Disney Breaks Ground on Shanghai Disneyland Resort; Concept Art Revealed
The Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group, its joint venture partner in China, have broken ground on the Shanghai Disney Resort following approval from the Chinese central government in Beijing. Both companies marked the start of construction on the first Disney resort in mainland China at a groundbreaking ceremony held earlier today.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the history of The Walt Disney Company,” said Robert A. Iger, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “Our Shanghai resort will be a world-class family vacation destination that combines classic Disney characters and storytelling with the uniqueness and beauty of China. Working with our Chinese partners, the Shanghai Disney Resort will be both authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.”
Is Disneyland Shanghai’s ‘Animal Kingdom’ a Call-to-Action for Giant Pandas in Orlando?
Take a leisurely stroll along the Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort and you’ll encounter many of Asia’s exotic animal inhabitants from the Komodo dragon of Indonesia to the Bengal tigers of India. What you won’t find, however, are the coveted giant pandas of China.
Disney and CLOT Launch ‘Man Is In The Forest’ Concept Store in China
In late June, Disney, together with leading Asian independent retailer CLOT officially opened the highly anticipated concept store Man Is In The Forest- the first store in the world where ground breaking Disney collaborations with leading designers will be sold under one roof.
Already established fashion leaders in Asia, CLOT has four retail outlets in Asia selling the latest in cutting edge street wear design and labels such as HeadPorter, OriginalFake and much more. Man Is In The Forest will be the fifth retail offering and their second in mainland China.
The Walt Disney Company to Donate $150K to Aid Quake-Affected Schools in China
The Walt Disney Company announced today it will contribute $150,000 to the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) to help rebuild schools devastated by a powerful earthquake in the western Chinese province of Qinghai.
“On behalf of The Walt Disney Company, I extend our deepest condolences to the people of China and hope our contribution can help the children and families affected by this terrible earthquake,” said Robert A. Iger, president and CEO, who announced the donation while visiting Shanghai.
Report: Shanghai Disneyland to Receive Land in July
According to China Daily, the Shanghai Disneyland project will receive land appropriated to it in July. The report goes on to say that 97% of the approximate 2,000 households and 300 companies have been relocated to make way for the new Disney resort. The report quotes the district’s head who suggests the project will take 5 or 6 years to complete, which would go past the anticipated 2014 opening for the newest theme park.
The Walt Disney Company Reports China OKs Shanghai Disneyland Project
BURBANK, Calif. — The Walt Disney Company today announced that the Project Application Report (PAR) for a Disney theme park in the Pudong district of Shanghai has received approval from the relevant authorities of the central government of China.
“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,” said Robert A. Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
Reuters: Shanghai Disneyland Still Awaiting Approval from Central Government
SHANGHAI/HONG KONG, Nov 2 (Reuters) – The Shanghai government may soon give preliminary details on plans for a new Disney theme park it hopes to develop, as it awaits Beijing’s formal approval for the project, a government source said on Monday.
The official Xinhua news agency cited Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng as telling a media briefing on Sunday that the city would hold a news briefing soon to reveal the latest developments concerning the proposed park.
“This project will surely go forward, but first it must be approved by the central government,” said the government source on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.
“They will seek to clarify the situation with this upcoming news conference,” he said.
Rumors have swirled in Chinese media in the last two weeks that Shanghai could soon announce final plans to build a park with Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), possibly to coincide with a planned trip to the city later this month by U.S. President Barack Obama.
Auditing the Disney English as a Second Language (ESL) Schools for Chinese Children
The Wall Street Journal has published an article which peeks into life at Disney’s schools that teach English to China’s youth. Focusing on apparent attempts by Disney to push its brand throughout the country, the article questions the motives and effectiveness of the school. Well received by the Chinese middle class, Disney plans on creating new schools in both Shanghai and Beijing and is contemplating introducing the schools to other countries in the future. Article here.

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