Shanghai Disney Enchanted Star Hotel opens on Wednesday 16th December 2026, and bookings open at 12am China time on Friday 6th November 2026, which is 4pm UK time on Thursday 5th November. The 400-room lakeside hotel is the third Disney-themed hotel at Shanghai Disney Resort, and it opens 15 days before China's visa-free entry for UK passport holders is due to end on 31st December 2026.
Article Summary
- Opening date: Wednesday 16th December 2026
- Bookings open: 12am China time on Friday 6th November 2026, which is 4pm UK time on Thursday 5th November
- Size: 400 rooms over nine storeys, next door to Shanghai Disneyland Hotel
- First room types: Enchanted Star Deluxe, Deluxe (Park View), Dream and Club rooms
- Visa-free deadline: UK passport holders must arrive in China before midnight China time on 31st December 2026
- Direct flights: British Airways flies daily from Heathrow to Shanghai Pudong
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Read on for how the visa deadline affects Christmas trips, how the new hotel compares with Shanghai's other two Disney hotels and whether to book on 5th November or wait.
Shanghai Disney Resort confirmed the dates on 30th October 2026. The hotel sits next to Shanghai Disneyland Hotel on the shore of Wishing Star Lake, looking across to Shanghai Disneyland, and four room types go on sale first. British travellers have been able to enter China without a visa since 17th February 2026, as we reported when Brits were first allowed to visit Shanghai Disneyland visa-free, but as of 31st October 2026 China hasn't said whether that continues into 2027.
When Does The Shanghai Disney Enchanted Star Hotel Open?
The Enchanted Star Hotel welcomes its first guests on Wednesday 16th December 2026. Construction started on 31st August 2023, and Disney revealed the name in June 2026 during Shanghai Disney Resort's 10th anniversary celebrations.
Bookings open at 12am China time on Friday 6th November 2026. China is eight hours ahead of the UK in November, so that's 4pm on Thursday 5th November here, which means UK bookings open on Bonfire Night. You can book through the Shanghai Disney Resort Reservation Center, the resort's other official channels and authorised travel partners.
Four room types are on sale from the start - the Enchanted Star Deluxe Room, Enchanted Star Deluxe Room (Park View), Enchanted Star Dream Room and Enchanted Star Club Room. More room types will be released closer to opening, although Shanghai Disney Resort hasn't said which ones. Room prices haven't been published yet either, so the booking launch is when we'll find out what a night here costs.
Can British Travellers Visit The Enchanted Star Hotel Visa-Free?
Yes, as long as you arrive in China before midnight China time on 31st December 2026, which is 4pm UK time that day. UK ordinary passport holders can stay in mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism, and the 30 days are counted from the day after you arrive. UK citizens landing on 30th December could check in at the Enchanted Star Hotel and stay on into January without a visa, while a anybody landing on 1st January 2027 would need one unless China extends the scheme.
The UK Government's China entry requirements also say your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you arrive, with two blank pages.
Will the scheme carry on into 2027? China has extended its 30-day visa-free scheme twice before, announcing the extensions on 22nd November 2024 and 3rd November 2025, both within weeks of the deadline. The UK joined that same scheme in February 2026. Until China confirms a 2027 extension, anyone booking a stay from 1st January 2027 should plan on applying for a visa.
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What Rooms And Facilities Does The Enchanted Star Hotel Have?
The building takes its look from early 20th-century Shanghai, with an Art Nouveau style across all nine storeys. Shanghai Disneyland Hotel next door is Art Nouveau too, so the pair should look like they belong together on the lake. Rooms are themed around wishes and wishing stars, with Disney artwork and smaller character details.
Families get indoor swimming facilities and several themed play areas based on Disney characters. There's also an outdoor pool, the first at any Shanghai Disney Resort hotel, but it only opens in certain seasons and depends on the weather. Enchanted Seasons Restaurant is one of several places to eat, with Chinese and international dishes and a theme that changes with the seasons. Disney says there will be character encounters and hotel entertainment too, but hasn't yet said which characters or when.
A dedicated connector links the Enchanted Star Hotel with Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, and guests at either hotel can use both hotels' fitness centres, pools, play areas, shops and restaurants. Three new crane sculptures by the lake link in with Shanghai Disney Resort's conservation work.
How Does The Enchanted Star Hotel Compare With The Other Shanghai Disney Hotels?
With 400 rooms, the Enchanted Star Hotel is the smallest of Shanghai Disney Resort's three hotels. Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel both opened with the resort on 16th June 2016, and Toy Story Hotel is the lower-priced of those two.
| Feature | Enchanted Star Hotel | Shanghai Disneyland Hotel | Toy Story Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Date | 16th December 2026 | 16th June 2016 | 16th June 2016 |
| Rooms | 400 | 420 | 800 |
| Style | Art Nouveau, inspired by early 20th-century Shanghai | Art Nouveau | Toy Story themed |
| Outdoor Pool | Yes, seasonal and weather dependent | No | No |
| Best Suited For | Guests who want the newest hotel, lake views and shared access to the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel facilities | Guests who want the established flagship hotel, with access to the new hotel's facilities via the connector | Budget-conscious guests and younger Toy Story fans |
Enchanted Star Hotel details from Shanghai Disney Resort's announcement on 30th October 2026. Room prices for the Enchanted Star Hotel had not been published as of 31st October 2026.
How To Book The Shanghai Disney Enchanted Star Hotel From The UK
- Check your passport is valid for at least six months after your arrival date and has two blank pages.
- Choose your travel dates. If you want to go visa-free, you need to land in China before midnight China time on 31st December 2026, and anything later needs a visa unless the scheme is extended.
- Set a reminder for 4pm UK time on Thursday 5th November 2026, when bookings open.
- Book your room through the Shanghai Disney Resort Reservation Center, the resort's official website or an authorised travel partner.
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Shanghai Disney Enchanted Star Hotel: Your Questions Answered
When does the Shanghai Disney Enchanted Star Hotel open?
The Shanghai Disney Enchanted Star Hotel opens on Wednesday 16th December 2026. It's the third Disney-themed hotel at Shanghai Disney Resort.
When can I book the Enchanted Star Hotel from the UK?
Bookings open at 12am China time on Friday 6th November 2026, which is 4pm UK time on Thursday 5th November 2026. You can book through the Shanghai Disney Resort Reservation Center, official Shanghai Disney Resort channels and authorised travel partners.
Which Enchanted Star Hotel room types can be booked first?
Four room types go on sale first - the Enchanted Star Deluxe Room, Enchanted Star Deluxe Room (Park View), Enchanted Star Dream Room and Enchanted Star Club Room. More room types will be released closer to the opening date.
How many rooms does the Enchanted Star Hotel have?
The hotel has 400 rooms across nine storeys, making it the smallest of Shanghai Disney Resort's three hotels.
Do British travellers need a visa to stay at the Enchanted Star Hotel?
No, not if you arrive in China before midnight China time on 31st December 2026. UK ordinary passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days until then. As of 31st October 2026, China has not announced an extension for arrivals from 1st January 2027.
Does the Enchanted Star Hotel have a swimming pool?
Yes. It has indoor swimming facilities and an outdoor pool that opens in select seasons, depending on the weather. It's the first outdoor pool at any Shanghai Disney Resort hotel.
Can you fly direct from the UK to Shanghai?
Yes. British Airways flies daily non-stop from London Heathrow to Shanghai Pudong in just under 13 hours, and China Eastern also flies direct from London.
