With that, fireworks exploded, fountains danced and jubilant performers dressed as Disney princesses took to the stage as more than 30 dancers and flag twirlers frolicked.
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U.S. President Barack Obama also sent a letter of congratulations. The 5.5 billion dollar park, Disney’s largest overseas investment, is seen as a bet on the country’s middle class and booming tourism.
A TRON Lightcycle Power Run (above) promises a twisting track, high speeds and a breathtaking view of Shanghai Disneyland. unlike the movie. The team worked closely with Disney in the development and construction of Shanghai Disneyland and the resort, jointly building the tallest and largest Disney castle in the world, and providing quality services to our guests. But China’s main military newspaper has also warned that Zootopia, a story about a rabbit police officer in an animal city, was a tool for spreading USA propaganda and ideals. And Disney says it’s already started construction to extend attractions beyond the existing Shanghai site.
Shanghai Disney could also help lure more consumers to its hit films such as Zootopia and Captain America: Civil War, which are among the top grossing films in China this year.
The grand opening on Wednesday night was rained off, while Iger, Disney’s chief executive, had to be called away to give his sympathies to the family of a young boy who was grabbed by an alligator and killed at a Disney park in Florida on the same day. For fans of the theme park industry and those with an interest in the ongoing cross-pollination of various world cultures as China emerges as a priority for American entertainment companies, Iger’s entire spiel is worth watching (the other speeches are translated as well).
Disney calculates there are 330 million people living within a three-hour journey of Shanghai – many, it reckons, are potential visitors prepared to pay either the peak period entrance fee of 499 yuan ($76), or the 370 yuan ($56) at other times. Live shows such as Disney’s “Lion King” musical must be approved by Chinese censors.
Ahead of the opening, Iger said the park was “authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese”.
Hopes are high for the Shanghai park, Disney’s sixth one worldwide, as the company’s global parks in Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo have been struggling to attract visitors in recent years.
“They are hamstrung in a lot of areas”, said Rein.
Ownership: Disney isn’t going it alone on this project. When looking at prices of tickets, the only way the workers will ever get through the Shanghai Disneyland gates is when wearing their uniform.
Hong Kong Disneyland opened in 2005 and has been faulted for a lack of big ticket attractions and small size, at less than 300 acres.
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Perhaps the most Chinese feature of the park is the food. It has a Disneytown near the two resorts, where the Walt Disney Grand Theatre and Marketplace are located. Disney expects waiting times to improve after the opening and recommends a “Fastpass”, which allows visitors to return at a set time to skip the line.
