26 Never-before-seen Photos of Shanghai Disney

When Shanghai Disney opens its gates to the public for the first time on Thursday, the resort will shatter nearly every record held by Disney’s other 11 parks around the world.

Years in the making, Shanghai Disney is massive. The resort will have the first Mandarin language performance of Broadway’s The Lion King, the first singular movie-themed Toy Story Hotel, and it will be the only Disney park with two entirely new lands: the animal-centric Adventure Isle and the pirate-packed Treasure Cove. Another of the park’s six lands is a gigantic garden, with more than 100 species of shrubs—and a castle dedicated to every princess.

The Shanghai resort is different but reminiscent of the Disney parks that came before—the golden peonies atop the castle, the railroad-themed parade in lieu of an actual train—revealing many, many new attractions while still maintaining that quintessential Disney charm.

From The Little Mermaid-themed pools to a waterfall so intense it can be heard across the park, there’s plenty to discover without even having to board a 13-hour flight.

Take a look at all the mega-sized magic of all Shanghai has to offer: