Thursday, March 28, 2024
Array

Merlin to Open Madame Tussauds Tokyo Adjacent to Legoland Discovery Center in 2013

Japanese pop star Oshima Yuko witnesses the unveiling of her wax figure.
Courtesy Movie Collection Japan. 

Poole, England — Following positive visitor feedback and the success of the recent Madame Tussauds temporary attraction in Tokyo, Merlin Entertainments is delighted to announce that it will open a full size permanent Madame Tussauds at Decks Tokyo Beach Mall, Odaiba, in Spring 2013; alongside the company’s new LEGOLAND Discovery Centre which opens later this year.

The temporary Madame Tussauds closed January 4, 2012 after three months of operation, and has broken all records both for visitor numbers and positive response – making the case for a permanent exhibition overwhelming. Madame Tussauds Tokyo will be one of the biggest opened by the brand and the fourth Madame Tussauds to open in the region – alongside the highly successful Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok attractions. The company is also looking to open a fifth in South Korea, and is close to finalising a suitable site; underlining the company’s commitment to fast tracking its business in the dynamic Asia Pacific region.

Madame Tussauds Tokyo will feature more than 60 of the most popular Japanese and international celebrities from the world of sport, film and television – all in exciting interactive themed areas so that visitors will really be able to get ‘up close and personal’ with their heroes. And, like all the Madame Tussauds around the world, Madame Tussauds’ Tokyo will reflect the culture, people, history and colour of the City in which it is located.

Commenting, Russell Barnes, Merlin Entertainments Divisional Director Midway Developments said: “Our daily customer feedback survey has shown that visitors to the Tokyo attraction, both local and tourists, have obviously loved the experience, and been fascinated by the wax figures of their heroes. They were not prepared for the quality of the figures or just how lifelike they are – and have really taken the opportunity to ‘meet’ and be photographed with them. The new exhibition will take this experience to another level – not just with three or four times as many figures, but with no ropes and barriers, and really immersive sets, visitors will have no problem believing that they really are standing beside, or even ‘interacting’ with their heroes …..great fun and great figures!”

Taro Saito, General Manager DECKS Tokyo Beach said: “We are delighted that Merlin has made the decision to open a permanent Madame Tussauds in Decks Tokyo Beach Mall, in addition to the planned LEGOLAND Discovery Centre. The temporary attraction drove a huge number of visitors to the Mall showing that the combination of high quality retail and leisure is exactly what consumers are looking for – and Merlin’s global brands add a new dimension to Tokyo’s family leisure offer.”
 
ABOUT MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS 
Merlin Entertainments is a leader in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen successful and dynamic growth in the sector over the last eight years. Merlin now operates nearly 80 attractions, six hotels and two holiday villages in 17 countries across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 44 million visitors worldwide through its global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 17,000 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park, Earth Explorer, Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK at the Sydney Tower Eye, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, Oceanworld Manly, and WILD LIFE Hamilton Island. www.merlinentertainments.biz 

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

Related Articles

Latest Articles