2015: Becoming A Disney World...

With all the major purchases over the last five years, the Walt Disney Company is about to have a bumper crop...

What am I talking about?  Well, between the purchases of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, not to mention the live-action/animated films coming from the main branch, the Mouse is gearing up for a monster year.  That year will be 2015.  Just a little more than two years from now Disney will dominate the box office.  It's simply a given.  What films will they release that year?  Take a look at what most likely will be the summer offerings:


Avengers 2

Pirates of the Caribbean 5

Star Wars 7

Finding Dori

Walt Disney Animation Studios release (which one hasn't been determined yet, more in a future post.)

Tron 3 (not announced, but likely)

Ant-Man

Can you imagine the box office that year?  The public is going to get very used to seeing that castle every time they go see something at the local movie theater.  I don't believe any other film studio has had such a dramatic effect on the box office of an entire year this much.  It's going to be a very interesting year.  I'm trying to picture what the other major studios are going to line up against it.

And it's not just the films they release that will mark the year for Disney, but the theme park expansion as well.  There are several expansions (including a rather nice one for Disneyland if it's green lit) that could happen, but aren't approved as of yet.  These are the main two expansions that are on schedule to be opened.


Disney's Animal Kingdom: Pandora: The World of Avatar (tentatively)

Shanghai Disneyland 


This year will mark the end Disney's normal content distribution system as well.  Starting the next year, Netflix will be a primary driver of Mouse entertainment that will likely change distribution channels.  So this year will close on a normal way people get shows, films, and possibly even gaming.  Better sign up now.

Bob Iger is going to be leaving the company on a high note.  The opposite of how Eisner left the entertainment giant.  It's hard to believe how large the company has grown in the last decade, but it shows the popularity of the Disney brand.  Of course, Iger will still be there for a year or so after his resignation as "Chairman Emeritus", but the day to day of the company will be handled by one of four people who now report to him.

Just don't let it be Rasulo...

The Mouse's Chinese New Year...

Get in on, bang a gong, just not in Hong Kong...






On this day the seed of the Third Kingdom in Asia, the second in the Middle Kingdom was planted...

A decade ago on this date, the Walt Disney Company signed a letter of intent to build Shanghai Disneyland. And now it's under construction as we speak.

Only three years before this tree bares fruit...

Chinese Adventure...

Another kingdom in the Middle Kingdom...




With the focus now off on Anaheim for the time being, eyes turn East...

Shanghai Disneyland is progressing along with a tentative opening date of late 2015/early 2016. As many have said before, it will have a different vibe than the traditional "Magic Kingdom" styled template that everyone is used to. It will still be Disney, but the areas will have a much more culturally specific tone than what we've seen before. If there is an overriding theme that you can take from what is coming, it is this:

Adventure and water.

What's that you say? Well, I can't reveal everything, or even a great deal of what my Bothans have told me, but I can express a few things that are happening. There will be a great emphasis on water in the park in many of the areas and attractions that are designed for this gate. From fountains, geysers, pool, ponds, waterfalls and water rides, this place will be decked out in aqua. The designs are quite elaborate, and the detail of each area will rival the detail that Hong Kong Disneyland had, albeit the attraction list will be much more interesting.

Another thing that will be noticed in the park, is the amazing amount of adventure attractions and layered theming this resort will have. Even the names should give you a hint. How about Adventure Island in Adventureland? Or a tropical area of the park featuring a dense jungle attraction known as Jungle Challenge. Lavish water and fog effects will be placed around these areas that will deepen the atmosphere of the experience. And if it doesn't get cut, the rock work of the amazing dinosaur attraction, Lost World Roaring Rapids will simply stun you. It's really impressive and I hope that Iger and Staggs don't skimp on the budget and let this sculptured mountain disappear into legend.

The front entrance will be unique as we all know because there won't be a Main Street like every other park has had since the original was opened by Walt. But the beautiful and hypnotic trees, plants and flowers that lead up through the Fantasia Gardens toward the Dumbo attraction will provide a fantasy-like surrounding that will make you feel like your in an imaginary world that is decidedly Disney, but decidedly different.

The attractions will have the detail and quality one would expect from the Mouse, but may take on a slightly unique presentation that I find refreshing, as I hate clones and want each gate to have its own identity. So far, the design work being done by Imagineers is something that will make fans very proud of what can be done to immerse you in a manufactured world. As the plans move forward, we can expect the final design to be ready sometime late next year. After that it will take between two and three years to bring the ideas and dreams into brick and mortar.

And then there are the hotels...

Blue Sky Buzz: Shanghai Hopes...

He's got high hopes...



With only a couple days to go before the Mini-Con, I thought it was time to address a few things...

I know that several sites have reported on several rumors about Shanghai Disneyland. Blue Sky has been relatively quite on the subject lately. Part of that is having to deal with the real world and the limits of time I have. The other part is that I promised my Bothans not to speak about certain thing until the fall. I've also only spoke to them a few times in the past several months. Tom Staggs is a very good leader, that apparently understands the workings of Imagineering better than Jay Rasulo ever could. And he's also good at stopping leaks. But from what I've heard, I'm slowly becoming a fan of the direction he is headed. Staggs is a business man first, but he's someone that seems to get what most bean counters don't. And having him in charge of the parks could offer great opportunities ahead. Time will tell, but I think the Walt Disney Company is a world away from where it was a decade ago. And I clearly think he is the obvious candidate to replace Bob Iger when he decides to step down. Which I hope he realizes in his tenure before Eisner did.

That said, lets move on to Asia:

First off, the rumors that you've heard about a TRON attraction are true. It will take the place of Space Mountain in this sixth Magic Kingdom styled park. It is the giant white dome you see in that overview artwork piece the company released when they officially announced the resort a while back. It will be enclosed in darkness so that you won't see the exposed beams that shoot the lightcycle-type vehicles through the world of Tron (And yes, like the websites are saying, it is based on the Vekoma Motobike System designs).

As we were the first to break this, yes the water attraction that we mentioned is called the "Lost World River Rapids" and it is the mountain that you see in that artwork that was released (you did click on the link to "The Lost World" novel right?). I was able to tease what it was, but I wasn't able to reveal the name. Now that it's out, I can say that the stories are correct and there is more. Remember when Bob Iger mentioned that this park will be uniquely Chinese? Well, that's one of the reasons this attraction was approved. China is home to the largest collection of dinosaur finds in the world and the Mouse wants to play this up. The ride itself will be influenced by the GRR attraction that we have here in California, but it will be different. First off, it will have dinosaur audio-animatronics on it. Unless they make budget cuts, like happened on GRR, which have twice ended the inclusion of AA's, then you can expect a prehistoric experience. Also, the rockwork is very beautiful and extravagant. It is also expensive and over budget in design. Let's hope that the project isn't downscaled because the design is quite lovely and will become an instant classic. Please don't cut the beauty simply because of the cost overruns, Mr. Staggs.

Some people have noticed that Mayan temple over in the Adventureland area and have supposed that it is a Indiana Jones attraction. I can confirm that it is not. As of now, there are no plans to include the Man in the Hat on opening day. Things could change, but the designs of this attraction are not based on the Lucasfilm property. What it is, I can't say at this time, but wanted to tell you what it's not.

I know that sites are starting to report that the area will include a new "Pirates of the Caribbean" attraction with elements based on the designs of the attraction that was proposed for Hong Kong Disneyland. I can't confirm this, but there was/will be a POTC stunt show similar to the Indiana Jones one at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Whether this to be done in conjunction with or in place of the attraction, I'm not sure. As always, time will tell, and maybe we'll find out in not too much time.

There will be no Frontierland as of my last talks with the Bothans. Not that it hasn't been mentioned, but the plans for anything related to something that would go in such an area, would be placed in another land. While Japanese don't have any conception of what a "frontier" is, the Chinese experience with that term is known and considered far more negative. Hence the decision to not have a land named for it. In truth, Shanghai itself is the true Frontierland; wild, untamed and full of energy.

Just like HKDL has a variation of the Haunted Mansion, the Shanghai park will have variations on classic Disney attractions. In this case, the "Jungle Cruise" will be part of the park when it opens up in 2015/16, albeit with the same kind of variations that you see between the original Haunted Mansion and Mystic Manor. But it will be classic WDI from the designs I know of.

Over in Fantasyland, the "Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster" is a go. This appears to be a clone of the one being built in the Extreme Expansion of WDW's Fantasyland. Another attraction that will be found in this land that is not in China's other Disney park is "Peter Pan" and a variation of the classic "Winnie the Pooh" ride. Plans are evolving and discussions are ongoing as to which other attractions are to be included. Expect at least one, possibly two more to join these on opening day.

That slow flume ride beneath the castle is also true as well. But, while some sites have reported that it will go throughout the entire park, it will actually only travel around Fantasyland. But it will be a beautiful ride through that popular land. The experience you get will be one of an enveloping fairytale, but done with the Imagineer's golden touch.

Disney and it's Imagineers have had a difficult time adjusting to Chinese culture and their way of doing things. It is a learning experience and a frustrating one at times. The way that things are constructed and the guidelines that China uses are not what WDI expects and it has been a challenge dealing with the way things are done in the Middle Kingdom, and Shanghai in particular. Let's just say the tools they use, figuratively and literally are different than what Glendale is used to working with.

There will be plans and models shown at the D23 Expo, but I wouldn't expect everything or most of what has been revealed here to debut. Unless Staggs changes the initial plans then we can really expect an overview with some minor surprises. But we'll have to wait for that big, beautiful tomorrow to find out.

Because tomorrow is only a tomorrow away...

Blue Sky Buzz: Chinese Changes...

More magic...


The Mouse's second kingdom in China is still a half decade away, but there are things that that are coming into view...

When D23 arrives later this year there will most likely be a great deal more info about Shanghai Disneyland as well as several other parks, but until then information has slowly been revealed to the public. After all, we knew that this version of the magic kingdom wouldn't have a Main Street - and it doesn't. We've known that several attractions would have a Chinese influence, and we've known that the castle would be different -- and now bigger. But what else will be exclusive/original to the park when it opens in the latter part of this decade?

You want the most interesting contrast to the other Disney magic kingdoms? No Space Mountain. That's right. The iconic attraction that we've all known at practically every traditional, magic kingdom styled park won't be there on opening day. Now, I'm not saying it'll never be built, but the blue prints as of now call for no attraction like this on the drawing board. There are several staples that you would recognize as a given in the parks, but there is also an attempt to make this park original/different. I applaud that. You know my belief that each park should be its own, with an original identity.

As we revealed earlier in the month, the park will have an original rafting ride that has a basis in the design of the Grizzly River Run, but under an entirely different adventure. One that I'm quite found of. Take a look at that original overview artwork and you'll see it in the right corner. It's the big mountain you can see there. It's intricately detailed with a great deal of beautiful rockwork. Let's hope that Burbank doesn't make them cut the budget as it's going to cost quite a bit.

There will also be a classically detailed Jungle Cruise type boat attraction, but as of now, it won't be called that. In fact, much to my delight, there are several adventure type attractions that are styled in the type of theming that I love (Disney's Animal Kingdom, Tokyo DisneySEA). This along with a couple of other projects should provide a distinct fingerprint for the Mouse's second park in the Middle Kingdom. It's going to be interesting to see what surprises are revealed at D23 later this year.

I can't wait to hear that keynote by Tom Staggs...

Shanghide And Seek...

It's a small world after all...









There were a lot of comments about the Shanghai Disney Resort recently...

Most of it was from people commenting that Disney isn't being honest or that they are outright lying about the reason behind the lack of artwork for the new park. Some of those comments are valid, but they're also not. Let me explain from what I know or have heard Bothans explain to me.

One point is that many have said it's not true about the artwork since the park is basically a carbon copy of Disneyland. How could companies copy something that is already out there? Fair enough. But Hong Kong Disneyland isn't an exact copy, but a detailed, pale image. The castle is an exact copy of Disneyland's famous icon, but the park is a very lushly detailed collection of attractions found throughout many other Disney theme parks, but they do have their own look. And that look has been copied at several local amusement parks. Disney Suits and WDI Suits noticed this and it was planned from at least a year ago to not inially release a great deal of artwork. It doesn't mean we won't get more, but it won't all be out there at once like before.

That doesn't address the two biggest problems that HKDL had. One is the most obvious to Disney Fans: size. The park was under built. It wasn't built looking cheaply though. The park is quite detailed and filled with little bits of embellishing that are common to most Disney parks. The problem was that attractions that people expected and were initially announced as being part of the park didn't show up. They were cut and expected to be included in a future expansion phase. This was the shortsightedness of the last decade of Eisner and his underlings.

The other part was the cultural aspect which Eisner and even some Imagineers didn't take into account. Not that they didn't expect some changes based on cultural need. Truthfully, one of the reasons certain attractions weren't built (Snow White, ect.) was that it was felt that the Chinese people, unlike the Japanese people, had not grown up on a steady diet of Disney characters and films. Of course the conception of Main Street didn't figure into this park as it has in Shanghai. But that plan has changed as you've noticed that there is no normal interest in a traditional entrance like fans have come to expect. Planning is also going ahead with a couple attractions that actually play more on what are reflected in Chinese culture. This is something that will be unique to this area and something that the company hopes will address guest concerns about appealing to the local market.

Another comment/complaint is that they are really hiding the fact that large parts of the park remain unplanned or not even designed yet. This is true, but that's because it is five to six years out. It is understandable that parts of the park wouldn't be done yet, but simply in the idea stage. This site is called "Blue Sky" Disney, after all. If this were the state of plans in another two or three years then it would be a valid concern since they would already be deeply involved in construction. Lastly, some have mentioned that there are arguments and divisions within WDI about where or how to continue.

I have to tell you that the Bothans I talked to say that this is a common occurrence that has happened for as long as they've been working for the division. All the way back to Paris. And without the guiding hand of Walt himself, there were arguments about where and how to expand every park since his passing. Before EPCOT was built there were many divisions inside Glendale as to how to continue the project that he had planned. There were arguments as to what direction to take, how close to his vision they should stick and what type of attractions would fit the differing visions they had of the project. Debates and arguments happen all the time and so far I've heard nothing that makes me believe this isn't business as usual. Now, if there are any of you out there in the know that have evidence to refute this then, by all means, please contact me. By e-mail if you'd like with your side of the story. Don't just vent anonymous comments that come off as the ranting opinions of angry fans. Feel free to enlighten me in private.

Now, this may make some people feel that nothing is planned or done. This is also not so. There are several classic attractions that will be gratefully welcomed when announced later this year or early next depending on how the timeline is addressed. But there are also several new attractions as well. Like that mountain/water rafting attraction based on the mechanics of the Grizzly River Run, but set to an entirely new theme... ooops. Sorry, you didn't hear that. I seem to have lost track of my delete button. Oh well, I don't really have to worry because most everyone will have stopped reading before they got here.

Either way, the plans for Shanghai are evolving and expanding and that is a great thing...

Shanghaied...

Please don't copy the parks, please don't copy the parks, please don't copy...


I know that many of you were upset to see so little artwork to come out from the Shanghai Disney Resort...

Well, as I've mentioned before, that's by design. The Mouse learned a costly mistake in the last venture into China. After announcing the project and displaying various pieces of artwork, the Suits were shocked to find cheap knockoffs of some of the designs showing up less than a year or two after revealing these designs.

That's why this time around the artist at WDI and the Suits at Team Disney Burbank are only letting the most vague of concepts leak out. They want to give you an idea of what is to come, not the copycats the ideas of what will come. So far we've been given a sense of scope and a look at a very large castle, no Main Street and various classic attractions in places not normally associated with it. But as to what or even if there will be a Space Mountain? It's not going to be revealed just yet. There are going to be several traditional Disney attractions, but the mix will include several that will surprise you. This park will not be just a clone of Hong Kong Disneyland.

And that is good for Shanghai and Hong Kong...

The 13th Gate...

Lucky number...




Lucky gate...
A couple weeks ago the Mouse will let out the first, minimalist details about the coming Magic Kingdom-styled theme park that it plans to open in Shanghai in 2015/16...

But what I want to know is what will come after it?


I mean, we know that Shanghai Disneyland is going to be modeled after a Magic Kingdom styled park. Of course there will be variation, with no Main Street involved, but it's still going to follow the basic principles of the hub/4-5 lands concept that Walt Disney pioneered back in the Fifties. But what will the park after that one be? We know that Shanghai will be Iger's first chance to put the stamp of his taste on a Disney park. But it's going to be something that already has guidelines to adhere to. So it won't tell us how far, or how daring the Walt Disney Company via Iger wil go. The park after SDL will be a much bigger and far more interesting test.

First off, examine the parks that the Mouse already has:




* In California it has two (2) with the original Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.




* In Florida it has four (4) with the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, not to mention a host of other properties including a couple of water parks.




* In Japan it has two (2), although they're not technically owned by them, but franchises that royalties are derived from.




* In France it hast two (2) with Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Paris.



* In China it has one (1) for now (Hong Kong Disneyland), and one (1) that is supposed to be done after the middle of the decade (Shanghai Disneyland).

Twelve parks, 12 gates. So, what's next?

California -

Well, let's narrow down the possibilities for each of these first. Starting with the original, what are the chances we'll have a third gate for Anaheim in the next few years? Sadly, not likely at all. There are blue sky projects all over WDI, but nothing so big is being planned for a third theme park right now. The majority of the resources are going toward making the Second work and then the focus will likely shift to the Disneyland park in 2011/12 for some tlc for a few years. This along with a small possible/probable second expansion will likely fill out most of this decade for the Disneyland Resort.

If a third gate comes, it'll be later in the decade, no sooner than 2017/18 at the earliest. And likely, that would probably be the announcement of, not the building of any third park. For now, we have to be content with improving the parks and resort. This isn't bad news as with each addition the parks/hotels/shops become closer to being a true resort as was promised almost a decade ago. It will arrive late, but starting in 2012 we'll get what was deserved all the way back into 2001. A third gate will be a blessed surprise and a welcome addition, but not an expected one.

Florida -

Then perhaps a fifth gate for Florida? Again, not much planning going ahead for a massive new gate like the other four. As of now you shouldn't expect a park along the size and scope of the last three gates. Right now, that "Boutique" park planned for night time guests is still in the works, but with the economy the way it is the announcement of that is in doubt. So, until the international outlook becomes better, I don't think number five will be alive. Which, really is fine with me.

WDW has four parks right now that need attention directed by WDI (as the current Fantasyland expansion shows) and hopefully the park managers and Suits will be able to work on improving the experience for guest. I don't expect to see any announcement during this decade. If the economy booms and attendance surges, anything is possible, but the build out of the parks is pretty full. About the best we can hope is a furthered improvement of the current parks and the current experience.

Europe -

Now, then you have Paris with its two gates. There perhaps? No. Let me restate that: NO. Not a snowballs chance in Hades. If there is any resort that has absolutely no chance of getting another gate, it's Paris. I know that EuroDisney recently came out with plans that included announcements of a possible park, but these are projections over decades, not years. With the financial situation in Europe the way it is, any dream of announcing a third park will be just that: a dream. But with the 20th anniversary coming up you can look forward to some updates/rethemes and additional E-Tickets at both parks.

I'd suggest going over to Alain's excellent Disney and More blog if you wish to have some more knowledge as to what could be coming down the line for the parks. It's great to see that they're still expanding the two parks, even if there is no plan/news for a third gate. Now, if they'd just build a better front entrance to Walt Disney Studios Paris, like what is happening to California Adventure. Well, I guess you can't have everything.

Asia -

J a p a n
Surely Tokyo would have something coming up? After that earthquake/tsunami it's going to take some time for the Oriental Land Company to get back up to speed and that could take a few years. Any talks of a third gate are really off the table. But it doesn't mean there haven't been projects that the Walt Disney Company and their Japanese partners haven't tried. Remember how they were going to have that Urban Entertainment Center, a couple of years ago? This was a product of those wonderful Jay Rasulo daze, uhm, I mean days, that are now behind us. But the Japanese owners of the Disney's only franchise couldn't make the numbers work for the OLC and it was scrapped. Even if it were to have been built, it wouldn't have been on the Tokyo Disney Resort or even in Tokyo for that matter. Several other cities were being looked at for this expansion of Disney's only franchise partner.

As for the resort, any expansion would more than likely require more landfill and that is a very pricey expenditure, even for the Oriental Land Company. So unless plans for parking structures go through so as to free up some of those parking lots, any plan for a third gate in the land of the rising sun won't rise. Then again, with the liquefaction of the parking lot from the natural disaster, perhaps this could be feasible? There is a model in the Imagineers secretive model room of a project for the TDR, but it waits, unwanted. That doesn't mean that all construction is dormant of course. You could see a great deal of expansion of the current parks. Tokyo DisneySEA in particular has continually added attractions over the past few years that will culminate this year in the tenth anniversary of that amazing park. Events and planning for the fifteenth anniversary are already starting to be talked about and you can imagine a few surprises to be announcEd as that date comes closer.

C h i n a
So, that leaves only Hong Kong. What could be happening there? Well, we know what's going on there up until 2013 with the current Extreme Expansion. Notice that date? It's a year sooner than originally announced and that is by design. They want to get as far out in front of Shanghai as possible. In fact, if the plans go well for the Extreme Expansion and attendance goes up to expectations then plans are for another, slightly smaller expansion to be completed by the opening of China's second Disneyland. Now, as for the Hong Kong Disney Resort; is a second park in the cards for the future?

No. Not anytime soon. There is still a couple of years before the actual expiration date on the original deal. The most likely thing to happen is that the Walt Disney Company will get a waver or extension for at least into the next decade. By the beginning of the next decade we can probably expect Hong Kong to get another park, but like DCA, HKDL is in need of tender love and care.

As for Shanhai Disney Resort, there are plans to build out to at least two, but possibly three theme parks when completed. But that plan is over a decades expected roll out. And we won't see a second park for this park until well into the next decade.

So will all this in mind it brings into perspective what this decade is. From 2011-2020 is a recovery decade, a hangover decade. A span of time that will mostly be used to buttress or fix up existing parks and resorts. This decade will be a chance for the Mouse to refresh and strengthen the places and experiences to be found in a Disney kingdom.

The next decade will be the one where the unexpected will come...

Shanghai Spectical...

Slowly over the next few months, many more details will emerge...

As for now, there is very little to see as the Mouse has kept its cards close to the vest in regards to the Shanghai Disney Resort. But for those of you that want to see a more detailed version of the opening ceremony, here it is. Along with an interview with Bob Iger.

I'm sure the Magic will slowly roll out over the next few years...

Hat Tip to Disney and More.

The Key To The Kingdom...

Tomorrow we'll finally get a better look at what will become the sixth kingdom in the Mouse's empire...

While I've had a little information about this park, it has for the most park gone on with most of us in the dark. The Suits have done a remarkable job of keeping the Bothans in line on this. Being as this is Iger's first stab at a park, much less "Magic-Kingdom" style park, it'll be interesting where his taste and business are on this. For the most part for the last five years, he's played janitor to Eisner's messes. I don't know exactly how much info will be laid out for us, but we should certainly get a better idea of what the resort/park will look like and exactly when it'll be open. An exciting and nervous time as we await the announcement.

Developing...

UPDATE: The Disney Parks Blog has been updated from the announcement with a post by Tom Staggs and three pieces of concept art.

UPDATE 2: Here is a video of the start of the groundbreaking.

UPDATE 3: The parks website has gone live.

A bit more info for you -

The castle will be the largest of all six Magic Kingdom styled parks and will be known as "Storybook Castle."

As we mentioned quite a while ago, there will be no Main Street, but instead an 11 acre collection of lavish parks that feature various meet-and-greet spots with classic Disney characters.

Several attractions related to Chinese culture and myth will be woven into and around classic Disney attractions.

Many Disney properties will be featured throughout the resort that are current in the companies film catalog: Think branding, like "Pirates of the Caribbean," ect.

The Adventureland/Frontierland area has a very DisneySEA feel to it with lush theming and extravagant design.

The park has a very international atmosphere about it with several EPCOT type inspirations.

References to Disney history are integrated into everything to introduce Chines audiences to Disney since the majority of Chinese are unfamiliar with most of what the park/resort has had to offer due to the isolation of Chinese people and the protectionist attitudes of the local, provincial and state Chinese governments.

Two hotels featuring over 1220 rooms. One will be a deluxe hotel similar to the Disneyland Paris Hotel, most likely known as the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and the other will be a value hotel, like the Paradise Pier Hotel only with much better theming.

A large lagoon with watercraft on a classic harbor destination. The resort will be surrounded by a man-made river and the park itself will feature several more acres of ponds, streams, fountains as the importance of water to the Chinese will be played up compared to previous resorts.

A Downtown Disney type entertainment/dining/shopping concept that hasn't been named... yet.

This first phase of the resort (3.9 square kilometers or 963 acres), costing an estimated $3.7 billion dollars for the park/$700 million for hotels, will open in late 2015/early 2016. A great deal more information is available on the resort's fact sheet.

Shanghai Details Land...

Second kingdom, second chance...


We finally have an idea of what Shanghai Disneyland will look like...

A map officially giving a bit of detail and definition to what we can expect has been released. Alain over at Disney and More has a fantastic article with the picture/map, details about size, number of hotels and transportation are included as well.

Give it a look...

A Very Different Magic...

When you wish upon a nation with over a billion people...







So Tom Staggs gave us a peek at what Shanghai Disneyland will look like yesterday...

At a Walt Disney Company Investor's Conference yesterday, he released the first piece official artwork of the next Magic Kingdom styled park/resort. And the Net seems to be abuzz about it. Disney and More has a post talking about something Alain and I have had conversations about over the past few months.

It will be a very different kind of a Disney Park, breaking the mold that we are used to when entering that fabled Main Street. In fact, I've stated from my contacts, there won't be a traditional Main Street like what we're used to. Alain, has gone further and states that there won't even be a Main Street. The front entrance will be a very different experience when walking into this new, magical place.

But as you see in the artwork, it's very hard to make out details. Mainly that is by design. Disney has been burned before by cheap knockoffs of things that cost great resources to design and create. So when they make that official announcement during the groundbreaking in a few months, don't expect to see a great deal of detail. The Mouse doesn't want to release a lot of artwork to only have it have a carbon copy out before their park even opens.

Now back to that park. It certainly looks like a beautiful and unusual place, doesn't it? And that castle in the background doesn't look like any we've seen before. As well, as that, there is an extremely large amount of water around and within the park. And there's a large mountain over to the right that could be an Expedition Everest, re envisioned Matterhorn or as Alain says, a version of that elaborate Pirates of the Caribbean that Hong Kong Disneyland was supposed to get. Perhaps even some of the attractions from Tokyo DisneySEA will make it over in some form.

I know a lot of people bemoan Disney Suits for not thinking out of the box and continually copying the original style that Walt created, so in this instance you might get your way with a park that looks nothing like what you expect when you go into something called Disneyland.

Developing...

Second World/Sixth Kingdom...

What a Onederful Wurld...






There seems to be a lot of news coming out from the Chinese media about the Mouse's Middle, Magic Kingdom...

Over at my friend Alain's website, Disney and More, he's been posting a great deal of coverage of the news about Shanghai Disneyland. Great stuff if you haven't read his blog.

From what I've been told, the media has had very limited knowledge of what Disney and the Shanghai government are planning. This is by intention and one of the reasons you haven't seen or heard much about it. This is Bob Iger's first park on his own and not fixing up Eisner's messes. I believe he wants to get it right and he wants it to be a surprise. Getting details about this park/resort has been very difficult. Put all the secrecy together with a weak economy and you can imagine the trouble prying open those Bothans mouths.

There was an article the other day that Alain quoted as saying the total cost of the 107-square-kilometer project would exceed 100 billion yuan ($15 billion). Now, while the resort is not as big as Walt Disney World (twice the size of Manhattan Island), it is far bigger than any other resort I believe except Disneyland Paris (which is 20 km, like Shanghai). Far bigger than Hong Kong Disneyland which will tap out at two parks and a half dozen hotels approximately, far bigger than the Tokyo Disney Resort or the original Disneyland Resort. And now officials have come out to discount this as they say final cost have not been determined. I have no inside knowledge as to how much exactly will be spent, but my suspicion is that the article was quoting an estimate as to what the final resort price would be. That is, over a three phase period. As in three gates, multiple hotels, retail environment, etc. and so on. This would make that projected cost of 15 billion much more reasonable as it would occur over decades, not years. The initial cost I've heard is somewhere around/between 3 and 4 billion. Of this amount, the Shanghai government and the partnership company, Shanghai Shendi Group Co. Ltd. will assume the majority of that cost. The Mouse will retain a minority interest similar to the contract with Hong Kong, while still running the actual resort.

From what I've gathered, the first phase will be the "Magic Kingdom" style park and two or three hotels and a version of the Downtown Disney retail area (something that has yet to come to HKDL, but will soon enough). This phase should be done by late 2014 with a planned opening of early 2015. The style may be similar to past parks, but it will also strike out in a different direction, perhaps being the most different of any Disney theme park that shares the trademark style fans are used to. From what I hear, the area around the park will be more extensively used than in Hong Kong as well.

While the public face of Honk Kong Disneyland Suits is that they have nothing to fear from a Shanghai Disneyland, the behind the scenes are a different matter. As work on their expansion winds to a close in 2014, expect a new announcement to counter the opening of the second Disney park in China. Bothans have already told me that work and proposals, all blue sky of course, are quietly underway in Glendale. The scope and grandeur of Shanghai will be bigger and different. The plan will be to offer a different reason to go to this theme park as opposed to the one in Hong Kong. Just as there are reasons to visit Disneyland versus Disney World, there will be reasons to travel between these two parks/resorts. And if you were wondering, Shanghai is WDW to Hong Kong's Disneyland. Each Disney, both different. I like that. I hate the idea of cloning and if they're going to have these two parks on the Asian mainland, it's good that they will have their own personalities.

When 2015 rolls around it's going to be interesting to see what the birth of this Sixth Kingdom means to our world and the Disney world...

Sign(ing) Of The Times...

Cross the T's and dot the I's...


It seems that the Mouse has made it official...

The Walt Disney Company signed the deal with the Shanghai Shen Di Group Co., which is the parnership company that was formed to facilitate the creation of Shanghai Disneyland. The terms of the deal are said to be very similar to the Hong Kong Disneyland deal, but with the local government having more scrutiny when agreeing on the final plans of the park. The mistakes made in Disney's other Chinese park are to be avoided. The officials/suits of Shanghai expect this and Iger's management team understands this.

Unfortunately, no artwork released yet, but...

Shanghai Surprise...

It's getting close to that time...

Soon, we should be getting an announcement about the Mouse's Sixth Magic Kingdom. I'm hearing a few bits and pieces. One thing I've been told is to expect this to be the most radically different Main Street of any Disneyland park. I'm not sure what that means, but take it how you want. Also, I've been told that the castle will also be unique and that's a good thing. And the resort itself is going to have one really big lake which will likely surround hotels and a version of Downtown Disney. We should be getting some artwork before the end of the year. If we're lucky, even sooner. It seems that 2014 will be an important year with the Extreme Expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland completed and the likely opening of Disney's second Chinese park. It's going to be interesting comparing what each has in common and what each has that's its own.

Now we'll get to see what Bob Iger's first hands on park looks like...

A Tinge Of Legitimacy...

It appears that Bob Iger has released a statement that, in affect, acknowledges they're building Shanghai Disneyland...

Brooks Barnes over at the New York Times has a nice article that details the process and what we can expect as the process moves forward. Nothing in depth and certainly no artwork for Disney Geeks/Fans to drool over, but that will come.

Details, details, details to follow...

UPDATE: The official blog for Disney Parks has issued a statement about the project.

Shanghai Surprise...

Surprises await you very, very soon...


If all goes according to plan, and remember it don't always, but come next week we should finally hear some news about that mythic Sixth Kingdom of Disney everyone keeps whispering about. Now, I'm not saying a whole lot will come out, but you can expect that it will finally be made official. Even if they showed artwork it would be subject to change. Remember that HKDL artwork featuring Frontierland? I thought so. But the interesting thing about any plans is that it gives us an insight into Bob Iger's view of Disney theme parks for the first time and not Michael Eisner's vision.

Or fixing Michael Eisner's vision for that matter...

Waiting For The East Wind...

It seems that things are shaping up in an interesting way...

From what my Bothans have been dropping hints at over the last couple weeks, we most likely will see the announcement of Shanghai Disneyland before the end of the year. All the details are finally falling into place. Unless of course, something dramatically alters the topography of the global economic situation, kind of like the recession that happened last fall. It put several projects on the back burner and caused the cancellation of a few that weren't planned. Some of those projects have slowly started to move forward again, but in the case of SDL, it actually helped.

With the downturn in the world market, the Chinese were more desperate than they were right before the crisis to give the Mouse as good a deal (percentage-wise) as the HKDL deal. After the bottom dropped out of the financial market the Walt Disney Company was in a far better hand. The Chinese needed them more than the company needed the government to enter the Chinese market. Jobs are after all, a great way to sedate unrest. Having a full stomach can shut a complaining mouth, one could put it. It got several concessions that previously weren't on the table. So plans actually moved forward, rather than backward in this present, unstable time.

All eyes will be watching though to see if Iger has learned from Eisner's follies. The former CEO's first foray into the foreign theme park business was Disneyland Paris aka: Euro Disneyland, a park of stunning beauty and much more fully developed than later parks bearing Eisner's touch. The glut of hotels he wanted help create a situation where everything after it was restrained when it came to letting WDI design wondrously magical parks. After the economic problems of Paris everything new felt small, calculated and cautious, the result of bean counters without imaginations. Not Imagineers, creators of worlds that took you to amazing places. Eisner seemed to blame them for the failures more than his own inflamed and overly protected ego.

Iger will have his ego tested when plans are produced for Shanghai. Will he have learned the lessons of under-building a park? Will the staples of almost every other park, the Pirates, Haunted Mansion and IASW attractions, be included in the first phase? How will he incorporate Pixar properties into this park? They're not partnered properties anymore, but fully owned and a staple of the Disney Empire as much as Winnie the Pooh or Darth Vader (ahem). Will he go for a unique design or just clone most of the elements of previous parks? Will the presentation art be as great as what we've seen for Euro Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySEA, even DCA and the original work from Hong Kong, or will it be like the lackluster, cartoony examples we got from the the HKDL Expansion? These and many more questions remain to be answered. This will Iger's first test on what his vision of a Disney theme park is and the entire Disney world will be watching.

And waiting...

Roadblocks...

It appears that the road to expansion in Hong Kong is filled with potholes...

There's a big stink flying up about some in the city's Legislative Council about not approving or putting on hold the greenlighting of the expansion of HKDL. A few people seem to find this great news, while others are predicting doom and gloom. Neither shouldn't be focused on such opposite extremes of a decision on this plan.

First off, wishing that the plan would fail because you're not happy with one part of the plan (Toy Story Land) is like thanking someone for not taking your wallet as they drive off in your car. If the plan doesn't go through then you would be left with a park that languishes in the shadow of it's coming big brother and results in a very bad financial situation for Disney that wouldn't be good for the rest of the company. If you don't like the non-expansion of WDW or other parts of the Mouse's world, you really won't like it should this fail. It would have company wide repercussions. So all those out there that are praying for failure, please pray for something else. One thing about building things you don't like is they can always be "plussed" or remade to look better (DCA anyone?). But the feelings some have for this expansion's failure is more emotional that realistic. And besides, those that are wanting Toy Story Mania to be put in should examine the Land a little closer. There's a lot of room for expansion and TSM would likely go into that large area in a second phase, should the first one see an uptick in attendance.

In regards to those that are thinking of this as the end of the world for Disney's fifth kingdom, please stay calm. This is likely a posturing move by the Legislative Council and although there are a good deal of those that don't feel satisfied with this deal, the truth of the matter is that it'll likely pass. It may be a slim margin, bit it most likely will go through. Why, you wonder? Because the economy. For the same reason that Shanghai agreed to a sweet deal for the Walt Disney Company even though it saw the disappointments of Hong Kong. The economy. With unemployment rising in Hong Kong like every major area of Chine due to the worldwide recession, they're looking to create and expand as many jobs is possible. This does that in a time when it is critically needed. Remember that the large population of this country requires that they (the Chinese Government) create a million new jobs a year just to not fall behind and add to further unemployment. That's what happens when you have 1.3 billion people. Since the collapse of the global market that isn't happening and China's ruling government doesn't want the populace getting antsy about things. That causes disastrous problems for a country that is trying to keep a lid on discontent. Money, like it always is, is the reason this deal will most likely go through. Well find out shortly if all the talk now is political posturing or a serious roadblock. I believe it could be neither. Think of it instead as a speed bump. And speed bumps don't stop you.

You just have to proceed over them with caution...

Kingdom Come...

I told you the annoucement about Shanghai Disneyland would come early in 2009, but I guess it's starting to appear sooner than I expected... Here's Reuters article and here's Forbes article.

Commentary to follow later...