Dreamworks attraction cancelled at Malaysia’s Movie Animation Park Studios

Developers of Malaysia’s Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) have called off plans to open a Dreamworks entertainment zone at their attraction.

First opened last year in the Malaysian state of Perak, Asia’s first animation-based theme park was to have been expanded with attractions including the Megamind Megadrop – which would have been Malaysia’s tallest drop tower – and Casper’s Birthday Blast.

However, according to Perak Corp, developers Animation Theme Park Sdn Bhd had been unable to reach an agreement with Dreamworks to open the Dream Zone.

Perak Corp advised this week “ATP has the option to extend the license agreement to 30th September 2018 but decided not to exercise the option in order to accelerate the full opening of the MAPS as soon as possible.”

ATP is now expected to write off an investment of US$3.87 million following the termination of its license agreement.

With reports that the attraction is incurring losses, Perak Corp advised that itis looking forward to MAPS’  full opening, stating “the full opening of MAPS in the near future is expected to increase visitors’ attendance number, entertainment value and repeat visitors to the MAPS which will then translate into higher revenue to the MAPS.”

The DreamWorks’ attractions zone is now currently being renovated in order to to remove all DreamWorks’ intellectual properties. Once this is complete, ATP plans to open the zone with or without any third party’s intellectual property.

The RM520 million (US$120 million) theme park stretches over 21 hectares featurings more than 40 attractions in six themed zones.

Animated themes include The Smurfs, Boboiboy and animated Dreamworks characters.

Earlier this year Perak Corp had negotiated a deal with theme park operator Only World Group to co-manage and co-operate the Malaysian theme park. The park fell into trouble in June when an external auditor’s report showed huge losses for Perak Corp.

Image: MAPS' planned Dream Zone. Courtesy of MAPS Perak.