Pursuits
Disney Sparks Theme-Park Battle to Entertain China's Middle Class
- Dalian Wanda, Disney projects herald surge in venues in China
- Parks to get up to 220 million visitors by 2020, Aecom says
Snow White at Wanda City Triggers Disney Backlash
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Beijing has Shijingshan, known as “Fake Disney,” Shenzhen has a park with replica landmarks and Yunnan province has Dwarf Empire, an attraction based on little people.
With already 300 theme parks in China, including some ranked among the world’s worst, competition to amuse the nation’s growing middle class is set to intensify. Dalian Wanda Group Co. opened a $3.2 billion project in southeastern Jiangxi province on Saturday, two weeks before the planned unveiling of Shanghai Disney Resort, Walt Disney Co.’s $5.5 billion mainland foray. Five dozen more entertainment venues are slated to start by 2020.