Although it has been years since I’ve traveled in mesmerizing Tokyo, my memories are as vivid as though they had been sparked yesterday—pleasures aswirl in unique flavors and noises, creativity and ingenuity. So when luxury publisher Assouline released the new book Tokyo Chic, I dove into its 312 lush-paper-stock pages, with more than 200 photographs and illustrations, which are bound in an outsize (10-by-13-inches, 6.4-pound) format—a hefty hardcover wrapped in silk. The brainchild of Andrea Fazzari, whose deft imagery and words are love letters to the inimitable capital, Tokyo Chic showcases a massively enthralling—yet strikingly intimate—city. Currently based in Tokyo, Fazzari is a James Beard Award-winning photographer, author and restaurant maven with notable backgrounds in fashion and film. Born in New York City, she has lived in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain and Thailand—and speaks four languages. What a sophisticated guide to have at your armchair traveler’s fingertips! Indeed, this coffee table tome would make a treasured holiday gift for those who have already vacationed in Japan or simply dream of doing so.
Universal reveals name and details of new kid-friendly theme park in Texas
01.12.2023 - 23:05 / thepointsguy.com / Art
Universal theme parks around the world are in the midst of a period of unprecedented growth. The second Super Nintendo World — which is the first in the U.S. — opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in February. In Florida, Universal Orlando is building an entirely new theme park slated to open in 2025 called Epic Universe. You'd think Universal would have its hands full already, but you'd be wrong.
Universal Parks & Resorts announced on Jan. 11 that it plans to also build an all-new park in Frisco, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The park will be designed for children ages 3 through 9 and their families.
On Dec. 1, Universal announced the park will officially be called Universal Kids Resort.
"Universal Kids Resort will inspire the unbridled creativity of kids through imagination, discovery and most importantly — play. We're designing the resort so kids and families can feel the thrill of being physically immersed in their most beloved stories and characters," Molly Murphy, president of Universal Creative, shared in a press release.
According to the press release, the park will feature "family-friendly attractions, interactive and playful shows, unique merchandise, fun food and beverage venues and character meet-and-greets." Universal also has plans for a themed, 300-room hotel adjacent to the park.
Universal released concept art showcasing a whimsical design with lush gardens, multiple play areas, a splash pad and a collection of land- and water-based attractions that look fun and exciting without being too thrilling for young children. Concept art doesn't necessarily depict what you'll see in the park, but it can give you a good idea of the layout and types of attractions Universal plans to build.
Universal acquired just under 100 acres of land to build Universal Kids Resort, meaning this family-friendly resort will have a much smaller footprint than Universal's resorts in Florida and California. In comparison, Universal Orlando covers 541 acres in Central Florida.
The smaller size adds to the park's family-friendly nature. Families with young children often can't (or don't want to) do morning-to-night, weeklong theme park vacations. Rather, they normally spend half the day at the park and then head back to the hotel for a nap and a swim. This way, they can visit the parks daily without being zonked out.
"We are excited about the opportunity to partner with the city of Frisco and Mayor Jeff Cheney as we work to bring this innovative, new concept to life designed specifically for a younger generation of Universal fans," Page Thompson, president of new ventures for Universal Parks & Resorts, said in the Jan. 11 press release announcing the project to the public.
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