Ecstatic fans finally get inside Shanghai Disney as the $5.5billion theme park opens its doors to the public
Shanghai Disney opened its doors to the public on Thursday after thousands had already visited the park
The Chinese park has a number of unique features including Treasure Cove, Disney's first pirate-themed land
Entrance fee has been set at 499 yuan (£50) during peak periods and 370 yuan (£37) for other times
The Chinese park has a number of unique features including Treasure Cove, Disney's first pirate-themed land
Entrance fee has been set at 499 yuan (£50) during peak periods and 370 yuan (£37) for other times
- June 16th, 2016
It was raining, but that didn't dampen the spirits of the fans who poured through the gates of Shanghai Disney when it opened on Thursday.
Thousands of people streamed through the Magic Kingdom's doors, which opened 30 minutes early, with some sprinting through the park in hope of being the first to ride attractions such as a futuristic roller coaster based on the Tron science fiction films.
And as these pictures show, the happiest place on earth has kept its promise with some visitors looking more than just a little ecstatic.
Fireworks explode over Shanghai Disneyland during the opening ceremony on Thursday as the park finally, officially opens to visitors
Some very enthusiastic fans (pictured) dressed head-to-toe in Disney merchandise at the park on Thursday
Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng (left), Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang (centre), and Disney's Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger (right) pose as they cut the red ribbon during the opening ceremony at Shanghai Disney Resort
One of the first visitors to enter the new Shanghai Disney resort looks ecstatic to be there despite the wet weather
Speaking at an opening ceremony, Disney chairman and chief executive Bob Iger said: 'This is one of the most exciting moments in the history of the Walt Disney Company.'
Speaking as a light rain fell, Vice Premier Wang Yang added: 'I would like to call this a rain of U.S. dollars or of renminbi (the Chinese currency).'
Disney hopes people who have seen its films will visit the park, buy branded merchandise and later discover more of its vast entertainment catalogue with characters from Mickey Mouse to Zootopia film bunny Judy Hopps.
It calculates there are 330million people living within a three-hour journey of Shanghai who are potential visitors while analysts expect the resort to become the world's most-visited theme park, attracting at least 15million and as many as 50million guests a year.
More than 600,000 people have already visited the park since the soft opening in early May, according to the company, taking photos with Captain America and seeing a performance based on the movie Frozen among the many draws.
Thousands had already visited the park in the months leading up to the official opening, including the Disney village around the park
Crowded: Thousands of people lined up to enter the Shanghai Disney Resort as a row of security guards stands nearby for crowd control
Disney hopes people who have seen its films will visit the park, buy branded merchandise and later discover more of its vast entertainment catalogue with characters from Mickey Mouse to Zootopia film bunny Judy Hopps
Restaurant owner Guan Song brought his six-year-old daughter and wife from the eastern province of Shandong.
The family plans to spend two days at the resort and Guan had carefully plotted a schedule on his smartphone, including seeing a performance of the Chinese-language version of The Lion King.
He said: 'We have always wanted to go to a Disney park, but (mainland) China did not have one.
'The ticket prices are around the same as overseas.'
Disney has set the entrance fee at 499 yuan (£50) during peak periods and 370 yuan (£37) for other times, in a country where the average monthly disposable income is just $278 (£196).
But there is stiff competition as China builds more theme parks than any other country in the world.
One Chinese academic believes it could still take years for the Shanghai Disney park to be profitable.
He Jianmin from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics said: 'It will take around 10 years for the Shanghai park to make profits overall.'
Thousands turned out for the official opening with some adults showing that they're just big kids at heart
Multi-talented: A man uses his mouth to hold an umbrella while carrying a child as they enter the Shanghai Disney Resort
Selfie time: Visitors wearing ponchos and sporting umbrellas brave the rain to attend the opening day of the Disney Resort 
Warm welcome: Staff line up to welcome visitors (top) and a girl shakes hands with Donald Duck and Daisy Duck (bottom)
Disney has also had to fend off accusations of cultural imperialism.
Days before Shanghai Disney opened, Chinese tycoon Wang Jianlin, who is developing his own entertainment properties, accused the US company of a cultural invasion.
But Disney denies the allegation, saying its philosophy is to integrate local elements throughout, from the first Chinese-language production of The Lion King, to the food and the attractions. Even the Disney castle is topped with a traditional peony flower.
The massive store inside the park is selling Minnie Mouse in traditional Chinese dress, as well as a doll evoking 1920s Shanghai glamour.
Iger said: 'We didn't just build Disneyland in China, we built China's Disneyland.'
The $5.5billion (£3.8billion) Shanghai resort is the US entertainment giant's sixth in the world and the first in mainland China; there is already one in Hong Kong.
Workers broke ground on the project in 2011 and the Shanghai Disney Resort now sprawls over 3.9 square kilometres (1.5 square miles) on the city's outskirts, with a fairy-tale castle soaring over the horizon.
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