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This article was first published on June 16, 2016.
Disney opens Shanghai park, with eye to future
by Mandy Zuo (additional reporting by Nikki Sun)
China represents “incredible potential” for Walt Disney, said company chairman Bob Iger ahead of the opening of its Shanghai theme park today (June 16, 2016).
The US$5.5 billion complex is the first step onto mainland soil by the Western media giant as it seeks to grow its brand beyond already saturated markets back home. And the company was already eyeing expansion, Iger said.

“China represents incredible potential for Walt Disney in the near and long term,” he told the media yesterday.
“Shanghai is the most populous city in the most populous country in the world,” Iger said. “And whatever we build here has to be significant enough to have a real impact.”
The company had built “China’s Disneyland” instead of “a Disneyland in China”, he said.

Among the localised attractions is a Putonghua version of The Lion King Broadway musical.
The resort, which includes Shanghai Disneyland and two themed hotels, covers 4 square kilometres, but an additional 3 sq km was available for expansion, Iger said. New attractions would feature some of Disney’s latest hits, such as Zootopia, he said.
“We are clearly benefiting from the growth of the Chinese movie market, with stunning success with some of the most recent films,” he said.
Five of the company’s films, including Alice Through the Looking Glass and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, have raked in about 5 billion yuan (HK$5.88 billion) at the mainland box office.
About one million people have visited the park since it began trial operations in April.
About 7 million were expected during the first year, according to an earlier projection by USB investment bank.

Those numbers are roughly on par with the attendance at Hong Kong Disneyland, which saw 6.8 million visitors in 2015.
Andrew Bolstein, vice-president for operations of Shanghai Disneyland, said police officers and urban management officials would work with the company’s security guards to manage crowds.
While the park has roused the curiosity of mainlanders, Hongkongers appear mostly indifferent so far. Hong Thai Travel in Hong Kong recently included Shanghai Disneyland on the itineraries of its nine tours to the Yangtze River Delta area, but interest had been tepid, it said.
“The bookings are just so-so,” said spokeswoman Cherie Fong. The agency had reserved a large number of admission tickets but many remained unsold.
But Arthur Xue, president of China Travel Service Head Office, said the opening had boosted sales of its Shanghai travel packages on the mainland.



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From our archives

In 2016, ‘China’s Disneyland’ opens with localised attractions in Shanghai – SCMP archive

Mickey Mouse entertains visitors at Shanghai’s Disneyland theme park on its opening day on June 16, 2016. Photo: AP

A snapshot of the South China Morning Post’s front page on June 16, 2016. Photo: SCMP

Operation leadership team members pose for a photo with twin sisters from Shanghai on the Disneyland theme park’s opening day. Photo: Simon Song

Tourists are pictured at Shanghai’s Disneyland theme park on its opening day. Photo: Simon Song

Fireworks light up Shanghai’s Disneyland theme park on its opening day. Photo: Kyodo

Tourists from Japan are pictured at Shanghai’s Disneyland theme park on its opening day on June 16, 2016. Photo: Simon Song

Tourists enjoy the parade at Shanghai’s Disneyland theme park on its opening day on June 16, 2016. Photo: Simon Song

Hong Kong Disneyland profit drops 36% to HK$536 million as costs rise

Hong Kong Disneyland used last year’s profits to repay all debts and reinvested part of them in new attractions, says Tim Sypko, the park’s managing director. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Tim Sypko (right) poses with robotic Olaf at the theme park. Photo: Handout

Jackie Chan, Sly Stallone among stars at 1994 Planet Hollywood opening – SCMP archive

Actors Sylvester Stallone (centre) and Jackie Chan (right) arrive at the opening party of Planet Hollywood in Tsim Sha Tsui on May 29, 1994. Photo: SCMP Archive

Actor Sylvester Stallone arrives in a rickshaw for the opening night of Planet Hollywood outlet in Hong Kong in 1994. Photo: AFP

A throng of fans gather on Canton Road to see celebrities like Sylvester Stallone and Jackie Chan on the opening night of Planet Hollywood in 1994. Photo: SCMP Archive

Actor Jean-Claude van Damme arrives on a motorbike at Planet Hollywood in 1994. Photo: SCMP Archive

A snapshot of the South China Morning Post’s front page on May 30, 1994. Photo: SCMP

A snapshot from page 26 of the South China Morning Post on May 30, 1994. Photo: SCMP

From left: Kenny Bee, alongside his then-wife Teresa Cheung, and Michael Wong with his wife Janet Ma, attend the opening party of Planet Hollywood in Hong Kong in 1994. Photo: SCMP Archive

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Paul Gascoigne pictured with a female fan at The Jump Bar in Causeway Bay on May 30, 1996. Photo: SCMP

A snapshot from South China Morning Post’s Sport page on May 31, 1996. Photo: SCMP

England assistant coach Ted Buxton leads Steve McManaman, Dennis Wise, Alan Shearer, Jamie Redknapp, Robbie Fowler and Paul Gascoigne in training at Hong Kong Stadium on May 25, 1996. Photo: SCMP

Paul Gascoigne training at Hong Kong Stadium on May 25, 1996. Photo: Oliver Tsang

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On this day 10 years ago, Walt Disney expanded into China by opening its first theme park in Shanghai


On this day 10 years ago, Walt Disney expanded into China by opening its first theme park in Shanghai.


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.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}On this day 10 years ago, Walt Disney expanded into China by opening its first theme park in Shanghai

Disney opens Shanghai park, with eye to future

On this day 10 years ago, Walt Disney expanded into China by opening its first theme park in Shanghai