2nd and 3rd parks at Shanghai Disney Resort

[Haymarket]

This is purportedly from the 2010 master plan of the Shanghai Disneyland Resort. Just as others have said here, citing local media, the resort will eventually have three parks.

Things change of course (for example, the southeast corner was plotted for hotels, but is retail space now), but what do you think the second and third parks might be, at least in this illustration?

Second park zoom-in:

Third park zoom-in:

 

[denyuntilcaught]

This is really fun to simply blue sky about. This is the first time I've seen a complete plan, even from a decade ago. I knew a second park was always in the design, but a third? Looks like it'd be more of a boutique offering.

 

[Haymarket]

The third park looks like a much smaller version of Animal Kingdom.

 

[Robbiem]

The third park looks like a much smaller version of Animal Kingdom.

I remember reading somewhere that the second and third gates would be an animal kingdom and a version of epcot

Personally I’d like to see some new concepts a park based on myths and legends or Disneysea with different themed ports would be nice - anything but another studio park!

 

[Haymarket]

If they do have an Animal Kingdom park, I hope they give the animals plenty of space, as at DAK, and show the Chinese best practices in animal care.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Master plans are intended to show potential uses in a very generic sense. They’re not based on considered ideas.

 

[co10064]

A little late to the thread here, but this is an excellent find @Haymarket!

I agree that plans like this are often placeholders, not concrete plans (think Disneyland Forward).

That being said, the second park definitely looks like some version of Hollywood Studios (or more aptly, MGM). You can see the hidden Mickey in the aerial layout just like the original MGM, along with the Chinese Theater and Residential Street (backlot tour).

The third park looks like an Animal Kingdom but there's no Safari (which is the biggest draw of the park IMO).

 

[Haymarket]

A little late to the thread here, but this is an excellent find @Haymarket!

I agree that plans like this are often placeholders, not concrete plans (think Disneyland Forward).

That being said, the second park definitely looks like some version of Hollywood Studios (or more aptly, MGM). You can see the hidden Mickey in the aerial layout just like the original MGM, along with the Chinese Theater and Residential Street (backlot tour).

The third park looks like an Animal Kingdom but there's no Safari (which is the biggest draw of the park IMO).

It took me a couple minutes to see the hidden Mickey!

Another studio park? I know it's a placeholder, but ack!

I've seen a few analyses saying that the era of the "behind the scenes" studio park is over. I'm hoping that's true, and that this doesn't become reality; something else would be great.

My take is that the only contemporary non-castle, global-calibre theme park formats are Animal Kingdom, DisneySea, and the full-on immersion in different lands of an Epic Universe. I wonder if they'll go with one of those (probably) or something new (unlikely).

Here's resort overview analysis from a local fan who seems to have "broken" the third hotel story.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Does anyone think Universal ever seriously considered building a mirror of Universal Studios Florida next door to Universal Studios Beijing? Using an existing plan is an easy way to demonstrate feasibility without doing fruitless work.

 

[Haymarket]

Master plans are intended to show potential uses in a very generic sense. They’re not based on considered ideas.

Does anyone think Universal ever seriously considered building a mirror of Universal Studios Florida next door to Universal Studios Beijing? Using an existing plan is an easy way to demonstrate feasibility without doing fruitless work.

We get it: they're placeholders. Understood. Thanks.

 

[Gusey]

 

[marni1971]

Considering the second park was a movie park and that theme has fallen out of fashion with the company, time will tell.

 

[denyuntilcaught]

What was the designation prior to the adjustment, out of curiosity, and how would this signify a shift?

I mean, at the rate they've added expansions to this resort, I wouldn't be surprised. This place seems to be a beast compared to HKDL and DLP in terms of historical international resort growth.

 

[Robbiem]

How much land is there is the existing park left to expand? Would a second gate be the easiest way to expand or is it about making a multi park resort to drive hotel stays etc?

 

[Aramar]

How much land is there is the existing park left to expand? Would a second gate be the easiest way to expand or is it about making a multi park resort to drive hotel stays etc?

There is one expansion area in each land of the park, except for Zootopia.

 

[BrianLo]

Considering the second park was a movie park and that theme has fallen out of fashion with the company, time will tell.

That was a placeholder.

 

[marni1971]

That was a placeholder.

Of course it was.

 

[BrianLo]

Of course it was.

Just wanted to clarify as your comment could be taken out of context. The second park was never anything and I believe Martin was saying that’s even more obvious it was never anything because they’d never plan a studio park today.

The space remains white paper, until potentially very recently I’d buy early conversations are occurring.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Just wanted to clarify as your comment could be taken out of context. The second park was never anything and I believe Martin was saying that’s even more obvious it was never anything because they’d never plan a studio park today.

The space remains white paper, until potentially very recently I’d buy early conversations are occurring.

I just realized something. It looks similar to this version of Disney-MGM Studios Europe.

 

[Haymarket]

I reposted the comment below so the timeline can be updated. (originally at https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads...-or-go-for-a-second-gate.981233/post-11314598)

The Shanghai municipal government issued a formal approval /批复 for the planning adjustment (document: 沪府规划〔2025〕69号), dated 30 April 2025, consenting in principle to the adjusted control-level plan for 02PD-0001.

Chat GPT:

What “approved” means here

This is a planning-control / zoning approval at the municipal level (it confirms the land-use categories, allowed densities/heights, road/parking and public-service layout, and tourism/park functional designation). It clears an important regulatory step required before detailed design, tendering and construction can proceed.


What it does not automatically mean

It is not the same as a company press release announcing Disney’s formal, public “we intend to build Park 2 now” marketing announcement. Governments routinely approve land-use changes before a developer chooses the timing of a public project unveiling. The approval, however, materially increases the likelihood Disney can (and eventually will) make that announcement.


Practical implication for timing

Because the municipal government has approved the control-level adjustments (Apr 30, 2025), the project has moved from “draft consultation” to “authorized framework” — that typically shortens the path from behind-the-scenes design work to a public announcement.

After further discussion and analysis, Chat GPT:

Primary Window: May–July 2026 (10th Anniversary Period)

Estimated likelihood: ~50–55% → the most probable window

Why this window fits best:

Shanghai Disney Resort opened on June 16, 2016, so the 10th anniversary celebrations will likely span May–July 2026.

Disney historically uses anniversaries to announce next-decade plans:

Hong Kong Disneyland’s 10th anniversary (2015) included a major multi-year expansion announcement.

Tokyo Disney Resort’s anniversaries have often been accompanied by future-park development reveals.


A Phase II park announcement could headline a 10th anniversary event attended by Chinese officials and Disney executives — a strong diplomatic and media moment.

Disney’s Q2 2026 earnings call (usually early May) could tease the “new gate” announcement as part of the company’s growth strategy, then formally unveil it in Shanghai in June.


Possible formats:

A ceremony with renderings and concept art for “Shanghai Disney Resort Phase II”

A statement that “planning and design work for a second park are officially underway”

Accompanying teaser video or logo reveal

...

My overall call

If current approvals hold and no political or economic disruptions occur, there’s roughly a 60% chance overall of a public announcement in 2026, most likely during May–July 2026 in conjunction with the 10th anniversary celebrations.