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Mandy Zuo

The Disneyland theme park and resort in Shanghai is due to open on June 16, Walt Disney Company and its Chinese partner announced on Wednesday.
Construction has been completed and the US$5.5 billion project, located in Chuansha township in the Pudong district of China’s commercial capital, has started recruitment and training of staff, the companies said.
Ticket prices and other operating plans will be announced later, they said.
There has been speculation that entrance prices will be between 300 yuan (HK$354) and 400 yuan, compared with HK$539 at Disneyland in Hong Kong.
Walt Disney has recently started working on a ticketing system and has enlisted the help of China’s top internet firms to ensure an effective distribution of tickets that can cope with what is likely to be strong demand.
A source said Tencent was involved in creating the online ticketing system.
“It needs a lot of work to set up a ticketing system for Shanghai Disney,” said the source. “We are meticulously making plans as we factor in all elements ranging from payment, delivery, affordability and availability to safety.”
READ MORE: Disney fans get peek at Shanghai park
Shanghai Disneyland is expected to draw 10 million visitors a year, putting pressure on local authorities to enforce efficient crowd control.
Shanghai authorities came in for criticism for poor crowd management after a deadly stampede on the Bund on New Year’s Eve in 2014 that killed 36 people.
A joint venture between Disney and state-backed consortium Shanghai Shendi Group, the Shanghai version of Disneyland will feature characters with new stories tailored for Chinese people, with attractions such as the Gardens of Imagination, Tomorrowland, Treasure Cove and Fantasyland, according to previous statements.

One section of the theme park will feature a Disneytown with shopping, dining and entertainment areas, two hotels, plus a 40-hectare “Wishing Star Park” with natural scenery.
A garden mosaic will depict the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac using Disney characters, Disney said.
The Enchanted Storybook Castle in Shanghai will be the tallest and largest the company has built, according to the company.
The resort’s general manager Philippe Gas said the opening date was the result of thorough assessment from both sides.
Mainland media had previously speculated that the attraction would open during the Lunar New Year holiday next month or during the May Day holiday.
Tens of thousands of engineers and constructions workers from China and the US have worked on the project since building began nearly five years ago, said Shendi’s board chairman Fan Xiping.
“In the coming months we’re facing a great amount of work and various types of new challenges, but with efforts from the two sides and support from the public, I believe we will prepare well for an excellent opening,” he said.
There are concerns that the opening of the new park may drive away tourist traffic in Hong Kong, which used to be the top option for mainlanders who wanted to visit a Disneyland.
More than 20 per cent of Chinese tourists who visited Hong Kong included a visit to Disneyland in 2014, according to the data from Hong Kong’s tourism board.
The Shanghai attraction is about three times bigger than the Disneyland in Hong Kong and middle class and affluent mainlanders are already aware of the site’s imminent opening, according to one survey.
A study conducted by the Swiss Bank UBS last year showed that among 2,924 people polled in tier one big cities and next level tier-two cities, 92 per cent said they were already aware of the park one year ahead of the official opening.
READ MORE: Shanghai Disney theme park to include Star Wars, Ironman rides, pirate-themed land and Chinese heritage
About 93 per cent said they would definitely or probably visit the park.
Hayman Chiu, associate director at the financial company Cinda International, said: “Hong Kong will lose tourists to Shanghai Disneyland in the short term, especially those from the northern part of China.”
Additional reporting by Nikki Sun


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Disney

Shanghai Disneyland to finally open in June, three times bigger than Hong Kong version - and may be cheaper to boot

(151225) -- SHANGHAI, Dec. 25, 2015 (Xinhua) -- An aerial photo taken on Oct. 9, 2015 shows the Disney Park in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Zhu Yushuai) (lfj)

(160113) -- SHANGHAI, Jan. 13, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Dec. 12, 2015 shows a general view of Shanghai Disney Resort in east China's Shanghai. Shanghai Disney Resort will officially open and welcome its first guests on June 16, the Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group announced Wednesday. Construction of the resort, the sixth of its kind worldwide, started in 2011 with an investment of 34 billion yuan (about 5.5 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Niu Yixin) (wf)

(160113) -- SHANGHAI, Jan. 13, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Nov. 14, 2015 shows the castle of Shanghai Disney Resort under construction in east China's Shanghai. Shanghai Disney Resort will officially open and welcome its first guests on June 16, the Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group announced Wednesday. Construction of the resort, the sixth of its kind worldwide, started in 2011 with an investment of 34 billion yuan (about 5.5 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua) (wf)

Construction on the castle is nearing completion, as seen in the photo from late last year. Photo: Xinhua

Disney fans get peek at Shanghai park 

The D23 Expo in Anaheim, California gave Disney fans a sneak peek of the upcoming Shanghai park. Photo: AFP

The D23 Expo in Anaheim, California gave Disney fans a sneak peek of the upcoming Shanghai park. Photo: 

Shanghai Disney theme park to include Star Wars, Ironman rides, pirate-themed land and Chinese heritage

Disney has confirmed the park will feature its first pirate-themed area, but not whether Jack Sparrow will be involved. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The theme park under construction in Shanghai's Pudong district. Photo: ImagineChina

The park is expected to include a Star Wars-themed ride, but details of are being kept under wraps. The photo shows Harrison Ford reprising his role decades later as the iconic Han Solo. Photo: Handout 

An Ironman attraction is also reportedly on the cards, as Disney brings out the big guns. Photo: SCMP Pictures

News

China

People & Culture

Shanghai Disneyland to finally open in June, three times bigger than Hong Kong version - and may be cheaper to boot

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