Shanghai Disney Resort has introduced Sun Li, Lang Lang and Yao Ming as its Honorary Ambassadors, and awarded each of them with a "Storytellers" statue.
Inspired by a landmark bronze cast of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, the statues serves as a symbol of appreciation for the new partnerships.
The Ambassadors will take part in a series of promotional activities before the parks' opening ceremony.
General Manager Philippe Gas teamed up with the trio onstage, pushing a Mickey Mouse-shaped button, signifying the official start of the 80-day countdown to the Grand Opening of the new park.
He also elaborated on the crash of the resorts' online ticketing system.
"You might have heard or maybe even experienced the fact that the volume of visitors overwhelmed our system for a short period of time. All the ticketing systems are now back up and running. And we're glad to welcome our guests to the grand opening of the Shanghai Disney Resort."
Shanghai Disney Resort will open on June 16th.