An opening ceremony is held in Shanghai Disney Resort in Shanghai, east China, June 16, 2016. The Shanghai Disney Resort, with a unique blend of Disney magic and Chinese culture, officially opened Thursday. (Photo: Xinhua/Ren Long)
Shanghai Disney Resort, with its unique blend of Disney magic and Chinese culture, officially opened Thursday.
Among the first group of visitors, Shanghai resident Wan Wenqiang visited the theme park together with her mother and seven-year-old son.
"I have visited the resorts in California and Tokyo, and I feel so proud that we can visit Disneyland in our home city now," she said.
"Visiting Disneyland on the opening day is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I just can't wait to see how they combine Disney with traditional Chinese elements," she said.
Shanghai resident Elsie Xiao arrived at the park's gate around 7:30 a.m. and waited for the park to open at noon.
"I heard there would be some special events on the first day, so I couldn't miss it," she said, "my child is taking exams, so I just came by myself. Next time I will bring my family here."
Located in Pudong District, the 3.9-square-kilometer resort is the first Disney destination on the Chinese mainland and the sixth around the world.
The resort includes the theme park Shanghai Disneyland; two themed hotels; Disneytown, a shopping, dining and entertainment district; and the recreational Wishing Star Park.
With investment of around 34 billion yuan (about 5.2 billion U. S. dollars), the resort is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group.
The resort took five years to build and it will be further expanded, according to Walt Disney.
During the trial operation last month, about one million people went to the resort and more than half of them visited the theme park, according to Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Company.
"Watching their reaction to what we've created. That's been the thrill of a lifetime for me," he said.
Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang attended the opening ceremony.
"The Shanghai Disney Resort shows that foreign businesses appreciate the Chinese investment environment and market prospects," said Wang.
Foreign investment has increased in China despite the downturn of the global economy and the investment structure is improving, he said. "Enterprises around the globe are full of confidence in the Chinese economy and business environment.
"A more open China will definitely bring more opportunities for businesses from all countries," he said.
Wang said he hoped Shanghai Disneyland would bring joy to the visitors while keeping them safe.
