The big news of the week came during the WDC annual stockholders meeting when was released a picture of the Shanghaî Disneyland model - here below in high-res - and more precisely the portion of the model related to one land of the park which will be called "Gardens of Imagination". Right in front of the castle this land will be a 11 acre green space at the center of the park in front of Enchanted Storybook Castle.
As i was away from home the last two days you probably already read articles about it on other websites but there is more to say about this model picture. Of course it will be there that SDL guests will find the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride...
...but also the Carousel that you can see on the right of the model picture. Most of you probably think that it will be the usual carousel which is normally located in others Magic Kingdom at Fantasyland, but it won't be the case. In fact, at "Fantasia Carousel" SDL guests won't find the classic wooden horses as, instead, WDI Imagineers have designed a brand new and unique carousel entirely composed of Disney movies characters. SDL guests will be able to ride - literally - famous Disney characters like, for instance, Aladdin's Genie or also others Disney creatures including some coming from under the sea. If horses are include in the carousel it might be mythological ones who may come directly from Fantasia, like the centaurs. And from what i've been told, this new Carousel looks absolutely beautiful.
If you look well at the very bottom of the picture you'll see that a Walt with Mickey statue similar to the one placed last year at DCA will be located near the lagoon and in front of SDL castle, for sure a future popular photo location.
Another thing interesting on the picture are the lampposts which seems to be already equipped with loud speakers, and this is no big surprise as you can see fountains in the lagoon, and there is little doubts that a fountain show is envisioned for a SDL night show. A SDL version of DLP Disney Dreams show or a SDL World of Color? Future will tell but for sure a fountain night show will happen at Gardens of Imagination.
Always in this land visitors will find several gazebos and will be able to meet Mickey and his friends and also some gift shops, all this in beautiful gardens that chinese for sure will love as there is a long tradition of gardens in China. Talking about gardens, we can note a difference between the model picture and the rendering released two years ago: the long path with the trees which looks on the rendering like cherry trees in blossom was relocated more on the right...
...when on the rendering it was more in front of the castle.
I guess that the relocation was done to avoid that the trees hide in part the castle and you can see also how the lagoon has changed since this artwork was done - the Dumbo ride was also moved up. Finally, the famous Center Plaza usually in front of the castle will also be in front of SDL castle and chances are that a stage show will happen during the day on what seems to be a stage over the castle moats. You'll also note, as there won't be a Main Street U.S.A at SDL - so, no Town Square - that the Christmas tree will be located on the castle plaza, slightly on the right to don't hide the view of the castle.
I know that some of you would like to see more of the other SDL lands but for this you'll probably have to wait until next D23 Expo in August. Or simply book a plane ticket for Shanghaî Disneyland when it will open its gates, at the end of 2015!
Pictures and artwork: copyright Disney - Shendi
15 comments:
I have to say I don't really like the front of the castle's look..
It seems a bit out of proportion to me, but on the other hand I understand the choice since this castle has amongst others a 16:9 ratio, which lends itself superbly for projection purposes...
And apparently there's no drawbridge in front of this castle but a stage?
The castle is so poorly designed. The model looks cheap. What are they thinking?
I can guarantee this will not be what the castle looks like when its finished. Do you think Disney would give that away so soon? No way!
11 acres of this. does it mean big or small land?
are you kidding me will? this is the largest castle and most glamouous! there is a boat ride under it, better than anahiem!
I´d rather burn my money than spend it on a trip to China.
This castle looks cheap, I agree, and it's shape and design are clearly influence to be a projected surface and show. There's not even a direct route into the front of the castle, that's atken up by a stage surrounded by water, which is clearly a set up for another out of place Steve Davidson projected water squirting show. The whole thing looks a bit like Hogwarts , especially the lower section. Simply making something big doesn't make it good or well designed, Just as throwing lots of detail on a bad foundational design won't help. That's the same the same thinking as making a pretty with big name actors and a fundamentally flawed story, it doesn't work. This doesn't feel magical at all and looks to be marketed simply as "The BIGGEST castle in any Disney Park." This whole area is so confused as to what it is (Dumbo, Disney Character Carousel, Water Show, etc.), I can only imagine what the rest of the park is going to look like. The people flow pattern alone in this area is going to be a total nightmare. This has generated a big lack of interest for me in the project.
I want to add a comment about the castle that everyone seems to hate! First, this is a picture of a model, and not even the model of the castle a, as you can be sure that someone at WDI has done a highly detailed model for the castle only. So i think it's hard to judge the beauty or not of the castle by this picture of the model only. And i've been told that the castle looks beautiful whether it's outside or inside.
Yes, there is no direct "path" at the center leading to the castle like at Dinseyland or DLP, and SDL guests will go inside the castle using a path on both sides that will lead them to the front , and then enter the castle. But it's the same with WDW Cinderella castle.
My main concern with this SDL castle are with the proportions. I don't mind that they build the biggest castle, partly probably to please the chinese, but will i look to big in relation with the rest of the parks / lands nearby. I don't have any doubt that WDI Imagineers thought about it and all we can do until SDL open end 2015 is to trust them and give them the benefit of the doubt!
''I´d rather burn my money than spend it on a trip to Chinato the comment above, nobody has invited you to come, if you like to degrade another country with your stupid comment, go somewhere else, alain, why did you put this comment up, to start a heated argument?
they hated it because it's in China
I didn't approved the comment to start an argument, it went more or less automatically, and i agree that it's a rather stupid one. Don't pay attention to the comment, it's not important, really.
I'd like to make something clear about Shanghaî Disneyland: even those of you who don't like China or the look of the castle will be jealous - literally - of some unique rides that SDL will have. And, believe me, some will be "to die for".
Hi Guys,
I have to say i am the odd one out here. i am very impressed. the castle is new one which i am very pleased about. it will have a proper insides. also very pleased by. the large lakes and gardens look amazing. I love the disneyland paris fountain show but have thought thye need more water so that they could do more powerful ones will at bellagio hotel. as long as they do not cheap out this could be an amazing park. i hope they do not make lots of mini lands like hong kong.
I love this website and check it out almost every day. keep up the excellent work.
Luke J
Is there anyone out there besides me that has seen this castle before?
Watch the opening credits of any Disney movie released in the last 5 years and .....
Looks a lot like the same castle.
So, I would hold off any judgement until the opening.
I always thought that the castle from the Disney movies opening credits was the WDW MK castle...
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