Disney’s chair, George Mitchell, has said the company is planning to build another theme park adjacent to its newly-opened Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

Speaking at the opening, Mitchell said: “Eventually, the addition of an entirely new theme park adjacent to the current park will transform the site into a true multi-day destination resort.”

There are also persistent rumours that Disney is looking to expand elsewhere in Asia and that the company is in talks to build a theme park in Shanghai.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort opened to the public on 12 September amid scenes of lavish celebrations and showboating. Thousands of guests queued outside the park’s gates on the opening day, waiting to get access to Disney’s first Asian site.

Located on Lantau Island, the 310-acre attraction includes two theme parks, 2,100 hotel rooms and a 28,000sq m (300,000sq ft) retail and entertainment complex.

The theme park’s projected economic benefit to Hong Kong as a whole has been estimated at HK$148bn (US$19bn, £9.8bn, 11.1bn euro) over the next 40 years.

Donald Tsang, the Hong Kong government’s chief executive, said: “The arrival of the world’s most recognisable theme park brand in Hong Kong will allow us to provide visitors from all over the region with a diversified experience.”