Legacy Entertainment, the design and production studio based in Hollywood, California, is arriving at the 2024 IAAPA Expo after two recently revealed megaprojects totaling over $500 million of investment along with performance milestones of several previously completed projects.
“With the return of China’s entertainment market to the global community, as well as our strengthening position in both the Middle East and Central Asia, the past few months alone have marked one of Legacy’s most exciting periods of growth in our entire history,” says Legacy’s Managing Director Eric Carnagey, who is also one of its owners.
Major developments across the globe
In Uzbekistan, the capital city of Tashkent will soon be home to The Grand Serai. Designed by Legacy and inspired by the country’s rich cultural heritage, the 287,000-square-meter (70-acre) resort will be anchored by a waterpark, hotel, and immersive retail promenade.
In China, historically Legacy’s strongest market, the firm recently won an international tender to design a neighboring project to Universal Beijing Resort. Envisioned as “The Aquarium of the Future,” Beijing Haichang Ocean Park will host over 4 hectares (10 acres) of indoor exhibits and attractions spread across multiple floors. Design and planning is currently underway for the new park’s marine life habitats. Construction of the new attraction is expected to commence before the end of 2024.
The Legacy team is also currently at work on several incredible, yet-to-be-announced experiences and destinations around the world. These include a safari park, a snow park, a sports park, and an IP-based theme park. In addition, the company is also presently pursuing its first foray into the cruise industry.
A legacy of successful projects
Beijing Haichang Ocean Park will mark the follow-up to the successful Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, also designed by Legacy Entertainment, which debuted in 2018. The Shanghai destination, which features both aquarium and theme park attractions, broke its own record when it hosted over 4.2 million visitors in 2023. The park continued to shatter records during October 2024 during China’s National Day holiday period, when attendance exceeded 50,000 visitors per day, and the resort’s hotels operated at 95% capacity for 10 consecutive days.
Legacy also recently celebrated the first anniversary of the debut of the Chimelong Spaceship in Zhuhai, China, which the company designed. The 379,000-square-meter (4,000,000-square-foot) facility has been recognized with seven Guinness World Records, including those for World’s Largest Indoor Theme Park and World’s Largest Aquarium. That venue serves as an all-weather second gate to the successful Chimelong Ocean Kingdom next door.
