Pretoria Disneyland is my idea of an African Disney Resort. Located in South Africa, the park is not handled by Disney, rather, it is the property of another company, only under license by Disney. Tokyo proves this format is the most open to creativity.
The park is located as the centerpiece of the resort, which would also come with a shopping district and hotel. Walking through the shopping district to the park, we see our taste of the Disney shops to come. World of Disney has set up shop here, now known as Planet of Dreams. Planet of Dreams serves as a central point of all Disney parks in terms of the merchandise it offers. Other highlights include Monsters Inc Plush Factory, The 13th Hideout, the Daily Bugle, Pizza Planet, and Skywalker Storage. Other tenants are also present, of course.
The turnstiles are decorated with tropical patterns and hidden mickeys. After we get through screening, the entrance shines brightly for us, with a tropical garden, a floral Mickey, and Pride Rock. Overlooking the entrance from Pride Rock is an animatronic Simba, who will roar when the park opens and closes, and provide a welcoming dedication spiel otherwise. We enter the tunnels to the park, with tall posters advertising the attractions and lands. “Guardians of the Galaxy in the new and improved Mission Breakout! Party Rock at over 50 feet! Here in the Tivan Collection!” “Figment and Dreamfinder Present the Journey into Imagination, in Fantasyland.” “Take a spectacular Star Tour!” “Pooh’s Hunny Hunt; a trackless adventure! Fantasyland’s Storybook Woods.” “Steam Revolution! All-New Experience!”
The Plaza of Good Hopes
We enter a large plaza with a rainbow color motif. It is triangular in overall shape, leading to a circular point for our hub. Our futuristic Emporium serves as a major souvenir shop, alongside displays of Animatronic figures. The Lion King, Black Panther, and The Princess and the Frog are amongst those brought to life in these displays. The action starts here; there are a few shows and even rides. Our requisite means of resort travel is first; the Globe Traveller. The Greek-inspired architecture of the station is accompanied by a model of the trains of Disney Parks around the world, and how this train is a new step forward.
These trains have a futuristic design evoking the monorail, with some elements of the classic steam trains elsewhere. Our tour includes several scenes between our stops, portrayed using animatronics and scenery. Anyways, it begins with a view of the plaza from above. We may see all the attractions from there. Right now, we can take a closer look at each of these.
The Grand Plaza Theater showcases landmark Disney & Pixar short films such as “Luxo Jr.”, “Three Little Pigs”, “The Band Concert”, “Mike’s New Car”, and of course, “Steamboat Willie”. The main show here, however, is Muppet-Vision 4DX, a Muppet 4D theater.
Our preshow begins with a rough history of 3D film. This is the point where the 3D glasses are dispensed via 80s Robot. The rest of the pre-show includes the backstory for how the place was built and set up for viewers, presented on a video screen, alongside some wacky hands-on activities for audiences to interact with. The doors, once they open, let viewers into the dome-shaped theater with 14 rows of 20 seats. Seated? Glasses on? Let’s go!
Notice Statler and Waldorf on the balcony, ready to provide commentary. A sleeping Beauregard is nearby. Scooter is heard saying “Curtains! The show’s on in 3, 2, 1!” Kermit then appears and introduces the show “This is Muppet-Vision 4...D...X!” Our first Act is Summer Penguin’s painting demonstration. The theater comes alive with wind effects as she makes strokes on her canvas. The overall story is that Waldo C. Graphic has accidentally been freed, and the other Muppets want him contained.
Want more action? Then Spider-Man: Lethal Rescue is for you. Located inside a tall building resembling Peter’s own Queens home, this unique suspended attraction provides all the thrills of his adventures. After the death of Mysterio, Spider-Man is blamed for the carnage caused by the Blip & Mysterio by J. Jonah Jameson. He’s a hypocrite, though, and has captured some other heroes as bait for Spidey. Riders are now sent on special “SHIELD Swingers” constructed by Happy Hogan to rescue their valuable agent Quake and clear Spider-Man’s name. Fly over and brawl with villains including Vulture, Shriek, and Prowler. Below is a gift shop known as True Believers, where one can buy Spider-Man merchandise.
I really recommend you refuse to go in this right after pigging out at the Crystal Palace, a Disney park standby. This is a meet and greet locale, home to Minnie, Chip and Dale, Max, Scrooge, Oswald, Ortensia, Stitch, Kermit, Fozzie, and in rare cases even Sora! Nearby is the Shawarma Shop; where Marvel characters may hang out at. Good Shawarma’s hard to come by, so check it out! It also sells tacos al pastor and various candies.
An exhibit, known as Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, is inside another building. This displays the history of Walt Disney and his company over the years. Walt’s Hobbies is nearby, an old-school hobby shop. Home to plenty of trains, trading cards, and other items.
A familiar crystalline castle towers at the end of this land. It’s Queen Elsa Castle; home to A Frozen Fable, a walkthrough attraction telling the story of the film. There is also Marshmallow’s Den, another gift shop, with an interactive Marshmallow animatronic at the center. Passing through the gates, we enter;
Fantasyland
As mentioned before, Fantasyland is split into sub-lands. The first one is New Renaissance Avenue; devoted to the Renaissance that never was. A building with a large telescope atop it is known as The Imagination Institute, Home to Journey Into Imagination. This amazing journey is guided by Dreamfinder in special Mind Cruisers. Watch out for all sorts of wacky sights and sounds! Imagination Institute is also home to Dreamflight: If You Had Wings, a Flight Simulator attraction, as well as the restaurant Foods for Thought and the shop Wonderful Puzzles. The area also contains an all-new attraction, the Steam Revolution. This is a steampunk-inspired interactive omnimover attraction set in an alternate Cape Horn. The original storyline will engage riders from all over.
Why not take a stroll into Storybook Woods? It’s a special, deep forest, home to real trees and attractions aimed at our youngest visitors. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt is a trackless dark ride that’s a clone of Tokyo’s version. Vehicles can pull off impressive moves. Peter Pan’s Flight is based on the Shanghai version. Alice in Wonderland is probably the most inventive of the three dark rides; it has a set of roller-coaster-styled caterpillar train vehicles that seat 3 per row. The vehicles themselves move and flow around the scenes of Wonderland, featuring locations such as the White Rabbit’s house, the Tulgey Wood, and more. Set sail on water rides, too; It’s a Small World & Nemo’s Voyage are nice choices too. Dumbo the Flying Elephant & Mad Tea Party, classic flat rides, are also here. Also go to The Rumbly Tummy, a sweetshop and vegan restaurant. Take in the lovely odors and the pleasant music, along with the interactive queues of the attractions.
Enchanted Cove is home to a few more attractions, notably Thor: Escape From The Grandmaster, a coaster using innovative small vehicles in a tube-based system, in tribute to the movie. At the exit is Gifts of Asgard. Can you make your way over to Asgard and save your people in time? Omnimovers move riders through Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, a clone of the DCA version. Why don’t you also check out Nottingham Banquet Hall, a lavish medieval dining area, Pinnochio’s Village Haus, or Merlin’s Hall of Enchantments, home to the Sword in the Stone activity? Maybe because the designated Princess Meet and Greet; the Hall of Hearts, is also there? Meet Kairi, Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel, and more there. The land diverges with three exits; not only Elsa’s Palace, but west of Thor is the entry to the next land, and another land lay near Steam Revolution...
Tommoropolis
The city of the future that never was, but could still be, if we dream…
Step into the world of Star Wars with Dex’s Diner! Uniquely shaped bottles and other items give the place a truly SW atmosphere. The delicacies of the Star Wars universe are at your fingertips now, thanks to an animatronic Dexter Jettster. A whole roasted Tip-Yip? How about a Nerf Sausage, with Gi Dumpling Soup? Let’s finish off with Corellian Fried Ice Cream. Nearby is the entrance to the Starspeeder Station; it’s time for Star Tours: The Adventure Continues! After that, and going through Star Traders, the thrills continue with Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! This thrilling rave party of a drop tower features a new interactive queue. Marvel’s got some more stuff to see here, including a few shops and restaurants, plus meet and greet opportunities, and a stage show. At the center of the area is a large futuristic structure, home to Horizons, the revival of an all-time classic. The Astro Lounge is a buffet joint where Disney’s lesser-known sci-fi characters call home. Say hi to Sonny Eclipse Jr while you’re at it. While not quite as spacey as Dex’s, there’s still exotic options aplenty.
Order some snacks from Wall-E’s Earth Goods, a snack cart modeled after the character, before heading to Buzz Lightyear: Astro Missions, another shooter dark ride. We exit into Star Command gifts, home to not only a wide seat of Toy Story merch, but also; Build-a-Ranger; where one can craft their own space ranger from many different parts. The rolling waves of Hawaii call and beckon to Lilo & Stitch, a suspended dark ride. Leaving it, we can see the Axiom, an area including a play area, a meet and greet spot, and educational exhibits. Say hi to Captain Marvel, as we witness Captain Marvel: Battle of the Chitauri, a stage show.
The thrills aren’t over yet! 90s music paves the way to Space Mountain: From The Earth To The Moon. This ride is similar to the original Paris version, but it has become more story driven. Riders enter the large structure, making their way through a Victorian-inspired interactive queue, experiencing the myths and legends surrounding the moon and its inhabitants.
Next, we head into the next two lands of the park.
The park is located as the centerpiece of the resort, which would also come with a shopping district and hotel. Walking through the shopping district to the park, we see our taste of the Disney shops to come. World of Disney has set up shop here, now known as Planet of Dreams. Planet of Dreams serves as a central point of all Disney parks in terms of the merchandise it offers. Other highlights include Monsters Inc Plush Factory, The 13th Hideout, the Daily Bugle, Pizza Planet, and Skywalker Storage. Other tenants are also present, of course.
The turnstiles are decorated with tropical patterns and hidden mickeys. After we get through screening, the entrance shines brightly for us, with a tropical garden, a floral Mickey, and Pride Rock. Overlooking the entrance from Pride Rock is an animatronic Simba, who will roar when the park opens and closes, and provide a welcoming dedication spiel otherwise. We enter the tunnels to the park, with tall posters advertising the attractions and lands. “Guardians of the Galaxy in the new and improved Mission Breakout! Party Rock at over 50 feet! Here in the Tivan Collection!” “Figment and Dreamfinder Present the Journey into Imagination, in Fantasyland.” “Take a spectacular Star Tour!” “Pooh’s Hunny Hunt; a trackless adventure! Fantasyland’s Storybook Woods.” “Steam Revolution! All-New Experience!”
The Plaza of Good Hopes
We enter a large plaza with a rainbow color motif. It is triangular in overall shape, leading to a circular point for our hub. Our futuristic Emporium serves as a major souvenir shop, alongside displays of Animatronic figures. The Lion King, Black Panther, and The Princess and the Frog are amongst those brought to life in these displays. The action starts here; there are a few shows and even rides. Our requisite means of resort travel is first; the Globe Traveller. The Greek-inspired architecture of the station is accompanied by a model of the trains of Disney Parks around the world, and how this train is a new step forward.
These trains have a futuristic design evoking the monorail, with some elements of the classic steam trains elsewhere. Our tour includes several scenes between our stops, portrayed using animatronics and scenery. Anyways, it begins with a view of the plaza from above. We may see all the attractions from there. Right now, we can take a closer look at each of these.
The Grand Plaza Theater showcases landmark Disney & Pixar short films such as “Luxo Jr.”, “Three Little Pigs”, “The Band Concert”, “Mike’s New Car”, and of course, “Steamboat Willie”. The main show here, however, is Muppet-Vision 4DX, a Muppet 4D theater.
Our preshow begins with a rough history of 3D film. This is the point where the 3D glasses are dispensed via 80s Robot. The rest of the pre-show includes the backstory for how the place was built and set up for viewers, presented on a video screen, alongside some wacky hands-on activities for audiences to interact with. The doors, once they open, let viewers into the dome-shaped theater with 14 rows of 20 seats. Seated? Glasses on? Let’s go!
Notice Statler and Waldorf on the balcony, ready to provide commentary. A sleeping Beauregard is nearby. Scooter is heard saying “Curtains! The show’s on in 3, 2, 1!” Kermit then appears and introduces the show “This is Muppet-Vision 4...D...X!” Our first Act is Summer Penguin’s painting demonstration. The theater comes alive with wind effects as she makes strokes on her canvas. The overall story is that Waldo C. Graphic has accidentally been freed, and the other Muppets want him contained.
Want more action? Then Spider-Man: Lethal Rescue is for you. Located inside a tall building resembling Peter’s own Queens home, this unique suspended attraction provides all the thrills of his adventures. After the death of Mysterio, Spider-Man is blamed for the carnage caused by the Blip & Mysterio by J. Jonah Jameson. He’s a hypocrite, though, and has captured some other heroes as bait for Spidey. Riders are now sent on special “SHIELD Swingers” constructed by Happy Hogan to rescue their valuable agent Quake and clear Spider-Man’s name. Fly over and brawl with villains including Vulture, Shriek, and Prowler. Below is a gift shop known as True Believers, where one can buy Spider-Man merchandise.
I really recommend you refuse to go in this right after pigging out at the Crystal Palace, a Disney park standby. This is a meet and greet locale, home to Minnie, Chip and Dale, Max, Scrooge, Oswald, Ortensia, Stitch, Kermit, Fozzie, and in rare cases even Sora! Nearby is the Shawarma Shop; where Marvel characters may hang out at. Good Shawarma’s hard to come by, so check it out! It also sells tacos al pastor and various candies.
An exhibit, known as Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, is inside another building. This displays the history of Walt Disney and his company over the years. Walt’s Hobbies is nearby, an old-school hobby shop. Home to plenty of trains, trading cards, and other items.
A familiar crystalline castle towers at the end of this land. It’s Queen Elsa Castle; home to A Frozen Fable, a walkthrough attraction telling the story of the film. There is also Marshmallow’s Den, another gift shop, with an interactive Marshmallow animatronic at the center. Passing through the gates, we enter;
Fantasyland
As mentioned before, Fantasyland is split into sub-lands. The first one is New Renaissance Avenue; devoted to the Renaissance that never was. A building with a large telescope atop it is known as The Imagination Institute, Home to Journey Into Imagination. This amazing journey is guided by Dreamfinder in special Mind Cruisers. Watch out for all sorts of wacky sights and sounds! Imagination Institute is also home to Dreamflight: If You Had Wings, a Flight Simulator attraction, as well as the restaurant Foods for Thought and the shop Wonderful Puzzles. The area also contains an all-new attraction, the Steam Revolution. This is a steampunk-inspired interactive omnimover attraction set in an alternate Cape Horn. The original storyline will engage riders from all over.
Why not take a stroll into Storybook Woods? It’s a special, deep forest, home to real trees and attractions aimed at our youngest visitors. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt is a trackless dark ride that’s a clone of Tokyo’s version. Vehicles can pull off impressive moves. Peter Pan’s Flight is based on the Shanghai version. Alice in Wonderland is probably the most inventive of the three dark rides; it has a set of roller-coaster-styled caterpillar train vehicles that seat 3 per row. The vehicles themselves move and flow around the scenes of Wonderland, featuring locations such as the White Rabbit’s house, the Tulgey Wood, and more. Set sail on water rides, too; It’s a Small World & Nemo’s Voyage are nice choices too. Dumbo the Flying Elephant & Mad Tea Party, classic flat rides, are also here. Also go to The Rumbly Tummy, a sweetshop and vegan restaurant. Take in the lovely odors and the pleasant music, along with the interactive queues of the attractions.
Enchanted Cove is home to a few more attractions, notably Thor: Escape From The Grandmaster, a coaster using innovative small vehicles in a tube-based system, in tribute to the movie. At the exit is Gifts of Asgard. Can you make your way over to Asgard and save your people in time? Omnimovers move riders through Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, a clone of the DCA version. Why don’t you also check out Nottingham Banquet Hall, a lavish medieval dining area, Pinnochio’s Village Haus, or Merlin’s Hall of Enchantments, home to the Sword in the Stone activity? Maybe because the designated Princess Meet and Greet; the Hall of Hearts, is also there? Meet Kairi, Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel, and more there. The land diverges with three exits; not only Elsa’s Palace, but west of Thor is the entry to the next land, and another land lay near Steam Revolution...
Tommoropolis
The city of the future that never was, but could still be, if we dream…
Step into the world of Star Wars with Dex’s Diner! Uniquely shaped bottles and other items give the place a truly SW atmosphere. The delicacies of the Star Wars universe are at your fingertips now, thanks to an animatronic Dexter Jettster. A whole roasted Tip-Yip? How about a Nerf Sausage, with Gi Dumpling Soup? Let’s finish off with Corellian Fried Ice Cream. Nearby is the entrance to the Starspeeder Station; it’s time for Star Tours: The Adventure Continues! After that, and going through Star Traders, the thrills continue with Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! This thrilling rave party of a drop tower features a new interactive queue. Marvel’s got some more stuff to see here, including a few shops and restaurants, plus meet and greet opportunities, and a stage show. At the center of the area is a large futuristic structure, home to Horizons, the revival of an all-time classic. The Astro Lounge is a buffet joint where Disney’s lesser-known sci-fi characters call home. Say hi to Sonny Eclipse Jr while you’re at it. While not quite as spacey as Dex’s, there’s still exotic options aplenty.
Order some snacks from Wall-E’s Earth Goods, a snack cart modeled after the character, before heading to Buzz Lightyear: Astro Missions, another shooter dark ride. We exit into Star Command gifts, home to not only a wide seat of Toy Story merch, but also; Build-a-Ranger; where one can craft their own space ranger from many different parts. The rolling waves of Hawaii call and beckon to Lilo & Stitch, a suspended dark ride. Leaving it, we can see the Axiom, an area including a play area, a meet and greet spot, and educational exhibits. Say hi to Captain Marvel, as we witness Captain Marvel: Battle of the Chitauri, a stage show.
The thrills aren’t over yet! 90s music paves the way to Space Mountain: From The Earth To The Moon. This ride is similar to the original Paris version, but it has become more story driven. Riders enter the large structure, making their way through a Victorian-inspired interactive queue, experiencing the myths and legends surrounding the moon and its inhabitants.
Next, we head into the next two lands of the park.
