Tokyo Disney Resort Announces a New 600 Rooms Hotel With a Toy Story Theme !

Tokyo Disney Resort announced today the development of a new hotel with a Toy Story theme, which will open in 2021! Below, Google translation of the Japanese press-release:

"We are pleased to announce that Oriental Land Co.decided to develop a new Disney hotel with about 600 rooms in the Tokyo Disney Resort planned to open in 2021. From the exterior to the courtyard, everything is designed with the theme of the "Toy Story" movies, and the boy Andy who appears in the movie, Woody and Buzz Lightyear that he cherishes.

We invite guests to the world where toys can be fascinating. Guest room interior will be reminiscent of Andy's room in "Toy Story", with colorful furniture line up. By unifying all the guest rooms with a standard type and specializing the facilities such as restaurants for accommodation, we can realize a more convenient resort stay.

At Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, we plan to open new areas in spring 2020 and 2022, respectively. In welcoming more guests, we will enrich our stay at Tokyo Disney Resort, where Disney's dream world continues uninterrupted by enriching the hotels that meets the various needs of our guests.

Story: “Andy, the little boy who loves his toys – Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the other toys – has embarked on the ultimate backyard project: a building to house all his toys. When Andy is called away by his mom, his toys and their helpers take over the “toy” tower and open it as a hotel for all the “honorary” toys of the world”.

The hotel will make approximately 40,000 m² (hotel building only) and have 11 floor above ground, plus 1 basement. Nuber of rooms: About 600 rooms plus Restaurants, Disney shops, parking lots and more. Cost: approximately 31.5 billion yen ( $276 Million ). Opening in 2021.

Picture: copyright Disney - Pixar

Shanghaî Disneyland Hotels Update !

We're back at Shanghaî Disneyland for a new update, this time with new pictures of the two SDL hotels, thanks to the cast member preview days which have started last week and pictures posted on Instagram. All-right, let's start by some pictures of the Shanghaî Disneyland Hotel with its art-nouveau theming. Above, the facade as seen from the side in front of Wishing Star lake. Below, the opposite view to the picture above, showing what SDL Hotel guests will see when they will stand in the front garden, with the lake and SDL Castle in front of them.



Next picture is a zoom shot from the other side SDL lake, showing the whole facade of the hotel.



The picture below is showing the spectacular ceiling of the lobby.



The picture below include a shot of the Steamboat Mickey fountain at the entrance of the park but it's the one at the top which interest us as not only it shows the Mickey and friends sculpture in the lobby but it also shows how look the upper floors.





The next picture was shot in one of the hotel staircases and shows a window and a chandelier, both designed in a typical art-nouveau style.



The pictures that people are shooting will always amazes me. For instance, someone had the idea to shoot this picture below, showing what seems to be some trolleys - you know, the kind of trolleys generally used to transport guests luggages when they arrive or leave the hotel...



A last picture of the SDL Hotel ass seen from the entrance plaza on the other side of the lake. And, yes, it's a rainbow that you see in the fountain at the center of the lake!



Let's move to the Toy Story hotel, Shanghaî Disneyland "budget" hotel, with this first picture showing the entrance facade.


Check the running Woody and Buzz decals on the windows!





The Toy Story Hotel has two courtyards with giant Woody and Buzz, as well as an Alien rocket, and here are some pics showing them.


Really big Woody indeed...


Here comes Buzz - and the Aliens rocket.






The hotel include also a Lotso merchandise shop!


Yes, the whole gang is here!




See you soon for a new Shanghaî Disneyland update! In addition to the regular Shanghaî Disneyland updates i remind you that others pictures of Shanghaî disneyland are posted each day on the D&M Facebook page HERE, so don't miss them!

New Shanghaî Disneyland Rendering Reveal SDL Future Hotels

As usual i have a Shanghaî Disneyland article for you for the week-end and this one is about Shanghaî Disneyland future! A new rendering showing "Wishing Star Lake" - i.e SDL lake - has been released recently and this one is particularly interesting by what it shows.

As you know, so far, at its opening, Shanghaî Disneyland will have two hotels only, the five stars Shanghaî Disneyland Hotel and the Budget Toy Story Hotel. Only the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel will be near the lake, the Toy Story Hotel being located more or less behind SDL Tomorrowland, outside the park.

Now, what we can see if we have a closer look at this new artwork is that many more hotels are envisioned to be built neat the Wishing Star Lake. Actually, right on the left of the current Shanghaî Disneyland Hotel - which is on the right - another one with the same shape is supposed to come, and it may be another wing of the same hotel. 

Also at least one more is located at the left of this second hotel / wing, and all of them will be facing the park which si on the other side of the lake, so not visible on this rendering. And behind, on the other side of the road, others buildings can be seen in the background, though it's not possible yet to be sure at 100% that these will be hotel too - but they could be.

That's it for the SDL post of the week-end, and do not miss the next D&M article also about Shanghaî Disneyland as i have something great for you!

Pictures: copyright Disney - Shendi

Shanghaî Disneyland Hotels Update - With New Artworks !

I've got a new Shanghaî Disneyland update for you today and this time it's all about SDL Hotels as new renderings of each hotel were posted on the Shanghaî Disney Resort website!

We'll start by the Shanghaî Disneyland five stars "art nouveau" style hotel.

First picture shows the SDL hotel lobby. Nota that all pictures were shown as a digital book with half of them on each page so i had to stick the two parts of each image together, that's why the pics have a kind of vertical line in the center.

The next picture below shows some of the artworks that will be displayed in the hotel, with an art nouveau style.

Next is the elegant art-nouveau restaurant.

I'm adding this next picture showing the bar which was released previously.

First picture showing a room of the SDL Hotel!

The swimming pool of the SDL Hotel, with a Little Mermaid theme.

...And the Grand ball room which will be perfect for wedding celebrations!

Let's have a look now at the Toy Story Hotel.

The hotel has of course a Toy Story theming.

The pictures below shows the entrance of the hotel and the hotel lobby.

Next is a picture of a room of the Toy Story Hotel.

A rendering showing the outer areas of the hotel.

Next artwork shows the outdoor area with a giant Woody as well as Rex and the Pixar ball.

And here is the artwork for the other outdoor area with a giant Buzz Lightyear.

That's all for today's SDL Update, more coming soon so stay tuned on D&M!

Pictures: copyright Disney - Shendi

Shanghai Disney Resort Unveils More Details About the Two SDL Themed Hotels

Shanghai Disney Resort unveiled more details about the two themed hotels as well as a new rendering showing the Toy Story Hotel lobby. Here is the full press release:

Disney Magic Extends from Shanghai Disneyland to Two Imaginatively Designed Hotels

June 10, 2015, Shanghai – Two hotels with imaginative Disney themes will invite guests to extend their visit to Shanghai Disneyland, creating a multi-day experience and providing even more fun and enchantment for friends and family who are discovering Shanghai Disney Resort. The highly anticipated resort is scheduled to open in spring, 2016, with the first Disney park in mainland China, a Disneytown shopping, dining and entertainment district, plus the two hotels.

The Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel, conveniently located next to Shanghai Disneyland, keep the Disney magic alive from day into night. With themed designs rich in Disney storytelling and warm, welcoming service, the two hotels offer 420 and 800 guestrooms, respectively, with a range of entertainment, dining, shopping and other recreation options, providing “only at Disney” experiences with Chinese culture in mind.
As the signature hotel of Shanghai Disney Resort, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel is an elegant Art Nouveau-inspired hotel with a touch of Disney magic and imagination. Graphics, decorations, walls and window coverings, and even the furniture are accented with an overlay of Disney wonder. Offering a more playful experience, Toy Story Hotel transports guests into a toy-filled world inspired by the Disney-Pixar series of Toy Story animated films. Whichever hotel they choose, guests will be immersed in Disney stories and create lasting memories with beloved family and friends.


Disney storytelling begins the moment a guest arrives at the hotels. Seasonal gifts and magical moments are elaborately prepared to give guests a warm welcome. Whether they are passing the vivid bronze statues of Mickey and Minnie Mouse at the porte cochere of Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, or crossing the Woody and Buzz Lightyear Courtyards of Toy Story Hotel, guests will enjoy their Disney journey at the expansive properties. At the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, they also will find Disney characters from such Disney animated classics as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and The Lion King.

Delicious, Disney-themed items are on the menu at both Shanghai Disney Resort hotels. At Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, guests may dine with Disney Characters at the buffet-style Lumiere’s Kitchen, or enjoy a fine dining experience with breathtaking views of Shanghai Disney Resort at the Aurora Restaurant. At Sunnyside Café in the Toy Story Hotel, guests will enjoy tasty meals and also discover Chinese-style kites, featuring Toy Story characters, flying above them. The kites are inspired by traditional kite craftsmanship from Weifang in Shandong Province, the famous kite city in China.

Disney storytelling continues at various themed hotel facilities, such as Mickey Mouse Playhouse, Hakuna Matata Oasis and King Triton Pool. Guests are totally steeped in the world of Disney with character-themed room keys, bath amenities, post cards, pens and more. The hotel gift shops offer an array of selected Disney merchandise, which guests can treasure as part of the unforgettable memories of their visit.

In line with the world-class standards of all Disney hotels, the Shanghai Disney Resort hotels also show great consideration for every guest with premier hospitality, cordial services and meticulous attention to detail. Benefitting from the proximity to Shanghai Disneyland and the Wishing Star Lake, both hotels offer special logistical services to assist guests, including merchandise package pickup, luggage service, the Disney Resort Shuttle and Disney Resort Ferry.

Merchandise package pickup: Merchandise purchased in the theme park can be delivered right to a guest’s hotel, at no extra charge.
Luggage service: Guests may drop off luggage at the main entrance of the theme park or at the hotels, to be held for their arrival.
Disney Resort Shuttle: Complimentary shuttle service is available between Toy Story Hotel and Shanghai Disneyland.
Disney Resort Ferry: Complimentary water taxi service is available between Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Shanghai Disneyland.

After enjoying some time at Shanghai Disney Resort, or while resting in between meals, parents may bring their children to the Family Activity Centers, located at each hotel and filled with educationally inspired activities, crafts, games and story readings, all within a unique Disney and Disney•Pixar experience. With hospitality that only Disney can provide, guests will be entertained throughout their stay.

Both hotels blend the unique joy of Disney with Chinese cultural heritage to satisfy the needs of Chinese guests. One of the special Chinese features at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel will be a fountain with a large, unique centerpiece — a glass peony blossom with classic Disney fairies. The peony is a traditional flower of China, and this piece, produced in Shanghai, will be one of the largest sculpted, solid glass flowers in all of China. Special touches also include amenities that cater to Asian customs, such as slippers and high-quality tea bags.

Beyond any imagination, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel welcome people from all over the world to experience the best of Disney in China, all day and all night. A stay at the themed hotels creates an integrated, exciting and holistic tour of Shanghai Disney Resort. Fun moments continue to surprise and delight throughout the guest visit.

Pictures: copyright Disney - Shendi

Shanghaî Disneyland Update

Interesting news from Shanghaî Disneyland today with this model picture posted on ShanghaiNews.net of one of Shanghaî Disneyland hotels. Actually, this one will be the Toy Story themed hotel, supposedly located outside the park, behind Toy Story Land which might be a good idea as the hotel will have the Toy Story Land in the background. The model picture below should help you to locate where this Toy Story themed hotel will be. It's the "hotel 2" , the "hotel 1" being the Shanghaî Disneyland 5 stars hotel.

It was rumored that this hotel would have a Toy Story theme, but now we can be sure of it thanks to some deco elements that can be seen on the model picture ( the one at the top ). First, as you can see, there is this orange structure located at the hotel entrance which looks clearly like if it was a RC Racer track put horizontally. Then you have the clouds painted on the exterior building walls, who looks like the ones in the movie on Andy's bedroom walls. 

The hotel also have this shape which looks like an "8", a lucky number in China meaning prosperity, wealth and success,  and God knows - or in this case Confucius! - how important the symbolism of numbers can be for Chinese people. That said, the hotel will also have two patios gardens, supposedly having two different designs  paying tribute to the Yin and Yang symbols. On the others pictures below - posted by Shanghai Environment Online and showing the different walls of the hotel - the purple and green rectangles are supposed to be glass panels, and the green ones are supposed to "open" so it might be the guest rooms windows...

As i told you, this SDL Toy Story hotel - which, by the way, looks very much like a "budget" category hotel - should be located in an area outside the park behind Toy Story Land. If this is the case it would be a smart idea as hotel guests would probably have TSL in the background with at least the RC Racer track visible from the hotel. And why not the parachutes of the Parachute Drop attraction, you ask? Good question, as the height of the Parachute Drop structure would surely  be high enough to be visible in the background. Except that SDL Toy Story Land will NOT have the "Parachute Drop" ride. Why? It took me a while to understood why and the first reason could have been for a question of visual intrusion, but in fact it's probably not this one, and my future SDL update will explain you more about all this.  

Let's end with another fresh - and interesting - news about Shanghaî Disneyland released today by China Daily: "Shanghaî Disneyland will feature a production center, which will showcase some of the technical and creative wizardry, which will be used at the site, the company said on Friday. The first of its type in Asia, and scheduled to be open by the second quarter of 2013, the center will become the "heart" of show production for Shanghai Disneyland, the company said, highlighting the park's most complex technology before it is permanently installed within the theme park, the company said".

Looks like to me that it could be a kind of "preview center", certainly different than the one they did for Disneyland Paris before DLP opening but it might be a kind of Blue Sky Cellar like at DCA. This will be definitely interesting to follow. 

Picture: copyright Shendi - Disney

All my thanks to Luke from Luke and the Temple of Fun!