Shanghai Disneyland Half-Year Pass

[bkmanhole]

Hi Everyone,

With our trip to Shanghai coming up - I've been waiting on Disney to release their annual/season pass as the pricing last year was close in price to tickets for 3 days in the park with some discounts available for shopping, food and on property hotel.

We plan to spend 3 days in the park, so we've been waiting for this information since earlier in the year.

It looks like information is finally out -
https://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/en/events/half-year-pass/

Here's a quick copy and paste on the general prices (more details on discounts are available at the links):

The 2018 Half-Year Pass will be valid for multiple entries by the same guest from August 2, 2018 to February 4, 2019, but still subject to the pass calendar.

2018 Half-Year Pass Product Details:

• Sunday Pass: 1,250RMB (Sunday only but except October 7 and December 30,2018)
• Weekday Pass: 1,375RMB (Weekdays except October 1 to October 5, December 31, 2018, and January 1, 2019, with Saturday, September 29, Sunday, September 30 and Saturday, December 29 included)
• Any Day Pass: 1,690RMB (Except October 1 to October 7, 2018)

It looks like there's a discount available if purchased by Aug 12 - but I haven't had a chance to look into things in detail yet as it seems to be targeted towards locals and is all in Chinese.

Launch offer

From August 2 to 12, 2018, the new Half-Year Pass will be exclusively available for first-time buyers via the resort’s official Fliggy flagship store, with a limited-time early-bird discount in celebration of Alibaba’s Membership Day. Lucky consumers will also have the chance to win a variety of great resort-sponsored prizes and coupons by participating in interactive activities hosted on Fliggy during the site’s special Shanghai Disney Resort brand day on August 2, 2018.

From August 13, 2018, the new pass will be available for purchase across a wide range of official channels, including the resort’s official WeChat account and official flagship store on JD.com, the Shanghai Disneyland Main Entrance ticket booths and the resort’s official stores on Ctrip, Dianping, etc. all in addition to the official Fliggy flagship store, with more channels opening at a later date.
​

At quick glace - I think the Fliggy flagship store is online (but I could be wrong...)

• The official Shanghai Disney Resort Fliggy Flagship Store: http://shdr.alitrip.com

 

[Simba001]

We are also looking at this option.

Any idea how to translate the Fliggy Flagship Store into English?

I'm wondering if the first-time buyers August 2 - 12 discount purchase time period is only for purchase made at a physical Fliggy Flagship Store? If it is, I would hope we might be able to at least access the online Fliggy Flagship Store for the pricing that falls within the August 2 -23 range (assuming we can get an English translated version).

If the August 24, 2018 - January 27, 2019 pricing category is the only one available to us, then the cost will be more than purchasing 3 days in the Park for us....

 

[bkmanhole]

Any idea how to translate the Fliggy Flagship Store into English?

I spent some time with this last night trying to make sense of it - with Google Translate in Chrome as well as some help from my wife (she can read chinese, but not simplified as they use in China).

This is the link where you can purchase the passes: https://traveldetail.fliggy.com/ite...e5c7cv4zfSQ&id=573641194892&scene=taobao_shop

The challenge I had was the payment goes through Taobao/Alipay... and although registering an account wasn't difficult, I wasn't 100% confident in the form fields as I worked through the checkout.
I was not able to type spaces for entering my name as well as it asks for an ID Card number, it didn't have an option for passport. I'm guessing this is used for collecting your pass when you redeem your voucher.

With all of that and it being late in the evening, I abandoned ship as I wanted to spend more time with it to make sure I wouldn't make any mistakes and try to find someone who can read simplified chinese to help. I didn't want to rush and run into problems trading my purchase for passes later in the year in China.

 

[Simba001]

I can’t make heads nor tails out of the site.... I am thinking it’s not going to be an option for me. Hope you are able to figure it out and can take advantage of the pass.

 

[bkmanhole]

Another update:
I had more help with translation and decided it wasn't worth the risk of purchases through the Fliggy online store.

The site is very much intended for those who live in China - the site asks for your name and "ID Card" number when you are purchasing. I didn't want to chance any confusion on names, passport numbers matching when trying to exchange a voucher at the ticket booth and being denied.

 

[Simba001]

Well... it was worth looking into. Appreciate your update.

 

[npoon]

do you think it is worth calling them on trying to get on live chat on their website? seems like a good deal...

 

[Nick6300]

I remember going through the same exercise of painstakingly trying to translating the details of the season pass into English. I missed the deadline for the early deal by like a few days for this years Spring Season Pass - which was cheaper and I'm not sure if different benefits to this one. I had to call a CM to pay for the season pass and then apply the discount for the hotel room. I think it was slightly cheaper at the 2nd tier rate than 3 days of reg. tickets but the savings for the hotel and all of the food and merchandise made it really worth it. CM at Guest Relations had to link my pass to WeChat and show me the steps (to commit to memory) to see the virtual coupons for the food/merch discounts.

 

[Nick6300]

I had Verizon at the time and got an international plan for 1 day did the calling, then canceled the next day so I was charged only .49 vs. the high rate for the 1 hr or so I was on the phone with CM in SDL.

 

[bkmanhole]

do you think it is worth calling them on trying to get on live chat on their website? seems like a good deal...

The problem with calling is the promo early price is exclusively through Fliggy (kind of like an Amazon/eBay in China) not Disney directly. So you are buying a voucher.

 

[bkmanhole]

I remember going through the same exercise of painstakingly trying to translating the details of the season pass into English. I missed the deadline for the early deal by like a few days for this years Spring Season Pass - which was cheaper and I'm not sure if different benefits to this one. I had to call a CM to pay for the season pass and then apply the discount for the hotel room. I think it was slightly cheaper at the 2nd tier rate than 3 days of reg. tickets but the savings for the hotel and all of the food and merchandise made it really worth it. CM at Guest Relations had to link my pass to WeChat and show me the steps (to commit to memory) to see the virtual coupons for the food/merch discounts.

Do you remember what the redemption process for the pass was like when you got on property? We are getting closer to our trip, we arrive in the evening and I'm dreading having to go to the main gates in the morning to sort out a pass - so I'm hoping to get this sorted the night we arrive to use the hotel entrance the next day.

 

[Nick6300]

Do you remember what the redemption process for the pass was like when you got on property? We are getting closer to our trip, we arrive in the evening and I'm dreading having to go to the main gates in the morning to sort out a pass - so I'm hoping to get this sorted the night we arrive to use the hotel entrance the next day.

I’ll try to recall best I can. First, I had to go to hotel to drop my bags. Because of the language barrier and problems purchasing the season pass- I had the cm over the phone buy it and then apply the 10% hotel discount... even though the ticket was not activated. I was told by cm to go to the guest relations in Disneytown to activate the season pass then proceed to the hotel back entrance at end of Disneytown. I was also told that I needed the season pass activated in order to check in to my room.

I didn’t want to lug my bags to the park just to come back so despite the warning, hoped I could get a hotel cm to let me get checked in without the pass being activated or at worst hold my bags at bell services and come back to check in after my first day in the park. Hotel cm had to ask for help but was able to check me in with the discount intact, without the pass being activated but again asked that I go to guest relations, they again suggested the one at Disneytown.

When I made it to the Disneytown there was no guest relations... I believe the guest relations entrance is from inside the park, it’s after you get through the back entrance taps - and they would not let me in without the activated pass. They said I was misinformed and needed to go to main entrance. They saw my exasperated expression and sent me a cm to escort me to the main entrance, cutting the winding entrance line of guests and next in line at the ticket booth. I had my printed out confirmation number for my pass and my passport ready. Ticket booth CM handed me a waterproof jacket and my season pass, and instructed me to proceed thru the taps and beyond to guest relations for help in getting it activated. Activation for mine was purely through wechat. I had installed before I left the States. Whatever fliggy is, if you install it ahead of time I’m hopeful they’d similarly get you activated and show you how to use it. Guest relations went into my wechat and activated my pass, also showing me the few steps to get back into my season pass group of online coupons for food, merchandise, etc. I both wrote down the steps on my phone and memorized it.

There are maps online - I’m sure you’ve seen them by now... you can see at the main entrance where the ticket booths are, then the taps, then guest relations through and sort of to the right. Make sure you have your confirmation ready and your passport. I brought zip pocket shorts to keep my passport from falling out on rides. You can go to the back entrance thru Disneytown thereafter. Im sure you were hoping to go thru the back entrance the first day. I ended up wasting time by going to Disneytown - as instructed.

Good luck and have a great trip! Even though I went in April thinking it was a once in a lifetime trip. I’m still thinking about possibly returning next yr.

 

[bkmanhole]

Thanks for sharing in such detail. Sounds like I have to brave the main entrance & ticket booths to get the pass activated and it's unavoidable. If the timing works out, hopefully I can get this sorted at night.
Thanks again!

 

[Nick6300]

Thanks for sharing in such detail. Sounds like I have to brave the main entrance & ticket booths to get the pass activated and it's unavoidable. If the timing works out, hopefully I can get this sorted at night.
Thanks again!

you're welcome... not sure why the confusion between CMs. It seems like hotel concierge should have the ability to issue the passes. Or if they mailed the passes to us ahead of time, maybe someone else other than guest relations (or services?) could help activate. But each time I asked, I was directed to Guest Relations/Services.

I later also rec'd help from a CM at the exit of Tron to get me on the wifi, since the instructions are in Chinese. And she punched in her phone number as the local # required to access. I'm not sure if the Guest Services desk will help you with that while working on the pass activation, but maybe a good idea to ask for that help too while there.

If you're coming in in the evening and have time, it might not be a bad idea to take care of this aspect, maybe spend some time at Disneytown for a late dinner/shopping, take some photos/tour. My 1st day was into the afternoon and not right at park open, but everyone talks up how much of an advantage it is to use the back guest entrance if going early am. And really, from what I saw of even the back entrance and the line for the bus 90 min before park open was crowded when I went. And the guests, including adults, will run to both the back entrance from the bus, to be further up the line for the taps, and once through taps (Soarin being the favorite). So be ready to experience that. It's funny that the overhead will say in Chinese and English to walk, don't run, and CM's will hold signs that state don't run... but otherwise not care that guests are running right in front of them.

 

[Nomarian]

I had a bit of the same process as Nick6300, but he went before me and posted his details. I also bought the pass over the phone and had them apply the discount for the Disneyland hotel on the phone as well. Once we got to the Disneyland Hotel, I was escorted up to the Magic Kingdom Club and they checked me in. I did not have my activated pass, but they checked me in just the same and told me to come back later with my activated pass. We dropped out stuff at the room and went to the park. We went through the main entrance which was not crowded as it was after 3pm and after security check, I asked someone about the pass and they pointed me to the ticket booth to the right. I waited in line for about 15 minutes and then was at the counter. I explained I needed the pass and the girl kept telling me that I just needed to go straight to the gate. I could tell she had a hard time understanding my English, so I was stood my ground and said that I need her to get it for me. Eventually, she got a supervisor who understood more English and then showed her how to process my passes. Once that was done, I had my passes which I registered in my WeChat so I could get m coupons for food and merchandise. (Thanks for Nick3600 for that tip)

We save a bundle on food and merchandise. One time, the cashier took my phone and showed me how to get more coupons for food while checking out. I should also note that the food discount is also good for the Royal Banquet Hall which we used.

 

[bkmanhole]

I had a bit of the same process as Nick6300, but he went before me and posted his details. I also bought the pass over the phone and had them apply the discount for the Disneyland hotel on the phone as well. Once we got to the Disneyland Hotel, I was escorted up to the Magic Kingdom Club and they checked me in. I did not have my activated pass, but they checked me in just the same and told me to come back later with my activated pass. We dropped out stuff at the room and went to the park. We went through the main entrance which was not crowded as it was after 3pm and after security check, I asked someone about the pass and they pointed me to the ticket booth to the right. I waited in line for about 15 minutes and then was at the counter. I explained I needed the pass and the girl kept telling me that I just needed to go straight to the gate. I could tell she had a hard time understanding my English, so I was stood my ground and said that I need her to get it for me. Eventually, she got a supervisor who understood more English and then showed her how to process my passes. Once that was done, I had my passes which I registered in my WeChat so I could get m coupons for food and merchandise. (Thanks for Nick3600 for that tip)

We save a bundle on food and merchandise. One time, the cashier took my phone and showed me how to get more coupons for food while checking out. I should also note that the food discount is also good for the Royal Banquet Hall which we used.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

Our hotel is booked as I took advantage of a price before the announcement of the 1/2 year pass for our dates. Would you suggest still buying the pass on the phone prior to arrival, or just getting it when we get there.

The biggest challenge I see us facing is there's a high chance the ticket booths will already be closed by the time we arrive in the evening the day before our park day. So everything points to having to deal with the main entrance the first morning. I'm trying to decide if having the passes purchased by phone will be helpful at all.

 

[Nick6300]

I had a bit of the same process as Nick6300, but he went before me and posted his details. I also bought the pass over the phone and had them apply the discount for the Disneyland hotel on the phone as well. Once we got to the Disneyland Hotel, I was escorted up to the Magic Kingdom Club and they checked me in. I did not have my activated pass, but they checked me in just the same and told me to come back later with my activated pass. We dropped out stuff at the room and went to the park. We went through the main entrance which was not crowded as it was after 3pm and after security check, I asked someone about the pass and they pointed me to the ticket booth to the right. I waited in line for about 15 minutes and then was at the counter. I explained I needed the pass and the girl kept telling me that I just needed to go straight to the gate. I could tell she had a hard time understanding my English, so I was stood my ground and said that I need her to get it for me. Eventually, she got a supervisor who understood more English and then showed her how to process my passes. Once that was done, I had my passes which I registered in my WeChat so I could get m coupons for food and merchandise. (Thanks for Nick3600 for that tip)

We save a bundle on food and merchandise. One time, the cashier took my phone and showed me how to get more coupons for food while checking out. I should also note that the food discount is also good for the Royal Banquet Hall which we used.

I enjoyed chatting / planning with you prior to our trips. We’re actually trying to figure out if we’d like to try to add Hong Kong and Shanghai to an already crowded Korea/Tokyo trip... flights alone look like they’re $2k per person for May. Can’t recall if you’ve been to the other Asian parks? I’ve heard HK isn’t overly impressive.

 

[Nick6300]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

Our hotel is booked as I took advantage of a price before the announcement of the 1/2 year pass for our dates. Would you suggest still buying the pass on the phone prior to arrival, or just getting it when we get there.

The biggest challenge I see us facing is there's a high chance the ticket booths will already be closed by the time we arrive in the evening the day before our park day. So everything points to having to deal with the main entrance the first morning. I'm trying to decide if having the passes purchased by phone will be helpful at all.

Are the booth hours only open until park close that night or a little earlier? Could try to email Disney to ask and gauge whether you’d make it there in time.

Since discount for hotel not in play, think I’d just buy the pass there assuming same price.

 

[Nomarian]

I enjoyed chatting / planning with you prior to our trips. We’re actually trying to figure out if we’d like to try to add Hong Kong and Shanghai to an already crowded Korea/Tokyo trip... flights alone look like they’re $2k per person for May. Can’t recall if you’ve been to the other Asian parks? I’ve heard HK isn’t overly impressive.

Don't want to hijack this thread, but I would visit Hong Kong just because it is so different from Shanghai. The park itself is not very large, but it is unique and nestled among some mountains. We found the park very beautiful and calm, plus you can't say you have been to all the parks until you have been to all the parks!

 

[bkmanhole]

I enjoyed chatting / planning with you prior to our trips. We’re actually trying to figure out if we’d like to try to add Hong Kong and Shanghai to an already crowded Korea/Tokyo trip... flights alone look like they’re $2k per person for May. Can’t recall if you’ve been to the other Asian parks? I’ve heard HK isn’t overly impressive.

Alot of people say HKDL isn't too impressive but disagree, it still has the "magic" we love about disney parks. I really like Mystic Manor and just the laid back nature of HKDL. You don't need to plan anything and can still experience the full park.

It's hard to say if adding alot more travel costs are worth it for just that. We've been lucky that our travel has routed us through Hong Kong so it's a no brainer to add on an extra night. This alone is why we are going back to HKDL this upcoming trip, just to experience it again. We are also looking forward to watching Mickey & the Wonderous Book.

If the price is right...