Disney opens biggest store in the world, gathers huge crowds

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
May 22, 2015

The Disney Store on Wednesday opened its first flagship in China. The Shanghai location is the largest Disney Store to open worldwide with a total of 5,000 square meters.

As such, it attracted so many people that the store was forced to close just 1 hour after opening, according to the British press. 

Apparently, hundreds of customers queued for more than 3 hours to get inside. After just one hour, staff put up a sign that read 'Closed for today'. and shoppers were stopped from joining the queue because of overcrowding fears.

With an estimated 40 million tourists visiting the Lujiazui area each year, the Disney Store is set to become a world-class destination and meeting point among locals contributing to Shanghai's reputation as a family, business, cultural, entertainment and tourism destination.
  
"We welcome the first Disney Store in China to Shanghai's Pudong District and are excited about the unique role it will play to bring a new energy to Lujiazui. The Disney store is a stunning new landmark of retail, tourism and culture in China," said Mr. Jian Danian, Deputy Governor of Pudong government.
  
To mark the opening of the Shanghai flagship, The Walt Disney Company in China announced a $100,000 donation to the Shanghai Charity Foundation to support programs that benefit kids and families in the Pudong District.