The park will add 18,400 jobs when it opens and earn the city HK$148 billion (US$19 billion) over 40 years, the government estimates. The 3.4 million overseas tourists it will attract during its first year will spend an estimated HK$8.3 billion.
Disney says China, like the US, is big enough for two theme parks, and it won't let the Hong Kong park fail.
"We have a commitment to Hong Kong and a commitment to make this successful," Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Paul Pressler said in a conference call with Hong Kong reporters last month. He said Disney hasn't signed any agreements with authorities in mainland China, though it's in talks with the government.
Shanghai residents boast their city's surfeit of buildings from China's ancient and colonial past means they won't have to rely on Mickey and Minnie to pull tourists.
"Why bother going to Hong Kong?" said He Qin, a Shanghai travel agent who sells trips to Hong Kong. "Shanghai is full of gold, and a Disneyland would just add one more piece of glitter."
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