Chinese tycoon Wang Jianlin, who is developing his own entertainment properties, accused the US company of a cultural invasion.
Entertainment giant Disney opened a massive theme park in Shanghai Thursday, hoping to win over communist-ruled China's growing middle class with the ultimate American cultural export.- Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng, left, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, center, and Disney CEO Bob Iger pose as they cut the red ribbon during the opening ceremony. The world's most populous country is simply too big to ignore, Disney chairman and chief executive Bob Iger said.
- Disney says 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.
- There is competition for tourist cash 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.
- 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.
- Disney has set the entrance fee at 499 yuan ($76) during peak periods and 370 yuan ($56) for other times, in a country where the average monthly disposable income is just $278.
- Disney hopes people who have seen its movies 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.
- The launch of the $5.5-billion resort, representing one of the biggest ever foreign investments in China, comes as growth in the world's second largest economy slumps to its lowest level in a quarter century.
- Thousands of people streamed through the Magic Kingdom's doors, opened 30 minutes early, with some sprinting through the rain-drenched park in hope of being the first to ride attractions such as a futuristic rollercoaster based on the Tron' science fiction films.
Entertainment giant Disney opened a massive theme park in Shanghai Thursday, hoping to win over communist-ruled China\'s growing middle class with the ultimate American cultural export.
Chinese tycoon Wang Jianlin, who is developing his own entertainment properties, accused the US company of a cultural invasion.
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