Disney In China

[Mouse Man]

I read this today and seen it first on TV this afternoon. Why can't Disney just invest in WDW and Disney Land?

Disney coming to China
By Leah Zanolla
Nov 4, 2009

According to the South China Morning Post, a $4 billion Disney theme park in Shanghai has been approved by the Chinese government.

Plans are now able to move forward in the deal between the Walt Disney Co. and China to build a Disney theme park in Shanghai. China's National Development and Reform Commission has approved Disney's plans for the park, which will be built in the fast-growing Pudong district of the city. Shanghai is mainland China's main economic center and is currently preparing for the World Expo, which will open May 1.

The park would be similar to the Magic Kingdom, but would have features unique to the Shanghai area, similar to the other Disney international parks.

"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," Robert A. Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said in a statement.

Hong Kong Disney was opened in 2005 and Disney also has offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.

This announcement comes at an interesting time, as President Barack Obama has a visit planned to China later this month.

• News Source

 

[wm49rs]

I read this today and seen it first on TV this afternoon. Why can't Disney just invest in WDW and Disney Land?

Disney coming to China
By Leah Zanolla
Nov 4, 2009

According to the South China Morning Post, a $4 billion Disney theme park in Shanghai has been approved by the Chinese government.

Plans are now able to move forward in the deal between the Walt Disney Co. and China to build a Disney theme park in Shanghai. China's National Development and Reform Commission has approved Disney's plans for the park, which will be built in the fast-growing Pudong district of the city. Shanghai is mainland China's main economic center and is currently preparing for the World Expo, which will open May 1.

The park would be similar to the Magic Kingdom, but would have features unique to the Shanghai area, similar to the other Disney international parks.

"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," Robert A. Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said in a statement.

Hong Kong Disney was opened in 2005 and Disney also has offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.

This announcement comes at an interesting time, as President Barack Obama has a visit planned to China later this month.

• News Source

Money, money, money, money, money, money.........

Any questions?

 

[Gig 'Em Mickey]

Why won't they invest more in Florida?

Simple. It's a mature market. China is the largest emerging market in the world, with a quarter of the world's population. This could be Disney's biggest cash cow in 10-15 years. Then they can funnel money from China back to the US.

But more likely I think they'll go into Brazil. Brazil is also a huge emerging market. A global corporation cannot ignore these markets. Get in early and own the market before your competition can. That's what keeps a company healthy and growing.

 

[WishIwasThere]

Looking forward to seeing the plans for this park and follow its construction. I have done this for DCA and HKDL and its fun to see its progression. Hopefully, as all the experts have pointed out, WDC has learned its lesson from HKDL and will not skimp on the park.

 

[trr1]

what about a disneyland in Australia?

 

[wm49rs]

what about a disneyland in Australia?

More people, and more money, in the region around Shanghai......

 

[chaggy102]

Why won't they invest more in Florida?

Simple. It's a mature market. China is the largest emerging market in the world, with a quarter of the world's population. This could be Disney's biggest cash cow in 10-15 years. Then they can funnel money from China back to the US.

But more likely I think they'll go into Brazil. Brazil is also a huge emerging market. A global corporation cannot ignore these markets. Get in early and own the market before your competition can. That's what keeps a company healthy and growing.

Yes go and build one in Brazil then we won't have all those tour groups in the summer.

 

[BrerFrog]

Yes go and build one in Brazil then we won't have all those tour groups in the summer.

As crazy as this may sound I'm opposed to the idea of bringing a Disney Park to my country.

As many people here in these boards I would like to see Disney focusing on the properties they already have, most of which need improvements instead of expanding the number of Disney parks around the world.

I am afraid building such a big number of parks would cause a big decline in the Disney qiuality we all love.

However, with all that being said, I would be first in line if they did decide to build one here. Even though I don't like the idea. :sohappy:

 

[TURKEY]

Yes go and build one in Brazil then we won't have all those tour groups in the summer.

Right now, all the Brazilian tour groups and other Latin markets are what are helping sustain WDW. Huge numbers from all over the Latin countries are coming to WDW.


Building in Hong Kong, Paris, and now Shanghai weren't going to vulture a huge percentage of WDW's demographic and market share. Building in Latin America could.

 

[SirNim]

I think the reason why people tend to not be in favor of massive global expansion for the Disney theme parks (and I understand from an economic perspective the rationale behind it, but from a sentimental, non-economic, irrational perspective I am not in favor of it) is the fact that there are few examples of businesses expanding beyond some critical mass while maintaining a consistent, high level of quality.

For example, the very first McDonald's restaurants probably served pretty good food. They were quite successful. Then Ray Kroc came along, put a McDonald's in every city, town, village, and hamlet around the world, and the quality of the food had nowhere to go but down.

The first Starbucks in Seattle served good coffee, got good press, and was generally highly regarded by all. And then once there was a Starbucks on every street corner around the country, prices seemed to go up and people's satisfaction with the brand seemed to go down.

Krispy Kreme nearly went bankrupt while attempting to take their doughnuts from the southeast to the entire country. Their stock went to $0.03 or less.

Brand/franchise expansion/extension always seems to precede a rapid and severe decline in quality across the entire brand. That is the cultural perception. I hope Disney doesn't hit a critical mass of theme parks beyond which its fate attains a similar trajectory.

 

[_Scar]

Any concept art yet guys?

 

[WDW1974]

So I'm curious... what will the larger, better development in Shanghai do to the existing location in Hong Kong?

A lot of people would like to know that ... especially the HK SAR officials.

Hopefully, by the time Shanghai debuts, HKDL will be on firmer footing.

The parks will be VERY different. Much like HKDL getting a few unique E-Tix in the next few years, Shanghai will have multiple unique (only ones in the world) major attractions and will have a few very unique features that no other MK-style park has.

There will also be more attention paid to the local culture than any Disney park before (abroad anyway) has at opening.

If what I've been told turns out to be what Disney announces, then I'll be very excited about visiting ... although I've yet to visit a Disney MK-style park that hasn't been terrific (unfortunately, WDW's has suffered greatly over the past dozen years).

 

[WDW1974]

Building in Hong Kong, Paris, and now Shanghai weren't going to vulture a huge percentage of WDW's demographic and market share. Building in Latin America could.

Paris could have. But most Brits would rather come to FLA with their pasty white skin that becomes red after one hour of FLA sun exposure than go 'next door' to DLP.

Part of it, IMHO, is simply the fact the Brits and the French are very much like McD's and BK or Coke and Pepsi ... they're still fighting about things that happened in the Middle Ages.

 

[SirGoofy]

A lot of people would like to know that ... especially the HK SAR officials.

Hopefully, by the time Shanghai debuts, HKDL will be on firmer footing.

The parks will be VERY different. Much like HKDL getting a few unique E-Tix in the next few years, Shanghai will have multiple unique (only ones in the world) major attractions and will have a few very unique features that no other MK-style park has.

There will also be more attention paid to the local culture than any Disney park before (abroad anyway) has at opening.

If what I've been told turns out to be what Disney announces, then I'll be very excited about visiting ... although I've yet to visit a Disney MK-style park that hasn't been terrific (unfortunately, WDW's has suffered greatly over the past dozen years).

Sounds great. Once HK is expanded and Shanghai opens, I'm planning on taking an Asian park tour.

Of course, as long as I'm getting paid at that time as well.:lol:

 

[_Scar]

A lot of people would like to know that ... especially the HK SAR officials.

Hopefully, by the time Shanghai debuts, HKDL will be on firmer footing.

The parks will be VERY different. Much like HKDL getting a few unique E-Tix in the next few years, Shanghai will have multiple unique (only ones in the world) major attractions and will have a few very unique features that no other MK-style park has.

There will also be more attention paid to the local culture than any Disney park before (abroad anyway) has at opening.

If what I've been told turns out to be what Disney announces, then I'll be very excited about visiting ... although I've yet to visit a Disney MK-style park that hasn't been terrific (unfortunately, WDW's has suffered greatly over the past dozen years).

About the park's unique attractions in Shanghai: is this speculation or fact?

 

[WDW1974]

I think the reason why people tend to not be in favor of massive global expansion for the Disney theme parks (and I understand from an economic perspective the rationale behind it, but from a sentimental, non-economic, irrational perspective I am not in favor of it) is the fact that there are few examples of businesses expanding beyond some critical mass while maintaining a consistent, high level of quality.

For example, the very first McDonald's restaurants probably served pretty good food. They were quite successful. Then Ray Kroc came along, put a McDonald's in every city, town, village, and hamlet around the world, and the quality of the food had nowhere to go but down.

The first Starbucks in Seattle served good coffee, got good press, and was generally highly regarded by all. And then once there was a Starbucks on every street corner around the country, prices seemed to go up and people's satisfaction with the brand seemed to go down.

Krispy Kreme nearly went bankrupt while attempting to take their doughnuts from the southeast to the entire country. Their stock went to $0.03 or less.

Brand/franchise expansion/extension always seems to precede a rapid and severe decline in quality across the entire brand. That is the cultural perception. I hope Disney doesn't hit a critical mass of theme parks beyond which its fate attains a similar trajectory.

That's a good point and an interesting one.

I take it another way. As Disney's P&R empire has spread around the globe, WDW has taken a nosedive in so many areas. The resorts in Tokyo and Paris were immediate successes (Paris not financially). HK wasn't, but they got a McDisneyland Lite. Albeit a beautiful, quality one that is getting better all the time.

What I notice in my travels (about your analogy) is that many American brands that once stood for quality here (but now often speak for the opposite) are so much better overseas.

Visit a McDonald's in Milan, a Burger King in Amsterdam or a Pizza Hut in Kowloon (I've done all) and compare to any of their American counterparts and it's like two different companies. Overseas, these are prestige brands that offer far better quality than where they started.

Of course, some folks who have been to Disney's outposts in Tokyo and Paris say the same thing.

So, I'm not really worried about the quality of Shanghai DL. The scope of it appears to be on a level with DLP, hopefully the execution will be.

No, I'm worried about the further WalMarting of 'my' Disney resort, right here in FLA.

 

[WDW1974]

Sounds great. Once HK is expanded and Shanghai opens, I'm planning on taking an Asian park tour.

Of course, as long as I'm getting paid at that time as well.:lol:

I've been to two WDW park openings and numerous attraction openings. Also, was at DCA's. Never an opening day internationally ... tried to do DSP, but plans fell thru.

But I want to be at Shanghai on Day 1. At this point, though, I'll take being alive and well!

 

[TURKEY]

Paris could have. But most Brits would rather come to FLA with their pasty white skin that becomes red after one hour of FLA sun exposure than go 'next door' to DLP.

Part of it, IMHO, is simply the fact the Brits and the French are very much like McD's and BK or Coke and Pepsi ... they're still fighting about things that happened in the Middle Ages.

Yep. The Brits had somewhat of a base here in the US before Paris opened, but HK and China were never and don't think will ever be for WDW even having parks in both places.

I know I've talked to several people from the British Isles that were coming to WDW long before Paris was born. They will go to Paris for a long weekend, but still prefer the FL parks as having more magic for them (growing up in them) along with all the other options and weather for a nice long holiday.



How much of an impact has HK and will Shanghai have on the Japanese market?

I also wonder the impact of the Delta/NW merger as lots of the Japanese tour operators had their clients flying into Orlando from either Minneapolis or Detroit NW hubs.

 

[TURKEY]

So are we getting a Mulan's castle?

 

[WDW1974]

About the park's unique attractions in Shanghai: is this speculation or fact?

Why would you ask when you don't respect my opinions or posts?

But I'll answer since others may wonder, it is FACT. From someone who would know. I do know more, but won't put specifics out unless something else is leaked first as I am not costing anyone a job and Disney paying a lot of attention to what gets out and how.

I will speak in general, however. And in general, I am hopeful that what I am told ALL comes to pass. The Chinese have demanded a very unique, attraction-heavy, locals pleasing park/resort ... and it appears that Disney is gonna deliver.

This can't be another HKDL where they announce one thing and build another (for those who don't know, two lands and about 12 attractions were cut after the park was announced ... and, yes, I do have the original releases/press kits to prove it).