CONSTRUCTION has started on a Toy Story Land at Shanghai Disneyland to open in 2018, the resort said yesterday.

Leaders from the joint venture’s two shareholders, The Walt Disney Company and the Shanghai Shendi Group, broke ground on the new themed area — the resort’s 7th themed land — in what was described as a sign of confidence in the consumer demand for themed entertainment in China.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with Shanghai Disneyland’s first four months of operation and couldn’t be more excited about our future in China’s mainland,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.