Malaysia is set to have its first animation theme park with the construction of the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) – a RM450 million partnership project between Sanderson Group and Perak Corporation Berhad – in the ground-breaking ceremony here today.
With the Menteri Besar, Dato Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir and the Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz in attendance, the ceremony also sees MAPS as being the state’s key project and having both official endorsement by the Perak State Government and Malaysia’s Tourism Ministry.
It also marks the inaugural investment in Malaysia by the Sanderson Group, Australia’s first integrated thematic construction company specialising in designing and constructing theme parks and entertainment destinations.
Aptly coincided with the Visit Malaysia Year 2014, and in addition to the goals set by Tourism Malaysia to achieve 36 million visitors by 2020, Perak – with its strategic location at the heart of Peninsular Malaysia, and on the highway linking Kuala Lumpur to Penang – is indeed the favourable place for the MAPS project.
Perak – One of Malaysia's Top Tourist destinations
“Although Perak, with its offerings of countless adventures in the rainforest, heritage and food, magnificent limestone hills and caves and relaxation at island resorts is notably the most visited state in Malaysia by domestic tourists (with up to 5.85 million visitors last year), most tourists tend to visit the state only for a brief while without spending the night, ” says Datuk Aminuddin Md Desa, Chairman of ATP and Chief Executive of Perak Corporation Berhad.
“Thus, the development of MAPS will then seek in boosting Perak to realise its full potential as one of Malaysia’s top tourist destinations, where tourists can also experience a world-class theme park adventure, which includes over 40 rides and attractions as well as a variety of themed food & beverage and retail outlets throughout a 52-acre site, ” he adds.
MAPS Perak is targeted to be opened at the end of next year, and will be featuring 6 different zones forming together an animation-based fantasy environment, which include Animation Square, Fantasy Forest, Live Action, Space Zone, DreamWorks and the Lakeside Zone.
DreamWorks and the Only ‘Live Broadcast’ Theme Park in Malaysia
MAPS will offer a dedicated zone in the theme park, bringing to life famous DreamWorks Classic properties such as Mr Peabody & Sherman, Casper the Friendly Ghost along with others including The Croods and 
Megamind.
Additional zones will be inhabited by other animation characters created specifically for the park by some of the best creative talents from Australia and Asia.
MAPS will also be home to Asia’s first car stunt show and is poised to be the only ‘live broadcast’ theme park in Malaysia with real-time broadcast throughout the park and on the internet of its live shows, immersive rides and dynamic attractions.
“For visitors’ comfort and convenience, the majority of the theme park will be indoor, air-conditioned or undercover, shielding guests away from Malaysia’s hot, wet and humid weather, ” says Mr. Steve A. Sanderson (right), Director of ATP and CEO of the Sanderson Group.
Future plans – for Phase 2 of MAPS – include hotels, serviced apartments, waterpark and street mall.
With the aim of receiving 1.4 million visitors (80% domestic, 20% international) in the first year of operation, MAPS is set to provide a friendly and caring Malaysian hospitality experience for tourists around the world.
Keep tab with all the latest info on the project at www.mapsperak.com and catch some glimpses on the construction progress. Without a doubt, MAPS – being Malaysia’s first animation theme park – will create fond memories and allow visitors to ‘live their dreams’.
