Shanghai Disneyland celebrates its 10th anniversary
Shanghai Disneyland celebrated its 10th anniversary tonight by honoring former Disney CEO Bob Iger and announcing the name of the resort's third hotel.
Though officials including Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro hinted at new expansion plans for the park, none were announced at the press event at the park's Walt Disney Theater this evening. Speaking privately with insiders, a second gate in Shanghai is happening, even if it was not announced formally tonight.
As for officially announced projects, Shanghai Disney is building a new Spider-Man-themed land, for which the resort recently completed track work on its centerpiece roller coaster. Other current projects at the resort include a third theater expansion for its Soarin' Across the Horizon show and two new hotels.
The first of those hotels, the resort's third to open, will debut this winter and be called Disney Enchanted Star Hotel, Shanghai Disney Resort officials revealed.
Current status of the Disney Enchanted Star Hotel, as viewed from across Wishing Star Park.
The fourth hotel will be the closest to the park and completed as part of an expansion of the Disneytown shopping district. We got no new details tonight about that project, however.
In the end, as the resort celebrated its first decade, it honored the person who did the most to make that happen. D'Amaro and partner Shendi Group Chairman Guan Taoping presented Iger will a statue miniature of the highest finial atop the park's Enchanted Storybook Castle.
"As we enter the next decade, the Shendi Group will continue to deepen and expand our partnership with The Walt Disney Company," Taoping said. "Leveraging the success of Shanghai Disney Resort, we will develop Shanghai International Resort into a world-class multi-day tourism destination, accelerate the 'multi-day economy' at the resort, and forge a more vibrant and competitive 'cultural-tourism-plus' ecosystem."
Shanghai Disney Resort President Andrew Bolstein added, "As we continue the momentum built throughout the past ten years, defined by continuous expansion and development, relentless innovation and a steadfast commitment to excellence, we are confident that the future of Shanghai Disney Resort is bright."
Update: Monday night, the park celebrated with a birthday concert in front of Enchanted Storybook Castle. Here are the highlights:
On Tuesday morning fans rushed the gates to get into the park on its official anniversary day. As usual, pretty much everyone was heading either to Zootopia or to meet LinaBell. (IYKYK.) But after a couple of hours, everyone spread out a bit and the park brought its character stars and executive leadership out back in front of the castle to sing Happy Birthday in Mandarin and English.
Stay tuned this week for more thoughts about Shanghai Disneyland, its past 10 years, and its future. The best way to keep in touch with me is by signing up for Theme Park Insider's weekend newsletter.
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