Ground Broken - New Concept Art Up!

[Goin2Disneyland]

Breaking Ground on Shanghai Disney Resort Disney Parks Blog

The Castle closely resembles Cinderella Castle, with some big modifications. No Main Street...it appears the Fantasyland is in the front. Thoughts?

[Sir_Cliff]

Hmm, kind of looks like a giant park with a castle in the middle. Hard to make out what the attractions are supposed to be other than Dumbo and the carousel.

Already has a website which gives a better look at the castle: http://en.shanghaidisneyresort.com.cn/en/

[dlfreak]

[Disneytom]

The concept art on the website shows some kind of mix between Cinderella Castle and Mystic Mansion

I like the idea we are getting a "completely new kind of Disney park"! So exciting!

[Goin2Disneyland]

How do we feel about Storybook Castle not being specific to one princess? I just hope it doesn't turn out to be some vaguely-themed-man-free-and-possibly-lesbian sorority house like Princess Fantasy Faire at DLR.

[Disneytom]

How do we feel about Storybook Castle not being specific to one princess?

Well, why should it be the castle of 1 princess? I would have loved to see a Beauty and the Beast castle, but Storybook Castle sounds ok. But you are right, hopefully they won't make it into princess party thing...

I love this concept art:



This one looks less like WDW/TDL and more like something unique!

[dlfreak]

I'd really have liked for them to Beasts castle. Hell, make the rooftops red and have it be Snow White's Castle. Shanghai's looks like it's pretty much a jumbo version of Tokyo's/Florida's castle.

[Warting Wafer]

I guess the advantage of a "Storybook Castle" is that, they wouldn't be stuck with Cinderella, or Belle, or Rapunzel with any shows they have that go with the castle, Like Magic Kingdom's Castle shows. They could easily have any princess use the castle.

[Sir_Cliff]

How do we feel about Storybook Castle not being specific to one princess? I just hope it doesn't turn out to be some vaguely-themed-man-free-and-possibly-lesbian sorority house like Princess Fantasy Faire at DLR.

Good on Disney for striking a blow for the lesbians of China!

Going with "storybook castle is logical in that it gives them greater freedom to put who and what they want in it, but it does feel rather generic and a bit of a cop-out. For example, why not call it "Beauty & the Beast Castle" or whatever and theme it to that castle, with Belle's princess friends just happening to drop by on a daily basis for photos, slumber parties and tickle fights?

[tcsnwhite]

I don't really have a problem with "Storybook Castle"... perhaps it's just the name that sounds generic. But if the concept and final execution are truly outstanding, that's all that really matters to me.

Going with a castle specifically centered around one fairy tale character/story would still be cool... but it's not like the other parks are all unique in that respect anyway. We've got two Cinderella Castles...and three Sleeping Beauty Castles. So, Snow, Belle, Jasmine, and Rapunzel are already left out... Ariel's kingdom/world is kind of featured in Tokyo DisneySea...Pocahontas doesn't have a castle structure to work from, nor is she that particular kind of traditional princess...and Tiana doesn't either (Naveen's kindgom is never featured).

I think a broad, all-encompassing and highly, highly detailed immersive attraction is MOST important. And I kind of like the idea that multiple stories can feature... it's somewhat abstract...and it could come off two ways - way too generic and dumbed down for little girls, or highly interactive and immersive for all ages to explore and enjoy.

Personally, I'm hoping that the structure this time around is far more than a facade. It would actually be a major step up to actually create a structure that people could walk through, explore and enjoy. Imagine walking up various staircases into various wings and rooms of the castle...the paintings, tapestries are works of art (that may even come alive). Imagine exploring the gardens (inside and out) with effects that bring topiaries and flowers to life. Explore a highly immersive, detailed garden maze (building upon Alice's in Paris). Imagine special interactive meet and greets - explore various hallways, rooms, staircases, and such that come to life with effects before you meet a particular prince and princess (or villain) in various 'wings' of the castle. Perhaps feature a highly interactive restaurant. They could have their own version of "The Disney Gallery", etc. Take concepts like those from the DCA Animation attraction, aspects of what the New Fantasyland in MK (WDW) is going to be, Tokyo's castle (with it's previous walk-through attraction), even Harry Potter's highly detailed queue that takes you through Hogwarts, and build from there. Make it an experience that could last hours.