Photo/Shetuwang

Jan. 24 (NBD) – The world's first theme park based on the 2016 hit animated film Zootopia is coming to Shanghai, said Shanghai Disney Resort Wednesday.

The project will be the Resort's eighth themed land. Construction will begin later this year, and in the future visitors can fully immerse themselves in the "mammalian metropolis of Zootopia" and go on adventure with Judy and Nick, the two lead characters from the Oscar-winning film, brought to life by new technology.

Zootopia hit the big screen in mainland China in March 2016 and earned 1.53 billion yuan (225.7 million U.S. dollars) in box office, an all-time record for an animation film in Chinese theatres.

The expansion came two and a half years after the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort, and nine months after the opening of Toy Story Land, which was the Resort's first major expansion project.

Bob Chapek, chairman of parks, experiences and consumer products of Walt Disney Company, said Disney is thrilled about the new project, and the fast expansion reflects Disney's confidence of and commitment to the Chinese market.

The Resort has been successful since its opening. The Shanghai Information Center assessed the economical and social impact of the Shanghai Disney project in a report, according to which the Resort entertained over 11 million visitors in its first year (June 16, 2016 to June 15, 2017).

Disney said its expansion also banks on the increasing demand for themed entertainment of Chinese people.

According to a report on the development of China's theme park projects released by AECOM, a global leading company in infrastructure assets, visitors to China's theme parks totaled 190 million in 2017, and the number is expected to reach 230 million in 2020, making China the world's biggest theme park market.

Currently there are 128 theme parks in China, and 70 are in planning or under construction.

The expanding market is luring other players into the game. Hainan, the island province in South China, will promote several theme park projects including Hello Kitty, Lego and Discovery in 2019, as part of the effort to build the island as an international center for tourism and consumption.

Domestic property developers and hotel giants are also eyeing culture and tourism projects including theme parks, as the real estate sector has been sluggish for the past few years.

New Century Tourism Group Co Ltd, a hotel and property conglomerate, will trial a new resort in Hangzhou at the end of January. The resort is a combination of water theme park and hotel, and New Century plans to promote similar projects nationwide later on.

Email: limenglin@nbd.com.cn