Key differences
Before I continue with the actual park battle, let us first explore some key differences between the 2 parks.
Shanghai Disneyland
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Hong Kong Disneyland
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All attractions in Chinese
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Attractions can be in English, Cantonese or Chinese.
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A lot of walking between attractions
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Minimal walking between attractions
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Many walk-through/small scale attractions to complement large
signature rides
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Mostly mid-sized signature rides with a few kids rides
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Large scale, Broadway style shows
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Smaller scale theatre shows
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Mostly Chinese guests
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A lot of Chinese guests, but with a surge of Indian guests during
their tourist season
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Ticket price varies, cheaper during off season
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Ticket price fixed throughout the year. Look here for how to save money at HKDL!
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Roller Coasters
Mine Trains: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train vs Big Grizzly Mountain
This is a no contest win for me. Big Grizzly Mountain offers so much more: drop, launch, special effects and even a backwards portion. It is also a long ride. Seven dwarfs mine train does have some interesting features like the rocking seats, but the storytelling is weaker and gem stone scene feels quite out of place.
Current Tally: 0:1
Indoor Coasters: Tron Coaster vs Space Mountain
This is an interesting match up. Space Mountain has a longer ride but Tron is more intense. I think that Tron is a somewhat better ride simply because the motorcycle seats are quite interesting and the ride building is really, really beautiful. Not to mention, Tron Coaster is now Disney's fastest roller coaster!
Current Tally: 1:1
Water Rides
Thrilling water ride: Pirates of the Caribbean vs Jungle Cruise
Come on, I am sure you know the winner. We are pitting a 50 year old classic against one of the most innovative new water rides ever built. Seriously, Pirates of the Caribbean ride allows you to experience diving underwater, dodge cannonballs in a naval battle and even has a backwards water coaster drop!
Current Tally: 2:1
Family Boat ride: Crystal Grotto vs It's a Small World
I really struggled with this one, not because both attractions are good. Voyage to the Crystal grotto was one big missed opportunity for Disney the whole ride basically contains generic scenes from various Disney cartoons. Its a small world is not much better, repeating a single song for the entire ride and featuring relatively repetitive scenes. I give a slight edge to Voyage of the Crystal Grotto only because the ride is less repetitive.
Current Tally: 3:1
Rapids Ride: Raging Rapids
Shanghai Disneyland also has a rapids ride called Raging Rapids, which is unlike anything that Hong Kong Disneyland has to offer. Oh yes, the lizard like monster is scary!
Current Tally: 4:1
Family Rides
Indoor Dark Ride: Peter Pan's Flight vs Mystic Manor
Peter Pan's flight has some interesting scenes, such as the flying into the sky scene where you really see the buildings getting smaller and further away. However, I think it is blown away by Mystic Manor. Mystic Manor is a longer ride, has lots of special effects and the ride vehicles dance around each other. Not to mention: the ride experience is different each time.
Current Tally: 4:2
Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear
Both Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland features a Winnie the Pooh dark ride and Buzz Lightyear shooting ride. Although the Shanghai version has some new features, I think they are similar enough that both parks will get 1 point each for these rides.
Current Tally: 6:4
Simulator Ride: Soarin over the Horizon vs Iron Man
Current Tally: 7:4
Shows
Fantasy: Frozen - a Sing Along Celebration vs Mickey's Storybook
This is an easy victory for Mickey's Storybook show at Hong Kong Disneyland. This is a real show, whereas the Frozen show is actually like glorified a sing along session.
Current Tally: 7:5
Adventure: Tarzan - Call of the Jungle vs Festival of the Lion King
This one is interesting. Festival of the Lion King used to be one of the best Disney amphitheater show productions. However, Tarzan - Call of the Jungle just blows it away. The Tarzan show combines acrobatics, speechless drama and a tinge of Chinese humour to deliver a visually stunning show with deep storyline. I think it is the best show at any Disney theme park... no...at any theme park.
Current Tally: 8:5
Stunt: Captain Jack's Stunt Spectacular
Shanghai Disneyland also has a Pirates of the Caribbean themed stunt show which Hong Kong Disneyland cannot counter
Current Tally: 9:5
3D: Mickey's Philharmagic
Hong Kong Disneyland has a 3D show called Mickey's Philharmagic, which Shanghai Disneyland has nothing similar.
Current Tally: 9:6
Signature Shows
Day Parade: Mickey Storybook Express vs Flight of Fantasy
Although both parades are quite impressive with a good lineup of floats and nice costumes, I have to give it to Hong Kong Disneyland's flight of fantasy for one reason: the actors are more friendly and actively interact with the guests.
Current Tally: 9:7
Night Parade: Paint the Night
Hong Kong Disneyland is one of very few theme parks in the world to have a night parade. Trust me, if you like the day parade, you will be truly mesmerised by Paint the Night Parade.
Current Tally: 9:8
Fireworks: Ignite the Dream vs Disney in the Stars
This is a tough one. Shanghai Disneyland's Ignite the Dream features musical fountains and screen projection on top of the standard fireworks. It is also a longer show. However, I will give the title to Disney in the Stars for several reasons. Firstly, the fireworks are more concentrated. Secondly, the show plays a lot of nice classic Disney songs. Third, the musical fountain at Shanghai Disneyland's show is only visible to the front few rows of guests.
Current Tally: 9:9
Special Attractions
Shanghai Disneyland has a far stronger lineup including a height elements adventure course, an indoor interactive play area and no less than 3 full sized play structures. This is on top of the standard kids rides that are found at both Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland.
Current Tally: 10:9
Other Considerations
Landscaping
Disney is known for impeccable theming, so the quality of the landscaping is a very important element. If you experienced in person, you will know that Shanghai Disneyland has much more extensive and immersive landscaping than Hong Kong Disneyland. I mean, just look at the volcano at Adventure Isle...
Current Tally: 12:9
Staff
I personally found the staff at Hong Kong Disneyland a lot more friendly and welcoming. The staff at Shanghai looks very overworked and many of them are very tired. Also, staff at Hong Kong can speak English, Cantonese and Chinese. How many theme parks around the world can offer a full multilingual staff?
Current Tally: 12:11
Operations
This is quite tough. Hong Kong Disneyland have a better queue management system. I also prefer Hong Kong's system of issuing Fastpasses at the entrance of the ride rather than a a centralised point. However, Shanghai Disneyland has some innovative practices like a toilet pass system that allows guests in long lines to leave for the toilet and return back to the same point in the queue. TIE
Current Tally: 13:12
Amenities
Both parks are very well equipped in terms of toilets, water coolers and family friendly amenities. However, I like the ones at Hong Kong Disneyland more because the locations are more intuitive and the capacity to guest ratio is better. Oh yes, Hong Kong Disneyland has 100% sitting toilets unlike Shanghai which is 50% sitting and 50% squatting.
Current Tally: 13:14
AND SO THE WINNER IS:
Basically, Hong Kong Disneyland won because it feels more like a theme park. You will really enjoy a day there even though the attractions may not be stellar. Shanghai Disneyland has a far better attraction lineup, but you can be really stressed out and worn out if you want to experience a day there.
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