Shanghai Disneyland brings a Disney park to mainland China for the first time ever. More than 60 years after the first Disneyland opened in California, the new park opened in 2016. Although based on the familiar Disney pattern of themed lands, this park is refreshingly different with exiting new lands radiating from the 197 foot tall castle built of warm brick with blue sloped turrets.
Mickey Avenue is the new "Main Street" with shops, snacks and "meet and greets", but with "cartoon" style shops run by Donald, Goofy and pals. Gardens of Imagination is a forested circular hub in a distinctly Chinese style before the Enchanted Storybook Castle. Adventure Isle is a lush island, whilst Treasure Grove gives the Pirates of the Caribbean their own land modelled after an 18th century Caribbean Harbor town.
Fantasyland is entered via a stone balcony in the Castle and contains a "Storybook" village, a Hundred Acre Wood mini-land and the setting for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Finally there is Tomorrowland, a modern marvel of glass canopies, elevated pathways and manicured gardens.
Shanghai Disneyland has re-invented at least 8 well known Disney rides such as Soarin and Pirates of the Caribbean, but there are also 4 entirely new attractions to enjoy, notably TRON: Light Cycle Power Run.