FRANK STANEK, THEME PARK INDUSTRY EXPERT, URGES INDUSTRY TO “KEEP MOVING FORWARD”

BY GABRIELLE

Frank Stanek, executive advisor with The Producers Group (TPG) and TEA Lifetime Achievement Award winner, is urging the attractions industry to “keep moving forward.”

In a recently released white paper, Stanek encouraged entertainment and attraction developers to continue planning and design projects in anticipation of an eventual recovery.

In an open letter to clients and partners of TPD, including the likes of Universal and Disney, Stanek noted: “Now is not the time to regress or ‘pull back’ from moving forward with projects that are tourism, entertainment or visitor-related. In fact, this is an ideal time to continue the development of well thought out projects, having attractive, market appealing concepts, sound business plans, and execution strategy.”

Stanek went on to remind that following a significant disruption or downturn, that higher growth within 6 to 24 months historically occurs.

Citing the “certain positive advantages to keep ‘moving forward’”, Stanek forecasts: “The current health and financial uncertainty will run through its cycle and in most cases, it will be of short duration but certainly, the situation will improve, financial markets will return to positive growth, health issues will be managed and solutions found and tourism and attraction visitation will return to normal dynamics.”

As we wait during these difficult times, the award-winning TPG executive advisor recommends that: “In these uncertain times those who move forward with their projects will gain the initiative over those who wait and be positioned to capture more than their market share when the cycle of uncertainty ends and tourism and visitor growth returns.”

UNIVERSAL BEIJING RESORT SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN MAY 2021

BY GABRIELLE

Universal Beijing Resort is scheduled to open in May 2021, the Beijing municipal government has announced, despite the coronavirus outbreak.

The theme park is on target to have completed construction by the end of 2020. According to Universal Beijing, the main structure of the site has been completed and the ride and attractions are now being installed. The building of the NHU Resort Hotel, Universal Studios Grand Hotel and Universal CityWalk Beijing are also underway.

Tom Mehrmann, president of Universal Beijing, commented: “2019 was full of excitement, success and rapid development, we hope to bring even more exciting news for everyone in 2020.”

In 2019 it was revealed that the immersive lands at Universal Studios Beijing will comprise of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Land, Transformers: Metrobase, Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness, Jurassic World Isla Nublar, Hollywood and WaterWorld.

UNIVERSAL REVEALS PLANS ABOUT SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

BY GABRIELLE

Universal has shared details about the soon-to-be-opened Super Nintendo World, set to launch at Universal Studios Japan in spring 2020, ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Tom Williams, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resort, shared more details about the new world during Comcast’s 2019 Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference that took place on September 11.

Williams revealed that over the next few years, new rides, attractions, games, merchandise and more would be coming to all Universal Parks.

The chairman and CEO also confirmed Super Nintendo Park would be home to two rides, Yoshi’s Adventure and Super Mario Kart. Two themed areas will also feature in the park, centred on Peach’s Castle and Bowser’s Castle.

“It’s a whole new separate area of the park. It’s got food. It’s got merchandise. The first phase will have two rides, Super Mario Kart Ride as well as Yoshi’s Adventures.

“It’s the best, and we’ve tested them all, and they’re killers. It’s a great lineup. It takes it to the whole next level. It’s gonna redefine what a park experience is like. It really is special,” Williams commented.

The new park will provide an interactive experience for visitors, with the possibility of Nintendo Switch integration and with Nintendo-themed magnetic wristbands.

Talking about the interactive wristband, Tom Williams said:

“The wristband is super cool. It’s all magnetic. You slap it at your wrist, and it just snaps on, and it won’t come off.

“You’ll be able to go up and keep score and play with the various games, and that also translates to a score-keeping capability if you choose to do so within the rides and it actually interfaces back with your game console,” Williams added.