Shanghai Disneyland welcomes more than 11 million guests in first year

As floating lanterns representing good fortune for the past, present and future hovered overheard, last Friday saw the Shanghai Disney Resort mark its first year of full operations.

The celebration at the resort's Enchanted Storybook Castle coincided with the announcement that more than 11 million guests had attended Disneyland Shanghai in its first year of operation with The Walt Disney Company's expectations, from theme park attendance to guest satisfaction, exceeded.

Commenting on the success, Walt Disney Company Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Iger stated "Shanghai Disney Resort's first anniversary is cause for great celebration for everyone involved in bringing this spectacular dream to life.

"We're grateful to the people of China for making this unique destination a tremendous success - more than 11 million guests have already visited, and we look forward to welcoming many more in the years to come."

Friday’s celebrations saw guests were entertained by the Mandarin version of ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’, as a montage of photos and videos highlighting events of the first year at Shanghai Disney Resort were projected on the façade of Enchanted Storybook Castle, as well as actual guest videos and images of magical memories from their visits to the authentically Disney, distinctly Chinese destination.

Shanghai Disneyland has proved to be enormously popular with guests from home and abroad, welcoming more than 11 million guests in its first year of operation. The resort exceeded every one of The Walt Disney Company's expectations, from theme park attendance to guest satisfaction.

With its tremendous popularity with guests from across China, Shanghai Disneyland has already announced its first post-opening expansion, a new immersive land themed to the Toy Story franchise, set to open in 2018.

The innovative attractions and entertainment at Shanghai Disneyland have earned top honors from across the theme park industry over the past year, including the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), Visual Effects Society (VES) and China Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (CAAPA).

Shanghai Disney Resort is filled with immersive Disney storytelling, thrilling attractions, spectacular live entertainment and memory-making experiences designed to inspire and delight Chinese guests. The world-class vacation destination includes a magical theme park with six themed lands, two imaginatively designed hotels, a Disneytown shopping and dining district, and Wishing Star Park recreational area. 

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