China Approves Disney Theme Park in Shanghai

[Divine Discontent]

Source: NYT

LOS ANGELES — After a courtship of about 20 years, the Walt Disney Company has won approval from the central government of China to build a Disneyland-style theme park in Shanghai, Robert A. Iger, Disney’s chief executive, said Tuesday.

The agreement for a Shanghai Disneyland is a landmark deal that carries enormous cultural and financial implications. Analysts estimate the initial park — not including hotels and resort infrastructure — will cost $3.5 billion, making it one of the largest-ever foreign investments in China.

The initial resort, with a mix of shopping areas, hotels and a Magic Kingdom-style theme park, will sprawl across 1,000 acres of the city’s Pudong district — with the theme park occupying about 100 of those acres. It would be a little bigger than Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., and on par with the parks in Paris and Tokyo. It is expected to open in five or six years.

Disney’s plans are ambitious: If further development of the resort happens as expected over the coming decades — still a big if — it will encompass more than 1,700 acres and have a capacity rivaling Disney World in Florida, which attracts about 45 million annual visitors.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/business/global/04disney.html?_r=2&partner=TOPIXNEWS&ei=5099

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3.5 billion cost. wow.

though I love the artistry of Disney, and the theme parks, I don't see myself ever going to Shanghai Disney.

[begin_within]

1. The question is,

if Shanghai looks like this now,



what will they do for a Tomorrowland?

I'm kind of surprised at this because the Disneyland in Hong Kong has been struggling, and is only now getting an expensive expansion (as well as the Disney's California Adventure park, next to Disneyland in Anaheim, is now getting a $1 billion expansion.)

By the way, Tokyo DisneySea (right next to Tokyo Disneyland) cost $4 billion.

[Mari333]

3. heh. tacky capitalism trumps Chairman Mao

hahahaha. they can have Disney and all of it's faux crapola.

[Doctor Cynic]

2. The scariest ride sill be the one featuring Bush and Wall Street bankers,

with dollar bills and bonds fluttering through the air. They should know, they hold piles of them.

[Blandocyte]

4. We spread our cultcha like a virus

Enjoy!

[harry_pothead]

5. The last time a Fascist Organization went into a nominally Communist country, there was a big war.

Now it's a theme park.