Increasing public demand has given rise to a boom in theme park development in China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Li Xiangyang, deputy general manager of the Happy Valley in Beijing is pragmatic in his view of the recent influx of big-brand international parks, noting that foreign brands not only bring competition, but also opportunity.

"Foreign theme parks introduce Western elements," he explains, "this should entice domestic parks to differentiate themselves by developing more Chinese experiences."

Nearly 40 percent of guests who have visited a Happy Valley park have returned, the company claims, and Li adds that the parks continue to renovate and evolve to provide new experiences to visitors.

Another homegrown franchise, Haichang Ocean Park Holdings are planning to open two new parks in Shanghai and Sanya in Hainan province.

Scheduled for an August opening, the Shanghai park will cover an area of 29.7 hectares and feature more than 20 polar animal species and 300 fish. A special effects cinema, science exhibition and interactive experiences with the large marine animals will be among the initial attractions.

Gao Jie, executive president of Haichang Holdings, is hoping to attract 3.2 million visitors in the park's first year of operation, with a view to reaching up to 6 million annual visitors after that.

Speaking of competition from Disneyland - which is a 25-minute drive away - Gao says it acts as an incentive for Haichang to improve products and services.