SDL Artwork high-res files reveal more Shanghaî Disneyland secrets

When Disney released on April 8 the first Shanghaî Disneyland artworks i had, probably just like you, a mixed feeling. I was happy to see - at last - some SDL artwork and on the other hand i was a bit frustrated by the low resolution which didn't helped to see the concept in details. I thought we would have to wait until 2016 to discover high-res artwork, but, no, finally Disney released high-res files of these renderings! And it changes everything, as we can have now a crystal clear view of the SDL project - at least as it is now!

So, here we go again for a new exploration of the SDL artwork and as you will see these high-res files reveals more about what kind of attractions we can expect at Shanghaî Disneyland. First rendering on the top is the high-res version of the full Shanghaî Disneyland bird's eye view of the park.

As you will see when you will enlarge the pictures these renderings are very probably digital paintings. Even more, nothing - except may be the castle - seems to have a definitive design. As we know Disney doesn't want to reveal SDL design too clearly to avoid copycats of the concepts - which is perfectly understandable - but my guess is that WDI SDL Imagineers may still be in blue-sky mode on some of them and, as Jim Hill would say, we'll try to don't get "shanghaied" by what we will see now. However, i think that a big part of the ideas that we can see on these renderings should stay in the final concept.

So, let's begin by the beginning, i.e the entrance. As we know, tihere is no Main street U.S.A but as you'll see on the top of the image, after the main gate and before the big green space area in front of the castle, there is some buildings on the left and the right and SDL might have, finally, something which seems to be as long as half the length of Main Street, with a different design of course.



Before we enter the park, let's have a look at an interesting area located just on the left of the entrance. If the SDL map below is right it should be "commercial facilities", right at the exit of the park, may be a kind of equivalent of our Disney Village at DLP, i.e an area where SDL guests will find merchandise shops and restaurants.



Here is again the SDL map that i've posted last month showing where will be what, including SDL hotels. As you will see an hotel with view on the park is envisioned by WDI Imagineers.



We will come back to the castle with others renderings but apparently the "Fantasyland" part of the park will be, as usual, located behind the castle although there will be some classic Fantasyland rides around it. If you enlarge the image you'll see on the right of the castle something which definitely looks like a labyrinth. Will they put there the Alice's Labyrinth that we have at DLP or will it have another theme?



Let's move on the left. Where we find generally Tomorrowland SDL guests will have their Adventureland! And this is now for sure as we can see clearly on this part of the rendering a Pirates fortress, a gallion in te lagoon close to it and a Mayan pyramid on the very right. All this seems to confirm that Pirates of Caribbean and Indiana Jones Adventure will be part of Shanghaî Disneyland on opening day. I've read on forums that some people were thinking that the big dark mountain on the foreground might be an Expedition Everest but, first, this mountain doesn't look at all like the one of Expedition Everest and, two, may i remind you the feelings of chinese officials about everything linked with Tibet? If there is an attraction that i'm pretty sure we will never see at SDL it's really Expedition Everest, at least in its original theme as WDI could use the track with another theming.



Let's go now on the west part of the park where we find generally Frontierland or Adventureland. Instead, SDL guests will find in this area SDL Tomorrowland as there is no doubts that this is the Tomorrowland area of Shanghaî Disneyland.



A closer look reveals not a lot, except that this big dome building on the left should be SDL Space Mountain. Here, too, the design is obviously not the final design. On the picture above you'll note that a kind of Astro Jets / Orbitron ride might be at the entrance of the land. However i will not be surprised if this land received modifications in years to come, so let's say it's just a first look, which is better than nothing!



Always from this SDL bird's eye view rendering, let's have a closer look at SDL lake and pier. The fountain at the center was already identifiable on the low-res version but we can see clearly that the big boats will not look like American steam river boats. Also, we might have smaller boats moving on the lake like they do on WDW Seven Seas Lagoon.



At the far right of the lake is another pier and, behind, it might be the hotel with view on the park that we saw on the map. I know it doesn't look really like a hotel but WDI is probably keeping secret the original design.



Let's go back to the center of the park and the castle with a new high-res version of another rendering we saw last week.



Here is a close-up on the castle and what looks like multi-colored water falls in the front might mean that there will be a big fountain pond at the foot of SDL castle.



Always in front of the castle the next image shows not only small chinese pavilions but also a path with cherry trees in blossom and, if you look well, an area with Disney characters topiaries!



We already saw them last week but here is a better view of the Fantasyland Carousel. You'll note also on the picture others carousels in the background....



..and the Dumbo ride, both located in this 46,000 square meter of green space at the centre of the park - also designed to be a cultural hub and a reminder of "the themes of sustainability and nature that will be integrated throughout the park" as Iger said.



The third rendering released last week is also available now in high-res and it allows us to have a closer look at the castle. Here is the full picture in its high-res version...



...a close-up on the castle...



...and an even closer view on the castle's entrance.



So, let's see what we know now about Shanghaî Disneyland according to these renderings. If there is no changes SDL guests should find:

- A gorgeous fairy-tale castle with in front of it small chinese pavilions, Disney characters topiaries, Dumbo and Fantasyland Carousel rides as well as others carousels.
- An Adventureland area on the east side of the park with, very probably, Pirates of Caribbean and Indiana Jones Adventure
- A Fantasyland area behind the castle, including an Alice-like or other theme labyrinth
- A Tomorrowland area on the west side of the park with, very probably, Space Mountain as well as an Orbitron ride or similar
- A merchandise and dining area at the left of the entrance

That's not a lot and i wish we knew more about the rides themselves but for now, that's the best we can do with the artwork available!

Artwork: copyright Disney

Shanghaî Disneyland will be 50 percent larger than Hong Kong Disneyland

Latest news from Shanghaî Disneyland! We knew that the park will be bigger than Hong Kong Disneyland but how bigger exactly will it be? Well, now we know: according to a SDL executive interview in a Bloomberg article: "Shanghai's Disneyland will be almost 85 acres, about 50 percent larger than the Hong Kong park at its opening, says one executive." "We learned a lot from Hong Kong," says Bob Iger, "In Shanghai, we're within a three hour's drive of 300 million people. That's a huge opportunity, and we have to be careful about how many will come and their visitation patterns."

We also knew that there will be traditional Disney rides and others based on Chinese culture as Bob Iger revealed but it's interesting to know that the company is now adding Chinese nationals to the SDL "imagineering" team to help develop the park.

Always from the article, "Disney isn't likely to repeat the cultural faux pas it made when it opened Disneyland Resort Paris in 1992, where food sales suffered because the park initially didn't serve wine with meals. In Hong Kong, Disney has cut the number of hot dogs in its restaurants in order to serve more dim sum and noodle dishes, says a Disney executive, and there is likely to be plenty of local fare in Shanghai. "Disney is paying a lot more attention now to cultural differences," say Evercore Partners (EVR) analyst Alan Gould".

"For Disney, which will own a 43 percent stake in the 963-acre resort (three state-owned companies own the rest), Shanghai is a $1.9 billion wager on a growing Chinese middle class who the company projects will spend $200 billion annually on leisure travel by 2015. It's also a bet that Disney's characters and 55-year history of running theme parks can be adapted to a culture it may not fully understand. Disney "has too much riding on China to let either Hong Kong or Shanghai fail."

Finally, we also know which company won the Shanghai Disneyland Insurance Policy and it's the China Pacific Insurance Group which will be "in charge of all risk and third-party obligation insurance for construction work on the first phase of Shanghai Disneyland". A total of 2.31 billion yuan will be insured by Pacific Insurance Group, which you will agree, is quite a lot of money.

I'll be back soon with a new great update about Shanghaî Disneyland, don't miss it!

Shanghaî Disneyland : Why Bob Iger was not the only one to be pleased by SDL groundbreaking event

When Walt Disney bought - in secret - the massive property in Florida which is now known as Walt Disney World, he had more than one goal in mind. Not only did he want enough property to build several theme parks and hotel resorts, but he also really wanted to avoid something which had driven him crazy at Anaheim, i.e to have non-Disney hotels built close to the park, taking advantages of Disneyland's success.

Since then, each time the WDC builds a new theme park and resort they remember Walt's lesson. In Paris, for instance, DLP has enough land to not only build at least three theme parks, but also to keep any hotel competitor from building too close to the resort. In Hong Kong it's even better as there is no land too close to the resort where someone could build a non-Disney resort, as the land where HKDL is now was only ocean ten years ago.

In Shanghaî it's a bit different. Obviously the deal that Disney has with the Chinese administration includes enough land to build three theme parks and many hotel resorts, and, as you will see, Bob Iger was not the only one last friday to be pleased by Shanghaî Disneyland groundbreaking event. As a matter of fact, the beginning of Shanghaî Disneyland construction means "good news" for a lot of others people nearby.

In an interesting Shanghaî Daily article called "Pudong eyes Disney windfall" Liang Yiwen reveals all of what should happen in the Pudong area - Pudong being the district where SDL is currently being built. No one can beat the Chinese on pragmatism and Chen Zhongmao, deputy director of Pudong New Area Commission of Commerce asked: "Disneyland is expected to attract 7.3 million visitors a year. Where will the visitors stay at night and where will they go during the day?".

Well, I suppose that Disney expects them to go to the park and stay at the SDL hotels, but it's not a stupid question as SDL guests might be interested to discover other things outside the resort.

Apparently, the Pudong New Area Commission "found that many visitors to last year's World Expo stayed in Puxi due to the lack of sightseeing and commercial facilities in Pudong" and it seems that the commission learned something out of this. And so: "the government plans to remove the rice paddies around the future Disneyland site and build high-end tourist sites with a 'local flavor' to keep amusement park guests in Pudong".

No kidding? They want to try to keep SDL guests in the area? What a surprise.

And Chen Zhongmao added: "Overseas tourists will be interested in the towns with distinct local culture. Disneyland embodies Western culture and the ancient towns represent Chinese culture - a perfect match ... One of the planned attractions is Xinchang Ancient Town, a water town more than 1,000-year-old where director Ang Lee filmed scenes for the film 'Lust, Caution'. Beautifully carved wooden window frames and elaborately painted signboards are common sights along Xinchang's main street, which was first built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Another attraction will be Hengmian Ancient Town, which remains relatively unknown among modern complexes. Both towns will be given a face-lift."

To be honest, I, who likes archeological sites, will be interested to discover authentic old Chinese cities. I've spent too much energy being angry because China is destroying most of its old areas in Beijing or in other cities, so I think I welcome the possibility to visit genuine old Chinese towns when i will come to Shanghaî Disneyland. So, one good point for them on this idea.

However, the word "money" means the same in China as in occidental countries, and: "Other facilities, such as a shopping center that will include the country's biggest outlet mall, are also listed on Pudong's new commercial development blueprint, which was released yesterday."

There we are.

Want more details? "To compete with mature commercial magnets in Puxi, Pudong now plans to add about 700,000 square meters of commercial facilities, mostly retail space, annually through 2015. A large-scale outlet mall, which will be accessible by Metro Line 2, will be built in Chuansha area by 2013."

How far will it be from Shanghaî Disneyland, you ask? "It will be about 10 kilometers from Disneyland and close to Pudong International Airport. The excellent geographic position and convenient transportation facilities will help the outlet mall attract locals and tourists" Chen Zhongmao said.

"Excellent geographic position and convenient transportation facilities"? You bet. With Shanghaî Disneyland located just six miles from this future mega outlet mall and the transportation system which will be build specially for SDL available, it's for sure "an excellent geographic position"!

And, because the Pudong New Area Commission wants to build this the right way "the government has invited US-based Chelsea Property Group, Japan-based Mitsui and Italian fashion retail giant RDM to draft a blueprint for the outlet mall". In two words, it means that on your future trip at Shanghaî Disneyland you'll be able not only to enjoy a new kind of Magic Kingdom but also to discover ancient cities and also to buy your favorite Armani underwear at Chinese prices.

I agree that said like this it's less poetic than a WDI rendering but I suppose that's what we call reality.


Part of the text: copyright Shanghaî Daily

Many thanks for the text editing to Nate Walz!

First Shanghaî Disneyland concept-art - and why Disney don't want you to see too clearly this awaited theme park

Yesterday, Tom Staggs did his presentation on the future of Disney parks and resorts at the Walt Disney company's 2011 investor's conference and the first Shanghaî Disneyland concept-art was shown to the attendees. Since then, the whole Disney fans blogosphere is buzzing about it, trying to see more clearly in the artwork...in vain as this Shanghaî Disneyland bird's eye view is almost "undecipherable" if you're not a WDI Imagineer!

Still, we're going to try to guess what is what in this first artwork, but it's true that it's the first time that i see a WDI project bird's eye view so difficult to understand. If we take, for instance, the one released for Animal Kingdom - picture below - at least it was possible to see clearly the different lands, where was the entrance, the different buildings, etc... In this SDL concept-art it's not the case and there is a good reason why Disney don't want us to see too clearly the SDL project and i will tell you why in a few seconds.



But first, let's try to see more clearly in the artwork - just for the pleasure to guess as there is big chances that i might be wrong! The picture on the top and below has been enlarged by me - so click to see them in big size - and although the original definition was not sharp enough here is what we can see: on the bottom right i think we have an avenue leading to the park's entrance where SDL guests should find a fountain before entering the park. Always on the bottom right, right before this avenue we can see what looks like giant flowers/mushrooms... Could it be a kind of SDL "Downtown Disney" or like DLP's Disney Village?



Let's come back to the park where a Mickey's face silhouette seems to be located at the entrance... The SDL castle, although not clearly visible, is on the artwork, right under - as usual - the fireworks. Obviously there is a lot of water in this park - which is good - and on the land on the right we can see a kind of mountain with what seems to be a big drop. Did they put in SDL the new Pirates of Caribbean version designed by Tim Delaney which was first envisioned for HKDL? Also, no train track seems to be visible on the artwork. Would it mean that SDL will not have a train going around the park?

Many questions remains to be answered and the best is probably to don't try to find in this artwork the usual iconic attractions like Space Mountain, Big Thunder, etc...which doesn't mean they are not include in the project but from what we know WDI Imagineers designed a park really different than what we've ever seen before. For instance, as it was revealed by an Imagineer during the D23 members private visit of WDI last December "there will be no Main Street" in this park. So, don't waste your time to try to find it on the artwork.

Let's talk now about the reason why Disney don't want us to see too clearly how will look this awaited theme park. Well, you see, it's not to YOU, Disney fan, that Disney wants to hide details of Shanghaî Disneyland, it's to some other people. From what i've been told what Disney REALLY wants to avoid by all means is to see SDL original concepts copied in others chineses theme parks before SDL opening. The truth is that Disney's biggest fear is to see cheap copy of SDL great ideas being built in cheap chinese theme parks. This is why you can't see clearly the castle on the artwork, and i'm curious to see if they will show it more clearly during the official presentation expected early April...not sure, though.

And you know what? I think they're right to be afraid of that. Considering how important in China the SDL project is, there is no doubt that some might want to use some of SDL concepts to make money out of it before SDL opening. As a matter of fact it happened in Tokyo when a park inspired by Disney concepts opened one year before Tokyo Disneyland opening - not sure that this park is still existing now...

Although i have the greater respect for chinese civilisation we all know how they can be good to copy almost anything and how nothing stops chineses to copy a concept when there is a lot of money to make out of it. And sometime they do very good copies! In this case i doubt that anyone will put the amount of money that Disney will put in SDL concepts but even a cheap version of them would be very destructive for the whole SDL project.

For all these reasons i'm afraid we might have to wait a bit more before Disney releases more detailed Shanghaî Disneyland artwork. Until then, the little game of what-is-what on this SDL concept-art will continue for all Disney fans!

All artwork: copyright Disney

Last news about Shanghai Disneyland !

Shanghai Daily.com posted today some news about Shanghai Disneyland. It's all about the beginning of the works, so don't expect rides details but at least it proves that the project is on its way:

"LARGE-SCALE construction of the Shanghai Disneyland project could start as early as May with work on two major roads leading to the future theme park due to be completed in April, officials said yesterday.

Hangcheng Road and Tanghuang Road in the Pudong New Area are part of the 40 billion yuan (US$6.1 billion) infrastructure budget for the first Disneyland Park on China's mainland - a sum equal to Pudong's spend on infrastructure for last year's World Expo.

"A lot of construction vehicles and earth-moving vehicles will enter the plot through the two roads," a Pudong Construction and Traffic Bureau official surnamed Wang said yesterday.

"The two roads will be closed to the public, with only construction vehicles allowed to use them," he said.

All construction related to the Disneyland project is expected to be finished in 2014. The park is due to open in 2015.

Houses on the 3.9-square-kilometer site have all been cleared after residents were relocated in the middle of last year.

Work to expand three other related roads - Nanliu Road, Zhoudeng Road and Liufeng Road - will start in June, while work on Xiupu Road should start within the year.

The infrastructure projects include eight roads which will be the major routes to the Disneyland park and will cost about 10 billion yuan, Wang said.

A new elevated road is to be built on Shenjiang Road. Meanwhile, a river about 10 kilometers long and 60 meters wide is being created around the park area. "The river will make the theme park an enclosed area," Wang said. "It will facilitate the management of the park and adorn the landscape." Another water feature, a 0.39 square kilometer lake, will be built inside the amusement park.

Shanghai announced in November 2009 that it had gained central government approval for the Disneyland project.

The park will cover about 1.16 square kilometers, while facilities such as parking lots and dining areas will occupy up to 2.74 square kilometers."

Text: copyright Shanghai Daily.com

Asia: The Theme Parks battle is about to begin !

I went back from vacation last friday, and as usual i had a choice of magazines when i entered in the plane. So, i choose the last issue of TIME magazine and also another one called ASIA News. And the big surprise was on the front cover not only with Mickey and Schrek, but also the title: "The Battle of Theme Parks"!

Incredible, i thought. I'm going back home and theme parks news are "falling from the sky" before i even asked for them! In this long and interesting special report ASIA News reporters details the theme park battle which is about to begin in Asia. Well, as a matter of fact it already began with the new Universal Studios Singapore but in the next years South Korea should have three new theme parks from Paramount, Universal and MGM, China is awaiting Shanghaî Disneyland, India will have a Bollywood theme park, etc....

So, below, you'll find the full ASIA News report, starting with the first article called "Mickey vs Schrek". Just click on each page to get them on bigger scale, the reading will be more comfortable.





The next article in this interesting special report is about Hong Kong Disneyland. HKDL financial results are not fantastic yet but it's a bit logical as the first of HKDL new attractions will open only in 2011 with Toy Story Land.





Next article is avout Universal Singapore and a interesting list of all the upcoming theme parks in Asia and South East Asia. Strangely, they forgot Shanghaî Disneyland but perhaps it is because the final opening date is not officially announced yet.





One thing is sure: in the next five years theme parks development in Asia is going to be huge. And it'll be very interesting to see who will win the battle which is about to begin!

All pages: copyright Asia News

Shanghaî Disneyland : Official announcement expected anytime soon !

Fresh (and good) news today as it seems that the official announcement of Shanghaî Disneyland is expected anytime soon. First, a Chinese newspaper, the Securities Times, reported that "the Walt Disney Company’s planned theme park in Shanghaî has been approved by government regulators. The report said the Shanghaî Disneyland project plan was passed by a government body earlier this month.

Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper revealed that "Currently, it is going through the final administrative process, with a formal announcement likely to be made to the public this week".

Also today, Reuters press agency said that a Shanghaî government source familiar with the situation told them that "Beijing has approved the project. Now it's up to Shanghaî and Disney to work out the plan and make this thing happen". Of course, both spokespeople from Disney and the Shanghaî government said they had nothing to announce at this time. Disney spokeswoman Leslie Goodman even declared "No deal has been agreed to, no project has been approved".

BUT anticipation is riding high that good news on Disney will be timed to coincide with Barack Obama's visit to China from November 15 to 18. If the deal is done, Obame's first visit to China would be indeed a perfect timing to announce officially the Shanghaî Disneyland deal.

Under a plan agreed upon by Disney and the Shanghaî government in January, Disney would own a 43 percent equity stake in the new theme park and a local government-owned joint venture holding company would own 57 percent. The plan calls for a large theme park and hotel complex to open in 2013.

The project is expected to cost 3.585 billion USD. The theme park would be located in Chuansha A08-03 lots, close to the subway and the planned Olympic Park.

From Reuters and Examiner.com

A Disney theme park in India ?

Is Disney planning to build theme parks in other countries than China? Will we see one day a Disney park in India? Or in another country? We will talk about this, but before, here are the latest news about the Hong Kong negociations as it seems that the Hong Kong Disneyland problem may be resolved soon.

After months - if not years - of negociations with the HK government and the recent dramatic development with the WDC announcing that they will disbanded the team of HKDL Imagineers working on the awaited expansion projects, Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang met with Disney executives including Jay Rasulo and parks Chief Financial Officer Jim Hunt last Friday in Los Angeles. According to Reuters press agency a "Hong Kong Disneyland deal could happen soon".

Spokesman Patrick Wong said "We had very good discussions with the Disney management yesterday. We are happy with the progress achieved at the negotiations regarding Hong Kong Disneyland's expansion plans. There are still a number of issues to be sorted out but we hope that an agreement could be reached quite soon." And Disney spokeswoman Tasia Filippatos said on Saturday that Disney was "encouraged by the recent discussions with our partners regarding the expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland and are optimistic we will be able to finalize a deal to move forward on exciting new plans for the park".

Reuters also reports that in Hong Kong "officials said the talks had broken fresh ground and details on Disney's expansion would be announced soon." And Rita Lau, Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development added "According to my understanding, on a number of important and significant points, everyone is beginning to have little breakthroughs".

Good news. Happy to learn that HKDL will probably have new lands and attractions in a near future. As always, everything is a question of money in these talks and, although Chinese negociators can be really tough, i suppose that they finally found an "agreement" with the WDC. And let's not forget that Hong Kong is part of China, so any HKDL agreement will probably have a good effect on the Shanghaî Disneyland project, always waiting for its final approval from Beijing Central Government.
All this may arrive at the right time, specially considering that Universal announced recently that they're planning to build a Universal Studios theme park in Beijing. Universal, too, is waiting for Beijing officials approval on their project. Which means that there is now TWO major theme park projects waiting for approval in China!

Let's go to India, now. If the question is "Is the Walt Disney Company planning to build a theme park in India?", the answer is "no". But if the question was "Are they thinking about India for a future Disney theme park?", then the answer is "yes, definitely, they're thinking about it".
Now, don't get me wrong, it doesn't mean that New Delhi or Bombay will have a new Magic Kingdom anytime soon. The WDC is just seriously "thinking" about it. Strictly on a "business" point of view, it's perfectly understandable. After all, more than one billion people are living in India and this great country is in full economic development. And considering that Disney don't have in mind to open a theme park in India before ten years, in the meantime India could be economically ready for a success of this future park.

But for me, the question is not "Are they going to build a MK in India or not" but more: "Is it really a good idea?". Let me tell you more about what i have in mind. When Disney decided some years ago to build HKDL they probably thought that the park would be an instant success. After all, Japanese are in love with Disneyland, so why not the Chinese? Then the park opened and the cultural shock arrived.

In France families may accept that children miss a day at school so they can go at DLP on week days to avoid the week-end crowds. But for Chinese it's purely unthinkable. One of the most important thing for Chinese people is the "security of the future". Which means that school success of their children is priority number one. Chinese and Japanese have totally different mental structures, that's where Disney did the mistake for HK. I think it's fair to say that Japanese are living more in the "present" and Chinese, traditionally, are more in the "future" - although i won't be surprised if China's incredible development will help young generations to live more and more in the "present".

Now, why am I talking about all that? Simply because of the cultural differences. The major mistake that almost EVERY U.S big corporation is always doing is to ignore the cultural differences between the U.S and other countries. And we can't even blame them, because it's not their fault. The "mind" of a corporation is made in such way that they simply can't understand that. I suppose that any of them would probably tell you that they're not enough stupid to don't see the differences between the U.S and India, the "caste" problems, and so on... and that's right. They DO see that. What they DON'T see is another plan, more subtle. If we take, as i do today, the example of India what will be difficult for them to understand is the "spirit" of India.

As Indian philosopher Sri Aurobindo once said "India is the heart of the Earth". No other country in the world was - and still is - more spiritual than India. The inevitable - and perfectly welcome - economic development is changing this, but i think we must give some time to the country before landing with a pure occidental concept like Disneyland. In a country which have literally a pantheon of gods, Disneyland mythologies will be nothing. I agree that Indian people can be enough ludic to enjoy Disneyland but i'm not sure that DL mythologies have a lot of resonances for India's collective subconscious.

I have the greater respect for India civilisation, i think India's original vision of the world is stunning and i think that we probably have more to learn from them than they have from us. India have some of the greatest minds, artists and scientists in the world. I don't like too much the "caste" system, an heritage from medieval times, but i LOVE India. And i think that the WDC should understand the part of India which is "another planet" for us. And wait quite a while before building a Disney theme park over there. For the sake of India. That's my opinion - only mine.

Now, if they don't build a park in India, where else could they build one? There were many rumors about a project for Australia in Sydney, but sorry to disappoint my Australian readers, the WDC do NOT have plans to build a theme park down under. Not enough people living in the area to have the project economically viable. Then, other rumors talked about Singapore. Sorry, but you can also forget about Singapore. Not because Universal Singapore will open soon, but because Singapore is mainly a hub, and Disney think it's not enough economically viable to build a park and resort over there. Specially considering that Singapore is only at two hours flight from Hong Kong.

So, where else? Well, there IS another destination that Disney is looking at. It's South America. Don't expect any Magic Kingdom over there anytime soon, but they are definitely looking, thinking, about having a Disney theme park in South America in the future. And if you want my opinion, i think there WILL be one. Not in a near future, though, probably not before ten or fifteen years, but i am confident that one day there will be one.

And in which country of South America, you ask? In Brazil, my friends. In the area of Rio de Janeiro. This is the location that Disney have in mind to build a Disney theme park, some day. I suppose that my Carioca readers will find this news exciting, but once again you better be patient, because absolutely nothing is done yet.

I have to agree that Brazil and Rio de Janeiro which is one of the most visited place in South America - not to mention its gorgeous scenery - would be a perfect place indeed. Also, the "cultural shock" wouldn't be the same than it could be with India. So, one day, 80 or 90 years after Walt and his great Animators came to Rio in 1941 to find inspiration for "Saludos Amigos", Disney will probably be back, and this time it will be to build a Magic Kingdom. Those of you who thinking there is enough MK clones outside America shouldn't worry. Disney have learned the lesson and you will be really surprised how Shanghaî Disneyland will be a different and very enjoyable new kind of Magic Kingdom. As for Brazil, you better be patient Cariocas friends, but i think it will happen...in a not-so-near future.

Picture: copyright Disney

First look at Shanghaî Disneyland future location

The Theme Park Guy web site did a photographic report on the Shanghaî Disneyland's future location near Chuansha town. River, wood, meadows, small villages, and they even have already a kind of "monorail" with the Shanghai’s - Pudong International Airport Maglev train! No doubt that a special Shanghaî Disneyland stop will be add if they build the park here.

I remember you that we're still waiting for China's Central government green light to the project which hopefully should happen in the next months. Opening date if Disney and China reach a final approval is scheduled for 2014. In the meantime, have a look at the Theme Park Guy web site article HERE.

It's Official ! Disney confirms Shanghaî Disneyland !

Associated Press announced 45 minutes ago that the WDC officially confirmed the joint venture with the Shanghaî government for a future $3.59 billion Shanghaî Disneyland project.
They both will submit the project to China central government for final approval. I don't want to be too optimistic, but i think the most difficult is done. Also, the important words in the text below are numbers: $3,59 Billion. With this amount of money, we can now be sure that Shanghaî Disneyland will not be a small park, but a real big one, just like it should be. Here is the Associated Press release:

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Walt Disney Co. said Friday that it was going to submit a plan to build a new theme park in China in a joint venture with the Shanghai government.

The family entertainment giant released a statement confirming its plans at about the same time as The Wall Street Journal released a story on its Web site that said Disney was working with Shanghai to build a $3.59 billion park to open as early as 2014.

A Disney spokesman declined to comment on the Journal story.

"Discussions have been ongoing about the feasibility of a theme park project in China," said Leslie Goodman, a spokeswoman for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, in the statement.

"As part of this lengthy process, we worked on a joint application report with the Shanghai government which will be submitted to the central government for review. No deal has been signed, no project has been approved."

Disney shares were down 35 cents, or 1.5 percent, at $22.55 in Friday afternoon trade.

The Journal said Disney planned to take a 43 percent stake in Shanghai Disneyland, while a holding company owned by the local government would own 57 percent, citing unnamed sources.

The first phase of the project, on about 1.5 square kilometers near Shanghai's Pudong International Airport, would include a theme park, plus a hotel and shopping development and would be built over six years, the paper said.

Text: copyright Associated Press

Disney and Shanghaî complete talks on Shanghaî Disneyland - Park opening scheduled for 2013

In a recent article - posted when everybody was denying that a deal was close between Disney and Shanghaî - i told you that you could count on a Shanghaî Disneyland, well, here we are, not totally signed yet indeed, but almost.

Today, Reuters press agency announced that " The Walt Disney Co has completed talks with the Shanghai government on plans to build a Disneyland theme park in the city and the project will be announced soon, the official Shanghai Securities News reported on Thursday, citing people close to the talks.

Senior Disney executives came to Shanghai last December to discuss details of cooperation with the local government and the two sides achieved a consensus on the project, the newspaper said.

The project, however, has yet to receive approval from China's central government, which will be essential if it is to go ahead.

A spokeswoman for the Shanghai government declined to comment. A Disney representative in Hong Kong could not immediately be reached for comment.

The plan calls for Shanghai Disneyland to open to the public in 2013, the newspaper said, citing an expert involved in the feasibility study for the project.

Disney has engaged in on-again, off-again talks for more than a decade with the Chinese government over plans to build a large theme park and hotel complex in the southern outskirts of Shanghai's Pudong district.

Those talks were stalled by a Shanghai government scandal in 2006 and Disney's need to focus on Hong Kong Disneyland, which opened in 2005 to a string of operational problems and lacklustre attendance.

The Shanghai Securities News also said Shanghai Lujiazui Group and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Group would take part in the construction of the project."

Of course the WDC reacted immediately to this news and Disney spokeswoman Huang Chen told Dow Jones Newswires that "There is no agreement and no deal has been reached" and that Disney "hasn't signed any agreement with the Shanghai government to build a theme park in the city".

Well, may be they've not signed it yet - remember that the project still need China's central government final approval - but it doesn't mean that they don't have an agreement.

Text: copyright Reuters. More also about this great news on the Forbes web site.