Family entertainment centre KidZania, the nation for kids, Kuala Lumpur, have announced their official launch today as part of their Foundation Day Ceremony, which continues the KidZania tradition that first originated in Mexico.
Related: Performance With a Purpose – KidZania’s Win, Win, Win Plan / Attractions: The Future of Out-of-Home Entertainment
The KidZania Eternal Flame was lit by Malaysia’s YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin bin Haji Mohd Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, who was also presented with a key to the city at the ceremony.
“KidZania’s Foundation Day is a symbolic representation of the foundation of a new city. We are proud to bring the fastest growing educational and entertainment brand in the world to the children of Malaysia to enjoy and benefit from, ” YM Tunku Dato’ Ahmad Burhanuddin, Managing Director and CEO of Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd and Governor of KidZania Kuala Lumpur said.
“The unique concept of fun and learning that KidZania has to offer will aid developmental growth and inspire confidence, creativity and innovation among children.”
“Kids love to role-play adults and with KidZania Kuala Lumpur now open, they can not only be photographers, engineers, models, TV hosts, pilots, doctors but experience the world of adults through 90 authentic role-playing activities.”
“Real-world brands are a key component to KidZania’s success. The involvement of various industry partners from renowned local and international brands will further add a sense of realism to the city for kids, thus enriching [their] educational experience, ” he went on to explain.
KidZania also honoured industry partners by presenting them with keys to the city, a host of partners from all over the world were present and the event itself was packed with industry leaders and delegates from other global KidZania family entertainment centres.
“Rakan Riang Sdn Bhd is proud that KidZania has made its way to Kuala Lumpur as it is a family edutainment centre, which offers an interactive learning and entertainment experience for kids, instilling the importance of educating and inspiring the kids of tomorrow, ” said YAM Tunku Ali Redhauddin ibni Tuanku Muhriz, Chairman of Rakan Riang Sdn Bhd.
“Through the joint-venture between Themed Attractions and Boustead Group, we are proud to introduce KidZania to Malaysian families to capture the lifestyle needs of today’s modern family. We also hope to encourage and strengthen the family bond through the activities that can be both enjoyable and meaningful.”
KidZania, Kuala Lumpur is an exciting addition to existing attractions in Malaysia and is conveniently situated in the Curve NX opposite the Curve shopping 
mall in Mutiara Damansara. Sprawling over 80, 000 square feet, the family entertainment centre offers over 90 different role-play in 60 establishments.
KidZania Founder and President, Mr. Xavier Lopez Ancona (right) said: “We are excited to launch KidZania here in Malaysia and to introduce this unique edutainment concept for the Malaysian market. Partnerships such as this make KidZania the global brand that it is and one that we can be proud of.”
“I would like to thank the KidZania team for their hard work, effort and dedication to this project. We look forward to KidZania’s Grand Opening tomorrow and in welcoming the first visitors – both kids and their parents, for KidZania Kuala Lumpur’s first business day.”
A four-day open invitation to KidZania was later presented to Tan Sri Haji Muhyiddin, to be given to charities of his choice. This was made possible by the generosity of Themed Attractions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
The opening event was a lively affair, featuring a live KidZania dance performed alongside a marching band. Children read out KidZania’s Declaration of Independence and sang the Malaysian national anthem as the KidZania flag was hoisted up to join the symbols of Malaysia and Mexico.
Following this, a Tan Sri Haji Muhyiddin had a ‘walkabout’ in order to admire the various KidZania establishments. He was also treated to the spectacle of KidZania firefighters extinguishing a “burning building”.
The show wrapped up with a symbolic ribbon-cutting and the welcoming of the first official visitor to the attraction, local celebrity Datin Sofea Jane and her family.
Child visitors to KidZania begin their journey at the airport, where they receive a boarding pass, a map of the city and a cheque for 50 kidZos. They can then go on to choose an occupation, learn all about their new job and starting earning more of the special KidZania currency.
This fun way to learn encourages children to choose which parts of the city they would like to visit, encouraging a sense of independence and freedom in the kids. They can choose to work in various professions such as: chef, police officer, mechanic, pilot and much more – this is intended to offer a real-life work environment and is supported by various KidZania industry partners, who lend their advice and support on professional industry sectors in order to provide the ultimate in authenticity.
“KidZania is a joint development by Themed Attractions and Boustead Group, via their joint-venture company, Rakan Riang Sdn Bhd. KidZania is expected to attract over 500, 000 visitors annually. It offers a host of activities that will not only keep kids entertained for hours, but also prepare them for a better world, ” the company said in a statement.
Children can enter for just RM55 (for MyKad holders) and RM75 (for non-holders) and adults admission costs RM35 and RM55 respectively.
Doors open on 28th February 2012 and the attraction will then operate from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with weekends holding two sessions per day at 10am to 3pm and 4pm to 9pm. Tickets can be purchased at the KidZania airport ticket counter or online at the KidZania website.
About KidZania
KidZania family edutainment centres offer an interactive and entertaining experience for kids aged between 4 and 14 years. The attractions combine role-play with real life and the kid-centric city is designed to both educate and inspire children. KidZania operates like a real city, complete with buildings, paved streets, a “functioning economy” and recognisable destinations in the form of “establishments” sponsored and branded by leading international and local brands.
Whilst all of the facilities are designed to “educate through experience”, kids have fun at the same time. Not surprisingly, KidZania is the fastest growing brand of its type in the world and has won numerous awards, having been voted “Best Theme Park Worldwide” by The Themed Entertainment Association, “Top Family Entertainment Centre of the World” by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (“IAAPA”), “Global Leisure Operator of the Year” by Retail and Leisure International and “Concept of the Year” by MAPIC.
