disneygeek.com - Shanghai Disneyland Resort Pictures

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• We arrived at LAX just after 9am to start our trip. We were flying Business Class so were able to use the Delta One Check in Area. This is the waiting area that was available while they checked us in.
• Some snacks and drinks were available here too.
• Information boards and self service kiosks. To the left is the counter with a couple of stations to check in and talk with staff members.
• Checked in, through TSA security and in the Delta Sky Lounge by 9:28am well before our 12:45pm departure time thanks to short lines and no trouble.
• Looking out toward the runway.
• Inside the Sky Club. This is the terminal 2 one, Delta has two at LAX. The buffet area had some food, we were there for the end of breakfast then the lunch snacks. Due to the crowds I did not go take pictures.
• Went down to the gate just before noon and there were a lot of people but no plane outside. The plane had arrived earlier in the morning and had gone to the a hanger. It was late coming out.
• It finally arrived around 12:10pm, well after the original boarding time.
• 12:35pm and we were onboard. Here was my seat for the next 15 hours.
• A wider view of what the seats look like in Delta One.
• The control buttons/options for the seat.
• For those that like food/menus, here is the menu for the flight.
• 1:27pm we finally pushed back. So about 45 minutes late.
• 1:44pm we are airborne. Pilot said it was a little over 13.5 hours of flying time planned.
• Looking toward Marina Del Rey on take off.
• Looking back at Santa Monica and Malibu as we climbed out of the LA area.
• Counter to some intuition flights to Asia turn and head north and do a large arc toward Alaska. So we turned inland and followed the I5 north. Here is Magic Mountain.
• Here was the projected route. A smooth arc just south of the Aleutian islands of Alaska.
• 2:26pm first snack is served. A choice of beverage and some nuts.
• Flying over the mountains in California and there was not a lot of white this year.
• Next up the starters.
• For the main course I tried the chicken. It was not half bad.. not good but something to eat.
• One of the dessert offering.
• I went with ice cream. There was a selection of toppings on the cart too. Then I watched a movie and took a brief nap.
• Woke up around 6:40pm and took a look outside. We were over Alaska and it was fairly clear out. The scenery was great!
• By the time I pulled up the map and realized where we were we were far along but back and out that direction should be Denali.. I was probably 15-20 minutes late to try and get a glimpse of the peak.
• We were substantially further north than planned. We flew over Anchorage and then just south of Nome. This is several hundred miles north of the projected path.
• The views continued to impress though. (These are all cell phone pics.. I should have gotten up to get the SLR but I was looking out the window and snapping away with the phone.
• Our flight path had shifted further west too. We were now projected to fly over Korea. Originally it was closer to Tokyo.
• As we passed Alaska and headed toward Russia you could see ice below.
• A status update as we neared the halfway point of the flight.
• Now in Russian airspace and we should start to head south soon.
• It was a little cloudy over Russia so not as scenic as Alaska was.
• We flew a good distance inland over Russia then China.
• We made a turn west, my assumption being to put us on a path to go around Korea.
• A little over an hour before landing they came around with the almost there meals. None looked remotely interesting to me so I just asked for the bread which turned out to be a croissant and a role.
• Again not thinking about it until we were well past I was curious if we would have had a view of the Great Wall of China. I assumed we flew over it at some point. I really wish these in flight system would tell you what is out the window!
• Nearing the Shanghai area.
• As we descended it was a bit hazy below.
• The outskirts of Shanghai, the area has approx 30 million people. Over 24 million within the city limits.
• Here you can see the Huangpu River snacking through downtown Shanghai.
• Between us descending and the sun setting the lighting changed quickly. Here is a slightly more clear view.
• A wider look at Shanghai.
• If you were curious the Disney Store in downtown is just to the right of the Pearl Tower in this picture which is near the bend in the river in the lower right of the picture.
• Continuing toward the airport. Not sure what this area is.
• Not sure if this is consider the Yangtze River or the Yellow Sea but we swung out to the coast since the airport is along the water.
• Looking south toward the Yellow Sea over the Yangtze River
• The sun setting in the west as we were on final approach.
• Looking out towards Downtown, Disney is to the left in this picture closer to the airport than Downtown.
• Touchdown at PVG airport, 6:18pm local time, about 30 minutes late.
• Through immigration, customs, found our van, and on the way to Disney. It was 7:40pm and dark and I was stuck in the 3rd row so no good pictures.. just a time marker.
• My first glimpse of Disney.. the blue blur is Tron at 7:49pm.
• Not a lot of traffic. This was entering the resort area.
• Arrived at the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel at 7:55pm. Unloaded the van and moved quickly toward the Magic Kingdom Club to check in.
• Said hi to the cast member working the desk and moved quickly toward a window. It was 7:59pm and my first view of Shanghai Disneyland across the lake. The race was to see Ignite the Dream, the nightly fireworks show which started at 8pm.
• A closer look at the castle as the projections started.
• Between the window, distance and literally having a minute to prepare my pics and video do not do the view or show justice but hopefully give a rough idea.
• To the left is Tomorrowland and Tron rose above all.
• Some firework shells going off. The fireworks are used to accent the project and effects in the park so there are not a lot.
• Here you can see a laser effect coming from the center of the castle over the crowd in the park.
• Fire during the Pirates segment I believe.
• Here are a couple of clips from Ignite the Dream taken from the Magic Kingdom Club.
• A look around the Magic Kingdom Club at the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. Behind the TV are two desks where cast members were stationed to answer questions or help out.
• The entrance sign, which I ran by on the way in.
• Next stop our room. Arriving around 8:25pm. We were on the 6th floor just off the elevator.
• The TV and mini bar area. Below the TV that folds out to a bed.
• The mini bar area.
• Moving into the bathroom area.
• The sink.
• The toilet, one complaint with the room is shower, sink and toilet all in one room. Standard hotel fair but with a group of people it meant a little slower getting going.
• There was a small closet with the safe, robes, ironing board.
• Here is what it looks like with the bed out.
• Some chocolates by the beds. A nice touch but only two and we had three people.
• Our view. As I mentioned we were on the 6th floor. The part that stuck out below us was the gift shop on the 3rd floor. I was happy to have a park view.
• A closer look at the mini bar area. Some cups and classes.
• And a fridge we could use.
• It was 8:40pm and I had some energy so I set off to explore the hotel. First stop the overlook of the lobby from our floor. This was just down the hall from our room, maybe a half dozen rooms (I realize I never counted and do not remember taking any hallway pictures).
• The check in desk is in visible on the far side on the right.
• A statue in the middle of the lobby
• The statue from ground level.
• The view from the lobby looking out. The layout/feel of the hotel reminded me of Hong Kong in terms of scale and general layout.
• A closer look at a closed Shanghai Disneyland, park closed at 8pm.
• Disneytown in the foreground, Tron in the background.
• A map of the hotel grounds.
• Looking back at the lobby.
• Our room was the center window just above the part that sticks out on the right side of the lobby (second floor from the top).
• A topiary Mickey on the great lawn.
• A closer look toward our room. Center room on the bottom with the lights on and curtains open.
• The Shanghai Disneyland Hotel entrance sign from Wishing Star Lake area. I exited the hotel ground to walk by the lake and look around.
• Looking across the lake at the park.
• To the left is one of the Disneytown districts.
• There is a boat to shuttle you back and fourth across the lake. It is basically a Friendship Launch styled boat called the Wishing Star Ferry.
• Transportation hours. One hour before park opening and 2 after closing.
• The boat coming across the lake.
• A video clip of the Wishing Star Ferry and Wishing Star Lake this evening.
• The Shanghai Metro station has colorful lights on the opposite bank.
• A family mart is located near the boat dock. Assuming this is for people using the Wishing Star park but many hotel guests were using it too since it was right next to the hotel grounds. It was not Disney run from what I can tell and prices were less than Disney by a little.
• Passing by the hotel on the pathway around the lake.
• A look at one of the many bridges on the pathway.
• Looking toward Disneytown and beyond the park.
• Coming up on a larger bridge.
• This was a glass bridge so you could look down at the plants and water.
• There was a pedestrian bridge then one for bikes and support vehicles.
• A small theater, I never saw or read of anything being presented here during our trip. I think during the year when the Wishing Star Park/Lake has events they use it.
• Heading back to the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel since I did not have time to go across the lake tonight.
• Lumiere's Kitchen is on the first floor of the hotel directly under the lobby.
• Looking toward the castle from near Lumiere's Kitchen
• A look around Lumiere's Kitchen
• They were closed for the evening and preparing for breakfast
• The check in area for the restaurant.
• The stairs lead up to the lobby.
• Down the hall was the Mickey Mouse Playhouse for kids
• Restrooms were also located in this hallway.
• At the end was the fitness room and pool. The pool was busy so no pictures tonight.
• But a look into the fitness center.
• Moving up to the lobby a look at the Concierge desk, this is opposite the checkin.
• Time for a closer look at the statue in the middle of the lobby.
• In the middle of the sitting area is this castle.
• Beyond the crystal castle is the real castle out the window.
• A fireplace in the lobby to sit around, all quiet this evening (it was coming up on 9:30pm).
• Moving back up to our floor and down at the statue.
• The sitting area, only one CM cleaning finger prints, all else is quiet.
• I stopped back by the Magic Kingdom club. I thought I heard Mickey was around from 9:10 to 10:00 but I was wrong.. he is there right after the 9:10 story time then leaves.
• The Aurora Restaurant is on the 8th floor and above it there is an observation area. A cast member from the club took us up to the observation area to take a look around.
• One last picture before heading back to the room to unpack a bit and get to bed.. tomorrow I am heading to the park.