Latest Issue of Disney Twenty Three Unlocks The Gates To Shanghai Disney Resort!

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

Spring16_Cover_media_Low

 

THROUGH SPECTACULAR PHOTOGRAPHY AND IN-DEPTH ARTICLES, DISNEY FANS WILL GET AN ADVANCE LOOK AT THE ONE-OF-A-KIND THEME PARK THAT IS AUTHENTICALLY DISNEY AND DISTINCTLY CHINESE

 PLUS, D23’S SUMMER MOVIE PREVIEW FEATURES EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH FINDING DORY’S ELLEN DEGENERES, PETE’S DRAGON’S BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD, AND THE BFG DIRECTOR STEVEN SPIELBERG

 On June 16, Disney will officially open Shanghai Disney Resort, and Disney twenty-three is giving fans an advance peek at this breathtaking one-of-a-kind destination. From its opening pages, with a welcome from Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger, to the back cover, featuring a map of the park—in Chinese—the issue is packed with exciting details about this new resort that celebrates everything guests love about Disney, while honoring China’s distinct cultural heritage.

The issue, exclusively for Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, provides a detailed look at how Shanghai Disney Resort was built from concept to concrete, including fascinating insights into the partnership between Walt Disney Imagineers and the incredibly talented artisans of mainland China. Readers will be able to explore all the exclusive attractions opening at the park including Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, which recreates moments from beloved Disney animated films as riders travel by boat through, around, and under the Enchanted Storybook Castle—the largest castle in any Disney park. The thrilling adrenaline rush of TRON Lightcycle Power Run puts guests in the driver’s seat of a high-tech race, and the high seas adventures of Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure boasts some of the most advanced technologies of any Disney attraction.

More than 30 pages of exclusive interviews and vibrant photography come together to highlight this jewel in the Disney Parks crown, from all-new shows, experiences, merchandise, and dining options to a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the creation of the resort.

Plus, Disney twenty-three turns up the heat with its annual summer movie preview. Highlights include exclusive interviews with Ellen DeGeneres discussing the upcoming Finding Dory as well as her first trip to Disneyland, Bryce Dallas Howard talking about the reimagining of Pete’s Dragon, and Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg revealing details about his Disney directorial debut, The BFG.

Also included in the summer issue of Disney twenty-three is a look at how The Reluctant Dragon, celebrating its 75th anniversary, gave audiences a peek at the making of Disney animated films, while paving the way for the Disney Studio’s respected documentary films.

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in late May.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

VIDEO: Take a 90 Minute Tour of Shanghai Disneyland Park, Including First Look at Soarin’ Around the World

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

So, are you ready to see Shanghai Disneyland?

Well, someone has put together a 90-minute video tour of the park that really is a must-see if you just can’t wait any longer to see the newest Disney theme park. The most interesting thing for those of us stateside has to be the first video of Soaring Over the Horizon, which of course is an ever-so-slightly altered version of Soarin’ Around the World which will debut next month at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. Also in the video you’ll see many more attractions from the park including Honey Pot Spin, Journey to the Crystal Grotto, and more. Enjoy:

VIDEO: Take a Ride on Shanghai Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean, Impressive New E-Ticket Adventure

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

As Shanghai Disneyland begins to test many of the park’s new attractions, videos of these new experiences are slowly finding their way to the internet. The following video we discovered (by Matthew Finnemore) features Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure. This impressive new E-Ticket adventure combines simulator technology, impressive audio animatronics, amazing projection effects and more to create something the likes of which we have never seen before. You NEED to see this:

It’s worth noting that this boat system is the same as the one guests will find in the Na’vi River Journey attraction fro Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

BREAKING: Shanghai Disney Puts Financial Strangle-Hold on Domestic Disney Parks

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

Shanghai Disneyland is behind schedule and over budget, so Disney Parks will be looking to shave some money off their operational budget by cutting labor hours at both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.

Screen Shot 2016-02-15 at 6.20.34 PM

According to inside sources, the Disneyland Resort saw a 20% cut in labor costs from non-profit locations starting at the beginning of the month, this includes positions such as attractions, guest relations, custodial, entertainment, and more. Walt Disney World will see similar cuts starting this week, such as the cut of front desk curbside greeters at all resorts. All front desk and concierge cast members will also only be offered only up to 32 hours a week once the cuts are in effect. Other departments will have similar restrictions, but we could not confirm a complete list.

Entertainment cuts are coming as well, such as the removal of the 2nd Fantasmic! show on evenings until Easter week and only one nightly performance of the Main Street Electrical Parade through the entire month (a month which is typically quite busy thanks to Spring Break and Easter). Other entertainment cuts have been rumored, such as various characters meet and greet experiences being permanently removed, but none are confirmed at this time.

This isn’t the first shakeup Disney has made since the Shanghai project financially got out of hand. Just a few weeks ago there was a massive shakeup at Walt Disney Imagineering in an attempt to prevent such projects from falling apart again. However, these new changes affect cast members on the much lower end of the pay scale, many of which count on the longer hours in these seasons to make a decent living. Many have voiced concerns over the cuts and that they may have to look for work elsewhere in order to pay their bills.

Disney has made no public statement on the cuts as of yet.

Shanghai Disneyland Finally Sets Opening Date

WDWNT on January 27, 2016

Shanghai Disneyland will finally open on June 16th, 2016, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Fantasyland

It is unclear what of the already announced attractions will be ready by then, but inside sources have suggested it will open in phases with more attractions coming on line through the end of 2016 and into next year. No official word from Disney has been made as of yet.

PHOTOS: AVATAR Themed Land and Shanghai Disneyland Previewed at D23 Expo 2015 np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

From the Disney Insider blog:

Earlier this afternoon we were able to get a sneak peek at the Imagineering Pavilion at this year’s D23 Expo and it blew us away. It was mostly focused on the Shanghai Disneyland theme park (opening next spring), with a small experience dedicated to the upcoming Pandora expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom (based on James Cameron’s blockbuster Avatar franchise). And it was incredible. The amount of art was positively overwhelming, both in how much stuff there was and because it was amazingly gorgeous, full of rich detail and snappy storytelling that we’ve come to expect from the wizards at Walt Disney Imagineering. We’ll have a full write-up of the experience soon, but we wanted to share a huge photo gallery from the pavilion.

Disney Characters as Chinese Zodiac Revelaed for “Garden of the Twelve Friends” Area at Shanghai Disneyland

WDWNT on February 26, 2015

Just in time for the Chinese New Year, Shanghai Disney Resort today unveiled more details of its Garden of the Twelve Friends, a whimsical area of the theme park that recasts twelve beloved Disney and Disney•Pixar characters as members of the Chinese zodiac.

Logo_SHDR_2014

“Introducing the twelve Disney zodiac characters to our guests is one way of conveying the best wishes of Shanghai Disney Resort during this traditional festival of family reunion in China,” said Philippe Gas, Shanghai Disney Resort General Manager.

Continuing the tradition of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide, Shanghai Disney Resort will welcome guests to immersive, magical, multi-day experiences. Garden of the Twelve Friends blends Disney’s signature storytelling with traditional Chinese elements and pays homage to the central role of the Chinese zodiac in daily life in China. The garden will offer resort-goers with fantastic photo opportunities and the chance to create everlasting memories with their families, friends, and favorite zodiac characters who represent their own Chinese zodiac sign of the year.

Shanghai Disney Resort selected 12 Disney characters to accurately symbolize each element of the Chinese zodiac, while retaining their own distinctive traits. For example, Shanghai Disney Resort settled upon Remy as the Year of Rat. From the Disney-Pixar film Ratatouille, Remy is the rat-turned-chef, who embodies cleverness, determination and a remarkable sense of smell — the true spirit of the zodiac sign with a fresh twist.

In honor of 2015, the Year of the Sheep, Shanghai Disney Resort is excited to present this year’s zodiac character: the “Jolly Holiday” lambs from Disney’s Mary Poppins. These lambs represent the elegance, charm, and gentleness of the Sheep, as well as the ancient Chinese saying, “San Yang Kai Tai,” or, “Three Sheep Bring Good Luck.”

In the Garden of the Twelve Friends, the garden wall is decorated with flowering vines and colorful mosaic vignettes where every character of the Chinese zodiac is rendered in Disney style. The beautiful glass mosaics are created in close collaboration with local Chinese artists and craftsmen. The serene interior, designed to resemble a classic Chinese garden complete with lush cherry blossoms, represents the perfect place for families and guests to gather and relax together.
The Twelve Disney Characters of the Chinese Zodiac include:

1. The Rat: Rémy. In Disney•Pixar’s Ratatouille, Rémy is a rat with big dreams – he longs to be a chef! With cleverness, determination… and a remarkable sense of smell… he turns the culinary world of Paris upside down.

Remy

2. The Ox: Babe The Blue Ox. Loyalty is important to Babe. This colossal hero of Disney’s Academy Award nominated short film Paul Bunyan devotes his life to helping his friend – a giant lumberjack – tame the wilderness.

Babe

3. The Tiger: Tigger. Winnie the Pooh’s friend Tigger is confident and cheerful. As he exuberantly bounces about on his springy tail, it’s easy to see that he is proud to be the only “tigger” in the Hundred Acre Wood.

Tigger

4. The Rabbit: Thumper. Sometimes the first friend is the best friend, especially when he is a rabbit! In Disney’s film Bambi, Thumper befriends a newborn fawn, and stands by him as he grows to be a prince of the forest.

Thumper

5. The Dragon: Mushu. The fast-talking little dragon named Mushu may be small in size, but he is big in spirit. His enthusiasm and bravery make him the perfect guardian for Disney’s Mulan on her quest for family honor.

Mushu

6. The Snake: Kaa. The wily python from Disney’s The Jungle Book, can be charming like other snakes. And he hates to fail, although his hilarious attempts to hypnotize other jungle creatures never work.

Kaa

7. The Horse: Maximus. This determined, quick-witted guard horse from Disney’s Tangled will not give up until justice is done! Which is why he helps reformed thief Flynn Rider free Princess Rapunzel from her tower.

Maximus

8. The Sheep: Jolly Holiday Lambs. The lambs featured in the “Jolly Holiday” song of Disney’s Mary Poppins represent the qualities that make those born in the Year of the Sheep so special – elegance, charm, serenity, and gentleness.

Jolly Holiday Lambs

9. The Monkey: Abu. The hero of Disney’s Aladdin is lucky to have a loyal friend like Abu. Sure his “Monkey Business” gets him into plenty of trouble, but his agility and cleverness are handy in dangerous situations.

Abu

10. The Rooster: Allan-A-Dale. This charming and melodic rooster narrates Disney’s Robin Hood. But Allan-A-Dale is also Robin’s trusted ally, joining him and his “merry men” in fighting injustice and helping the poor.

Allan-A-Dale

11. The Dog: Pluto. Like all dogs, Pluto is honest, faithful and friendly. His cheerful demeanor makes him a perfect companion for the optimistic Mickey Mouse, and he has become one of Disney’s biggest stars.

Pluto

12. The Pig: Hamm. In the Disney•Pixar Toy Story films, Hamm plays a wisecracking plastic piggy bank, but he’s a loyal and trustworthy companion to the end. He’ll keep your extra coins safe too!

Hamm

We here at WDWNT.com wish you a healthy and prosperous year of the “Jolly Holiday” Lambs!

Themed Hotels and Disneytown Announced for Shanghai Disney Resort

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

SHD790801

New details have been released about Shanghai Disney Resort including details on two new themed hotels and an area called Disneytown – a shopping, dining and entertainment district. The first of the two hotels is the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel which is an Art Nouveau-inspired hotel which will be nestled against the lake in front of Shanghai Disneyland. The second of the two hotels is the Toy Story Hotel which will transport guests into the Disney•Pixar world of “Toy Story”.

Disneytown, which will be located near the park and two hotels, will be unique shopping, dining and entertainment district which which will feature the Walt Disney Grand Theatre – home to The Lion King Broadway. Located at the very heart of Disneytown will be the marketplace where you’ll be able to find specialty shops with Disney merchandise, musicians and entertainers. Spice Alley will be an area near the marketplace that will be offering a variety of popular Asian cuisines in a casual, yet romantic environment. Broadway Boulevard at Disneytown will have stylish boutiques that create an upscale atmosphere.

Near Disneytown will be the resorts central lake that will be offering guests from Shanghai and around the world an opportunity to commune with nature, surrounded by peaceful greenery and a beautiful lake. The area includes a walking path and various beautiful gardens, which present guests with awe-inspiring natural views and beautiful sunsets.

Shanghai Disneyland Hotel

Shanghai Disneyland Hotel

Toy Story Hotel

Toy Story Hotel

Disneytown

Walt Disney Grand Theatre at Disneytown

Spice Alley at Disneytown

Spice Alley at Disneytown

Soarin’ Over The Horizon Announced, Expected in U.S. Disney Parks by 2017 np

WDWNT on April 3, 2014

With all of the announcements for Shanghai Disneyland last night, seemingly lost in the shuffle is the debut of a completely new Soarin’ attraction which will premiere in Shanghai first:

Soaring Over the Horizon

Anyone who has dreamed of seeing the world or soaring like a bird will enjoy the exhilarating experience at Soaring Over the Horizon, with an aerial tour of the globe never seen before. High above some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, Soaring over the Horizon will take travelers on a voyage of discovery that tours every continent. Starting from an ancient observatory nestled in the cloud forest, guests will soar and explore spectacular scenic wonders, with special segments for guests of Shanghai Disneyland overlooking Shanghai and The Great Wall of China.  An ideal attraction for the entire family, it offers an original story, a new walk-through experience and a new aerial tour.  The attraction is an epic re-mastering of the popular attraction at Disney California Adventure, in the United States.

As part of the press footage revealed overnight, WDI released clips of the filming of the new Soarin’, which will cover exciting locales around the world:

Soarin1

Soarin2

Soarin3

While it is unclear if the Great Wall of China will appear in the U.S. version when the time comes, we can finally be certain that a new version of Soarin’ has been filmed and should be premiering at Epcot and Disney California Adventure by 2017.

Shanghai Disneyland Unveils Concept Art for TRON, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Fantasyland Attractions np

WDWNT on April 3, 2014

As they countdown to a larger slate of announcements later this week, the Shanghai Disney Resort has released some interesting new pieces of concept art of the Shanghai Disneyland park:

POTC3

Concept art for some of the areas guests can explore in the Pirates of the Caribbean themed land

POTC

The large ship battle guests will plunge into the middle of in the Battle of the Sunken Treasure ride

TRON2

The exterior of the TRON Lightcycle coaster for Tomorrowland

TRON1

Our first look at what the loading area and Lightcycle coaster cars might look like

Shanghai Fantasyland Concept Art

Fantasyland2

Storybook Castle in the distance

Overall

3D rendering of Storybook Castle and the Garden of the Twelve Friends

Shanghai Disney Resort is expected to make a formal announcement of all of the attractions, hotels, and more they will offer on opening day within the next 24 hours. We will keep you posted as more info becomes available.