Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of Disney, has confirmed that the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort has been postponed several months to spring 2016.

Until Iger’s comments, the opening date was scheduled for December 2015. That decision had drawn criticism, as December kicks off the coldest three-month period of the year in the Chinese city.

“We will complete major construction by the end of this calendar year, and we’re planning a spectacular grand opening in Spring of 2016,” Iger said. “We believe it’s the optimal time to showcase the full grandeur of this world-class destination.”

Despite the delay, progress continues, with construction work on Shanghai Disneyland Hotel newly-completed, and the 800-bedroom Toy Story Hotel and Disneyland “mountain” also topped out.

The resort, which features a Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, is the first Disney park to be built in mainland China. After an additional US$800m (€700m, £524m) was invested to expand the plans for Shanghai Disney Resort in April 2014, the current figure for the project stands at about US$5.5bn (€4.8bn, £3.6bn).

“I was in China the week before last and saw amazing progress,” Iger said. “We just topped off our signature Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and we’re nearing completion on iconic features throughout the park, including the largest castle we’ve ever built. We’re getting ready to start casting hundreds of performers. It’s thrilling to see Shanghai Disney Resort rapidly coming to life.”