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| Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger with a scale model of the new theme park |
The Walt Disney Company has just released its first detailed look at Shanghai Disneyland, the first Disney theme park in mainland China.
A joint venture of Disney and its partner Shanghai Shendi Group, Shanghai Disneyland is designed to appeal to Chinese guests. Since breaking ground in 2011, Disney and Shanghai Shendi Group announced that they were expanding the park by adding additional attractions and entertainment before the park's Grand Opening in spring 2016.
At opening, the Shanghai Disney Resort, which is part of the Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone, will include:
- Shanghai Disneyland, a theme park with six themed lands: Adventure Isle, Gardens of Imagination, Mickey Avenue, Tomorrowland, Treasure Cove and Fantasyland, with its Enchanted Storybook Castle.
- Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel, adjacent to the theme park.
- Disneytown, an international shopping, dining and entertainment district, adjacent to Shanghai Disneyland and including the Walt Disney Grand Theatre, home to the first-ever Mandarin production of Disney’s The Lion King.
- Wishing Star Park, a central point of the resort with gardens, a walking path and a lake.
Six Themed Lands at Shanghai Disneyland
Mickey Avenue is the first main entry at a Disney park inspired by the personalities of Mickey Mouse and his pals. In the neighborhoods of this whimsical avenue, guests will share a hug and get a photo with some all-time favorite Disney characters. Avenue M Arcade, one of the many shops along the avenue, will feature the largest selection of gifts and collectibles inside the theme park.
Gardens of Imagination celebrates the wonders of nature and the joy of imagination. Guests can take a spin on the Fantasia Carousel, soar on the back of Dumbo the Flying Elephant and enjoy the area’s iconic Disney entertainment, including Castle stage shows and “Ignite the Dream, a Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light.” From several places in this land, guests will enjoy “Mickey’s Storybook Express,” a parade with its own musical soundtrack and colorful performers on the longest parade route in a Disney park.
Fantasyland, inspired by Disney’s animated films, will be the largest land and home to the Enchanted Storybook Castle. Guests will experience familiar Disney stories as they ride Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, go in and out of tunnels glowing with dazzling diamonds on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and take flight over the skies of London on Peter Pan’s Flight. They may also explore the Hundred Acre Wood with Winnie the Pooh or follow Alice through a Wonderland maze.
Adventure Isle will immerse guests in a newly discovered lost world, filled with hidden treasures. The mighty Roaring Mountain will tower over guests and they may blaze their own trails at Camp Discovery, travel around the world on Soaring over the Horizon or embark on a rafting adventure through the heart of Adventure Isle on Roaring Rapids.
Treasure Cove will be the first pirate-themed land in a Disney park, a place to join the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow and Davy Jones. As guests explore this pirate world, they will enter Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle for the Sunken Treasure. Guests can board a pirate ship, paddle through the scenic cove on Explorer Canoes and dine at Barbossa’s Bounty.
Tomorrowland gives guests the opportunity to go to infinity and beyond on Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue, a new space ranger adventure, or break the bonds of gravity on Jet Packs. A massive, color-shifting canopy will lure guests to TRON Lightcycle Power Run, a coaster-style attraction where guests board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles.
Nearby Tomorrowland will be two experiences created especially for Shanghai Disneyland – Star Wars Launch Bay and Marvel Universe. In a celebration of the Star Wars Galaxy, guests will meet heroes and villains of the saga, visit iconic intergalactic set-pieces, view props and memorabilia from the most recent Episode, and be immersed in the Skywalker story through a state-of-the-art cinematic experience. In Marvel Universe, guests attend a multimedia mission briefing on the world of Marvel, get up-close with some popular Marvel Super Heroes and take on the role of a comic book artist as they learn to draw some favorite characters.
At night, the sky above Enchanted Storybook Castle will be home to a music and fireworks display.