Disney's Most Disjointed Fantasyland Has Beautiful Concept Art

Even when the Disney suits make a mistake, the concept art from Imagineering can be quite beautiful. Such is the case with this piece from Imagineer Tom Gilleon and his work for the rather uninspiring Fantasyland for Shanghai Disneyland. Make no mistake, the castle is the largest one ever in a Disney park- after all, this is Mainland China's Disney park. Everything there is big- including these grand, beautiful depictions.

The mix of attractions inhabit a bizarre land that includes Tim Burton's strange version of an Alice in Wonderland maze alongside a very weird Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, the charming Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and other oddities. But then again, Dumbo Flying Elephants and the requisite Carousel reside in front of the castle here, another misstep. 

Regardless, Mr. Gilleon has created two works of art in the grandest of  Disney Imagineering traditions. Given the source material, that is worth something.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Flying with Peter Pan in Shanghai

There's a reason that even Shanghai Disneyland gives guests a chance to fly to Neverland with Peter Pan: this iconic Disney attraction is just plain fun! Walt Disney knew visitors all of ages to Disneyland would not be able to resist boarding a pirate galleon and flying over London and follow the second star to the right. This concept art perfectly captures the thrill of soaring high above it all. 

You'll see this beloved attraction at home in every Fantasyland ever created- except for Hong Kong Disneyland, which continues to amaze me since British rule and influence has made such an impact on the people. Perhaps the newly Imagined larger castle will lead to other enhancements for the beautiful but small park. 

Much of the Mainland China park is unique and enticing, yet the weakest part of it all is their version that holds this flying attraction. 

I haven't been there yet, but I think it looks like Fantasyland is an epic design fail. Where shall I begin?

The monstrosity of the boxy castle lacks elegance and charm. Big is not always best. Even worse, the layout of the land seems awkwardly clumsy with an attraction lineup that lacks depth: Aside from the mine train roller coaster, the supposed to be stellar Voyage to the Crystal Grotto is a well known disappointment. The Tim Burton inspired Alice in Wonderland maze seems like an out of place nightmare, and Pooh is just a mash up of cheaper versions found in California and Florida. Fantasyland is clearly where budget cuts and rumored bribes took a bite out of what could have been. Did the money go to the government's Shanghai Shendi Group or somewhere else? And why isn't there much information on which group of Imagineers designed the park?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Most Excellent Shanghai Disneyland Castle Photo

Until our friend Len Yokoyama visits Shanghai Disneyland for his own set of amazing photos, let me just share with you one of the most incredible photos of their castle! 

This Enchanted Storybook Castle belongs to many princesses, sort of a greatest hits compilation if you will. With the requisite shopping and dining already here, what exactly could the Imagineers add to satisfy the Chinese government who insisted on theirs being the most impressive edifice of all? How about it's own unique attraction, Voyage to the Crystal Grotto. 

From all accounts, what should have been a standout cruise falls short instead as guests journey around a series of fountains until they enter the underground side of the palace. Not too much enchantment to be found there, but no matter. This excellent photo by the folks at Westcoaster serves as a reminder that big and impressive are only one piece of what makes a Disney park special.

Shanghai Disneyland One Year Later

Can it really be one year? Yes- one year ago today, the first Disney park on the Chinese Mainland sprung up in Shanghai. Among much success (the park itself, and particularly the brand new shiny version of Pirates of the Caribbean), some big failures (crowds are clearly missing from Disneytown and the Lion King Theater), and what's to be seen (Toy Story Land), the resort as a whole looks to have succeeded in mostly being what the Walt Disney Company suits were planning.

The castle and its display of China's strength and power.

Shanghai Disneyland boasts a unique kingdom with its own roster of attractions never before seen- and never to be seen. Truly. Can you imagine the corporate lawyers allowing an attraction such as the ropes courses of Camp Discovery (seen above) to ever find the light of day in the States? Me, neither. Unfortunately. 

The Pirates' Battle for the Sunken Treasure and Tron Light Cycles Power Run are the clear home runs, favorites with locals and many international visitors alike.  Yet there's also the very strange Voyage to the Crystal Grotto. A Fantasyland newbie with its statuary based gardens and a less than stellar final scene, the attraction is unique to the kingdom, but it certainly won't be duplicated. 

Tim Burton- your queen is calling.

Neither will the Tim Burton inspired Alice in Wonderland maze be placed in another kingdom park. That ship has sailed. Thankfully. It may be trendy and edgy, but it wasn't a smart move as the animated  film is still the classic for generations to come. This misstep is  balanced out by Tangled restaurant (but no attraction- yet) and a pretty cool looking enhanced Peter Pan's Flight.  For all the other changes that were made to the design of this park, Fantasyland is still the place where the animated films are celebrated / exploited.

Speaking of films, Mickey's Film Festival has quietly opened around the corner from the end of Mickey Avenue, a pleasant diversion to soak up a small slice of the crowd. Kudos to the Imagineers for providing smaller, charming attractions among the blockbusters. I hope that trend continues as the big ticket items are added. It's attractions such as this that give the original Disneyland and Disneyland Paris much charm. 

Did you really think the Mainland would let Hong Kong

have the best Marvel themed area?

What does the future hold beyond Toy Story and it's quick and easy installation? Not to be outdone by the growing and beautiful little park that could, Hong Kong Disneyland, Marvel is certainly on the way. What that looks like, only few people know, and I'm not privy to that. But it's a sure thing.

One thing the park definitely needs on the Tomorrowland side of the park is a very big reliable-to-operate people eater. Soaring Over the Horizon and Roaring Rapids might be popular, but Rapids breaks down regularly and Soaring has impossibly long lines all day long. Will the park get another new and unique attraction or will the suits and very involved Chinese government opt for a cheaper to build slightly redesigned clone from one of the other parks? Will they cannibalize from Hong Kong or even Japan? It's yet to be seen. 

Regardless of its current success or the choices that are coming, Shanghai Disneyland is a great case study on corporate vision and board room ego, government domination, and sheer Imagineering brilliance under very strange circumstances. Stay tuned.

(Photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Initial Thoughts on Shanghai Disneyland

Thanks to terrific sites like Disney and More, the web's been filled with photos and video leaked out of Shanghai Disneyland. And, to be totally honest, I've watched most of the video and looked in detail at the photos. What I've seen is a mixed bag offering.

Let's start with the clear winner: Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure. The new story drives the attraction, and the skeleton to Jack Sparrow in the flesh transition is phenomenal, but it is the combination of filmed segments, detailed sets, and stunning new Audio-Animatronics that pull the whole thing together. From what I can see, Treasure Cove looks fine but suffers from too bright a color palate. 

On the other hand, the massive castle is a bust. The inside might make for a beautiful walk through and really looks lovely, but outside, it's clear the Chinese authorities had something to prove. Clunky, charmless, and without the wow factor of other Magic Kingdom icons. The same can be said for the Voyage to the Crystal Grotto. Prior to entering the basement of the castle, the boats cruise through a garden trough while looking at statues of Disney animated film characters. Boring. And a huge waste of space. The same charmless adjective can be applied to the Tim Burton inspired Alice in Wonderland maze, and unfortunately Peter Pan's Flight- which promised something groundbreaking and delivered little. 

Tomorrowland. Ugh- I had such high hope for this area based on the concept art. Admittedly, Tron's Lightcycles look terrific if somewhat short, and the Jet Packs have potential for a spinner. The interesting piece was looking at the pavement treatment in the land. Seems like it was designed with materials that would be especially easy to replace or hose down should the untrained guests decide to use the walking area as a place to relieve themselves. Perhaps it was just built to deconstruct like so many buildings in the former Soviet Union countries. 

There's not enough footage of Adventure Isle to get a great look, but Mickey Avenue, the alternative to Main Street U.S.A., looks great! The gardens around the castle hub are pleasing- even if it is a bit jarring to see Dumbo and the Carousel on the other side. 

As more photos and video become available, I'll comment. So far, I'd rate Shanghai Disneyland at a "B". Not excellent but with much potential.