SDL Weekend Update : New Google Earth Shanghaî Disneyland Satellite View !

Great news, as Google Earth has updated its satellite view of Shanghaî Disneyland, providing us the latest view from above of the park and resort. As Google Earth update the satellite views once a year or so it's also the last one we'll have before SDL opening in June. The view is also interesting to see where the vegetation is already in place in the park and resort, even if it was shot a few weeks ago.

I've enhanced each screen capture as the satellite views had as usual a lack of contrast, and also indicated on each view - except the main one on the top - the location of each rides. Of course, don't forget to click on each to see them in larger size!

Above, the new satellite view of the full park and Disney Town. Below, the Park Entrance, Mickey Avenue and Disney Town.











Next, Gardens of Imagination.



Fantasyland.



Treasure Cove.




Adventure Isle




Tomorrowland




Toy story Hotel




Shanghaî Disneyland Hotel




Shanghaî Disneyland Wishing Star Lake and Hotel

Shanghaî Village, retail and dining area located at the other side of the lake.






Hope you enjoyed this Shanghaî Disneyland weekend update. Disney and more is the only Disney fan site which post Shanghaî Disneyland updates several times per week and your support is not only always appreciated but truly needed. If you enjoyed this article please consider donating to D&M, you can use if you wish the Paypal button below or if the button don't works, send your donation via Paypal to: nme4@wanadoo.fr  Thanks!

 

Pictures: copyright Google Earth - Digital Globe

New Star Wars Nighttime Spectacular Will Debut This Summer at Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Disney Parks Blog reveal that plans are currently in the works for a new Star Wars stage show and procession, as well as a nighttime spectacular "so elaborate it’s set to make Disney’s Hollywood Studios history".

"The Force will officially awaken at the park April 4, with the debut of the brand new Star Wars stage show, “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away.” The new show will play out iconic moments from the film saga on Center Stage (in front of the Chinese Theater), and will feature appearances from Star Wars characters like Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and Darth Maul.

Also starting April 4, Captain Phasma will begin leading a platoon of First Order stormtroopers on a march from Star Wars Launch Bay to Center Stage multiple times each day.

And starting this summer, fans won’t want to miss the grand debut of a new Star Wars fireworks show, “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.” This new nightly show is the next generation of the current Star Wars-inspired fireworks show. The show will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections that will turn the nearby Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, Starkiller Base and other Star Wars destinations. The show will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams, creating massive lightsabers in the sky. This new show will be the most elaborate fireworks display to take place in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios."

Well, i have to say that this sounds good and the rendering is looking good, too. There is no doubt that Disney will do its best to keep us waiting while they build the Star Wars land and i have a good feeling with this one.

Picture: copyright Disney

D&M Sale : Exceptional 29" Disney Collectible Sculpture of Pirates of Caribbean Pirate Auctioneer

After the Master Replica Nautilus last week i put on sale another Disney collectible masterpiece, the exceptional 29" high ( 72cm ) sculpture of the pirate auctioneer in the Pirates of Caribbean ride, done by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily for Disneyland 50th Anniversary, and released by Disney store in 2005. The item is in perfect condition in its original box. The pirate auctioneer is dressed with his costume, boots, hat, whip and sword and is a faithful replica of the ride audio animatronic ( Materials : Character in Resin, Metal Earrings, Feather, Faux Leather Whip and Strap, Cloth Bandana, and Flocked Jacket ). One of the best piece of all the collector series released for Disneyland 50th Anniversary.

Because of its perfection and awesome size - not too big, not too small - it's a highly collectible and almost impossible to find item. I'm selling it for 650 euros plus shipping which will depend of the country it'll be shipped as usual. I'd say that the shipping will cost between 30€ ( france ), 50€ ( Europe ) and 90€ ( U.S or Others countries outside Europe ). Payment can be done with Paypal or credit card. The package will be sent of course with tracking number AND insured for the amount paid. I have only one of this item and those interested can send me an email at: neverlandeditions@gmail.com 

See pictures of the item above and below the original Disney picture Ad.

Version Française: Exceptionnelle sculpture de 72 cm de haut du pirate "auctioneer" de l'attraction Pirates of Caribbean, réalisée par Kevin Kidney et Jody Daily pour le 50e anniversaire de Disneyland, édité par Disney store, 2005. Excellent état, dans la boite d'origine. Le personnage est habillé avec costumes en tissu, botte, chapeau, fouet et épée et est une réplique fidèle du célèbre audio animatronique de l'attraction. L'une des plus belles pièces de toute la série des collectors réalisés à l'occasion du 50ème anniversaire de Disneyland. 

A cause de la perfection de sa réalisation et de sa taille parfaite - ni trop petit, ni trop grand - c'est l'un des collectors les plus recherché et il est quasi impossible à trouver depuis sa mise en vente en 2005. Je le vends 650 euros plus les frais d'envois qui devraient être entre 30€ pour la France ou 50€ pour l'Europe. Le paiement peut être fait via Paypal ou par carte bancaire. Le colis sera bien sur envoyé avec numéro de suivi ET assuré pour la valeur. Il n'y a qu'un seul exemplaire de disponible et la personne intéressé peut me contacter par email à: neverlandeditions@gmail.com

Pictures: copyright Disney, D&M

SeaWorld Announces Five New Attractions for SeaWorld San Diego and Unveil SeaWorld Orlando Mako Coaster Cars

SeaWorld announced five new attractions they will add in 2017 at Sea World San Diego. The biggest and main one will be Ocean Explorer, a three-minute long dark ride which will be both indoor and outdoor. The Ocean Explorer attraction will include a submarine ride: "Embarking on these mini subs, visitors will become researchers on a mission to collect data and learn how they can help animals. This three-minute experience will include an onboard digital navigation dashboard, as well as a few other surprises along their journey, enhancing the riders' understanding of the ocean ecosystem."

During the attraction "park guests will trek through sea-base stations, make special connections with incredible animals and discover how they too can take action to protect the oceans". According to Screamscape "guests will encounter interactive "sea-base stations" that are actually aquariums featuring different kinds of sea life such as giant Spider Crabs, Jellyfish and a Giant Octopi. The dark ride will also somehow incorporate digital technology also onboard the subs, such as digital navigation, dashboards, and displays that will show educational information about each of the animal species encountered along the way".

In addition to the submarine ride and the aquarium exhibits, Ocean Explorer will include three flat family rides, including a wave swinger ride where visitors will ride in chairs "suspended from the tentacles of a giant jelly" and other kiddies rides.

SeaWorld Orlando also unveiled the shark themed lead car to the first B&M Mako train, inspired by the look of the Mako shark itself, "the coaster car features similar looking features, such as the five gill slits, eye placement and a “sleek, hydro-dynamic look”. Mako will feature a total of 3 trains, and seven passenger cars per train, for a total of 28 riders per train.

Screamscape asked Sea World why the trains will have seven cars only and the official response was "The 7-row trains on Mako will provide a more nimble and dynamic ride experience, better connecting your movements to those of the quick and agile Mako shark!"

Pictures: copyright Sea World

Universal Studios Hollywood : Harry Potter Diagon Alley Construction to Start Soon, Hogwarts Express Envisioned, More Wizarding World Soft Openings...

Soft openings have already started for Universal Hollywood Wizarding World of Harry Potter as you can see in the Mice Age pictorial report HERE. During March more soft openings - or technical rehearsals - will happen both for both USH guests and cast-members as well as families of the ones who built it.

Now, a few weeks ago in a post related to the Star Wars land coming to DL - and WDW of course - i was saying that now Universal Hollywood and Disneyland were rushing to be the first to open the big one. Some were surprised as they were thinking about USH Potter Wizarding World which open in six weeks and Star Wars land won't open before at least two years - no official opening date was announced yet. But i was NOT referring to Wizarding World but about Universal Hollywood next move, i.e Harry Potter Diagon Alley.

Yes, Diagon Alley is coming for sure to Universal Studios Hollywood, and even sooner than you may expect as not only they've already cleared the land where it will be built but apparently the construction will begin anytime soon, may be even before Wizarding World open on April 7. If not, it will be soon after as they'll need also two years to build it, and that's where the "rush" is between USH and Disney to open "the big one".



You can expect exactly the same Diagon Alley than in Florida with the same amount of details and of course the fantastic and award winning Escape from Gringotts ride but the big question is: will they build too the Hogwarts Express? In Florida, it was not only that they wanted to built it but they needed to build the Hogwarts Express to transport guests from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure, the two lands being in two different parks. Now, and although Wizarding World and Diagon Alley won't be stuck one to each other at Universal Hollywood they don't really need it as much as in Florida, but they know that guests will expect the Hogwarts Express and would be disappointed if it was not there.



A few weeks ago, Lance on Screamscape said that the Hogwarts Express may "not move anywhere this time around" but could be a "simulated Hogwarts Express ride" meaning that the train will be built but not really "move". Well, from what i've heard this shouldn't be the case and Universal is thinking to add a moving Hogwarts Express although the track length might be less long than in Florida. As we know, the ride in the Hogwarts Express is an attraction in itself thanks to the movie and others visual effects happening during the ride and all the question is to know if they will reduce the length of the movie - or only the speed of the train so the length of the ride can match the one of the original movie.

Anyway, South Cal Harry Potter fans and USH guests will be happy to learn they won't have to go to Florida to experience the two Harry Potter lands and basically everyone will be happy about this news... except probably Disney which will see with more worries the opening of Diagon Alley - with one of the best ride in the world - at the same time than Star Wars land. A titanic battle is coming and we wouldn't miss it for anything in the world, would we?

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios

Alice Through the Looking Glass Extended Trailer

An "An Alice Through the Looking Glass extended trailer has been released for the Grammy Awards, showing more of the film to be released on May 27.s, showing more of the film to be released on May 27!




Picture and video: copyright Disney

"Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire", New Castle Show Coming to WDW Magic Kingdom Castle Stage

This summer, an all-new live stage show “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” will start on the castle stage at Walt Disney World Resort! 

From the Disney Parks Blog: This summer, the all-new live stage show “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” will grace the grandest stage at Walt Disney World Resort with magic, music and merriment! Against the majestic backdrop of Cinderella Castle, Mickey Mouse and his friends will welcome favorite characters from some of Disney’s newest classics: “The Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled” and “Frozen.”

In “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire,” Mickey and his troupe of Merry Makers have been preparing to host a joyous festival and have ventured far and wide to invite friends from other lands to join their celebration. From the Land of the Bewitching Bayous, Goofy has invited Tiana, Naveen and Louis to add a little spice of New Orleans jazz to the party. From the Land of the Enchanted Woods, Donald Duck brings some new friends he met at the Snuggly Duckling, and Daisy introduces us to her special guests, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Finally, Mickey shares a surprise with Minnie, as he has traveled to the Land of the Mystic Mountains to invite Olaf, Anna and Elsa, who contributes a blast of her icy magic. It all culminates in a grand dance, as the Merry Makers invite all their special guests to join in the fun on this special day in Magic Kingdom Park!

Marking the first appearances by Tiana and Rapunzel in a show on the castle stage, “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” brings to life beloved Disney stories both classic and contemporary in a spectacular performance featuring an original song, memorable music, lively dancing and special effects magic.

Pictures: copyright Disney

Shanghaî Disneyland Roaring Rapids Construction Update !

We'll start the week with a Shanghaî Disneyland Adventure Isle "making-of update, and the pictures below are related specially to Roaring Rapids, the big E-Ticket ride of the land.

As you can see on the artwork below, the Roaring Rapids raft ride will not only have a drop but also will go inside the mountain - to meet the creature - and include too geyser and fire effects. The loading area is in the round building in the center with the queue going on first in the open air building below, on the bottom. Then the rafts will go down before turning left and go up to the mountain. When they'll come down before the arrival there will be some fire effect, then the drop, and a geyser sequence just before the unload.

Now, we've seen previously plenty of pictures of the construction of Roaring Rapids mountain but the pictures below posted on a Chinese website are showing SDL workers working on the geysers section, the one you can see on the artwork above on the bottom left. You'll see also in the background on the pictures, on the right, the shape of the round load building.

The next picture may not be related to the geysers scene itself, but surely to the decor nearby.

As for the mountain itself for those who have missed it i repost this pictures below, the latest we've got so far.

See you soon for a new Shanghaî Disneyland update!

Artwork: copyright Disney