The Studio Ghibli Theme Park set to open this year will open with most of the major exhibits that were originally announced. However, one is being delayed and more announcements of future projects have been made to soften the blow this might make to some fans planning to be there on opening day.
The Studio Ghibli Theme Park is set to open on November 1st in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute, a town near Nagoya. The park will have five sections inspired by different Studio Ghibli films upon completion, and will be the first theme park to have a Ghibli theme in the world.
Recently there have been more and more announcements relating to new things based on older, but still beloved, Ghibli films. And since the announcement of a Studio Ghibli theme park opening featuring lots of areas based on older movies, fans around the world have been excited. Now that the opening date is just around the corner, new updates are being released about exactly what to expect on opening day - and what is being postponed a little. On November 1st, three sections of the park will be opening to the public.
These are Dondoko Forest from My Neighbor Totoro, the Hill of Youth from Whisper of the Heart, and Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse. Mononoke Village from Princess Mononoke and Witch’s Valley from Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service were slated to open one year later. However, only Mononoke Village will be sticking to this original plan. Witch’s Valley is being delayed because the builders want to make the area feel authentically European, with buildings that capture the spirit of both Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service.
The hardwood panels desired are not easy to find in Japan, and importing them has delayed the timetable of the project to March 2024. Coupled with the bad news of the delay is some good news, too - future projects. One includes a new addition to Witch’s Village, which will be the witch’s house from Earwig and the Witch. Additionally, an entirely new section of the mark modeled after The Cat Returns has also been announced, perhaps riding the hype for a live-action sequel for Whisper of the Heart.
This section will be actually outside the theme park itself, and accessible to everyone without a park ticket. This additional area will open in 2023. Considering the delay to Witch’s Valley is because the architects want something with accurate details, though, most fans are happy to wait in keeping with the Ghibli Spirit of appreciating the small things in life. Plus a few more details to keep people looking forward to the future certainly help. It just means Ghibli fans can enjoy going in November and already be planing their next trip back when more attractions are open.
Source: SoraNews24