Bob Iger reveals Star Wars and Marvel sections for Shanghai Disneyland
Disney CEO Robert Iger has revealed details about the company’s sixth theme park resort, with Shanghai Disneyland set to include Star Wars and Marvel experiences when it opens in China in Q1 of 2016.
The new Star Wars Launch Bay and Marvel Universe experiences will both feature sets, props, memorabilia, and other experiences to immerse visitors in those worlds. Unique to Shanghai Disneyland will be the Garden of the Twelve Friends, in which animals of the Chinese Zodiac are re-interpreted as Disney and Pixar animated characters.
“We are building something truly special here in Shanghai that not only showcases the best of Disney’s storytelling but also celebrates and incorporates China’s incredibly rich heritage to create a one-of-a-kind destination that will delight and entertain the people of China for generations to come,” said Iger.
“We are taking everything we’ve learned from our six decades of exceeding expectations – along with our relentless innovation and famous creativity to create a truly magical place that is both authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.”
Split into six areas, the remainder of the US$5.5bn (€5bn, £3.5bn) theme park will be comprised of:
Mickey Avenue: The park’s main entrance will be heavily influenced by Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters, with opportunities for guests to meet their heroes in the form of costumed employees.
Gardens of Imagination: Featuring a Dumbo ride and Fantasia-inspired carousel, this area will be focused on “the wonders of nature and the joy of imagination”.
Fantasyland: Sitting at the centre of the park, the Shanghai version of Fantasyland will include its own version of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that recently opened at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, as well as a Peter Pan ride and the signature Enchanted Storybook Castle. A new ride called Voyage to the Crystal Grotto will culminate underneath the castle.
Adventure Isle: The fast-paced area of the park will include rides such as Roaring Rapids, as well as a ‘Soaring Over the Horizon’, based on the popular “Soarin’ Over California” experience at Disney’s California Adventure.
Treasure Cove: Based on the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the pirate-themed area of the park will feature a new pirate attraction, as well as a pirate ship and canoe ride.
Tomorrowland: Centred around science-fiction, Tomorrowland will include a new Buzz Lightyear attraction and a Tron coaster.
Shanghai Disney Resort to open in 2016, Iger confirms
Shanghai Disney Resort gets extra US$800m investment
First images of Shanghai Disneyland revealed
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Why shouldn’t sports facilities be beautiful? Across Asia, architects are creating landmark buildings for the public, discovers Christopher de Wolf
Creating the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York involved meticulous planning. Its director Alice Greenwald tells us more