Shanghai Disneyland plans moving ahead?

Plans to build a Disneyland theme park in Shanghai which were previously put on hold may have been revived, according to a China Daily report. The report claims that government officials have confirmed the plans have "been revived and preparations are going ahead full steam." Residents have moved off the land targeted for the park, according to Qian Weizhong, director of the economy committee in the district. "Local authorities have received positive feedback from the central government about the Disneyland project," Qian said. In addition to moving residents off the proposed build site, Qian also said that preparations have been made to ease travel to/from the park. "The Shanghai A20 highway has opened an exit for Chuansha, near the planned east gate of the Disneyland," Qian said.

Disney representatives have been quiet on the subject, saying, "Our focus is on the successful operation of our first theme park in China - Hong Kong Disneyland." However, Walt Disney Company (Shanghai) Ltd later faxed in a statement stating: "China is a priority for the entire company, and we have a continuing dialogue about a variety of Disney initiatives, including television, motion pictures and consumer products, of which theme parks are only a part." Plans for the Shanghai Disneyland call for the park to occupy 6 square kilometers, an area roughly five times the size of Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney signed a statement of intent to build a park in mainland China in 2002.