We wrote earlier this week about Disney’s final approval to begin work on Shanghai Disney Resort. This week, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to celebrate the start of construction on the new theme park and resort – the first Disney theme park to be built in mainland China. Today, we’re sharing news of the ceremony, as well as the latest concept art that Disney has released for the resort.
President and CEO of the The Walt Disney Company Robert Iger, who was on hand for the festivities, had this to say:
Our Shanghai resort will be a world-class family vacation destination that combines classic Disney characters and storytelling with the uniqueness and beauty of China. Working with our Chinese partners, the Shanghai Disney Resort will be both authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.
The groundbreaking ceremony took special attention to pay tribute to Chinese culture, and included traditional Chinese drum music, as well as a female soloist singing in Mandarin and a 50-voice Shanghai children’s choir. Mickey Mouse himself even got into the spirit of things by dressing up in traditional Chinese garb.
The Shanghai Disney Resort will include Shanghai Disneyland, a theme park that will blend the famous Disney storytelling with unique rides and attractions that are specifically tailored for the people of China. In the style of all Disney theme parks, Shanghai Disneyland will encompass several themed areas with their own unique attractions. At the center of it all, a fully interactive Disney castle will preside over the park and include entertainment, dining and performances that will be specifically unique to Shanghai.
Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, also had some things to say about the new theme park:
This is truly a defining moment in our company’s history. We will now begin construction on this exciting new site and cause our creative concepts to leap from the drawing boards and become a wonderful new resort where friends and families can visit and play and create memories that they’ll never forget.
This brand-new park is expected to open in about 5 years.
