Get Ready to go Soarin’ Around the World!

June 17, 2016March 26, 2018

By Beth Deitchman

The Matterhorn. Arizona’s Monument Valley. The Great Wall of China. We’re getting ready for a trip that lets us see all three of these iconic world landmarks in just one day—want to come with us?

This spectacular trip around the world has been orchestrated by Disney Imagineers, who have reimagined the iconic Soarin’ attractions at U.S. Disney Parks, and will take guests to brand-new global locales beginning June 17, when Soarin’ Around the World makes its debut—just one day after the debut of Soaring Over the Horizon at Shanghai Disneyland on June 16. “Now our guests can see the world in a way that they could never do on their own,” Walt Disney Imagineering Portfolio Creative Executive Tom Fitzgerald said in a recent video on the Disney Parks Blog.

The unique aerial view that Soarin’ offers allows guests to feel like they’ve actually been transported to the places they’re flying over. And since no visit to an exotic locale is complete without a postcard to remind you of your spectacular trip, we’ve created three that you can share with your favorite traveling buddies!

The Matterhorn

Switzerland’s famous Matterhorn inspired Walt Disney during the filming of the 1959 live-action film Third Man on the Mountain, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction opened at Disneyland Resort on June 14, 1959.

Monument Valley’s Majestic Buttes

The breathtaking real-life Monument Valley might just remind you of a memorable animated valley: Ornament Valley, located in Radiator Springs, in the movie Cars. As you soar toward the stunning buttes of Monument Valley in the attraction, you’ll see why they’re named West Mitten Butte and East Mitten Butte; they’re almost waving at you, beckoning you to come closer.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world, at 13,170.7 miles, and has stood for more than 2,300 years in mainland China—the home of Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney’s newest theme park, which opened this week, on June 16, 2016.

Shanghai Disneyland—a Fan-tastic Experience

June 16, 2016March 26, 2018

By Beth Deitchman

Can you remember the first time that you walked into a Disney park? That feeling of wonder and amazement is universal, but it’s even more magical when you’re walking into a brand-new Disney park. Shanghai Disneyland marks Disney’s first theme park in mainland China and brings the pixie dust and magic to within driving or transport distance to more than 300 million people—many of whom have never before experienced a Disney park or resort. On the eve of Shanghai Disney Resort’s opening, D23 spoke to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek about the Shanghai guest experience. “We have pictures of the very first child that walked into the park on the very first day of trial operations, and she looked like she was 2 or 3 years old,” Chapek told us. “And she’s pointing up to the castle with her mouth open—agape—and just marveling at what she was about to experience.”

We’ve been marveling at Shanghai Disneyland throughout the opening celebration, and we caught up with some fellow Disney fans who were among the first to experience the park on opening day, June 16, 2016, and who had come from near and far for this momentous occasion.

D23 Charter Member Brian Wirtz has made it his “mission” to witness all of the major Disney park milestones, so he and his wife couldn’t miss the opening of Shanghai Disneyland. He was in attendance for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary and Hong Kong Disneyland’s grand opening, to name just a few, and he remarked, “I think the scale of crowd and the enthusiasm are at a whole other level here.” We talked with him near the “gorgeous” Enchanted Storybook Castle, where he stressed, “Mickey Avenue is beautiful and unique.”

United Kingdom native Jamie Darani has also been to multiple Disney parks around the world—he’s a self-described “massive Disney theme park fan.” Darani was wowed by all of the detail, as well as the resort’s wonderful cast members. “The cast members are so friendly and excited,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve met a single cast member who hasn’t been buzzing with excitement.”

This was, of course, D23 Member Lei Yu’s first visit to Shanghai Disney Resort, but he promised us it wouldn’t be his last. He’s such a Disney fan that he’d even brought his D23 Membership Certificate with him to the park opening. “The combination of Chinese culture is great,” he observed. And after riding Soaring Over the Horizon, he had a new favorite attraction. “The high definition and the sky—it’s awesome,” he said. Yu is also already a devoted fan of Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure. “I felt like I was really in the Caribbean and really in the battle!”

Yu’s friend Harry Han thinks that Disney fans in China will love details like the Silly Symphony references on Mickey Avenue. “The first moment when I walked in here, I saw Mickey Avenue and all its detail. For us, that’s very cool. And the colors of Mickey Avenue are so beautiful.”

The little details also appealed to Annie Cheng, who describes the park as her “dream place.” “They have many merchandise just designed for China—or inspired by China—like Mickey and Minnie in very traditional Chinese costumes,” she says. From the tops of buildings, to the gardens, to the fountains, Cheng appreciated the care that was taken.

Some veteran Disney park fans pointed out subtle differences in translating iconic favorites to the brand-new resort. “I’ve tried the Chinese version of the turkey legs,” Charlie Wang told us. “It tastes a bit different from the one in the States but it’s great—I really like it.”

Song Li liked the American-influenced barbecue he’d enjoyed at Barbossa’s Bounty, in Treasure Cove, where he’d also had a memorable experience riding Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle of the Sunken Treasure for the first time. He said, “Pirates of the Caribbean is an original Disney attraction, and I can still feel Walt Disney there and feel his power and his vision there.” And though he was thousands of miles away from where it all started (with a mouse), the Disney magic and legacy are just as strong.

The Many Stories of Shanghai Disneyland’s Enchanted Storybook Castle

June 16, 2016June 16, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

Faith, trust and pixie dust are just part of the magical combination that brought the largest Disney castle in history so enchantingly to life at Shanghai Disneyland. Enchanted Storybook Castle represents many firsts for a Disney Parks castle: it is the first to celebrate each of the Disney Princesses, the first to host a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and the first to be part of a boat-ride attraction, Voyage to the Crystal Grotto. Take a closer look at the many mesmerizing tales Shanghai Disneyland’s royal residence can tell. Click on the photo for details about each beautiful image.

Once Upon a Time Adventure at Shanghai Disneyland

Princess and the Frog mosaic at Shanghai Disneyland

Interior of Shanghai Disneyland's Enchanted Storybook Castle

Princess motifs in Shanghai Disneyland's Enchanted Storybook Castle

Disney Princess motifs in Shanghai Disneyland's castle

Disney Princesses inside Shanghai Disneyland's Castle

Shanghai Disneyland's Enchanted Storybook Castle at Night

Day 3: Shanghai Disney Resort – A Fan’s Eye View

June 16, 2016June 16, 2016

By Jeffrey Epstein

D23 is celebrating the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort and bringing you along with us on an exclusive tour of this breathtaking new resort! Our final installment takes you to infinity and beyond in Shanghai Disneyland’s Tomorrowland and includes a special look at the Grand Opening ceremony of Shanghai Disney Resort. For the first installment, featuring the Shanghai Disney Resort hotels and Disneytown, click here. For the second installment, featuring Mickey Avenue, Treasure Cove, Fantasyland and more, click here.

Tomorrowland. A favorite of Disney fans around the world. And Shanghai Disneyland delivers. On our second night we ventured into the sleekly designed two-story land that transports you to a gleaming, optimistic future. One of the awesome (in every sense of the word) aspects of Shanghai Disneyland is its sheer size. That expanse gives Tomorrowland the sense that it could go to infinity and beyond—helped by the fact that Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue is one of the land’s attractions.

The E-ticket experience we couldn’t wait to sample was TRON Lightcycle Power Run. After having been mesmerized at brilliant images of this attraction, we couldn’t wait for our own Lightcycle race to begin. Mind-blowing doesn’t begin to describe the exhilaration from launch to landing. Even boarding the uniquely designed cycles was a thrill—instantly immersing guests into the TRON universe. The lightning-fast start launches riders up near the attraction’s beautiful glowing canopy, which offers a dramatic view of Tomorrowland. Then it’s on to the grid for the ride of your life. We never wanted it to end, and we might even have taken another spin—or two—just to totally appreciate this one-of-a-kind experience! We’d be remiss if we didn’t note the extraordinary detail in the queue. As guests enter the massive structure, they pass the laser used to digitize Flynn onto the TRON grid in the original 1982 film. And inside we literally stopped in our tracks when an opaque wall suddenly turned transparent, revealing the racing cycles that awaited us. The detail is unbelievable.

We also happen to be big fans of Big Hero 6, so we stopped by the Pepsi E-Stage to take in the Baymax Super Exercise Expo. We couldn’t help but smile as Baymax and Hiro showed some younger Disney fans a few new ways to get their heart rates up (as if the Power Run wasn’t enough!).

The next morning we were honored to be invited to the Grand Opening Dedication Ceremony, which took place in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle. Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger was joined by Wang Yang, CPC Politburo Member and State Council Vice Premier, and Han Zheng, CPC Politburo Member and Party Secretary of Shanghai, to officially open this spectacular destination. Iger read the park’s dedication, inspired by the words originally recited by Walt Disney at the opening of Disneyland, and the event was capped with song, fanfare, and appearances by dozens of cast members and beloved Disney characters. For more on the Grand Opening Dedication Ceremony, click here.

Then it was a dash to the edge of Mickey Avenue to see the first official park guests enter. Everywhere there were smiles, cheers, and even chills—and to see the unbridled excitement and enthusiasm on the faces of visitors was unbelievable. Many guests came decked out in their “Disney best,” and we even ran into D23 Members from China, Japan, and the States! Each smile was bigger than the next.

The first guest to enter Shanghai Disneyland on opening day.We spent almost the entire day just walking through the park once more to watch these Disney fans—young and young-at-heart—experience the imagination, innovation, and detail that Disney has brought to life. (And we may have wanted to ride Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle for the Sunken Treasure once more, too.)

As the sun set, we got into place once again in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle to experience Ignite the Dream, the park’s signature nighttime spectacular. Brilliant projections, dazzling fireworks, high-tech lasers, and fountains of water come together to create one of Disney’s more jaw-dropping events. Mickey Mouse is our host as we travel through the songs and stories of The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Frozen, and many more. The fantastic projections turned the castle into a glittering show palace for “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin, and a beautiful collection of Chinese lanterns float to the sky in a segment dedicated to Mulan. We even blast off into hyperspace with a thrilling Star Wars movement. The show culminates in an explosive burst of color and light—igniting our dreams and the skies high above Shanghai Disneyland.

Strolling out, walking with guests grinning from ear-to-ear, we passed under the park’s archway in which “See ya real soon” is written in both English and Chinese. All we could think was, we sure hope so.

5 Magical Moments from the Opening of Shanghai Disney Resort

June 16, 2016

By Beth Deitchman

A little fall of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of those who gathered before Shanghai Disney Resort’s Enchanted Storybook Castle for the grand opening of Disney’s newest theme park and its first resort in mainland China. In fact, Vice Premier of China Wang Yang joked that the drizzle was a sign of good luck! There have been just six times in history when Disney fans have been able to celebrate the debut of a brand-new resort, and June 16, 2016, will be a day that we always remember.

Here are just some of the memories we’ll treasure from this spectacular event:

A multi-generational choir took the stage in front of Disney’s largest castle to date and sang “When You Wish Upon A Star.” The Chinese-style arrangement, the stunning setting, and the song’s timeless sentiment brought tears to our eyes as we paused to reflect upon the magnitude of this event.

Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger addressed the crowd—greeting them in Mandarin, as well as in English—and said, “Together we have created an extraordinary destination, a magical place unique in all the world, where East meets West, the past meets the future, and anything is possible for those who believe. It is our sincere hope that this spectacular place will inspire wonder and create joy for the people of China for generations to come.” Iger read the words that are now inscribed on Shanghai Disneyland’s dedication plaque, which echo those we’ve seen at Disneyland in California since 1955: “To all who come to this happy place, welcome. Shanghai Disneyland is your land. Here you leave today and discover imaginative worlds of fantasy, romance and adventure that ignite the magical dreams within all of us. Shanghai Disneyland is authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese. It was created for everyone, bringing to life timeless characters and stories in a magical place that will be a source of joy, inspiration and memories for generations to come.”

President Barack Obama sent a congratulatory letter, which Iger read to the crowd. Obama stated that Shanghai Disney Resort blends “American business with the beauty and rich cultural heritage of China” and that the resort “captures the promise” of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and China.

Our favorite Disney characters made a grand entrance, and it was exciting to see them in their new Shanghai attire. It was literally a “golden moment,” from Mickey and Minnie’s gold shoes to Elsa’s shimmering metallic dress, to the dazzling overlay that was added to Ariel’s aquamarine dress.

There’s no grand finale like you’ll find in a Disney park. The grand opening celebration closed with a ribbon-cutting, fireworks, and a festive performance. Red and gold—the colors of the Chinese flag—were in abundance as dancers waved colorful flags, twirled their shimmering skirts, and were joined by characters including Baymax, Timon, and Duffy the bear. The brand-new song featured echoes of iconic favorites like “A Whole New World” and “Some Day My Prince Will Come” and it felt—like all of Shanghai Disney Resort—“authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.”

With a final flourish of fireworks, Shanghai Disneyland was declared to be open, and the next chapter in Disney’s rich history was off to a spectacular start.

The Technology of Soarin’ Around the World

June 16, 2016June 21, 2016

By Jim Frye

The fan-favorite attraction Soarin’ Over California has gotten a brand-new, high-tech upgrade; new locations; and a whole new theme in preparation for its spectacular premiere at Shanghai Disney Resort. Back in 2001, Soarin’ Over California opened with the most state-of-the-art equipment available, using high-definition film projection, dimensional sounds, scents, and more. But now that digital projection and digital technology have advanced so dramatically, the Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) team decided they needed to take a leap forward with new state-of-the-art equipment, starting with the camera. Of course, as often happens at WDI, what they wanted didn’t exist. So they invented it.

“Just as Walt did with Circle-Vision and some of the other unique formats in the parks, we often custom-design projection and screen technology to create the immersive story environment that we want,” says Tom Fitzgerald, Portfolio Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “The beauty of being Imagineering is that we have an R&D team here, and our Disney Imagineers and researchers developed a state-of-the-art digital camera, one of the highest resolution cameras in the world.”

What that means for guests is that the images on the 80-foot projection screen are going to be as realistic and spectacular as imaginable. But they didn’t stop with the camera. They also updated the projection systems to laser-powered digital projection for high resolution and super-high frame rate. This helps to create a super-bright effect with super-high resolution. It won’t ever fade, scratch, jitter, or show any dirt. “It will stay pristine for every guest who rides it as time marches on,” Fitzgerald notes. “It does what we like to do at Imagineering, which is raise the bar and the quality of an immersive experience for guests. So when you see the new projection system, you absolutely believe you’re in those scenes now. It’s astonishing.”

The actual filming process stretched out for more than a year, requiring multiple locations all around the world. As the crew filmed, they’d send back footage, which allowed the California team to adjust the shots in real-time. And because Imagineers needed to see the footage as it would look inside the actual attraction, they built a mini-dome for screening the footage at their headquarters in Glendale.

“We built a quarter-scale dome, with a ladder that would take you up into the center of it and we would go up one by one, stand at the top of that ladder, and watch all the footage from the locations to pick the ideal shot,” Fitzgerald says. “And that’s how we put it together.” It wasn’t until the Disney California Adventure Soarin’ attraction went digital that Imagineers were able to actually travel down there at night when the park was closed to guests, put it up in the air and run the footage to make sure that they had all the perfect shots that they wanted. They’d see if there were any issues they needed to adjust or tweak. It was a process of back and forth, back and forth.

“Things look very different on a computer monitor or a TV screen than they do on the dome and we needed to go into that dome and look at the shots,” he explains. “Sometimes we’d pick a take that we might not have picked if we were just looking at things on a television screen. We had to have that immersive format to look at things. And again that’s part of the Imagineering way. You can’t go to Hollywood and say ‘I need a quarter dome to look at my footage,’ so we are in the business and have been for years of building unique screening facilities for our unique film and media experiences in the park.”

Fitzgerald adds, “You know, I think Soarin’ is a very romantic and beautiful experience with that score and the sensation of flying,” he adds. “We wanted postcard-perfect shots to make up the show. Soarin’ is one of the most popular attractions we’ve ever created and this was the natural next step. You’ve flown over California, so now let’s take you on one of the grandest adventures of them all. Let’s take you around the world!”

Excerpted from the Summer 2016 issue of Disney twenty-three. Like what you’re reading? Become a Gold Member now.

Share Your Chinese Zodiac Sign—with a Disney Twist!

June 16, 2016March 26, 2018

Shanghai Disney Resort’s Garden of the Twelve Friends makes for a uniquely lovely stroll and the perfect spot to snap a picture alongside one of the 12 mosaic vignettes that adorn the garden wall. These stunning glass mosaics—created in close collaboration with local Chinese artists and craftsmen—feature every character of the Chinese zodiac, rendered in Disney style and represented by favorite Disney and Disney•Pixar characters. The characters were chosen to symbolize each element of the Chinese zodiac, but they also retain their own distinctive Disney personalities.

What’s your sign? Find it below, and share it with your friends… and see how many traits you have in common with your favorite Disney star!

Ratatouille’s Remy represents the Year of the Rat. He’s determined, smart and charming. He can adapt to any situation with creative ease.

Babe, Paul Bunyan’s four-legged sidekick in the 1958 short Paul Bunyan, is patient and has a reasonable demeanor—with hints of a stubborn streak. But overall, Babe—who symbolizes the Year of the Ox—is reliable, kind, and strong.

Who else but Tigger could represent the Year of the Tiger? He’s self-assured, eager, and gutsy (along with being bouncy and pouncy), and he’s got intensity, charm, and a willingness to try anything new.

The Year of the Rabbit is symbolized by Thumper, from Bambi. This popular, modest, and honest bunny goes out of his way to show compassion and diplomacy as he faithfully cares for his friends.

People born in the Year of the Dragon—which has Mushu, from Mulan, as its mascot—tend to be confident, creative, and eternally optimistic.

Kaa, the wily and persuasive snake from Disney’s 1967 animated hit The Jungle Book, has some traits that are certainly worth emulating: He can be charming… he’s driven… and he’s nothing if not intelligent, like those born in the Year of the Snake.

Is there any steed more daring, more bold, or braver than Tangled’s Maximus? Folks born during the Year of the Horse tend to be loyal, ambitious, and filled with a sense of adventure.

The jolly holiday lasts throughout the Year of the Sheep, as far as Mary Poppins’ singing lambs are concerned. If your birthday falls during that year, you’re likely kind, sensitive, and have a soothing, quiet charm.

We’re in the Year of the Monkey right now, in 2016, and Abu, from Aladdin, embodies the qualities of cleverness, versatility and, of course, high energy.

Robin Hood’s narrator, Allan-A-Dale, symbolizes the Year of the Rooster. The kind and loyal rooster displays autonomy, confidence, and common sense.

Courage, integrity, and an all-around cheery outlook: These are the qualities traditionally associated with those born in the Year of the Dog, and Mickey’s best pal, Pluto, is the quintessential symbol of that zodiac sign.

Hamm, the wisecracking toy from the Toy Story films, is front and center for the Year of the Pig. He’s always there to help his friends when they need him and, like others born in the Year of the Pig, he’s appreciative, honorable, and optimistic.

Day 2: Shanghai Disney Resort – A Fan’s Eye View

June 15, 2016June 22, 2016

By Jeffrey Epstein

D23 is celebrating the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort and bringing you along with us on an exclusive tour of this breathtaking new resort! Our second installment takes you into Shanghai Disneyland through Mickey Avenue, Treasure Cove, Fantasyland, and more. For the first installment, featuring the Shanghai Disney Resort hotels and Disneytown, click here.

Shanghai Disneyland! As the sun was rising, we were up and ready. Today we walked through the gates of Disney’s newest theme park.

We had to catch our breath as the traditional “floral Mickey” came into view. The colorful arrangement welcomes guests into the park, and we knew we were in for something special.

First off, if you’re considering a visit to Shanghai Disneyland, plan to spend a day just gawking at Mickey Avenue. The details are astounding. Imagineers chose to craft Mickey Avenue as a place where Disney’s best and brightest have set up shop. Avenue M Arcade would be the equivalent of the Emporium for guests familiar with our stateside parks. There’s a little bit of everything—and a whole lot of hidden treasures. Look closely above one of the doorways and you’ll find the adorable one-man-band from Pixar’s Tin Toy—or Woody and Buzz in their “original packaging.” We spent as much time exploring as we did perusing the merchandise.

Across the street in Sweethearts Confectionary, Minnie has treats galore for any sweet tooth. And just as sweet are the adorable family portraits along the walls.

And if you want to truly go on a Disney geek scavenger hunt, that’s just the beginning. Inside Remy’s Patisserie you’ll find Gusteau’s Anyone Can Cook—in French! In Il Paperino (which features scrumptious waffles) guests will find Donald’s entire family tree—and there are enough feathered friends to fill Duckburg and more. Back on the street, keep an eye peeled for the window advertising the Hotel Marceline. And the Laugh-O-Grams Photo Studio. And Floyd and Carl’s Comics (an homage to comic book artists Floyd Gottfredson and Carl Barks). And in Mickey & Pals Market Café, you’ll find images of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Hiawatha, Johnny Appleseed, and more on creatively crafted crates.

Don’t miss the “1401” address on one of the buildings along a side street (the same address number as Walt Disney Imagineering’s headquarters). There’s an ad for Lightning McQueen’s favorite: Rust-eze. Oh, and of course there’s a 23! Visitors could literally spend a day just sightseeing… But there are way too many incredible attractions to get to (and shows… and parades…).

We hightailed it to Treasure Cove—the park’s pirate-themed land—for Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure. We were totally transported into Jack Sparrow’s world—and his nasty tiffs with Barbossa and Davy Jones, thanks to the incredible lifelike Audio-Animatronics® characters. And keep a weather eye out for the names of the ships (Anne Bonny!), which will have special meaning to fans of both the original Pirates attraction and the films.

Don’t think there’s a moment to catch your breath. Next door is the Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular. The lobby is more ornately decorated than some of the most famous Broadway theaters. Our mouse ears are off to those incredible stunt performers. The sword fighting! The swashbuckling! And one intense storm. We have never seen anything like Captain Jack fending off a foe midair (untethered!) as a wild sea cyclone hits the theater.

We got off our feet for a few minutes to take in Tarzan: Call of the Jungle at Adventure Isle, an epic show that retells the story of Tarzan through traditional Chinese acrobatics and theatrics. We are still in awe of what we saw—from plate spinning and aerial silk dancing to gravity defying acrobatics. The score—performed in Mandarin—remains as vibrant as ever, and Mrs. Potts even makes an appearance! (In her own subtle way.)

Next it was off to go Soaring Over the Horizon. Here in Shanghai the concept is that we are being lifted by a magical thunderbird and taken on a journey around the globe—concluding with a stunning view of Shanghai. After taking flight, we came back to Earth for the thrilling Roaring Rapids attraction—including drenching drops and other surprises.

After the intensity, it was time for a little fantasy. (But before you leave Adventure Isle, make sure you get a photo with Woolley, the llama!) Fantasyland is a staple of any Disney park, and in Shanghai, fantasy goes big—with the largest castle ever created for a Disney theme park, the Enchanted Storybook Castle. The craftsmanship on the castle is mind-blowing. Perla and Suzy from Cinderella are crafted into the stonework, as are Tangled’s Pascal, the owl from Sleeping Beauty, and many more fairy-tale favorites. Like Mickey Avenue, we could have gawked at the artistry all day. But we chose to head inside for “Once Upon A Time” Adventure. Just as Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland tells the tale of Aurora, the Enchanted Storybook Castle offers guests the chance to relive Snow White’s iconic story. Some of the special effects—especially the magic mirror, which acts as your portal to the attraction, and the Evil Queen’s interactive smoldering cauldron—are fantastic.

The Enchanted Storybook Castle is also unique because it is the only Disney castle with an attraction that goes through it—Voyage to the Crystal Grotto. Traveling through Fantasyland, guests relive magical moments from Disney animated films such as The Little Mermaid, Fantasia, Mulan, Tangled, and Beauty and the Beast (you may need to duck when Mrs. Potts “steams up” and a stream of water shoots out her “nose”!). It culminates in a finale under the castle in a secret chamber where magic crystals come to life. We loved seeing so many of our favorite films together in one attraction.

Then it was off to Never Land! We heard the Imagineers made some “enhancements” to the traditional Peter Pan attractions, and we loved every single one of them. Nana floating in air was a particular highlight. And be careful not to run into Big Ben.

All this adventure made us hungry, so off we went to the Tangled Tree Tavern. The quick-serve eatery designed after the Snuggly Duckling from Tangled. While we didn’t run into any ruffians or thugs, we did love the spicy Szechuan Chicken!

Then it was time to venture into Alice in Wonderland Maze. The labyrinth is based on the Tim Burton film, which is incredibly popular in China. At every twist and turn there was something new to see. Careful of the Bandersnatch’s lair—behind the quaking door is some ferocious growling, and Alice wasn’t anywhere to tell him we were just passing through. In a cavern the Cheshire Cat can be found… if you’re lucky. He has a way of disappearing. And while you’re getting entangled in the maze, there’s an abundance of fantastic photo spots including the Red Queen, her guards, and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

From there we strolled into the Gardens of Imagination, which features Disney and Pixar characters in the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac. Seeing them up close is something else. The tilework is extraordinary, bringing characters such as Mushu, Kaa, Thumper, and Remy to life in an entirely new way.

Along with lush greenery, the Gardens features Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and seeing elephants fly in front of the castle is quite a sight to behold. And we adored the Fantasia Carousel, which celebrates one of our Disney favorites with 62 brightly colored horses from the “Pastoral Symphony” section of the film. Along the carousel’s façade you’ll also catch a glimpse of Sorcerer Mickey and even Yen Sid!

The Gardens acts as the “hub” for the park, so we were in the perfect place to catch Mickey’s Storybook Express, an all-new parade led by a colorful locomotive with the number 8 on his “nose” (which signifies good luck!) and Dumbo riding atop! On the Tangled float we finally got to see some of the ruffians we missed at the Tavern (along with Flynn and Rapunzel, of course), and the Frozen segment was led by Sven (let’s face it, reindeer are better than people) with Marshmallow bringing up the rear. But perhaps the most spectacular float was Mulan’s. Riding atop her trusted steed, Khan, our heroine is surrounded by grandly dressed soldiers, drummers, and an ornate pagoda. Is it just us, or does Mulan look great in her warrior outfit? And keep your eyes peeled for hidden Mickeys throughout!

After the parade we needed a break. We still had to hit Tomorrowland and more! We’ll be back soon with more on our adventures.

Watch the Shanghai Disney Resort Grand Opening Wherever You Are

June 15, 2016June 15, 2016

By Courtney Potter

Shanghai Disney Resort, the first Disney resort in mainland China, opens its gates on June 16, 2016, and you can follow the events on Disney channels and on Disney.com.

Watch the grand opening ceremony of Shanghai Disney Resort live on Disney.com Wednesday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m. PST (June 16, 10:30 a.m. Shanghai time)!

Disney also invites viewers from all over the globe to experience an “authentically Disney, distinctly Chinese” grand opening celebration with a once-in-a-lifetime television special coming to Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD—simultaneously—this Thursday, June 16 (from 8–8:30 p.m.)! Narrated by Sofia Carson (Disney Channel’s upcoming Adventures in Babysitting), the telecast will feature Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger as he’s joined by nearly 3,000 distinguished guests in front of Shanghai Disneyland’s spectacular Enchanted Storybook Castle. World-renowned pianist Lang Lang will perform an all-new arrangement of “Let It Go” (from Disney’s Frozen), and the Shanghai Symphony—led by acclaimed composer and conductor Tan Dun—will debut an original song, “Ignite the Dreamer Within,” written especially for the grand opening. And of course, expect all the magic and pageantry Disney is known for… including an appearance by Mickey Mouse himself!

Good news: In case you can’t catch the simulcast on Thursday, Freeform will also air the special on Friday, June 17, from 10–10:30 p.m. Don’t miss it!

Step Inside the Hotels of Shanghai Disney Resort

June 14, 2016June 14, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

We are just days away from the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort, and we can’t wait to see this special moment in Disney history! D23 is taking you through the new resort with an exclusive fan’s eye view of the opening and a closer look at the Disney details that bring Shanghai Disney Resort to life.

Often your first experience on a Disney vacation is checking in to one of the many unbelievably detailed hotels—and Shanghai Disney Resort is no exception. From the extravagant and elegant Shanghai Disneyland Hotel to the colorful and playful Toy Story Hotel, there’s plenty of pixie dust still to come before and after a day at Shanghai Disneyland. We’ve already shared some of the story behind the two Shanghai Disney Resort hotels, but take a closer look with new images of the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel: