Spy-themed park planned for Spain
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 12/03/2007 11:56:23 AM PST
ORLANDO, Fla.—An amusement park with a spy theme is planned as part of a major entertainment complex in Spain, according to organizers who announced the project in Orlando at the Attractions Expo of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
The park, named Spyland, will be part of a massive leisure complex called Gran Scala that is being planned for the Zaragoza province of Spain. The entertainment district is expected to include 32 casinos, four theme parks, mega-hotels, shopping and other attractions.
Construction on Spyland is scheduled to start in late 2008, with a projected opening date of 2010, according to Didier Rancher, a promoter of the project.
Spyland will be a family attraction, Rancher said, with rides and interactive activities based on the history of secret agents around the world. Visitors will be able to play the role of spy, undertake missions, collect clues and infiltrate fictitious borders as they move through six zones in the park, including a small water park called Aquantica. Guests will also be able to test technologies used in spying. Stunt shows will be based on the escapades of real spies.
Developers originally tried but failed to get permission to build Spyland in Dubai or France before joining the Gran Scala project. Spyland is being built by a company called Amusement Park Venture, based in Reno, Nev. Gran Scala is built by International Leisure Development of London.
Spyland founders first imagined the project as a library and museum with some entertainment activities, Rancher said. They came up with the theme park as a new twist on the concept after visiting the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C. That museum has proven to be popular, with over 3.5 million guests since it opened five years ago. Similar spy-themed institutions that are open to the public include the National Security Agency's National Cryptologic Museum in Fort George Meade, Md., about 25 miles from Washington, and Moscow's KGB Museum.
Details at http://www.spyland-international.com
Quelle: AP, used on Mercury News
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