Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park and Trans Studio theme park news from Legacy

Legacy Entertainment has made project announcements concerning three new theme parks in China and Indonesia.

The projects were announced by Taylor Jeffs, the Hollywood-based design firm‘s president and chief creative officer, at IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando.

After five years of development and construction, the Legacy-designed Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park officially opened on November 16. Located near the city’s Dishui Lake, the 73-acre theme park was built at a cost equivalent to $795 million. As the first marine park of its kind in Northeast China, it is expected to draw between 5 and 6 million visitors annually.

The theme park features seven pavilions, three large show venues and an assortment of rides. Attractions are both family and thrill-focused, including the world’s longest rapids ride.

“Our goal for Legacy Entertainment is to only work with great partners,” says Legacy’s chief operating officer, Barry Kemper. “Haichang is a shining example of why that approach is so important. We hope and believe that this brand new park will become a model for China’s emerging and evolving zoological industry.”

Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park

Two new parks in Indonesia

In Indonesia, Legacy Entertainment is working in collaboration with CT Corp on two Trans Studio theme parks opening next year.

The first is an indoor development in Bali described as “The World’s First Social Media Theme Park”.

Marcus King, Legacy’s Managing Director of Project Management, sheds more light on the Trans Studio Bali project: “In the film and television world, everything is designed for the camera. This new park served as our creative team’s way into the concept of designing a social media destination.

“Nowadays, everyone is viewing the world through their smartphone cameras. So we thought it could be an exciting idea to draw that parallel by creating the world’s first theme park specifically ‘designed for camera’.”

Trans Studio Action Zone, Cibubur

The second project in development with CT Corp has the working name Trans Studio Action Zone. Located in Cibubur, near Jakarta, it will be completely different in its design to Indonesia’s other Trans Studio theme parks. Its focus will be on action stories told through richly-themed environments.

“Not only will Trans Studio Action Zone push the boundaries for immersive world-building in Southeast Asia, but it will also feature rides and attractions on-par with the best parks in the world,” says Legacy’s Senior Creative Director, Lee Roe.

Specific details about the attractions to be featured within the new Trans Studio parks will be made in due course.

A new era for Legacy Entertainment

The new project announcements align with the evolution of Legacy Entertainment itself. During IAAPA 2018, the company officially unveiled its new name, brand evolution and corporate design to members of the themed entertainment industry from around the world. In addition, Taylor Jeffs presented a speech to IAAPA attendees entitled “Applying Immersive Theater Trends to Theme Parks and Attractions.”

Taylor Jeffs, Legacy Entertainment

Jeffs says, “It’s an exciting time when you get to announce the start of two new stories – the birth of two great new theme parks – while at the same witness the incredible next chapter – the grand opening of another one that we’ve cared so deeply about for five years.

“With every project, we take on, our goal is to push boundaries, break rules and give audiences something they’ve never seen, felt, or experienced before. All three of these theme parks will do this, and much more, in spectacular fashion.”