If you're heading to Shanghai Disneyland and want a themed hotel that doesn't break the bank, the Shanghai Disney Toy Story Hotel might be the right fit. On a recent trip with my family, we stayed here for three nights, and I left with plenty of thoughts—both practical and personal.
While it doesn't offer the luxury or serene views of the more upscale options, it definitely delivers on convenience and playful, kid-friendly theming.
Staying at the Shanghai Disney Toy Story Hotel
We chose the Shanghai Disney Toy Story Hotel over other nearby properties because it struck a balance between cost, theming, and location. It’s one of two official hotels at the resort, and it’s typically the more budget-friendly option.
Prices vary depending on the season, but you can expect to pay around $200 to $280 USD per night. This is significantly cheaper than the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, which usually starts closer to $400 USD per night. If you're visiting during peak travel times like Chinese holidays or summer vacation, prices can climb, so it's smart to book early.
I’ll walk you through what to expect, what surprised us (both good and bad), and whether I think it’s worth it for other families visiting the park.
Key Points
- Book early for the best rooms: Rooms facing the courtyard are quieter than those near the shuttle stop or road.
- Use early park entry: If you're staying here, take advantage of early entry perks, especially on busy days.
- Be prepared for a basic breakfast: The food is fine but not impressive—plan to eat one meal per day in the park for variety.
Location and Access to the Park
The Toy Story Hotel is located on the edge of the resort property, about five minutes by shuttle to the park entrance. The shuttle runs frequently throughout the day, and during our stay, we never waited more than 10 minutes. It’s reliable and easy to use—just show your room key to board.
You can technically walk to the park entrance, but it takes about 20–25 minutes and involves going through Disneytown. With kids, we found the shuttle much more manageable.
That said, if you want the flexibility of walking to and from the park whenever you like, consider other hotels within walking distance to Shanghai Disneyland.
Rooms and Theming
The rooms are colorful and fun, especially for kids. Think bright reds, blues, and yellows, with Toy Story characters everywhere from the bedding to the wallpaper. There are large images of Buzz, Woody, and the Aliens, and even the hallway carpets feel like part of Andy's room.
Our room had two twin beds pushed together (a common setup in China), plus a sofa that could work for a smaller child. You can request a crib or extra bed, but space is tight. If you're a family of four with older kids or teens, the room may feel cramped.
What the Room Includes
- Small fridge
- Electric kettle with tea/coffee
- Basic toiletries
- Flat-screen TV (mostly local channels)
- Hairdryer
- Toy Story-themed artwork throughout
Don’t expect luxury here. It’s more akin to a well-themed value hotel. The beds were firm (again, typical in China), and the furniture felt a bit IKEA-style, but clean and functional.
If your kids love Toy Story, though, they’ll be thrilled—our kids kept pointing out new characters in the decor every day.
Dining Options
There’s one main dining area called Sunnyside Cafe. We had the breakfast buffet included with our stay. It had a mix of Western and Chinese options: scrambled eggs, sausages, congee, steamed buns, toast, cereal, and fruit. The quality was average, not great.
The coffee, unfortunately, was not strong or fresh. After the first morning, I started holding out for my first decent coffee inside the park.
If you're a foodie or want a more refined experience, breakfast at the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel is much better. You can get a sense of the trade-offs in this breakdown of Shanghai Disneyland hotel breakfast options.
Lunch and dinner options at the Toy Story Hotel are limited. Sunnyside Cafe does offer lunch and dinner, but it’s cafeteria-style, with food kept warm under heat lamps. We ended up eating most of our meals in the park or in Disneytown, which has better variety.
Early Entry and Perks
One huge perk of staying at the Toy Story Hotel is early park entry. We were allowed into the park 30 minutes before official opening, and this alone made the stay worthwhile.
On our first morning, we used early entry to go straight to TRON Lightcycle Power Run and rode with almost no wait. On day two, we did Peter Pan’s Flight and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train before the main crowds arrived.
It’s important to line up at the security entrance early. Hotel guests have their own lane, but you still need to allow time for bag check and ticket scanning. We left the hotel around 6:45 a.m. and were through the gates by 7:15 a.m.
For more on how early entry works across the different properties, check out this guide to Shanghai Disneyland hotel early entry.
How It Compares to Other Hotels
The Toy Story Hotel is more affordable than the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, which offers more upscale dining, bigger rooms, and stunning views of Wishing Star Lake. You also get amenities like a kids’ splash zone and pool—which the Toy Story Hotel lacks.
If you're looking for a quiet, relaxing retreat after the parks, and are okay spending more, the Disneyland Hotel is a better fit. But if your focus is getting to and from the park quickly and having a bit of fun with the theming, Toy Story Hotel gets the job done at a lower cost.
Prices for the Toy Story Hotel generally start around $200 USD per night, while the Disneyland Hotel starts closer to $400 USD. This Shanghai Disneyland hotel price guide gives a breakdown of rates by season and room type.
Things to Know Before You Book
- Rooms are compact: If you’re traveling with more than three people, the space may feel tight, especially if you have a stroller or luggage.
- Check-in lines can be long: We waited nearly 30 minutes to check in during the afternoon. Arriving earlier in the day or using mobile check-in (if available) may help.
- No pool or spa: Unlike the Disneyland Hotel, there’s no pool here. If that’s a dealbreaker, the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel pool is a highlight worth considering.
- Limited English spoken: Most staff speak some English, especially at the front desk and concierge, but having a translation app is still helpful when asking specific questions.
- Book on the official site for perks: You can reserve through third-party sites, but booking through the official Shanghai Disney Resort site guarantees perks like early park entry and shuttle access.
Is It Worth It?
For families with young kids, I’d say yes. The theming adds a lot to the experience, and early entry is a big plus. Our kids were excited every time we walked through the door, and the hotel felt like a natural extension of the park.
That said, if you’re looking for a relaxing resort-style stay or more spacious accommodations, you may want to spend the extra and book the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel instead.
Still unsure? This breakdown of all Shanghai Disneyland hotels can help clarify what you’ll get at each price point.
If you’re traveling on a budget or just want a clean, themed place to sleep and get into the parks early, the Toy Story Hotel is a solid choice.
