Ipoh¡¯s MAPS theme park set to fully open, eyes more attractions

Asia¡¯s first animation theme park in Ipoh can finally be fully opened, after the operator of the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) scrapped the licence agreement with DreamWorks Animation.

Perak¡¯s Chief Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu said he supports the move of the operator to terminate the contract as the theme park can now open all of its rides and attractions.

¡°I believe the decision made by the management of MAPS will allow them to fully open the theme park¡¯s attractions.¡±

He also believes that ticket prices in the theme park should be lowered so that it can attract more visitors and sell more merchandise. ¡°For now, the attractions in MAPS are quite limited and visitors do not feel it was worth the price of the ticket.¡±

Previously, its operator Animation Theme Park (ATP) cancelled the contract to set-up DreamWorks¡¯ attractions in MAPS, as both parties failed to reach a deal to open the theme park¡¯s Dream Zone on 1 August, even though the opening of the zone was already delayed five times.

¡°[Dream Zone] was already completed but remained inoperable because of intellectual property restrictions. It was ready to be open to visitors,¡± noted Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

Notably, MAPS held its soft opening on 26 June 2017 sans DreamWorks¡¯ attractions. The operator had the option to extend the licence contract until 30 September 2018, but opted to discontinue it so that it can expedite the theme park¡¯s opening in full.

According to MAPS CEO Shafeii Abdul Ghaffor, without DreamWorks¡¯ restrictions, the theme park will not only have more latitude to expand, but also have more leeway to carry out its marketing and promotional activities.

To address the loss of DreamWorks¡¯ attractions, ATP is currently in talks with a number of companies to establish their own attractions there.

¡°We are talking to a few new players after expressing interest in cooperation. I believe they are doing their due diligence and will come back to us in time. I am confident that we will find a favourable partnership with the private sector on this,¡± added Shafeii Abdul Ghaffor.

But due to axing the agreement with DreamWorks, state government-owned Perak Corp revealed that its subsidiary ATP is estimated to write-off RM15.74 million.

(Source: Property Guru)