World-class animation-based theme park to open in Malaysian state of Perak

Malaysia is set to have its first animation theme park with the construction of the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS), a RM450 million (US$137 million) partnership project between Sanderson Group and Perak Corporation Berhad.

Set to be built in the Malaysian state of Perak, MAPS is seen as a key state’s key project and has the official endorsement of the Perak State Government and Malaysia’s Tourism Ministry.

It also marks the inaugural investment in Malaysia by the Sanderson Group, the Queensland-based 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 seen as a favourable place for the MAPS project.

Datuk Aminuddin Md Desa, Chairman of ATP and Chief Executive of Perak State Development Corporation, explains “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.

“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.”

MAPS will feature six different zones in an animation-based fantasy environment: Animation Square, Fantasy Forest, Live Action, Space Zone, DreamWorks and the Lakeside Zone.

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.

With opening scheduled for the end of next year, 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.

Steve Sanderson, Director of ATP and Chief Executive of the Sanderson Group adds “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.”

Future plans – for Phase 2 of MAPS – include hotels, serviced apartments, a waterpark and street mall.

With the aim of welcoming 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.

For more information go to www.mapsperak.com

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