Ajay Kumar at 15:22, 12 August 2023

2023-08-12T15:22:23Z

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{{Short description|International indoor entertainment chain}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = KidZania
| logo = KidZania logo.svg
| logo_size =
| caption =
| type = [[Family Entertainment Center]]
| genre = 
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1999|09|01}}
| founder =
| defunct = 
| location_city =
| location_country = [[Cuajimalpa]], [[Mexico]]
| location =
| locations = 30
| area_served =
| key_people =
| industry = Entertainment venue
| products =
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| aum = 
| assets =
| equity =
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| subsid =
| traded_as =
| homepage = [http://www.kidzania.com kidzania.com]
| footnotes =
| intl =
}}
'''KidZania''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ɪ|d|ˈ|z|eɪ|n|i|ə}})<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL_kVjIUjco|title=KidZania Global Overview|publisher=KidZania|date=13 December 2017|access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref> is a [[United Mexican States|Mexican]] privately held international chain of [[family entertainment center|indoor family entertainment center]]s currently operating in 30<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=KidZania - Get Ready For a Better World®|url=https://kidzania.com/en|access-date=2020-12-10|website=kidzania.com}}</ref> locations worldwide, allowing children to [[Role-playing|role play]] adult jobs and earn currency.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0147eed0-1608-11e7-80f4-13e067d5072c|title=Gender and class gaps start early in UK, KidZania data show|website=Financial Times|date=2 April 2017 |access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanielparishflannery/2012/07/18/kidzania-and-a-new-generation-of-entrepreneurs-in-mexico/#7c23ab11533a/|title=KidZania and a New Generation of Entrepreneurs in Mexico|website=www.forbes.com|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> It receives around 9 million visitors per year.<ref name=":0" />

==Overview==
[[File:Kidzania.JPG|thumbnail|KidZania, Lisbon, 2014]]
[[File:Mock Court at Kidzania Bangkok.jpg|thumbnail|Mock Court, KidZania Bangkok, 2015]]
[[File:Kidzania Noida.jpg|thumb|Fireman Activities at KidZania, Noida]]
Every KidZania is themed as a child-sized [[replica]] of a real city, including buildings, shops and theaters, as well as vehicles and pedestrians moving along its streets. In this city, children aged 4 through 14, work in branded activities from bottling [[Coca-Cola]], working in a [[Crest (toothpaste)|Crest]]-sponsored dentist office, working at a [[McDonald's]] restaurant, painting with [[Corporação Industrial do Norte]], washing hands with [[P&G]]'s [[Safeguard (soap)|Safeguard]] soap, and using airline tickets from [[American Airlines]], [[Flydubai|Fly Dubai]] and [[Saudia]].<ref name="bw">{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_22/b4230085996598.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522122020/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_22/b4230085996598.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 May 2011|title=Playing Grown-Up at KidZania|last=Rubinstein|first=Dana|date=19 May 2011|work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|access-date=20 May 2011}}</ref>

The children earn kidZos (KidZania's currency) while performing the tasks, and the money is kept in the KidZania bank for children to spend at the gift shop and on KidZania's activities. Inside every KidZania facility around the world, children wear electronic bracelets that allow parents to keep track of their kids remotely.<ref name="forbes">Nathaniel Parish Flannery, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanielparishflannery/2012/07/18/kidzania-and-a-new-generation-of-entrepreneurs-in-mexico/ KidZania and a New Generation of Entrepreneurs in Mexico], ''[[Forbes]]'', 18 July 2012</ref>

[[Bollywood]] actor [[Shah Rukh Khan]] owns a 26% share in KidZania [[India]] and helps promote the brand in India.

== History ==
KidZania was created and developed by the Mexican entrepreneur [[Xavier López Ancona]], the current KidZania CEO.<ref name="newyorker">Rebecca Mead, [http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/01/19/grow When I Grow Up: The theme-park chain where children pretend to be adults.], ''The New Yorker'', 19 January 2015</ref><ref name="ftjude">Jude Webber, [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/1bc2e7f6-17e1-11e4-b842-00144feabdc0.html Lunch with the FT: Xavier López Ancona], ''Financial Times'', 1 August 2014</ref> The first KidZania opened in September 1999 in Santa Fe Shopping Mall in [[Mexico City]], and was named La Ciudad de los Niños ("The City of the Children").<ref name="newyorker"/>

Corporate sponsors funded 55% of the initial investment.

In 2007, KidZania hired entertainment strategist Andrew Darrow as executive vice president. [[Cammie Dunaway]] joined in late 2010 as the chief marketing officer.<ref name="bw" />

KidZania at [[Westfield London]], cost £20 million to build.<ref name="standardprynn">Jonathan Prynn, [https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/attractions/kidzania-new-20m-mini-city-inside-westfield-mall-will-let-children-work-for-treats-8710393.html KidZania: New £20m ‘mini city’ inside Westfield mall will let children 'work' for treats], ''London Evening Standard'', 16 July 2013</ref> In partnership with [[British Airways]], it is operated by Joel Cadbury and Ollie Vigors through their Longshot Ltd company.<ref name="standardprynn"/><ref name="theguardianstuart">Stuart Jeffries, [https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/oct/26/kidzania-westfield-london KidZania: the mini-city where children are in charge], ''The Guardian'', 26 October 2014</ref><ref name="ftchristopher">Christopher Thompson, [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5ae9a444-60a3-11e1-af75-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3Y3CgqDfb Longshot to back UK KidZania], ''Financial Times'', 26 February 2012</ref>

==KidZania characters==
The mascots of KidZania are called the RightZKeepers. According to the site’s story: They represent the rights that all KidZania patrons have, and together, they share an extra sixth right, the Right to Be.{{clarify|reason=Unclear if this is still true since 2017 when a sixth mascot was added to represent this Right|date=April 2022}}

The following are the mascots that KidZania has adopted over time:
*'''Urbano''' ('''Right to Know'''): A 9-year-old, green-haired kid who is ingenious, inquisitive, and adventurous. He is interested in conducting experiments and making inventions. (Appeared since 1999)
*'''Vita''' ('''Right to Care'''): Urbano's younger sister, a kind and thoughtful blue-haired girl who loves all living things. (Appeared since 1999)
*'''Bache''' ('''Right to Play'''): Urbano and Vita's blue pet dog. He loves to play, and will eat anything. His dream is to make sure every kid in the world is as happy as he is. (Appeared since 1999)
*'''Beebop''' ('''Right to Create'''): Urbano's 10-year-old best friend. He is a huge fan of music and is very artistic. He has orange hair, and wears a yellow shirt and headphones. (Appeared since 2012)
*'''Chika''' ('''Right to Share'''): The fashionista of KidZania, a sociable and cheerful pink-haired girl who wears fake cat ears. She gets her inspiration from her favorite anime and manga characters. (Appeared since 2012)
*'''Bekha''' ('''Right to Be'''): An 11-year-old dark blue-haired girl who according to the story: shows the power to be self-determining, unique and free in harmony among humankind. This Right is grounded in the eternal idea of freedom: the power to act, speak and think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. (Appeared since 2017)

==Locations==
===Current locations===
[[File:Kidzania Bangkok, Dec 2017.jpg|thumb|KidZania Bangkok, with an [[Airbus A320]] December 2017]]
* KidZania [[Mexico City]], opened in September 1997 as La Ciudad de los Niños, rebranded KidZania La Ciudad de los Niños
* KidZania [[Monterrey, Nuevo Leon|Monterrey]], opened in May 2006; includes a broadcasting experience co-branded with [[Multimedios Televisión]], including live remotes with the network's programming
* [[KidZania Tokyo]], opened in October 2006 (franchise)
* KidZania [[Jakarta]], opened in November 2007 (franchise) at [[Pacific Place Jakarta]] - {{Tooltip|This is the first KidZania location in Indonesia.|The second is located in Surabaya.}}
* KidZania [[Koshien, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture|Koshien]], opened in March 2009 (franchise) - {{Tooltip|This is the second Kidzania location in Japan.|The first is located in Tokyo.}}
* KidZania [[Lisbon]], opened June 2009 (franchise)
* KidZania [[Dubai]], opened January 2010 (franchise)
* KidZania [[Seoul]], opened February 2010 (franchise)
* KidZania [[Kuala Lumpur]], opened February 2012 (franchise)
* KidZania [[Santiago]], opened May 2012 (franchise)
* KidZania [[Cuicuilco]] in Mexico City, opened June 2012
* [[KidZania Mumbai]], opened April 2013 (franchise)
* KidZania [[Kuwait]], opened June 2013 (franchise, by [[Alshaya Group|the Alshaya Group]])
* KidZania [[Cairo]], opened September 2013 (franchise)
* KidZania Turkey, [[Istanbul]], opened February 2014 (franchise)
* KidZania [[Jeddah]], opened January 2015 (franchise)
* KidZania [[São Paulo]], opened January 2015 (franchise)
* KidZania [[London]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kzjournal.kidzania.com/2015/06/25/kidzania-london-harnesses-the-power-of-role-play-fun-learning-in-19th-global-location/ |title=KidZania London Harnesses the Power of Role-Play & Fun Learning in 19th Global Location | KidZania Journal |website=Kzjournal.kidzania.com |date=25 June 2015 |access-date=3 February 2016}}</ref> opened June 2015 (franchise)
* KidZania [[Moscow]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kidzania.ru/en/ |title=Kidzania Moscow Homepage |website= kidzania.ru |access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> opened 28 January 2016 (franchise, by [[Innova (video game company)|Innova]])
* KidZania [[Busan]], South Korea, opened in April 2016. This is the second KidZania location in South Korea.
* KidZania [[National Capital Region (India)|Delhi NCR]], in [[Noida]] India, opened in May 2016. This is the second Kidzania location in India. The first being in [[KidZania Mumbai|Mumbai]].
* KidZania [[Guadalajara]], opened November 2018
* KidZania [[Doha]], [[Qatar]], opened May 2019
* KidZania [[Abu Dhabi]], opened June 2019 at [[Yas Mall]] - {{Tooltip|This is the second KidZania location in the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]].|The first being Dubai.}}
* KidZania [[Johannesburg]], opened 2019
* KidZania [[Dallas]], opened November 2019 [[Stonebriar Centre]] in [[Frisco, Texas]] (franchise, by [[Innova (video game company)|Innova]])
* KidZania [[Surabaya]], opened 12 December 2020 (franchise) – {{Tooltip|This is the second KidZania in Indonesia.|The first branch is located in Jakarta.}}
* Kidzania [[Fukuoka]], opened August 2022 (franchise)

=== Upcoming locations ===
* KidZania [[Toronto]], is scheduled to open in 2022
* KidZania [[Paris]], is scheduled to open in 2022 (by [[Innova (video game company)|Innova]])
* KidZania [[Chicago]], opening 2022 at [[Oakbrook Center]] in [[Oak Brook, Illinois]] (franchise, by [[Innova (video game company)|Innova]])
* KidZania [[New York City|New York]], opening 2022<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://kidzania.us/en/ |title=KidZania home page |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111232838/https://kidzania.us/en/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> at [[American Dream Meadowlands]] in [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]] (franchise, by [[Innova (video game company)|Innova]])
*KidZania [[Los Angeles]], is scheduled to open in 2022 (franchise, by [[Innova (video game company)|Innova]])
*KidZania [[Pittsburgh]], is scheduled to open in 2022 at [[Mall at Robinson]]
*KidZania [[Hong Kong]], is scheduled to open at [https://www.11-skies.com/ 11 SKIES] in 2023
*KidZania [[Atlanta]]
*KidZania [[Taipei]]
*KidZania [[Giza]]
*KidZania [[Amman]]
*KidZania [[Riyadh]]
*KidZania [[Singapore]], opened April 2016 (franchise) - Closed June 2020.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/kidzania-singapore-to-shut-down-for-good-after-four-years-in-sentosa |title=KidZania Singapore to shut down for good after four years in Sentosa |website=straitstimes.com |date=16 June 2020 |access-date=16 June 2020}}</ref> Reopening in 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interactive indoor theme park KidZania to return to Singapore in 2024 |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/kidzania-singapore-return-2024-sentosa-sim-leisure-group-3555471 |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref>

===Dead locations===
* [[KidZania Manila]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Kidzania Manila Homepage |url=http://manila.kidzania.com/en-us/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417203857/http://manila.kidzania.com/en-ph |archive-date=April 17, 2016 |access-date=3 February 2016 |website=Kidzania.com}}</ref> opened August 2015 (franchise, by [[ABS-CBN Corporation|ABS-CBN]]) - Closed August 31, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/07/22/20/after-5-years-kidzania-manila-to-cease-operations |title=After 5 years, KidZania Manila to cease operations |website=news.abs-cbn.com |date=22 July 2020 |access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref> Arguably one of the most popular KidZania parks until its closure.

* KidZania [[Bangkok]], opened March 2013 (franchise) - Closed May 2021. This was arguably KidZania’s longest-living franchise, operating only for 8 years until its closed in May 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.siamparagon.co.th/happening/Announcement-Kidzania-Bangkok-Service-Closure-6-May-2021/1112 | title=ประกาศ Kidzania Bangkok ปิดให้บริการตั้งแต่วันที่ 6 พฤษภาคม 2564 }}</ref>

* Kidzania [[Costa Rica]], opened December 2018 (franchise) - Closed July 2021. This was arguably KidZania’s most short-living franchise, operating only for 2 years. The park fell into recession since June 2020, until it finally closed in July 2021.

== Awards and recognition ==
KidZania was voted the World's Top Family Entertainment Center by the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) and 2009 Global Leisure Operator of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/10/prweb4602934.htm |title=Former Nintendo and Yahoo Executive Recruited to KidZania as U.S. President, Global Marketing Head |website=Prweb.com |date=4 October 2010 |access-date=3 February 2016}}</ref>

From 2011 to 2015, KidZania has been recognized as one of The Best Mexican Companies (Las Mejores Empresas Mexicanas), a recognition promoted by [[Banco Nacional de México|Banamex]], [[Deloitte|Deloitte México]] and [[Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education|Tecnológico de Monterrey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mejoresempresasmexicanas.com/reconocidas.php |title=Empresas Reconocidas – Las Mejores Empresas Mexicanas |website=Mejoresempresasmexicanas.com |access-date=3 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206144706/http://mejoresempresasmexicanas.com/reconocidas.php |archive-date=6 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Edificio de rappel en Kidzania.jpg|KidZania Mexico
File:Cocina en Kidzania.jpg|KidZania Mexico
File:Kidzania 2017 (4).jpg|{{center|Kidzania Lisbon, August 2017}}
File:Kidzania plaza Cuicuilco.JPG|{{center|Kidzania Plaza, Cuicuilco, Mexico}}
File:Fruit Orchad02.jpg|{{center|KidZania Fruit Orchard, KidZania Mumbai}}
File:Hospital01.jpg|{{center|KidZania Hospital, KidZania Mumbai}}
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|http://www.kidzania.com/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091223015801/http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/659/feature.asp An article about KidZania in the Japanese Metropolis magazine]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130403072045/http://www.bt.com.bn/features/2009/06/29/new_kidzania_theme_park_to_be_developed New Kidzania theme park to be developed] – [[The Brunei Times]]
* [http://www.mejoresempresasmexicanas.com Las Mejores Empresas Mexicanas (The Best Mexican Companies)]
{{ABS-CBN}}
{{Shah Rukh Khan}}
{{coord|19.36106|-99.2802|type:landmark_region:MX|display=title}}

[[Category:Kidzania theme parks| ]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Mexico]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Mexico]]

KidZania - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 15:22, 12 August 2023