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MAPS – Asia’s first animation theme park opens in Malaysia

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MAPS

Malaysia’s Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) is now in soft opening phase after welcoming its first paying guests on June 26.

The RM520 million ($120m/€105m) project from Sanderson-backed Animation Theme Park Sdn Bhd is billed as the first animation-centred theme park in Asia. Spread across a 21 hectare site in Bandar Meru Raya (Ipoh, Perak), it features more than 40 attractions in six themed zones. From BoboiBoy to The Smurfs, the park features both local and internationally-known characters.

Six-themed zones

Zone by zone, here’s what awaits visitors at MAPS:

Animation Square. Entrance plaza beneath a canopy roof. Attractions include BoboiBoy 4D Adventure Theatre, BoboiBoy Academy, a performance stage and character appearances.

MAPS

Blast Off Zone. A big red airship sits over this family-friendly area of the park. Attractions include The Smurfs Theatre, The Smurfs Partyland (playground and car ride) and Adventurers Bumper Blast (bumper cars).

MAPS

Dream Zone. One of the larger areas of MAPS, covering around a third of the entire park. Rides and attraction on offer are the 52m-high Megamind Megadrop Tower, The Croods Crazy Chase (indoor rollercoaster), Mr Peabody & Sherman’s Time Adventure (indoor coaster), Casper’s Birthday Blast (interactive dark ride) and the Dream Theatre.

MAPS

Fantasy Forest Zone. Kids’ area including Zugo’s Crystal Quest (SBF-Visa spinning coaster, pictured above)), Upside Down Pyramid, The Adventurers HQ Tree House, Red Baron, Fantasy Carousel, Coral Kingdom (themed restaurant/play area), Coliseum Water Play and Cave of Wonders (walk-through attraction).

MAPS

Lakeside Zone. Three rides here, all from Italian suppliers: Space X-Plorers (Disk ‘O), Hyperspin (Wave Swinger), Asteroid Attack (Kami Kaze).

MAPS

 Live Action Zone. Home to South-East Asia’s first permanent car and bike live stunt show (pictured above), performed inside a 2,000-seat arena.

Some rides and attractions above were unavailable at the time of writing, as is normal in soft opening phase. A 10-inversion rollercoaster from Intamin is set for opening at a later date. The largest of 10 restaurants is the three-storey high Starship Restaurant.

MAPS

Undercover attractions

“Rain or shine, the fun goes on as 60% of the theme park is covered,” MAPS director Ramelle Ramli told The Star at launch. “When it gets too hot, there is always a themed restaurant to hang out in.”

Live footage from the park is transmitted on a giant screen at the MAPS iTV Broadcast Stage, as well on social media. Free high-speed WiFi is available for all guests.

During the Hari Raya holiday celebrations, up to 7,000 guests per day are expected. During this period (June 26 to July 2), 1,000 promotional tickets were due to be offered at RM131 ($30.50/€26.75) for adults and RM104 ($24.20/€21.25) for children aged three to 12, senior citizens and disabled persons. Regular full price admission will be RM190/150. There are already around 23,000 annual pass and Perak Pass holders, Ramil says. The park’s annual attendance target is 1 million.

Movie Animation Park Studios is open 10am to 6pm on weekdays and from 10am to 10pm on weekends, public holidays and school holidays.

Images courtesy MAPS Perak

MAPS

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/06/28/theme-park-first-of-its-kind-in-asia-more-than-40-attractions-based-on-animation-films-set-to-entert/

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Owen Ralph

Owen Ralph

Feature writer Owen Ralph has covered theme parks and attractions for over 20 years for publications including blooloop, Park World, World’s Fair, Interpark, Kirmes Revue and Park International. He has also served on boards/committees with IAAPA and the TEA. He grew up just 30 minutes from Blackpool (no coincidence?)

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