After years of speculation, The Walt Disney Company has confirmed it is has received approval from the central government of China to develop a theme park in the Pudong district of Shanghai.
“China is one of the most dynamic, exciting and important countries in the world, and this approval marks a very significant milestone for The Walt Disney Company in mainland China,” stated Robert Iger, Walt Disney president and CEO, on November 4.
By approving Disney’s Project Application Report (PAR), the relevant government authorities have given the world’s largest attraction operator the green light to prepare a final agreement and preliminary park development work.
Upon completion of the final agreement, Disney and its local partners will move ahead with plans for a Magic Kingdom (Disneyland)-style theme park with certain characteristics tailored to the local region. Disneyland parks can already be found in Asia in Tokyo and Hong Kong (pictured).
By securing approval for a park in Pudong, Disney will potentially have a more central site than Happy Valley Shanghai, the new park opened by the OCT group this summer. OCT executives have already gone on record stating there is for room both brands in this massive metropolitan market.
Disney’s first animation screened in China in the 1930s and today the company has offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
