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IN THE NEWS DISNEY AND PARTNERS BREAK GROUND ON SHANGHAI DISNEY RESORT First Disney Theme Park to be Built inMainland China The Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group, its joint venture partner in China, have broken ground on the Shanghai Disney Resort following approval from the Chinese cen- tral government in Beijing. Both companies marked the start of construction on the first Disney resort in mainland China at a groundbreaking ceremony held recently. “Today marks a significant milestone in the history of The Walt Disney Company,” said Robert A. Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “Our Shanghai resort will be a world-class destination that combines classic Disney storytelling with the uniqueness and beauty of China. Working with our Chinese partners, the Shanghai Disney Resort will be both authen- tically Disney and distinctly Chinese.” “We’re incredibly excited to build a Disney resort in Shanghai, one of the world’s most vibrant cities,” said Thomas O. Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We are hard at work designing Shanghai Disneyland, which when complete will be a special place where guests will discover a world of imagination, creativity, adventure and thrills.” Today’s groundbreaking ceremony paid homage to the culture and people of China. Traditional Chinese drum music, a female soloist singing in Mandarin, a 40-voice Shanghai children’s choir and Mickey Mouse dressed in a traditional Chinese costume were on hand to mark this special occasion. Following the entertainment and remarks, Iger and Staggs were joined by Shanghai Party Secretary Yu Zhengsheng and Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng to officially break ground on the project. The new Shanghai Disney Resort is slated to open in approximately five years. The Shanghai Disney Resort will be home to Shanghai Disneyland, a Magic Kingdom-style park that will blend classic Disney storytelling with all-new attractions and experiences tailored specifically for the people of China. The park will fea- ture several themed lands complete with exciting, iconic Disney attractions and experiences. At the heart of the park will be an interactive Disney castle that is truly an attraction unto itself with entertainment, dining and performance experi- ences that will be unique to Shanghai Disneyland. The park will also contain other large-scale entertainment venues, indoor and out, that can be used for various purposes throughout the year. A beautiful, 11 acre (46,130 square meter) green space at the center of the theme park will differentiate Shanghai 8 Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com