Shanghai Disneyland construction is well underway and working fast to open to the public. In August it appointed Philippe Gas, previously of Disneyland Paris, as General Manager and has been building up a corp group of cast members by sending them to Walt Disney World for training in the parks.
The park itself is already attracted awards. The innovative technology behind the Enchanted Storybook Castle has won the International Architecture award from the American Institute of Architects. Walt Disney Imagineering was recognized for its successful implementation of Building Information Modeling, the process of generating and managing digital representations of structures and facilities.
“As construction of the Shanghai Disney Resort continues on its theme park and associated facility development, we’re constantly defining and redefining themed entertainment with innovation, and we do that not just in the technology behind our attractions, but also in the way we design and develop them,” said Howard Brown, Senior Vice President and Project Development Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering Shanghai. “The Enchanted Storybook Castle is designed with retail, dining, operations and theatrical spaces, and a ride system running through it which marries traditional architectural detailing with modern building technology. It would be hard to imagine designing and building such a complex structure without having one integrated, central, smart model like Building Information Modeling.”
Building Information Modeling facilitated a real time testing and feedback cycle that helped the Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Imagineering Shanghai project teams meet the unique challenges in realizing this complex, multi-use facility. It enabled collaboration using web-based social collaboration, video-telepresence and cloud-based computing which brought together dozens of team members on opposite sides of the globe, and allowed them to reach key project milestones ensuring a successful delivery of Shanghai Disney Resort.
“Our commitment to collaboration, teamwork, and mutual success enables us to create those magical, innovative experiences in a way that only Disney can do,” said David Van Wyk, WDI project management and integration executive. “When the whole organization is thinking about reinforcing each other’s efforts, it allows individuals the ability to focus on what they need to do to accomplish our shared goals. By using BIM processes and technology on this and other projects to be built around the world allow us to work smarter and more efficiently as a team.”
Congratulations to Walt Disney Imagineering on this award and all of the people over in Shanghai working hard to turn these innovative designs into a reality!
Finally, Shanghai General Motors and Shanghai Disney Resort recently signed an agreement and announced that Shanghai General Motors is Shanghai Disney Resort’s long-term strategic alliance participant. As the resort’s official vehicle, the Chevrolet brand will have presence in Shanghai Disneyland and will be entitled to provide its unique brand experience to the resort guests.
As part of the agreement, Chevrolet will have an integrated brand presence in association with a large-scale iconic attraction at Shanghai Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom-styled theme park in Shanghai Disney Resort. In addition, Shanghai Disney Resort and Shanghai General Motors will collaborate on the creation of a stand-alone attraction featuring Chevrolet within the theme park for resort guests to enjoy.
“Shanghai General Motors is committed to leveraging our global resources to provide the highest quality products and services to the China market and Chinese consumers,” said Wang Yongqing, president of Shanghai General Motors. “Chevrolet is committed to becoming the automobile brand of choice among young people and young families with products that deliver a spirit of possibilities and optimism bringing happiness to families. This makes Chevrolet a perfect fit with Disney and this relationship exemplifies our shared passion for world-class service and exceptional consumer experiences.”
“Disney and General Motors have a long-standing relationship with a number of alliances around the world, and this strategic alliance in Shanghai demonstrates our shared commitment to this important market,” said Philippe Gas, general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. “Shanghai Disney Resort is dedicated to providing world-class family entertainment experiences to the people of China, and we are excited to work with Shanghai GM to together create memorable guest experiences.”
If you’re looking for relatively recent pictures from the construction site, check out Theme Park Guy‘s website. You have to give an email to view the photos, but they’re pretty good. And Disney and More has a great dissection of the park from above using recent Google Earth images.