Top 3 Thrill Rides at Shanghai Disneyland – Why Hardcore Disney Fans Shouldn’t Miss This Park #2

In my previous article, I introduced the unique features of Shanghai Disneyland and shared tips for enjoying it on a day trip. This time, as the second installment of my Shanghai Disneyland series, I’ll showcase three carefully selected thrilling attractions that you absolutely must experience at Shanghai Disneyland. The park features many unique attractions not found in other Disney parks, with experiences that are particularly exciting for thrill-seekers. This guide will appeal to both Disney fans and adventure enthusiasts alike, so please use it as a reference for your visit!

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1. TRON Lightcycle Power Run

Shanghai’s premier thrill ride, TRON!

When talking about Shanghai Disneyland’s iconic attractions, “TRON Lightcycle Power Run” immediately comes to mind. Themed after the movie “TRON,” this attraction is a flagship ride unique to Shanghai Disneyland where you can enjoy a futuristic cyberpunk world.

Experience Different Thrills Day and Night

The distinctive forward-leaning position makes you feel like you’re diving headfirst. I felt like I might faint even before the ride started!

As the name suggests, “TRON” is a high-speed ride where you board a Lightcycle (light bike) and race through a futuristic city illuminated by LEDs. What makes it distinctive is the riding style—you board a motorcycle-shaped vehicle in a forward-leaning position, almost as if you’re diving headfirst. This style is rarely seen in other theme parks and offers a different kind of thrill from conventional rides. Not only is the speed exhilarating, but the riding position and visuals are so unique that even seasoned thrill-seekers might joke, “I wonder if I’ll lose control of my bladder on TRON?” It’s that exciting!

Additionally, this attraction offers completely different experiences during day and night. At night, the LED lights and cyberpunk atmosphere are enhanced, giving you the feeling of being lost in a futuristic city. During the day, there’s a brief moment when you burst outside, providing a thrilling experience as you look down at a real landscape bathed in light. The choice is yours, but when visiting Shanghai Disneyland, try to experience TRON both day and night!

2. Hot Pursuit

Chief Bogo welcomes you to Zootopia’s signature ride

Next up is “Hot Pursuit,” a new attraction that debuted in “Zootopia Land,” which just opened in December last year. This area perfectly recreates the world of the movie “Zootopia,” giving you the sensation of wandering into a city inhabited by animals of all sizes.

Experience a Car Chase in Zootopia

“Hot Pursuit” offers a thrilling car chase through the streets of Zootopia alongside Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Utilizing 3D visuals and special effects, this attraction makes you feel as if you’ve jumped into a scene from the movie—a must-see for Zootopia fans.

Unfortunately, I can’t show you what it looks like during the ride to avoid spoilers. You’ll have to experience it for yourself!

The ride itself follows a storyline that feels like a continuation of the movie, with a scenario that lets you peek into a case file after Nick joins the police force. You’ll engage in a thrilling pursuit alongside comical characters. While there are plenty of humorous scenes, there’s enough excitement to satisfy thrill-seekers too. You’ll experience moments of tension and exhilaration while immersing yourself in the world of Zootopia.

3. Stitch Encounter

Even the detailed designs have been customized for China—so delightful!

Lastly, I’d like to introduce “Stitch Encounter,” which might be familiar to those who have visited Tokyo Disneyland. At first glance, this attraction featuring heartwarming conversations with Stitch might seem unrelated to thrills, but don’t be fooled. The Shanghai version offers its own unique kind of excitement.

Unpredictable Interactions

“Stitch Encounter” is an interactive theater-type attraction where the audience can enjoy real-time conversations with Stitch. While this attraction also exists at Tokyo Disneyland, the Shanghai version is conducted entirely in Chinese, creating a uniquely thrilling experience for international visitors who don’t understand the language.

In Shanghai, Stitch doesn’t hesitate to hand the microphone to foreign tourists when teasing audience members. Although staff kindly reassure you that “English is okay,” even if you respond in English, most of the Chinese audience won’t understand. As a result, Stitch may not be able to fully pick up on your response, potentially creating slightly awkward moments. To be honest, there are instances where the atmosphere “falls flat,” which is what makes it thrilling in its own way. I myself was quickly singled out and fumbled through a response in broken English, causing the atmosphere to freeze. I was then continuously teased for what felt like an eternity despite not getting much of a reaction—a hellish interaction experience (laughs).

As an audience member, you might find yourself silently praying, “Please don’t pick me…” In a sense, there’s no other attraction quite as unpredictably thrilling as this one!

While Tokyo’s Stitch Encounter tends to be quiet, Shanghai’s version is packed from morning till night. If you can interact well with Stitch, you might become popular in Shanghai too!

Summary

Shanghai Disneyland is filled with attractions offering thrills and excitement that can’t be experienced elsewhere. The “TRON Lightcycle Power Run,” “Hot Pursuit,” and “Stitch Encounter” that I’ve introduced today all have unique charms specific to Shanghai and are recommended for thrill-seekers.

For maximum efficiency, I recommend planning your strategy around the nighttime projection mapping show schedule. Don’t forget the insider tip for significantly reducing wait times for attractions like “TRON” by using the show times to your advantage!

In the next installment of my Shanghai Disneyland series, I’ll introduce food and shopping spots within the park, so stay tuned!

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