SHANGHAI, Jan. 29 -- Construction of Disney's first park on the Chinese mainland will be basically finished this year, Shanghai mayor Yang Xiong said Thursday.

Shanghai Disney Resort's opening is being discussed, Yang said.

He said methods are being studied to properly handle the large number of tourists expected to visit the park.

The Shanghai Disney Resort is Disney's sixth resort destination worldwide. Construction began in 2011 in Shanghai's Pudong New District.

Apart from the "Treasure Cove", the first Pirate-themed land in any Disney park, Shanghai Disneyland will also feature many Chinese elements, like the "Garden of 12 Friends", based on the 12 animal signs of Chinese horoscope.