The Shanghai Disneyland Resort, scheduled to open next spring, is taking its location into serious consideration. Learning from previous mistakes such as not offering enough wine on the menus at Disneyland Paris or making the theme park space too small in Hong Kong, the Shanghai branch is planning to cater to local needs and requirements. For example, Chinese culture will be an apparent theme that will be combined with classic Disney concepts. Remy, the rat from Ratatouille will symbolize the Year of the Rat and during the Year of the Sheep, the lambs of Mary Poppins will do the same. A traditional Chinese garden, Dim Sum and other Chinese treats and a giant glass peony blossom representing nobility and good fortune are some of the features that will bring Disney closer to mainland customs.
There is also a practical aspect to take into consideration. The one child policy and the fact that Chinese families like to travel together (especially during public holidays) with as many as four adults per child requires a heavy boost in the seating area department. Parks and gardens within the resort will therefore be larger than the ones of international counterparts and offering more areas for strolling as well as benches where elderly family members can relax while kids are enjoying the rides. Different types of food will also be offered at different price ranges.
Another, perhaps not very flattering, analysis has brought up the issue of the Chinese tendency for line-cutting. One suggestion for a solution is to install single lane fences to keep lines organized and prevent the concept of “constant walking” as defined by a 2010 article in InPark Magazine, outlining the concept of slowly moving forward, ignoring the fact that there is a line ahead of you. The same magazine also pointed out the method of using your kid as an “advance man”, letting him or her bypass the waiting people as a socially accepted excuse to cut waiting times.
