China Approves Disney Theme Park in Shanghai

[Badger]

China approves Disney theme park in shanghai

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/business/global/04disney.html

by brooks barnes
published: November 3, 2009

los angeles — after a courtship of about 20 years, the walt disney company has won approval from the central government of china to build a disneyland-style theme park in shanghai, robert a. Iger, disney’s chief executive, said tuesday.

The agreement for a shanghai disneyland is a landmark deal that carries enormous cultural and financial implications. Analysts estimate the initial park — not including hotels and resort infrastructure — will cost $3.5 billion, making it one of the largest-ever foreign investments in china.

The initial resort, with a mix of shopping areas, hotels and a magic kingdom-style theme park, will sprawl across 1,000 acres of the city’s pudong district — with the theme park occupying about 100 of those acres. It would be a little bigger than disneyland in anaheim, calif., and on par with the parks in paris and tokyo. It is expected to open in five or six years.

Disney’s plans are ambitious: If further development of the resort happens as expected over the coming decades — still a big if — it will encompass more than 1,700 acres and have a capacity rivaling disney world in florida, which attracts about 45 million annual visitors.

The company’s goal is to create an engine that will drive demand among china’s 1.3 billion residents for other disney products, from video games to broadway-style shows to dvds. Disney typically relies on the creation of new disney tv channels to pump its brand abroad, but china’s limits on foreign media have made that impossible. The approval, notably, did not come with concessions from china on the television front.

Mr. Iger called the approval “a very significant milestone” in a statement, taking care to praise china as “one of the most dynamic, exciting and important countries in the world.” a spokeswoman declined to elaborate on details. Throwing open its doors to such a uniquely american — and permanent — entertainment experience is a milestone for china, which has aggressively protected its culture from westernization in general and hollywood in particular. Only 20 non-chinese films are allowed to be shown in theaters each year, for instance, and those are often edited.

“disney, perhaps the most iconic american brand of all, is supercharged in this department,” said orville schell, director of the asia society’s center on u.s.-china relations.

It was unclear what convinced china to finally approve the deal after years of off-again, on-again talks. The prospect of creating jobs — tens of thousands between building the resort and operating it — at a tough economic moment might have played a role, mr. Schell and other analysts said.

Others have speculated that the timing involved president obama’s inaugural visit to china later this month.

Mr. Schell said he saw something more at work. “it’s a signal that now they will tolerate a certain kind of western investment,” he said.

Disney will own about 40 percent of the shanghai resort, with the remainder owned by a holding company formed by a consortium of chinese companies selected by the government, according to people with knowledge of the plan but who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Only the magic kingdom-style portion of the project needed beijing’s approval; disney will now negotiate with shanghai authorities on construction plans, but that is considered a matter of process.

Details about rides are still being worked out, but there are to be a smattering of classic attractions and new rides developed specifically for shanghai, perhaps incorporating chinese stories and history.

Disney is often accused of force-feeding its products to international markets and thus homogenizing culture. The company’s heavy-handed creation of disneyland paris in the early 1990s, for instance, was a public relations disaster; french farmers with pitch forks protested disney.

But the company, under new leadership since 2005, has worked to erase that imperious reputation by bending to the quirks of local markets and taking on local partners. Where appropriate, it has incorporated local customs; the decision to serve alcohol at disneyland paris helped turn that resort into a financial success.

Disney has opened a chain of language schools in shanghai, taking care to promise that the goal is to teach children to speak english, not to indoctrinate them with princesses 101. (the company’s characters, however, are very visible at the centers.)


=o

[samm]

Ohh, not like the one in Hong Kong is doing well anyways.

Anyways, quoted from Forbes: "There's already a Disneyland in Hong Kong, and it is struggling. Hong Kong officials worried that a Shanghai Disney would further crimp its business."

[Mrs_Popo]

Badger, how do you feel about this?

[jz1n]

Yet another China thread.

Congratulations on reading the news, you don't need to start a thread about it everytime news happens.

[Hairball]

Yay, another Disneyland in China!

This will probably not be very good for Hong Kong though. Everyone loves to hate on that park already, though I had a good time and loved it when I was there.

[Badger]

Well. I personally think that building the Disneyland in Hong Kong was a mistake.

They had plans for Shanghai to have a Disneyland way before Hong Kong. Anyhow. Congratulations I guess? :)

[AcidBomber]

woah? another one in China? ambitious indeed.

[sxz]

I thought China already had a Disneyland (http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/05/02/disneyland-in-china/)?

[samm]

I thought China already had a Disneyland (http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/05/02/disneyland-in-china/)?

China at its best.

[xg3]

China at its best.

Also didn't cost 3.5 billions to build.. it was built with $35,000 with 350 people in 5 days.

[ronin893]

I thought China already had a Disneyland (http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/05/02/disneyland-in-china/)?
That's the shanzhai (山寨) Disney. This thread is about the Shanghai Disney. :lol:

[tomtomtom]

Also didn't cost 3.5 billions to build.. it was built with $35,000 with 350 people in 5 days.

Yes it does, the rest are debited toward "meals and entertainment", "gifts" and "Miscellaneous":lol:

[ronin893]

Details about rides are still being worked out, but there are to be a smattering of classic attractions and new rides developed specifically for shanghai, perhaps incorporating chinese stories and history.

Interesting. Are they going to have a Monkey King roller coaster?

[LaserEnvy]

I wouldn't rule out the success of the park just because HK's Disneyland is struggling. It's not like people from HK and Shanghai think the same.

[MarkIII]

The HK Disney land is not doing well because Marineland HK is in almost direct competition next door.

The most crucial reason is because HK disney land failed to attract the China tourist because HK people have an negative attitude toward mainland china tourist whom are in fact MUCH MUCH RICHER than the locals. The attitude turned off many mainland tourists and chinese netizens actually had a boycott against HK disneyland. For example, the staff in HK disney part are very rude towards China tourist because they think they are backward, poor or do not speak cantonese.

The one in Shanghai will do much much better because it is located in the central part of China, and is easily accessible by locals whom do not need a special VISA in order to gain access to HK.

[Hairball]

I wouldn't rule out the success of the park just because HK's Disneyland is struggling. It's not like people from HK and Shanghai think the same.

Well it's easier for mainlanders to get to Shanghai as opposed to Hong Kong, so perhaps in that sense it'll be a draw. And foreigners might be enticed to see how it is like there too.

[Kranberry]

This was the first unofficial Disney in China...lol

http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/05/02/disneyland-in-china/

Gotta luv the knock offs.

[slowtyper]

This deal has been on and off in the news all the time. I wouldn't hold my breath just yet, however I think it would be very succesful.

[Badger]

The HK Disney land is not doing well because Marineland HK is in almost direct competition next door.

The most crucial reason is because HK disney land failed to attract the China tourist because HK people have an negative attitude toward mainland china tourist whom are in fact MUCH MUCH RICHER than the locals. The attitude turned off many mainland tourists and chinese netizens actually had a boycott against HK disneyland. For example, the staff in HK disney part are very rude towards China tourist because they think they are backward, poor or do not speak cantonese.

The one in Shanghai will do much much better because it is located in the central part of China, and is easily accessible by locals whom do not need a special VISA in order to gain access to HK.

The negative attitude towards mainland China tourists is common because that's how certain people are anyways. It may be socially acceptable to spit and piss anywhere in China, but not Hong Kong. Their behaviors are unacceptable and I would see why HK people see them in this way.

Not to mention, a lot of mainland China tourist do not have a habit of lining up when there is a queue. This is one major difference when comparing mainland Chinese people and HK people.

What does being rich have to do with the tourists coming to Disneyland or not? Being rich does not give you the option to spit, piss or budge in lines in Disneyland. It is all about following rules. If they feel like "Cash is King", they might as well not come to HK and do it at the Shanghai Disneyland when it opens.

During the opening weeks of the HK Disneyland. One parent did not want to wait in line for the washroom, so he brought his kid to piss in the hand washing sink instead.

[PrettyMao]

Not to mention, a lot of mainland China tourist do not have a habit of lining up when there is a queue. This is one major difference when comparing mainland Chinese people and HK people.

During the opening weeks of the HK Disneyland. One parent did not want to wait in line for the washroom, so he brought his kid to piss in the hand washing sink instead.

I was in Beijing for 3 days and got to experience both of those.

I was in a queue for subway tokens that consisted of two people, me and the guy in front of me who was buying tokens, as soon as he was done buying his tokens out of nowhere flies in this other guy and he budges right in front of me (note, there was no line behind me). I was a bit shocked, but being a polite Canadian I just let him buy his ticket (apparently 10 seconds was too much of a wait time for him). As he was finishing buying his tickets I noticed another jerk getting ready to do the same thing. I shot him a disgusted look and he changed his mine and got in the queue and I got my tokens...

In the Forbidden Palace I got to see a young girl being held over a garbage can to take a piss (the washroom was around the corner and there was no line). The girl of course shot well over the garbage can and pissed on a bench instead...

I did enjoy the food while I was there though....

[MarkIII]

I was in Beijing for 3 days and got to experience both of those.

I was in a queue for subway tokens that consisted of two people, me and the guy in front of me who was buying tokens, as soon as he was done buying his tokens out of nowhere flies in this other guy and he budges right in front of me (note, there was no line behind me). I was a bit shocked, but being a polite Canadian I just let him buy his ticket (apparently 10 seconds was too much of a wait time for him). As he was finishing buying his tickets I noticed another jerk getting ready to do the same thing. I shot him a disgusted look and he changed his mine and got in the queue and I got my tokens...

In the Forbidden Palace I got to see a young girl being held over a garbage can to take a piss (the washroom was around the corner and there was no line). The girl of course shot well over the garbage can and pissed on a bench instead...

I did enjoy the food while I was there though....

Damn..i thought stuff changed after the olympics. Looks like things are back to normal and as before :(

[PrettyMao]

Damn..i thought stuff changed after the olympics. Looks like things are back to normal and as before :(

To be fair this was back in 2006...

[akosh]

I thought China already had a Disneyland (http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/05/02/disneyland-in-china/)?

Does it have fun rides like this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLbpZrwMwQE

[MarkIII]

To be fair this was back in 2006...

Ahh ok..because when I went back this year Jan for business I did not encounter what you said. I was in the subway and couldnt figure out the machine and a guy just gave me a token lol...

[LaserEnvy]

I had to work with some China dudes for a few summers. They were the most disgusting people I have ever known. They would spit, yell for no reason, eat with their leg propped up on the chair, use the word "diu" at least 2-3x per sentence, and make disgusting comments to any hot girl they saw. I'm not generalizing all people from China but the way they act really leaves a bad impression for others to see.

[MarkIII]

I had to work with some China dudes for a few summers. They were the most disgusting people I have ever known. They would spit, yell for no reason, eat with their leg propped up on the chair, use the word "diu" at least 2-3x per sentence, and make disgusting comments to any hot girl they saw. I'm not generalizing all people from China but the way they act really leaves a bad impression for others to see.

lOL..WERE THEY general labourers?

[Matrixvibe]

This was the first unofficial Disney in China...lol

http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/05/02/disneyland-in-china/

Gotta luv the knock offs.

counterfeits FTW lol:lol:

[manixc]

Well. I personally think that building the Disneyland in Hong Kong was a mistake.

They had plans for Shanghai to have a Disneyland way before Hong Kong. Anyhow. Congratulations I guess? :)
Thank Mr Tung for that

[Ceryx]

I had to work with some China dudes for a few summers. They were the most disgusting people I have ever known. They would spit, yell for no reason, eat with their leg propped up on the chair, use the word "diu" at least 2-3x per sentence, and make disgusting comments to any hot girl they saw. I'm not generalizing all people from China but the way they act really leaves a bad impression for others to see.

Diu is a cantonese F word, not mandarin(which 99% of chinese speaks).

It sounds like cantonese people from guangdong province or Hong kong.

China is like europe, you get different people from different regoin.

[tinlunlau]

I remember one incident where I was holding an elevator door for a couple of Mainland chinese tourists. Looked like a hot chick was dating some old rich guy. the old guy and the chick got in. i assumed i was goign to get a thanks. but no, the old guy slaps my hand and told me to never do that again. my mind just went all like "wtf?!"..

speaking of disneyland, i've been to hk disneyland. the theme park itself is not that bad. in fact, i liked all the fireworks that came before closing time. but the food is ridiculously expensive. they are also stingy on the food as well. let's say you pay 7 canadian dollars for a plate of rice. your portions on the rice isn't going to fill you up at all.

[LaserEnvy]

lOL..WERE THEY general labourers?

Trade labourers. And yes, from Guangdong. People like that are the reason why HKers look down on people from China.

[MarkIII]

Trade labourers. And yes, from Guangdong. People like that are the reason why HKers look down on people from China.

What is your point? I have seen equal amount of a-holes low class people from HK? If it is not the CHinese government how many HKers would have killed themselves because of George Soros in the asian financial crisis. Just because HKers are whitewashed by the UK doesnt mean they are 100% perfect or white on the inside. Those HKers that look down on chinese from mainland obviously have been in their pathetic island for too long to see the more developed part of china.

It is the same concept that Quebecors look down on the rest of Canada.

[Badger]

What is your point? I have seen equal amount of a-holes low class people from HK? If it is not the CHinese government how many HKers would have killed themselves because of George Soros in the asian financial crisis. Just because HKers are whitewashed by the UK doesnt mean they are 100% perfect or white on the inside. Those HKers that look down on chinese from mainland obviously have been in their pathetic island for too long to see the more developed part of china.

It is the same concept that Quebecors look down on the rest of Canada.

I agree with you that there you will be able to find the similar a-holes in mainland China and in Hong Kong. But the ratio in mainland China would be a lot higher.

and in regards to your comment on the Asian Financial Crisis, Chinese government saved HKers from George Soros? :confused:

I thought the Hong Kong monetary authority saved HKers from George Soros with the use of their plentiful reserves accumulated in the British era.

[LaserEnvy]

What is your point? I have seen equal amount of a-holes low class people from HK? If it is not the CHinese government how many HKers would have killed themselves because of George Soros in the asian financial crisis. Just because HKers are whitewashed by the UK doesnt mean they are 100% perfect or white on the inside. Those HKers that look down on chinese from mainland obviously have been in their pathetic island for too long to see the more developed part of china.

It is the same concept that Quebecors look down on the rest of Canada.

Take it easy. If you read it again, you'll realize that I was just saying these people make their own countrymen look bad. Sometimes a statement is just a statement. There's no need to read too much into it then start hurling insults.

There is elitism everywhere you go. Hell, on this site you have people that use Verbatims that look down people that use other dvd brands.

[MarkIII]

I agree with you that there you will be able to find the similar a-holes in mainland China and in Hong Kong. But the ratio in mainland China would be a lot higher.

and in regards to your comment on the Asian Financial Crisis, Chinese government saved HKers from George Soros? :confused:

I thought the Hong Kong monetary authority saved HKers from George Soros with the use of their plentiful reserves accumulated in the British era.

Of course the RATIO is MUCH MUCH HIgher because there are how many people in China vs How many people in HK?

HK Monetary authority and foreign reserve? You think they can hold a candle against the massive onslaught of George Soros? Do you really think that China Central Bank didn't play a role or even help with cash infusion?

[Hairball]

Of course the RATIO is MUCH MUCH HIgher because there are how many people in China vs How many people in HK?

HK Monetary authority and foreign reserve? You think they can hold a candle against the massive onslaught of George Soros? Do you really think that China Central Bank didn't play a role or even help with cash infusion?

I don't know too much about the details, certainly the PRC government played a part to help the markets.

But still you can't deny that Hong Kong is still probably the most developed part of China and has the most sound legal system from its British roots. Perhaps in the future this will change.

I think right now Hong Kong is really a crossroads, not really quite British anymore, yet not really adapted (culturally, at least) to the rest of the PRC. Though in a way it has its own identity.

[MarkIII]

I don't know too much about the details, certainly the PRC government played a part to help the markets.

But still you can't deny that Hong Kong is still probably the most developed part of China and has the most sound legal system from its British roots. Perhaps in the future this will change.

I think right now Hong Kong is really a crossroads, not really quite British anymore, yet not really adapted (culturally, at least) to the rest of the PRC. Though in a way it has its own identity.

I am not sure if HK is still the most developed part of China. I was thinking that Shanghai, Beijing and Guanzhou have already overtaken HK in terms of economic development. Correct me if i am wrong.

[Keigotw]

I remember one incident where I was holding an elevator door for a couple of Mainland chinese tourists. Looked like a hot chick was dating some old rich guy. the old guy and the chick got in. i assumed i was goign to get a thanks. but no, the old guy slaps my hand and told me to never do that again. my mind just went all like "wtf?!"..

speaking of disneyland, i've been to hk disneyland. the theme park itself is not that bad. in fact, i liked all the fireworks that came before closing time. but the food is ridiculously expensive. they are also stingy on the food as well. let's say you pay 7 canadian dollars for a plate of rice. your portions on the rice isn't going to fill you up at all.

I been in HK one too, when I was there, I saw so many mainland chinese people using their kids to cut in line. In one of those line up, the kid walk right up to the front of line, followed by the mother. On another one Photo shoot with mickey , the father of the kid keep pushing the kid in while others was taking photo.

so i guess the one in Shanghai , no one will line up Lol

[teknoluv]

It's sad that *some* people in Hong Kong are looking down on their BROTHERS from Mainland China, because for those over 30, the MAJORITY of their parents actually came from Mainland China, one time or the other.

[MarkIII]

It's sad that *some* people in Hong Kong are looking down on their BROTHERS from Mainland China, because for those over 30, the MAJORITY of their parents actually came from Mainland China, one time or the other.

Yeah and now it seems those *** HKers finally woke up that HK will NOT survive w/o china. With the exception of the majority of HKers in Canada who dont admit they are chinese.

[Hairball]

Yeah and now it seems those *** HKers finally woke up that HK will NOT survive w/o china. With the exception of the majority of HKers in Canada who dont admit they are chinese.

Well it is obvious that Hong Kong is economically intertwined with China. There is nothing to debate.

But that being said, I don't think HKers necessarily have to integrate culturally and believe in the party line.

[Madchester]

use the word "diu" at least 2-3x per sentence,

RedFlag"Deals"

[Badger]

Yeah and now it seems those *** HKers finally woke up that HK will NOT survive w/o china. With the exception of the majority of HKers in Canada who dont admit they are chinese.

China would not have survived without Hong Kong. Hong Kong does not necessary need China to survive, but it is economically viable to do so, and I would agree that a majority of the economy in Hong Kong relies on China.

Why did I say that? China closed its door with the outside world for many years. Without Hong Kong's pro-PRC people, firearms and many essential goods would not have been successfully smuggled into China from HK.

so watch what you are saying ;)

[Badger]

It's sad that *some* people in Hong Kong are looking down on their BROTHERS from Mainland China, because for those over 30, the MAJORITY of their parents actually came from Mainland China, one time or the other.

Why look down? It does not matter where you are from. It is the person's behavior and morals. The cultural difference in Hong Kong and mainland China is so significant that when certain mainland Chinese tourists come to Hong Kong, locals feel very bothered.

If the tourists keep themselves tidy and clean, then I am sure a lot of people do not have problems with them.

It is disappointing to see a sign in the Guangzhou Bus depot that says "Be a Model Citizen, Please Line Up." in my perspective, but I respect it.

In Hong Kong, this should be common sense. But people just don't line up in China, so they need to put a sign to remind them. Again, this is a cultural difference, and it has nothing to do with where they are from, it is more of how they were taught.

[tinlunlau]

I remember that one night at Disneyland where they used soap suds for snow. lol!

[teknoluv]

China would not have survived without Hong Kong. Hong Kong does not necessary need China to survive, but it is economically viable to do so, and I would agree that a majority of the economy in Hong Kong relies on China.

Why did I say that? China closed its door with the outside world for many years. Without Hong Kong's pro-PRC people, firearms and many essential goods would not have been successfully smuggled into China from HK.

so watch what you are saying ;)
I assume your grammar is correct (bold in quote), but you have clearly overvaluated the role of Hong Kong from 1949 - 1978. Yes, it's true that during the embargo years, there were goods slipping into China through Hong Kong; but it would be naive to think China actually relied on that alone to "survive" all those years.

On the other hand, Hong Kong CLEARLY relies on China to survive shortly after 1997. China has actually bent some rules to do help out Hong Kong, giving this "special administrative region" VIP status which many other regional governments envy. With the opening up of China now reached its mature phase, Hong Kong has lost almost ALL its advantages. I thought that was obvious.

I guess people in or from Hong Kong HAVE TO admit that the (partly justified) superior status they HAD enjoyed (yes, past tense) between 1949 and 1997 was long gone. Reflect on how Hong Kong fails and learn to be a part of China, instead of reminiscing the glorious days of being a British colony.

[ronin893]

I guess people in or from Hong Kong HAVE TO admit that the (partly justified) superior status they HAD enjoyed (yes, past tense) between 1949 and 1997 was long gone. Reflect on how Hong Kong fails and learn to be a part of China, instead of reminiscing the glorious days of being a British colony.Agreed.

Why do some HKers & mainlanders need to have some pissing match on who's better or who needs whom?

HK's success between 1949 to 1997 is due to it being a gateway between the "Western" world and mainland China. Being a British colony was a boon to HK (it's certaily better than being a Portuguese colony like Macau.) Equivalently, having intimate ties to the mainland is a boon to HK (compare that to Taiwan which didn't have a good relationship with the mainland.) HK should be very thankful for both its links to the UK and the PRC.

[jcon]

I thought this thread was about a Disney theme park?

Have a magical day everyone!

[teknoluv]

Shanghai should have got Disney in the first place, but Beijing bent the rules to let Hong Kong jump the line. It's now proven to be a mistake.

And yes, with Shanghai's Disney being double the size of that of Hong Kong (which by the way is the smallest Disney around the world), it's obvious that even fewer people will visit the latter in the years to come.

[rageking]

I remember one incident where I was holding an elevator door for a couple of Mainland chinese tourists. Looked like a hot chick was dating some old rich guy. the old guy and the chick got in. i assumed i was goign to get a thanks. but no, the old guy slaps my hand and told me to never do that again. my mind just went all like "wtf?!"..

speaking of disneyland, i've been to hk disneyland. the theme park itself is not that bad. in fact, i liked all the fireworks that came before closing time. but the food is ridiculously expensive. they are also stingy on the food as well. let's say you pay 7 canadian dollars for a plate of rice. your portions on the rice isn't going to fill you up at all.

We're talking about the world's smallest disneyland here. You did notice how the stage blocked most of the viewing of the projections on the wall of the castle and part of the fireworks as well?

The chinese restaurant right by the stage is quite decent :D

Now I havent been to the one in France, but been to all the disneyworlds everywhere else. HK is by far the worse of the lot. Tokyo Disneyland is probably the only that still retains the "magic".