Park Profi le
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Making waves
Five years on from its grand opening, Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park has been named ‘China’s Best Theme Park’. Park World reports.
O
ne of the signature projects of California-based entertainment design company Legacy Entertainment, Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park opened in 2018. The 73-acre, US $730,000,000 marine life theme
park sees its fifth anniversary this year, and it has started 2023 with cause for serious celebration, having been named ‘China’s Best Theme Park’ by the Institute for Theme Park Studies in China. This is a significant feat for both the park and Legacy Entertainment, not
least because theme parks in China are booming. The country is now the second largest market for theme parks globally; consumer expectations are high and competition is fierce. And Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park is clearly doing something right, because this most recent accolade is the latest of many. Past awards which have been bestowed upon the park include: ‘Best
Theme Park’ by China’s largest theme park organisation, the Chinese Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (CAAPA); ‘2021’s Most
Popular Attraction’ at the China Cultural Tourism Innovation and Development Forum in 2021; and ‘Outstanding Themed Land Park’, ‘Outstanding Family Entertainment Centre’ and ‘Outstanding Social Media Famous Tourist Attraction at the 2020 Golden Crown Awards. Eric Carnagey, Legacy Entertainment’s manager director, comments:
“We continue to be thrilled to see the success of our friends and partners at Haichang. Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, which is positioned as the chief competitor to the superlative Shanghai Disneyland, was realised for less than 15% of the former’s investment. Given this, the park’s many achievements and successes are all the more remarkable.” So, to what does Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park owe its success? The park
boasts mainland China’s very first orca habitat, as well as the world’s longest rapids ride, Lava Drifting. Opened in May 2019, WhiteWater’s newest recording-breaking installation of the Spinning Rapids Fusion water ride is the world’s first spinning rapids
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JANUARY 2023
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