Move is aimed at better managing crowds and dealing with counterfeit entry passes
The Walt Disney Co's $5.5-billion theme park in Shanghai will be selling entrance tickets nearly 11 weeks before it opens in an aim to better deal with massive lines and counterfeit tickets.
Shanghai Disneyland, which will open on June 16, will begin selling tickets at 12:01 am on March 28 through several avenues: Its official website (shanghaidisneyresort.com); its official store on Alitrip, the travel site owned by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd; and via phone through the Shanghai Disney Resort reservation center.
The theme park offers both regular and peak-priced tickets, with regular pricing set at 370 yuan ($56) and peak pricing for high-demand dates set at 499 yuan.
Pricing during the grand opening period (from June 16 to 30) will be 499 yuan. Reservations for Shanghai Disney Resort hotels can also be made beginning on March 28.
Chris Yoshii, vice-president and global director of leisure Asia at AECOM (Hong Kong), said Shanghai Disneyland will likely have a daily limit of visitors to ensure safety.
"Once this capacity is reached, the park will need to close its gates to more visitors," said Yoshii. "It's possible that people may arrive at the park and not be able to get in. The city should help maintain order and inform people of the situation."
Xiang Nan, 36, visited Hong Kong Disneyland for a two-night stay with her son, husband and in-laws this month. She said she plans to book tickets to visit the park in Shanghai, though not for the grand opening because of the crowds.
"I enjoyed our stay at the Disney resort in Hong Kong and we hope to visit there again," said the Nanjing native.
"I think the amount of visitors for Shanghai Disneyland will exceed what I experienced in Hong Kong."
Special pricing will be provided to children, seniors and guests with disabilities. Children 1 meter or below in height will get in for free. A two-day ticket will also be available at a discount.
