As Disneyland opens, local and Western animation characters are set to clash for Chinese minds

As the $5.5-billion Shanghai Disneyland opens on Thursday, The Walt Disney Co has a challenge. The hold of rival Asian characters such as China's homegrown Boonie Bears or Big Big Wolf means seven-year-olds like Li Yixuan have less time for Mickey Mouse and Friends.

As Li settles on the living room floor for 15 minutes of cartoons before homework and bed, Disney doesn't get a look-in this time, as his favorite animated hero, Ultraman Ace from the hit Japanese series, does battle with space dinosaurs.