SpongeBob set to make Summer Splash at Ocean Park
Local | Nicole Lui 29 Jun 2016
Ocean Park is banking on cartoon phenomenon SpongeBob SquarePants to draw visitors back to the theme park this summer amid flagging attendance figures.
The Nickelodeon character was yesterday announced as the star of its annual Summer Splash beginning on Friday, with celebrities Matt Yeung and Lisa Ch'ng introducing the SpongeBob Water Party.
The attraction will be held until August 28 and features new ride AMaze- ing Lasers. Brought over from the United States, players move through laser grids in a dark chamber.
Another new feature, Mega Gush, will let guests cool off in the summer heat as they stand below a huge water bucket as water gushes over them.
Guests can create giant human-sized bubbles among SpongeBob-themed decorations in the Jumbo Bubble Playground and splash at Rainbow Fountain, with its waterspouts in sync with colorful lights and rhythms.
The chief executive of the Aberdeen theme park, Tom Mehrmann, said: "As one of our signature seasonal events, Summer Splash has become a favorite summer activity for students and a popular outing for the entire family.
"Riding on our successful experience of introducing popular characters into our festive events in recent years, we have invited SpongeBob to join our Summer Splash this year to offer guests of all ages a wonderful summer party experience."
A SpongeBob pop-up store will also sell a wide range of limited-edition merchandise.
Snacks such as iced pineapples and mini watermelons will also be available at food kiosks.
At the Lakeside BBQ Carnival, guests will also be able to enjoy delicious skewers and barbecued foods.
Water sports enthusiasts could join the summer-only edition of snorkeling adventure inside the Grand Aquarium.
Participants aged 10 or above will be led by a professional diver through colorful coral and marine life.
From July 15, Ocean Park will be giving away 800 prizes every week to guests.
During the Summer Splash period, guests can enjoy 10 percent off their admission ticket with the Ocean Park App's new user offer.
Attendance at Ocean Park dropped to 6.7 million last year, down from 7.8 million in 2014.
