Disney fans get peek at Shanghai park

Chinese lanterns, traditional tea house-themed restaurants and Disney characters cast as the signs of the Chinese Zodiac – fans got an early tease of what to expect at Disney’s new theme park in Shanghai.

Plans for the Shanghai Disneyland Park, due to open next year, and a Florida attraction inspired by the blockbuster film Avatar stole the show on Friday at the D23 Expo, a convention for fans of all things Disney.

 The Shanghai park is the second to open in the vast, greater China market, after one in Hong Kong. Among the six-themed lands will be Treasure Cove, the first pirate-themed land in a Disney park.

 Other attractions at the park focus on the world of science fiction and futuristic technology will specifically target teenagers and adults – specifically, Tomorrowland, which will feature a “TRON” coaster-style ride.

 “We want to give something for everyone in the traditional Chinese family that is essentially a child, two parents and four grandparents, but in Shanghai there is also a vibrant young adult audience,” Bob Weis, executive vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering, said.

The park will also feature the iconic Enchanted Storybook Castle – the tallest, largest and most interactive castle at any Disney theme park. It will also be the first castle in any Disney park %that represents all the Disney princesses.