New Jersey theme park to feature characters from ‘Madagascar’ and ‘Kung Fu Panda’
Characters from 'Madagascar' and other animated DreamWorks franchises will populate a theme park in New Jersey. — AFP pic
LOS ANGELES, July 19 — Films like “Shrek” and “Madagascar” from animation studio DreamWorks will form the basis for rides and attractions at the American Dream complex in New Jersey’s Meadowlands.
Unlike Disney’s and Universal’s amusement parks, the American Dream park will be an enclosed indoor facility, in part at least because of the winter and inclement weather.
Created with multinational conglomerate Triple Five Worldwide, the attractions will also include characters from the popular “How to Train Your Dragon”, “Kung Fu Panda” and “Puss in Boots”.
The entertainment destination will include themed rides and attractions, along with retail venues, a water park, an ice-skating rink, an indoor ski park and theatres. Plans also call for 1.7 million square feet (158,000 sq meters) of retail space, along with 150,000 square feet (14,000 sq m) of dining and restaurant space.
DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said that the park would be “a one-of-a-kind retail and entertainment destination in North America” that will “incorporate DreamWorks Animation characters, storytelling and technology into a unique and innovative family entertainment experience at the venue.”
“Shrek” and “Madagascar” attractions have previously been featured at Universal theme parks in Singapore, Japan and Hollywood.
Originally scheduled to open in 2007, the American Dream venue has remained vacant, according to the Los Angeles Times. DreamWorks previously considered a park in Dubai, which didn’t happen.
The hope might be for the American Dream complex to open in early 2014 for the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium, but Triple Five estimates the launch will be September 2014. — AFP/Relaxnews
