Attractions news …
The London Resort unveils six lands and concept art; Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser gets an opening date; new attractions heading to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot; Angela Merkel donates €60m from Germany to Auschwitz-Birkenau; Genting Malaysia updates on outdoor theme park at RWG; Ferrari World Abu Dhabi named ‘World’s Leading Theme Park’ at WTA; Ocean Park unveils Wild Twister; DreamWorks Dragons Flight Academy; New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium selling tickets; blooloopLIVE highlights; Big Snow American Dream; The Beatles get immersive Sgt Pepper’s experience; Tokyo Disneyland attractions; and Square Enix’s ninja theme park.
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Theme parks
The London Resort has offered a first look at the upcoming theme park in new concept artwork. The resort also unveiled its six themed lands, as announced by PY Gerbeau at blooloopLIVE.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in California has become the first theme park on the West Coast to be powered by solar energy. It made the official switch to solar power at a special event to welcome its 12th annual Holiday in the Park.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has been named the World’s Leading Theme Park at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2019. Other winners include Disneyland Paris and Yas Waterworld.
Genting Malaysia Bhd has reported its Q3 2019 results, posting a net profit. The company also provided a brief update on the progress of its outdoor theme park (OTP) at Resorts World Genting (RWG).
Japanese video game developer Square Enix is set to open its first large-scale theme park with ninja attractions in 2020. As the name suggests, ‘Ninja Tower Tokyo’ will be located in Tokyo Tower.
Ocean Park has announced the new ‘Wild Twister’ ride is debuting in time for Christmas. The theme park in Hong Kong also unveiled its festive celebrations for 2019, as well as a new night-time show for 2020.
Disney
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has opened at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. The ride is described as one of the most ambitious, advanced experiences that Disney has ever created.
Prior to that, Disney shared a sneak peek of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The behind-the-scenes footage showed visitors experiencing the ride, as well as droids, stormtroopers, explosions, and Kylo Ren.
Oriental Land Co released new details about attractions, rides and restaurants heading to Tokyo Disneyland Park on April 15. OLC teased the Beauty and the Beast area and ride, as well as The Happy Ride with Baymax.
Walt Disney World unveiled more about projects heading to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida in 2020, also confirming opening dates for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Mickey Shorts Theater.
The theme park in Florida also revealed more about the new rides, attractions and restaurants launching at Epcot, which is currently undergoing an historic transformation. This includes a look at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Walt Disney Imagineering confirmed Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will debut in 2021 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Disney has also released new concept images of the immersive two-night hotel experience.
Technology
Dreamscape, a location-based entertainment (LBE) company, teamed up with DreamWorks Animation to launch the free-flying VR experience DreamWorks Dragons Flight Academy at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles.
Apple Corps Ltd, Tate Liverpool and National Museums Liverpool announced an immersive presentation of The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in Liverpool over Christmas.
Aquariums
The New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium, opening at American Dream in 2020, has started selling tickets for admission. It is scheduled to debut in March as part of American Dream’s fourth chapter.
Entertainment One (eOne) has also partnered with Merlin to take PJ Masks to SEA LIFE Aquariums around the world. New PJ Masks nautical-themed trails are heading to 12 SEA LIFE venues in the UK and globally.
Museums
The Gilmore Car Museum in Michigan announced it will be adding a $5 million building to exhibit muscle cars, also known as high-performance cars. The new attraction is expected to open in 2021.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum announced record attendance for 2019, already exceeding record attendance in 2018. The total number of visitors this year could be close to 2.3 million.
Angela Merkel also visited Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum for the first time. To help preserve the site of the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, Merkel brings a €60 million donation from Germany.
Other attractions
American Dream‘s indoor ski park Big SNOW opened this week (December 5). Tickets went on sale for the first indoor, real-snow ski and snowboard centre in North America. Big SNOW boasts four acres of snowy slopes.
blooloopLIVE went off with a bang this week. Thanks to our wonderful attendees, supportive sponsors and inspirational speakers. Look out for a full report this week.
