Marketing Strategic Change in Expansion of Disneyland: Cases Study of Disneyland’s Overseas Expansion in Shanghai

Problem: The international theme park industry is growing but is also facing a series of bottleneck problems. Disneyland as one of the most famous theme parks, is trying to expand its kingdom to China. With the success and failure of the three previous oversea Disneyland, marketing strategic changes are becoming crucial and critical in the expansion of theme parks. Recognizing the elements that lead to strategic changes and generate proper strategies are preconditions of any successful expansion of theme parks, especially to Shanghai Disneyland Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to identify the main factors affecting Shanghai Disneyland‟s marketing strategic changes. Through the empirical study, we are going to describe the strategic changes made in all oversea Disneyland and try to identify “the main drivers and motivations of strategic change for the future Shanghai Disneyland”. Method: In this thesis we have adopted the case study approach. Disneyland is one of the most famous theme parks over the world. The data was collected with the help of open ended interviews from high-level managers to ordinary employees in different Disneyland. Results: Disneyland is a successful example in its efforts to expand overseas. However, Paris Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland are not as profitable as expected. In the year 2012, Shanghai Disneyland is going to open. Based on the analysis of strategic changes Disney made in Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai, authors will get the main drivers and motivations for these strategic changes.