Shanghai Disneyland Much Smaller than Expected

Walt Disney's first theme park on the mainland will be built on a 116-hectare block in Chuansha county of Shanghai's Pudong district, the National Development and Reform Commission says in a document that gives the official approval to the long-awaited project.

The announcement has shocked the market now that the park will emerge as the smallest Disneyland, just 28% of the originally said 409 hectares in size. The 116 hectares include an amusement zone, a logistics area, a utility plot and a car park, according to the document. But experts argue the 116 hectares refer to the first development and the second and third phases will extend the construction to between 800 and 1,000 hectares.

The Shanghai government will own 57% of the park and Walt Disney the remainder.