Where to Stay Near Shanghai Disneyland: The right choice for your trip and budget

There are many hotel options near Shanghai Disneyland, so if it’s your first time visiting, I’ve put together this guide to help you find the right place for your specific needs and price range. Choosing a great hotel will ensure that your Disney experience is magical in every way! 

If Disneyland is a significant part of your trip, I strongly recommend that you don’t stay in downtown Shanghai, as the city center is pretty far from the park. Travelers often book a hotel in the city and then realize they’ll have to spend close to two hours a day on the metro. Since you’ll already be up early to get to the park on time, and back late after the fireworks (usually around 8-9:00 p.m.), the commute is not ideal for long days at Disney.

Taking a taxi might sound like an easy alternative, but traffic is busy in the morning and taxis are in high demand after the park closes. The time you would spend in traffic or waiting to get a ride wouldn’t actually be much quicker than the metro.

Instead, it’s better to treat Disney like its own mini-trip, rather than just a day trip from downtown. If you’re planning to spend a full day or two in the park, staying near Disneyland is the least stressful option because: 

• You save nearly 2 hours a day in round-trip commuting.
• You avoid the crowds on the metro at the end of the day.
• You can enjoy the day without worrying about the exact timing of transportation.

Luckily there are lots of hotel options around the resort area that cater to Disneyland visitors. Many of the hotels run free shuttles to and from the park, and some even offer pick-up/drop-off from the airport or a nearby metro station.

I personally recommend choosing between these two general options, depending on what makes the most sense for your trip:

Option 1: Stay somewhere with a hotel shuttle
With this option, you have time to have breakfast at your hotel in the morning and then take the shuttle to the park entrance. After the fireworks in the evening (when getting a taxi can be difficult), you have guaranteed transportation back to your hotel on the same shuttle. 

Option 2: Stay near Disneyland along Metro Line 11
If you want a bit more flexibility to arrive and leave the park without following a specific shuttle schedule, then a hotel along Metro Line 11 near the resort area is a better fit. As explained above, it can be difficult to get a car, so the metro is more dependable. The last train is around 10:30 p.m. (check the current schedule), so just make sure you plan for that at the end of your day at the park. 

Hotels I recommend near Shanghai Disneyland

Here are some good hotel options, each with different benefits, based on your budget and priorities. 

1, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel & Toy Story Hotel (official Disney hotels)

Best for: first-timers or anyone prioritizing the most popular rides.
Why I’d pick it: The biggest perk is guest-only Early Entry (entrance to the park ahead of the general crowd). If it’s your first visit, or you really care about getting to all of the popular rides, staying at an official Disney hotel is worth it. Generally, it’s the equivalent of having time for 1-2 extra attractions. 

Getting to Disney:

• About a 5-minute taxi ride (around RMB 15)
• Free hotel shuttle

2, Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone (Marriott International)

Best for: families who want a dependable stay without official Disney-hotel prices.
Why I’d pick it: Marriott brands are generally consistent, so this is a reliable option. The rooms are spacious and clean, and the hotel has a gym and a play area for kids. This is a good choice if you’re traveling with kids but don’t want to pay for one of the official Disney hotels. 

Getting to Disney:

• About a 6-minute taxi ride (around RMB 16)
• Free hotel shuttle

3, Novotel Shanghai Clover (Accor)

Best for: combining Disney with city sightseeing.
Why I’d pick it: This hotel’s biggest advantage is transportation convenience. In addition to rides to and from Disneyland, it also offers transfers to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and even the Bund. If you want to combine a visit to Disney with city sightseeing, this option allows you to spend less time (and money) planning your transportation.

Getting to Disney:

• Just 1 metro stop (about 700m from the hotel to the metro station entrance)
• About a 10-minute taxi ride (around RMB 20)
• Free hotel shuttle

4, Ibis (Accor, budget-friendly)

Best for: tight budgets but still wanting to be close to the park
Why I’d pick it: This hotel is budget-friendly and in a practical location near the park. It’s about 600m from the metro station, and it’s only 1 stop to Disney. If your budget is tight but you still want to keep your commute time as short as possible, this is a good choice.

Getting to Disney:

• Just 1 metro stop (about 600m from the hotel to the metro station entrance)
• About a 10-minute taxi ride (around RMB 20)

Choosing a Hotel for Shanghai Disneyland

This guide will help you decide which hotel will best fit your family and trip.

Shanghai Disneyland Hotel

If you want your Disney trip to feel easier overall, the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel is the perfect choice, as it offers the most logistical benefits. It also offers activities for kids, which can give parents a chance to actually relax!

Close to the park

The biggest advantage is how close the hotel is to the park, which is especially helpful if you’re traveling with kids. You can take the hotel shuttle bus (every 10–15 minutes), and the ride is only a few minutes. You can also take the Wishing Star Lake ferry, which is a short ride on a nice lake.

Early Entry

A lot of people stay at an official Disney hotel specifically for the one-hour Early Entry perk, which gets you into the park early when the lines are shorter. The first shuttle leaves around 7:00 a.m., so you can get into the park before most visitors and hit the popular attractions. 

Half-day ticket

Another benefit only offered through the hotel is a half-day ticket. If you only want to be at the park for part of the day, or you’re planning for a day and a half, this is a nice option to have. And if you time it right, half of a day is usually enough to get to most of the popular attractions. Entry starts at 2:00 p.m., and it’s usually about RMB 200 cheaper per person than a full-day ticket. 

Helpful services

The hotel offers various services that add convenience to your stay. For example, the day you check out, the hotel can send your luggage to the park’s storage area for free, so you can pick it up later. 

Merchandise and characters

When you check in, you’ll get a small welcome gift, like souvenir room keys or cups. Sometimes you’ll also see characters like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Chip ‘n Dale hanging around the hotel.

The Fantasia Gift Shop on the 3rd floor has Disney merchandise for purchase. And unlike some items at the park, you don’t have to join a lottery to get the chance to purchase them. Each day of your stay gives you one chance to shop, so if you stay multiple nights, you’ll get multiple opportunities.

Fireworks from the hotel

Another perk of staying here that many guests enjoy is the option to watch the fireworks at the hotel instead of at Disneyland. You can watch the show, with the music synced, from the 3rd or 9th-floor terrace, and without the nighttime crowd at the park.

Overall review

There are a number of benefits to staying here, including proximity to the park, Early Entry, and unique services. If you want less to worry about for your Disney trip, the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel has the most to offer.

Perks at a glance

• Shuttle bus to the park: every 10–15 minutes, about a 5-minute ride
• One-hour Early Entry
• Hotel-only half-day ticket: 2:00 p.m. entry, usually ~RMB 200/person cheaper than a full-day ticket
• Fireworks from the 3rd or 9th floor terrace with music synced
• Small welcome gifts
• Limited-edition merchandise available
• Free luggage transfer/storage service
• Chance to meet Disney characters
• Kids’ activities 

Toy Story Hotel (Shanghai)

If you’re visiting Shanghai Disneyland with kids, or you’re a Toy Story fan, Toy Story Hotel is another great choice. It’s an official Disney hotel, but usually more affordable than the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. From the exterior to the hallways to the rooms, it’s fully Toy Story-themed, so kids love it!

Check-in

On check-in day, you can stop by the hotel in the morning to store your luggage, then head to the park. If you happen to be checking in on your birthday, sometimes you’ll get a mini cake and a birthday badge, which always makes the stay extra special for little ones. 

Half-day ticket option

Like the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, the Toy Story Hotel also sells a hotel-only half-day ticket, with park entry at 2:00 p.m. It’s usually about RMB 200 cheaper per person than a full-day ticket. If you only want to spend part of a day at the park or you want to add some extra time to the end of your visit, this is a good option not available elsewhere.

Early Entry and getting to the park

Getting to the park (and back) is easy, because the hotel offers a free shuttle. Toy Story Hotel also includes one-hour Early Entry, and you can use it for up to two days. This allows you to get to the more popular attractions before the general admission crowds. To make the most of the Early Entry perk, try to leave before 7:00 a.m. and get the first shuttle from the hotel.

Kid-friendly amenities

Lotso-themed shop: Lots of items at the shop are limited editions and you can get some souvenirs not available elsewhere.

Buzz Lightyear wake-up call: A fun morning surprise for kids, which you can reserve the night before using the phone in your room.

Kids’ playroom: There’s a children’s play space with activities like stickers, crafts, badges, and birthday certificates. It’s usually closed for a break from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 

Characters: Sometimes Toy Story characters show up around the hotel for photos and autographs.

Check-out perk

During your stay, you’ll receive park tickets, Early Entry cards, and room key cards. When you check out, you don’t have to return them to the hotel, so you get to keep your cards as souvenirs!

Perks at a glance

• Cheaper than Shanghai Disneyland Hotel
• Perfect for families and Toy Story fans
• Hotel-only half-day ticket: 2:00 p.m. entry, usually ~RMB 200/person cheaper than a full-day ticket
• One-hour Early Entry, can be used for up to two days
• Limited-edition merchandise at the Lotso-themed shop
• Buzz Lightyear wake-up call 
• Kids’ playroom and activities
• Chance to meet Toy Story characters and get photos/autographs

Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone

If Disneyland is the main reason you’re coming to Shanghai, but you don’t want to spend as much as the official hotel prices, the Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone is a good alternative. It’s a comfortable hotel and still close to the park. 

Prices

This is a Courtyard under the Marriott group, so you can expect the same cleanliness and service as other Marriott hotels. Rooms are often around RMB 600 per night (higher in peak season). This is significantly lower than the cost of Disney’s official hotels, so you can save your money for tickets or souvenirs.

Rooms

The rooms are a good size, around 30–40 m², so they work for families with kids. The largest bed option is 2.4 m wide, so if you’re sharing a bed with your kid, you’ll actually get some sleep!

Breakfast

The hotel breakfast offers a good selection of both Chinese and Western options. The noodle station is usually popular, and there are sweets and kid-friendly options as well. 

Transportation

The hotel makes transportation easy, with a free shuttle service to and from Disney, Hongqiao Railway Station, and Pudong Airport. If you don’t want to wait for a shuttle to the park, a taxi is only about a 6-minute ride and around RMB 16.

Amenities

The hotel has a kids’ play area and a gym. Kids’ slippers and toiletries are also available on request. 

They do sell some official Disney toys in the hotel, but prices are usually higher, so I suggest buying your souvenirs at the park. 

Overall review

The Courtyard is more affordable than the official Disney hotels, the rooms are comfortable, and transportation is easy. Though it doesn’t have the Disney theme, you’ll probably be spending most of your time (and money) at the park anyway. 

Address: No. 17, Lane 3999, Xiupu Road, Pudong New Area (search the hotel name on Google Maps).

Perks at a glance

• Better value than Disney’s official hotels
• Marriott brand: clean rooms and consistent management
• Rooms are 30–40 m², so not too tight
• Up to a 2.4 m-wide bed, great for families 
• Good breakfast variety, especially the noodles
• Free shuttles to and from Disney, Hongqiao, and Pudong
• Taxi to Disney: about 6 minutes, around RMB 16
• Gym + kids’ play area, and kids’ toiletries and slippers available 

Novotel Shanghai Clover (Accor)

Novotel Shanghai Clover is only about a 10-minute taxi ride to Disneyland, so it’s a good choice if you don’t want to spend the money for an official Disney hotel, but still want to be close to the park. As part of the French Accor group, the cleanliness and service here are dependable. The prices are similar to the Courtyard, but it is closer to the metro.

Transportation (shuttle, metro, taxi)

Like many hotels in the area, it has a free shuttle to Disney. However, their shuttle coverage also offers transfers to Hongqiao Railway Station, Hongqiao Airport, and Pudong Airport, and sometimes to downtown sights like the Bund or Yuyuan Garden. If your trip includes both Disney and sightseeing, this hotel offers a big advantage in terms of transportation. 

The hotel is also about 600 m from Kangxin Highway Station on Metro Line 11, and it’s just one stop to Disney. Line 11 is also a convenient way to connect to other parts of the city.

That said, if you’re heading to Disney in the morning, taking a taxi will usually get you there quicker. A taxi to the park is about 10 minutes and roughly RMB 20. After the fireworks, the opposite is true, as getting a taxi amongst the thousands of people leaving the park is difficult. So at night, the metro will be the most convenient way to get back to your hotel. 

Rooms

This hotel has a classic style but is well maintained and comfortable. The beds are 1.8 m and the bedding and pillows are clean. There are also a number of small amenities, such as disposable toilet seat covers, bottled water, tea bags, and soda. 

Service and family-friendly extras

The front desk is able to provide essentials you may need, such as razors, nail clippers, bandages, a foot soak tub, and more. If you’re traveling with kids, you can also ask for children’s toothbrushes and slippers. 

There’s a kids’ play area on the first floor, open until 10:00 p.m. There’s also a convenience store downstairs with water, snacks, and personal care items. 

Overall review

This hotel offers benefits in transportation, comfort, and service, while still working for a more reasonable budget. 

Key perks

• Great value (cheaper than official Disney hotels)
• 10-minute drive to Disney
• Shuttles to Disney, Hongqiao Railway Station, Hongqiao Airport, Pudong Airport, and sometimes downtown (Bund, Yuyuan)
• About 600 m to the metro and 1 stop to Disney on Line 11
• Accor Brand: clean rooms and comfortable stay
• Front desk can provide essentials for adults and kids
• Gym plus children’s play area

Ibis Hotel (Accor, budget-friendly)

If you’re on a stricter budget, Ibis is a good option for a simple stay. The rooms are around RMB 350 per night, which is roughly half the price of Novotel Shanghai Clover. Like Novotel, Ibis is also under the French Accor group, so cleanliness and service guaranteed.

Location and getting to Disney

This hotel is well-situated about 700 m from Kangxin Highway Station on Metro Line 11 and just one stop from Shanghai Disneyland.

If you’re trying to get to the park early, a taxi is usually the best choice in the morning. It’s about a 10-minute ride and typically around RMB 20.

Front desk and daily convenience

The staff at the front desk are friendly, helpful, and can provide basic toiletries upon request. 

This hotel is also near convenience stores and supermarkets, and it’s easy to order food delivery in this area. 

Rooms

The rooms are smaller—usually around 20 m²—but not uncomfortable. They’re clean and have windows, and the mattresses are nice. 

Overall review

Overall, Ibis is affordable, convenient, and clean. It’s great for travelers on a tighter budget, or families who want to save their money for the park. 

Key perks

• About 700 m to the metro, and 1 stop to Disney on Line 11; about a 10-minute taxi ride
• Convenience stores + supermarkets nearby, food delivery is easy
• Affordable pricing, great for tighter budgets
• Accor brand: reliable cleanliness and service

FAQ: Where to stay for Shanghai Disneyland