Looks like a new park for China...

[PryncessChrysty]

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. I can see it from both sides of the spectrum but my initial reaction was disappointment. I could understand adding a park to an already established resort (i.e. DLR, WDW, DLP, etc.), but the more they add in new places, it kind of gives an international take on Six Flags feel to me. What are your thoughts?

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-government-reportedly-approves-shanghai-disney-park-plan-2009-11-01

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- The Chinese government has approved Walt Disney Co.'s /quotes/comstock/13*!dis/quotes/nls/dis (DIS 27.37, -0.77, -2.74%) plan to build a theme park in Shanghai, the South China Morning Post reported Monday, citing an unnamed government official.

The paper quoted a government official with direct knowledge of the matter as saying Disney's plan has already been approved by the National Development and Reform Commission, China's economic planning agency.

Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng said Sunday that a press conference on the matter would be held this week.

Newspaper Web site: http://www.scmp.com

 

[kevrab]

Maybe I'm a little old school but for Disney to put a park in China with their history of harsh governmental action towards it's people and supporting hostile nations around the globe I definitely have a problem with it.

 

[lindsey clare]

kevrab are you saying the US government doesn't support "hostile nations" or act harshly towards it's own people?

anyway, back on topic. i can understand that people might think that new Disney parks might "dilute" the Disney experience. but realistically i think it just opens it up to people who wouldn't otherwise get to go. i can't begrudge people from other countries wanting to experience the magic, know what i mean? in that way, it's the more the merrier.

 

[steve76]

Millions more people will be able to experience Disney with their families. That's got to be a good thing, regardless of which country it's in.

I think this should be interesting. Being in China, with its relative lack of exposure to Disney, they could take the new park in all sorts of directions and create some really different rides, themes and lands. I can't wait to see some of the artwork.

 

[lttlmc3]

China's other park..Hong Kong Disneyland hasn't done as well as expected. I really think that is because the park is so sparse in attractions. I'm hoping with Shanghai's park, they'll do more of what Tokyo did (incorporating Disney Sea etc..) to make it a great park to go to. Shanghai is very westernized so I'm sure there will be no problem for Disney.

 

[mikelan6]

The thing you have to remember is that this new park will cater mostly to Chinese guests. I have a feeling there will be very few foreigners visiting this park - just as TDR is mainly for Japanese guests.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Millions more people will be able to experience Disney with their families. That's got to be a good thing, regardless of which country it's in.

I think this should be interesting. Being in China, with its relative lack of exposure to Disney, they could take the new park in all sorts of directions and create some really different rides, themes and lands. I can't wait to see some of the artwork.

They might be more familiar than we think. I was just reading somewhere that Mickey Mouse Clubhouse airs in China as well as some other Disney Channel shows, it said Disney provides about 16 hours of programming a week in China.

Another 3.5 billion dollars Disney is spending. Wonder if they will be putting Spiderman and Hulk in the Shanghai park?

 

[steve76]

China's other park..Hong Kong Disneyland hasn't done as well as expected. I really think that is because the park is so sparse in attractions. I'm hoping with Shanghai's park, they'll do more of what Tokyo did (incorporating Disney Sea etc..) to make it a great park to go to. Shanghai is very westernized so I'm sure there will be no problem for Disney.

Other websites are reporting that Hong Kong Disneyland is going to speed up its expansion, with all three new lands opening by 2012, in response to Shanghai Disneyland. Maybe Shanghai Disneyland will be the best thing to happen to HKDL?!?

 

[aurorae]

I wish they'd finish Epcot (supposed to be about 3 more countries in World Showcase, and the Life pavillion is a ghost town), and finish DAK (supposed to be one more land) and refurb some stuff in DHS and finish the upgrade to DCA in California before they spent billions on Marvel or new parks.

 

[hookedonears]

$$$$$$$$$$$$ for Disney.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

$$$$$$$$$$$$ for Disney.

But not if nobody is going. Like in HKDL's case.

I will say this, though....they previewed the new attractions coming to HKDL at the D23 Expo. Walking up to it, my first thought was "this is the only Disney park I have no interest in visiting". Ater looking at the plans for what's to come, that did change my mind a bit. However, it's still at the very bottom of my list.