Can Harry Potter give Universal Studios the edge in China up against coronavirus, rising patriotism?
- The 50 billion yuan (US$7.7 billion) project in Beijing is the first Universal Studios theme park in China and the fifth resort worldwide
- The opening was delayed due to the coronavirus, with phase one expected to open in the ‘near future’
01:26
World’s largest Universal Studios in Beijing set to open to select guests in China
“I’m too old for this, but young generations will certainly like it,” said 57-year-old Peng as an empty roller coaster car passed nearby on another test run ahead of the opening of China’s latest theme park.
A few years earlier, Peng had been relocated to a nearby neighbourhood as compensation after his farmhouse was demolished to make way for the construction of Universal Studios Beijing – the fifth resort of its kind after Hollywood, Orlando, Japan and Singapore.
Peng and his family were compensated with four new flats and a cash payment after making way for the development, but after taking a job as a cleaner at the park, Peng retains a connection to the area even though he admits the park “has changed local life a lot”.
Universal Studios Beijing is located around 32km (20 miles) from downtown Beijing, and despite its opening being delayed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the hope is that it will give the company a solid footing in the capital city of the world’s most populous country.
We believe that the market is ready for Universal Beijing Resort
According to a Weibo post last week, the park will open in the “near future”, with local media reporting a “stress test” for business partners, employees and their family members started on Friday.