Disney excites Chinese market with Zootopia-themed land, new offers

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Shanghai Disney Resort announced on Wednesday it will build the world's first Zootopia-themed land, based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios' hit animated movie.

The announcement of the eighth themed land for Shanghai Disneyland comes less than three years after the grand opening of the resort, and less than one year after the opening of its first major expansion - Disney Pixar Toy Story Land.

"The rapid rate of expansion at Shanghai Disney Resort demonstrates our confidence and commitment to the company's future development in China," said Bob Chapek, Chairman of Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products of the Walt Disney Company.

Zootopia animated movie broke China's box office records and became the country's No.1 all-time highest-grossing animated feature film.

Since its establishment in 2016, Shanghai Disney Resort has been endeavoring to blend into Chinese culture. According to Hakey Zhang, the creative manager of Disney Store China, "Disney Store has been creating toys and Disney character dolls only for China, because the market is definitely getting bigger."

For the Chinese year of the pig, Disney Store has developed Mickey toys in a red tone, who's holding a golden pig, "representing a golden fortune in the year of the pig."

Shanghai Disney Resort is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group. The latter is comprised of two owner companies (Shanghai International Theme Park Company Limited and Shanghai International Theme Park Associated Facilities Company Limited) and a management company (Shanghai International Theme Park and Resort Management Company Limited).

Shanghai Shendi Group holds a 57 percent stake and Disney holds the remaining 43 percent of the owner companies. Disney enjoys a 70 percent stake and Shanghai Shendi Group has a 30 percent stake in the joint venture management company.

The management company is responsible for creating, developing and operating the resort on behalf of the owner companies.