Latest
issue
GET ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
magazine
Yes! Send me the FREE digital edition of Attractions Management and the FREE weekly Attractions Management ezines and breaking news alerts!
Not right now, thanksclose this window I've already subscribed. I've already subscribed.
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
Sony FEC and waterpark planned for Minnesota
POSTED 19 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The Mall of Entertainment will cover 430,000sq ft and will include the Sony Entertainment Center as well as a 275-bedroom Marriott Hotel and a waterpark
Developer iP2 Entertainment is planning to open an indoor Sony family entertainment centre (FEC) in Minnesota to complement an adjacent waterpark and hotel as part of a US$115m (€105m, £80.8m) mega leisure development.

iP2, a media company which specialises in immersive FECs, has also launched similar endeavours with an FEC in Jakarta and a DreamWorks concept in Manila over the past two years.

Known as the Mall of Entertainment, the Albertville-based destination will cover 430,000sq ft (40,000sq m) and will include the Sony Entertainment Center as well as a 275-bedroom Marriott Hotel and a 50,000sq ft (4,645sq m) waterpark.

In addition to those developments, there could be an edutainment centre based on National Geographic. Branded ‘Ultimate Explorer’, the attraction is described as a place for children to “play, jump, climb, explore and learn about our world through the incredible and often breathtaking experiences National Geographic is known for”. The developers are yet to confirm that plan however, with details still being finalised.

Formed of iP2, real-estate manager Casey Darkenwald, Robert Kelly of the Roy Anderson Group and Kevin Hanson of International Creative Capital, the Black Forest LLC partnership says all financing has been secured on the development.

The plan has been under-wraps but in the works for several years so the developers already own the land, which has been successfully re-zoned. The project will create 2,000 jobs in the state.

The development is scheduled to break ground in Q3 2016, with an opening date near the end of 2017.
Black Forest LLC says all financing has been secured on the development
RELATED STORIES
  IAAPA 2015 kicks off with seminar on importance of play


The conference thread of the 2015 IAAPA Expo got underway today (16 November) with a seminar on play, spotlighting examples of how the 'maker movement' can help encourage engagement and learning in the attractions industry.
  Goddard Group's Hollywood-inspired US$3.2bn Studio City opens in Macau


The multi-billion dollar Hollywood-inspired Studio City Resort in Macau, which as its centrepiece offers Asia’s tallest and the world’s only figure-8 ferris wheel, has opened its doors in China.
  Shrek and co coming to Manila's City of Dreams


Melco Crown Resorts has announced a new collaboration with Dreamworks Animation, which will see the pair team up to deliver a Dreamworks-inspired “Edutainment Centre” at Manila’s City of Dreams in the Philippines.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
General Manager, The Needles
Heritage Great Britain
Salary: c£70,000pa + benefits + relocation support
Job location: Isle of Wight , United Kingdom
+ More jobs  

COMPANY PROFILES
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
LATEST ISSUES
+ View Magazine Archive

Attractions Management

2026 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 2


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2024 issue 4


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management News

06 Apr 2020 issue 153


View on turning pages
Download PDF
View archive
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Handbook

2019


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Sony FEC and waterpark planned for Minnesota
POSTED 19 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The Mall of Entertainment will cover 430,000sq ft and will include the Sony Entertainment Center as well as a 275-bedroom Marriott Hotel and a waterpark
Developer iP2 Entertainment is planning to open an indoor Sony family entertainment centre (FEC) in Minnesota to complement an adjacent waterpark and hotel as part of a US$115m (€105m, £80.8m) mega leisure development.

iP2, a media company which specialises in immersive FECs, has also launched similar endeavours with an FEC in Jakarta and a DreamWorks concept in Manila over the past two years.

Known as the Mall of Entertainment, the Albertville-based destination will cover 430,000sq ft (40,000sq m) and will include the Sony Entertainment Center as well as a 275-bedroom Marriott Hotel and a 50,000sq ft (4,645sq m) waterpark.

In addition to those developments, there could be an edutainment centre based on National Geographic. Branded ‘Ultimate Explorer’, the attraction is described as a place for children to “play, jump, climb, explore and learn about our world through the incredible and often breathtaking experiences National Geographic is known for”. The developers are yet to confirm that plan however, with details still being finalised.

Formed of iP2, real-estate manager Casey Darkenwald, Robert Kelly of the Roy Anderson Group and Kevin Hanson of International Creative Capital, the Black Forest LLC partnership says all financing has been secured on the development.

The plan has been under-wraps but in the works for several years so the developers already own the land, which has been successfully re-zoned. The project will create 2,000 jobs in the state.

The development is scheduled to break ground in Q3 2016, with an opening date near the end of 2017.
Black Forest LLC says all financing has been secured on the development
RELATED STORIES
IAAPA 2015 kicks off with seminar on importance of play


The conference thread of the 2015 IAAPA Expo got underway today (16 November) with a seminar on play, spotlighting examples of how the 'maker movement' can help encourage engagement and learning in the attractions industry.
Goddard Group's Hollywood-inspired US$3.2bn Studio City opens in Macau


The multi-billion dollar Hollywood-inspired Studio City Resort in Macau, which as its centrepiece offers Asia’s tallest and the world’s only figure-8 ferris wheel, has opened its doors in China.
Shrek and co coming to Manila's City of Dreams


Melco Crown Resorts has announced a new collaboration with Dreamworks Animation, which will see the pair team up to deliver a Dreamworks-inspired “Edutainment Centre” at Manila’s City of Dreams in the Philippines.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS