US$350m Mario land confirmed for Universal Japan
by Tom Anstey | 07 Mar 2016
The new land will be entirely themed on Mario IPs such as Mario Kart / Nintendo
Universal Studios has finally revealed the first uses of its Nintendo IPs, announcing plans for a Mario-themed land at its park in Japan.
The news came last month that Universal Japan would be the first of the operator’s parks to gain a Nintendo addition after Universal announced a deal for exclusive theme park rights to Nintendo IPs such as Mario, Pokemon and Zelda in May last year, though details have been scarce.
Universal Japan has now confirmed the park will be getting its own Mario section, which will be an immersive experience similar in style to the hugely successful Harry Potter attractions. The Mario-themed expansion will take four years to develop at a cost of US$350m (€319.5m, £247m), with the opening timed to coincide with the 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games, which are to be hosted in Tokyo.
Beyond its plans in Japan, Universal is expected to open further Nintendo attractions across its parks worldwide, with the staggered rollout likely to be similar to that of Harry Potter, which is going from strength-to-strength as it prepares to launch its next site at Universal Studios Hollywood on 7 April.
Super Mario Nintendo Mario ride Luigi Toad Princess Peach Mario Kart Universal Japan Zelda Pokemon Theme Park Universal Studios04 Feb 2016
Nintendo attractions coming to Universal Japan
08 May 2015
Nintendo signs deal with Universal for exclusive theme park rights
14 Nov 2014
Nintendo to develop non-wearable sleep tracker device
19 Sep 2014
Videogame history museum coming to Texas
Universal Studios has finally revealed the first uses of its Nintendo IPs, announcing plans for a Mario -themed land at its park in Japan. The news came last month that Universal Japan would be the first of the operator’s parks to gain a Nintendo addition after Universal announced a deal for exclusive theme park rights to Nintendo IPs such as Mario, Pokemon and Zelda in May last year, though details
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Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
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Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company. Ownership has transferred to president Carmel Lewis, chief creative officer Christian Lachel and vice presidents of story and creative, Brad Shelton and Matthew Solari. The move formalises a leadership structure that the company says has been operating in
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by Magali Robathan | 21 Apr 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 20 Apr 2026
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by Magali Robathan | 16 Apr 2026
World of Frozen has opened at Disney Adventure World in Disneyland Paris with new offerings across the entire park. The expansion almost doubles the size of Disneyland Paris, immersing guests in a life-size recreation of the Kingdom of Arendel. The World of Frozen features a Tangled -inspired attraction, 14 new dining locations and a large lake debuting a new night-time spectacular. It also features a daytime celebration, themed shopping, and
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by Helen Andrews | 14 Apr 2026
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Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
by Helen Andrews | 13 Apr 2026
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has revealed plans to expand its presence in Egypt with the renovation and operation of two historic hotel properties and the brand’s first-ever luxury river cruise. In 2022, Mandarin Oriental announced it would open its first Egyptian property, Mandarin Oriental Shepheard in Cairo. The hotel is undergoing a comprehensive renovation and is due to open in 2027. Ownership and development The river cruise, Old Cataract
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
by Helen Andrews | 27 Mar 2026
Holistic design and architecture practice Mendil + Meyer, based in Arizona in the US, has introduced a new division called Lām Concepts to integrate and align wellness goals for projects before they reach the design stage. Ben Meyer, architect and co-founder of Mendil + Meyer, told Spa Business exclusively about the new division: “Lām comes from the word loam, meaning fertile ground – the place where conditions are right for
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
by Helen Andrews | 05 Mar 2026
Wilderness, an operator of 60 safari camps across eight African countries, has unveiled the second spa under its new concept called The Sanctuary, at Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda. The Sanctuary is a concept that pairs design and wellness with raw, restorative landscapes. The offering at the Rwandan property follows the opening of a different interpretation of The Sanctuary’s concept at Wilderness Mombo in Botswana. Read more about that property here.
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
by Helen Andrews | 04 Mar 2026
Design firm 4a Architekten has shared details of the recently-completed extension to the wellness facilities at destination spa park Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa in Germany. The upgrades to the leisure pool facility, which has been in operation since 1984, included the addition of a thermal spa and sauna in a new building that integrated sensitively into the landscape. Commissioned by the facility’s operator, utility company Stadtwerke Bad Dürkheim, the
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