 | |
 TheEnchanted Storybook Castle, landmark of Shanghai Disneyland | |
 Interactive map of Shanghai Disneyland | |
| Location | Shanghai Disney Resort,Pudong,Shanghai,China |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°08′38″N121°39′25″E / 31.1440°N 121.6570°E /31.1440; 121.6570 |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | June 16, 2016; 9 years ago (June 16, 2016)[2] |
| Owner | Shanghai Shendi Group (57%)[1] The Walt Disney Company (43%)[1] |
| Operated by | Shanghai Shendi Group[1] Disney Parks International (Disney Experiences)[1] |
| Theme | Fairy tales, future, pirates, adventure and Disney characters |
| Website | Shanghai Disneyland |
Shanghai Disneyland (Chinese:上海迪士尼乐园;Pinyin:Shànghǎi díshìní lèyuán,Shanghainese:Zaon-he Diq-zy-nyi Loq-yoe) is atheme park located inChuansha New Town, Pudong,Shanghai,China, that is part of theShanghai Disney Resort. The park is operated byDisney Experiences and Shanghai Shendi Group, through a joint venture betweenthe Walt Disney Company and Shendi.[1] Construction began on April 8, 2011.[3][4] The park opened on June 16, 2016.[2] The park operated in its first half-year with a visitor attendance of 5.60 million guests.[5]
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 2024, the park hosted 14.7 million visitors, making it the most visited theme park in China, thethird-most visited theme park inAsia and the fifth-most visited theme park in the world that year.[6]
TheChinese government approved the resort on November 4, 2009.[7]The Walt Disney Company announced 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 Resort site.[9] On June 29, 2013, construction on theEnchanted Storybook Castle began.[10]
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 enterprises in Shanghai forming ajoint venture with 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 developer from Shanghai stated.[citation needed] DeSimone Consulting Engineers were the structural engineers behind the construction work.[12]
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.[2]
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]
On May 7, 2016, Shanghai Disneyland had started soft openings.[17]
Disney aired the live broadcast of the grand opening show on itsFacebook and 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 Li took 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 Dragon andHero, led theShanghai Symphony with an original composition of the new song.[18]
As the opening was met with rainy weather,Chinese Vice PremierWang Yang told Iger that the rain is an auspicious sign of dollars andrenminbi to 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]
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]
As of 2025, ticket pricing ranges from ¥475 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, to ¥499 on Monday, to ¥539 on Friday and Sunday, and ¥599 on Saturday.[24] Shanghai Disneyland also offers early bird tickets, making tickets ¥50 cheaper when purchasing more than 10 days in advance.[24]
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 Kong andHong Kong Disneyland Park.[25][26][27][28][29][30][excessive citations] 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.[31] It reopened under strict rules that included, but was not limited to,social distancing, reduced capacity, temperature screenings, and mandatory face masks.[31] Shanghai Disney Resort closed for a second time due to anincrease in COVID-19 cases in China from 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.[32] 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]
Unlike other Disney parks, Shanghai Disneyland does not feature asteam railroad surrounding the park's perimeter due to the Chinese already being accustomed to train travel. Shanghai Disneyland also has no earthenberm to 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 zodiac gardens called the Gardens of Imagination.[33]Main Street, USA has given way to Mickey Avenue, which introduces Chinese visitors to Disney characters.[34] Conventional-themed lands such asAdventureland are reimagined into Adventure Isle, and other lands, such asFrontierland, are omitted entirely.[35] Several staple attractions, such asSpace Mountain,Jungle Cruise, andIt's a Small World, are excluded as Disney wanted to avoid criticism ofcultural imperialism.[36] 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.[34]
In regards to the layout of otherMagic Kingdom parks, 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 asTomorrowland is now on the left side instead of the right. Fantasyland is located in the back behind the castle (Enchanted Storybook Castle).[citation needed]
The table below shows the Attractions, Dining places, Entertainments, and Shops in each theme land.[37]
| Name of Theme land | Attraction | Dining | Entertainment | Shops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mickey Avenue | N/A |
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| Gardens of Imagination |
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| Fantasyland |
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| Treasure Cove |
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| Adventure Isle |
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| Tomorrowland |
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| Toy Story Land |
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| Zootopia |
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Mickey Avenue, the entrance of the park, is the park's equivalent toMain Street, USA. While the entrance building resembles a train station, there is no railroad circulating the park and it is used for character shows. The area is inspired by the personalities of Disney cartoon characters such asMickey Mouse,Minnie Mouse,Donald Duck, andChip 'n' Dale as well as Disney films, includingRatatouille,The Three Caballeros, andLady and the Tramp.[38] Avenue M Arcade, the largest gift shop in the park,[39] is modeled after theCarthay Circle Theater.[40] TheStorytellers statue, which depicts a youngWalt Disney andMickey Mouse, is at the end ofMickey Avenue and in front of the Gardens of Imagination.[citation needed]
The hub of the park, this land features seven 4.5-hectare (11-acre)Chinese gardens with each of the twelve animals of theChinese zodiac represented by Disney characters.[40][41] 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.[39][42] 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 is the park's largest land themed toDisney animated films. The land features the 197 ft (60 m) Enchanted Storybook Castle, themed toDisney princesses.[38][43] The castle is the largest in anyDisney theme park and features the Royal Banquet Hall restaurant, a boutique,[40] 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 Mermaid andBeauty and the Beast.[40] Attractions includeSeven Dwarfs Mine Train,Peter Pan's Flight,The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Evergreen Playhouse (includingFor the First Time in Forever: AFrozen Sing-Along Celebration),Alice's Curious Labyrinth, a walk-throughhedge maze inspired bythe 1951 and2010 versions film adaptations, and the Hunny Pot Spin, a spinningTeacups-style ride themed toThe Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.[40]
Treasure Cove is themed to an 18th-centurySpanish harbor town located on aCaribbean island that has been captured byCaptain Jack Sparrow fromPirates of the Caribbean.[40][44] The land's marquee attraction isPirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, a dark ride based on the films.[44] Guests, riding inmagnetically propelled boats, travel pastaudio-animatronic and projected depictions of Jack Sparrow andDavy Jones as the two battle against each other in attempt to seize the cove's sunken riches.[40]
The land also is home toEye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular, astunt show inspired by the films and Siren's Revenge, a shipwreck-themed three-story interactive play area set aboard a wrecked Frenchgalleon.[38][40]Explorer Canoes are also located in this area.
Adventure Isle is the park's counterpart toAdventureland. Focused around a mysterious lost world full of hidden treasures, the land featuresRoaring Rapids, ariver rapids ride through the land's towering Roaring Mountain andSoaring Over the Horizon, ahang gliding flight 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 is the park's futuristic-themed land. Unlike the other Tomorrowlands, this version does not haveSpace Mountain and instead is home toTRON Lightcycle Power Run, an indoorTron-themed roller coaster. Similarly, instead of anAstro Orbiter attraction, Shanghai's park includes a spinningJet Packs ride. 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.[45]
ThisToy Story franchise-themed land, the park's first expansion,[46] opened on April 26, 2018.[47][48] The original plans for Shanghai Disneyland called for aToy Story area 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 Story Land. Additionally, the nearby bathrooms are the same as theToy Story Green Army Men attractions found at the other parks.[49]
Zootopia is themed to theZootopia franchise and set within the mammalian metropolis featured in the films. It opened as the eighth land on December 20, 2023. It is located behind Fantasyland in the very back of the park.[50][51] It features the trackless dark rideZootopia: Hot Pursuit.[52] Characters from the movies will appear from the windows of Zootopia Park Apartments along Mane Street by advancedpuppetry techniques.[51] The land also features food ventures providing a variety of treats from the movie, for instance Officer Clawhauser’s big donut at Jumbeaux’s Café and paw-shaped Pawsicle at Zootopia Market.[53] Visitors can also purchase Zootopia exclusive merchandise from Fashions by Fru Fru, located by the entrance of Mane Street.[53]
In August 2024, it was announced that the park will receive a land themed toSpider-Man,[54] with construction started in May 2025.[55] This is the park's ninth theme land and third major expansion.[55] The land will also introduce the first major Marvel-themed attraction, which will be a Spider-Man themed thrill roller coaster.[56] Disney also announced the launching of a Spider-Man attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland.[57]
Unlike previous Disney resorts, Shanghai Disneyland was designed to be both “Authentically Disney” and “Distinctly Chinese,” incorporating both western Disney culture with Chinese traditional culture and aesthetics.[58]
The park’s physical design and layout incorporate Chinese cultural elements that’s not seen in any other Disney theme parks. Disney deliberately removed features that’s deeply tied to Western culture, such as the Disneyland Railroad and Haunted Mansion.[59] Modifications are also done to specific attractions. Soaring Over the Horizon added scenes of the Great Wall and added with the Shanghai skyline, which differs from Soarin’ Around the World at Disney World. These efforts were made to appeal to Chinese visitors, while still maintaining Disney’s own image.[59]
Shanghai Disneyland’s localization extends beyond design to food. Most restaurants serve Chinese cuisine, such as The Snackin’ Krakin, located at Treasure Cove, which is named after Beihai Kraken and serves food from Sichuan.[1] The design of communal gardens and rest spaces are also drawn from traditional Chinese element, and also accommodates for bigger families.[60]
Another layer of Disney’s localization strategy lies in its use of IP localization through the introduction of Lina Bell, a pink fox character created originally by and specifically for Shanghai Disneyland. Lina Bell became a viral phenomenon in China, making her a successful example of Disney’s appeal to China’s social media and Disney fans.[61] The character’s philosophy, announced during her launch, is that she finds joy and excitement in solving problems and mysteries, which resonates with Chinese Gen-Z women.[62] As a member in the Duffy and Friends IP, Shanghai Disneyland also has a special merchandise exclusive shop named Wandering Moon Restaurant, located at Gardens of Imagination, which sells Duffy and Friends' exclusive merchandise to pre-registered customers.[2]
The slogan "Authentically Disney, Distinctly Chinese" and the strategies behind it functions as a form of emotional branding.[59] By blending Chinese culture with the Disney's global imagery, the park constructs a national pride from Chinese audience, as well as preserving Disney's own branding and identity.[59] The localization process puts together both Chinese culture and Western fantasy, creating a hybrid cultural identity appeals to both Chinese visitor's cultural pride and Chinese Disney fan's enthusiasm for Disney's IPs.[59]
| Year | Attendance | Worldwide Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5,600,000 | 21 | [5] |
| 2017 | 11,000,000 | 8 | [63] |
| 2018 | 11,800,000 | 8 | [64] |
| 2019 | 11,210,000 | 10 | [65] |
| 2020 | 5,500,000 | N/a | [66] |
| 2021 | 8,480,000 | N/a | [67] |
| 2022 | 5,300,000 | N/a | [68] |
| 2023 | 14,000,000 | 5 | [69] |
| 2024 | 14,700,000 | 5 | [70] |
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