Shanghai Disney Resort kicks off year-long celebration to mark 10th anniversary

China

Shanghai Disney Resort kicks off year-long celebration to mark 10th anniversary

2026-04-07 02:01 Last Updated At：04-08 11:03

Shanghai Disney Resort on Monday kicked off its 10th anniversary celebration under the theme "With You, It's Magic+," launching a year-long series of new entertainment experiences, upgraded attractions, and special events.

Since opening on June 16, 2016 as the Chinese mainland's first Disney resort and the sixth worldwide, the resort has welcomed over 100 million visitors.

Three new entertainment offerings debuted during the celebration. Mickey's Storybook Express parade received an update with a new pre-parade called "FriendSHIP!" featuring all seven Duffy and friends characters in new anniversary outfits. A Zootopia-themed parade unit has also been added to the main parade.

"The 10th anniversary theme song really moved me. It's so joyful," a visitor said.

At the Enchanted Storybook Castle, a new show titled "The Heart of Magic" was created exclusively for the anniversary. The castle's stage has been upgraded with three satellite stages connected by catwalks. The production features beloved Disney characters and classic melodies.

The resort's nighttime spectacular has been reimagined with a birthday-exclusive grand finale, weaving classic Disney stories with visuals and sound. A new segment inspired by the film "Wish" has also been added.

Beyond entertainment, the resort has introduced new decorations, special culinary treats, and a series of 10th-anniversary merchandise.

"'With You, It's Magic+' is the theme for our 10th birthday celebration. And it has multiple meanings. I think when you look at the plus sign to start with, it's very similar to the Chinese symbol for 10, which represents our 10th birthday. The magic not just comes from our cast members and our performers, but also all the guests and our fans and our partners and everybody else that we want to celebrate with. And so they help us create the magic here at Shanghai Disney Resort," said Andrew Bolstein, president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort.

In 2024, the resort welcomed 14.7 million visitors, its best year to date. Last year, it celebrated its 100 millionth guest.

"Disney always has something new to offer," a visitor said.

"Everyone is so happy. It feels like our own birthday," said another visitor.

"I come to Shanghai Disney Resort every year. This place gives me so much joy and so much energy. It's like a utopia in the adult world," said a visitor.

Over the past decade, Shanghai Disney Resort has continuously expanded. The Toy Story and Zootopia lands are the two most recent large-scale additions. In 2021, LinaBell made her global debut at the resort, quickly becoming a fan favorite.

"We have our third themed hotel that's well underway on construction. We also have our Spider-Man themed land, which will be the ninth themed land in here. And the track is actually coming in for the major roller coaster, so we're starting to see some great progress there. And then we've also started work on our fourth themed hotel and Disneytown expansion, which is just beginning. So lots of new excitement happening here at Shanghai Disney Resort. So we have a lot more to come in the future," said Bolstein.

Lahsa sees booming coffee scene infused with local culture

High in the Himalayas, Lhasa, the capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, has quietly become one of the country's most caffeinated cities, signaling a fresh business wave in this ancient cultural hub.

With more than 800 coffee shops now serving a population of under one million, the city hosts roughly one cafe for every 1,200 residents, giving it one of the highest cafe densities in the country.

But this is not simply a transplant of Western coffee culture. On Barkhor Street in Lhasa's old town, a historic Buddhist pilgrimage circuit, baristas are stirring centuries-old yak cheese into espresso -- a blend that mirrors the city's transformation from a spiritual center into a modern regional hub.

"We have got this great Xizang-style vibe. There are plenty of cafes in Lhasa, but we are special. Locals -- even 80-year-olds -- come here for Americanos. Plus, lots of tourists, including foreigners, come just to check us out," the owner of Senxia Coffee, a local hotspot, said, revealing the secret behind his cafe's pull.

That dedication to innovation and presenting Xizang's culture through every cup have earned the shop a loyal following.

"I make a trip here once a year. It is my fourth year coming. The taste never changes, but they always have a new special to try -- and it is always great!" said a tourist from the eastern municipality Tianjin.

"It's very unique, I like it a lot. It's good coffee and it's a very nice place. The courtyard here is different than a courtyard in Germany would be," a German tourist offered similar praise.

In 2025, Lhasa's GDP crossed the 100-billion-yuan (about 14.7 billion US dollars) mark creating fertile ground for entrepreneurs, who found coffee as a light-asset business easy to start with -- small footprint, fast setup, easy to brand.

Amid intense competitions, businesses loyal to their hometown and home culture wins, Senxia's owner said.

"There are tons of entrepreneurs here. Local college grads are coming back to start businesses, and friends from inland are moving here to do the same. So the competition is actually fierce. With so many cafes around, we feel pretty lucky to have made it, and we have definitely got our own unique vibe," he said.