Shanghai Disneyland's 6 Themed Lands Surround the Largest Castle & Star Wars & Marvel Heroes Join the Fun

▲ Shanghai Disneyland will feature the world’s largest Disney castle. (Photo / fromShanghai Disneyland WeChat, same below)

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive report

Shanghai Disney Resort is expected to open in 2016, becoming the first Disney resort on the Chinese mainland. Today, The Walt Disney Company held a Shanghai Disney Resort showcase event at the Shanghai World Expo Center to let the public learn about the main features of Shanghai Disney.

Located within the Shanghai International Tourism Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort will include Shanghai Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel, and Disneytown upon opening. Among them, Shanghai Disneyland will consist of six themed lands: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Adventure Isle, Tomorrowland, Treasure Cove, and Fantasyland, each featuring different themes and rides, and will also house the world’s largest Disney castle.

▲ Daytime stage show at Enchanted Storybook Castle.

Inside Shanghai Disneyland, there will be attractions such as the Ignite the Dream nighttime spectacular, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, Roaring Rapids, and Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue. At the Walt Disney Grand Theatre, the Chinese-language version of the musical “The Lion King” will premiere; the resort’s architecture, colors, and souvenir merchandise will also incorporate more local elements.

▲ Shanghai Disneyland will premiere the Chinese-language version of "The Lion King" musical.

Shanghai Disneyland stated that in addition to having the tallest and largest Disney castle in the world, as well as the longest Disney parade route, Treasure Cove will be the first pirate-themed land. Additionally, the “Journey of Water” that allows exploration of classic Disney stories is also a design never before seen in other Disney parks. Elements like TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Garden of the Twelve Friends, and Tomorrowland are also brand-new designs.

▲ The first-ever pirate-themed Treasure Cove.

For Shanghai Disneyland, two large interactive experiences have also been created: Star Wars Launch Bay and Marvel Universe. Visitors can not only meet heroes and villains from the Star Wars films and experience the adventures of the Skywalker saga firsthand, but also get up close with favorite Marvel heroes like Spider-Man and experience comic artists at work.

▲ Star Wars Launch Bay lets the public get up close with Star Wars characters.

Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel offer guests different accommodation styles. In addition to the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, which is designed primarily in the Art Nouveau style, Toy Story Hotel is themed around Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story,” immersing guests in the world of toys.

Shanghai Disneyland also announced that at 18:00 on July 15, an online launch event will be held on the official website to allow more people to learn about Shanghai Disneyland.