Plopsa Group has expanded its European footprint by opening a new indoor theme park in the Czech Republic. Majaland Praha (Prague) opened on December 27, taking the Plopsa portfolio to 11 projects in nine locations across five nations.
As well as its home country, the Belgian group is also represented in the Netherlands, Germany and Poland. Like Majaland Kownaty in the latter country, the new Czech project at Premium Outlet Prague Airport is a joint venture. This time with Premium Outlet’s owner, the Kaprain Group. The investment is around €30 million.
Based on the Studio 100 character Maya the Bee, Majaland Praha is aimed at children between the ages of 2 and 10. Tried-and-tested Plopsa suppliers including Zierer and Zamperla were responsible for many of its 15 attractions, including 12 rides.
Featured in the line-up are a Vicky the Viking roller coaster and slide, Butterfly Swing, Dinosaur Carousel, Flying Frogs, Dancing Flower (Discovery), Swinging Tree (Kontiki raft), Falling Leaf (family freefall tower), bumper cars, balloon lake, climbing tree playground and more. In addition, there are daily meet-and-greet opportunities with Maya.
Plopsa was solely responsible for the design and construction of the new park, with the Kaprain Group in charge of operational management under a licence agreement.
“With the good location next to the shopping centre and near the airport, we are convinced that this park will be a great success,” said Plopsa Group CEO Steve Van den Kerkhof at the opening last week. “We therefore strongly believe in the combination of entertainment and shopping.”
Premium Outlet Prague Airport already features an attraction called Dinosauria Museum Prague.
Plopsa Group will continue its push into Eastern Europe when it opens a second park in Poland this coming spring. The €30 million Majaland Warscahu (Warsaw) is being developed in partnership with Momentum Capital. The Dutch firm also funded Majaland Kownaty, opened in 2018. Further Majaland projects are expected in Gdańsk and Katowice.
Plopsa expands park portfolio in Belgium
As well as Holiday Park in Germany and Plopsa Indoor Coevorden in the Netherlands, the Plopsa park portfolio now features seven parks in Belgium. These include the original Plopsaland (including Mayaland Indoor) and Plopsaqua water park in De Panne, Plopsa Coo and Plopsa Indoor Hasselt.
Last year, the group expanded its presence in its home country with two new indoor projects. Plopsaqua Landen-Hannuit, opened in June, sits between the two towns of the same name, and also a language border. Built for €25 million, it features an outdoor water playground in addition to multiple indoor slides and attractions. Local residents can take advantage of facilities including a 25-metre swimming pool for a reduced price.
In October, the former Comics Station Antwerp reopened as Plopsa Station. Following an investment of €6 million by Plopsa Group, the indoor park at Antwerp’s Central Station is now crammed full of Studio 100 characters such as Mega Mindy, Maya the Bee, Wickie the Viking, Piet the Pirate and K3. However, former inhabitants such as The Smurfs, Lucky Luke, Jommeke, Suske & Wiske and Urbanus still have their place.
Introducing Plopsa Station Antwerp
Comics Station first opened its doors in 2017, but after lacklustre performance its shareholders began looking for new partners. Eventually they agreed on a full sale, handing over the keys to Plopsa and Studio 100 at the end of 2019.
Van den Kerkhof and Studio 100 co-founder Hans Bourlon were there together with the Mayor of Antwerp, Bart De Wever, to relaunch the facility at Plopsa Station on October 23.
“We are pleased because there are few indoor activities for children in Antwerp,” said the mayor.
Plopsa hopes to attract between 250,000 and 300,000 visitors a year to the four-floor venue. It has added new attractions including De Vliegende Fietsen (Magic Bikes), Storm Op Zee (Mini Discovery), De Bumbamolen (Jumping Frog) and K3 Discocars.
Plopsa Station guests can enjoy a 50 percent discount on train tickets when they visit the conveniently-located park.
Images: Plopsa Group / Premium Outlet Prague Airport
