Disneyland to feature central lake, green space

Shanghai Disneyland theme park's core area will be built around a large central lake, and visitors entering the park will be greeted by large green areas that will include parking at its three entrances, the city's urban planning body showed in a blueprint released yesterday.

The core area will cover 7 square kilometers, a bit bigger than the 2010 Shanghai World Expo site's 5 square kilometers, according to the Shanghai Planning and Land Resources Bureau.

The bureau also said it was taking comments from the public on the plan, who can write to the management committee at djqgw@pudong.gov.cn.

Large planted areas at the three major entrances, to the east, south and north, account for about one-third of the total land, the plan shows.

Visitors can buy food and souvenirs at two large service areas planned at the south and east entrances.

A ring-shaped pedestrian road within the park will be the main artery for foot traffic, while another elevated ring is planned around the lake.

Construction began last month on the first phase of the theme park, which includes the main Enchanted Storybook Castle, designed to be the world's tallest and largest Disney castle, as the park's centerpiece.

The Enchanted Storybook Castle will combine entertainment, dining and performance venues, as well as a winding staircase.

Shanghai Disneyland, Disney's first theme park on China's mainland, is expected to attract 7.3 million visitors a year when it opens in 2015.