Shanghai Disneyland Disney Premier Access Guide (2025)

I’ve been visiting Shanghai Disneyland since it opened in 2016, and I can tell you that crowds have only gotten bigger each year. When I first saw those endless queues snaking around Zootopia last December, I knew I had to write this guide to help fellow travelers make the most of their magical day without spending hours waiting in lines.

Visiting Shanghai Disneyland is magical – but waiting hours in line is not. Luckily, I’ve learned a few insider tricks to skip the lines and maximize fun. Here’s how I, a Disney fan traveling from Asia, breeze through the park:

How to Skip-the-Line in Shanghai Disneyland

Let me share the reality of visiting Shanghai Disneyland: on a typical weekend, you might wait 90 minutes for Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, 70 minutes for Soaring Over the Horizon, and another hour for TRON. That’s three hours of waiting for just three rides! I learned this the hard way during my first visit.

Fortunately, there are several ways to beat the crowds and maximize your time:

• Disney Premier Access (DPA) – Shanghai Disneyland no longer offers free FastPass tickets – they retired those in 2020 and replaced them with paid skip-the-line passes called Disney Premier Access (DPA). There are two types: individual DPAs for one attraction, or bundled packages covering multiple attractions. I’ll go into detail on these in a moment – but know that this is the main way to skip lines now.
• Early Park Entry Pass – Allows you to enter the park up to 1 hour before regular opening time for ¥199. I always recommend this for families. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, you also get this perk free – hotel guests can use a special VIP entrance and enter 1 hour early.
• Strategic timing – Even without early entry, you can still “rope drop.” Get there 30 minutes before the official opening hour and tackle 1–2 headliners before 10 am, you save hours of waiting. Also, visit during weekdays, avoid school holidays, and use the Shanghai Disney Resort app to monitor real-time wait times.
• Standby Pass – Free reservation system for select attractions during peak hours, available through the official app. This saves you from physically standing in line – you show up at the reserved time and enter a shorter queue. However, standby passes are not offered every day and can run out quickly.
• Single Rider Lines: If you don’t mind riding separately from your group, the single rider lines are a free hack to cut wait times. Rides like TRON Lightcycle Power Run often have a single rider queue that moves faster when they need solo riders to fill seats.

From my experience, combining Early Park Entry with a well-chosen Premier Access package gives you the best value and lets you enjoy 8-10 major attractions in a single day.

You can purchase Disney Premier Access after entering the park on Shanghai Disney Resort Official App or when purchasing tickets on the Shanghai Disney Resort Official Website or third-party vendor like Klook.

How much does Disney Premier Access cost?

Disney Premier Access prices in Shanghai vary by date, demand, and how many rides you want to cover. I remember feeling a bit of sticker shock the first time I considered buying DPA – but breaking it down helped me understand the value.

Shanghai Disneyland uses dynamic pricing for Premier Accessshanghaidisneyresort.com. Prices are higher on peak days (weekends, holidays, summer) and a bit lower on off-peak weekdays. The cost also differs per attraction – the most popular rides (like Soaring or the new Zootopia ride) tend to cost more than less crowded ones. For example, individual Premier Access for a ride can be around ¥140–¥180 on a regular day, but on peak holiday dates it may be higher.

You can buy Premier Access one ride at a time or in money-saving bundles. If you only must skip the line on one or two specific rides, you might buy single DPAs. But if you plan to skip many lines, the bundles give better value per ride. Currently, Shanghai Disneyland offers bundles for 3 attractions, 6 attractions, 8 attractions, etc.

Shanghai Disneyland Premier Access Prices

Attractions:

• Singles attraction – CNY 140-180 per person.
• Set of 3 – starting at CNY 395.
• Set of 6 – Starting at CNY 740.
• Set of 8 – Starting at CNY 1,055.
• Set of 11 – Starting at CNY 1,895.
• Set of 15 – Starting at CNY 2,495.

Shows:

• 3 Entertainment Experience – Starting at CNY 395.
• Single show – CNY 180.
• Firework – CNY 299.

To find the most up-to-date prices, you can refer to the official app or consider using a third-party provider such as Klook at a discount price.

Which are included in the Disney Premier Access?

Different option, or set, covers different attractions. Note that guest possessing Disney Premier Access that includes Zootopia: Hot Pursuit can enter Zootopia in a shorter wait time.

Singles

You can buy Premier Access for just one specific ride or show. For example, if TRON Lightcycle is your dream ride, you can purchase a single DPA just for TRON. This is ideal if you only care about skipping one or two particular lines.

• Zootopia: Hot Pursuit (Any Height)
• Soaring Over the Horizon (102 cm or Taller)
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (97 cm or Taller)
• TRON Lightcycle Power Run (122 cm or Taller)
• Roaring Rapids (107 cm or Taller)
• Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure (Any Height)
• Rex’s Racer (120 cm or Taller)
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Any Height)
• Peter Pan’s Flight (Any Height)
• Woody’s Roundup (81cm or Taller)
• Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (Any Height)
• Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue (Any Height)
• Challenge Trails at Camp Discovery (106 cm or Taller)

Inspiration Set

Inspiration Set of 3 Bundle A

• Soaring Over the Horizon (102 cm or Taller)
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Any Height)
• Woody’s Roundup (81 cm or Taller)

Inspiration Set of 3 Bundle B

• Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure (Any Height)
• Peter Pan’s Flight (Any Height)
• Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (Any Height)

Inspiration Set of 6 Bundle

Family Set of 3 Bundle A + B:

• Soaring Over the Horizon (102 cm or Taller)
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Any Height)
• Woody’s Roundup (81 cm or Taller)
• Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure (Any Height)
• Peter Pan’s Flight (Any Height)
• Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (Any Height)

Adventure Set

Adventure Set of 3 Bundle A

• TRON Lightcycle Power Run – Presented by Chevrolet (122 cm or Taller)
• Roaring Rapids (107 cm or Taller)
• Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue (Any Height)

Adventure Set of 3 Bundle B

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (97 cm or Taller)
• Rex’s Racer (120 cm or Taller)
• Challenge Trails at Camp Discovery (106 cm or Taller)

Adventure Set of 6 Bundle

Adventure Set of 3 Bundle A + B:

• TRON Lightcycle Power Run – Presented by Chevrolet (122 cm or Taller)
• Roaring Rapids (107 cm or Taller)
• Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue (Any Height)
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (97 cm or Taller)
• Rex’s Racer (120 cm or Taller)
• Challenge Trails at Camp Discovery (106 cm or Taller)

Carefree Set

These are basically “skip all the top rides.” It includes most popular attractions in the park. I splurged on the 8-pack during a one-day trip and it truly let us cover everything important by late afternoon, leaving the evening for shows and re-rides.

Carefree Set of 6

• Zootopia: Hot Pursuit (Any Height)
• Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure (Any Height)
• Woody’s Roundup (81 cm or Taller)
• Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (Any Height)
• Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue (Any Height)
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant(Any Height)

Carefree Set of 8

• Zootopia: Hot Pursuit (Any Height)
• Soaring Over the Horizon (102 cm or Taller)
• TRON Lightcycle Power Run – Presented by Chevrolet (122 cm or Taller)
• Roaring Rapids (107 cm or Taller)
• Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure (Any Height)
• Peter Pan’s Flight (Any Height)
• Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (Any Height)
• Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue (Any Height)

Deluxe Set

These are newer and are basically the ultimate VIP pass – covering almost every ride and even reserved parade and show viewing areas.

These are very expensive and honestly overkill for most visitors (often only needed on the most insanely crowded holiday). I personally have not bought the 11 or 16 because the 8 was plenty for us. But if you’re the type who wants zero wait anywhere, it’s there as an option.

Deluxe Set of 11

Attractions:

• Zootopia: Hot Pursuit (Any Height）
• Soaring Over the Horizon (102 cm or Taller)
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (97 cm or Taller)
• TRON Lightcycle Power Run – Presented by Chevrolet (122 cm or Taller)
• Roaring Rapids (107 cm or Taller)
• Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure (Any Height)
• Peter Pan’s Flight (Any Height)
• Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (Any Height)
• Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue (Any Height)

Reserved Viewing Areas:

• Bundle A: Watch the first Mickey’s Storybook Express and the first ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration from reserved viewing areas
• Bundle B: Watch the second Mickey’s Storybook Express and the second ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration from reserved viewing areas

Deluxe Set of 15

Attractions:

• Zootopia: Hot Pursuit (Any Height）
• Soaring Over the Horizon (102 cm or Taller)
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (97 cm or Taller)
• TRON Lightcycle Power Run – Presented by Chevrolet (122 cm or Taller)
• Roaring Rapids (107 cm or Taller)
• Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure (Any Height)
• Rex’s Racer(120 cm or Taller)
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Any Height)
• Peter Pan’s Flight (Any Height)
• Woody’s Roundup (81 cm or Taller)
• Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (Any Height)
• Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue (Any Height)
• Challenge Trails at Camp Discovery (106 cm or Taller)

Reserved Viewing Areas:

• Bundle A: Watch the first Mickey’s Storybook Express and the first ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration from reserved viewing areas
• Bundle B: Watch the second Mickey’s Storybook Express and the second ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration from reserved viewing areas

Disney Premier Access for Shows

3 Entertainment Experiences

• Frozen: A Sing-Along Celebration
• Meet Mickey at the Gardens of Imagination
• Mickey’s Storybook Adventure

How to Purchase Disney Premier Access?

Is Shanghai Disneyland Premier Access Worth it?

After experiencing Shanghai Disneyland both with and without Premier Access, I can confidently say it’s worth the investment for most visitors, especially during busy periods.

When Premier Access Makes Sense:

• Visiting during peak seasons (Chinese New Year, summer holidays, Golden Week)
• Traveling with young children or elderly family members
• You have limited time (single day visit)
• Want to experience maximum attractions without stress

Something to Consider:

• Visiting on weekdays during school term time
• You have a 2-day ticket and can spread attractions across both days
• Budget is a primary concern
• You enjoy the atmosphere and don’t mind moderate waits (30-45 minutes)
• It does not guarantee immediate access to the attraction, as there may still be a short wait in the Premier Access line
• Disney Premier Access for shows are sold seperately

Premier Access is worth it if your time is more precious than your money on that visit. If you’re short on time, loathe lines, or hitting the park when it’s packed, it’s a great investment. If you have more time, patience, or are visiting during an off-peak period, you can absolutely manage without it by using traditional queue hacks.

One more tip: You don’t have to buy DPA in advance (except the VIP tour). You can enter the park, check crowd levels, and then decide. The official app lets you buy Premier Access on the spot.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide gives you a clear, story-infused understanding of Disney Premier Access at Shanghai Disneyland. Speaking from experience, using Premier Access wisely can transform a long, tiring day into a smooth and enjoyable adventure – especially for us travelers coming from around Asia who want to experience as much magic as possible in a limited time. It’s all about balance: splurge where it matters for your family, save where you can, and most importantly soak in the Disney fun.