On June 16, 2026, Shanghai Disneyland celebrates its tenth anniversary. We look back on a decade of magic, expansion, and records, with the celebration "With You, It's Magic+" lighting up the resort throughout the year.

On June 16, 2016, on a rainy morning, the gates of Shanghai Disneyland opened for the first time to thousands of euphoric guests. Ten years later, we can measure the extent of the journey: 100 million visitors welcomed, three major expansions, a 60-meter castle that remains the tallest Disney has ever built, and a lasting place among the top five most visited theme parks on the planet. To celebrate, Disney has gone big with a year-long celebration entitled "With You, It's Magic+". We look back at everything that made this park unique: its origins, its attractions, what happened in ten years, and why 2026 is truly the year to visit.

How Shanghai Disneyland went from a crazy idea to reality

General view of Shanghai Disneyland and the Enchanted Storybook Castle — The Shanghai Disney Resort established itself in less than ten years as one of the most ambitious projects in the history of Disney parks.

It all started long before the first shovel hit the ground. In 2004, Jay Rasulo, then head of Disney Parks and Resorts, publicly mentioned the idea of a park in mainland China, distinct from the one in Hong Kong. Discussions with Shanghai authorities dragged on for several years, and it was in January 2009 that Disney formally submitted its project to the Chinese government. The green light arrived in November, and the groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 8, 2011.

Five years of construction followed on a 14 sq km site in the Pudong district. The initial estimated budget of $3.7 billion eventually climbed to $5.5 billion, mainly due to the addition of many extra attractions along the way. It was the largest investment in Disney's history for a single park. The structure was unprecedented: 57% of the resort is owned by the Chinese state via the Shanghai Shendi Group, with Disney retaining 43%. An agreement that reflects Disney's desire to establish a lasting presence in the world's most populous market.

Details of the Shanghai Disneyland castle inspired by Chinese culture — From its conception, the park was designed around a clear formula: authentically Disney, distinctly Chinese.

On June 16, 2016, Bob Iger, then CEO of Disney, spoke of one of the proudest moments in the company's history. The inauguration was broadcast live on Facebook and Disney Channel. Within six months, 5.6 million guests walked through the gates, roughly 28,000 people per day. The first full year of operation, 2017, saw 11 million visitors and a direct entry into 8th place worldwide. For a newborn park, it was a remarkable performance.

What makes Shanghai Disneyland truly different from other Disney parks

Unlike Hong Kong Disneyland, which was built on the Californian park model, Shanghai was designed from scratch as an entirely new Magic Kingdom, on the same principle as Disneyland Paris in its time. The motto displayed from the start: "authentically Disney, distinctly Chinese". This isn't just a marketing pitch: every land, every architectural detail, every attraction bears the mark of this dual identity.

The traditional Main Street, U.S.A. found in other parks gives way here to Mickey Avenue, a boulevard whose style blends Victorian aesthetics and Art Deco, with nods to Mickey Mouse's universe everywhere. The central castle, the Enchanted Storybook Castle, is the first in Disney history not to be dedicated to a single princess, but to all of them. It culminates at 60 meters, making it the tallest castle ever built by the company. Its summit is crowned with a golden peony, China's national flower symbolizing prosperity, while a magnolia adorns another spire as a tribute to Shanghai. In the archways leading to the castle, four sculpted swans bear the first names of the women in Walt Disney's life—Flora his mother, Lillian his wife, and his two daughters Diane and Sharon—a discreet tribute that the vast majority of visitors never notice.

The Enchanted Storybook Castle illuminated at night during the 10th anniversary celebration — A single large nighttime visual is enough here to remind us of the castle's monumentality without overloading the article with too many similar photos.

In terms of attractions, the park set standards that other Disney parks took years to catch up with. TRON Lightcycle Power Run, open since 2016, remains for many the best roller coaster across all Disney parks. You sit straddling a glowing motorcycle and are catapulted through a breathtaking digital Grid under a dome of 38,000 LEDs. Walt Disney World waited seven years to open a similar version at Magic Kingdom: this fact alone speaks volumes about the level of advancement of the Shanghai park.

The other game-changing attraction is Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure. The Shanghai version has nothing in common with the dark rides in the other parks. Thanks to a magnetic propulsion boat system combined with 360-degree projection, water effects, and some of the most expressive animatronics in the industry, you fight alongside Jack Sparrow and Davy Jones in an unprecedented level of immersion. Treasure Cove is also the first land entirely dedicated to Pirates in Disney parks history. Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, the boat ride under the castle, takes you through the worlds of Aladdin, Ariel, Belle, Rapunzel, Mulan, and the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Two days of visiting are more than justified just for these experiences.

Ten years of life: Toy Story Land, Zootopia, and everything that built today's resort

The original 2016 park was already impressive, but what really surprised the Disney community was the speed at which it continued to grow. The first major expansion arrived in April 2018 with Toy Story Land, three new attractions in a colorful environment faithful to the Pixar universe. The effect on attendance was immediate: 11.8 million visitors in 2018, compared to 11 million the previous year.

The Covid-19 pandemic hit hard in 2020, with attendance dropping to 5.5 million, a decrease of more than 50%. The park's 5th anniversary in June 2021 was practically derailed by the health restrictions still in place. It was a real frustration for the Disney teams who had been preparing surprises for two years. But the park held up better than its regional competitors, and even temporarily became the most visited park in Asia, as its rivals were closed for longer.

Zootopia float at Shanghai Disneyland with Gazelle and characters from the film — Zootopia has become in record time one of the symbols of the park's new identity.

The true masterstroke of the decade arrived on December 20, 2023, with the opening of Zootopia, the park's 8th land and the only one in the world dedicated to this universe. The original animated film generated over $230 million in China in 2016, making it the highest-grossing Western animated film in the country's history. The characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde became full-fledged Chinese cultural icons, with merchandise developed specifically for this market well before the land opened. Zootopia: Hot Pursuit even won the 2024 China Theme Park Excellent Attraction Award awarded by the Institute for Theme Park Studies, and the Gold at the Collision Awards.

Tundra Town sets in the Zootopia land at Shanghai Disneyland — The land doesn't just rely on its main attraction: its urban scenery, neighborhoods, and textures alone tell the ambition of the project.

Zootopia's flagship attraction, Hot Pursuit, takes you aboard a trackless vehicle shaped like a police car. You accompany Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde on a high-speed chase through the city's different districts: Tundra Town, Sahara Square, Rainforest District. The technology makes every ride slightly different, and the density of details in the land is truly staggering. In the Zootopia Park Apartments building, secondary characters from the film like Flash the sloth or Mr. Big appear in the windows and interact with guests throughout the day. In just one year of operation, the total distance covered by the attraction's vehicles was already enough to circle the equator eight times. An attendance record that confirms the choice of this IP was not only symbolic.

In October 2025, the resort welcomed its 100 millionth guest, less than ten years after opening. For comparison, Disneyland Paris reached this milestone in January 2001, roughly nine years after its inauguration. In 2024, the park recorded its highest historical attendance with 14.7 million visitors, a 5% increase from the previous year, the strongest growth among the world's top ten parks according to the Themed Entertainment Association's annual report.

"With You, It's Magic+": what Disney has prepared to celebrate the 10th anniversary

Main visual of the With You, It's Magic+ celebration at Shanghai Disney Resort — The official 10th anniversary visual perfectly summarizes the promise of this celebration: more shows, more characters, more details everywhere in the resort.

On December 31, 2025, during the "Ignite the New Year" nighttime spectacular, the official 10th anniversary logo was projected for the first time on the Enchanted Storybook Castle. A golden "10" accompanied by a "+" sign and shooting stars. This "+" captures the entire philosophy of the party: it represents the Chinese character meaning ten (十), signals "more magic" to come, and anchors the year's slogan: "With You, It's Magic+".

The official celebration kicked off on March 20, 2026, International Day of Happiness, and will last a full year. To prepare for it, Disney teams worked for two years. There are over 3,000 hours of rehearsals for the shows alone, 110 new costumes created for characters and Cast Members, more than 550 "10"s hidden in the resort's decorations, and 2,000 glowing stars scattered throughout the park.

The official 10th anniversary song is called "Magic Together". Composed by Christopher Lennertz and Alex Karukas, performed by Liu Yuning and Song Yuqi, it's an energetic pop-funk track designed to accompany all the celebration's entertainment. It has been resonating through the resort since March 20, 2026.

The new castle show is called "The Heart of Magic". The story: Mickey and his friends go on a quest to restore the Heart of Magic in a kingdom hidden beneath the Enchanted Storybook Castle. The show unfolds in four chapters on a stage now equipped with three satellite stages connected by walkways, allowing guests to experience the show from multiple angles without fighting for a spot. It features characters from nine films: Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, Tangled, Mulan, Hercules, Frozen, Toy Story, Coco, and Turning Red. Two absolute firsts for the park: Hercules makes his Shanghai debut in a central role, as does Miguel from Coco.

Duffy and Friends during the 10th anniversary pre-parade at Shanghai Disneyland — The 10 years are not just about the castle: Duffy and Friends also hold a central place in the celebration.

The Mickey's Storybook Express parade gains two new units. Before the main parade, the "FriendSHIP! The Duffy and Friends Special Pre-Parade" kicks things off with a golden boat-shaped float carrying the seven Duffy and Friends characters in brand new outfits. Then a Zootopia float will join the main parade: Gazelle's concert bus, featuring Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and Officer Clawhauser DJing to "Try Everything" and the Zootopia 2 theme. Note that the float will also host secondary characters like Gary De'Snake, Mayor Brian Winddancer, and the Big family, turning the parade passage into a true neighborhood block party.

Wish sequence in the Shanghai Disneyland anniversary nighttime spectacular — For the nighttime finale, Disney enriches the show with new scenes rather than simply repeating the exact same spectacle.

The nighttime spectacular Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration receives a new grand finale entitled "Magic Together: A Special 10th Birthday Celebration". Mickey appears in a magician's costume amidst a burst of sparks, and new fountains, projections, and fireworks take over the Gardens of Imagination. A sequence dedicated to the movie Wish featuring Asha and Star completes the show, with the song "This Wish" as the closing. A dance troupe dubbed the "Star Squad", in sparkling star-patterned outfits, also animates the resort at various times of the day, from the minutes leading up to the parade to the winter evenings.

Dining, merchandise, and the app that turns your visit into a scavenger hunt

Magic Wish Noodle offered for the Shanghai Disney Resort 10th anniversary — The celebration extends to the dining plates, with dishes designed as true visual markers of the event.

The anniversary is also experienced through food. The resort offers "Magic Wish Noodles", long noodles referencing the Chinese tradition of the birthday meal: eating long noodles symbolizes longevity. They can be found in several of the resort's restaurants, sometimes with highly theatrical presentations. Ten regional flavors from different Chinese provinces are also available, with a Disney twist on each specialty. And the "Magical Treat Returns" promotion brings back ten of the most requested snacks from the past decade, selected by the guests themselves—including the Mickey roast duck pizza and Shanghai-style crepes.

On the merchandise side, it's the largest collection in the resort's history. Six new product lines, over 400 items: plush toys, apparel, accessories, and collectibles featuring Mickey and Friends, Duffy and Friends, and the Enchanted Storybook Castle. The park tickets themselves become collector's items: 30 variants, each illustrated with a different Disney character, which together form a puzzle representing the park's iconic landmarks. A section of the photographed landmark appears on each ticket, inviting guests to recreate the proper photo on site.

Interactive Magic Wand of the 10th anniversary at Shanghai Disney Resort — The Magic Wand is one of the best examples of how Shanghai Disney Resort blends souvenir items, technology, and scavenger hunts.

The item of the year is called the Magic Wand. This interactive magic wand, available for purchase in the park, allows you to "summon and collect" magic in different areas of the resort. Paired with the Shanghai Disney Resort app and its "My Magic Star" program, it turns the day into a scavenger hunt across the park: you create a personalized star, unlock daily maps, and accumulate digital memories. It's a concept that works extremely well with both families and young adults.

The resort's hotels, the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and the Toy Story Hotel, are also participating in the festivities with in-room birthday surprises and a hunt for hidden "10"s in all common areas. Disneytown, the adjacent shopping district, offers seasonal markets, themed guided tours, and entertainment throughout the year. Official Shanghai Disney Resort website Complete guide to the celebration on Disney Parks Blog

What's coming next: Spider-Man, new hotels, and a resort that never stops growing

Entrance to Pixar Adventurous Journey at Shanghai Disney Resort — The resort continues to add new experiences and new spaces, proof that Shanghai Disneyland remains a destination in constant motion.

On May 19, 2025, an official ceremony marked the start of construction for the park's future 9th land: an area entirely dedicated to Spider-Man, adjacent to Zootopia. Announced at the D23 Expo in Anaheim in 2024, it will host the park's first major Marvel attraction, a high-energy roller coaster featuring Peter Parker. In September 2025, the first tracks of the roller coaster went vertical. As these lines are being written, in April 2026, the installation of the structure continues at a rapid pace. No opening date has been announced yet.

In terms of hospitality, two new establishments are under development. The third hotel, under construction on the south shore of Wishing Star Lake, adopts an Art Nouveau style inspired by Shanghai's architectural heritage from the early 20th century, offering direct views of the park from the rooms. A fourth hotel was announced in November 2025, positioned directly at the resort's entrance: it will be the closest establishment to Shanghai Disneyland ever built on the site.

The expansion of Soaring Over the Horizon is also confirmed, and new, more fluid entrance turnstiles have been installed in successive phases since early 2026. A total investment of 2.459 billion RMB covers all ongoing construction. Rumors of a complete second theme park within the resort have been circulating in the fan community for several years, but nothing has been made official to date.

How to best plan your visit to Shanghai Disneyland in 2026

The best window to enjoy the 10th anniversary celebration remains the period from late March to mid-April 2026. The Shanghai spring is mild, the entire anniversary program is running at full speed, and the massive crowds of the Chinese school summer holidays aren't there yet. To be avoided at all costs: the Golden Weeks in October and May, and weekends in general, when the park can reach saturated peak attendance. A date to note for highly organized fans: June 16, 2026, will be the exact day of the park's 10th anniversary, highly likely featuring additional special events for the occasion.

Tickets are sold exclusively online, via the Shanghai Disney Resort app or platforms like Klook or Trip.com. There are no ticket sales at the park gates. Prices vary between 475 RMB on off-peak weekdays and 799 RMB on high-demand days. An "Early Entry" ticket for an additional 159 RMB allows entry one hour before opening, which is crucial for TRON Lightcycle Power Run or Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, whose queues explode rapidly. Anniversary bundles with reserved viewing areas for shows and exclusive celebration guides are also offered.

Duffy and Friends in summer outfits at Shanghai Disney Resort — A daytime visual works better here than another firework shot: it reminds us that the visit is also about the park's atmosphere, not just the nighttime finale.

The official park app is truly indispensable: real-time wait times, attraction reservations, show schedules, and the "My Magic Star" system for the anniversary activities. For payments within the park, everything goes through Alipay or WeChat Pay. Foreign visitors have been able to link their international Visa or Mastercard to these apps since 2023. Also, remember to set up a VPN before your departure if you wish to use non-Chinese applications during your stay.

To get to the park, Metro Line 11 directly serves the Disney Resort station. Take Exit 2, walk for five minutes, and the gates are in sight. It is by far the simplest and least stressful solution. For those driving, the P6 parking lot is recommended at 60 RMB for the day.

In terms of touring strategy, arrive at opening to rush to TRON and Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, dedicate midday to indoor shows and restaurants, position yourself 20 to 30 minutes before the parade on Mickey Avenue or the Gardens of Imagination, and save your best spot for Illuminate and its new grand anniversary finale. Two days of visiting are really necessary to see everything without rushing.

The details and trivia that only true fans know

Snow White in Shanghai since 1938: the "Once Upon a Time Adventure" attraction, the interactive walk-through inside the castle, holds special historical significance. It was in Shanghai that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was first screened in China on February 8, 1938. Disney chose to honor this connection by making Snow White the central heroine of this space. A detail most visitors are unaware of.

The peony and the magnolia on the castle: the central spire of the Enchanted Storybook Castle is topped with a golden peony, China's national flower symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Another spire bears a magnolia, Shanghai's floral emblem. These two elements, discreet yet meaningful, illustrate better than any official speech what "authentically Disney, distinctly Chinese" really means in practice. The Imagineers also traveled across four cities in China to find the perfect piece of jade that adorns the castle's facade, visible in the background of character meet-and-greets.

Illustration of Disney characters associated with the Chinese zodiac signs for the Garden of the Twelve Friends — The Garden of the Twelve Friends is one of the details that best expresses what the blend of local culture and Disney imagination means.

The castle designed not to block attractions: in all other Magic Kingdoms around the world, the attractions located behind the castle close during the nighttime spectacular because the fireworks launchers are installed in their areas. In Shanghai, Disney placed the launchers in front of the castle and isolated it from Fantasyland. As a result, all the attractions at the back of the park remain open during Illuminate, mechanically reducing wait times throughout the park. A design choice as discreet as it is smart.

Zootopia and Chinese pop culture: the film is an almost unique case in Disney's history in China. It generated over $230 million there in 2016, proportionally much more than in the United States. The characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde developed a life of their own in the Chinese market, with exclusive merchandise created several years before the land opened. The decision to build a Zootopia land exclusive to Shanghai is directly linked to this cultural anchoring, and not just a desire to diversify the offerings. The release of Zootopia 2 in November 2025, which topped Western films at the global box office, only reinforced the relevance of this choice.

The 5th anniversary that didn't really happen: in June 2021, Shanghai Disneyland should have celebrated its five years with a large-scale event. The teams had been working on it for two years. The pandemic reduced everything to nothing. This is one of the reasons why Disney decided to put so much energy into the 10th anniversary: a decade of work, but also the symbolic catching up of a missed anniversary.

TRON and its influence on the rest of the network: when TRON Lightcycle Power Run opened in June 2016, it had no equivalent anywhere in the Disney parks. Its LED dome, launch system, and speed left a lasting impression on the industry. Walt Disney World waited seven years to open a similar version at Magic Kingdom in 2023, and incidentally, the construction manager for Magic Kingdom had worked on the Shanghai site, helping to transfer learnings from one park to the other. It's one of the most concrete proofs that Shanghai Disneyland isn't just an adapted copy of the other parks, but truly an innovation lab that influences the entire network.

Conclusione

Ten years after opening its gates in the rain of June 2016, Shanghai Disneyland has established itself as one of the most interesting and inventive theme parks in the world. Its "With You, It's Magic+" celebration, with its brand new shows, enriched parade, nods to local culture, and ongoing construction, shows that the resort is far from done growing. If there's one single destination to add to your list this year, it's probably this one. What about you, have you ever visited Shanghai Disneyland? What struck you the most, or what makes you want to go there the most?

Shanghai Disneyland Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary: A Look Back at a Decade of Magic