'You come to believe in magic': Fans, execs mark Shanghai Disney at 10

On a cool, rainy morning of June 16, the day Shanghai Disney Resort celebrated its 10th anniversary, fans rushed to the resort gates, high-fived Disney executives and cast members and later witnessed a birthday ceremony in front of the iconic Disneyland castle. Enthusiasm was high.

From left to right: Disney executives Andrew Bolstein, Tasia Filippatos, Thomas Mazloum and Tony Castillo stand at the entrance of Shanghai Disneyland to welcome guests on the morning of the 10th anniversary, June 16, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

"I'm incredibly touched by the transformation and the beauty of this resort, and especially the warm welcome we have received from both the wonderful people here in Shanghai, our guests and our cast members," Thomas Mazloum, chairman of Disney Experiences, told China.org.cn.

"Seeing Shanghai Disney Resort and the beautiful way our stories come to life with immense respect for local culture fills me with joy and inspiration, and makes me incredibly optimistic for the huge potential and the wonderful future here in Shanghai Disney Resort," he said.

On the resort's future, Mazloum cited Walt Disney's founding vision. "As Walt Disney said, Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world," he said. "I assure you, we have a lot of imagination left, including coming right from here, from the local team. So we see strong demand in this market, and I believe, just like our founder articulated, Shanghai Disneyland will never be completed. You will always find new attractions, new experiences, new technologies, and a relentless focus on operational excellence, with a thoughtful way to listen to local consumers."

Tasia Filippatos, president and managing director of Disney Parks International, said Shanghai Disney Resort, as Disney's most recent theme park, benefited from decades of global operating experience in its design and operation.

"One of the things that then-CEO Bob Iger really prioritized was being authentically Disney but distinctly Chinese," she said. "I believe that is a key reason why it has resonated so powerfully with guests and also why our cast is so highly engaged."

A birthday celebration is held in front of the iconic castle of Shanghai Disneyland as crowds gather on the morning of the 10th anniversary, June 16, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

More than 100 million people have visited Shanghai Disney Resort over the past decade, and for many, the connection runs deeper than a day out.

Daisy Chen, a Disney fan and mother, has been bringing her daughter to Shanghai Disneyland for years. "Because of Disney, you come to believe in magic," she said.

Lin Huanjie, director of the Institute for Theme Park Studies in China, said Shanghai Disney Resort has, over the past decade, become a major driver of consumption and cultural tourism in the city, while also reshaping Chinese family leisure culture.

Sheng Xiaojing, duty station supervisor of Disney Resort Station on Metro Line 11, has watched the crowds pour through for more than a decade.

"Some visitors come straight here as soon as they get off the plane — this is their first stop. Others make sure to visit Disney before they leave," he said. "Every morning, as soon as passengers exit the station, they almost run toward the park, afraid that every minute lost is a minute less of happiness."

Liu Deyan, a professor at the School of Tourism of Shanghai Normal University, said Shanghai Disneyland has transformed the city's tourism sector, becoming one of the core hubs of the Yangtze River Delta's "one-hour vacation circle." She also noted that Disneyland is now a symbol of Shanghai's international profile.

Beyond entertainment, the resort has also made environmental protection a priority. That commitment is most visible in Wishing Star Park, a biodiverse urban recreational area within the resort that has recorded more than 62,000 birds across 136 species, including five on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and 14 classified as national second-class protected animals.

Yao Li, head of the Shanghai Wild Bird Society, said, "Shanghai Disney Resort provides a model that achieves coexistence between environmental protection and wildlife habitats while fulfilling public demand for entertainment and recreation."

Disney executives and a large number of cast members and Imagineers pose for a group photo in the park before visitors enter on the morning of the 10th anniversary, June 16, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Ye Yongping, 72, a Disney fan and member of the Shanghai Writers Association, has spent years studying Disney culture. "What makes Shanghai Disney so appealing is its strong emotional connection through IPs, its ultimate immersive experience and its continuous local innovation," he said. "It is not just a theme park, but a dream space that awakens childhood memories, carries family emotions and provides emotional value."

Lyu Shengpu, associate professor at the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, shared a similar sentiment. She said she brought her grandparents to the trial opening of Shanghai Disneyland 10 years ago and recently took her 3-year-old daughter to the park. While waiting for "Illuminate! A Nighttime Spectacular," her daughter spotted a bright star above the castle and asked, "Is my great-grandpa living on that star?"

The moment stopped Lyu cold. Her grandfather passed away in 2022, and she had long regretted not being able to bring him back for the anniversary. In that moment, she said, the regret lifted.

"I suddenly felt that my grandfather was also with us watching this 10th anniversary show," she said.