by Theme Park Magazine
In a surprising turn of events, Katmandu Park Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic’s pioneering theme park, has closed after just one year of operation. The park, which opened its doors on March 15, 2023, announced its immediate closure through a formal statement on its official social media platforms and Website as follows:
“Katmandu Park Punta Cana is closed effective immediately. The commercial shops and the restaurant will remain operative. As we consider future use of the property, we extend our gratitude to all our guests who’ve enjoyed the park this past year.”
Katmandu Park Punta Cana was a bold venture by Falcon’s Creative Group in collaboration with Meliá Hotels International to open the first theme park in the Dominican Republic. This unique partnership aimed to bring a slice of adventure to the Dominican Republic, a country renowned for its picturesque beaches and all-inclusive resorts. With an investment surpassing $60 million, expectations were sky-high for the park, which promised an immersive blend of storytelling, technology, and entertainment.
The closure came as a surprise as earlier this year, responses by the park to reviews stated they were looking forward to seeing guests again in the future. It’s also rare for a theme park with such a significant investment to close after less than a year of operation. The reasons for the closure of Katmandu Park Punta Cana included low attendance, financial loss, and a strategic shift within the company. The least expensive tickets for the park were $120 for adults and $85 for children.
Immersive Attractions Meet an Untimely End
The park’s allure was in its immersive rides and attractions that transported guests to otherworldly realms. One of the marquee attractions, “Voyage of the Fathom Wanderer,” was a first-of-its-kind suspended theater experience that took guests on an underwater adventure to combat a sea monster, showcasing a remarkable blend of storytelling and technology. Similarly, “Legend of the Desirata,” a 4D dark ride, unfolded the origin story of Katmandu through a dynamic journey filled with projection screens, lighting effects, and immersive sensory experiences.
“EtherQuest” offered an interactive, walk-through adventure in which guests became heroes of their own story, engaging with the environment to overcome challenges and foes. Meanwhile, “Challenge of the Mad Mage” provided a unique blaster duel experience within an ON!X Theater, where every player’s choices could steer the narrative and alter the adventure’s outcome, thanks to electric motion seats and a plethora of sensory feedback mechanisms.
Several other attractions at the park included a carousel, a high-up obstacle course, and four skill and agility courses.
The closure of Katmandu Park Punta Cana marks the end of a brief but memorable chapter in the Caribbean’s entertainment scene. As stakeholders and the local community reflect on the park’s short operational period, the focus turns to the site’s future utilization and the impact of this closure on the broader theme park and entertainment landscape in the Caribbean.
Here are two YouTube videos showing the park before it closed:
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