Disney CEO Robert Iger announced that Shanghai Disney’s opening will be in the spring of 2016 as all major construction activities will be finished before 2015 ends.
Despite Iger predicting that the park will be opening this year, the decision to have it introduced to the public in the spring of 2016 is probably Disney’s goal to unveil its sixth theme park in good weather conditions.
"I was in China the week before last and saw amazing progress," Iger said to stock market analysts during the earnings call when he announced the Shanghai Disney opening. "We just topped off our signature Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, and we're nearing completion on iconic features throughout the park, including the largest castle we've ever built, and we're getting ready to start casting the hundreds of performers we'll need to entertain our guests.”
Iger also shared his sentiments about the Shanghai Disney Resort coming together all so quickly. He mentioned certain qualities, such as complexity, creativity and detail, that contribute to the impressive outcome that is the theme park.
When construction of Shanghai Disney began, Iger subsequently announced that an expansion will be carried out to increase the park’s size as well as the attractions that are to be made available to its visitors. With an $800 million budget, Iger assures the public that major construction will be completed this year to make way for a grand opening in 2016.
Iger refers to next year’s spring as the most favorable time to “showcase the full grandeur of this world-class destination.”
This week, however, the mayor of Shanghai said that he is uncertain as to when the Disney theme park will have its official opening.
Shanghai Disney is a joint partnership between state-owned company Shanghai Shendi Group and Disney with which the former holds 57 per cent of the venture while the latter owns the rest.
Now totaling $5.5 billion, the upcoming theme park will reportedly include two hotels along with a Downtown Disney shopping center.
Interestingly, Shanghai Disney will have the world’s largest Disney castle called the "Enchanted Storybook Castle." Visitors can expect a large winding staircase which they can use to take a “Once Upon A Time” adventure.
Even a boat ride will be available to take them into an underground chamber.
"The park will take full advantage of advances in technology," Disney pointed out in its promo, "that will fully immerse our guests in our stories and attractions so that they will have happy experiences like never before."
Aside from Disney attractions, an interesting twist in the theme park will be the integration of Chinese culture, particularly through a park called the "Garden of the Twelve Friends" that measures 11 acres. Shanghai Disney will also have 12 gigantic mosaics that will exhibit the Chinese Zodiac’s 12 signs, but with the use of Disney characters.
Aside from Disney, Universal Studios is also reportedly constructing a theme park in Beijing. With an estimated budget of $3.3 billion, it is expected to have a formal opening in 2018.
