Shanghai Disneyland(Chinese:Thượng Hải Disneyland;Pinyin:Shànghǎi díshìní lèyuán,Shanghainese:Zaon-he Diq-zy-nyi Loq-yoe) is atheme parklocated inChuansha New Town, Pudong,Shanghai,China,that is part of theShanghai Disney Resort.The park is operated byDisney Experiencesand Shanghai Shendi Group, through a joint venture betweenThe Walt Disney Companyand Shendi.[2]Construction began on April 8, 2011.[3][4]The park opened on June 16, 2016.[1]The park operated in its first half-year with a visitor attendance of 5.60 million guests.[5]

Shanghai Disneyland
TheEnchanted Storybook Castle,landmark of Shanghai Disneyland
LocationShanghai Disney Resort,Pudong,Shanghai,China
Coordinates31°08′38″N121°39′25″E/ 31.1440°N 121.6570°E/31.1440; 121.6570
StatusOperating
OpenedJune 16, 2016;8 years ago(June 16, 2016)[1]
OwnerShanghai Shendi Group (57%)[2]
The Walt Disney Company(43%)[2]
Operated byShanghai Shendi Group[2]
Disney Parks International
(Disney Experiences)[2]
ThemeFairy tales,future, pirates, adventure and Disney characters
WebsiteShanghai Disneyland

The park covers an area of 3.9 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi), costing 24.5 billionRMB,with Shendi group holding 57% and Disney holding the remaining 43%. The park currently has eight themed areas:Mickey Avenue,Gardens of Imagination,Fantasyland,Treasure Cove,Adventure Isle,Tomorrowland,Toy Story Land,and Zootopia. In 2023, the park hosted 14 million visitors, making it the fifth-most visited theme park in the world.[6]

History

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Preparations

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TheChinese governmentapproved the resort on November 4, 2009.[7]The Walt Disney Companyannounced on November 5, 2010, that it had signed an agreement with Shanghai Shendi Group to build the resort and park in Shanghai, with a planned opening in 2015.[8]On April 7, 2011, groundbreaking began at theShanghai Disneyland Resortsite.[9]On June 29, 2013, construction on theEnchanted Storybook Castlebegan.[10]

Construction

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Major construction work started on April 8, 2011, targeting a spring 2016 opening.[4]The resort was planned to cover an area of 4 km2(1.5 sq mi) and it was expected to costCN¥25 billion (US$3.66 billion).[11]The project is financed by several largeChinesestate-owned enterprisesin Shanghai forming ajoint venturewith theWalt Disney Company.[11]"The first-phase of the project will be to the South of Huanglou Area, an area in Chuansha Town, the southeast suburbs of Shanghai's Pudong area; the second phase will extend further southwest," anurban developerfrom Shanghai stated.[citation needed]DeSimone Consulting Engineers were the structural engineers behind the construction work.[12]

A satellite view of the resort in 2018.

On March 8, 2013, the company announced that the park would open in late 2015.[7]On February 2, 2015, the opening date was pushed back to early 2016.[13]On January 12, 2016, the park's opening date was announced as June 16, 2016, its final opening date.[1]

The cost was initially estimated at 24.5 billion yuan (US$3.7 billion) for the theme park and an additional 4.5 billion yuan (US$700 million).[7]That rose to around US$5.5 billion before delays,[14]which was partly due to more attractions opening to the public on the first day, which added US$800 million to the cost.[15][16]In addition to the attractions and two hotels, a high-speed rail system is being built to get visitors to and from the site.[16]Disney owns 43% of the property, and the state-controlled Shanghai Shendi Group owns the remaining 57%.[7]

Opening

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On May 7, 2016, Shanghai Disneyland had started soft openings.[17]

Storytellersby Rick Terry and Ray Spencer

Disney aired the live broadcast of the grand opening show on itsFacebookand the Disney TV stations on the night of June 15, 2016.Bob Iger,the chairman and chief executive officer ofThe Walt Disney Company,was joined by nearly 3,000 distinguished guests and celebrities for a showcase of choreography, acrobatics, costumes, and technology on grand scale, with dazzling lights, Disney music, pageantry, special effects, and fireworks. The show featured world-renowned pianistLang Lang,who performed a custom arrangement of the musical sensation "Let It Go"(from Disney'sFrozen) andChina's television and movie actressSun Litook center stage. The historic event included the debut of an original song, "Ignite the Dreamer Within", written especially for the grand opening of Shanghai Disneyland. Acclaimed composer and conductorTan Dun,known for his scores for the filmsCrouching Tiger, Hidden DragonandHero,led theShanghai Symphonywith an original composition of the new song.[18]

As the opening was met with rainy weather,Chinese Vice PremierWang Yangtold Iger that the rain is an auspicious sign of dollars andrenminbito come. Wang then read a brief message of congratulations fromChinese leaderXi Jinping,who said: "By adding to the classic Disney style a stroke of Chinese characteristics, and by blending international standards with best local practices, the resort demonstrates our commitment to cross-cultural cooperation."[19]

Ticket pricing

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Tickets for the park went on sale on March 28, 2016, with a two-tiered pricing scheme.[20]On most days, day adult tickets will beCN¥370, while child and elderly one-day tickets will costCN¥280, roughly 20% cheaper thanHong Kong Disneyland(which chargesHK$539 for a day adult ticket).[20]During busier periods, including the first two weeks of the park's operation, adult day tickets will costCN¥499,[20]while child and elderly tickets will costCN¥375.[21]The park will be the first Disney park to feature tiered pricing.[21]

According to theInternational Business Times(IBT), the equivalent of park ticket pricing will cost about US$75 for adults and US$60 for children on holidays and weekends, and around US$60 for adults and US$45 for children on weekdays. IBT notes that "a two-day weekend ticket for two adults and one child comes close to China's average urban monthly wage."[22]

Opening day tickets sold out in a few hours after they had gone on sale at midnight, March 28. However, more tickets were put on sale several days before the official opening day.[23]

Response to COVID-19

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In response to theCOVID-19 pandemic,the park (which was the first Disney park to close) temporarily closed from January 25, 2020, following the actions ofOcean Park Hong KongandHong Kong Disneyland Park.[24][25][26][27][28][29]It remained closed the following three and a half months, reopening to guests on May 11, 2020, becoming the first of the Disney Parks to reopen.[30]It reopened under strict rules that included, but was not limited to,social distancing,reduced capacity, temperature screenings, and mandatory face masks.[30]Shanghai Disney Resort closed for a second time due to anincrease in COVID-19 cases in Chinafrom March 21, 2022, through June 29, 2022. The resort reopened for the second time on June 30, 2022. On October 31, 2022, it was announced that the park would once again close indefinitely due to a surge in cases.[31]It last closed on November 29, 2022, before reopening again on December 8 after China eased its "zero COVID" policy in response to protests.[citation needed]

Park layout

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Unlike other Disney parks, Shanghai Disneyland does not feature asteam railroadsurrounding the park's perimeter and has no earthenbermto obscure the outside world from guest view. As a replacement for a central-spoked/hub, the center of the park features a 4.5-hectare (11-acre) collection ofChinese zodiacgardens called the Gardens of Imagination.[32]Main Street U.S.A.has given way to Mickey Avenue, which introduces Chinese visitors to Disney characters.[33]Conventional-themed lands such asAdventurelandare reimagined into Adventure Isle, and other lands, such asFrontierland,are omitted entirely.[34]Several staple attractions, such asSpace Mountain,Jungle Cruise,andIt's a Small World,are excluded as Disney wanted to avoid criticism ofcultural imperialism.[35]Restaurant seating has been revised upwards after studies found that Chinese guests take longer over meals, and extensive picnic areas are better adapted to extended families with grandparents. Also, there is more live entertainment as many Chinese patrons prefer that to thrill rides.[33]

In regards to the layout of otherMagic Kingdomparks, this park's layout is mirrored. Instead of being on the left side of main hub, Adventure Isle (Adventureland) is on the right side; while asTomorrowlandis now on the left side instead of the right. Fantasyland is located in the back behind the castle (Enchanted Storybook Castle).[citation needed]

Mickey Avenue

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The entrance to the park, which leads onto Mickey Avenue.
Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore on Mickey Avenue

Mickey Avenue, the entrance of the park, is the park's equivalent toMain Street, U.S.A.The area is inspired by the personalities of Disney cartoon characters such asMickey Mouse,Minnie Mouse,Donald Duck,andChip 'n' Daleas well as Disney films, includingRatatouille,The Three Caballeros,andLady and the Tramp.[36]Avenue M Arcade, the largest gift shop in the park,[37]is modeled after theCarthay Circle Theater.[38]TheStorytellersstatue, which depicts a youngWalt DisneyandMickey Mouse,is at the end ofMickeyAvenue and in front of the Gardens of Imagination.[citation needed]

Gardens of Imagination

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The hub of the park, this land features seven 4.5-hectare (11-acre)Chinese gardenswith each of the twelve animals of theChinese zodiacrepresented by Disney characters.[38][39]Attractions includeDumbo the Flying Elephant,Fantasia Carousel, and Marvel Super Heroes at Marvel Universe, a meet-and-greet pavilion featuringMarvel characters.Entertainment includes castle stage shows as well as the nightlyIlluminate! A Nighttime Celebration.[37][40]Mickey's Storybook Express, a parade with a musical soundtrack and colorful performers, runs on the longest parade route in a Disney park.[citation needed]

Fantasyland

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Fantasyland is the park's largest land themed toDisney animated films.The land features the 197 ft (60 m) Enchanted Storybook Castle, themed toDisney princesses.[36][41]The castle is the largest in anyDisney theme parkand features the Royal Banquet Hall restaurant, a boutique,[38]andVoyage to the Crystal Grotto,a boat ride around and under the castle that takes guests past scenes from films includingTangled,Aladdin,Mulan,Fantasia,The Little MermaidandBeauty and the Beast.[38]Attractions includeSeven Dwarfs Mine Train,Peter Pan's Flight,The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,Evergreen Playhouse (includingFor the First Time in Forever:AFrozenSing-Along Celebration),Alice's Curious Labyrinth,a walk-throughhedge mazeinspired bythe 1951and2010 versionsfilm adaptations, and the Hunny Pot Spin, a spinningTeacups-style ride themed toThe Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.[38]

Treasure Cove

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Entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure

Treasure Cove is themed to an 18th-centurySpanishharbor town located on aCaribbeanisland that has been captured byCaptain Jack SparrowfromPirates of the Caribbean.[38][42]The land's marquee attraction isPirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure,a dark ride based on the films.[42]Guests, riding inmagnetically propelledboats, travel pastaudio-animatronicand projected depictions of Jack Sparrow andDavy Jonesas the two battle against each other in attempt to seize the cove's sunken riches.[38]

The land also is home toEye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular,astunt showinspired by the films and Siren's Revenge, a shipwreck-themed three-story interactive play area set aboard a wrecked Frenchgalleon.[36][38]Explorer Canoesare also located in this area.[citation needed]

Adventure Isle

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Shanghai Disneyland Roaring Rapids

Adventure Isle is the park's counterpart toAdventureland.Focused around a mysterious lost world full of hidden treasures, the land featuresRoaring Rapids,ariver rapids ridethrough the land's towering Roaring Mountain andSoaring Over the Horizon,ahang glidingflight experience across the world. Additionally, the land featuresTarzan:Call of the Jungle,a live acrobatic stage show (which was permanently closed to make way forThe Adventure of Rhythm) in Storyhouse Stage, and Camp Discovery.[citation needed]

Tomorrowland

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TheTRON Lightcycle Power Run

Tomorrowland is the park's futuristic-themed land. Unlike the other Tomorrowlands, this version does not haveSpace Mountainand instead is home toTRON Lightcycle Power Run,an indoorTron-themed roller coaster. Similarly, instead of anAstro Orbiterattraction, Shanghai's park includes a spinningJet Packsride. Other attractions include Tomorrowland Pavilion (home toStar Wars Launch Bay,which is permanently closed to make way for Avatar: Explorer Pandora),Stitch Encounter,andBuzz Lightyear Planet Rescue,a variant of previous Buzz Lightyear dark rides.[43]

Toy StoryLand

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Toy Story Land

ThisToy Storyfranchise-themedland, the park's first expansion,[44]opened on April 26, 2018.[45][46]The original plans for Shanghai Disneyland called for aToy Storyarea with three rides, two restaurants, a show, and a gift shop.[citation needed]The Celebration Café, a restaurant that opened on opening day, was meant to be inToy StoryLand. Additionally, the nearby bathrooms are the same as theToy StoryGreen Army Men attractions found at the other parks.[47]

Zootopia

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Zootopia Hot Pursuit

An eighth themed land, "City of Zootopia", opened on December 20, 2023.[48][49]Its only ride is the trackless dark rideZootopia: Hot Pursuit.[50]

Attractions – Chinese Cultural Elements

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Shanghai Disneyland is the first Disneyland in mainland China with “authentically Disney” and “distinctly Chinese” features.[51]

Garden of the Twelve Friends

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"Garden of the Twelve Friends" is a wall with 12 large mosaic murals in the "Garden of Imagination", with 12 Disney characters incorporated into theChinese Zodiac.[52]

Attendance

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Year Attendance Worldwide Rank Ref.
2016 5,600,000 21 [5]
2017 11,000,000 8 [53]
2018 11,800,000 8 [54]
2019 11,210,000 10 [55]
2020 5,500,000 [56]
2021 8,480,000 [57]
2022 5,300,000 [58]
2023 14,000,000 5 [59]

See also

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References

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31°08′38″N121°39′25″E/ 31.1440°N 121.6570°E/31.1440; 121.6570