Quick Non-Disney News Update – Six Flags Discovery Kingdom announced that ROAR will be closing on August 16th. This almost confirms rumors that Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will be the California park receiving a 2016 RMC coaster.
Recently, Shanghai Disneyland has been unveiling new details about its rides and lands. The park, which will be unlike the other Disneyland parks in several ways, will feature six lands, two hotels, and a new “DisneyTown” shopping center. The complex will have a different design and redefined lands. Do you want to hear more? If so, sit back, relax, and enjoy this article!
Tomorrowland:
Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue – This is an interactive shooting ride inspired by Buzz Lightyear and the Toy Story Films. It will be similar to the Buzz Lightyear rides in other Disney Tomorrowlands, such as California’s Disneyland and Orlando’s Magic Kingdom, but it will use a new target system. You will board “Space Cruisers” and defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg by shooting targets, which will send realtime data back to the Space Cruisers. The ride will feature over 100 targets, which will be more than any other of the Buzz Lightyear shooting rides.
Jet Packs – This ride may look like a simple Dumbo or Astro Orbiters, but it will add three new features to “enhance” the ride experience. The first new feature is that the ride will be floorless, which will allow for your feet to dangle in the air. Second, the ride will progressively spin faster and faster as time goes on. Finally, like the similar rides at other Disney parks, you will have the ability to control how high or low you fly. The difference is the cars will tilt down the higher you go, which will further enhance the sensations of flying on a jetpack.
Marvel Universe – The Marvel Universe attraction in Shanghai Disneyland’s Tomorrowland will be an interactive experience where you can immerse yourself further into the Marvel Universe. In this area, you will be able to experience “a multi-media mission briefing on the thrilling world of Marvel.” (Quote from Shanghai Disney Official Website). Also, you will be able to meet your favorite Marvel characters, learn how to draw these characters, and see more of the technology behind these superheroes.
Star Wars Launch Bay – This Star Wars meet and greet experience will allow people to meet their favorite Star Wars Characters. It will tie into the newest episode of Star Wars, which will come to theatres this December. Also, guests will be able to visit some of their favorite scenes from the Star Wars Universe.
Stitch Encounter – Stitch Encounter will be a live experience, where you will be able to interact with the loveable Stitch character. The ride will be similar to “Turtle Talk with Crush” in Epcot. This (thankfully) will not be like the Stitch’s Great Escape attraction found in the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland.
TRON Lightcycle Power Run – TRON Lightcycle Power Run will be the headline E-Ticket roller coaster of Tomorrowland. The cars will be heavily themed to the motorcycle style vehicles which are prominent in the recent TRON movie. You will lean onto the glowing cars and launch through the outside canopy and into a digital world, which will be housed within the modern building at the back of Tomorrowland. The modern architecture of the canopy and digital theme will emanate the future as we know it.
My Thoughts – This Tomorrowland feels like what tomorrow will be like. With beautiful futuristic architecture, which has a similar style to the architecture in the movie “Tomorrowland,” it will be a great new era for the themed land. The Tron Lightcycle Power Run roller coaster appears to be a great headline thrill for the new land. I haven’t been on any of these “motorbike” roller coasters, and I’m not sure if they have a good reputation or not. If the ride is good, I’m definitely excited for this headline thrill! Jet Packs looks like it will be a great way to bring the classic Astro Orbiter into the 21st century. I hope we see these in the future at other Disney parks. The Marvel Universe and Star Wars Launch Bay both are disappointing to me. From what I hear about these, they won’t be major E-Ticket attractions. They appear to be small meet and greet experiences. I was hoping for more from these two franchises. I’m very happy that Stitch will finally get the attraction that he deserves. Stitch Encounter is the perfect attraction for Stitch, unlike the terrible Stitch’s Great Escape attraction at Walt Disney World. I think this will become a must-do for families visiting Shanghai Disneyland. Overall, I think Shanghai Disney’s Tomorrowland will be a great iteration of the futuristic land!
Adventure Isle:
Camp Discovery – Shanghai Disneyland will feature Camp Discovery, which will be an attraction where people of all ages will be able to explore through waterfalls, dig-sites, and ruins to find relics. There will also be a ropes course within the land for those looking for a more thrilling experience. The land will offer fantastic views of the nearby Roaring Mountain.
Roaring Rapids – Roaring Rapids will be Adventure Isle’s thrilling water ride. The rapids ride will travel around and within Roaring Mountain, where guests will encounter the creature Q’aráq, an ancient legend and monster. This ride sounds like Expedition Everest mixed with Kali River Rapids.
Soarin’ Over the Horizon – Soarin’ Over the Horizon is the newest adaptation of the Soarin’ ride at Disney’s California Adventure and EPCOT. The family friendly ride will use the same ride system as the other two versions of Soarin’, but it will have a new film, which will feature Chinese landmarks such as the Great Wall.
“Tarzan: Call of the Jungle” – This original show will take place at the Storyhouse Stage. The show will retell the story of Tarzan through song, dance, and Chinese acrobatics. The production will be an exciting new adaptation of a classic story.
My Thoughts – Adventure Isle is a brand new, never before seen land of Disney. The new land is definitely a nice twist from the usual lands of Disney. Camp Discovery sounds like it will be a nice attraction for families with people of all ages. The walk-through attraction will entertain all ages and will be a nice addition to this land. Roaring Rapids, the headline attraction of Adventure Isle, appears that it will fit very well into this land. As long as they can keep the Q’aráq working correctly, unlike the Yeti on Expedition Everest, the river rapid ride seems like it will be a fantastic part of Adventure Isle. Soarin’ Over the Horizon is going to be a guaranteed hit. I hope to see this ride in Florida and California in the coming years. “Tarzan: Call of the Jungle” should be a nice little show. I think it’s going to be a nice family attraction. The Adventure Isle land sounds like it will be a great and original land for Shanghai Disneyland.
Fantasyland:
Alice in Wonderland Maze – Unlike the other Alice in Wonderland attractions at Disney parks, this one will be themed to the newest version of Alice in Wonderland, the Tim Burton live action film. The maze will be a “choose your own adventure” ride where each path tells a different story. Along your way to the Mad Hatter’s tea party, which is the ending of the maze, you will encounter the various characters from the film.
“Frozen: A Sing-Along Celebration” – In the Evergreen Playhouse, this show will entertain countless children and some adults (that is the ones who like the song “Let it Go”). Several villagers of Arendelle will come together and interact with the audience throughout the show. The audience will be able to join into song with the cast members during the show. This attraction will be similar to the Frozen Sing Along in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Hunny Pot Spin – In Hunny Pot Spin, guests will spin around under a covering in their own honey pots. Guests will control the speed that they spin from within the honey pots. As you spin around in this classic tea cups style attraction, bees will hum the Winnie the Pooh song for guests to enjoy.
Peter Pan’s Flight – Peter Pan’s Flight will be even more immersive than ever before. The ride begins when you board the “flying ship.” Guests will leave the station and fly above London and into Neverland, where they will encounter the notorious Captain Hook. This ride may sound similar to the other Peter Pan’s Flight rides, but it will use new swinging coaster technology to enhance the ride experience.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – This family roller coaster will mix thrills and song as guests go on an adventure with the seven dwarfs. There is already a version of this ride at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
Voyage to the Crystal Grotto – Voyage to the Crystal Grotto will be a boat ride through the fountains and gardens of Fantasyland. The ride will venture into the Enchanted Storybook Castle, which will contain leaping fountains.
My Thoughts – As always, Fantasyland will be a key land of this Disneyland. With several rides themed to some of Disney’s most popular movies. The Alice in Wonderland Maze and Voyage to the Crystal Grotto attractions sound like they will be greatly themed and fun attractions for everyone in the family. The Frozen Sing-Along attraction is pretty much a guaranteed hit. As much as I may dislike Frozen, I know this ride will be a success. Hunny Pot Spin is a nice twist on the classic Mad T Party attraction. It will be great for those little kids who love Winnie the Pooh. Peter Pan’s Flight sounds like it will be even better than before. I like how they are going to use new roller coaster technology to add to the effect of flying. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is already a great family roller coaster in the Magic Kingdom, but let’s hope that this one doesn’t have nearly as long of a line! I like this version of Fantasyland, but there’s one thing missing, It’s a Small World. I know that this already exists in Hong Kong, and that they are trying to make this a unique park, but a Disneyland isn’t a Disneyland without this classic attraction. Luckily, you can get some Frozen songs stuck in your head instead of the classic It’s a Small World song by visiting the Frozen Sing-Along!
Treasure Cove:
“Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular” – In El Teatro Fandango, this action packed show will entertain guests with sword-fights and stunts by favorite characters from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Explorer Canoes – Guests will be able to canoe through the lagoon of Treasure Cove. While canoeing, they will see scenes themed to the Caribbean and pirates. Also, they will need to dodge pirate “attacks,” which will be splashes of water shooting from cannons at guests.
Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle of the Sunken Treasure – This is the newest and grandest version of the classic Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The ride will use a new omnimover system to control the boat ride. The ride will combine screens and animatronics to create a new Pirate of the Caribbean experience. The boats will also be able to spin through the course of the ride, and will even be able to move sideways.
My Thoughts – This land sounds like it will be a hit. Everyone loves Pirates of the Caribbean and the attractions within sound fantastic. With a stunt show, ride, and canoes, this land will have some great attractions. My only problem with it is that it has very few rides. I want to see more in this land!
Mickey Avenue:
Overview/My Thoughts – I like this new entrance for Shanghai Disneyland. It is a simple and nice twist on the usual Main Street USA. That’s pretty much all I have to say about it.
Gardens of Imagination:
Dumbo the Flying Elephant – If you don’t know what this classic attraction is, then you clearly know nothing about Disney.
Fantasia Carousel – This carousel will feature 62 unique and colorful horses. As the horses travel in a circle, music from the classic Disney film Fantasia will play with them.
Garden of the Twelve Friends – This garden will feature large mosaics depicting Disney characters. The twelve murals will each represent the Chinese Zodiac symbols. This will be an element of Chinese culture found within the park.
Mickey’s Storybook Express – Mickey’s Storybook Express will be a train themed parade, which will travel the longest parade route of any parade in a Disney park.
My Thoughts – Disney’s first ever “garden” themed land will be a nice land for families. All of the attractions will be child friendly and relatively calm. It will fit well into what will be a largely thrill based park. I definitely feel that this land will be a nice and different land than the others in this park.
DisneyTown:
Overview/My Thoughts – Shanghai Disney’s DisneyTown retail marketplace will feature almost fifty tenants spread throughout 46,000 square meters of space. It will have everything from a Cheesecake Factory and Lego Store to a 1,200 seat theater, which will host the first Mandarin version of the hit musical, “The Lion King.” This definitely sounds like it will be a nice place to shop. With areas such as The Marketplace, Lakeshore, Spice Alley, and Broadway Boulevard, this shopping area sounds like it will be nicely themed and enjoyable to walk around. Overall, this sounds like a very nice version of the Downtown Disney we all know of.
Hotels:
Overview/My Thoughts – The Shanghai Disney Resort will feature two hotels, the 420 room Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and the 800 room Toy Story Hotel. Each hotel will feature unique styles of architecture, which will combine Chinese and Western culture through symbolism and design. Both hotels sound like they will be very nice. I’m guessing that the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel will be the more expensive hotel and that the Toy Story Hotel will be a little bit less pricy. I love the architecture and design of the two hotels and I hope that we can see more hotels like these here in the United States!
Overall, I’m very excited for the Shanghai Disney Resort. The new lands and rides all sound exciting and fun. I kind of wish there were more rides going into the park, but overall the rides they have sound great. I hope to see rides like these come to the Disney parks in the United States, some of which desperately need E-Ticket attractions like these.
Are you excited for Shanghai Disneyland? Do you like the heavy use of modern movies in the park? Do you want to see these rides come to Disney’s parks in the United States? Let us know on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! You can also find us on YouTube, Google+, and Tumblr! Thank you for visiting Theme Parks and Travels! Be sure to follow us here on WordPress and share with the buttons below!
