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NEWS
Bob Iger reveals Star Wars and Marvel sections for Shanghai Disneyland
POSTED 15 Jul 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Star Wars Launch Bay will feature sets, props and memorabilia from the franchise
Disney CEO Robert Iger has revealed details about the company’s sixth theme park resort, with Shanghai Disneyland set to include Star Wars and Marvel experiences when it opens in China in Q1 of 2016.

The new Star Wars Launch Bay and Marvel Universe experiences will both feature sets, props, memorabilia, and other experiences to immerse visitors in those worlds. Unique to Shanghai Disneyland will be the Garden of the Twelve Friends, in which animals of the Chinese Zodiac are re-interpreted as Disney and Pixar animated characters.

“We are building something truly special here in Shanghai that not only showcases the best of Disney’s storytelling but also celebrates and incorporates China’s incredibly rich heritage to create a one-of-a-kind destination that will delight and entertain the people of China for generations to come,” said Iger.

“We are taking everything we’ve learned from our six decades of exceeding expectations – along with our relentless innovation and famous creativity to create a truly magical place that is both authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.”

Split into six areas, the remainder of the US$5.5bn (€5bn, £3.5bn) theme park will be comprised of:

Mickey Avenue: The park’s main entrance will be heavily influenced by Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters, with opportunities for guests to meet their heroes in the form of costumed employees.

Gardens of Imagination: Featuring a Dumbo ride and Fantasia-inspired carousel, this area will be focused on “the wonders of nature and the joy of imagination”.

Fantasyland: Sitting at the centre of the park, the Shanghai version of Fantasyland will include its own version of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that recently opened at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, as well as a Peter Pan ride and the signature Enchanted Storybook Castle. A new ride called Voyage to the Crystal Grotto will culminate underneath the castle.

Adventure Isle: The fast-paced area of the park will include rides such as Roaring Rapids, as well as a ‘Soaring Over the Horizon’, based on the popular “Soarin’ Over California” experience at Disney’s California Adventure.

Treasure Cove: Based on the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the pirate-themed area of the park will feature a new pirate attraction, as well as a pirate ship and canoe ride.

Tomorrowland: Centred around science-fiction, Tomorrowland will include a new Buzz Lightyear attraction and a Tron coaster.
Treasure Cove will feature a new pirate attraction
Centred around science-fiction, Tomorrowland will include a new Buzz Lightyear attraction and a Tron coaster
RELATED STORIES
  Shanghai Disney Resort to open in 2016, Iger confirms


Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of Disney, has confirmed that the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort has been postponed several months to spring 2016.
  Shanghai Disney Resort gets extra US$800m investment


An additional US£800m (€577m, £476m) is being pumped into Shanghai Disney Resort to accelerate expansion plans – while it is still being built.
  First images of Shanghai Disneyland revealed


Disney has unveiled the first image of Shanghai Disneyland Resort, at its annual meeting of shareholders this month.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
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FEATURED SUPPLIER

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NEWS
Bob Iger reveals Star Wars and Marvel sections for Shanghai Disneyland
POSTED 15 Jul 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Star Wars Launch Bay will feature sets, props and memorabilia from the franchise
Disney CEO Robert Iger has revealed details about the company’s sixth theme park resort, with Shanghai Disneyland set to include Star Wars and Marvel experiences when it opens in China in Q1 of 2016.

The new Star Wars Launch Bay and Marvel Universe experiences will both feature sets, props, memorabilia, and other experiences to immerse visitors in those worlds. Unique to Shanghai Disneyland will be the Garden of the Twelve Friends, in which animals of the Chinese Zodiac are re-interpreted as Disney and Pixar animated characters.

“We are building something truly special here in Shanghai that not only showcases the best of Disney’s storytelling but also celebrates and incorporates China’s incredibly rich heritage to create a one-of-a-kind destination that will delight and entertain the people of China for generations to come,” said Iger.

“We are taking everything we’ve learned from our six decades of exceeding expectations – along with our relentless innovation and famous creativity to create a truly magical place that is both authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.”

Split into six areas, the remainder of the US$5.5bn (€5bn, £3.5bn) theme park will be comprised of:

Mickey Avenue: The park’s main entrance will be heavily influenced by Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters, with opportunities for guests to meet their heroes in the form of costumed employees.

Gardens of Imagination: Featuring a Dumbo ride and Fantasia-inspired carousel, this area will be focused on “the wonders of nature and the joy of imagination”.

Fantasyland: Sitting at the centre of the park, the Shanghai version of Fantasyland will include its own version of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that recently opened at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, as well as a Peter Pan ride and the signature Enchanted Storybook Castle. A new ride called Voyage to the Crystal Grotto will culminate underneath the castle.

Adventure Isle: The fast-paced area of the park will include rides such as Roaring Rapids, as well as a ‘Soaring Over the Horizon’, based on the popular “Soarin’ Over California” experience at Disney’s California Adventure.

Treasure Cove: Based on the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the pirate-themed area of the park will feature a new pirate attraction, as well as a pirate ship and canoe ride.

Tomorrowland: Centred around science-fiction, Tomorrowland will include a new Buzz Lightyear attraction and a Tron coaster.
Treasure Cove will feature a new pirate attraction
Centred around science-fiction, Tomorrowland will include a new Buzz Lightyear attraction and a Tron coaster
RELATED STORIES
Shanghai Disney Resort to open in 2016, Iger confirms


Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of Disney, has confirmed that the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort has been postponed several months to spring 2016.
Shanghai Disney Resort gets extra US$800m investment


An additional US£800m (€577m, £476m) is being pumped into Shanghai Disney Resort to accelerate expansion plans – while it is still being built.
First images of Shanghai Disneyland revealed


Disney has unveiled the first image of Shanghai Disneyland Resort, at its annual meeting of shareholders this month.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
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LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
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