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New theme park to be built near military bases in Okinawa, Japan

New theme park won't include Universal Studios rides and attractions.
The Okinawa park is part of an overall surge in theme park construction in Asia.
As part of a surge in theme park construction in Asia, the operators of Universal Studios Japan are planning to building a new theme park in Japan, possibly near U.S. military bases on the island of Okinawa.

The news of a new theme park comes only a few months after Osaka-based Universal Studios Japan launched its hugely popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction.

But the new park in Okinawa will not be branded as a Universal Studios park and won't include Universal Studios rides or attractions, according to officials in Orlando.

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Universal Studios Japan Chief Executive Glenn Gumpel told reporters in Japan that his company will build a park that will be smaller than its Osaka park and won't be based on themes from movies or television programs. He did not reveal the location on Okinawa of the new park or when it might open.

U.S. theme park developers, including Disney, Six Flags and 20th Century Fox, are well represented in the park-building boom, with plans to build new parks in Asia to take advantage of a growing middle class.

Change of plans, here they say it will open in 2017:
http://themeparkzone.es/2014/10/30/parque-paramount-las-obras-podrian-iniciarse-principios-del-2015-con-la-idea-de-abrir-en-2017/

It's in Spanish, use Google Translate.

Global entertainment provider 20th Century Fox has signed on with Australian media company Village Roadshow to open an integrated leisure complex in the southern part of the country ― a project that is expected to create a total added value of 2.2 trillion won ($2.1 billion), according to industry sources.

The blueprint ― including a Fox theme park, six-star hotel, casino, movie complex, premium shopping outlet mall, 18-hole golf course and a marine sports center ― is the centerpiece of the provincial government’s 50-year development vision, according to officials.

To achieve the goal, the parties will establish a special purpose company by the end of this year and kick off the construction next year, in the hopes of opening by 2018.

“Fox is deeply committed to Korea, and we have been producing a wide range of Korea-based entertainment contents over the past three years,” said Jeffrey Godsick, president of the American company’s consumer products division.

Source:
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140716000902

The Coaster Is now officially open:
http://www.insidethemagic.net/2014/05/seven-dwarfs-mine-train-officially-opens-at-walt-disney-world-completing-new-fantasyland-magic-kingdom-expansion/

Comcast-owned Universal Studios is now breaking ground with its forthcoming film-themed amusement park in China, which it expects to open in 2018. However, Universal Studios is not new to Asia -- this new park near Beijing will be the company's fourth in Asia outside of the well-established ones in Japan and Singapore and the coming Universal Studios park in South Korea.

Theme park operations have been a lucrative segment for Comcast, both because of the American theme parks and the company's Asian growth. The company made $2.2 billion in total theme park income during 2013 and reported $1 billion in operating cash flow. At an investor conference in January, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said that the company is "doubling down on theme parks," and that "We think there is a lot there in the theme park business for many years to come, and that we have the low market share and only one way to go."

Article Link:
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/05/02/comcast-will-open-universal-studios-in-china-can-i.aspx

Job Openings for Universal Studios China:
http://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=2714a3dd6e8e4c66&from=serp

Mandarin Speaking Project Management Opportunities
Universal Creative - Orlando, FL 32819

From Theme Park Insider:
Is Universal Studios China on its way?

Written by Robert Niles
Published: January 4, 2014 at 7:20 AM

A Universal Studios theme park in Beijing appears one more step closer to happening, according to a Chinese report.
Blooloop found a report from Shanghai Securities News that officials from the National Development and Reform Commission in Tongzhou District in Beijing have filed an application to begin construction on the park in the fourth quarter of this year.

The project's budget is estimated at US$2 billion (RMB12 billion). Demolition is underway at the site, and the report says that construction would be completed by January 2018.

http://www.themeparkinsider.com

http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2013/11/will-shanghai-disneyland-pirates-of.html

http://lukeandthetempleoffun.blogspot.sg/2013/11/you-can-choose-design-for-shanghai.html

Subway Station Designs

http://skift.com/2013/10/23/worlds-second-largest-theme-park-company-planning-london-ipo/


ARABIANBUSINESS.COM STAFF, HOTELIERMIDDLEEAST.COM
OCT 23, 2013 12:30 AM
The company behind plans to build a Legoland theme park in Dubai is selling 20 percent of its shares in a $323m offer in London.

Merlin Entertainment said in an announcement to the London Stock Exchange that the proceeds from the initial public offering (IPO) would be used to pay down debt.

Merlin operates 99 attractions in 22 countries, including brands such as SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, The Dungeons, The Eye Brand, Legoland Parks and Legoland Discovery Centres.

It also runs resort theme parks Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, Warwick Castle, Gardaland and Heide Park.

In May 2008, Merlin, the world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, announced a strategic alliance with Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holdings, to create Legoland Dubailand.

The AED912m ($248.28m) project was to occupy a total of three million square feet inside Dubailand. Billed as the first Legoland theme park to be built outside of North America and Europe, it was to include more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions and was originally scheduled to open in 2011.

However in 2010, amid the financial crisis, the company admitted that “given the current situation in the region work on the project has been delayed, but both Merlin and our local partners remain entirely committed to building a Legoland Park in Dubai.”

That same year Dubai International Capital (DIC), the international investment arm of Dubai Holding, sold its seventeen percent stake in Merlin.

In its statement to the stock exchange Merlin said Blackstone, CVC and KIRKBI, a Danish family-owned holding and investment company which owns 75 percent of the Lego Group, would sell a portion of their shareholdings in the float.

The statement listed the development of Legoland in Dubai and potential sites in Japan, South Korea and, over the longer term, China, as “significant future growth potential based on continuation of a successful strategy”.

In 2012, Merlin recorded 54m visitors, generating total revenue of £1.07bn ($1.73bn) and underlying EBITDA of £346.0m ($557.97).

Nick Varney, Merlin CEO, said: “Merlin Entertainments comes to the market with a consistent record of strong growth in both revenues and profits and bright prospects for the future. We have successfully followed a clear and proven strategy to build a high-growth international family entertainment business, built on strong brands and a portfolio of attractions balanced by geographies, products and demographics.”

He added: “Our experienced team has the ability and ambition to deliver on our plans, as we develop our existing businesses and roll out Merlin’s unique portfolio of leisure brands internationally. The IPO will provide Merlin with the platform for our next stage of development and allow us to plan for the longer term.”

The minimum share size in the IPO is £1,000 ($1,613).

Another New Article
http://magazine.joins.com/forbes/article_view.asp?aid=299043

Does anybody know who is in charge of construction for Universal Studios Dubai?

http://www.joongboo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=866907

http://www.joongboo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=858844

http://www.kyeongin.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=735543

Another new Article of USK which is from Today.

This is in Korean

http://blog.investkorea.org/wordpress/?m=20130222

I wonder If they're still going to have the same plan of rides and shows that they were going to put for Dubailand?

Another new article from Universal Studios Korea Resort and it's in Korean

http://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2013040910155308149

Here's a video clip they shot back in April 2007

I wonder if Legoland will be part of Mohammed bin Rashid City or still part of Dubailand?

Here's an Article of Universal Studios Korea Resort it's an Korean and yesterday i did the free translation
from Korean to English i think its regarding to Claim of the Land to build Universal Studios Korea Resort.

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail_m.asp?number=201302141732182068C048&s_code=daily

So this means that they will not start construction? Is this a yes, no, or not sure?

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2013/02/113_126600.html

Article from last year, December 10, 2012, Korea Times about the status of Universal Studios Korea

Hey everyone!

I saw this from last year and here it is. You know they was to be a Universal Studios in Essex, United Kingdom back in the 1990's. It was going to start
construction in 1991 and the park was supposed to open in 1994, but it got cancelled because animals were living there.