Details About Dubai Motiongate Theme Park Rides

We've got some news about Motiongate, the theme park which will be part of Dubai Parks and Resorts which plan to become the largest leisure destination in the Middle East. Motiongate is set to open in Jebel Ali in October 2016 and will be 1.9 million square feet. This one will be the  “Hollywood” theme park with 27 attractions inspired by 13 blockbuster films. Check out the new park artwork above.

DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures and Lionsgate will have licensed rides in the park with films like The Hunger Games, Ghostbusters, Hotel Transylvania, The Smurfs, Zombieland, Shrek and more, see the list on the screen capture below. Attractions will include rollercoasters, multimedia theatre and a massive water ride which will use 793,000 gallons of water.

Here are some pics showing some of the lands, starting by Sony Pictures Studios land...

According to a comment on Themeparx, the Hotel Transylvania ride will be in a 2,800 square metre indoor space and will be seven minutes long. During it you’ll be seated in a carriage that holds four people. The ride is ‘trackless’, and there are 27 separate carriages going around at once, which means you’ll never know which way you’ll turn and you’re likely to have near-misses with other punters. The highest point of the ride is 42 metres (about the same height as the Statue of Liberty). The ‘story’ of the ride will be a surprise party hosted by the monsters in the movie.

The Smurfs land...

The Dreamworks zone...

"Studio Central"...

The Hunger Games attraction … hopefully let's hope that a bunch of teenagers will not be chasing us with weapons.

Guido Zucchi, Motiongate General Manager said of the park, “It’s going to be like Hollywood in the desert.” Let's hope they'll have air-con! When the full Dubai project will be finished i will include also a Bollywood theme park, a retail centre, a hotel operated by Marriott, and a separate Legoland park. More than 11,000 people are currently working on the parks to get them ready for the grand opening next year.

Last but not least here is a short video demo for part of the rides.




Pictures and video: copyright Dubai Parks and Resorts

Dreamworks China announces the opening of a US$3.2B theme park in Shanghaî ! Updated with Latest News

Jeffrey Katzenberg is for Disney like the famous sparadrap of Captain Haddock in the adventures of Tintin - the typical sticking plaster scene where it sticks to everything and you can't get rid of it. When Pixar or Disney Animation have a good idea they probably pray that no one at Dreamworks will hear about it - remember ANTZ, anyone?

Sure, since then Dreamworks Animation developed its own ideas and had success with movies like Shrek, Madagascar or Kung-Fu Panda. Last February, DreamWorks Animation announced it will create a China JV called Oriental Dreamworks "that will develop and produce Chinese animated and live-action content for distribution within China and around the globe". And today, guess what?, Jeffrey Katzenberg, announced in a news conference that DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc and its Chinese joint venture partners will open a theme park in Shanghai by 2016, with a total investment amount of 20 billion yuan!

And 20 billion yuan - US$3.1B - is not a small amount. To give you an idea, Shanghai Disneyland theme park is estimated to cost 24.5 billion yuan, with hotels and additional facilities costing another 4.5 billion yuan. So, with 20 billion yuan they can create a real big theme park. Juxt next door, or almost, to Shanghaî Disneyland as this DreamWorks' theme park, called Dream Centre, will be located in the Xuhui district of Shanghai, as said this morning Li Ruigang, Chairman of China Media Capital, adding he hoped it would become China's Broadway or West End. And they don't plan to open it in 2020! But in 2016, just one year after SDL opening. For sure, Bob Iger is gonna like this news when he will learn about it this morning...

Now, let's see if they will come with better rides than the ones created at Universal Singapore in the Dreamworks land. That should not be too difficult....

Edited: More about all this from the latest AFP news:

SHANGHAI — DreamWorks Animation on Tuesday said it plans to build a $3.2 billion "entertainment zone" in Shanghai, as the US film giant seeks to bolster its presence in the booming Chinese market.

The studio's newly-formed China joint venture, Oriental DreamWorks, is set to open the tourism attraction in 2016, the creator of megahits like "Shrek" and "Kung Fu Panda" said in a statement. The project -- called the Dream Center -- will comprise entertainment facilities, animation exhibitions and commercial developments including hotels and shopping areas in Shanghai's Xuhui district, it said. The announcement comes after US entertainment giant Disney last year broke ground on a planned $3.7 billion theme park in Shanghai, scheduled to open in 2015.

However, one of the DreamWorks' Chinese partners denied being in competition with Disney, describing the project not as a theme park, but as an "entertainment zone". "It's different from any other large cultural project in China, including Disneyland," Li Ruigang, chairman of China Media Capital was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.

DreamWorks in February announced plans for a $330 million joint venture company with three Chinese partners -- China Media Capital, Shanghai Media Group and Shanghai Alliance Investment -- to cooperate on film productions. Tuesday's statement posted on DreamWorks' website said that joint venture had now been formally established, with the three state-backed Chinese firms together holding a majority 55 percent stake in the company.

Oriental Dreamworks will make the next "Kung Fu Panda" movie -- the third instalment in the hugely popular series -- in China as a co-production for release in 2016, the statement said. It plans to release up to three major films a year, with its first feature-length animated film scheduled for global release in 2017, it said.

Edited: From another press agency: ...In addition, the two parties signed an agreement Tuesday to establish the "Dream Center" entertainment zone in the West Bank Media Port, which is located in Shanghai's Xuhui district. The zone, to be built with a total investment of more than 20 billion yuan, will be made up of theaters, restaurants and bars, said Li Ruigang, CMC's chairman.

The West Bank Media Port, with the "Dream Center" as its flagship attraction, is expected to see 20 million visitors a year, according to data provided by the district government of Xuhui. Li said the two sides will strive to develop Shanghai into an international culture center. "In the long term, we may bring more entertainment zones to other domestic cities or even build them abroad," he added. Katzenberg was said to have "intense interest" in the entertainment zone project, a first for the California-based company.

Some have said that the announcement of the "Oriental DreamWorks" deal has put DWA in a fierce race with its domestic rival Walt Disney, which began to build a theme park in Shanghai last April. Nevertheless, Katzenberg and Li both claimed on Tuesday that the "Dream Center" project will not be a threat to the Shanghai Disneyland. "The 'Dream Center' is not a theme park. It's different from any other large cultural project in China, including Disneyland," Li said.

And, finally, from BBC News: The Dream Center will open in 2016 in the Xuhui district along the Huangpu river, it said.

The complex aims to create a "global cultural centre" to rival New York's Broadway and London's West End. It will house the world's largest Imax screen and tourist attractions, as well as restaurants and hotels.

"This doesn't exist anywhere else in the world," Dreamworks chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg told a news conference."

In conclusion what we can say about this Dream centre announcement:
They're going to spend $3.2 B, expect 20 million visitors and they think that we're going to believe that what they plan is just a kind of upgraded Downtown Disney? Despise what Katzenberg is saying and whatever this new concept of entertainment can be, it is probably a threat for Shanghaî Disneyland. My guess is that they're planning something like Singapore did at Sentosa. A mix of hotels, restaurants, cinemas, shows, etc... AND a kind of theme park with rides and attractions. Or may be the rides will be directly inside the entertainment zone. The only thing which is missing - if it's not already in their plans - is a casino. A casino in addition to this "entertaiment center" with rides, etc... now THAT would be a serious threat for SDL as we know that chinese are big big gamblers. We still have to wait for the final concept to know more about all this, but so far one thing is sure: whatever they can say about "no threat for Shanghaî Disneyland" when the expected 20 million visitors will be at this Dream Center they won't be at Shanghaî Disneyland.

Picture: copyright Dreamworks

Universal Studios Singapore map and details revealed !

Yesterday was revealed more details and the map of the awaited new Universal Studios theme park in Singapore. Famous Universal Studios classic attractions like Jurassic Park or the Mummy will be in the park but the park, that should open early next year will include 18 rides and attractions with some specially created or adapted for Singapore like the Shrek land or the Madagascar ride.

So, let's have a closer look on the map above. The theme-park will feature seven zones, each with its own iconic food outlets and entertainment attractions. The entrance is located at the bottom left of the map and guests will enter in the Hollywood section. Visitors can expect Broadway-style theatre modelled after the famous Hollywood Pantages Theatre and walk down Hollywood Boulevard complete with the famous Walk of Fame.

If you turn right when you'll arrive at the lagoon you will enter the New-York section for a slice of the Big Apple, from NY-style pizza to movie-set scenes, including a special effects stage with Steven Spielberg who offers behind-the-scenes peeks and Stage 28 for star wannabes who get a chance to be part of a movie production.

Next land, going up north on the map will be Sci-Fi City. Sci-fi buffs will have a city of their own and be able to join in the Human vs Cylons battle on the Battlestar Galactica dueling coasters, supposedly the tallest of its kind in the world. Another battle in this zone is the highly-anticipated Transformers ride which debuts at Universal Studios Singapore before heading out to the US theme-park.



On the picture above, the Egypt land under construction is on the left and the Battlestar Galactica dueling coasters on the right.

The two next lands are for adventure-seekers as they will be able to trip to the 1930's Golden Age of Egyptian Exploration to discover the Sphinx, Pharaoh's tombs and mummies in the Revenge of the Mummy attraction, or take on the Lost World zone inhabited by dinosaurs at the redesigned Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure and Waterworld, with death defying stunts.



Above and below, Dinosaurs are arriving in the "Lost World" of Universal Singapore.



Below, the future Waterworld Theater.



Tied-in to movie favourites, are the Madagascar and Far Far Away zones, featuring attractions for both young and old.





Above, the Far Far away castle under construction.

Visitors can explore Shrek's swamp home, a castle and party at a Knight Club, or 'move it, move it' with wacky King Julien at a beach party after outwitting the Foosa in an original, one-of-a-kind immersive river ride that should be as wild as the lemur tribe of Madagascar.



On this picture of the Resorts World model below, Universal Studios Singapore are located on the left.



Below, a close-up on an early Universal Studios Singapore model.



Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts said of Tuesday's unveiling of some of the theme-park's attractions that attention was paid to location-specific creatives and designs so as to offer both first-time and devoted Universal Studios visitors, an exciting, different and memorable experience with many new rides, shows and themes that can’t be found at other Universal Studios parks around the world", which we are happy to learn as there is nothing worst than to find exactly the same version of attractions all over the world. We'll be pleased to check all this early next year!


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All pictures and artwork: copyright Universal Studios

Universal Studios Singapore Announces World's Exclusive Attractions Inspired by Dreamworks Animation

Just in case you've forgotten about it, a brand new Universal Studios theme park will open in Singapore early 2010. The park will of course include Universal favorites like Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, The Mummy and the Waterworld show, but also unique attractions which exist at no other Universal Studios park in the world!

Universal Studios Singapore announced last Thursday the world’s only “Madagascar” attraction, and that the park will also bring to life the world’s first “Far Far Away” Castle from the world of Shrek. Themed after DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster movie Madagascar, "Madagascar: A Crate Adventure" will be a mega-attraction when the park opens next year. The film will be brought to life with a state-of-the-art indoor boat ride featuring animated figures, digital projection, evocative sound, and special effects that create a one-of-a-kind, funny and fun family ride.



Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park will also be home to the world’s first Far Far Away Castle, a landmark in the box-office hit series Shrek. King Harold’s 40-meter high castle will house attractions such as Shrek 4-D, Donkey Live and Magic Potion Spin. On the high-res bird's eye view artwork below, Madagascar: A Crate Adventure is located on the left and Far Far Away Castle on the right.



Madagascar: A Crate Adventure and Far Far Away Castle are part of the world’s single largest collection of DreamWorks Animation theme park attractions, making its debut at
Universal Studios Singapore. The collection of six attractions, complemented by more than 10 DreamWorks Animation themed dining and shopping outlets, will also feature rides suitable for the entire family. Let's have a closer look to these new rides all inspired by DreamWorks Animation movies.


Madagascar: A Crate Adventure: The hit DreamWorks Animation films are brought to life with state-of-the-art animated figures, digital projection, evocative sound, and moving show-action effects that create a one-of-a-kind, immersive ride experience. Cast adrift while being transferred from the New York Zoo, our four heroes – Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria – arrive at the shores of Madagascar. Here, they meet the impulsive leader of the local lemurs, King Julien, who, between bustin’ moves on the jungle floor, asks the New Yorkers to help defeat his nemesis – the dreaded Foosa. Aided by the technically- savvy but psychotic penguins, our heroes defeat the Foosa at the rim of a bubbling volcanic cauldron.



King Julien’s Beach Party-Go-Round: King Julien, the self-appointed king of the lemurs, knows how to move it, move it, and now he spins guests round and round to the beat of high-energy dance music in this crazy carousel, sure to be a family favorite. At this festive beach scene, King Julien and the Lemurs are throwing a party for their favorite freaks from New York: Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe.




Shrek 4-D: Guests will join Princess Fiona, Shrek and Donkey on a honeymoon adventure that picks up where the Oscar-winning movie “Shrek” left off, through an original 3-D film, complete with jumps, bumps, bounces, air blasts and water spray that bring the action to life for each guest – with an extra dimension of special effects through the miracle of Ogre Vision. This attraction already exist at other Universal Studios parks.



Donkey Live: Shrek’s fairy tale sidekick Donkey will bring the crowd to its feet in this all-new, one- of-a-kind, interactive live show experience, where guests sing along and even talk with Donkey in an intimate theatre setting. Situated along Far Far Away’s glamorous Romeo Drive, Hook’s Knight Club is the hottest nightspot in town.



Enchanted Airways: Guests of all ages climb aboard Donkey’s beloved Dragon for a flight over Far Far Away and beyond. At Enchanted Airways, a merry cast of fairy tale creatures – from the Three Pigs to the Big Bad Wolf, from Gingerbread Man to Pinocchio – forms part of a magical airline in the form of a junior coaster that serves destinations throughout the World of Shrek!



Magic Potion Spin: As guests make their way past the bubbling vats of Fairy Godmother’s Potion Shop, they’ll encounter the fantastical heart of the factory, the Magic Potion Spin. This miniature Ferris wheel drives a clinking, clanking potion assembly line that circles the room, bottling magical elixirs from a giant wooden vat.

Universal Studios Singapore will be part of Resorts World Sentosa, a $4.2 billion project and a collection of resorts and attractions with fun-filled offerings for the entire family built on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa and spanning 49 hectares (more than 120 acres) of lush greenery.



Besides attractions, Resorts World Sentosa offers six hotels and full conference and meeting amenities. Entertainment performances include the Crane Dance – the world’s largest animatronic performance - set out at the Resort waterfront. Guests of the Resort can also choose from dozens of shopping and dining options at the Resort’s bustling strip, FestiveWalk. Resorts World at Sentosa will have its soft opening in early 2010.



Have a look at this video where Universal Creative guys tell you more about this new park.



You can count on Disney and more to bring you fresh news about Universal Studios Singapore as soon as available, in the meantime if you live in south-east Asia and looking for a job, have a look to this last video!




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All pictures: copyright Universal Studios Singapore

Many thanks to Nate Walz for the text editing.