Theme parks mushroom under 'happiness economy'

Building surge

Legoland Shanghai Resort officially opened on July 5.

Spanning 318,000 square meters, the resort is the world's 11th and largest Legoland at its opening. Designed to cater to children aged 2 to 12 and their families, the Shanghai resort features eight themed areas, offering over 75 interactive rides, shows, and attractions.

On May 19, Shanghai Disney Resort announced the groundbreaking of its ninth themed land, the Spider-Man zone. Located adjacent to Zootopia, the new zone will include the park's first major Marvel-themed attraction — a thrilling Spider-Man roller-coaster ride.

Shanghai Disneyland welcomed more than 14 million visitors in 2023, ranking fifth among theme parks worldwide and securing its position as the most visited and popular theme park in China, according to the 2023 Global Attractions Attendance Report released by the Themed Entertainment Association (Tea) and the consulting firm Aecom.

On Feb 12, Jin Jiang International Holdings Co Ltd announced it had signed a joint venture framework agreement with Warner Bros to open a Harry Potter studio tour. It will be the third such attraction globally, and the first in China.

Officially named Warner Bros Studio Tour Shanghai — The Making of Harry Potter, it will be located in the renovated Shanghai Jinjiang Action Park.

The planned theme park, scheduled to open in 2027, will offer visitors a behind-the-scenes experience on the making of the Harry Potter films and bring iconic scenes to life.

Unlike its counterparts in London and Tokyo, the Shanghai version will incorporate Chinese elements and feature enhanced interactive experiences powered by digital technology, according to a China Times report.

The Peppa Pig outdoor theme park project — spanning about 193,333 sq m on Changxing Island — will include an outdoor theme park, a themed hotel, and a commercial street. The park will also feature five themed zones such as ocean and winter areas, according to the toy and game company Hasbro and Max-Matching Entertainments Co.