D23 Expo 2015: Shanghai Disneyland Booth and Parks & Resorts Presentation

Shanghai Disneyland Exhibit

While at D23 Expo 2015, one of the main attention grabbers for me was Walt Disney Imagineering’s main showcase on the show floor, which featured a whole bunch of concept art and work in progress samples of what is coming to Shanghai Disneyland when it opens in 2016.

IMG_6690

IMG_6692

Shanghai Disneyland will be divided up into six “lands”, all akin to other lands at other Disneylands, but a few with a twist.

~ Mickey Avenue, similar to Main Street.

~ Gardens of Imagination, instead of a traditional hub, this 11 acre area will host seven different gardens with rides and attractions.

~ Adventure Isle, a new take on Adventureland.

~ Treasure Cove, a Pirates of the Caribbean and pirate themed land.

~ Fantasyland, containing the largest castle at a Disney Theme Park.

~ Tomorrowland, featuring a Tron inspired ride.

Let’s take a look at the lands.

Mickey Avenue

Stores in this land include:

  • Remy’s Patisserie (Ratatouille themed bakery)
  • Chip & Dale’s Treehouse Treats (Chip & Dale snack market)
  • Sweethearts Confectionery (Minnie Mouse candy store)
  • Avenue M Arcade (looks like Carthay Circle Theater, largest gift shop in park)
  • Il Paperino (Donald Duck gelato shop)
  • Michey & Pals Market Cafe (counter service restaurant)

IMG_6693

IMG_6767 IMG_6768

IMG_6763 IMG_6771

IMG_6769 IMG_6770

IMG_6764 IMG_6765IMG_6774 IMG_6773

IMG_6772

Gardens of Imagination

IMG_6749

IMG_6745 IMG_6746

IMG_6748

  • Garden of the 12 Friends

IMG_6752

IMG_6750

  • Melody Garden
  • Romance Garden
  • Woodland Garden
  • Garden of the Magic Feather

IMG_6747

  • Fantasia Garden

IMG_6744

IMG_6743 IMG_6742

IMG_6741

IMG_6739

  • Storybook Castle Garden
  • Ignite the Dream nighttime spectacular
  • Mickey’s Storybook Express parade

This land is also home to the Wandering Moon Teahouse, which is a traditional Chinese restaurant view beautiful views of Enchanted Storybook Castle.

IMG_6740

Tomorrowland

IMG_6738

IMG_6735 IMG_6731

  • Tron Lightcycle Power Run

IMG_6734

IMG_6736

IMG_6737

  • Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue

IMG_6732

IMG_6730

Fantasyland

Centerpiece is Enchanted Storybook Castle, which is not only the largest Disney castle, but not themed after a single Disney Princess, but from a multitude.

IMG_6723

  • Voyage to the Crystal Grotto- boat ride underneath the Enchanted Storybook Castle

IMG_6714

IMG_6722

IMG_6720

IMG_6721

IMG_6724 IMG_6725

IMG_6726 IMG_6727

IMG_6728 IMG_6729

Inside the castle there is the Rotunda, featuring the “Princesses of the Four Seasons” in mosaic murals.

IMG_6719

IMG_6715

IMG_6718

IMG_6716

IMG_6717

  • Peter Pan’s Flight

IMG_6713

  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh- Honey Pot Spin

IMG_6712

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

IMG_6711

  • Alice in Wonderland Maze

IMG_6709

IMG_6708

IMG_6705

IMG_6704

Treasure Cove

IMG_6702

IMG_6701

IMG_6706

IMG_6703

IMG_6699

IMG_6700

Adventure Isle

IMG_6695

IMG_6698

IMG_6696

IMG_6697

In addition to Shanghai Disneyland, right outside the main entrance is Disneytown, which includes a World of Disney.

IMG_6755 IMG_6757

IMG_6753

IMG_6754 IMG_6759

IMG_6758

IMG_6754 IMG_6760

IMG_6761

Also opening in Shanghai is two hotels: Toy Story Hotel and Shanghai Disneyland Hotel

IMG_6762

IMG_6778 IMG_6779

IMG_6776

IMG_6777

IMG_6781

IMG_6783

IMG_6784

IMG_6780 IMG_6782

IMG_6786

 IMG_6785

Here are maquettes of statues gracing the three story lobby of the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel.

IMG_6787

IMG_6788 IMG_6789

IMG_6790

IMG_6791 IMG_6792

Parks & Resorts Panel

IMG_7081

In addition to having the Shanghai Disneyland setup on the main floor, on Saturday of the Expo, the Parks & Resorts team had a panel where they talked about some of the upcoming and exciting things happening at Disney Parks around the world. Here is a rundown.

Star Wars

New Land

IMG_7088

That’s right! A new land is coming to both Disneyland in California, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. Themed after the Star Wars Universe, this new world, one of the last outposts before the Outer Rim, will be a fully immersive experience in Star Wars, from the cast members to the food to the merchandise. it will all be Star Wars themed.

IMG_7085

IMG_7089 IMG_7090 IMG_7091 IMG_7092 IMG_7093 IMG_7094

Inside this new land will be two major attractions. The first will be a Millenium Flacon ride, and the second will be an interactive combat experience.

IMG_7095

IMG_7096

Existing Attraction Additions

In addition to the new lands coming, current attractions will be getting updates for the new movie The Force Awakens. We have already seen the additions to the new World of Color: Celebrate, and we can expect to see new segments added to the updated Star Tours… which means I will have to refigure my ride configuration charts to see if I can ride all of the combinations eventually.

IMG_7104

IMG_7105

Season of the Force

IMG_7112

In both parks, a new multi-week event, bringing together the popularity of Star Wars Weekends and the format of events like the Food and Wine Festival, will be taking place in both parks. Special experiences will take place during this time. At Disneyland, Space Mountain will get a Star Wars makeover and become Hyperspace Mountain.

IMG_7108

IMG_7109

While at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there will be a special nighttime firework show themed to the popular franchise.

IMG_7110

IMG_7111

Star Wars Launch Bay

As part of both of these events, a new area called Star Wars Launch Bay will open. An area for all things Star Wars, this will debut in what was once Innoventions at Disneyland, and where The Magic of Disney Animation was a staple for years at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In addition to having a look at the progress of the new lands being built, the area will also have exclusive content for games such as Disney Infinity.

IMG_7107

Toy Story Land

IMG_7117

Building upon the popularity of Toy Story Mania and the idea of Andy’s toy-sized backyard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be getting a new land called Toy Story Land. In addition to Toy Story themed dining and retail, two new rides will debut.

The first is a Little Green Men and The Claw inspired spinner ride (reminds me of the Mater ride at DCA).

IMG_7118

The other ride is a family-coaster ride fashioned from Slinky Dog and a bunch of parts Andy threw together to make said roller coaster, which winds his way through the back yard.

IMG_7120

Frozen at Epcot

IMG_7113

Over at Epcot, work is already underway to bring the citizens of Arendelle to the Norway pavilion at Epcot, in the first World Showcase country expansion since the 1980’s. First off, the former Maelstrom ride is becoming Frozen Ever After. (I’m not necessarily a fan myself, but the ride needed an update.)

IMG_7121

IMG_7122

IMG_7123

In addition, there will be a Meet & Greet area for Anna and Elsa at their “summer cottage”, which is being built in the space that was between the Mexico and Norway pavilions.

IMG_7125

IMG_7126

Animal Kingdom at Night

IMG_7135

A lot is being done at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida to make it a destination park for the night time. The biggest of which is a new nighttime show Rivers of Light. Using sights, sounds, lasers, lights, and the Discovery River, a tale will be told of the beauty and wonder of nature.

IMG_7127

In addition, work is being done to extend the Kilimanjaro Safaris into the evening, including adding Hyenas to the attraction’s mix of animals.

IMG_7138

Pandora: the World of Avatar

To me, this new world within Disney’s Animal Kingdom is still iffy (especially since we are missing entire ecosystems and continents like Australia inside and animal park), but James Cameron and crew came out to take about the polarizing addition of Pandora to the park.

IMG_7128

IMG_7129

IMG_7142

IMG_7143

IMG_7144

IMG_7149

IMG_7147

IMG_7150

Disneyland Paris’ 25th Anniversary

IMG_7153

Nothing much was announced special for Disneyland Paris’ 25th Anniversary, but the Imagineers are still riding high after the positive feedback from the newest ride to debut at the resort, Ratatouille: The Adventure.

IMG_7154

Frozen at Tokyo DisneySea

In addition to the Frozen characters officially coming to Epcot, Tokyo DisneySea will be getting a Scandinavian/ Frozen port added to it’s roster.

IMG_7152

Iron Man at Hong Kong Disneyland

IMG_7157

Probably one of the highlights of this panel was the announcement of the Iron Man Experience coming to Hong Kong Disneyland. After getting a look at the new area in the park, the ride vehicle, and even a video of part of the ride itself, none other than Stan Lee himself got up on stage and had en encounter with Iron Man.

IMG_7160

IMG_7162

IMG_7165

IMG_7168

IMG_7169

IMG_7173

IMG_7178

IMG_7181

IMG_7183

Shanghai Disneyland

I know I already talked about this park at length earlier, but here are some more pictures of concept art and progress.

IMG_7184

IMG_7188

IMG_7191

IMG_7192

IMG_7193

IMG_7194

IMG_7195

IMG_7196

IMG_7197

IMG_7198

IMG_7200

IMG_7201

IMG_7203

IMG_7205

Soarin’ Around the World

IMG_7083

Debuting at Shanghai Disneyland and film updates to the Soarin’ rides at Disneyland and Epcot, Soarin’ Over the World is using breathtaking imagery and groundbreaking technology to bring a beautiful new experience to this popular attraction.

IMG_7206

IMG_7207

Finale

IMG_7210

Of course, the team at Parks & Resorts had to send us all off with a “good-night kiss”, so cast members from around the world gathered to celebrate, in song, all of the nighttime show songs that we all know and love. I will admit that I teared up with this tribute, as some of these shows are must-sees for me when I head to the parks.

IMG_7211

And that’s a look at what Disney Imagineering and the Disney Parks had in store for us at D23 Expo 2015. Any of you still there? Good… I hope you enjoyed.

RECOMMENDED STORIES