Shanghai Disneyland Is Not Like Any Other Disneylands: Disney CEO Bob Iger [VIDEO]
The newest Disney theme park has opened in Shanghai, China bringing new attractions to Disney fans around the world.
Impact on Shanghai
Last week, the Shanghai Disneyland opened, bringing a new amusement part to the city. According to CNBC, the new amusement part is different from the other Disneylands around the world. Unlike Hong Kong and Tokyo Disneyland, The Shanghai amusement park will not present a western design.
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Instead, Shanghai Disneyland brought the Chinese culture into its aesthetics, presenting walkways and building similar to Chinese customs and architecture. For example. the U.S. based Main Street, is now called Mickey Street. In addition, several Pixar characters were presented in a way that coincides with the Chinese Zodiac signs.
Disney's Big Step
The push to capture the Chinese market was said to be a good move for Disney, as it will bring many opportunities for Shanghai. The CEO of Disney, Bob Iger, explained, "China represents a great market for the Walt Disney Company because our stories are not only known here but they are universal in appeal, they touch people's hearts all over the world, no matter what country, no matter what culture."
He also stated that it is a beneficial growth for Disney due to the size of market available in China. Given that it is a big step to take for Disney, he explained that Shanghai Disneyland will boost China's appreciation for Disney. He said that the park will serve as an enjoyable experience for people in Shanghai.
He said, "An immersive park experience the Disney was is something that people will remember for the rest of theirs lives and that goes a long way in terms of not just creating word of mouth, but in ter,s of creating people's interest in, passion for our brand, and everything that it stands for and everything that bears its name. So it becomes very, very important, not just in terms of awareness but appreciation."
New Attractions
Along with the change in aesthetics, Shanghai Disneyland brought a new attraction to the Chinese market. With the official opening of the amusement part, go-ers were able to try out the new "TRON Lightcycle Power Run," which is a rollercoaster as well as simulator. The ride brings riders onto neon-blue motor cycles that will go along tracks going at 62 miles per hour.
With that speed, the new attraction is one of Disney's fastest attractions. The description of the ride read, "Adrenaline-pumping music, lights and 3-D graphics inspire a furious surge toward the winner's circle. Traverse TRON's electrifying multi-sensory environment as you speed, dip and dive through digitized darkness on one of the fastest indoor roller coasters in Disney theme park history."
