Shanghai Disneyland final location announced

Shanghai Disneyland final location announced


The new Disney theme park will be built in Chuansha town of the Pudong New Area in Shanghai, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced on its website yesterday.

The park will initially cover 116 hectares, making it the smallest of Disney theme parks worldwide. Hong Kong Disneyland, which occupies an area of 126 hectares, is the second smallest, according to AP.

The NDRC's announcement was the first time that authorities confirmed the location of the park, although earlier media speculation has pinpointed the area.

China.org.cn reports that the news has pushed property prices in the area to quadruple from three years ago. Today, house prices in Chuansha are pegged at 12,000 yuan (1,178 euros) per square meter.

The Shanghai government received approval from the authorities last month to build the theme park in partnership with Walt Disney Co. The park is scheduled to open in 2014.

In related news, the Walt Disney Co. announced on Sunday that production will start on the Chinese version of the hit High School Musical.

The movie, which has become a worldwide phenomenon, was created uniquely for the Chinese audience, Xinhua reported.

The Chinese version tells of a new student who meets a gifted young man who shares her secret passion for singing. With the help of their friends they overcome the odds to win an inter-school singing competition and discover their true calling in the process, the report said.

The film is scheduled to be released in summer 2010.