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Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part Eight
DisneyDan  Thursday, October 6, 2016 10:27:55 AM
Hello everyone,

Well, here it is - the final part of my ongoing Shanghai Disney Resort trip report series! In this part I will share with you all our adventures through Adventure Isle, and then give my final, over all concluding thoughts on our trip and the resort.

In case you missed any of the previous parts, I have provided the links for you, below:

Shanghai, September 2016 Trip Report on Two Lost Boys
I shared my experience travelling to Shanghai, arriving at the airport, getting to the resort, and then visiting the Disney Store in the city.

Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part One on Character Central
In part one of my main Disney report I shared with you all of our experiences at the two Shanghai Disney Resort hotels, Disneytown, and character dining at Lumiere's Kitchen.

Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part Two on Character Central
In this report I took an in-depth look at Mickey Avenue, with over 230 photos of all the details on the little entrance street to the park.

Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part Three on Character Central
In this report I took an in-depth look at the Gardens of Imagination, Mickey's Storybook Express parade, the Golden Fairytale Fanfare castle show and the Ignite the Dream nighttime spectacular, with over 210 photos of all the details.

Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part Four on Character Central
In this report I shared with you the futuristic world of Tomorrowland, with over 150 photos.

Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part Five on Character Central
In the fifth part of my report, I shared with you our time at Enchanted Storybook Castle and the Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, with over 140 photos.

Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part Six on Character Central
In the sixth part of my report, I detailed our adventures through Fantasyland, with over 210 photos.

Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part Seven on Character Central
In the seventh part of my report, I detailed our adventures around Treasure Cove, with over 120 photos.

Entering Adventure Isle from the Gardens of Imagination we are welcomed by a fairly large welcome sign overhead. If we enter from over by Treasure Cove, there is just a small sign on the right hand side to denote our transition from one land to the next.

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NEWS - Shanghai Disney Resort reveals characters and entertainment, and June 16th opening date! (UPDATED 14/01)
DisneyDan  Wednesday, January 13, 2016 10:37:19 AM
Hello everyone,

Today the full Shanghai Disney Resort website went live for the first time, complete with park information, hotel information (with prices coming soon, apparently) and character and entertainment listings!

Yesterday Disney announced that the resort would open on June 16th this year, and so launching the official website today was a smart move.

So, let's take a look at what character offerings and entertainment we can expect at this brand new park!

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Christmas at Walt Disney World Photo Trip Report, Part Four - Parades, shows and more characters!
DisneyDan  Tuesday, December 30, 2014 10:16:27 AM
Hello everyone,

In this fourth and final part of my Walt Disney World trip report I'll be sharing with you everything else we experienced that was not Christmas related. To read the first three parts again or if you haven't read them at all), here are the links:

  • Part 1 - The Magic Kingdom, including Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
  • Part 2 - Epcot, including Holidays Around the World
  • Part 3 - Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom

    Let's start in the Magic Kingdom with the characters we met.

      [ Read More... ]
  • Character News and Updates from Around the Web! Limited Time Magic, Valentine's Day, Fantasy Faire and more!
    DisneyDan  Wednesday, January 9, 2013 3:23:05 AM
    Hello!

    It has sadly been a long time since I really had chance to update the blog properly with any real updates. Actually, there hasn't really been any good character news for a long time, either, so that coupled with Jon and I always being mega busy makes for more sporadic posting than I would like!
    Anyway, here we are with the first proper update of 2013, and it's shaping up to be quite the year so far - which of course is good news for us character fans!

    We'll start with the US Parks, and first up is California.
    As you may recall, the old Fantasyland Theater in Disneyland has for the longest time been used for a Princess meet 'n' greet, which just about everybody agreed was a massive waste of time and space. Last year Disneyland closed it and finally started making preparations for a brand new show to debut there.
    Since then we have all waited anxiously to find out what new show would appear at the theatre.
    Well, our questions were answered this week, finally, when the Disney Parks Blog announced that 'Mickey and the Magical Map' would start in "summer 2013". I am hopeful that this will become a well loved show, as it looks quite neat, and that we get to see it when we visit in August (providing it has started by then!).
    Since the show is taking over Fantasy Faire, you may also recall that Disneyland are relocating their Princess meet 'n' greet to what was the beloved Carnation Plaza Gardens area, next to Sleeping Beauty Castle. They are of course making some massive upgrades, and this week, again, the Parks Blog announced that we would see the opening of the new location in "spring 2013" - which could mean as early as say, the end of March (that's what I've heard, but who knows!).
    Disney never like to give much away, but we are still anticipating - though it hasn't been re-confirmed properly for quite some time. They keep missing that detail out... - that the former stage area from Carnation Plaza Gardens will remain, and there will be some sort of mini show or live entertainment there, also.
    Staying with Disneyland, and last weekend saw the return of their popular Day of the Three Kings event, which featured entertainment, and of course characters! Mickey and Minnie were out in special Mexican clothing, and Donald appeared with none other than Panchito and Jose! I believe though, that this was being billed as "special" for the new Limited Time Magic promotion, despite not really being new at all!
    Which then brings me to Limited Time Magic itself. Loren informs me that he has been told by Cast Members in Disneyland that their Chinese New Year entertainment will also return this year, but will be advertised as one of the Limited Time Magic events, and also something similar to last years Character Fan Weekends will reappear as a Limited event, too. I am of course very happy that these things are returning, but it makes me a little sad that they cannot think of something new and special, instead of re-branding something existing.
    Of course, Disneyland are also getting their Horseshoe Revue Back for a very limited run, which I know has proven to be a very popular move.
    That brings me to Florida, and their Limited Time Magic.
    So far, as far as I am aware, they have had a Tomorrowland dance party, and limited edition ear hats as their first two "special" events. The problem with both of these is that they are, well, not new! Anyone who has been to Florida in the last two years will have seen Stitch and the gang rock it out in Tomorrowland almost constantly! The only real difference is that Stitch is wearing his Elvis outfit.
    Incidentally, before we move on, it was Elvis's birthday yesterday, and the little blue guy we all love wanted to just pay a small tribute...

    Having fun with the Characters at Stitch's Hawaiian Paradise Party

    Going back to Limited Time Magic, and although we don't know much else right now, we do know that for Valentine's the parks are planning some special things (though I don't think we can expect too much), and in September in Florida a Villains dance party for Friday the 13th.
    You can check out the official Limited Time Magic website here, but be warned, you might die of boredom before anything exciting is put on there! (It's a pretty dire page!)

    Over at Disneyland Paris, although I am not yet allowed to reveal any details, I would say that if you were thinking about planning a trip over any time soon, especially around Valentine's Day, then you most certainly should... I have heard there will be something really extra special and magical this year! (That will be additional to their regular Valentine's offerings, which usually consist of a character brunch, special character meets and a special Magical Moment at the Disneyland Hotel).
    When I am allowed to say more, trust me, I will let you all know!
    Speaking of brunches, a friend informs us that there is a Chinese New Year brunch at Inventions (with characters of course) on Sunday 10th February. I thought I would point that out, as that is pretty unique. As well as Mulan and Mushu, I wonder if Li Shang will appear?...
    Also, I have heard that DLP's long running Tarzan show will once again return this summer to Frontierland.

    I just want to take the opportunity to direct you to my recent New Year post, which has a special message from us here at Character Central.

    You might also want to check out my now (finally!) completed Hong Kong Trip Report here, my Tokyo Trip Report here, and my latest report which is from our day trip to Universal Studios Hollywood at Christmas, here.

    Ok, I think that is everything for now.

    Happy New Year everyone!

    Dan.
    Happy 13th Birthday Tarzan!
    DisneyDan  Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:00:07 AM
    On this day in 1999, the Disney's 37th Animated Classic, Tarzan had its world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

    Tarzan, Jane and Terk have all made it into the Disney Parks as characters, so let's celebrate now as we share some of our own memories of Tarzan!

    The Tarzan Encounter

    The Tarzan Encounter

    DLP June 2011 - Tarzan the Encounter

    The Tarzan Encounter

    The Tarzan Encounter

    Tarzan and Terk

    Happy Birthday Tarzan, Jane and Terk!

    Dan.
    Character News and Updates from Around the Web - Lunar New Year at Disneyland, Jake and the Neverland Pirates at DCA and much more!
    DisneyDan  Thursday, January 19, 2012 12:43:15 PM
    Hi all,

    This week the Disney Parks Blog announced that there would again be Chinese Lunar New Year Celebrations at Disneyland in California. Moving this year from the Festival Arena though, to near "it's a small world", the event will run from the 20th through to the 29th of January. It will feature Mulan, Mushu and other Disney Characters. We hope that it means there will be some neat costumes for the Characters. Loren will be there, and we look forward to his updates as usual! You can discuss this topic on our topic about it here on our forum.

    Staying with Disneyland, the Parks Blog also announced a special "meet-up" event at California Adventure involving Jake and his pirate band from the hit show, Jake and the Neverland Pirates. RSVPs are opening next week apparently, so keep checking their blog for more information. Loren hopes he can attend - we hope he can too! Discuss this event on our forum topic about it here!

    Be sure to check out Loren's weekly Character updates from Disneyland - the latest instalment is here.

    Finally for California, I thought this was a cool picture from the Disney Parks Blog - the Tick Tock Croc in a tea cup! Now if only he would come out of hiding to meet his fans once again...

    Jumping over to Paris now, and DLRP Today posted some more detailed concept art from the new version of the parade. I have to say it looks really neat, and we really look forward to seeing all the cool changes to it in April. From new characters (Fairies and Merlin to name some!), some brand new mini-floats (carriages for the Princesses), new costumes, new music and newly redesigned old floats (that look simply stunning!), the new version of the parade really looks set to be the fantastic boost that the day parade needed (despite our LOVE of Once Upon a Dream Parade!).

    Finally, we have heard confirmation from numerous sources across the Internet that the Tarzan show will be returning for another season this year at Parc Disneyland.

    Ok, that's all for now!

    Dan.
    Character of the Week - Tarzan
    DisneyDan  Saturday, June 25, 2011 4:18:12 AM
    When his parents were shipwrecked off a remote part of the African coast, they forged a home from the ruins; but Tarzan’s Swiss Family style life was not meant to be for long. With his parents killed by Sabor, the blood thirsty leopard, baby Tarzan cries out. His cries are heard by the kindly gorilla, Kala. Kala comes to the rescue of Tarzan, and manages to outwit Sabor – for the time being.  [ Read More... ]

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