Sony Indoor Theme Park, Adjacent Water Park Planned for Twin Cities

Sony Pictures Consumer Products has teamed up with Black Forest LLC to develop a blockbuster studio back lot edutainment and virtual reality experience to thrill residents of Minnesota and tourists from around the world. As an anchor of the forthcoming Mall of Entertainment in Albertville, the new $115 million dollar facility will feature bigger-than-life themed attractions based on beloved films from Sony Pictures.

Attractions will feature interactive movie-making and game-based adventures with themes and characters from new and classic Sony franchises.

This 50,000 square foot edutainment center is part of a massive new development by Black Forest LLC, a partnership between Casey Darkenwald, Robert Kelly, Kevin Hanson, and iP2 Entertainment, leaders in Minnesota real estate development, construction, finance, and entertainment experiences respectively. In addition to the Sony Studios Hollywood Experience, the Mall of Entertainment in Albertville will feature a 275 room Marriott Hotel, a 50,000 square foot indoor waterpark, and other entertainment components. The total facility will be over 300,000 square feet on approximately 18 acres contiguous to the Simon Outlet Mall in Albertville.

The development will be an exciting yet affordable destination for local families and tourists, and even more valuable for the business community. “Our mission is to create exciting and memorable experiences for families and friends that can also be educational” Says Casey Darkenwald. “We couldn’t be more happy about the opportunity for our team, and perhaps more importantly in the broader scheme, what this can do to help the local and business community in Minnesota. We are working with the best brands in the world to create the premier Minnesota family entertainment destination development.” Construction and operation of the hotel, retail and entertainment centers will support the local economy by producing jobs to reduce unemployment rates. It will also improve traffic and spending to help businesses in the area. While a family of four from Minnesota normally might have to spend a significant amount to go to theme parks across the country, this will be a more affordable, local alternative. It will offer a great location for attendees that want to experience the excitement of Hollywood film production first hand or for businesses that wish to hold corporate or promotional events.

[via Press Release]