Nickelodeon Germany And Movie Park Germany Renew Partnership For Nickland

From Animation Insider:

Nickland Germany Partnership Renewal

Nickelodeon Theme Park News

Movie Park Germany covers roughly 40 hectares, operates more than forty attractions and shows on a regular schedule, and pulls in an estimated 1.5 million visitors each year. The immense film/movie-themed park is a massive family entertainment experience, to say the least. By comparison, Nickland Germany, within the theme park, is relatively small and covers only about 50,000 sq. ft. However, the Nickelodeon-themed section has done its best to immerse guests into the world of Nickelodeon cartoon programming since it opened for business in April 2007.

Last year was the fifteenth anniversary of Movie Park Germany, located in Bottrop-Kirchhellen, Germany. Nickland has been a good supplement to the entertainment complex, and looks to be an ally for several years in the coming future. According to news from the theme park's owners, Nickelodeon [Nickelodeon Germany/Nickelodeon Deutschland] and Movie Park Germany have reached a licensing extension that will see Nickland share space with the complex for another six years (effective April 2012). The new agreement also includes the development of re-themed attractions, an expanded (international) marketing campaign, a larger merchandizing footprint, and more.

"We are more than happy with the extension of the partnership with Nickelodeon. During the last year, Nickland has played an important role in our success story and it is an everyday pleasure to see kids hugging SpongeBob or Patrick," Wouter Dekkers, General Manager of Movie Park Germany, commented on the contract extension.

"We are looking forward to welcoming new Nickelodeon family members during the next years."

Nickland wasn't "finished" until spring 2009, two years after it initially opened. The entertainment complex grew and expanded the Nickelodeon section significantly following its initial debut, reaching its current summit of sixteen themed attractions.

Highlights of Nickland include the "Avatar Air Glider," a ride that allows visitors to lie down and spread their arms out for "a unique flying experience" as they whirl around on an immense flying apparatus; and the "Danny Phantom Ghost Zone," a hall that invokes the mood and humor of the original animated series.

There's also the relatively new "Splat-o-Sphere," in which attendees are given the chance to see the world in a whole new way, courtesy of a 30-meter nose dive. Additional attractions are branded after characters and series like SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and My Life as a Teenage Robot, among several others.

"We're thrilled to continue our strategic partnership with Movie Park Germany," Patrick Alders, Managing Director, Nickelodeon Germany, commented. "Nickland has been such a thriving and exciting destination for kids and families to interact with Nickelodeon's brand and characters, and we're really looking forward to expanding the Nickelodeon experience there over the next six years."

Nickland is one of a handful of Nickelodeon theme park segments outside of the United States, including installments in Australia [Nickelodeon Central at Dreamworld (now closed)] and the United Kingdom (Nickelodeon Land at Blackpool Pleasure Beach). Movie Park Germany is located in the eastern part of Germany, and so frequently attracts visitors from neighboring Netherlands and other countries. According to park figures, 74% of visitors are from Germany and 20% from the Netherlands. The Nickelodeon Shop, in Nickland, is one of fifteen shops spread throughout the family entertainment complex.

Also, from M&M Global:

Nickelodeon renews theme park alliance in Germany

Nickelodeon has renewed its partnership with Movie Park Germany around its Nick-themed interactive adventure area Nickland in Bottrop-Kirchhellen.

Under the new six-year licensing agreement, Movie Park Germany will retain the theme park rights to incorporate Nickelodeon characters into attractions and features at its theme park.

The deal includes the development of re-themed attractions, co-branded merchandise and expanded marketing campaigns across Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Nickland is a 50,000 square feet interactive adventure area at Movie Park Germany. Its attractions are based around Nickelodeon children’s TV shows including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and Jimmy Neutron.

“We are thrilled to continue our strategic partnership with Movie Park Germany,” says Nickelodeon Germany managing director Patrick Alders. “Nickland has been such a thriving and exciting destination for kids and families to interact with Nickelodeon’s brand and characters, and we’re really looking forward to expanding the Nickelodeon experience there over the next six years.”