Attractions news…
In the news this week: Super Nintendo World and Universal’s Epic Universe on track; National Cowboy Museum on Twitter; Disney+ launches in UK; V&A Museum’s online content; Denver Zoo’s ‘Virtual Safari’; #NeonMuseumFromHome; theme parks reopen in Japan; China lifts lockdowns; attractions open in Beijing and Shanghai; attractions close again in Hong Kong; Merlin closes attractions in UK; Japan proceeding with IRs; Village Roadshow closures; The Met’s #CongressSaveCulture campaign; homemade theme park rides during COVID-19.
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Theme parks
Merlin Entertainments has temporarily shut attractions in response to the global coronavirus pandemic, including Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, and Legoland Windsor.
The opening of Tyra Banks’ beauty theme park ModelLand has been postponed in response to COVID-19. The attraction was set to open at Macerich’s Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica on May 1.
Japan is beginning to open theme parks and attractions, as well as businesses and schools, after COVID-19 resulted in closures through early 2020. Huis Ten Bosch and Legoland Japan are open, as well as GrinPa Amusement Park.
Disney’s theme park closures during coronavirus could cost the company more than $500m in lost admission revenue as global attendance takes an 11 million visitor hit – the equivalent of annual attendance at Disney California Adventure.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Village Roadshow Limited announced the temporary closure of its Gold Coast theme parks; Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild, and Paradise Country.
Museums
Hong Kong has decided to close its government-run museums once again after a wave of new coronavirus cases hit, largely due to returning travellers. Closed museums include Hong Kong Museum of Art, City Gallery, and M+ Pavilion.
Hong Kong also said that the leisure venues and cultural facilities that reopened earlier this month have closed once again as cases of coronavirus spike.
The National Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City enlisted the help of its security guard Tim Tiller during the attraction’s temporary closure. Tim has been learning about hashtags and TikTok amid COVID-19.
The Met Museum launched the #CongressSaveCulture campaign to advocate for financial relief for non-profit arts organisations in light of COVID-19. The Met hopes that $4bn in government support will be included in the $2tn package.
Arts Council England launched a £160 million emergency package for theatres, galleries, museums and artists who have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The cash injection will help artists, venues and freelancers in the cultural sector.
China has lifted the coronavirus lockdown in the province of Hubei. The city of Wuhan will remain in lockdown until April 8. In addition, tourist attractions are reopening in Shanghai and Beijing.
Social distancing
Disney and Universal theme parks have temporarily closed because of COVID-19, and people are taking to Twitter to create #HomemadeThemePark rides, all from the comfort of their own homes.
The Neon Museum is providing ways to #NeonMuseumFromHome and remain engaged during the coronavirus outbreak. It offers content on its app, YouTube channel, and social media during the temporary closure.
Disney+ launched in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain. It will debut in France on April 7. The launch comes as fans of Disney’s theme parks practice social distancing during the outbreak of coronavirus.
The V&A Museum has a range of online content, including virtual tours and blog posts, in light of social distancing during the global outbreak of COVID-19. More options include access to the museum, its collections and archives.
Denver Zoo is keeping visitors entertained and engaged with Zoo to You: Virtual Safari. The attraction is offering daily videos, facts about animals, and family-friendly activities to do at home.
New projects
Japan is proceeding with its integrated resorts as planned, despite the outbreak of coronavirus. Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, said that the IR project is on track and that the first IR in Japan will not be delayed.
Universal Orlando Resort is continuing work on its new theme park, Universal’s Epic Universe, despite the global outbreak of COVID-19. Super Nintendo World attractions are also on track in Japan and California.
