– **Morning walk around the hotel to visit the Oriental Pearl Park**
– **Viewing the Huangpu River**
– **Lunch at Gui Man Long**
– **Self-driving back to Hangzhou in the afternoon**

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### Day 1 – Lunch – Fei Zhi Milan

After a self-driving journey from Hangzhou, our first destination in Shanghai was lunch on Dingxi Road. Originally, we had chosen h2 for lunch, but they were closed for the New Year. The noodle shop next door had a line dozens of meters long, so we decided against joining the crowd and opted for this Fei Zhi Milan Hong Kong Rice Noodle place instead.

– **Store Name:** Fei Zhi Milan Hong Kong Rice Noodle (Dingxi Road Branch)
– **Address:** 685 Dingxi Road, Shanghai
– **Transportation:** Subway Line 3, Yan’an West Road Station
– **Business Hours:** 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
– **Recommendation:** Signature Fried Sauce Small Pot Rice Noodle

This Fei Zhi Milan branch is one of many chain stores in Shanghai, located on Dingxi Road. There are some parking spaces on the roadside, which is quite convenient for those driving here. Just a few days before the New Year, the restaurant was still bustling, and there was a small wait during meal times.

Ordering at the entrance with paper menus reminiscent of Hong Kong, which I quite enjoy. The dining area features numerous Hong Kong-style decorations. The space is a bit limited, which might lead to shared tables, but it doesn’t significantly affect the dining experience. Both tourists and locals have a good reputation for dining here. Since the child cannot eat spicy food, we ordered the signature rich soup fish juice rice noodles, which was just right. The portion of this rice noodle pot is quite generous, with ample soup and vegetables, and the rice noodles can be added for free, which is quite friendly. A large and small order of rice noodles was sufficient for us. My wife chose the signature fried sauce small pot rice noodles, the taste of which lived up to its reputation, very powerful. It’s also very considerate that one can choose to have cilantro according to their taste when ordering.

After leaving the restaurant and walking on Dingxi Road, the noodle shop beside us had no queue because the noodles had already sold out early. We spotted a fierce yet cute cat by the roadside, unafraid of people, seemingly a long-time resident of this road. After taking two close-up shots of it, we moved on to the next destination.

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### Day 1 – Afternoon – Qiantan Leisure Park

The afternoon itinerary for the first day was also something I pondered over. On one hand, I wanted to choose a place with relatively fewer people, and on the other hand, I wanted a place not too far from the Bund, as I had already arranged to visit the Bund for the night view. After some searching on Baidu Maps, I stumbled upon Qiantan Leisure Park, which seemed very suitable for children to play in, so the afternoon’s itinerary was decided on the spot.

– **Attraction:** Qiantan Leisure Park
– **Address:** Shanghai, beside Qiantan AvenueIf you come by car, you can choose to park at the sports park opposite. It has a large parking lot. However, quite a few people also park by the roadside of the leisure park. According to the cleaning aunt nearby, parking by the roadside is fine. [/i] Qiantan Leisure Park [/i]

The most popular spot in the entire Qiantan Leisure Park is undoubtedly the central large sand pit. Many children come to play in the sand. There are some simple rock climbing and climbing ladders and other amusement projects on this side of the beach. Having such a free and beautiful activity area in the urban area is really enviable! [Qiantan Leisure Park]

Qiantan Leisure Park is right by the Huangpu River. There is a special cycling path here. Those who like cycling and running can consider coming here. [Qiantan Leisure Park]

Kids really love sandpits. They won’t get bored even after playing for an entire afternoon. Today, I specially learned how to build Mount Fuji:
1. Prepare a large amount of wet sand and a small amount of dry sand.
2. First, make a large mound with wet sand.
3. Sprinkle a circle evenly on the top of the mound with dry sand.
4. Insert a small branch on the top of the mountain. Done! [Qiantan Leisure Park]

The path beside the park can directly see the Huangpu River and the opposite side of the river. However, most of the places here are blocked by fences. If you look carefully, you can also find a small corner where you can directly see the Huangpu River. Taking pictures is also very good! [Qiantan Leisure Park]

Qiantan Leisure Park [Qiantan Leisure Park] Qiantan Leisure Park [Qiantan Leisure Park] Qiantan Leisure Park

Qiantan Leisure Park Day 1 – Dinner – Dad’s Kitchen. For the first formal meal after coming to Shanghai, we chose Dad’s Kitchen produced in Shanghai. There are quite a few branches of his family in Shanghai. Today we come to the branch in Poly Times. The shopping mall before the year is a bit empty. We almost completed the achievement of having the whole place to ourselves!
-|?? Store Name: Dad’s Kitchen (Poly Times Store)
-|?? Address: Basement 1, Poly Times, Shanghai
-|?? Transportation:?? Metro Line 12, Longhua Middle Road Station
-|? Business hours: 11 am – 9:30 pm
-|?? Recommendation: Dad’s fried pork chop, cooked drunk prawns [Dad’s Kitchen]

Before coming to Shanghai, I did some homework well. Mainly, I looked at some local Shanghai restaurants that are not easy to eat in Hangzhou. Seeing this Dad’s Kitchen near our destination, it feels good, so we choose it! This Dad’s Kitchen is located on the basement floor of Poly Times shopping mall. As soon as you look up, you can see the glass house of Dad’s Kitchen. The environment is quite comfortable. [Dad’s Kitchen]

The entire restaurant is very clean and bright, with a kind of fresh feeling. The dining experience is very good. In the evening, looking through the glass at the colorful lights in the shopping mall, kids think it’s very beautiful. His family’s dishes are a bit like a combination of local Shanghai cuisine and private home-cooked dishes. There are some signature dishes with good reputations. Since this is our first time here, we ordered some based on our feelings.

For meat lovers and families with children, I highly recommend trying the deep-fried pork chops at Dad’s Kitchen. It’s not often we have the opportunity to enjoy pork chops outside of Japanese restaurants, given the difficulty of frying them at home. The pork chops at Dad’s Kitchen are well-prepared, with a crispy exterior, tender meat that retains its juices, making them a favorite among children. Remember to eat them while they’re hot. Dad’s Kitchen also offers a delightful dish for those who enjoy marinated dishes – the marinated shrimp. Having tried various marinated dishes throughout the year, this was our first time trying marinated shrimp. The quality of the shrimp is assured, providing a chewy texture and a perfectly seasoned flavor. The meat is firm and the flavors are well-absorbed into the shrimp, so much so that my wife finished the entire dish by herself. Another refreshing dish to try is the stir-fried okra with Chinese yam. Both okra and Chinese yam are vegetables I enjoy, and this combination is not only visually appealing but also nutritious. The textures of the okra and yam complement each other perfectly – one is crisp while the other is soft. Dad’s Kitchen also has a unique way of preparing bullfrog – by coating it in flour and deep-frying it before braising. The bullfrog meat is tender and comes in large, satisfyingI’ve been to many places in Shanghai before but never made it to the Bund. Fortunately, I finally arranged a visit this evening. After dinner, we drove to the Bund to admire the night view of the Huangpu River and to show the children what the most bustling place in the country looks like.

**Attraction**: The Bund
**Address**: Shanghai, The Bund
**Transportation**: Subway Line 14, Yu Garden Station
**Admission**: Free
**Opening Hours**: Open all day
**Recommendation**: Huangpu River night view

The Bund, as a popular attraction in Shanghai, is a favorite spot for both tourists and locals to stroll around. We managed to travel during the off-peak season, yet we still found the Bund bustling with crowds. Public transportation is highly recommended for visiting the Bund, but this time we opted for a self-driving trip. We arrived early enough to secure a spot in the Bund’s underground parking lot, which had a few remaining spaces. The parking area has a slender, elongated design with reverse traffic flow. Parking near the entrance is closer to the observation deck, while parking near the exit is closer to the memorial tower, allowing visitors to choose based on their destination.

The Bund is renowned for its beauty, and upon reaching the banks of the Huangpu River, one cannot help but admire its natural charm, requiring no post-processing for photography. A simple snap captures the scene, enhanced by a black and gold filter. The Bund offers excellent views of the opposite bank’s iconic structures, such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, allowing for a picturesque合影 with the landmark. On the other side of the Bund’s street are historic and internationally styled buildings, providing a backdrop for a photo with my AE card and the headquarters of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.

There is also a double-decker sightseeing bus stop near the Bund for those who wish to conveniently visit Shanghai’s famous attractions, or alternatively, consider a Huangpu River cruise for a beautiful night view. Finally, there is an attractive wall adorned with electronic butterflies near the Bund, which captivates children with its interactive display, bringing joy and laughter as they sing and dance.

On the second day, we rested at a hotel near Shanghai Disney Resort and were excited for our Disney adventure, reminiscent of the thrill of a school excursion. This marks our third visit to Shanghai Disney, convenient given the proximity of Hangzhou to Shanghai. The first visit was shortly after its opening to experience the Disney atmosphere with my spouse. The second was a company team-building event, where we enjoyed two days of rides and attractions. This time, we brought our child, hoping to provide her with a magical Disney experience.

Shanghai Disney Resort is located in Shanghai, with the nearest metro station being Disney Station on Line 11. Admission is 545 yuan per person, and the park operates from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Highly recommended are the light show and the New Year’s fireworks display. This time, we stayed at a hotel near Disney and drove to the park in the morning.

I arrived at Disney around 8:30 PM in a rather laid-back manner, parking at the Mickey parking lot, which cost 100 yuan for the whole day, quite reasonable and hassle-free. I had purchased the tickets online in advance, and during the Spring Festival period, the prices were generally on the higher side, with no cost-effective meal voucher packages available. However, considering the special holiday activities, I felt at ease.

Upon arrival at Shanghai Disney Resort, it was already bustling with people by 9 PM, and there were no Fast Passes left. I started my leisurely journey. Please note that all toy guns, including toy gun bubble machines, are not allowed inside. The first attraction I chose was the carousel, which is suitable for children, with shorter waiting times. Afterward, I moved on to the Buzz Lightyear attraction, which had a short queue, and quickly completed it. Next, I enjoyed the Honey Pot Spin and a musical program where we could sing along.

For lunch, I simply had some snacks within the park, then visited Alice’s Maze, took some photos near the castle, and admired the world-famous paintings inside. During the afternoon, when Mickey’s parade was on, I took advantage of the fewer crowds at the Pirates of the Caribbean and waited for 45 minutes to experience it. Although my child was a bit scared of the dark, they were still very interested!

For dinner, I highly recommend eating early to avoid the peak hours. You won’t have to wait for a table for a long time, and you can line up for popular attractions while others are still eating. I had two sets of meals from the food court and a cup of coffee from the adjacent café, which was quite cost-effective. In the evening, when there were fewer people, I enjoyed the Peter Pan ride and quickly went on the nighttime version of the Seven Dwarfs MineDuring the day, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train usually has a wait time of 150 minutes, but in the evening, it was only about half an hour. I must say, it was quite an experience to ride a roller coaster in complete darkness for the first time, with the cool evening breeze in my ears and the dazzling fireworks in the sky. By around 9 PM, it was time to prepare for the light show and fireworks display. I chose an area right in front of the castle.

The light and shadow show is a reserved program of Disneyland and the only reason for people to stay so late. The Spring Fireworks Show is limited during the Chinese New Year period and is arranged after the light and shadow show ends. The on-site order is well maintained. Originally, I was worried that with so many people, it would be tiring to watch. In fact, all tourists sit and watch the whole process. Finally, there is no need to hold the child on the neck. The view is also quite clear, and the entire performance can be easily captured! [/i]Shanghai Disneyland Resort[i]Shanghai Disneyland Resort[i]Shanghai Disneyland Resort[i]Shanghai Disneyland Resort[i]Shanghai Disneyland Resort.

After watching the light and shadow show and the Spring Fireworks Show with satisfaction, it is almost 10 pm. There is only one last task left: go to the theme store to buy peripherals. In the store, one can also fully feel the enthusiasm of Disney fans. Everyone buys in large baskets. [/i]Shanghai Disneyland Resort[i]Shanghai Disneyland Resort. We also bought a Stitch that our child likes the most. The medium-sized one is just right for her to hold. The long ears are really cute when standing up. Now it is her favorite doll by the bedside. By the way, LinaBell, Stitch’s good partner, is quite popular. The stores are all out of stock. [/i]Shanghai Disneyland Resort.

After watching the Disney Spring Fireworks Show with satisfaction, we drove back to downtown Shanghai with satisfaction. Although we will return to our hometown the next day, we still want to choose a hotel with a good location and comfortable stay as much as possible. After some comparisons, we finally chose this Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai located in Lujiazui.

Day 2 – Hotel – Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai -|??Hotel: Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai -|??Address: No. 1288, Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai -|??Transportation:??Lujiazui Station of Metro Line 2 -|??Recommendations: Oriental Pearl Tower, Huangpu River view. The location of Kempinski is very good. One can visit the Huangpu River and the Oriental Pearl Tower on foot. When choosing, I mainly focused on this point. Partners who drive can park their cars in the underground garage. Hotel guests can park for free. Although it is already after eleven o’clock when we arrive at the hotel after having fun at Disneyland, there are still enough service staff. The entire check-in procedure is quickly completed. The front desk lady also upgraded our room a little bit, from a city view room to a river view room. Give a big thumbs up! We chose a twin room. Putting the beds together, there is enough space for a family of three to sleep. All the toiletries in the bathroom are neatly arranged, curing my obsessive-compulsive disorder.

On the table, there were welcome fruits and little gifts for children. Firstly, I am truly fond of the Kempinski hotel card, with its wooden texture and Shanghai landmarks. I am not sure if all Kempinski hotels have such cards, but they feel particularly worth collecting and even collecting. The hotel has fitness and swimming facilities, but due to the cool weather and being in a hurry, we did not get to experience them. Those who enjoy swimming should not miss out! The hotel’s location is excellent; looking up from the hotel lobby, you can see the Oriental Pearl Tower. The hotel is also very close to shopping malls, offering a wide range of dining options, ensuring the most comfortable stay.

Day 3 – Morning – Lujiazui After a comfortable night’s sleep at the hotel and waking up to great weather, we strolled downstairs after breakfast. The entire Lujiazui area feels very comfortable. Despite the towering skyscrapers, there is no sense of oppression, and the charming Huangpu River makes one extremely relaxed. Walking along Lujiazui towards the Oriental Pearl Tower, enjoy the modern sensation brought by blue skies, white clouds, and tall buildings. Passing by the Foxconn building and stopping by the beautiful Starbucks here made for a very relaxing morning. Continuing towards the Oriental Pearl Tower in Lujiazui, it was only upon close inspection that we realized the tower was even taller and larger than we had imagined. The children were very excited to observe the Oriental Pearl Tower up close for the first time. Ad### Exploring Shanghai’s Riverside and Culinary Delights

#### A Serene Morning by the River

On a weekend morning, the river view is enjoyed by few, lending an air of exclusivity. As you continue your stroll, you can circle behind the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower to the old Oriental Pearl Park. Walking through this park is reminiscent of visiting a local park from childhood—no grand designs here, just simple bridges, flowing water, and verdant greenery, making it an idyllic spot for a morning walk.

#### A Memorable Lunch at Gui Man Long

For our last lunch in Shanghai, we opted to dine at Gui Man Long, conveniently located near our hotel in the Super Brand Mall. Among the vast array of culinary options in the mall, we chose a restaurant that, despite offering Hangzhou cuisine, is unique to Shanghai—Gui Man Long.

**Restaurant Details:**
– **Name:** Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street (Super Brand Mall Branch)
– **Address:** Shanghai, 6th Floor, Super Brand Mall
– **Transportation:** Subway Line 2, Lujiazui Station
– **Business Hours:** 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street is one of the more popular Hangzhou cuisine restaurants in Shanghai, with several branches across the city, each with a name that evokes Hangzhou. Interestingly, my wife realized she had dined here with her mother two years prior—what a coincidence!

Though the decor and dishes at Gui Man Long bear a resemblance to the Green Tea restaurant in Hangzhou, they are not the same establishment. The key takeaway is that the food is absolutely delicious.

#### Highlights of Our Meal

**Finger-Licking Chicken Feet:** This dish was the standout of our meal. From the eldest to the youngest in our family, everyone loved it. We ordered a portion of three and couldn’t get enough, prompting us to order another. Having tried countless marinated chicken feet in Hangzhou, it’s rare for us to ask for more, but Gui Man Long’s version is exceptional. The seasoning is rich without being overly greasy, and the tender texture of the chicken feet makes it a favorite.

**Stone Pot Hangzhou Pepper Bullfrog:** It’s not often you find chopped pepper bullfrog, but the sizzling stone pot version at Gui Man Long is quite satisfying. While I’m not sure if this preparation method is traditional Hangzhou cuisine, it’s a popular dish in Hangzhou, so we’ll call it New Hangzhou Cuisine. The bullfrog is large, with firm meat that’s best enjoyed straight from the stone pot as it sizzles, with a crispy exterior and tender interior. The Hangzhou pepper adds a mild spice, serving more as a flavor accent, while the sauce is rich and well-absorbed.

**Southern Fermented Bean Curd Stir-fried Water Spinach:** This dish has a slight sweetness that suits Hangzhou’s taste. However, possibly due to the season, the water spinach lacked the desired tenderness, which would have made it perfect.

#### Seafood Jade Dumpling Noodles

At Gui Man Long – Southern Song Imperial Street, you can also order a portion of seafood jade dumpling noodles that children love. The dish is packed with seafood and has a very fresh taste. I enjoyed three bowls myself, and the child had two. We left fully satisfied and looking forward to our next visit.

#### Looking Forward to 2023

A short trip to Shanghai has ended, and we’re already eager for more adventures in 2023. We will always be on the road, exploring new places and savoring new flavors. Until then, we cherish the memories and the 6484 characters and 129 pictures that this travelogue has captured, helping 1217 Shanghai tourists along the way.