The Shanghai Disney Resort appears to have hit the bullseye as Walt Disney Co. predicts that the park will hit break-even in its first full year of operation in 2017. The company's ambitious claim is backed by robust numbers indicating that the park drew nearly four million visitors during four months of operation.

Like Us on Facebook

Nearly 50 percent of Shanghai Disney's visitors came from outside Shanghai. This came as a big surprise for the company, as Shanghai was expected to account for a larger number of visitors.

"The fact that it's so balanced leads us to believe that word of mouth on this and the intent to visit from well beyond Shanghai is very, very high," Bob Iger, Disney's Chief Executive Officer, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

Unprecedented hype greeted Shanghai Disney Resort's official opening on June 16, with millions thronging to the park on the opening day. The park, which was constructed at an estimated cost of $5.5 billion, is Walt Disney's first theme park in China and also its largest foreign investment till date.

The investment move clearly reflects the company's strategy to tap into China's growing middle class and become one of the leaders in its burgeoning media and entertainment industry.

Meanwhile, Shanghai Disney's roaring success may make China's richest man, Wang Jianlin, a little uncomfortable. The Chinese billionaire vowed in an interview that his Nanchang Wanda Park would make Disney's China venture unprofitable in the next 10 to 20 years.

The billionaire claimed that the Walt Disney, which is based in U.S, had no understanding of the Chinese market and that would eventually prove to be a huge stumbling block.

Nanchang Wanda Park is located nearly 600 km from Shanghai Disney. It is as big and sophisticated as the latter.      

TagsShanghai Disney Resort, Shanghai Disney Park, Walt Disney China, china