Episode 3 Redemption Duel:
Shanghai Disneyland Resort will open Summer 2016, and along with it will come 2 hotels. One is themed to Toy Story, but one is entirely different in it's own, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel.
Much is know about what will be in the new hotel, but not much is known about what things will look like, or what the story of the hotel will be. All great experiences must have a deep story that immerses the guest and keeps them wanting more.
My idea for the backstory of Shanghai Disneyland Hotel would be as follows:
Shanghai Disneyland Hotel will be the flagship hotel of Shanghai Disneyland Resort. That said, the hotel should focus on the driving force in all Disney resort experiences... fantasy. Shanghai Disneyland Hotel will invite guests to celebrate the most famous fantasies of East Asia, and all around the world. And what better fantasies are there than Disney classics? The new hotel will immerse guests in the most fantastical, magical, and famous tales as told by Disney, with twist of Chinese culture too.
Here is everything confirmed for the new hotel:
https://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/en/hotels/shanghai-disneyland-hotel/
It's not much, but I still have some ideas on how to tie it all back to the story of fantasy and culture.
Aurora's
This flagship restaurant appears to be a nice mix between Asian culture, and Disney's Sleeping Beauty (hence the restaurant's name). Here's how I would go about doing this:
The look of a truly immersive environment is everything. To combine the two previously mentioned aspects, an interesting feature would be a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story across the walls in the style of traditional Chinese paintings. This would bring the two elements together, and make the restaurant unique and fun to look at. It would also be unique in the sense of having this style of art in a 'Royal Banquet' setting.
Bacchus Lounge:
Bacchus Lounge is something that can't have much more added to it, since the photo above from Disney show the completed restaurant. The restaurant is a lounge like (meaning serving snacks and wine) restaurant themed to the Greek god portions of Fantasia, and in turn combines Asian design with Greek artwork.
Ballet Cafe:
Ballet Cafe is a perfect example of the stories of fantasy and culture intertwining. Themed to Dance of the Hours from Fantasia, the snack based food corner has the atmosphere of both traditional China, and fantastical stories. There is not much that could make this any better serving to fantasy elements from what we know so far.
Luminere's Kitchen:
From this photo, the restaurant doesn't seem to embody the element of Asian culture besides the international menu. But with the Beauty and the Beast characters involved, the restaurant seems like an immersive fantasy experiences, and an answer to the success of Be Our Guest in Orlando.
Magic Kingdom Suite:
This will be the 'Presidential Suite' of the hotel, and will embody both the whimsy of the nearby park, and the traditional Chines culture that is littered throughout the entire resort. By the looks of the amenities list, it seems like it will solely focus on the fantasy element, but it can be assumed that it will follow some Chinese traditional design, similar to some of the other restaurants.
Sorcerer Suite & Fantasia Suite:
These two suites will both be based of off Disney's Fantasia, and will perfectly embody fantasy just through designs. Not much else can be said. Attaching Fantasia to something instantly makes it in with the fantasy.
Hakuna Matata Oasis:
This Lion King themed water play area will immerse guests in the story of the Lion King with interactive games and such that lets the guest use their imagination to be soaked up in the fantasy of talking animals as seen in the Lion King. Also, like Mickey Mouse Playhouse, the interactive experiences will invite children to use their imagination and create a fantasy of their own
King Triton's Pool:
This pool themed to the undersea kingdom of the Little Mermaid. The numerous character interactions throughout the day will immerse guests in the world of the Little Mermaid, and will invite guests to celebrate the fantasy of the world.
Mickey Mouse Playhouse:
The interactive kid's center will ask kids to use their imaginations and have fun with the fantasy that has been affiliated with Mickey Mouse since the very beginning.
Overall, the story of celebrating fantasy and culture at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel is seen throughout the entire complex and is a perfect compliment to the park right outside the window.
