Do you think Shanghai will go for another expansion next or go for a second gate?

[cheezbat]

I’m sure…

But how about focusing more on the parks you actually wholly own? You know…like the cash cow that makes most of the money for the resort division?

 

[cjkeating]

I’m sure…

But how about focusing more on the parks you actually wholly own? You know…like the cash cow that makes most of the money for the resort division?

Growth opportunities. There is only so much more they can wring out of the US. Plus they only have to pay half the bill in China.

 

[Haymarket]

Looks like they had a notice-and-comment period for zoning changes for something big in the second-park parcel. (Ah, it was already in the rumors/upcoming projects thread.)

Maybe they'll announce the second park on SDL's 10th anniversary, June 16, 2026.

Source

Google AI:

The document details a draft plan for the partial adjustment of the detailed planning for the control of neighborhoods 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Unit 02PD-0001, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, primarily for the construction of the second phase of Shanghai Disneyland.
Key points of the draft plan include:

• Public Consultation Period: The draft plan was open for public feedback from January 24, 2025, to February 23, 2025.
• Planning Scope: The adjustment covers an area of approximately 2.7 square kilometers within the Shanghai International Tourism Resort.
• Land Use Adjustments: The plan proposes increasing land for commercial services, social parking, integrated transportation hubs, and roads, while decreasing urban development reserve land.
• Construction Details: The overall development intensity is controlled at level one, and building heights are generally capped at 20 meters, with specific parameters detailed in the plan's diagrams.

 

[denyuntilcaught]

There is work internally at WDI regarding the second park re: design proposals. Of course, that could mean a million things, but there is active work in development regarding expanding Shanghai outside of the castle park.

 

[Supersnow84]

This is the first time since what……MGM studios that Disney might build a second gate and actually give it enough budget to make it worth constructing in the first place

 

[SplashJacket]

This is the first time since what……MGM studios that Disney might build a second gate and actually give it enough budget to make it worth constructing in the first place

Really curious what a second gate in 2025 would look like.

MGM wasn’t really even a second gate in the way this would / could be.

Most recent Disney second gate was DisneySea and that’s well, DisneySea.

Epic is really the most recent comparison for a second gate.

 

[Achtzehn]

Really curious what a second gate in 2025 would look like.

MGM wasn’t really even a second gate in the way this would / could be.

Most recent Disney second gate was DisneySea and that’s well, DisneySea.

Epic is really the most recent comparison for a second gate.

Do you count Walt Disney Studios as second gate ? Because it’s actually the most recent second gate.

 

[Supersnow84]

I wouldn’t even count disneysea because never in a million years would Disney build disneysea

MGM was the last second gate built not within the major cost cutting era post euro Disney that gave us WDS and DCA. DAK technically exists within that era but for some reason DAK was actually given a budget

I guess maybe DAK would be the best comparison as MGM didn’t really even launch as a theme park per say considering it only had 2 rides and going further back just hits EPCOT which barely has a frame of comparison

 

[Haymarket]

There is work internally at WDI regarding the second park re: design proposals. Of course, that could mean a million things, but there is active work in development regarding expanding Shanghai outside of the castle park.

Any hints about what they're presently thinking of building?

 

[lazyboy97o]

I wouldn’t even count disneysea because never in a million years would Disney build disneysea

MGM was the last second gate built not within the major cost cutting era post euro Disney that gave us WDS and DCA. DAK technically exists within that era but for some reason DAK was actually given a budget

I guess maybe DAK would be the best comparison as MGM didn’t really even launch as a theme park per say considering it only had 2 rides and going further back just hits EPCOT which barely has a frame of comparison

The Disney-MGM Studios was the forbearer of those parks. It was just very much intended as a half day park.

 

[Supersnow84]

The Disney-MGM Studios was the forbearer of those parks. It was just very much intended as a half day park.

To be fair MGM was intentionally designed that way, WDS and DCA were just budget starved

 

[SplashJacket]

Do you count Walt Disney Studios as second gate ? Because it’s actually the most recent second gate.

Not a real attempt at one like a 2nd SDL gate would be.

 

[Supersnow84]

WDS wasn’t wanted by anyone, it was a contractual obligation borne of Disney overestimating how successful Parc Disneyland would be

 

[marni1971]

WDS wasn’t wanted by anyone, it was a contractual obligation borne of Disney overestimating how successful Parc Disneyland would be

MGM Europe was. But budget turned it into WDSP

 

[SplashJacket]

MGM Europe was. But budget turned it into WDSP

What do you think a 2nd gate would look like?

Avatar? Marvel? Marque Everest-like coaster?

Flight of Passage + DCA boat ride would be a great anchor, but with marquee Pirates anchoring next door, might feel a little redundant

 

[networkpro]

Well it won't be Winnie the Pooh land.

 

[SplashJacket]

Well it won't be Winnie the Pooh land.

I’ve always loved that their Pooh area is the most extensive with (2!) Pooh attractions

 

[marni1971]

What do you think a 2nd gate would look like?

Avatar? Marvel? Marque Everest-like coaster?

Flight of Passage + DCA boat ride would be a great anchor, but with marquee Pirates anchoring next door, might feel a little redundant

I’ve absolutely no idea.

But I’ll get to try the first gate soon

 

[denyuntilcaught]

Any hints about what they're presently thinking of building?

No clue. I was told of one concept but again, we know how that goes. It sounded unique enough that it didn't exist as a park anywhere else in the company, but generic enough to fit and tailor whatever IP du jour they needed to. One of the references for this concept is what caught me off guard - I thought it was creative but in no way scalable from a guest perspective. Lots and lots of water. I'm also clearly no way an insider, just highlighting the one or two things I've learned.

 

[Supersnow84]

I wonder if only Hong Kong is allowed to use that enchanted forest idea if it ever became possible for HK to build a second gate or if that’s like basic imagineer blueprints anyone could technically use