Theme parks more than play

Some 1,800 performers from 14 countries and regions have participated in the shows, accumulating more than 4,100 performing hours, says Joe Hoskin, general manager at the Universal Beijing Resort, which has also increased its appeal with 1,800 food items and 4,000 themed products.

Hoskin emphasizes that the key to keeping the visitors engaged lies in continuously launching seasonal and themed events based on classic characters.

Haichang Ocean Park stated that while repeat visits to theme parks are influenced by a variety of factors, building an influential IP system is key.

Theme parks must create a sense of identity for visitors, and introduce new activities and products to stimulate repeat visits, according to one employee at Haichang.

Lin Huanjie, director of the Institute for Theme Park Studies in China, believes that the introduction of new IP, activities and products allows theme parks to not only increase the number of visitors but also maintain loyalty.

"On the one hand, this attracts new visitors, and on the other, this draws old customers back," Lin says.

The report also reveals the power of theme parks in upgrading culture and tourism, and in increasing an area's appeal on the county and city levels.

From the urban development perspective, theme parks add to tourism. They have a spatial effect on their locations, driving urban spending outside the parks.

One Singaporean woman, who gave her name as Betty, says she made the Universal Beijing Resort her first stop during her visit to Beijing this year, adding that she had wanted to visit Beijing ever since she heard of its opening.

The report stated that many inbound travelers like Betty are also placing theme park visits high up on their itineraries, before exploring other attractions.