Will Disney's dreams come true at new Shanghai park?

Shanghai

THE Magic Kingdom comes to the Middle Kingdom this week when Disney opens its first theme park in mainland China, betting the growing middle class will spend big on leisure despite a slowing economy.

The US$5.5 billion resort, which opens Thursday, features the world's biggest Disney castle, its blue-topped spires rising above land once occupied by farms and small factories on the outskirts of commercial hub Shanghai.

Disney is seeking to attract crowds with a boat ride based on the Pirates of the Caribbean, a show from the mega-hit Frozen and a Star Wars attraction populated by characters from the science-fiction saga among the draws featuring the company's beloved movies.

The project broke ground in April 2011, with Disney chairman and chief executive Bob Iger telling reporters it would be a "significant milestone" in the compan…