A new episode of “Disney Unscripted” pulls back the curtain on the final hours before Shanghai Disney Resort marked its 10th anniversary.
Disney Unscripted – Shanghai Disneyland
The 13-minute documentary, titled “Building the Magic Behind Shanghai Disney’s 10th Anniversary,” follows cast members and creative teams through preparations for the resort’s milestone on June 16, 2026. Work continued through the evening and overnight before culminating in a commemorative cast photo and the arrival of the anniversary day’s first guests.
Preparing the Anniversary Celebration
The episode features a variety of quick looks with Cast Members behind the scenes at Shanghai Disney Resort as they share their work on entertainment, decor, food, costuming, and more elements created exclusively for the year-long “With You, It’s Magic+” celebration.
Cast Members examine the mechanics and animated features of the golden ship float used in “FriendSHIP! The Duffy and Friends’ Special Pre-Parade.” The float was designed to release bubbles around the procession, surrounding performers and guests as Duffy and his friends sail along the parade route.
One project leader explains that the anniversary marked her first time overseeing the production of the park’s 10th anniversary statue centerpiece. She worked with the team through factory visits, sample reviews, and the final on-site installation, which she feels particularly proud of upon seeing guests’ reactions to the completed piece.
“I always can’t help smiling,” she says while sharing one photo of the finished statue. “I’m glad they like it.”
“FriendSHIP!” is one of two additions made to Mickey’s Storybook Express for the anniversary. The resort also introduced a Zootopia unit featuring Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, Gazelle, Clawhauser, and other characters. The floats were among the new entertainment, food, merchandise, and decorations announced for Shanghai Disneyland’s year-long celebration.
A Last-Minute Musical Arrangement
The documentary later visits a compact recording studio used for voice-over, vocal, and musical production. Kent, a seven-year Disney cast member, was interviewed while still working on the final composition for the anniversary gala just one day before the performance.
The piece was a new arrangement of “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” recalling the music of Shanghai Disneyland’s original nighttime spectacular. The team wanted the performance to connect the resort’s first decade with the anniversary celebration.
“We want to recall the memories within this decade,” Kent explains.
The finished arrangement was performed during the anniversary gala on the night of June 15. The one-night-only spectacular included live singers and dancers, projection mapping, fireworks, Disney characters, and appearances by former Disney CEO Bob Iger and current CEO Josh D’Amaro.
Bob Iger and Josh D’Amaro Celebrate Shanghai Disney Resort
Iger revisited the promise he made while Shanghai Disney Resort was being developed.
“When we set out to create this magnificent place, I promised it would be authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese,” Iger says. “And over the resort’s first decade, it’s clear we have lived up to those words.”
The documentary provides another look at portions of the gala, which transformed Enchanted Storybook Castle with projections, pyrotechnics, and anniversary imagery. You can check out the complete Shanghai Disney Resort 10th anniversary gala spectacular in our own coverage on YouTube:
Thousands of Cast Members Gather for Anniversary Photo
The following morning, thousands of cast members and Imagineers assembled along Mickey Avenue and throughout the Gardens of Imagination for a commemorative group photo.
Some of those represented in the gathering had worked at Shanghai Disney Resort since its opening day or even earlier. Disney leaders thanked them for the time, energy, and passion they had devoted to creating experiences for guests.
“We have had many high achievements at the company over the last two decades,” Iger tells the gathering, “but I believe the highest achievement is Shanghai Disney Resort.”
The group posed twice, first shouting “Mickey!” and then “Happy 10th anniversary! With You, It’s Magic+!”
Shanghai Disney Resort officially opened on June 16, 2016, as Disney’s first resort destination in mainland China. It has since welcomed more than 100 million guests. The anniversary day included a massive birthday cake, more than 50 Disney characters, and additional appearances by company leaders.
The episode closes with the symbolic illumination of the Wishing Star and a message about the resort’s future.
“The future here is so bright,” D’Amaro says, “because in so many ways, we have only just begun to write the Shanghai Disney Resort story.”
The anniversary has also been recognized outside China. A Shanghai Disney Resort display at EPCOT’s China Pavilion features artifacts and merchandise from the resort’s opening, fifth anniversary, and 10th birthday celebration.
Be sure to check out the full episode of Disney Unscripted on YouTube:
What part of Shanghai Disney Resort’s anniversary celebration did you find most impressive? Let us know on social media!
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