The gates are open. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts opened their newest Park, Shanghai Disneyland on June 16. The $5.5 billion dollar project is the result of a collaboration between Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and the Shanghai Shendi Group. The project was approved 2009 by the Chinese national government, construction broke ground in 2011.

The resort site spans 963 acres and includes the main Shanghai Disneyland park, two Disney resorts, Wishing Star Park and Disneytown, an on-property dining, shopping and entertainment complex.

The Shanghai Disneyland park features six distinct lands: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle and Tomorrowland.

The Gardens of Imagination act as the park's hub, as opposed to Disney's traditional hub-and-spoke design seen in most Disney Parks. The Gardens features the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac as Disney characters, as well as some of Disney's most famous family rides: Dumbo the Flying Elephant and the Fantasia Carousel.

Reimagined Classics

In their attempt to offer an experience authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese, Shanghai Disneyland is home to several attractions most Disney parks fans are familiar with.

Peter Pan's Flight, Seven Dwarf's Mine Train and Soaring Over the Horizon make an appearance, each with a few tech upgrades and a Chinese Twist. Seven Dwarf's Mine Train song "Heigh-Ho," from the Disney classic Snow White, was recorded in Mandarin just for this attraction. Signs, park maps and merchandise are provided in Mandarin as well as English.

Chinese design was also considered in the design of the Enchanted Storybook Castle, the centerpiece of the park. The castle is the largest and tallest ever built by Disney, and features a peony flower, the symbol of Shanghai, on top of the main tower.

New Adventures

Visitors lucky enough to experience Shanghai Disneyland will also be treated to original attractions only available in Disney's newest park.

In Tomorrowland, TRON Lightcycle Power Run is Disney's fastest coaster. Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for Sunken Treasure is a new take on Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean dark ride. This new adventure features brand new technology and storytelling unlike anything Disney has ever created.

Disney in China

As the Chinese government and the economy has evolved, so has its consumer. Disney claims that over 300 million people are within a three-hour drive to its brand-new resort. While the individual Chinese consumer is expected to spend less than its American counterpart, the sheer size of the mainland population and the growing consumer market presents the opportunity for Disney to grow and expand its international brand.

As a bonus for Disney fans traveling abroad, the price for park tickets, food and merchandise is cheaper than parks in the U.S..

After more than a decade of planning and construction, Disney Shanghai Resort is officially open to the public. After a successful opening week, Disney has already spoken openly about expanding the resort to include new resorts and experiences, and maybe even another theme park to meet demand.

Disney fans from across the world are excited to see the company expand its theme park attractions and experiences to new markets. The success of the park, however, depends on the money spent by the Chinese consumers. Only then can the park be proven as distinctly Chinese.