In just a few short months, kids in Shanghai will be able to give Mickey Mouse a huge hug, take a selfie with Goofy, or hop on some of the funnest rides in the world. That’s right: the wonderful world of Disney is coming to the mainland on June 16.
This spring’s grand opening of the Walt Disney Co.’s Shanghai Disney Resort was announced on Tuesday. A Wall Street Journal article says the announcement comes after half a decade of construction and a decade of planning, adding that the park will feature attractions like the “Enchanted Storybook Castle, the company’s largest princess-themed park centerpiece, a reimagining of the Chinese zodiac with Disney characters and a ‘Toy Story’ hotel.” Cast members dressed in mascot suits resembling, Micky, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and other characters will also of course be on hand for photo purposes.
Visitors will not only be excited about that classic Disney vibe, but also how the company incorporates its recent acquisitions into the proceedings. Indeed, now that Disney owns the rights to Star Wars and the vast swathe of Marvel characters on the silver screen, there will surely be plenty of attractions for kids of all ages. Those latest features fulfill the big boss’ vision; according to the park’s official webpage, Walt Disney himself once said: “I’d take (my daughters) to the merry-go-round and different places and as I’d sit while they rode the merry-go-round, I felt that there should be something built where parents and children could have fun together. And eventually it evolved into what you see today at Disneyland.”
Another Disney webpage said the park will open in Shanghai’s Pudong district, and that visitors will be able to reach it via a subway extension.
Photos: Disney, Slashfilm.com
