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Shanghai Disneyland and a New Tomorrowland

07.31.2015 by Dan Heaton // Leave a Comment

The TRON Light Cycles Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland looks amazing.
© Disney

It’s fascinating to see how far Disney will step outside of the box with Shanghai Disneyland. It will be the sixth resort and veers well away from the traditional Magic Kingdom model. Hong Kong Disneyland is also different, but its original set-up still included a Main Street, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Shanghai sits only 762 miles from Hong Kong, so Disney couldn’t just follow its normal model. They also seem determined to avoid the capacity issues that Hong Kong faced in 2005. Disney has released videos and concept art for the park, which will open next spring.

There is so much to cover with Shanghai Disneyland, so I’ll just look at Tomorrowland. It stands on the park’s left side, a spot normally reserved for Adventureland or Frontierland. Disney seems intent on remaking the conventional structure into something new. The architecture feels inviting and doesn’t represent the cold future of ‘70s Tomorrowland. They’ve also bypassed the whimsical steampunk look of more recent upgrades and are constructing a space that’s inviting. It’s the type of place I dream about when I think of an idealized city of the future.

The concept art for a vehicle in the TRON Lightcycle coaster at Shanghai Disneyland.
© Disney

An All-New TRON Thrill Ride

Tomorrowland’s centerpiece is the TRON Lightcycle Power Run, definitely not your standard coaster. If the end result is even close to the preview, it will set a new standard. TRON: Legacy may not have ignited the franchise, but its cool blue look was memorable. The image of guests lying forward like the characters in the movies promises an immersive experience.

The massive canopy above the attraction resembles an otherworldly creature; it feels similar to the aliens from The Abyss. Surrounded by trees and elevated walkways, it’s should charm fans of Brad Bird’s Tomorrowland film.

This land also includes Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue, a new version of the interactive attraction. I expect it will continue to advance the technology while retaining a similar atmosphere. The final ride is a Jet Packs spinner that should be well-themed despite the familiar ride system. The Stitch Encounter from Hong Kong plus the Star Wars and Marvel walk-through areas fill out the space. Everything really pales in comparison to the TRON ride, but I wonder how the Star Wars and Marvel properties will fit.

Concept art for Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Sunken Treasure at Shanghai Disneyland
© Disney

Looking beyond the attractions, I like seeing Disney re-invent the formula. There is no direct comparison to this area in other Tomorrowlands. My hope is that Disney will bring that same excitement to their future work at U.S. parks.

We have heard many rumors about upcoming expansions in both Florida and California. The creativity in those projects should be on the same level. The Shanghai plans increase my hope for what’s to come, especially at the Hollywood Studios. If Disney’s impending plans reach this scale, they could inaugurate a bold new era.

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Categories // Miscellaneous Tags // Shanghai Disneyland, Tomorrowland, TRON

About Dan Heaton

Dan’s first theme-park memory was a vacation at the Polynesian Resort in 1980 as a four-year-old. He’s a lifelong fan who has written and podcasted regularly about the industry. Dan loves both massive Disney and Universal theme parks plus regional attractions near his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. His favorite all-time attraction is Horizons at EPCOT Center.

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