Exclusive: Developer lifts lid on BBC Earth theme park and Top Gear 'FEC plus' for China
by Tom Anstey | 30 Nov 2016
Planet Earth 2 will be among the brands incorporated into the BBC Earth theme park / BBC
Ryan Harmon, president and chief creative officer of Zeitgeist Design + Production, has revealed new details on the BBC’s Top Gear and BBC Earth attractions coming to China in 2020.
BBC Earth and Top Gear attractions will make up part of a major resort coming to Wencheng in the northeast of China’s Hainan Island. The attraction – being built by real estate developer Luneng Group – is currently under construction.
Zeitgeist has been appointed by the British broadcaster to lead the design on the C¥10bn (US$1.5bn, €1.34bn, £1.15bn) development.
Harmon told Attractions Management that the project is currently in the development phase. He revealed that BBC Earth will be a full-scale theme park, with rides shows and exhibits, combined with the “gorgeous cinematography” unique to the brand.
“We’re going to look at the beautiful biomes, the natural wildlife and the biodiversity of Earth, all split into realms based on the current series,” he said. “We’re taking the BBC’s media and integrating it into the park.”
He added: "In a nutshell our BBC Earth attraction will be a celebration of the Earth through the lens of the BBC."
The park’s Top Gear zone will be a family entertainment centre (FEC) concept, with a twist.
Harmon said that while the traditional half-day experience of the FEC concept was still prevalent with exhibits celebrating the history of the brand – from Jeremy Clarkson to Matt LeBlanc – there would be a number of other activities integrated for visitors.
He called the concept “FEC plus”.
“We call it FEC plus because we are planning a number of rides and large-scale shows,” Harmon explained. “It’s not limited to virtual experiences either. Physical experiences will play a part also.”
“There will be attractions that celebrate the ‘comedy meets competition’ that Top Gear is known for,” he said. “Everything will have that fun Top Gear twist to it. All the silliness with their crazy contraptions and challenges, all the things that you love about Top Gear – we’re going to put you in the driver seat for these experiences.”
The 46sq km (17.7sq m) project, which will ultimately be split into five landscaped areas, will, including the BBC branded projects, feature three world-class theme parks, a waterpark by ProSlide, 11 museums and 26 hotels – many of which will be on the Hainan waterfront. The entire project is scheduled to become operation in 2019, with the BBC-branded properties to open in October 2020.
Hong Kong-based Pinnacle will oversee project management and park operations.
BBC Earth China theme park Hainan Island FEC visitor attraction BBC Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond James May Blue Planet
Ryan Harmon, president and chief creative officer of Zeitgeist Design + Production, has revealed new details on the BBC’s Top Gear and BBC Earth attractions coming to China in 2020. BBC Earth and Top Gear attractions will make up part of a major resort coming to Wencheng in the northeast of China’s Hainan Island. The attraction – being built by real estate developer Luneng Group – is currently under construction.
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