New Disney Theme Park Resort: Shanghai Disneyland Resort

It's true! The Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group, its joint venture partner in China, already held the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Shanghai Disneyland Resort in Pudong, Shanghai, China on April 8th, 2011!!

New Shanghai Disneyland Resort Logo!

Opening ceremonies at Shanghai Disneyland Resort April 8, 2011

Expected Opening: 2016
Site Size: 962 acres (3.9 sq kilometer)
Initial Investment: $3.7 billion (US) or 24.5 bllion Yuan
Additional Investment: $700 million (US) or 4.5 billion Yuan


It is expected that the Shanghai Disneyland Resort will include Shangai Disneyland, which is planned to resemble the Magic Kingdom in Florida with all the familiar Disney characters and stories. There haven't been many leaks as to how exactly the park will differ from the other Disneyland style parks, but it has been made clear that Shanghai Disneyland will "be both authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese" (Robert A. Iger 4/8/11, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company). 

Artist Rendition of Shanghai Disneyland Resort project

The Shanghai Disneyland Resort will also include a retail, dining, and entertainment district, recreational facilities, a lake, parking and transportation hubs, and two hotels. The themes of the two hotels have yet to be released to the public and I'm not one hundred percent sure that the themes are set in stone at this moment or even chosen. The new retail, dining, and entertainment district, I assume, will be similar to Downtown Disney in the Florida and California parks; just with its own style and feel. 

Artists rendition of Storybook Castle in the center of Shanghai Disneyland with 11 acre green area surrounding the castle.

Unique to Shanghai Disneyland will be an 11 acre (46,130 square meter) green area in the center of the park. This green central area is a tribute to the theme of sustainability and nature that is expected to be found throughout the park. Little information has been released regarding other sustainability projects planned for the new park. 


The Shanghai Disneyland Resort is expected to take five years to complete starting on April 8, 2011. This should put opening day somewhere around April 2016. 

Artist rendition of Shanghai Disneyland project.

"We are hard at work designing Shanghai Disneyland, which when complete will be a special place where guests of all ages will discover a world of imagination, creativity, adventure, and thrills." (Thomas O. Staggs 4/8/11, Chairman of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts)

Aerial photo and outline of Shanghai Disneyland Resort

Plans for the Shanghai Disneyland Resort.

Sources and more information:


http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/04/breaking-ground-on-shanghai-disney-resort/
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703712504576240170897361138.html
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/12/news/la-trb-shanghai-disneyland-04201111
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Disney_Resort