For generations, stepping into a Disney park has meant entering a world where imagination feels tangible. From the moment guests pass beneath a train station or castle archway, expectations shift. The Walt Disney Company has carefully crafted these experiences since Disneyland Park opened in Anaheim in 1955, transforming storytelling into something guests can physically walk through, touch, and remember for a lifetime.That legacy has only expanded with time. Today, Disney’s global footprint spans six resort destinations, including Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Shanghai Disney Resort. Each location carries its own cultural identity while preserving the emotional core of Disney storytelling, a delicate balance that continues to define Walt Disney Imagineering’s approach.But with every expansion comes anticipation—and sometimes uncertainty. Guests and fans have grown accustomed to announcements arriving alongside sweeping concept art, construction updates, and carefully orchestrated reveals. Recently, however, a quieter form of excitement has begun to build, one rooted not in official presentations but in whispers, land development changes, and subtle infrastructure growth.Credit: Shanghai DisneylandDisney’s Rapid Global Expansion Continues to Redefine What a Theme Park Can BeOver the last decade, Disney’s theme park strategy has leaned heavily into expansion rather than replication. Lands inspired by Frozen, Star Wars, and Encanto have reshaped existing parks while entirely new concepts have emerged internationally. Shanghai Disneyland, which opened in 2016, quickly became a standout example of this approach, blending classic Disney storytelling with localized cultural design.The resort’s success has been difficult to ignore. Shanghai Disneyland recently celebrated welcoming its 100 millionth guest, demonstrating both strong attendance and sustained guest satisfaction. Unlike Hong Kong Disneyland’s slower early growth, Shanghai’s trajectory has remained consistently upward, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Disney’s international strategy.That momentum has fueled an ongoing wave of development across the resort. Plans for additional hotels, including a fourth themed property adjacent to the park’s entrance, and an expanded shopping and entertainment district highlight Disney’s commitment to accommodating rising demand while creating space for future growth.Credit: Shanghai DisneylandA Quiet Stretch of Land Has Long Fueled Speculation About Something BiggerFor years, a parcel of land near Shanghai Disneyland has quietly drawn attention from fans and analysts alike. The open space—strategically positioned beyond the resort’s expanding infrastructure—has often been cited as a potential location for a second gate.Those theories gained traction in January 2025 when the Shanghai municipal government approved a planning adjustment for the surrounding area, reclassifying land for commercial services, transportation hubs, and parking. Observers widely interpreted the move as foundational groundwork for large-scale development.Historical context adds even more intrigue. Former Walt Disney Imagineering President Bob Weis once described a proposed concept presented internally as a nature- and culture-driven park with immersive artistic elements reminiscent of a next-generation EPCOT experience. According to Weis, the concept received a standing ovation from those who viewed the presentation—an unusually strong internal reaction that suggested something ambitious was being explored.Credit: Shanghai DisneyRecent Resort Investments Suggest the Foundation for a Second Gate Is Already FormingBeyond land preparation, several projects point toward long-term expansion readiness. Shanghai Disneyland has confirmed a Spider-Man roller coaster currently under development, expanding the park’s relatively small Marvel presence. Meanwhile, the Zootopia land introduced in 2023 demonstrated Disney’s willingness to debut highly advanced attractions exclusively in Shanghai, reinforcing the resort’s reputation as a testing ground for innovation.Here is where these future additions are in terms of the resort’s location. Shanghai Disneylands future looks bright and has some massive areas of expansion including a 2nd theme park that are planed out nicely and just waiting the greenlight! – @AParkMind on Xhttps://twitter.com/AParkMind/status/1985195760816709795?s=20Additional infrastructure investments—including increased capacity for Soaring Over the Horizon and the development of cast member housing—further signal Disney’s commitment to sustaining long-term operational growth. Individually, these projects may appear routine. Collectively, they paint a picture of a resort preparing for something significantly larger.Social media discussions have mirrored that sentiment. On platforms like X and Reddit, fans have debated everything from potential themes to comparisons with canceled concepts like WestCOT. Some users expressed excitement at the possibility of a culture-driven park unique to Shanghai, while others speculated about how Disney might blend technology, art, and environmental storytelling in a way not yet seen at other resorts.Credit: Shanghai DisneylandThe Reveal That Has Fans Talking: A New Codename Emerges for the Proposed ParkNow, new reports have added a compelling detail to the ongoing speculation: a potential codename for the project. Sources indicate that the rumored second gate has internally been referred to as “Project Atlas.”Rumor: A 2nd Shanghai Disney theme park is in development under the code name PROJECT ATLAS. – @universalapex on XRumor: A 2nd Shanghai Disney theme park is in development under the code name PROJECT ATLAS. pic.twitter.com/x1SUxaWhHN— Universal Apex (@universalapex) February 24, 2026While Disney has not officially confirmed the name, the emergence of a codename has intensified conversation among fans and industry watchers. Codenames are commonly used during early development phases, often signaling that a project has progressed beyond conceptual discussion and into more structured planning.The name itself has sparked interpretation. Many fans associate “Atlas” with scale, exploration, and global connection—ideas that align with previous descriptions of a park centered on culture, nature, and artistic immersion. Whether symbolic or purely internal, the codename has reignited excitement surrounding what could become Disney’s most ambitious international park to date.Credit: Shanghai DisneylandWhat This Could Mean for Disney Fans and the Future of Global Theme ParksIf the indicators surrounding Shanghai Disneyland’s expansion continue to align, Project Atlas could represent a defining chapter in Disney’s evolution. Rather than duplicating existing formulas, the park could push deeper into culturally specific storytelling while experimenting with new technologies and environmental design philosophies.For travelers, the implications are significant. A second gate would transform Shanghai Disney Resort into an even more comprehensive destination, potentially reshaping travel planning for international guests and further solidifying the resort’s position within Disney’s global portfolio.At the same time, the quiet nature of these developments leaves many questions unanswered. Disney has yet to make an official announcement, and timelines remain unclear. For now, fans are left with a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and cautious optimism.What do you think about the emergence of Project Atlas as a possible codename for Shanghai Disneyland’s second gate? Would you want Disney’s next park to lean into culture-driven storytelling, or should it prioritize beloved franchises? The conversation is only beginning—and if history is any indication, the most surprising reveal may still be ahead.The post Industry Leak: Another Disney Park Is Coming Soon, and the Code Name Has Been Revealed appeared first on Inside the Magic.