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First look at the vast new Shanghai Disneyland

(CNN) Exciting news for Disney lovers, especially those based in China.

Disney has finally revealed the designs for its upcoming Shanghai Disneyland, scheduled to open next spring.

Bob Iger, Disney chief executive, says that the Shanghai Disneyland will feature six themed lands -- Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Adventure Isle, Treasure Cove and Tomorrowland.

Tron, Skywalker and all the usual princesses

Bob Iger reveals the designs for the upcoming Shanghai Disneyland.

Guests can meet "Star Wars" heroes and villains while checking out sets and props from the sci-fi saga.

There will also be a cinematic Skywalker experience.

At Marvel Universe, guests can attend a "mission briefing" and meet the likes of Iron Man and Spider-man.

There will also be new additions to the six classic themed lands that Disney diehards have come to expect in a park.

Fantasyland will feature a new version of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the Voyage to the Crystal Grotto ride, which will run underneath the iconic Enchanted Storybook Castle.

As for the castle, it will be bigger than the ones in all of Disney's other theme parks and the first to include all of the brand's beloved princesses.

Tomorrowland will house a new Buzz Lightyear attraction, a jet pack simulator and a fast-paced "Tron" coaster, on which visitors ride futuristic two-wheeled "Lightcycles" under a massive color-shifting canopy.

There will also be a new pirate-themed attraction in Treasure Cove.

Shanghai Disneyland also promises to offer the world's longest parade route of all the Disney parks, as well as the most collectibles and gifts.

Appealing to local Chinese visitors

Like other Disney parks, Shanghai's version will have a classic 420-room Shanghai Disneyland Hotel as well as an 800-room Toy Story Hotel.

Disneytown, next to the amusement park, will be a shopping, dining and entertainment district with the Walt Disney Grand Theater, which will feature the world's first Mandarin version of the musical, "The Lion King."

The town will incorporate Shanghai's traditional Shikumen-style architecture.

Chinese zodiacs will be re-imagined as 12 Disney and Pixar characters at the Garden of the Twelve Friends.

"We are building something truly special here in Shanghai that not only showcases the best of Disney's storytelling but also celebrates and incorporates China's incredibly rich heritage to create a one-of-a-kind destination that will delight and entertain the people of China for generations to come," said Iger.

Shanghai Disneyland is a joint venture between Disney and China's Shanghai Shendi Group.

'Grandeur and vast scale'

Located in Shanghai's Chuansha town, it will be the company's sixth Disney resort and third in Asia.

The last Disneyland opening was almost a decade ago, in Hong Kong.

Stefan Zwanzger, AKA the Theme Park Guy, says the new artwork confirms the grandeur and huge size of Disney's latest project.

"What's clear is that Shanghai Disneyland will have much more of a wow factor than the Hong Kong park that opened in 2005," he says.

"Hong Kong opened with minimal attractions, but Shanghai right from the start has had a bigger budget and will be much more complete."

Zwanzger predicts off-the-charts popularity for the park, warning that the two planned hotels are likely to be insufficient to meet massive demand.

"I wouldn't want to be the guy in a Mickey Mouse costume in front of the castle in the first week after opening with all those people coming at me," he adds. "I would be scared."

Trapped in Disneyland for 24 hours

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