Indoor Universal Studios for Moscow?

[BigAl]

Can't believe I missed this...

From TPT:

Plans to build an indoor Universal Studios theme park in Moscow have been revealed, with construction work potentially set to begin in 2014.

Reuters reports that the park will be part of a larger complex being developed by Russian property group BIN. The $2.8 billion total cost of the project has yet to be approved, and the plans for the park still require approval from Moscow authorities.

The Orlando Sentinel reveals further details of the proposed park, which would be the first Universal Studios theme park in Europe. It would cover 37 acres, and would be housed indoors to protect it from Moscow's harsh winter climate. Also included in the broader Galactica Park would be a Universal Studios water park and a CityWalk nighttime entertainment district similar to those in Hollywood and Orlando.

There are still significant obstacles facing the project, including securing the funds required to begin construction. If this is successful, work could be completed by 2018.

Universal's overseas project have met with mixed success in recent years. Universal Studios Japan has proven to be a lasting success, while Universal Studios Singapore opened in 2010. However, plans for Universal Studios Korea and Universal Studios Dubai have been stalled by complex negotiations and funding issues for a number of years.

Links in this article reveal a bit more detail...

(Reuters) - Russian property group BIN wants to create a theme park in the south of Moscow with U.S. media group NBC Universal, although the $2.8 billion cost of the project has yet to receive approval, BIN's co-owner Said Gutseriev said on Thursday.

It would be the first theme park in Europe for NBC Universal, whose subsidiary Universal Park & Resorts operates parks in countries including the United States and Singapore.

The plans were confirmed by Universal Parks & Resorts global business development head Michael Silver.

Gutseriev said an application to Moscow authorities for permission for the park was being prepared.

NBC Universal is majority owned by U.S. cable operator Comcast Corp.

Source.

Universal Parks & Resorts is planning to build an indoor theme park in Moscow as part of a massive sports-and-entertainment complex announced Wednesday by a Russian developer.

The 37-acre indoor park would be the first Universal Studios theme park in Europe.

Universal Parks & Resorts, a unit of Comcast Corp.'s NBCUniversal, would also build a Universal Studios-themed indoor water park and CityWalk shopping-and-dining district as part of the broader entertainment complex, dubbed "Galactica Park."

The venue would also include two hotels with a combined 1,100 rooms, a convention center and a 20,000-seat arena, among other facilities.

The project is expected to cost $2.8 billion, according to Reuters, which cited a co-owner of Galactica Park's Russian management company. Construction could begin as early as 2014, and Galactica Park could open to the public as early as 2018.

Universal Parks & Resorts, the parent company of Universal Orlando, said it is not yet ready to discuss details of the planned theme park or water park, or any of their respective attractions.

"Russia is an important and attractive market and we see significant potential for the kind of themed entertainment experience we offer," Michael Silver, president of global business development for Universal Parks & Resorts, said in a written statement. "Entertainment is a global language and we will be delivering the same thrills, excitement and unique family experiences that Universal's worldwide theme parks are known for creating."

A Universal Studios in Moscow would be the second major American-branded theme park in Europe. The Walt Disney Co.'s Disneyland Paris resort, which includes two parks, draws approximately 15 million visitors a year.

In addition to its two-park Orlando resort, Universal also operates theme parks in Southern California, Japan and Singapore. And it has announced plans for additional parks in South Korea and Dubai.

Source.

*still hopes one will be built in the UK*




Edit: Done some more snooping! It'll be built in a mall called Galactica Park...

Source.

 

[Sam]

In this decade, Russia will become one of the biggest theme park gold-rushes, with an explosion of new parks and rides, just like China has been for the last ten years.

 

[Alastair]

That just looks incredible. Something on that scale indoors would provide a unique experience like nowhere else in the world.

 

[BigAl]

What makes this even more special is the fact that there's absolutely no other real competition near it whatsoever (Sochi Park will be a 20 hour drive from it ), but that hasn't stopped them from coming up with something amazing! Also, the fact that it's all completely indoors (which in itself is astonishing) means that the weather won't come into it when people visit, as conditions will be the same all year round.

Definitely going to visit this once it's built! So jealous of the Russians right now!

In this decade, Russia will become one of the biggest theme park gold-rushes, with an explosion of new parks and rides, just like China has been for the last ten years.

It's all wonderful for them, but when will it be our turn?

 

[Alastair]

It's all wonderful for them, but when will it be our turn?

It'll be our turn when we inherit an extra 16,500,000km²

 

[BigAl]

Good news for Screamscape!

Universal Studios - (12/19/12) According to this article, the city’s commission for urban planning in Moscow has given approval for the Universal Studios Moscow project.

;D

 

[BigAl]

Screamscape and The Theme Park Guy have an update on Universal Studios Moscow:

Russia - (3/12/13) Time and again The Theme Park Guy has proven that he will travel to the ends of the Earth to get a story. Fresh from a visit to the site of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, which will be home to it’s own new theme park, he ventured forth into Moscow to check on the site where the future Universal park in Moscow will be built in 2018 as part of Galaxy Park, which itself is planning to start construction in 2014. While there may not be a lot to see right now, he does give us a great look at the beautiful Moscow of the 21st century.