First Peppa Pig Theme Park in Asia to be Built in Shanghai
Images: Courtesy of Max-Matching Entertainments
(eap) The construction of the first Peppa Pig theme park in Asia was announced yesterday. The branded outdoor theme park is coming to Shanghai – more precisely to Changxing Island, around an hour and a half’s drive from the city center – and is scheduled to open its doors in 2027. The future leisure destination will not only be the first Peppa Pig outdoor theme park in Asia, but is said to become “the largest Peppa Pig outdoor theme park in the world”. The investor for the major project is Shanghai Peiqi Co, Ltd, with Max-Matching Entertainments (an Asian developer and operator of leisure facilities) as the local partner and Peppa Pig licensor Hasbro also involved in the project. [Addition by Editor, 26 Apr] The Californian firm Mycotoo is also supporting to bring the park to life, as it has been commissioned with the creative design [end of addition]. When Peppa Pig World opens, visitors will be able to discover several themed areas with a range of rides, immersive shows and innovative features. There will also be an associated themed hotel specially designed for the Chinese market, with a focus on three-generation families.
“The Peppa Pig outdoor theme park will further enhance Shanghai as a global tourism destination and propel its economy. The greater footfall will lead to more exposure for Changxing island, Chongming, Shanghai and benefit overall infrastructure and connectivity. We believe this theme park can serve as a flagship attraction for the island, helping to establish its own unique brand identity and will have a positive long-term effect to promote the island’s reputation. […] This project will further boost the construction of Changxing Island as a unique and key island for sight-seeing and tourism,” explained Cai Xiaofei, Deputy Director at Changxing Island Administrative Committee.
The Peppa Pig brand around the pink piglet aimed at pre-school children has been available on the Chinese market for around a decade and has since developed a large fan base around the IP. “Construction of the Peppa Pig outdoor theme park in Changxing Island in Chongming marks a significant milestone for Hasbro in China and a natural evolution for the Peppa Pig brand, reflecting the scale of opportunity in the country and our commitment to developing our business with the support of strategic licensing partner Max-Matching Entertainments in China. We will continue to work closely together to develop more projects in China, including bringing Peppa Pig outdoor theme parks and memorable live experiences to more cities for Chinese children and families to enjoy,” added Matt Proulx, Vice President, Global Experiences, Partnerships & Music at Hasbro. [Addition by Editor, 26 Apr] Seth Cover, CEO of Mycotoo, is looking forward to this project: “We are excited to be selected as the creative design agency for Peppa Pig Shanghai and look forward to this bold new chapter with Max-Matching and Hasbro.” [End of addition]
Another Peppa Pig theme park, operated by Merlin Entertainments, will open in Winter Haven, the location of LEGOLAND Resort Florida, in 2022. Another Peppa Pig theme park in the USA will open in Texas this year. This coming Whitsun, the first Peppa Pig theme park in Europe will also welcome its first visitors as a direct neighbor of LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort in Guenzburg (also operated by Merlin Entertainments). ■
