Over 20 years in planning, China's central government recently gave The Walt Disney Company the approval to build the next Disney theme park in Shanghai Pudong district. Shanghai Disney will be the second in China and third in Asia, Hong Kong and Tokyo. It is estimated the park will be completed in five to six years, occupy 1,700 acres and about 40% owned by Disney. The remainder will be owned by a group of Chinese companies. The Shanghai park will feature the "Magic Kingdom" but will also have its own Chinese characteristics.

Photo courtesy of Wolfgang Staudt