A recent photo shows a general view of the Shanghai Disneyland. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

　　After more than 5 years' in the making, and weeks of trial operations, Shanghai Disney Resort has today officially opened to the public.

　　Determined to be "Authenticly Disney, distinctly Chinese" the theme park offers tradition, innovation, spectacle, and all round entertainment, created especially for Chinese guests.

　　Our reporter Chi Huiguang, has been to take a look.

　　　The first Disney resort on the Chinese mainland, Shanghai Disney Resort, has finally marked its official opening with a massive celebration. Chinese vice-premier Wang Yang, was among hundreds of dignitaries attending the ceremony.

　　"Disneyland's location in Shanghai, is not only a significant symbol reflecting the positive attitude of foreign businesses towards the investment environment and market potential of China, but also an important landmark showing that China's tourism industry has entered a golden age."

　　For Robert A. Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, this has been a personal project. He was involved at the beginning, and was determined to see it through to completion.

　　"I actually set foot on this property 17 years ago. 17 years later, remembering those days and that moment, thinking about all of the discussions and all of the negotiations and all of the people I've engaged with over these years, thinking about all of the talented people we brought to fulfill this great dream that we had to bring Disneyland to China. It's impossible to really put it into words."

　　Shanghai Disneyland features six themed lands with amusements, rides and live performances.

　　There are also a number of "Firsts" in the theme park.

　　Debuting at Shanghai Disneyland, Soaring Over the Horizon, takes travelers on a voyage of discovery over iconic landmarks from around the world including the Great Wall of China, and the skyline of Shanghai.

　　The TRON Lightcycle Power Run also makes its global debut in Shanghai. ? The attraction is undercover, and takes guests on a ride through the grid from the film TRON, on their very own light-cycle, underneath a color-shifting canopy in Tomorrowland.

　　Bob Weis is President of Walt Disney Imagineering.

　　"Innovation and technology allows us to completely immerse the guests into our stories, into our environments, into our characters. It goes through our rides, our shows, our entertainment, and every aspect of the guest experience. But it's also kind of invisible because we want them to be having fun, enjoying the character experiences, and not focusing specifically on the technology."

　　For the first time in a Disney park, the main entry to Shanghai Disneyland is called Mickey ?Avenue, instead of the traditional Main Street U.S.A.

　　Larry Davis, Executive Producer of Walt Disney Imagineering Shanghai explains why:

　　"Main Street in our other parks was relevant at the time because Walt [Disney] grew up in a small town and wanted to replicate a small town feel. And so, we've been doing that forever in our parks. Because this was Shanghai, a new market, we wanted this to be completely unique and different from all our parks and we said, 'Why not make it about our characters? - because the characters are really the foundation of our company."

　　The Gardens of Imagination is unique to Shanghai and is tailored to the Chinese people's love of gardens. It's also the first time a ?lagoon has formed a part of the central plaza of a Disney park.

　　Treasure Cove is also the first pirate-themed land in a Disney park.

　　Disneytown is home to the first World of Disney Store in Asia. And THE LION KING, Disney's Broadway hit musical, made its global premiere in Mandarin Chinese at the Walt Disney Grand Theatre earlier in the week. ?

　　Designed to offer an authentic Disney experience, reflecting the beauty and unique identity of China today, Shanghai Disney is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group.

　　For CRI, This is Chi Huiguang reporting from Shanghai Disney Resort.