Shanghai Disneyland to feature first Pirates-themed land

SHANGHAI - Shanghai Disneyland, the first Disney park on the Chinese mainland, will feature scenes and characters from the blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, Shanghai Disney Resort announced on Wednesday.

The first-ever Pirates-themed land in any Disney park will be named "Treasure Cove," according to a press release.

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A major attraction at the Treasure Cove will be "Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle of the Sunken Treasure." This is a boat ride that incorporates new effects and technologies, and guests will be enlisted to travel with Captain Jack Sparrow on an epic journey to find Captain Davy Jones' treasure.

Wednesday also marks the completion of the key structural work on the Pirates attraction.

"We are excited to celebrate this new milestone in Shanghai Disney Resort's development," said Bill Ernest, president and managing director for Asia with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

He said the resort's theme park will be home to "a first new themed land and attraction, inspired by the phenomenal Pirates of the Caribbean movies that were originally inspired by a Disney attraction."

"It is truly unique to Shanghai Disney Resort," added Ernest.

"We are excited to see the Disney Imagineering team continue to bring the most advanced technologies and construction techniques to China, working collaboratively with local talents, in building this modern and innovative park," said Fan Xiping, chairman of Shanghai Shendi Group, Disney's Chinese joint venture partner in Shanghai Disney Resort.

Construction of Shanghai Disney Resort began in 2011 in the Pudong New District and is scheduled to open at the end of next year.

The complex will include Shanghai Disneyland, a Magic Kingdom-style park, two themed hotels, a large retail, dining and entertainment venue, recreational facilities, a lake and parking and transportation hubs.