Miscellaneous theme park projects
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SeaWorld San Diego announced plans for a new launched steel roller coaster called "Electric Eel" that will open in 2018. The roller coaster is similar in design to Tempesto at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The coaster will reach speeds of up to 62 mph and a height of 150 feet making it SeaWorld San Diego's fastest and tallest coaster.

Electric Eel, with its high-intensity thrill component, should help solidify the park’s appeal among teens and young adults, Hannes said. It is meant to be the second phase of the Ocean Explorer attraction, which has a strong educational component and is oriented more to families. It will also feature an eel aquarium.

Ocean Explorer will be located on the southeast side of the park where Animal Connections had been and before that, the old Clydesdale barn and pasture. Both Ocean Explorer and the coaster, which will be where Arctic Plaza now is, will occupy an area west of the Journey to Atlantis ride.

Sources: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/sd-fi-seaworld-coaster-20170103-story.html and http://www.cbs8.com/story/34176875/seaworld-san-diego-introduces-new-thrill-ride-shamu-shows-come-to-an-end and http://attractionsmagazine.com/seaworld-san-diego-announces-electric-eel-roller-coaster-for-2018/

Yesterday (January 8, 2016), SeaWorld San Diego had their final theatrical orca show. The show stadium will now be closed through May 2017 while a new stage is constructed with a more "natural" appearance. The new stage will feature extensive rock work, waterfalls and artificial trees and a large screen called the "Infinity Screen" that will extend across the stage displaying information that corresponds to the new educational presentation that will replace the theatrical shows. Construction of the new Orca Encounter stage began today with crane set-up.




Sources: https://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2016/11/f20c-11-2016.pdf and https://seaworldparks.com/en/howloscream-sanantonio/sitecore/content/parks/seaworld_sandiego/home/attractions/shows/orca-encounter and https://seaworldcares.com/en/future/educational-encounters and http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seaworld-entertainment-unveils-major-new-attractions-for-2017-300334515.html

New Nickelodeon Resort in China broke ground this week.

Viacom broke ground Wednesday on the Nickelodeon Cultural Resort in the southern city of Foshan.
The Nickelodeon theme park is part of a broader development scheme called the Foshan Cultural and Ecological Coastal Project. The $1.71 billion (11.9 billion RMB) development covers an area of about 750 acres, with 250 set acres set aside for Nickelodeon-themed attractions. It is expected to open in 2020.

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacom-breaks-ground-first-nickelodeon-resort-china-960677

Ferrari world update here https://travellerczech.com/2017/01/05/ferrari-world-vortex-coaster-construction-and-more/

I was at the park last week, its an LED screen.

Have they painted or covered the track of the shuttle coaster?

SALALAH BEACH WATERPARK
Bringing in new entertainment to its ever growing Salalah Beach destination, Muriya is introducing an iconic waterpark in the Dhofar Governorate. The all‐new aquatic experience promises to deliver sensory thrills unlike any other.

Expected to be operational end of 2017, the waterpark will be built on an area of 35,000 sqm and will include diverse amenities catering to all ages. Up to 1500 people daily will have the chance to body surf, dive under the crashing waves, and swim the day away in the wave pool, or float along in the leisure river. Another prime attraction will be the children’s area, featuring a large water play structure with slides, waterfalls and features that will provide fun for the entire family.

The waterpark will also offer various rides designed for thrill‐seekers and families alike, including a mix of body and tube slides with both open and closed flumes. Whether it is a weekend trip for some quality time with the family or tourists unwinding after a long journey, Muriya’s new waterpark in Salalah will provide an attraction never before experienced in Oman.

http://www.salalahbeach.com/waterpark/

Muscat: A world-class multi-cluster 1.5 million square meter entertainment and leisure theme park will be built in Barka, Muscat National Development Company SAOC (ASAAS), said. It is due to begin construction in Quarter 4 2017.

It will boast an integrated theme park, a wildlife and waterpark, an equestrian center and edutainment center as well as multiple hotels, a residential zone and retail areas that will offer a range of retail, leisure and dining options, according to developers.

“The result of extensive local and regional research and consultation, this entertainment and leisure destination, in common with all ASAAS projects and investments, will support the Sultanate’s agenda to diversify the economy and drive societal progress,” Eng. Khalid Al Yahmadi, ASAAS CEO, said.

“It will, without a doubt, add new vitality and impetus to Barka and the surrounding area but the immense scale of the destination means that its impact will extend well beyond the immediate vicinity of its operations. Indeed, benefiting the country as a whole, it will deliver sustainable economic returns, attract investment, stimulate development and enterprise, and create a multitude of direct and indirect job opportunities,” he added.

Muscat Finance Corporation Limited (MFCL) has transferred, through one of its group companies, the plot of 1.5 million square meters in its project, previously known as Blue City, to ASAAS.

ASAAS has identified a renowned American company based out of Orlando, Florida to operate the theme park and wildlife park and that the names of other partners in this mega-project will be announced in the near future.

“The family-oriented destination in Barka will be able to strongly communicate its unique offerings to the public and also leverage the beauty of the natural landscape to showcase Oman’s heritage and traditions, honouring local culture and history through its design, architecture and activities,” Khalid added.

Built on a high-profile premium destination stretching approximately one kilometer on the beach front, the project will offer both lifestyle and educational aspects for children and adults.

Among other attractions, visitors will enjoy an innovative learning-focused dimension will be the Interactive Science and Technology Edutainment Centre, designed to be an inspirational knowledge hub for Oman’s young demographic.

In addition, celebrating Oman’s famed horsemanship will be an Equestrian Centre.

Planned to be the main center for equestrian sports in the country, it will include a riding academy and show jumping and livery facilities along with dedicated shops and food outlets.

The destination’s Masterplanner is Surbana Jurong, one of Asia’s largest urban and infrastructure development Consultants.

Headquartered in Singapore, Surbana Jurong has a global workforce of 13,000 employees in over 95 offices across 40 countries in Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.

ASAAS, found in 2014 through the concerted efforts of key government entities and Pension Funds, aims to increase the economic contributions of the non-oil and gas sectors by initiating and developing sustainable projects to meet the needs of the public and enrich life in Oman.

Over the next five to 10 years it will develop a diverse portfolio of projects worth approximately OMR1 billion, which will contribute to the country’s economic diversification strategy and connect the people to the national agenda.

The Barka Entertainment and Leisure Destination is a key project to be launched by ASAAS and follows on from its establishment of SalamAir, Oman’s first budget airline, the announcement of Hilton Garden Inn and of a multi-use facility in Al Khuwair.


http://timesofoman.com/article/99028/Oman/Tourism/Oman-tourism:-New-theme-park-for-Barka