It will be "authentically Disney but uniquely Chinese." That is how company officials are describing Shanghai Disneyland, which broke ground today and is expected to open in 2015. The $4.4 billion theme park is a huge gamble for Disney into the huge Chinese market. With 330 million people within a 3 hour drive of the site, Disney hopes it can capture hearts and pocketbooks of generations of Chinese consumers. Disney only owns 43% of the company owning Shanghai Disneyland, with the balance owned by a consortium of state-owned companies, but will own 70% of the company that manages the park. After a bad start in Hong Kong (Chinese consumers take 40 minutes to eat meals, as opposed to 20 minutes for Americans, leading to crowded restaurants), the company hopes to apply its lessons in cultural sensitivity into building a brand and business in China.
Disney to Open Park in Shanghai - NYTimes.com
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