Expansion plans already? Disney insists focus is on Shanghai as Chinese cities talk up hopes of building more theme parks
The US media and entertainment giant Walt Disney says its priority remains the newly opened Shanghai Disneyland, amid mainland media reports that rival metropolises, Chengdu and Chongqing, were vying to become the home of another Disney theme park.
Our first Disney resort on the mainland, which is the second one in China, has just officially opened. The company’s focus is on Shanghai Disneyland’s opening, operation and future expansion
“We have just opened our second resort in China and first in mainland China,” a Disney spokesperson confirmed to the South China Morning Post.
“The company’s focus is on Shanghai Disneyland’s successful opening, operation and future expansion.”
Shanghai Disney Resort, which includes the theme park and two hotels, opened on a four square kilometre site in China’s most populous city on June 16.
A post released by the Chongqing municipal foreign trade committee on Monday said the city’s leadership had attached a high level of importance to a potential deal with Disney.
The authority said it became aware before Shanghai Disney Resort’s was built that the American company was planning a new resort in China’s central and western area.
The US company is keen to expand its brand beyond its already saturated markets in the West.
“We think there is a procedure for Disney to determine a new site, which involves evaluation and competition,” the post said. “It’s likely that our city will win selection of this project.”
Disney already has three theme parks and resorts in Asia, in Tokyo, Hong Kong and now Shanghai.
Chongqing has been developing its theme-park industry for years, with investment from leading mainland companies, such as Guangzhou-based Chimelong Group and Shenzhen-based Overseas Chinese Town, poured in the city.
Next year a new amusement park and an ocean park will open in Chongqing.
