Movie Animation Park Studios expect to draw a million visitors

Perak Industrial, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid (two, left) said the theme park, which opened its doors last June, would be in full operation next month. (pix by L MANIMARAN)

IPOH: Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) is targeting one million visitors within a year of its operations.

Perak Industrial, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid said the theme park, which opened its doors last June, would be in full operation next month.

"Works are being carried out at the Dream Zone, while other attractions at the parks had also undergone upgrading works. We expect all the zones to open in January.

"For the Dream Zone, the intellectual property owner, Dreamworks, had set its terms, namely upgrades on the audio and lighting systems, as well as the designs on the rides before we can get the green light," he told a press conference at the theme park today.

He said the Dream Zone was initially scheduled for opening on Dec 15, but had to be postponed as officials from Dreamworks would only arrive in Malaysia next month.

"We hope to open the zone on Jan 18," he said, adding that some 100,000 visitor arrivals were recorded between June and October.

He said the park is expected to hit the 300,000-visitor mark by the end of December and one million visitors within a year of its operation.

"This is a realistic target, considering the fact that the Taiping Zoo, which is another tourism attraction in Perak, also receives around the same number of visitors," he said.

MAPS, which began operations on June 26, offers over 40 animation-themed attractions including Boboiboy, The Smurfs and characters from Dreamworks' movies like Mr Peabody & Sherman, Casper The Friendly Ghost, Megamind and The Croods. 

-nst online.
http://www.mapsperak.com/