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

[BrianLo]

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

Disney Adventure World (Epcot-lite) in layout. It’s a good layout and presents a central lagoon and a different type of night show and vibe. Very easy to expand, use random IP, throw a parade around, etc.

I would hope for three lagoon lands, two flanks with ride expansion plots and two land expansion plots around the lagoon.

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

It's kind of sad how it's impossible to fathom any Disney second gate being made today that isn't just a random IP hodgepodge park.

 

[SplashJacket]

It's kind of sad how it's impossible to fathom any Disney second gate being made today that isn't just a random IP hodgepodge park.

Idk, I think it would be a IP hodgepodge, but no less hodgepodge than Shanghai Disneyland gate 1. I think the Epic theme of overarching theme (even if Epic is very loose) and then insert applicable IPs is a good approach.

Somewhat how an Epcot could be crafted from the start (countries / cultures of the world, from the perspective / lens of Disney IPs).

It's better than true random. And I don't mean that as "at least we're not getting the worst outcome," I think it's a decently solid outcome

 

[Supersnow84]

I agree, it’ll likely be a “themed” hodgepodge of IP’s

As much as fantasy springs both fits the brief as part of disneysea but in reality is kinda just overglorified “water fantasyland”

It’s not like park Shanghai Disneyland is any better on this front anyway. It’s only real “pure” non IP land is adventure isle (and gardens of imagination if you count that as an actual land)

 

[Haymarket]

I thinking it'll be a portal "portals park". Or could it be a DAK?

 

[Supersnow84]

DAK is too space inefficient. Even ignoring Kilimanjaro itself DAK wouldn’t fit in the pad in a nice way. DAK is probably also tied with EPCOT for most restrictive theme of the 12 parks

It’s more than likely they will go with an epic universe/fantasy springs/modern DHS style design. Pick a vague theme then make a bunch of IP lands that vaguely adhere to said theme

 

[SplashJacket]

I do think the overarching cultural tie-in of Epcot, AK, and DisneySea. Anything that isn’t remotely real world or related to/inspired by a culture (Star Wars, Bug’s Life, Toy Story) should probably go in a Disneyland’s fantasylands / fantasy adjacent.

You can be more restrictive (AK, Epcot, DisneySea) but more restrictive is hard when you only have the two parks (especially when goal is often IP dumping ground).

Definitely a good balance though.

DAW should not be the move. Crush (Australia), Ratatouille (France), Cars (USA), Aladdin (ME), Avengers (USA), Lion King (Africa), Frozen (Norway), Up (South America), Tangled (Germany), ToT (USA) could all be arranged in a cultural presentation. Toy Story is an oddball but we saw DisneySea integrate it within a USA midway.

Rearranging DAW (and actually making Marvel Brooklyn themed) would drastically change the park and how it’s perceived, but instead it’s a hodgepodge. I don’t believe Disney would make the same mistake again.

Europa Park w/ Disney properties would (worldwide) would be a great park.

Epic’s celestial theme is a rather weak connection, as the properties themselves don’t really relate, but barring SNW, they could do a similar cultural connection w/ the remaining properties.

 

[BrianLo]

I think there’s a tiny, tiny but existent chance they could do a Disneyfied Journey to the West if the team was passionate for it and fought for it. I don’t know if that would be excused from the IP lens.

 

[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.

View attachment 883403

Source

Google AI:

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:

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.