http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/17/business/international/disney-shanghai-opens.html?_r=0

The online version of this article came with a brief video showing interviews with guests at the soft opening of Shanghai Disneyland. It was interesting to see how they equated their nationalism with the Shanghai Disney experience. Some guests were really excited that they had a particular ride that other Disney parks didn’t have. Older guests who could not travel far were happy to have the Disney experience close to home. They definitely reveled in having the largest and tallest castle Disney ever built.

The article also mentions how this opening came without the cultural missteps that accompanied the openings in France and Hong Kong. The tremendous amount of planning and research that went into the creation of this park was addressed but also how there were issues that could not be determined until the actual opening. CEO Robert Iger is quoted as being surprised by the amount of “American” food being consumed and men buying and wearing Mouse ears. He also  spoke to a issue with a ride requiring guests to paddle a canoe; a process which was lost in translation.  There is also “American” food with a “distinctly Chinese” flavor such as Peking duck pizza and turkey legs with hoisin sauce. Again they catered to the Chinese people by having  a “strong intergenerational appeal” and areas designed for older guests.

I find it pleasing that Disney has clearly learned from its mistakes in the past. They invested a lot of time and money establishing a positive relationship with the Chinese government. One which even President Obama lauds as capturing “the promise of our bilateral relationship”. Disney also found a neat balance of global standardization and local adaptation that seems successful from the outset. It remains to be seen how this develops and adapts as more people visit the park.