The Hong Kong government struck the Disneyland joint venture deal with Walt Disney Co. in 1999 in a bid to salvage the territory’s flagging tourism in the wake of the Asian financial crisis.

Hong Kong Disneyland formally opened Monday with expectations that China’s burgeoning middle class will welcome Mickey Mouse with open arms.

The projected financial returns are also ”too low” after putting down so much, according to analysts.

While the 18,000 jobs have materialized, many of the positions belong to unskilled workers.

Walt Disney’s Chief Executive Officer-elect Robert Iger confirmed the company has been in talks with Shanghai to have a second park there after 2012.

Several things have changed about Disneyland over the years. However, the one thing that remains constant is the look of wonder in a child