NDRC rules out Shanghai Disneyland expansion

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has ruled out expanding the planned size of Shanghai Disneyland, the South China Morning Post reported, citing state media. The project has been allocated 116 hectares, less than 30% of the 400-plus ha plot the Shanghai government had set aside. There was speculation that the reduced size only referred to the first phase of the project, but NDRC officials told state media that they had no knowledge of any second or third phases of the project. These comments were echoed by the the Shanghai and Pudong district governments. At 116 ha, the park would be the smallest Disneyland ever constructed – a major embarrassment for the Shanghai government which has negotiated for more than a decade to get the project. A Walt Disney spokesman said final details of the project – including size, facilities and its completion date – were still being negotiated.