Disney-°o°-Rama » Disneyland Hong Kong

Disneyland Shanghai To Open in 2012

David Wallace — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:31:34 +0000

Shanghai could be welcoming their very own Disneyland park as early as 2012. The theme park, with an estimated cost of 40 billion yuan ($5.8 billion), will be located on the east bank of Shanghai’s Huangpu River, bordering Pudong district’s Chuansha town and Nanhui district, an unnamed source close to Shanghai government was quoted as saying.

Shanghai Disneyland, 20 minutes’ drive from Pudong International Airport, will be eight times larger than the one in Hong Kong – the first in China. The source told the paper that 10 sq km of land has been set aside for the park.

Shanghai is approximately 764 miles away from Hong Kong so that puts one Disneyland park relatively close to another. For example, Walt Disney World in Orlando is a bit over 2,100 miles from the original Disneyland in Anaheim.

According to the agreement, Shanghai Disneyland will not adopt Hong Kong’s operation model, in which the government leases the land to the Walt Disney Company. The Shanghai government will provide the land, cover most of the construction costs and hold a controlling stake. It will pay the Walt Disney Company for using the brand. Sounds like a franchise arrangement to me.

This leads me to wonder what would happen to the park if there was ever a disagreement with Disney and the Shanghai government. Would the government have to buy Disney out or visa versa and what would happen to the quality of the park?

An official announcement on the decision is expected around the time of the Beijing Olympics.

Hat tip to China Daily.

Postscript: In a follow-up to original media announcement of a Shanghai Disneyland, Reuters reports that Walt Disney Co and the Shanghai government have both denied a media report that a planned Disneyland project in Shanghai has obtained central government approval. Doesn’t mean it isn’t going to happen, just that a final deal has yet to be made.

“The project still needs central government approval and Shanghai will obey Beijing’s decision,” Shanghai spokesman Chen Qiwei said, adding he will make new inquiries on this to relevant departments.

Disney also denied the report. “There is no agreement and there is no deal,” Disney spokeswoman Alannah Hall-Smith said in an e-mailed statement.

There you have it. We will just have to wait and see what happens.

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Walt Disney Company Commits $1 Million in Humanitarian Aid to China Earthquake Victims

David Wallace — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:41:56 +0000

The Walt Disney Company announced today that it will contribute $1 million (approximately RMB 7 million) in humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake in China. The donation will be put towards acquiring materials for immediate relief efforts, helping and supporting displaced and distressed children and rebuilding damaged schools.

“On behalf of The Walt Disney Company, I extend our deepest condolences to the people in China and to all of those affected by this recent unfortunate event,” said Robert A. Iger, president and CEO. “We hope that our donation will aid emergency management teams and organizations in their valiant efforts to provide assistance to those impacted today, and also help families rebuild and reestablish their communities.”

“It is the wish of every member of our staff to provide assistance to those affected by the earthquake and their families. We hope that the company’s contribution along with our staff’s personal contributions will make a difference during these times of need,” said Stanley Cheung, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company, Greater China.

In addition, Hong Kong Disneyland Cast Members, as well as Disney’s China, Hong Kong and Taiwan-based employees, have made individual monetary contributions.

Video Preview of Changes To ‘Its a Small World’ From Hong Kong Version

David Wallace — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:57:46 +0000

While dozens of videos of Hong Kong Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” attraction have been posted on YouTube since the ride began soft-opening previews last month, the best version comes from member royal311 who posted a four-part ride through which simply shows the attraction without either unduly emphasizing—or at the other extreme completely editing out—the character cameos.

Check them out and see if you cannot spot the Disney characters that were added to the ride.