China OKs Disney theme park plans

Los Angeles Times / latimes.com ^ | November 4, 2009 | By Dawn C. Chmielewski and Hugo Martín

[thecodont]

China, finally, is ready to build a house for Mickey Mouse.

Beijing has approved plans to build a Disney theme park in Shanghai, a major milestone in the more than decade-long effort by Walt Disney Co. to dramatically expand its reach into China.

Disney and the Shanghai municipal government jointly submitted plans in January to build a $3.59-billion park to open as early as 2014. It would be the entertainment giant's fourth theme park outside the U.S., after Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong -- and the first in mainland China, the fastest-growing mass market in the world.

The Chinese central government approved a broad agreement, outlining the legal and financial framework for the park. The decision clears the way for Disney and Shanghai to work out detailed plans for building and operating the park, addressing such issues as subway and road access to the park as well as finances.

"China is one of the most dynamic, exciting and important countries in the world, and this approval marks a very significant milestone for the Walt Disney Co. in mainland China," Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said in a statement.

[thecodont]

From the article:

"Speigel said Disney has had some problems adjusting its product to foreign audiences. For example, he said Mickey Mouse didn't appeal much to Disney guests at the Hong Kong park until the company researched Chinese media and mainstream culture and found he would be more appealing without a mouth."

Someone familiar with Chinese culture, please explain this to me. Thanks.

[OrangeHoof]

Chairman Maose. Yuck.

[Caipirabob]

Someone familiar with Chinese culture, please explain this to me. Thanks.

It kind of makes sense. Imagine if democrats had no mouths...

I mean, who wants to hear what a giant rat has to say anyway?

[Caipirabob]

CHAIRMAN MOUSE-SANS-TONGUE

; )