Relax - Sentosa IR banks on mega-hits

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Sentosa IR banks on mega-hits

By Lim Wei Chean, The Straits Times | Sun, Sep 27 2009

Madagascar and Shrek form themes at six attractions.

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RESORTS World at Sentosa (RWS) is banking on the appeal of two mega-movie franchises - Shrek and Madagascar - to draw the crowds to its theme park when it opens in first quarter of next year.

Six attractions at the integrated resort's (IR's) 20ha Universal Studios theme park will be based on the storylines of the two DreamWorks Animation films, according to details released yesterday by the developer.

Visitors will get to see sets and characters from Shrek come to life, including the Far Far Away Castle belonging to Princess Fiona's father. They will also get to experience rides based on the adventures of four animals from New York's Central Park Zoo who are shipped to Africa by accident and left stranded on Madagascar.

There will be more than 10 retail and dining outlets done up in the same themes as the two respective zones.

The two movies are among DreamWorks' most successful box office hits, with Shrek and its two sequels grossing over US$2 billion (S$2.8 billion) worldwide, and the first Madagascar film alone taking in $500 million.

RWS chief executive officer Tan Hee Teck said the films are popular with Asians.

Prices for the theme park will be announced later, but The Straits Times understands they are likely to be on par with, or even cheaper than, tickets to Universal Studios theme parks elsewhere. A day pass to the park in Orlando costs US$70 and Osaka charges 6,000 yen (S$92).

The theme park - the first of its kind in South-east Asia - is expected to be one of the IR's biggest draws. The second IR, the Marina Bay Sands, is gunning for well-heeled business travellers.

Details of 18 other attractions at the Sentosa IR's remaining five zones - Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, New York and Hollywood - will be announced later.

An RWS spokesman said the IR is on track for its soft opening in first quarter of next year.

weichean@sph.com.sg

(1) Madagascar: A Crate Adventure
An indoor boat ride. Animated figures and special effects recreate the world of the
2005 film, which featured the adventures of four animals in New York’s Central Park.
(Ride duration: 9 minutes and 30 seconds)

(2) King Julien's Beach Party-Go-Round
A carousel ride. The seats will be modelled after the animals in the movie, such as
Alex the lion, Melman the giraffe, lemurs and others. (2 minutes)

(3) Enchanted Airways
A roller coaster. The train of cars is modelled after Dragon, Donkey's wife, and the
ride will feature other characters including the Gingerbread Man, Pinocchio and the
Big Bad Wolf. (70 seconds)

(4) Shrek 4D
A cinema with high-tech seats that can rumble, tickle and do other things. A 3D film
about the honeymoon adventures of Shrek the ogre and his wife Princess Fiona will
be screened, with an additional ‘fourth dimension’ of air blasts and water sprays
within the cinema. (17 minutes)

(5) Magic Potion Spin
A miniature ferris wheel. The attraction is set within a larger retail outlet where visitors
can buy Shrek merchandise and drinks. Interactive stations will also be set up for kids.
(1 minute and 30 seconds)

(6) Donkey Live
A live, interactive show starring Shrek's sidekick Donkey. (18 minutes)

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