China 2026 had many highlights, but two days stood out for being pure, unfiltered fun: Disneyland Shanghai and, exactly one week later, Universal Studios Beijing. Two very different parks in two very different cities – and a clear winner by the end.
Disney Town: First Magic Before the Gate
About an hour from our hotel, Disneyland Shanghai starts long before the actual park entrance. Disney Town, the shopping and restaurant district just outside, already sets the mood perfectly. Walking through it, we got our first Disney fix – and of course, stopped to buy our obligatory Mickey ears before even setting foot inside.
Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle for the Sunken Treasure
Our first priority was the flagship ride: Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle for the Sunken Treasure. The technology behind it is genuinely hard to describe – a boat journey through a seamless mix of screens, sets, and special effects that feels more like cinema than a theme park ride. At lunchtime, the wait was around 30 minutes. Worth every second.
A Parade at Exactly the Right Moment
Right as we were leaving the ride, the big park parade started moving past us. One of those unplanned moments that just happens. Floats, characters, music – and us standing right there without any effort at all.
Tron, Toy Story Land & the World of Zootopia
Passing through the Tron area, we made our way to Toy Story Land and then into the Zootopia section, which was impressive in scale and design. With a short wait, we jumped straight onto Zootopia: Hot Pursuit – fast, colorful, and a lot of fun. The evening brought one last stop: a Frozen Sing Along, performed entirely in Mandarin, which was… an experience of its own kind.
On the way home I finally found what I had been hunting since Japan: a Snoopy umbrella. Always sold out in Tokyo – Shanghai delivered.
Universal Studios Beijing – One Week Later
A week after Shanghai, we arrived in Beijing for Universal Studios. Just like Disneyland, it starts before the gates with Universal CityWalk – a lively mix of shops, restaurants, and character meet-and-greets that build the atmosphere nicely before you even enter the park.
Transformers, Kung Fu Panda & a Waterworld Stunt Show
The Transformers zone delivered right away: Transformers: The Ride is a spectacular, fully immersive simulator experience, and the overhead lantern lighting throughout the area added a beautiful visual touch. Right next door, Journey of the Dragon Warrior took us through the Kung Fu Panda world on a gentle water ride – charming and well-crafted.
The Waterworld show was next: a live stunt show with big splashes, fire, and energy that felt delightfully like something straight from the 90s. A few familiar One Piece faces led us directly into it, and it was impossible not to enjoy.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
This was the undeniable highlight of the entire day. Forbidden Journey at Universal Studios Beijing is one of the best theme park experiences I have ever had. The combination of immersive sets, modern screen technology, and a ride system that genuinely surprises you is extraordinary. Even the queue tells the story – the castle, the corridors, the small details everywhere. With only a short wait, we still took our time.
We rode it twice: once in the afternoon, and again at night with just five minutes wait. It was just as breathtaking the second time. Walking back through Hogsmeade in the evening light felt like stepping fully inside the films.
Jurassic World, Minions & the Evening Finale
Jurassic World Adventure was fun, though it could not quite match Harry Potter’s technical level. The real standout in that zone was Jurassic Flyers – a roller coaster with a stunning aerial view of the entire park. We rode it twice: once during the day, and once at night to see the fully illuminated park from above, which was truly spectacular.
A quick stop through Minion Land for Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem rounded off the attractions before dinner. The evening closed with the Hogwarts castle light show – a perfect, glittering end to an extraordinary day.
Final Thoughts
Disneyland Shanghai is genuinely impressive: great rides, beautiful design, and a lovely atmosphere from the first step into Disney Town. But Universal Studios Beijing won us over completely. Fewer crowds meant more rides, more spontaneity, and far more time to actually enjoy every area. Between Harry Potter, the Jurassic Flyers at night, and the castle light show finale, it became one of the most fun and memorable days of our entire China 2026 trip.
