A Decade of Magic at Shanghai Disney Resort
It is hard to believe that Shanghai Disney Resort has already reached its 10th anniversary. Opening its gates on June 16, 2016, the resort has quickly become a massive success, recently crossing the 100 million guest mark. To celebrate this decade of being “Authentically Disney and Distinctly Chinese,” the park is rolling out some very unique merchandise, including commemorative soda bottles that look strikingly familiar to fans of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The Return of the Sphere: Pepsi’s Take on the Thermal Detonator
If you have visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Disneyland Park since 2019, you likely remember the viral sensation that was the thermal detonator Coca-Cola bottles. These spherical, palm-sized sodas were designed to look like in-universe props. Now, Shanghai Disney is using that same popular design language for its 10th-anniversary celebration, but with a blue twist.
The new Mickey and Minnie themed bottles are filled with Pepsi Zero Sugar. Each bottle features the iconic spherical shape, decorated with the 10th-anniversary logo and trails of yellow and white stars. The standout feature is the hard plastic hat topper. These toppers are modeled after the special 10th-anniversary hats worn by Mickey and Minnie, giving the bottles a high-end, collectible feel that goes beyond your typical plastic soda container.
Why Pepsi? The Unique Partnership in Shanghai
For many Disney traditionalists, seeing a Pepsi logo in a Disney park is a bit of a shock. In the United States and most other international parks, Coca-Cola has a legendary, decades-long exclusive partnership with Disney. However, Shanghai Disney Resort is the only Disney park on the planet that serves Pepsi products. This stems from a strategic partnership formed during the park’s development to align with local market preferences and beverage distribution in mainland China.
Pricing and Where to Find Them
These commemorative bottles are currently retailing for approximately $10 USD. They are widely available at most outdoor vending kiosks throughout the park. While $10 might seem steep for a bottle of Pepsi Zero Sugar, you are really paying for the souvenir packaging. For collectors who track Disney beverage history, these are likely to be a must-have item due to the rare branding combination of Disney characters and Pepsi logos.
Our Take on the 10th Anniversary Milestone
The release of these bottles is just a small part of a much larger celebration. Disney leaders Bob Iger and Josh D’Amaro recently attended a special gala at the Enchanted Storybook Castle, which included massive projections and a unique fireworks display. The resort has grown significantly in ten years, adding Zootopia: Hot Pursuit and establishing itself as a world-class destination. Seeing the park adopt successful design trends from the U.S. parks—like the spherical bottle shape—shows how Disney is continuing to unify its global brand while maintaining that distinct local flavor.
If you are planning a trip to Shanghai soon, these bottles are a great, relatively affordable way to bring home a piece of the 10th-anniversary magic. Just remember that because they contain liquid and have specialized lids, you will want to pack them carefully in your checked luggage for the flight home!
Disclaimer: This information is gathered from various online sources and news outlets. While we strive for accuracy, Disney plans and policies can change rapidly. We recommend double-checking official Disney sources for the most up-to-date information before making final travel plans.