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;fZkfiN_f =LCC;FD< :FG Read Attractions Management online: www.attractionsmanagement.com/digital follow us on twitter @attractionsmag K? THRILLING OVER 70 6D MOTION INSTALLATIONS SIMULATOR RIDE AROUND THE WORLD LARGEST GROWING LIBRARY OF FILMS BEST REVENUE GENERATOR 2030 PIE-IX BLV | MONTREAL | CANADA | + 1 514 354 8999 | WW.TRIO-TECH.COM ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT EDITOR’S LETTER PHOTO: LIAM DANIELS PHOTO: FINDING NEW MODELS ON THE COVER: Doctor Who Experience, p36 he global recession has driven operators to look further afi eld for growth, prompting them to be more creative in identifying development and partnership READER SERVICES T opportunities. The recession has also inspired operators to SUBSCRIPTIONS be more outward-looking in their approach and we’re seeing Denise Gildea +44 (0)1462 471930 an acceleration in the number of projects that involve inter- CIRCULATION MANAGER national collaboration. Michael Emmerson +44 (0)1462 471932 From theme parks and museums to science centres and EDITORIAL TEAM art galleries – operators are attacking opportunities with MANAGING EDITOR gusto and it’s a process that’s gathering momentum. There have always been global attractions brands, but it’s been a select group, involv- Kathleen Whyman +44 (0)1462 471918 ing operators of the scale of Disney and Universal. Now the opportunity to grow’s being EDITOR taken up by national- and regional-scale attractions which couldn’t have considered it a Liz Terry +44 (0)1462 431385 few years ago, but which have the profi le to make the transition to the world stage. NEWSDESK Some months ago, Tim Smit told Attractions Management he was in talks for the Tom Walker +44 (0)1462 471917 development of sites overseas and now it looks likely an Eden Project will open in Pete Hayman +44 (0)1462 471931 China. It’s conceivable that this compelling attraction could transfer to most cultures Martin Nash +44 (0)1462 471933 and, with minimal adjustment and with the right funding, become a global operation. ADVERTISING TEAM “The industry is entering a new phase where PUBLISHER Julie Badrick +44 (0)1462 471919 operators can play with scale, location and ADVERTISING SALES the business model to extend their reach” John Challinor +44 (0)1582 607970 If the recession has prompted operators to broaden their horizons in terms of fi nding Jan Williams +44 (0)1462 471909 business opportunities, it’s also inspired the creation of new business models when it ATTRACTIONS RECRUITMENT comes to the development of the facilities. Annie Lovell +44 (0)1462 471901 We’re seeing an increasingly diverse range of new facility types, from temporary and ADVERTISING PRODUCTION relocatable, to shared, refurbished and repurposed – there’s no longer a ‘one size fi ts Ed Gallagher +44 (0)1462 431385 all approach’, it’s more a question of getting creative and fi nding a solution which is appropriate to the situation and the nature of the operation. WEB TEAM And with the real estate costs being so pivotal to the success of any attraction, solu- INTERNET tions which keep these to a minimum are far more likely to succeed. Michael Paramore +44 (0)1462 471926 Compare the timescale and costs involved with building a theme park on a green- Dean Fox +44 (0)1462 471900 fi eld site to those of taking over an existing business with the infrastructure already Tim Nash +44 (0)1462 471917 in place. In Florida, Merlin Entertainments is turning the old Cypress Gardens into a Emma Harris +44 (0)1462 471921 Legoland – a great deal of the infrastructure is in place and the economics of buying FUN-KIT.NET/MUSEUM-KIT.NET the failed business and speeding up the development process, make the project viable PRODUCT SEARCH ENGINE in a way that would not have been possible with a new-build. Martin Nash +44 (0)1462 471933 So the industry is entering a new phase where operators can play with scale, loca- tion and the business model to extend their reach. If the essence of a brand can be DESIGN captured and a compelling experience built around it and scaled for the business Andy Bundy +44 (0)1462 471924 opportunity which exists, then the opportunities are enormous. FINANCE Sue Davis +44 (0)1395 519318 Liz Terry, editor, [email protected] Denise Gildea +44 (0)1462 471930 Rebekah Scott +44 (0)1462 471930 THE LEISURE MEDIA COMPANY PUBLISHES The Leisure Media Company Ltd, Portmill House, Portmill Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1DJ UK Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385 Fax: +44 (0)1462 433909 e-mail: [email protected] ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT IS THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF SUPPORTED BY www.attractionsmanagement.com © Cybertrek 2011 AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 5 ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT IN THIS ISSUE ISSUE 2 2011 26 Planetariums: 36 Design project profi le: Copernicus Science Centre Doctor Who Experience 5 Editor’s letter The science centre’s 16m domed plan- The cult sci-fi tv show has been brought 8 Museum news etarium opens in May. Sky-Skan’s Glenn to life in this interactive show experience 10 BALPPA news Smith describes the company’s work in and exhibition. Creators Sarner reveal designing a cutting-edge system how they used theatrical tricks to trans- 12 Heritage news port visitors into the Doctor’s universe 14 Theme park news Project preview: 16 28 Zoo news Museum of Liverpool 40 Analysis: 18 Waterpark news The world’s fi rst national city museum Integrated Resorts 19 Gallery news opens in July. Director Janet Dugdale Imaginvest’s Emmanuel Mongon 20 Science centre news explains its aim and how it’s using the investigates how Singapore’s two new people’s stories to convey its signifi - integrated resorts aim to transform the 22 Profi le: cance globally throughout history country into a leisure destination Robert Firmhofer The director of Poland’s fi rst science 32 Interview: 44 New opening: centre, Copernicus, talks about the Andrew Lee Peppa Pig World venue’s plans as host of Ecsite in May IAAPA Asia Pacifi c’s executive director Paulton Park in the UK’s new theme park and how the site has become a symbol describes his plans for the association offer targets children under six with its of modernisation for the country and its expo in June in Sentosa lively recreation of the hit cartoon 6 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 ISSUE 2 2011 DIGITAL MAGAZINE: See Attractions Management online: attractionsmanagement.com/digital TODAY’S NEWS AND JOBS: For the latest opportunities in the attractions industry, plus global market news, check out our daily website: www.attractionsmanagement.com or sign up for e-news on www.leisuresubs.com ATTENTION 46 India: 60 3D/4D/5D: BUYERS! Bollywood bonanza or Fulldome versus fl at screen Wherever you are slumdog millionaire? Can a fl at screen compete with the in the world, fi nd Advice from industry experts in light of impact of a dome or is content suffering? suppliers 24/7 India’s growing attractions industry We ask the experts for their thoughts using Attractions Management’s dedicated leisure 50 Multimedia and AV: 68 Ticketing: search engine: www.fun-kit.net Technology time line At the touch of a button Kevin Murphy looks at the history of mul- Operators can control much more than SUBSCRIBE: timedia and AV and where it’s heading just ticketing with the latest technologi- Be a part of the bigger picture and cal offers available for attractions subscribe to Attractions Management. 56 fun-kit.net: To sign up, call: +44 (0)1462 471915 Multimedia and AV focus 72 Waterparks: A round up of some of the latest prod- New wave BUYERS’ GUIDE: ucts available for the industry Waterpark suppliers are increasingly For suppliers of products and inventive as visitors seek more adrenalin- services in the worldwide attractions 58 Occupational hazard: fueled rides and thrilling surf offers industry, turn to page 76 Politics on the menu Advice on how to operate your venue 76 Buyers’ guide when the president and fi rst lady drop in Suppliers of attractions products AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 7 Dlj\ldE\nj Jd`k_jfe`XeXd\e[j LJ)+,dED88?:gcXej 8iZ_`k\ZkeXd\[]fiM 8nfibj KFDN8CB The museum will house more than 150 displays Ale\fg\e`e^]fi.+d Dlj\ldf]DXk_\dXk`Zje\kj)d^iXek >cXj^fndlj\ld G 8 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 98CGG8E\nj I`j\lgkfk_\ E\nkfli`jdjkiXk\^pi\m\Xc\[ Z_Xcc\e^`e^k`d\j KFDN8CB 10 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 See you in London EDUCATION PASSION PEOPLE Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay ahead. produced by The conference and tradeshow for attractions and leisure industry in Europe. Update your profi le on www.IAAPA.org/EAS and we will keep you informed. ?\i`kX^\E\nj Ñ(%/d:cXiX9f^M`j`kfi LJ,dn`e^]fi=cfi`[Xdlj\ld :\eki\lem\`c\[ KFDN8CB The new plans have finally been given funding Jkfe\_\e^\gcXejj\Zli\ ?fcfZXljkdlj\ldgcXee\[]fiIfd\ Ê9`^JfZ`\kpËYffjk KFDN8CB 12 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Worldwide [email protected] +44 (0)1273 417 440 R R USA [email protected] Winner of Best New Product for Winner of Best New Product for 512.540.0855 Show Production and Entertainment FEC Rides and Attractions at IAAPA 2009 at IAAPA 2010 www.animalive.com K_\d\GXibE\nj 8ljj`\Nfic[kf`ekif[lZ\ )'()cXleZ_]fi?XiipGfkk\ikfli knfe\ni`[\jk_`jp\Xi KFDN8CBZamperla that US-based exhibition – while the details of the second ride, design company Thinkwell which is due to open later this year, will had been appointed to design be announced in due course. the Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. The walking tour will enable visitors to go behind the scenes of the film series, Warner Bros has pledged to invest £100m in developing the studios with a range of authentic sets, costumes, animatronics, props and effects on said: “The tour promises to be one of the most display. Lasting three hours, the tour will allow exciting and memorable visitor attractions visitors to step foot onto sets from the Potter anywhere in Europe.” films, such as the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s Warner Bros acquired the studio complex office and others yet to be confirmed. last November and plans to spend £100m Dan Dark, senior vice president and manag- (€112m, US$163m) on developing the site, ing director of Warner Bros Leavesden Studios, which produced all eight Harry Potter films. The watertower will house a multi-censory film K_\d\gXibe\kj:XeX[`Xe D\ic`eZfdgc\k\jM`ccX^\IfX[j_fn[\Xc ^fm\ied\ek^iXek KFDN8CBSydney Tower Observatory and Skywalk, as well as Manly Oceanworld in Sydney Wildwalk is one of the attractions acquired by Merlin in the deal :_`eX`jZfej`[\i`e^gcXej Sydney, the Hamilton Island ]fi`kjfne<[\eGifa\Zk Wildlife Park in Queensland and Kelly Tarlton’s and the company has appointed Edward Fuller Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World as divisional director to manage the new KFDN8CB 14 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 NfibY\^`ejfeE`^\i`Xei\jfik KFDN8CB F:K>iflgkffg\eZ_`c[i\eËjXkkiXZk`fe KFDN8CB M`[\f^Xd\k_\d\gXibgcXee\[]fi:_`eX KFDN8CB AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Qff 8hlXi`ldE\nj K_\@dgfikXeZ\ >\fi^`X8hlXi`ld\ogXe[j f]8ZZi\[`kXk`fe KFDN8CBzoos and A US$110m (€76m, £68m), aquari- three-year project, AT&T ums are Dolphin Tales focuses on cre- Ethe same. Accredited ating a greater understanding zoos and aquariums of dolphins, traditionally the have demonstrated their commitment to most-requested animal by vis- the highest standards in animal care and itors to the aquarium. management and also to safety, conserva- Incorporating a number tion, education and visitor services. of diff erent spaces, the new Currently, fewer than 10 per cent of the PGAV Destinations-designed approximately 2,600 animal exhibitors gallery includes an entrance Th e latest addition to the aquarium is also the largest single gallery licensed by the United States Department lobby featuring a 25ft (7.6m) of Agriculture are accredited by the underwater viewing window. tools aimed at highlighting and promoting dol- Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Th e lobby leads to the AT&T Dolphin Tales phin-, gallery- and show-related content, both By becoming centres of excellence in animal theatre, an enclosed facility designed and built in person at the aquarium and online. care, conservation and education, accred- as a backdrop for a show involving dolphins Th e Georgia Aquarium – located in Atlanta, ited zoos and aquariums gain the trust of and live actors, and featuring special theatri- Georgia – is the world’s largest, with more than the public, who report in opinion polls that cal eff ects. AT&T worked with the aquarium ten million gallons of water and the biggest high standards are important. to develop and support a number of diff erent collection of aquatic animals. ÈK_\8Q8cf^fXjjli\j 9@8Q8i\m\XcjÊmXcl\Ëf]qffj&XhlXi`ldj ^l\jkjk_Xkk_\pËi\ jlggfik`e^Xe`ejk`klk`fe KFDN8CB 16 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Gamma LeisurePOS MEMBERSHIP gamma dataware Complete business solutions Modular integrated management information systems for visitor attractions, museums, heritage sites and ADMISSIONS RETAIL CATERING BOOKINGS ACCOUNTS theme parks Gamma Dataware Limited Gamma LeisurePOS provides visitor attractions of all types and sizes with a complete end-to-end operational management system from admissions to back office reporting, analysis and accounting. The system’s modular approach allows operators to implement any combination of modules to meet their specific requirements. While the integration between modules ensures that operators can easily produce cross departmental reports such as visitor spend analysis. LeisurePOS modules include: Admissions and Ticketing Bookings and Event Management Membership Retail and Catering Point of Sale Stock Control Purchase Order Processing visit us at Mail Order Gift Aid Iaapa Asia Integrated Chip and PIN Web Interfaces Booth No. 325 Gamma Dataware Ltd Accounting and Payroll Wright Business Centre Reporting and Back Office Management 1 Lonmay Road Glasgow LeisurePOS options include: G33 4EL = #,4(.(55$0'4(/16(+$0'+(.' !70,65 Telephone: +44 (0)141 773 6273 = ",&-(65$.(5$0'&1..(&6,10-,15-5 $: = (/1*4$2+,&'$6$&$2674( +44 (0)141 773 6283 = !+,2$0' )141))5,6(5$.(5 E-mail: = 19(%64$05$&6,10)((5 [email protected] = "+($64(1: )),&(5$.(5 www.gammadata.com Bertazzon 3B SRL, 31020 Sernaglia (treviso) Italy Phone +39.0438.966291 Fax +39.0438.966165 E-mail: [email protected] AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 17 NXk\igXibE\nj Fe\YiXe[j\\j `e[ljkip^ifnk_ KFDN8CB È@]pflnXekkf^Xl^\ KFDN8CB 18 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 >Xcc\ipE\nj >i\\ecXe[^Xcc\ipgcXejlem\`c\[ KFDN8CB 8ikjg_`cXek_ifg_pjZ_\d\ZfejlckXk`fejkXikj G ?fYXikËjDlj\ldf]8ikfg\ej KFDN8CB AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 JZ`\eZ\:\eki\E\nj M`j`kfi ?8EJ>L99 ÈKXb\efk\f]fk_\i j\Zkfij%K_\pZXe_\cg @eefmXk`feZ\eki\gcXej]fiFo]fi[ pfld\\kk_\_`^_ KFDN8CBenterprise Th e new centre is located in the heart of the historic city of Oxford you achieve your goals more eff ectively and will open by 2015. and meet the high expectations of the 21st Macclesfi eld House has been rebranded as Science Oxford chief executive Dr Ian century visitor. the Oxford Centre of Innovation and provides Griffi n said: “Our plan is to give Oxford a pub- Discovery Center Continium in offi ces and business support for up to 30 fi rms. lic face for science and enterprise and to create Kerkrade, Th e Netherlands, re-opened in Oxford Innovation runs the facility. a major tourist destination.” 2009 presenting a mix of museum, science centre and theme park elements. According to surveys, our centre’s visitor expectations 8k$9i`jkfc^\kj^fX_\X[]fiI\Xc9iX`e 20 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 GIF=@C< IF9 onvincing people that Poland the editor-in-chief of science in the public needed a science centre was media for Polish radio for many years. I a challenge because no one was approached by the physicist Lukasz knew what a science centre Turski to arrange an event that would take was,” recalls Robert Firmhofer. scientists out of their laboratories and “They’d never even seen an inter- lecture halls, away from their PowerPoint active exhibit so couldn’t appreciate how presentations, into a neutral site to engage effective and important they are in aiding with people through simple, interactive understanding and learning.” experiments rather than lectures. It was a Firmhofer is now the director of completely crazy idea, which is perhaps Copernicus, one of the most advanced why I liked it from the beginning.” science centres in Europe. Presenting Fifteen years on, the Science Picnic has science as part of culture, using social sci- become an annual one-day event, and now ence and humanities, the centre opened attracts 100,000 people and 1,000 scien- last November with fi ve galleries, a Robotic tists from 20 countries. Theatre and a rooftop garden. It has since After the success of the fi rst event, added another gallery aimed at young Firmhofer and Turski knew that they had adults and a convention centre, and will to build a science centre in Poland. Every be opening a domed planetarium and year, after each picnic, the two men would surrounding park in June, with a soft open- approach the mayor of Warsaw proposing ing at Ecsite in May. Four laboratories will the concept. Their persistence paid off and open in September for physics, robotics, in 2003, the mayor of Warsaw at the time – chemistry and biology. the late Kaczynski who went on to become In its fi rst four months of operating it president – and the Minister of Science received 250,000 visitors, far exceeding the agreed to establish this project and pro- predicted annual attendance of 400,000. vide government fi nances for it. It’s clear that not only did Firmhofer suc- ceed in convincing people that the country K?<; È:fem`eZ`e^g\fgc\k_XkGfcXe[ e\\[\[XjZ`\eZ\Z\eki\nXjX Z_Xcc\e^\Y\ZXlj\effe\be\n n_XkXjZ`\eZ\Z\eki\nXjÉ 22 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital awarded, in 2005, to a Polish architect, Jan Kfg k_\Yl`c[`e^`jdX[\f]ZfeZi\k\#jk\\c Kubec, from the fi rm RAr-2. Located in the Xe[^cXjjkf\ejli\`kj[\j`^e[f\jeËk[iXn centre of Warsaw, in direct proximity to Xkk\ek`feXnXp]ifdk_\\o_`Y`k`fej#n_`Z_ the Vistula River, the appeal of the design `eZcl[\k_\IfYfk`ZK_\Xki\ Yfkkfd was its creation as a part of the riverbank’s landscape. The rooftop garden represents the vegetation on the riverbank before nel. The two-storey building has 20,000sq which presents everything that moves urbanisation – how it would have looked m (215,000sq ft) of fl oor space, plus the from electrons to galaxies to human bod- before Warsaw was built. “The building has surrounding two-hectare Discovery Park, ies; Humans and the Environment, about many open spaces and is made from con- which is a communal space. “We didn’t human biology and people as a part of crete, steel and glass,” explains Firmhofer. just create the exhibition in the build- society and urban environment; Roots “It’s extremely transparent and is a very sim- ing, we also created part of the city,” says of Civilisation, demonstrating how maths, ple, plain design, so it doesn’t distract from Firmhofer. Both the Discovery Park and the science, technology and arts formed our the content – the exhibits are still the main rooftop garden are open for free to every- civilisation; Lightzone, which uses a crime focus. Crater-like, glass structures on the one. “We encourage people to use them,” story to explain electro-magnetic waves; rooftop garden allow visitors to look down he says. Both areas have interactive exhib- Buzzz!, where children up up to six-years- into the building at the exhibits below.” its and the park has its own art gallery with old can discover nature through shapes While the décor of the building is simple, clay models and a stage on the water for and sounds; and the most recent gallery, its construction is the opposite. Copernicus shows, concerts and fi lms. Re:generation. Targeting young adults, the is the fi rst building located directly on the gallery explores psychology, sociology riverbank, as the Vistula river is cut off K?< AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 23 GIF=@C< :fg\ie`ZljËiff]kfg^Xi[\e]\Xkli\jk_\ b`e[jf]m\^\kXk`fek_Xknflc[_Xm\Y\\e Institut for the Re:generation gallery, the k_\i\Y\]fi\NXijXnnXjYl`ckXe[`jXe 89FLKIF9 24 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 =\c`ok_\IfYfknXjjg\Z`Xccp[\j`^e\[ ]fik_\I\1^\e\iXk`fe^Xcc\ipXe[j_fnj \dgXk_p%@ki\Zf^e`j\jg\fgc\Ëj]XZ`Xc \ogi\jj`fejXe[i\Zi\Xk\jk_\dfm\d\ekj ÈG\i_Xgjk_\Gfc`j_ Xi\jf`ek\i\jk\[ `ejZ`\eZ\Y\ZXlj\ n\jkil^^c\[n`k_ df[\ie`jXk`fe]fijf cfe^%Efnn\Ëi\m\ip n`cc`e^kfc\XieXe[ K_\jZ`\eZ\Z\eki\Ëj+,'`ek\iXZk`m\ dfm\]finXi[É \o_`Y`kjXe[j_fnj_Xm\XkkiXZk\[),'#''' m`j`kfij`e`kjÔijk]flidfek_jf]fg\e`e^ ing number of initiatives in the east, which I visitors conduct their experiments and are engaging process.” Another area being hope will be heard at this conference.” free to succeed or fail. We don’t give them looked at is social media. “We have 20,000 Firmhofer also feels that Ecsite’s theme too many answers, instead we provide fans on Facebook and are working out how this year of freedom makes Copernicus inspiration and opportunities and allow we can get them actively involved.” the ideal venue. “Freedom is one of the them to reach the solutions. So, freedom This dedication to sharing, enthusing most important notions of modern Poland represents both Copernicus and Warsaw.” and engaging people has helped the sci- and Warsaw is the city of freedom,” he Despite such an impressive start, ence centre become so popular so quickly. says. “The country’s history – the Warsaw Firmhofer’s already looking to evolve and “Copernicus is regarded as a symbol of uprising in 1944, the Solidarity Movement – develop the science centre. “There will modernisation in Poland,” says Firmhofer. was all about striving for freedom for many be a constant improvement in what we “This is exactly why we built it – to present years. Now it’s about how to tackle free- do,” he says. “We’ve begun to enhance science and technology as the main dom and how to use it for our development. the programmes and exhibits we have. We means of modernisation of the country, “Also, the science centre movement want our programmes to infl uence the and to provide a good, modern scientifi c is about freedom,” he continues. “At formal education system and for students education. We’re not just an attraction – Copernicus, there’s no set route to follow; to expect teaching to be an involving and we’re here to infl uence society.” ¬ AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 25 GC8E ?<8M [\j`^e\[XZlkk`e^$\[^\jpjk\d K_\(-dgcXe\kXi`ld`j_flj\[n`k_`eXeleljlXcYflc[\i$j_Xg\[[fd\ What was your brief? and recent polls show that 60 per cent of What work are you doing? The 16m (52ft) domed planetarium, called visitors are looking forward to the planetar- We’re using a high-resolution projection Heavens of Copernicus, is placed within ium and think it will be the most exciting system, quality optical star projector, cin- the science centre’s existing architectural part of the museum. The museum’s always ematic surround sound, advanced LED structure. The customer wanted a projec- full and the line stretches out of the door lighting and a multi-channel laser system. tion system with as high a resolution as to the street. It’s exciting to see the public It will be the fi rst purpose-built 3D stereo possible, using projectors with high con- so enthusiastic about a science centre and planetarium in Europe. With the combi- trast. The spec also called for a classic star we’re proud to be involved. nation of the 16m screen, the 3D stereo projection instrument with LED illumination technology and our DigitalSky software, and electronic shutters. What content will there be? this theatre will represent cutting edge On a domed screen, the projector We’ve provided a dozen shows on vari- performance. The operators are gearing contrast is of little value, but it plays a ous topics as part of our package. The up to use all of this technology to the full to role when projecting a few dots or lines client has also obtained shows directly engage the public in science. together with the classic star projector. Any from producers including Mirage3D in grey background from the video projectors The Netherlands. These will be combined What technology is used? is a distraction to the star projector, but our with in-house programs using the real-time Our Defi niti 3D System is comprised of 4 projectors have a very dark background. capabilities of our system. JVC DLA_SH7 NLG projectors fi tted with Part of our responsibilities was deliv- special optics that we designed specifi cally Why did the project appeal to you? ering a sophisticated production suite for use on dome screens. Sixteen channels Heavens of Copernicus is the gemstone of complete with multiple workstations, fi le of our own design graphics servers, each the new science centre and a major project server and render farm, as well as a mini running at 2048x1200 pixels, will feed the for Eastern Europe. The client is very open projection dome and fi sheye video projec- projectors (four to each one) and our soft- to new ideas and to creating a contempo- tor for offl ine production. We’ve given them ware brings it all together into a seamless rary facility in which to do new and exciting some training and the operator’s working full dome image. things. It’s a very exciting project to be a with other experts to develop their produc- The star projector is a Megastar IIA from part of. The museum opened in November tion skills and program offerings. Ohira-Tec in Japan. This will be the fi rst K?<JLGGC@ 26 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 ?\Xm\ejf]:fg\ie`Zlj`jk_\Ôijk*;jk\i\f gcXe\kXi`ldkfY\Yl`ck`e È?\Xm\ejf]:fg\ie`Zlj `jk_\^\djkfe\f] k_\jZ`\eZ\Z\eki\% K_\Zc`\ek`jm\ip fg\ekfZi\Xk`e^X Zfek\dgfiXip]XZ`c`kp `en_`Z_kf[fe\nXe[ \oZ`k`e^k_`e^jÉ IIA in the World and the fi rst Megastar in for use in-house, Infi tec is unique in that fact that we have to mount very large Europe. Lasers are being provided by HB it allows 3D to function in full colour and projectors under the dome to project the Lasers of Germany, and we’re providing from any viewing angle in a dome, without images. Our solution was to raise the LED dome lighting that we designed spe- a special screen coating. This means we dome slightly and cut a large hole in the cifi cally for planetariums. can switch smoothly between 2D and 3D. concrete fl oor to sink the projectors into. The sound system is based on our Our Spice Automation product keeps all Another problem was the acoustics. The years of experience in providing sound for systems running from one control point. theatre had a reverb time of more than dome theatres. JBL speakers are built with one second, so we arranged to have the modifi cations to enhance performance in a What are the challenges of complete theatre recoated with acoustic dome environment. working within a 16m dome? dampening material to bring the reverbera- Using 18,000 watts of amplifi cation and Not too many – 16m is a great size. It’s tion time back to a low and manageable digital signal processing allows us to cus- large enough to give an open, airy feeling number. Now we’re installing the dome tomise the performance to accommodate and the illusion of infi nite space when in screen (a nano-seam dome from Spitz Inc) any range of programme materials. the dark, but at the same time it’s not too and the audio system. large a screen that we’re challenged with The rest of the equipment is being How does the technology work? projection technology performance. installed in by April ready for the soft open- The 3D stereo technology is based on inter- However, the dome screen was tilted ing in May and offi cial opening in June. I ference fi lters provided by Infi tec of Ulm very low to make the theatre more immer- expect there will be a few more challenges Germany. Originally designed by Daimler sive, but this position didn’t factor in the before we’re done! ● AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 27 GIFA<:KGI The world’s fi rst national city museum opens in July. Director of urban history Janet Dugdale tells Kathleen Whyman how the striking building is being used to tell the story of Liverpool’s people and its role in global history Please describe the museum galleries and three smaller ones. It’s unu- out over the River Mersey to the Irish Sea Opening in July, the Museum of Liverpool sual to build from scratch, especially on and the Atlantic Ocean. Liverpool is a (MoL) is devoted to the story of Liverpool such a large scale, so has been fantastic to place many people, ideas and goods have on an international, national and local design the spaces we need for the collec- passed through and it has interacted in scale. It will be the world’s fi rst national tions and the stories we want to tell and to national and global histories. museum that’s dedicated to the history really think about sustainability and future- To amplify that, the two major galler- of a regional city. Costing £72m (%82m, proofi ng our ideas. The museum’s fl exible ies on the second fl oor – The People’s US$117.4m), it’s the largest newly-built in terms of how the galleries are set up and Republic and Wondrous Place – have fan- national museum in Britain for a century. the exhibition system allows us to easily tastic, huge windows. One looks over the The striking, purpose-built building is reconfi gure and change, so we can display river and the other looks out over the city. set right on Liverpool’s waterfront and cov- more items over time. ers 10,000sq m (108,000sq ft); 8,000sq m The location is very important. Placed Where did the inspiration (86,000sq ft) of which is public space. Set at the heart of the city’s waterfront look- for the MoL come from? over three fl oors, there are four very big ing into the city, the museum also looks MoL has evolved from the Museum of Liverpool Life, which was a very successful museum for its size from 2000 to 2006. We went from having 100,000 visitors a year to 350,000 visitors and the museum didn’t have the facilities to cope with those num- bers or to develop. As well as knowing there was a real PHOTO: ©MILLS MEDIA appetite for Liverpool history, we needed somewhere bigger to show our collection. We have some fantastic material includ- ing some very large objects, particularly transport industry objects that we didn’t (Left) The city’s landscape is an exhibit in itself with the building doubling up as a viewing platform as well as a museum 28 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 The design incorporates the form of a ship, as the site was formerly a shipyard PHOTO: PHILLIP HANDFORTH PHILLIP PHOTO: THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE MASTER PLANNERS PHOTO: 3XN PHOTO: 3XN’s principle, Kim Nielsen, describes the architecture hen you design for a The museum stands heritage site, such as on a former shipyard, The £72m Museum of Liverpool is the “W Liverpool’s harbour front, so we incorporated first newly-built museum to open in it’s important to add something that wasn’t the form of a ship into Britain in more than a century there before or there’s no point in building the design. All the anything. We’ve created a new destination harbour buildings are for the Liverpudlians to come to which, as made of stone and we used stone to ensure well as being a museum, is a viewing plat- the museum complements and pays hom- have the space to show. Another aspect form across the city and the sea. age to its surroundings. was Liverpool’s role in global history. We The museum’s on a bridge construction The inside is a very flexible exhibition felt that a city like Liverpool, which is often in the shape of the letter X with two large structure but the outside has a strong, considered as second to London, really staircases in the centre. The four points of iconic design. It’s a very penetrable struc- needed a proper exploration of its place as the cross represent the four points of entry ture – visitors can walk through the cross a city and how it’s developed. into the city. It also gets around the chal- without entering and get a glimpse inside at There’s a growing interest globally in lenge of building over a tunnel, which runs the exhibitions.” museums that tell the story of people and beneath the dock. deal with some of the harsh realities of cit- ies, and that explore a sense of place and identity. We felt placed to be part of that. the fortunes of the British Empire and the What interactives will there be? Another element is the social purpose consequential economic impact that these The whole museum is very interactive. We of a museum to help people explore their had on the city’s development. have at least 70 films, touchscreens, mul- past, but also to be a place for discussing The upper floor of the museum will timedia stations and hands-on interactives. the present and the future. This is a very explore the social history of the city, chart- One of our major galleries on the ground real and tangible way for a city museum to ing the background of human settlement in floor is Little Liverpool, which is targeted become a part of that. the area from Neolithic times to the present at children under-six. There’s an A to Z of day, and analysing migration, the growth of objects, all of which are interactive and that What is the content? communities and the diversity of cultures, also encourage our young visitors to go The whole museum has been developed which together give Liverpool its strong out and use the rest of the museum. from a story-led approach rather than a col- and particular identity. We’ve developed two touch models, one lections-led approach and we’ve selected The museum is a starting point and one of Liverpool’s Pier Head and one of the key stories. These are structured into four of our aims is to encourage visitors to go Albert Dock. There are many opportuni- core themes: the Great Port, Global City, and explore the city and find out more. ties to touch, get closer and discover more, People’s Republic and Wondrous Place, We’ll be opening on July 19th 2011 with which should generate repeat visits. which will be located in four large gal- the Wondrous Place, People's Republic, lery spaces. Another key area will be the Global City, Little Liverpool and the How are you tackling topics? History Detectives interactive resource cen- Skylight galleries. Further community All of our galleries have a contemporary tre, which includes a timeline. spaces and a 192-seat theatre will open in element to them. Many of them start by The ground floor of the museum will a second phase towards the end of 2011, looking at how people view something look at the urban and technological evolu- as well as the remaining galleries The today and then explain why it’s that way. tion of the city and the impacts of national Great Port, Liverpool Overhead Railway, The two most contemporary galleries are developments – the Industrial Revolution, History Detectives and City Soldiers. People’s Republic and Wondrous Place. AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 29 GIFA<:KGI THE DESIGNERS Haley Sharpe’s Nicky Redman Design’s Sarah Bell, Harding and Virginia Petrie Becky Jarvis-Stiggants and describe their design Stephen Marsh explain their work s lead designers, we were e’re responsible for the responsible for Wondrous Place, People’s Republic gal- “A Global City and Little Liverpool “W lery, Port City and History galleries, plus the atrium spaces. We also Detectives and Liverpool Overhead Railway. designed the flexible exhibition system. The aim of People’s Republic gallery is to The challenge in the Wondrous Place give the impression that the visitor is step- gallery was to convey the huge diversity of ping into the city – it’s busy and densely creativity in Liverpool. By exploring different populated with stories of people, which can concepts we came up with the idea of rip- be heard, read, seen and experienced. ples throughout the city, which manifested Port City tells the story of one of the themselves into huge, illuminated cylinders world’s first docks and houses large exhibits that utilise the height of the gallery. Hung including the Lion steam locomotive plus an high, so people look up at them, the light ice sculpture rising to the Timeline. We’ve levels change and correspond with the show taken a restrained design approach so that PHOTO: ©MILLS MEDIA times of the two immersive theatres. They’ll the objects take centre stage. LIVERPOOL MUSEUMS ©NATIONAL PHOTO: look very striking at night when seen from The Liverpool Overhead Railway gallery, outside through the huge windows. situated above Port City, acts as a bridge Global City is a much smaller gallery and between the two gallery spaces. It features PHOTO: ©NATIONAL MUSEUMS LIVERPOOL AND HALEY SHARPE DESIGN SHARPE HALEY AND LIVERPOOL MUSEUMS ©NATIONAL PHOTO: focuses on Liverpool’s trade links with the an original restored railway carriage, ‘talk- world. Little Liverpool introduces children to ing head’ accounts from former workers museums using the alphabet and objects, and travellers, digital animations of the rail- interactives and models. A large window dis- way’s routes and film footage shot from the play engages people both looking out and Overhead Railway by the Lumière brothers.” looking into the building. For the exhibition system we created a series of modu- lar cases, which can be joined together and reconfigured. We also have a series of walls and units that can have their con- tents changed.” (right) Wondrous Place gallery celebrates Liverpool’s diversity in creativity People’s Republic looks at the social What are the key pieces? (Top) the atrium’s elliptical spiral impact of living in the city with statistics of The Liverpool Map is an iconic, glass sculp- staircase leads from the ground floor health, deprivation, housing and educa- ture and is the museum’s centrepiece. The up to the Skylight gallery; (above) the tional attainment. One of our challenges 3D structure features many layers of sheet Lion steam locomotive, made in 1838 is that we’re living in a city that, despite glass, each printed with different imagery being European Capital of Culture in 2008, and designs fused into a solid block It’s a spine-tingling moment as it was on remains one of the most deprived cities in depicting Liverpool as a city defined by cul- this stage that it all began. England. The role of the museum becomes ture and heritage, rather than geographical One of the larger artefacts is the last very important in terms of being open and lines. People can look through the glass remaining original carriage from the honest, but also potentially being a sup- structure onto the city itself. Liverpool Overhead Railway that ran along portive place for discussion about change. In Wondrous Place gallery we have two the docks from 1893 to 1956. It was the One strand of interpretation is called immersive film theatres. The first film exam- first electrified, elevated railway in the Our City, Our Stories. We’ve worked ines the passion of being a football fan and world. We also have a Lion steam locomo- with community groups to develop the what football means to the city – it’s an tive from 1838, which ran on the Liverpool stories and displays. We’re also using emotional film that’s projected on a large Manchester railway. It was the first timeta- many Liverpudlian voices throughout the scale all around visitors and onto the floor. bled passenger railway in the world. museum. We’ve done a huge oral his- The second film is about The Beatles. This tory project throughout the last five years, theatre contains the actual stage from St What is the MoL’s design? which we’ve called 800 Lives. That first Peters’ Hall where John Lennon was play- When you go into the building, there’s a person testament is very important to us. ing in 1957 when he met Paul McCartney. wonderful elliptical staircase that spans 30 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 PHOTO: ©NATIONAL MUSEUMS LIVERPOOL MUSEUMS ©NATIONAL PHOTO: THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE MASTER PLANNERS (Above) The Liverpool Map is created from layers of sheet BRC Imagination Arts’ vice will provide close encounters with real glass, which enable visitors to look president Christian Lachel objects from the NML’s vast object collec- through the map onto the city itself explains his work tion. Central to the planning work was the design of a flexible exhibit infrastructure that to the quality of a building that is a history RC Imagination Arts collabo- will enable the MoL to update its exhibits and museum. There’s something very power- rated closely with National programs frequently and allow city residents ful in us saying that this museum is about “B Museums Liverpool (NML), to have a voice in the curatorial process.” local, ordinary people and is in a stunning the Museum of Liverpool con- building in a fantastic location. tent team and the architectural planning team to develop the How is the museum funded? conceptual plan and schematic The MoL is part of National Museums design for the museum. Liverpool (NML), which is a museums and This includes a hands-on galleries group comprising eight venues. History Detectives gallery that As a part of NML, running costs for the Museum of Liverpool will be met by Grant- BRC’s conceptual plans for in-aid (GiA) funding from the Department the museum include the of Culture, Media and Sport. Global City gallery (right) To meet the museum’s building costs of £72m (%82m, US$117.4m), we’ve received generous support from several major the whole height of the building, which is Who will be your core audience? funders, along with grants from trusts and 23m (75ft) from the ground floor to the sec- Our core audience will be local and foundations. These include the Garfield ond floor. This creates a wonderful atrium regional visitors. But we know from the pre- Weston Foundation and the Clore Duffield space on the ground floor and right up to vious Museum of Liverpool Life, and how Foundation, corporate support and indi- the Skylight gallery. Liverpool’s visitor economy has changed vidual donations. The building is angular from the outside. over the last few years, that we can expect We received £45m (%50.8m, $73.5m) It has a wonderful façade – a series of pan- a really high proportion of tourists both from the Northwest Regional Development els made from jura limestone. They catch national and international. We’ve got that Agency and The European Regional the water’s reflection and change colour unique role of being a place for visitors to Development Fund, £11.4m (%12.8m, at different times of the day and year. They the city wherever they come from and the $18.6m) from the Heritage Lottery Fund create the illusion that the building is alive. local museum for Liverpool. and £0.5m (%0.56m, $0.8m) from the The two major features of the build- Our original target was 750,000 visi- Department of Culture Media and Sport. ing, both inside and out, are the windows tors in a full operational year. We’re now The European Regional Development in the People’s Republic and Wondrous expecting more than that. Our Merseyside Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to Place galleries. These are 9m (30ft)-high Maritime Museum, which is also on the people and businesses in the Northwest. and 28m (92ft)-wide. One of them reflects Albert Docks, received more than one mil- With %755m (£669m, $1bn) to invest the water. In the other you can see the Pier lion visitors last year, so we know there’s a between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhanc- Head buildings reflected from outside. So fantastic interest in visiting museums. ing the competitiveness of the region’s it’s a sense of transparency, of the building I hope visitors are going to be stunned economy by supporting growth in enter- being an actual part of the city. by Liverpool’s story, but also be responsive prise and employment. ● AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 31 @EK ANDREW LEE With his fi rst expo taking place in June, IAAPA Asia Pacifi c’s executive director Andrew Lee describes his plans for both the show and the association What benefi ts do IAAPA Asia Pacifi c members get? When you join IAAPA, you become a mem- ber of the global association, regardless of which region you’re from. Attractions in Asia Pacifi c usually join Lee’s aims for the association include IAAPA because of the safety and stand- a uniform standard of safety across all ards programs we run, the education What are the main issues attractions and ensuring the industry services and the opportunities to network in the industry in Asia? remains fun but maintains its integrity with a worldwide community. Maintaining the same standards and safety regulations across the various countries. How will you increase What are the plans for Asian membership numbers? What are the current Attractions Expo 2011? By going to the grass roots and working trends in the industry? The expo takes place June 22-24 at with the respective national associations. Mixed use developments are sprouting Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore. We’re My intention is to promote dual member- up around Asia. Singapore is the fi rst to expecting 4,500 participants (buyers and ships where both IAAPA and the local coin the term Integrated Resorts [see exhibitor personnel) from more than 40 association can offer complementary serv- Emmanuel Mongon’s feature on p40] countries. Approximately 200 exhibit- ices. Whenever I visit a country, I make a where theme parks, museums, aquariums, ing companies from Asia, North America, point of touching base with the local asso- casinos, hotels, restaurants, retail shops Europe and around the world will cover ciation and meeting its members. and other facilities are placed together 4,000sq m (43,000sq ft) net of fl oor space. under one roof. There will be a one-day IAAPA Safety What enquiries do you Japan, Korea and Taiwan are hot on Institute providing guidance on safety get from members? Singapore’s heels and are also building standards and regulations for the attrac- I get all kinds of enquiries from members integrated resorts now. tions industry. Presenters include safety and non-members every day. They range experts from leading attractions. from CEOs who want to make an invest- What are the opportunities Leadership breakfasts and education ment decision, to a student who’s working for growth? sessions led by industry professionals will on a project about the attractions industry. The growth markets are China and India, focus on highly relevant and crucial topics. Common questions are usually about with South East Asia a close second. There will also be networking events, time joining IAAPA, attending the expos and Waterparks generate the best yield. And on the expo fl oor and park tours at some asking where to fi nd resources. children defi nitely dictate family decisions. of Singapore’s world-renowned attractions, 32 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 * $! " ! )))%'%& " &* (#! " & )* &#)$% %'%& " '&'$ (Above) Visitors to this year’s expo can visit neighbouring Universal Studios Singapore; (below) in Asia, food plays an important role in networking + which will provide opportunities to create ground is in hospitality and trade show business relationships, talk to suppliers, management and I studied hotel and tour- share strategies and promote growth. ism. The attractions industry is part of a wider travel and tourism industry which I Will the Expo differ to last year’s? am well tuned into. The position at IAAPA The venue itself is unique. It’s the fi rst appealed to me because of the scope and time it’s been held at an integrated resort challenge involved in setting up a new where a theme park – Universal Studios offi ce for the association in a region which Singapore – is just a few minutes walk from hasn’t been fully realised yet. the exhibition. The variety and number of What are your responsibilities? exhibitors has also increased from last year. My key responsibilities are expanding and How many people attend the expo? enhancing IAAPA’s programs and services Last year, we had a record 4,750 people, in the Asia Pacifi c region. including 3,250 buyers from 40 coun- I also oversee government relations, tries. This fi gure represents a 34 per cent communications, membership develop- increase in the total number of buying ment, education and the Asian Attractions companies and an 11 per cent increase in Expo, which is the biggest conference and the number of buyers compared to Asian trade show for the industry in Asia. Attractions Expo 2009. This year, we’re expecting more than 4,500 people. What are the main challenges? The penetration of the IAAPA brand in Asia How long have you been with IAAPA? Pacifi c is around 25 per cent. Therefore, I’ve been executive director of IAAPA Asia three out of four industry practitioners in Pacifi c since September 2010. My back- this region haven’t heard of IAAPA. I see Register now for FREE entry at AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 www.sustainabilitylive.com @EK (Above) Resorts World Sentosa where this year’s expo will be held; (below) Lee with Hong Kong mem- bers at a networking luncheon held in Hong Kong ASIAN ATTRACTIONS EXPO 2011 SEMINAR PROGRAMME Tuesday June 21 © IAAPA Safety Institute Wednesday June 22 © Effective and Impactful Employee Engagement © How to Measure and Reduce Your Attractions’ Carbon Footprint: From Fact to Implementation © Family and Indoor Entertainment Centers: Growing the Business and Profi tability Thursday June 23 © Leadership Breakfast © Growing the Attractions Industry in Asia: A Panel Discussion © Making It Count: Effective Marketing Strategies Everyone Can Use this situation as a great opportunity to pro- Our most recent roadshow included vis- Friday June 24 mote the association and its benefi ts to a its to Singapore, Hong Kong, Guangzhou © Leadership Breakfast very wide audience base. and Tokyo. We invite our IAAPA members © Integrated Resorts: From The region comprises of many countries from these cities and encourage the local Theory to Making it Happen with distinct cultures, which is a challenge. associations to invite their members. Each © Risk Profi ling: How to conduct a Risk Language is also a major hurdle. To over- city visit lasts a day or two. Assessment No Matter Your Budget come this, establishing local partnerships to penetrate each market is crucial. How much travelling do you do? I’ve been travelling a fair bit since join- constituencies of the industry. I also want What do you enjoy most? ing the association. As well as the to create sub-regions to target specifi c Learning about the nuts and bolts of the roadshows, I visit the host city of Asian needs of the members. attractions industry and interacting with Attractions Expo to oversee preparations members from the various constituencies for the show, attend events such as the What’s the future for the industry? of the membership. IAAPA Attractions Expo, Euro Attractions The future for the industry in Asia Pacifi c I’m thrilled to be working for an industry Show and the recent IAAPA Leadership is boundless. Because the industry is in its that brings fun and joy to everyone. Conference, and go to industry events infancy compared to Europe and the US, including the China Attractions Expo. new ideas can be adapted easily. Please describe the roadshows I’ve been very fortunate to visit so many The middle class segment in this region Roadshows usually comprise of a net- interesting attractions as part of my work. is growing rapidly, giving rise to greater working event and visits to the respective Most visits are at the invitation of IAAPA propensity to travel and visit attractions. attractions of the city. In Asia, food plays members and I endeavour to fi t them into an important role in establishing a close my schedule during my business trips. What message do you have bond, so networking is done over a meal. for your members? IAAPA members are proud to showcase What are your development plans? This industry brings joy and laughter to their facilities or services, so a roadshow My goal is to recruit volunteers to build up people. Maintain your integrity and work to will usually include park or factory visits. several committees to serve the various the highest standard possible. ● 34 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 family coasters thrill & mega coasters indoor & custom designed attractions & specialities Asian Expo 2011 Please visit us at Booth No. 803 Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. Schaapweg 18, 6063 BA Vlodrop, The Netherlands Tel.: +31 (0) 475-409222 Fax: +31 (0) 475-402115 sales@vekoma.com www.vekoma.com ; =C@>?KF==8EK8JP atching a crack in time open KXb`e^`ejg`iXk`fe]ifdk_\k_\Xki\Xe[Z`e\dX#JXie\i up before your eyes and being invited to step through _XjZi\Xk\[X[iXdXk`Z#`ek\iXZk`m\j_fnn_`Z_`dd\ij\j into another dimension isn’t m`j`kfij`eX;fZkfiN_fX[m\ekli\%BXk_c\\eN_pdXe your average Saturday after- noon. But offering something Ôe[jflk_fnk_\jZ`$Ôkmj\i`\jnXjYifl^_kkfc`]\ decidedlyN not-average is exactly what Sarner, the creators of the new Doctor Who Experience, set out to do. sequence to the Doctor Who Experience. about the show was a dream come true for For those unfamiliar with Doctor Who, After this unexpected start to the show, Sarner’s creative director Michael Bennett. it’s a cult British tv programme following visitors enter a spaceship, see a full-scale Although, when he and managing director the adventures of an extra-terrestrial Time Tardis magically appear, then walk through Ross Magri were fi rst approached by the Lord as he travels through time in a police the doors into the Tardis itself and learn to BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation, phone box, known as the Tardis. He battles fl y it. An emergency landing on a Dalek’s which makes and airs the programme), aliens (his greatest enemies are robot-like spaceship results in a CGI battle scene fol- they had no idea what the project would be. Cybermen and the menacing Daleks) and lowed by a 3D fi nale. After the 25-minute “The BBC approached us two years ago to brings the earth back from the brink of a show, visitors can explore the free-fl ow say they liked our work and planned to use crisis on a weekly basis. The programme exhibition dedicated to all 11 series of the us in some way, so would be in touch when is the UK’s longest running sci-fi series programme at their leisure. something came up,” recalls Magri. “Six and has had children gleefully cowering months later they asked if we were inter- behind sofas since 1963. The most recent K?<:I<8KFIJ ested in an undisclosed project. We went series centered around a plot involving a Having been a fan of Doctor Who since to a meeting at the BBC offi ce in London, crack in time, hence the dramatic opening he was a child, creating an experience not knowing what it was they wanted us to do. When they told us it was the Doctor Who Experience we said ‘of course!’” Determined to win the contract, Bennett and Magri spoke to the hardcore Doctor Who fans (known as Whovians) to fi nd out what they’d like to see. Armed with this knowledge, their aim was to recreate the emotions of excitement, anticipation and slight terror that viewers of the programme experience. The result was the free-fl ow exhibition plus an immersive, timed, dark walk show that uses fi lm-making tech- niques to plunge visitors into the world of Doctor Who, so they are actively involved in the adventure rather than just observing it. The BBC acknowledged that this design was much riskier than a traditional exhi- bition, but the Whovians voted for it and Sarner won the tender. The Tardis’ console had to be rede- signed when it was updated following a change in actors playing The Doctor PHOTOS: LIAM DANIELS 36 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Footage of The Doctor (cur- rently played by actor Matt Smith) was fi lmed specifi - cally for the experience ÈN\Ëi\jk`ccgifa\Zk`e^fekfk_\jZi\\eXjm`j`kfij nXcbk_ifl^_k_\ZiXZb`ekfXjgXZ\j_`g%@kËjjdfbp# Next came the tricky part – creating the `kËj[XibÆk_\pËi\XZklXccp^f`e^`ekfk_\jkfipÉ experience and exhibition with precision, so it would pass the close scrutiny of the Whovians. All this in only three months – half the time Sarner would normally devote K?<; AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 37 ; Within the Dalek spaceship, a large, sequence of a battle scene is projected mechanical eye comes down, scans onto the centre. The last part of the show visitors with a radar and displays them on is a dramatic 3D fi lm showing the iconic È;\j`^e\ijk\e[kf^f screen, fi rst as they are in the fl esh, then Doctor Who monsters coming at the audi- as skeletons. To create this, Sarner used a ence. “There’s one moment when the huge fm\ik_\kfgn`k_k_\`i slit-scan gobo effect. During the scanning eye of the Dalek comes out into the audi- sequence, one Dalek comes up behind ence,” says Magri. “It’s not dissimilar to a m`jlXcj#Ylkn\n\ek the visitors and another two at the front so 3D fi lm you’d see at a theme park, so we’re fm\ik_\kfgn`k_k_\ guests are penned in. At 2m (6.5ft)-high really thrusting things forward in the world and 1m-wide, they’re quite intimidating. of show experiences.” j\kj%K_\pËi\Y\kk\i Next, the view ports at the front of the ship fade away, again using a transition K?<K<:?EFCF>P k_Xek_\`ccljkiXk`fej# gauze, to reveal a large space scene. Set With such a ground-breaking exhibition, n_`Z_`jhl`k\leljlXcÉ against a 24m x 4m (79ft x 13ft) painted it would be expected that Sarner had to backdrop, a 7m (23ft) CGI animated design some ground-breaking technol- ogy, but this isn’t the case. “We haven’t invented anything new for the project,” the two walkways quicker than anticipated says Magri. “What’s unique is the integra- in their eagerness to get to the next stage. tion of all the technologies to create this “Feedback has been very positive. Even immersive experience.” the real fans say it’s accurate,” says Magri. Each element of the visitor attraction “The BBC is delighted with it too,” adds is synchronised using a multiprocessor Bennett. “It’s not unusual for the initial computer. “We’ve used very sophisticated presentation of a project to be so impres- control equipment so the show’s fully auto- sive that it’s not possible to achieve as high mated,” Bennett explains. “It just needs a level in reality, but the BBC has said that a person to press the start button and it the actual experience is better than the goes. It’s very important to use reliable, presentation. Designers tend to go over the robust technology because the last thing top with their visuals, but we went over the we want is for the show to go down on a top with the sets and they’re better than busy Saturday afternoon.” the illustrations, which is quite unusual. “So many projects get changed along =<<;98:B the way but our concept has come off the The Doctor Who Experience opened on page and come to life,” Bennett continues. February 20th and received 25,000 visi- “And of course it’s Doctor Who – such a Props used in the series include a tors in its fi rst month. The original running great subject matter. Going into the Tardis Henry Moore-type sculpture featuring time of the show element was estimated and being involved in an adventure is an animated human face at 30 minutes but has been reduced to 23 something many people dream of. It’s a minutes, as visitors were travelling along unique opportunity.” 89FLK;F:KFIN?F ■ The Doctor Who Experience will be at London Olympia Two for nine months. It’s the longest running show to be held at Olympia and will stay until November when it will move to a permanent home in Cardiff, Wales and open in 2012. ■ Tickets are priced from £15.50 (%18, US$25) for adults, £12.50 (%14, $20) for children and £46 (%52, $73) for a family ticket. ■ The show element of the attraction is 23 minutes, but the whole exhibition is designed with a total visit time of 90 minutes. ■ The suppliers used are Artem, CTS Scenics, CUK Audio, Peavey, The appearance of the Tardis, using a Panasonic, AV Stumpfl , Harkness transition gauze effect, is among the Hall and Havells Sylvania. highlights for fans of the programme 38 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 The finale is a 3D show in which The Doctor’s enemies seemingly come out of a crack in a wall the Daleks), showing the progression K?< AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 39 8E8CPJ@J INTEGRATED RESORTS The striking architecture for Marina Bay Sands has changed Singapore’s skyline; (right) inside the building n 2000, I was part of a group asked Knf`ek\^iXk\[i\jfikji\Z\ekcpfg\e\[`eJ`e^Xgfi\n`k_ by the authorities of Singapore to analyse the leisure island of k_\X`df]kiXej]fid`e^k_\ZflekipËj`dX^\]ifdk_Xkf]X Sentosa and propose strategies Ylj`e\jjZ\eki\fii\kX`c[\jk`eXk`fekfX]legcXZ\kfjkXp% for its future. The group comprised government offi cials, international @dX^`em\jkËj 40 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 The Skypark’s centrepiece is a 160m-long pool on the edge of the hotel, 200m above the ground The real satisfaction for me is see- ing what started out as an idea come to fruition. In our industry, we know that the È@kËjiXi\kfj\\Xn_fc\ZflekipZ_Xe^\iX[`ZXccpXe[ pitfalls are numerous between the initial idea and opening to the public. I believe `dgc\d\ekXe\n[`i\Zk`fe%K_\i\$\e^`e\\i`e^f]J\ekfjX`j visitor success comes from the right com- Xgifa\Zkkf[\m\cfgXe\ng`ccXi`eJ`e^Xgfi\ËjZlckli\É mitment for a strong vision and attention to the smallest details. Having not been involved in the implementation phases of these casinos projects in Singapore, I’m Its creator, Moshe Safdie, is known casino is the driving force of this develop- extremely excited about the resorts. for designing cultural and civic institu- ment. The developer is Sands Corporation tions and landmarks such as the United of Las Vegas and its chair, Sheldon D8I@E898PJ8E;J States Institute of Peace in Washington, Adelson, had the vision to build and oper- The new Marina Bay Sands (MBS) resort the Quebec Museum of Civilisation, the ate giant MICE complexes around the has changed Singapore’s skyline. An ark National Gallery of Canada, the Holocaust casinos and create a leading group. At the balances on the roof of three hotel towers. Museum in Jerusalem, the Exploration opening of Marina Bay Sands, Adelson Longer than the Eiffel tower, this Skypark Place Science Center in Kansas and the explained that his primary target with this is designed like a ship, with a restaurant National Museum of the Sikh People in integrated resort in Singapore was the by the Singaporean star-chef Justin Quek, Punjab. Safdie created an asymmetrical South Eastern Asian market, which is only a private lounge and a roof garden with a design so it would stand out and be seen a one-hour fl ight away. Banyan Tree spa. One area is accessible to by people in the city centre of Singapore In this instance, western guests arriving the general public as a viewpoint, directly and the other side of Marina Bay. from Europe or the US may be partially competing with the nearby giant wheel. In addition to the 2,500-room hotel tow- disappointed by the resort if they’re expect- The centrepiece of the Skypark is a ers and Skypark, the resort comprises ing the Asian glamour of their dreams or 160m (525ft)-long swimming pool, which several buildings along the edge of the a themed experience like the Venetian. gives the illusion of teetering on the edge water. These include one of the largest Despite a corporate communication pre- of the building 200m (650ft) above the exhibition and convention centre in Asia, senting the resort as a luxury facility, it’s ground. If you visit Singapore you must a shopping mall, two theatres, a museum clearly positioned as a mass market attrac- see it – it will render even the most blasé designed to look like a lotus fl ower and a tion and accommodation. industry expert open-mouthed. Whether promenade along the bay with night clubs The management of MBS expect to swimming or relaxing on a deck chair, and open-air evening shows. receive between eight to 12 million guests you’re higher than the skyline buildings of Representing only three per cent of in its fi rst year and 18 million annually when the central business district of Singapore. the total area of the integrated resort, the fully opened. There are currently 25,000 AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 41 8E8CPJ@J customers per day in average, and this number should increase to 70,000 per day when all the facilities are open. MBS wants to help increase Singapore tourism visitors from the current nine million to 17 million. When asked about his view on the rest of Asia, Adelson said that he’s looking for at least fi ve other markets in this region of the world to create similar giant integrated resorts. He’s interested in Korea and is cur- rently waiting for approval to develop sites in Vietnam, China and Mumbai. I Casino: 3 per cent of total area Casino: 5 per cent of total area @EK<>I8K<;I 42 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 The Waterfront, Pier Approach, Bournemouth To Let - All Weather Family Leisure / Cultural Operators Required Prime seafront location with an exceptional footfall Approximately 4.2 million visitors to the seafront per annum, 60% of these visitors access the seafront through Pier Approach Fantastic opportunity to be involved in re-shaping the leisure/ cultural offering within the town centre 9 units ranging in sizes from 130.54 sq m (1,933 sq ft) to 1054.96 sq m (11,355 sq m) The largest unit is capable of incorporating a Mezzanine that will increase the size to 1,788.93 sq m (19,256 sq ft). Total area c. 3,850 sq m (41,400 sq ft) Short to medium term leases available Available as a whole or in parts &"$!$#$!$" "! $ &"# !##!# "! ! "#! ! & ! ! !#" #!#%!#" $"$ #!# #! '" #!# # #!" "#$! #" $# $""#! " Contact Luke Cutler BSc(Hons) MRICS, London e: [email protected] 020 7629 6700 www.humberts-leisure.com AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 43 E =Xejf]k_\_`kZ_`c[i\eËjkmj_fnG\ggXG`^n`ccY\`ek_\`i\c\d\ek`eXe\n XkkiXZk`fe[\[`ZXk\[kfk_\ZXikffe%I`Z_Xi[DXeZ\p#dXeX^`e^[`i\Zkfi f]GXlckfejGXib#n_`Z_fg\iXk\jG\ggXG`^Nfic[#[\jZi`Y\jk_\f]]\i What is Peppa Pig World? ers see in the series. Five of the rides were ments that could easily be themed Opening on April 9th, this magical world manufactured by Metallbau Emmeln and so that they were integral to the is a must for any fan of the popular TV two were produced by Zierer. whole of Peppa Pig World. show. It offers rides, buildings and anima- There were many other factors tions from the cartoon programme, a huge Where did the inspiration come that were part of the decision themed indoor play area and two cafés. from for Peppa Pig World? making process as to what Covering three acres, it sits within the Paultons was one of the fi rst parks to stage rides and attractions were to be 65-acre family theme park Paultons Park in a Peppa Pig Meet and Greet, which we included, such as throughputs, Hampshire, UK. held four years ago. This proved popular longevity and engineering factors. with our guests and we’ve seen this popu- Please describe the park’s content. larity gradually increase to where it is today. What is the design? There are seven Peppa Pig-themed rides: We were also very impressed with the It’s a totally immersive experience Miss Rabbits Helicopter Flight; Peppa’s whole ethos of the tv series. for families with children aged one Big Balloon Ride; Daddy Pig’s Car Ride; We established a relationship with to six. As well as the rides and Grandpa Pig’s Little Train Ride; George’s Entertainment One (the licence holders of attractions, there are numerous Dinosaur Adventure; Grandpa Pig’s Boat Peppa Pig) over a number of years while themed buildings and animated Trip; and Windy Castle. There’s also a running Peppa Pig character weekends attractions which will add to the water splash park called Muddy Puddles and agreed the exclusive licence to the magic of Peppa Pig World. Much [jumping in them is Peppa Pig’s favourite Peppa Pig theme park concept. The park time and effort has been spent on the activity], an outdoor play area – Mr Potato’s is solely funded by Paultons. landscaping and planting – a Paultons spe- Playground – and Paulton’s fi rst indoor ciality – which will add to the experience for play area – George’s Space Ship Play How did you choose the content? children and adults alike. The initial mas- Zone – housed on a 900sq m (9,700sq We wanted rides and attractions that would ter plan was designed by RMA Themed ft) grass-roofed building. All the rides are complement those we already had at Attractions working closely with our direc- heavily themed to closely mirror what view- Paultons. We also wanted to include ele- tors and operations management. 89FLKK?<:FJKLD 44 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Will adults enjoy themselves too? This is fundamentally important to us. All (Above) visitors can meet Peppa the rides, play areas and attractions have Pig and her brother George been designed so adults can accompany before taking a ride on Grandpa their children on them. Pig’s Boat Trip (right) How does Peppa Pig World complement the rest of the park? to see attendance from these audi- Paultons is very focused on providing ences increasing over time. families with children below the age of 14 with a full day’s entertainment. We have How much did the park cost? rides and attractions already at the Park Peppa Pig World cost £6m (%6.8m, suitable for this age group, but Peppa Pig $9.6m) in total. It’s the largest single World provides the park with its own area project undertaken by the park in its dedicated for children below the age of 27-year history. A ticket to Paultons six. With all the other rides and attractions, Park automatically includes entry to plus wonderful gardens, birds and animals, Peppa Pig World. there are many other things for a family to enjoy. For older siblings and parents, there What is the F&B and retail offer? World refl ects the series and characters as are thrill rides such as the Cobra, Edge Within Peppa Pig World there’s a café in closely as is possible. To assist us in this, and Sky Swinger. the indoor play area called Daddy Pig’s Big we’ve worked with Entertainment One and Tummy Cafe plus Miss Rabbit’s Ice Cream the creators of Peppa Pig World – Ashley, Where will visitors come from? Parlour. There are also a number of photo- Baker, Davis – throughout this whole We’re hoping that with the introduction of graphic outlets – studio, green screen and project from its concept, the initial design Peppa Pig World, guests will travel from ride photo – as well as a 2,500sq ft (232 sq and then the fi nal build. further afi eld than our traditional catch- m) dedicated Peppa Pig toy shop. ment area, as it’s the only one of its kind What are your future plans? that will the developed in the UK. We know How did you work with the creators? We’re always adding attractions and updat- that Peppa Pig’s popularity in overseas We’ve spent an incredible amount of time ing and improving the park’s infrastructure. markets is steadily growing, so we hope and resource in ensuring that Peppa Pig This process will continue. ● AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 45 @E;@8 The Indian attractions industry is set to grow, but how can operators ensure success in a previously untapped country? Jennifer Harbottle gets advice from some industry experts BOLLYWOOD BONANZA OR SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE? n paper, India has the proportion compares reasonably well to such a low profile among consumers in potential to be an attrac- other mature markets such as the US (six India? And why are the major players in tions industry superpower; per cent), UK (12 per cent) and Japan (10 the international attractions industry yet to its population is the sec- per cent). A report published in May 2010 stake their claim to this market? ond largest on the planet by global management consulting firm The Indian Association of Amusement (accounting for 15 per cent of the world’s McKinsey & Company stated that urban Parks & Industries (IAAPI) reports that population), it has one of the largest and per capita GDP in India will grow six per there are currently 140 amusement parks most prosperous middle classes in the cent a year between 2005 and 2025 and in India, mainly concentrated in the south- world and is ideally placed geographically the number of households with discre- ern part of the country. As there are more between the affluent markets of Europe tionary spending power could increase than 1.15 billion people in India, this seems and South East and Northern Asia. sevenfold to 89 million by 2025. a gross under-representation. According to numbers, 11 per cent of So why aren’t there more major destina- We ask four stakeholders what they think household income in India is spent on tion attractions in the Indian sub continent? is needed to help the country take its place recreational and cultural services. This Why does the attractions industry have on the world’s attractions’ stage. HARMEET PENTAL, COMPANY DIRECTOR AND CONSUMER, DELHI, INDIA ach year, my family and I typically to cope with large crowds. These attrac- love waterparks, so visit a domestic leisure attrac- tions don’t appeal to the middle and upper enjoy these in the E tion only two or three times. One classes, who’d be willing to pay more if States, in Singapore reason is the cost to get to them, which there were quality F&B offers, shade to and Vietnam and is really high when you have to pay for air keep people cool, decent restrooms and if also on Australia’s fares and hotels. The main reason though the rides were well maintained. Gold Coast. With hot weather eight to nine is that attractions just aren’t very good Also, there’s no control over how many months of the year, India is the perfect and aren’t worth the effort, particularly in people are admitted into an attraction, so place for a waterpark, so it’d be good to the north of India where we live. Most are there are terrible crowds. In North India see more of them open up here. But to get aimed at the lower classes, which means in particular, crowds don’t have social me and my family along, I’d have to know they’re cheap to get in, but are poorly respect; no one stands in line or follows who owns the park and who built it. Ideally maintained and have no infrastructure. rules and it just makes for an unpleasant it would be an international brand name as Low ticket prices bring people in, but if experience all round. that would instil a feeling of trust regarding all you want are large volumes of visitors, it In South India, crowds behave better, safety – there’s a perception here that local ends up compromising everything else and attractions are of a higher standard and companies cut corners to save money. there isn’t the management expertise here the weather is more temperate, so the Also, service standards are non-existent industry is better serviced. in Indian attractions, whereas a foreign My favourite attraction company would be able to manage its staff is Islands of Adventure in and manage the flow of people to make it a Orlando. As a family we better experience. The fact is, there’s nothing in India in the way of attractions for the middle and Existing waterparks in upper classes, so our country loses money India have been popular to overseas destinations, such as Thailand with the local market but and Malaysia, which do attractions better. need to improve to attract an international audience Harmeet Pentel is regional director of stu- dent placement company IDP Education 46 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 IAAPI is encouraging its members to develop and grow by forming joint ven- tures or partnerships with established players in the international market NIRMALSINH RANA, PRESIDENT OF IAAPI lthough India doesn’t get a huge labour-intensive and, so far, with the excep- is growing and we number of foreign tourists, domes- tion of a few medium- to large-size parks in believe the large A tic tourism has grown 14 per cent India, success stories aren’t well known, as players will make on average during the last decade. Of most existing companies are private. Land investments in India this, amusement park industry currently availability and land costs are prohibitive. within a few years. generates only 18-20 million visits a year. The other predicament for operators and Due to the advantage of economy of scale International tourists come to India mainly investors is amusement tax in India, which in India, the operating costs would be for sightseeing and they rarely visit amuse- is fairly high. To set up an amusement park, lower. Plus, the government authorities and ment parks. Even domestic tourists in India various permissions from different statu- municipalities here are showing an inter- are mainly attracted to sightseeing places, tory authorities and government bodies est in providing land for this industry, as such as temples and churches. are required, which can be complicated. it’s being perceived as a social need. We At present, it’s mainly the real estate We hope it will soon be a single window predict that some of the existing medium players that are setting up small- and clearance for setting up a new amusement to large parks will work with large interna- medium-size amusement parks to make park. IAAPI is working with government tional players to upgrade their existing park the area popular, so as to increase the land bodies and statutory authorities to bring in to larger destination parks very soon. price after infrastructure developments. improvement in all these fields. IAAPI is continuously campaigning with The organised sectors and large inves- It’s obvious that large international play- government authorities and emphasising tors haven’t come into the fray except in a ers are hesitant about coming to India as that this industry boosts tourism, gener- few cases – this may be due to ignorance land cost is high and per capita spend in ates large employment and helps in the and lack of knowledge about this indus- this industry is only around $10 (£6.50, development of social infrastructure. try, which is still in its infancy in India. The %7.65). However, over the last five to six amusement industry is both capital- and years that per capita spend in this industry Nirmalsinh Rana, IAAPI president YOGESH DANGE, 2ND VICE PRESIDENT IAAPI he Indian amusement industry has create a land bank for large operators to convention centres, matured over the years and with the invest in India, as the tourism infrastructure exhibition centres T per capita income increasing sev- needs huge tracts of land for development. and malls. Indian eral fold in the last decade, I think we can It’s estimated that by 2020, the average amusement parks expect many more operators, including Indian will be 29-years-old. This entails the need to look for joint Disney and Universal, to invest in India. creation of a large workforce, so at present ventures or partnerships with established The government has been encouraging the amusement industry in India isn’t fac- players in the international market to tourism in a big way and is also recognis- ing any problem with regard to manpower, explore this enormous opportunity. I don’t ing the ability of the amusement and theme but the situation could change with the foresee any major barrier for overseas park industry to generate improved tour- growth. It also creates opportunities in operators starting a venture in India. ism and employment opportunities. terms of subsequent spin offs for eco- The Indian economy is growing at With approximately 140 parks and attrac- nomic growth and prosperity. This, in turn, between 8.5 per cent and nine per cent tions in India at present, and many FECs, will aid the growth of the Indian amuse- per annum. It’s only a matter of time before we expect the next phase of expansion ment parks industry in the future. established players recognise the opportu- to come from the tier-two cities such as However, there’s a need for the amuse- nity to invest in our attraction’s industry. Pune and Jaipur because the cost of land ment industry in India to build integrated in and around large cities has become entertainment destinations with facilities Yogesh Dange is 2nd vice president of very expensive. The government needs to such as amusement attractions, hotels, IAAPI and director of GRS Fantasy Park AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 47 @E;@8 India’s existing amusement industry offer is limited, which could prove to be a staffi ng issue for operators considering entering the market and wanting to recruit experienced people STEVE PEET, MANAGING DIRECTOR, STEVE PEET CONSULTANTS he Indian attractions industry is India, but with restricted access to inter- makes conversion of on the verge of its next stage of national capital, the result is an industry international tourism T growth. There are a number of well made up of primarily owner-operators that numbers diffi cult. established amusement parks, waterparks participate more from a “love” of the prod- Here’s the chicken- and FECs operating successfully across uct and as much a lifestyle business as and-egg problem. the country, but now’s the time for the one for strict ROI interests. Disney and Universal create awareness Indian industry to decide whether there’s The income stratifi cation in India also and demand, but without the government potential to increase the number, size and needs to be considered. Although India addressing some of the key barriers relat- sophistication of its product. has a population of 1.1bn, only 20 to 30 per ing to infrastructure, it’s diffi cult to see Like any market, there are barriers cent are going to be accessible to opera- them being interested in the near-term. to entry for potential operators. Land is tors of top-end product and more than half Indians are aspirational and proud of expensive, the approval process is a night- live on less than US$2 (£1.20, %1.39) a day. their culture. Therefore, attractions that mare (multitude of approvals required But that’s still 350 million people! celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage and from multiple local, provincial and federal The next part of the problem is that diversity should do well, as should a world- government departments), the market is secondary revenue streams don’t seem class waterpark. Due to the hot climate, relatively uneducated for immersive experi- to achieve the same contribution levels as the opportunity to operate all year round is ences and alternatives for time and spend their overseas counterparts. Indians are plausible in most areas and local markets are relatively affordable. very price sensitive. Also, affl uent Indians have responded well to existing waterpark One of the major issues in India is the love their food and take great pride and joy businesses. If these are operated at best lack of public infrastructure to support from their own cooking – they may think industry practise standards, India could development. Air travel is abundant, but twice about paying for food they can cook attract the elusive international market in at the lack of decent arterial and connect- better themselves. Additionally, revenue least one sector. However, at the moment, ing roads, reliable and high capacity rail from merchandising programs in parks the range of product simply isn’t sophisti- networks or other systems to move large reliant on local visitors is always lower than cated or accessible enough to create a real volumes of people from the transport hubs those with a high percentage of tourists. option for Indian families that generates to the attraction are a major issue. Indian Combine this problem with the low F&B repeat visitation on a profi table scale. governments at all levels really need to spend and a low ticket price and profi tabil- The good news for an operator in India decide whether this industry has the poten- ity starts to look diffi cult. is that labour is plentiful and wage rates tial to provide economic benefi t to the It’s a well-known fact that for attractions are contained and affordable for operators. country and assist operators by establish- of this scale to be profi table in the long However, access to industry expertise is ing the “connective tissue” that will support term, they must generate upwards of 40 extremely limited, as is an educated and the life of any attraction in the long term. per cent of visitation from tourism markets. motivated employee base that can help Aside from these barriers to entry, the Given the average spend of the Indian create memorable experiences for guests industry is unlikely to attract institutional population, this burden needs to be shoul- and uphold good operational discipline. investment from structured capital markets. dered by international visitors. The trouble Still, major hotels operate success- The entrepreneurial spirit is abundant in is, India isn’t known for this industry, which fully, so perhaps the key is to re-position the industry as tourism. Create the right product with a point of difference, make it accessible and relatively affordable and È;`je\pXe[Le`m\ijXcZi\Xk\XnXi\e\jjXe[[\dXe[# the visitors will come (assuming of course that marketing is on-target and operational Ylkn`k_flkk_\^fm\ied\ekX[[i\jj`e^`e]iXjkilZkli\# standards are aligned with expectations). `kËj[`]ÔZlckkfj\\k_\dY\`e^`ek\i\jk\[È Steve Peet Consultants specialises in amusement services in Australia & Asia ● 48 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 DID YOU KNOW? 80% OF PEOPLE SAY THEY LIKE TO HEAR MUSIC WHEN THEY EAT OUT.* A recent survey revealed that almost 1 in 4 diners were prepared to spend 5% more on food and drink in restaurants that play recorded music versus those that don’t.* There is no doubt that music is good for business. The simple act of turning music on can make a huge difference to productivity and sales. PPL can make music work for you by offering licensing solutions for playing recorded music in public. A PPL music licence will give your business instant access to literally millions of songs – all for as little as 16 pence per day. For more information on how to obtain your PPL music licence† visit ppluk.com or call 020 7534 1070. To find out more on how music can work for you visit musicworksforyou.com. *MusicWorks survey of 2000 people, conducted March 2009 † If you play recorded music in public it is a legal requirement to obtain the correct PPL licence, failure do so may result in legal action. PPL is different from PRS for Music. PPL collects and distributes money on behalf of record companies and performers whilst PRS for Music collects and distributes money on behalf of songwriters, composers and publishers. Both licenses must be obtained to ensure all copyright holders are fairly paid. ppluk.com DLCK@D<;@88E;8M K<:?EFCF>P K@D<C@E< Industry stalwart Kevin Murphy refl ects on the history of multimedia and AV technology in museums and pinpoints what’s needed for the future efl ecting back to 1977, to the millennium, the slide projector ruled automatically mean good applications, when I joined the Natural for the big image and while the range of and unfortunately, to a degree, the same History Museum (NHM) as equipment was somewhat limited, clever does go for museum displays. It sounds an enthused and relatively designers came up with clever tricks. like a chant that I and many others have young engineer, we had In the 1970s and early 1980s we were been making for the last 20 years or more, one major tool in the technology toolbox pioneers, using simple technology in a way but the secret to great technology-based that we could use on so many exhibits – that was virtually unheard of in museums, displays isn’t just the hardware and the the Kodak carousel slide projector. High with the NHM again leading the world in technology in use, although it has to work technology for its time, fl exible, robust and new display techniques, much to the pain and do the job. It’s the thought, layout and a strong creative medium. Now the carou- of some curators and the wild enthusiasm ergonomic design that goes into the overall sel itself belongs in a museum, as one of of the press and visitors. Now we face a sit- design and the content – good stories, told the last of the larger UK installations using uation where without some form of 3D, 4D, well. In museums the ‘told well’ is the core slides switches to video projection, with 5D or interactive experience, clients and of the exhibit design and the technology is the Imperial War Museum of the North visitors alike feel short-changed, and the there to allow the story to shine. moving the Big Picture Show over to digital marketing departments have little to grasp Not only the story, but simplicity, can projection. In those days, and right through as the next ‘thing’ in exhibition technology. bring results. In the case of science muse- I readily admit that the wow factor is ums, where the stories can be harder to (Below) The Kodak Carousel sometimes entirely acceptable, with some- extract, the focus is obviously more often projector offered so many thing based on technology to make a deep on the physical effects when demonstrat- creative possibilities. impression, but the substance of any exhi- ing science in action. For example, on a bition must not induce recent trade mission study in Singapore contempt by mediocre with a very experienced team of profes- design. sionals from the UK, we had an interesting visit to the world class Science Centre. It JKFIP=@IJK was fun to note the one exhibit that kept As a die-hard technologist, virtually everyone enthralled was a small I scan for new hardware case demonstrating the effect of electro- trends and techniques magnetism energised by sound on iron on a daily basis for both fi llings, with the aid of small magnets and home and work use, and iron fi ling ‘trees’ accompanied by Jimmy try to stay in touch with Somerville singing Smalltown Boy. You the latest ideas. But I get can’t get much simpler than dancing iron increasingly frustrated by fi lings, but I bet that’s the one exhibit that new hardware, software sticks in everyone’s minds. or apps which are badly That’s what a large part of what we’re thought through and, yet doing is about – memories and inspiration. again, mediocre. And simple, successful memories can lead A vast raft of new to big things for our visitors in the future – technologies doesn’t lasting impressions and return visits. 50 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 (Above) The Imperial War Museum of the North recently switched to digital projection 9 AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 51 DLCK@D<;@88E;8M ÈK_\i\Xi\jfd\ m\ip`dgi\jj`m\C<; [`jgcXpjn_`Z_Xi\ \oki\d\cp[\kX`c\[Xe[ _`^_hlXc`kp#YlkZfd\ n`k_Xgi`Z\kX^È made with directional fl at panel loudspeak- ers, which designers would much prefer. The next step is to ensure they deliver higher quality audio, with a tightly defi ned beam. Some manufacturers are concen- trating on this for use in museums. and OLED video panels are still relatively (Above) The BMW Museum in expensive, but can give some excellent Munich features an LED panel as a C@>?K@E>8E;C<; results for viewing images in high ambient backdrop to the exhibition space It seems that everywhere you look these lighting conditions – as long as you’re not days, the light emitting diode, LED, is too close! That said, there are some very and effects and to cover extensive surfaces making a huge impact, especially in light- impressive LED displays out there in cor- with programmable backgrounds. ing. With LED-based lighting we have, in porate environments, which are extremely theory, improved operational costs and detailed and high quality, and can be DF9@C<; Kevin Murphy is development director at Event Communications, designers of ©LIGHT EMISSIONS museums, science centres and attractions 52 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Multimedia and AV focus fun-kit.net the search engine for leisure buyers Wherever you are in the world, fi nd the right products and services 24 / 7 by logging on to Attractions Management’s free search engine www.fun-kit.net 7thSense provides solution for Interactive immersive movie exhibit enhanced 7thSense has provided content solu- by Calibre tion for an immersive movie played within a domed AV theatre. Part of London’s Science Mu- Canon’s expo event, the dome fea- seum’s ‘Who Am I?’ tures three 7thSense Delta media interactive visitor experi- servers, each with quad outputs, na- ence uses Calibre UK’s tively serving a 3,200 x 3,200 pixel PremierViewProHD Image fisheye movie as an uncompressed Warp Processors to warp TGA sequence on all servers, so that and blend incoming video no further processing is required on- signals, while retaining ab- site. Ten Canon XEED SX7 projectors solute signal quality. are configured to create an immer- Calibre image process- sive experience for the audience with ing lies at the heart of the PHOTO: THE SCIENCE MUSEUM a combined image that measures 9m Threshold zone, which (29.5ft) across. forms a dramatic entrance Communications agency Imagina- to the gallery. Moving tion created a six-minute custom show, coloured particles are pro- recorded with Canon products to film jected onto the floor of a locations in New York, Tokyo and Paris. long catwalk. Visitors are This was integrated with CGI elements, ‘drawn’ along the floor by such as a virtual fly-through of the the colours and, as they approach tendered for the project, there was Guggenheim museum in New York, US. the wall at the end, a concealed no solution on the market capable Director Ian Macpherson says: “It was camera captures the infra-red reflec- of achieving a seamless vertical and our job to realise the immersive en- tions given off by each person. horizontal video wall with 180-degree vironment. The content was created These are translated into a personal, interaction,” he explains. “Fortunate- when the position and angle of the particle-based image that runs down ly, by connecting PremierViewProHD dome were set and we then designed the wall and onto the floor, mimicking Image Warp Processors from Calibre the technical installation and provided each body’s movement in real time. to each of the projectors, we were playback and mapping tech and sup- Five Panasonic 6000 series projec- able to warp the projected images port. We worked with dome specialists tors are positioned out-of-sight and and blend them back into shape to and provider Holovis International to driven at angles to fulfil the project create a single, continuous image. create a setting. Physical installation brief of seamless imaging moving Visitors are able to walk within 1.9m and alignment of the system using along. This created a challenge for (6ft) of the wall without affecting the Delta was completed in just four days.” systems integrator Sarner, according projection at all.” to the company’s Head of Engineer- fun-kit.net KEYWORD 7thSense ing, Chris Hawes. “At the time we fun-kit.net KEYWORD calibre 54 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 log on to www.fun-kit.net and type the company name under ‘keyword search’ Dataton software used in Commonwealth Games Electrosonic’s AV solutions for dark One of the focal points of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India was a giant helium balloon, believed to be the rides in China largest of its kind ever constructed. Rising from the centre of the 60,000-seat- er stadium, it formed a 360-degree projection surface. Onto this, event Electrosonic has provided all the AV integrator Creative Technology shone images depicting numerous aspects solutions for two new dark ride attrac- of Indian history and culture using 16 pairs of Barco FLM R22+ projectors, tions at Happy Valley outside Shanghai synchronised, seamlessly edge-blended and image-warped using Dataton’s and Window of the World in Shen- flexible media server Watchout. zhen, north of Hong Kong. Electrosonic A full backup for every video channel used in the ‘balloon’ movie was neces- supplied full projection systems and sary as the games were held during monsoon season and it was uncertain how screens, the main show control system, much protection the projectors would need. Watchout was chosen because it 4D effects, audio and lighting. The could adapt to any type of media supplied from a variety of sources. company worked with Huss Attractions, the ride system providers, and creative fun-kit.net KEYWORD dataton content producers Super 78 Studios. Both attractions are movie-based dark rides featuring curved screens and a Granite Precision updates Hollywood Citywalk quad projection system with custom lenses, dynamic audio reinforcement Granite Precision Inc is currently up- and 4D effects. In Shanghai, Flight of dating Universal Studios Hollywood the Dragon depicts an aerial journey Citywalk’s music-video bigscreen over China showing vast landscapes, and background music system. The metropolitan areas, terraced farming company installed Integrated Media and mountain ranges. In Shenzhen, Server (IMS) at Citywalk in 2007, Flying America depicts the scenic US which has allowed them to synchro- from its cities and landmarks to its na- nise the audio, video, data display tional parks and diverse terrain. and lighting from a single product. “All systems are accessible back- “The IMS takes advantage of a PC- stage so servicing can be performed based Windows system – a relatively during the shows,” says Electrosonic inexpensive, off-the-shelf hardware project manager Thursby Pierce. “We with which most users are familiar,” left room in the racks for more equip- says president Jeff Long. “The IMS ment should the client want to expand uses specialised software that works later, and there is a lot of space on the underneath Windows. This approach server to handle more content.” is innovative as our code can keep fun-kit.net KEYWORD granite running even if Windows crashes.” fun-kit.net KEYWORD electrosonic AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 55 F::LG8K@FE8C?8Q8I; GFC@K@:JFE K?<D N?8K?8GG ?FN;@;FK?L N?8KJ<:LI@KPN8JK? 56 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital (Below) It was President Barak Obama’s fi rst visit to the restaurant, but the fi rst lady had been before ÈJfZ`Xcd\[`X`jjfd\k_`e^ pfl_Xm\kfY\XnXi\f]% >l\jkjn\i\glkk`e^`kfe kn`kk\i#jfg\fgc\]fle[ flkjkiX`^_kXnXp%FliGI (Above and right) The Source is celebrity g\ijfe]fle[flkk_ifl^_ chef Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant at the kn`kk\iiXk_\ik_Xe]ifdd\É Newseum in Washington, US before coming in. Security guards were N?8KNFLC;PFL?8M<;FE<@=K?< We regularly have high profi le guests, standing around the room, but because I AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 57 GIFA<:KGI 58 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 The 78-acre thrill park will be in the northern Tourist Commercial sector of the International Drive tourism area land partner is incredibly committed to the ?FNN@CCPFL; AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 59 *;&C8I><=FID8K=@CD FULLDOME VERSUS FLAT SCREEN N`k_k_\Zlii\ekki\e[]fi]lccp`dd\ij`m\\og\i`\eZ\j# dXepfg\iXkfijXi\`em\jk`e^`e[fd\j%9lk[f k_\j\gifm`[\XY\kk\i\og\i`\eZ\k_XeXÕXkjZi\\e gi\j\ekXk`fe6BXk_c\\eN_pdXeXjbjk_\\og\ikj the same scene captured from slightly dif- D@:?8 60 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 directors much more to think about. Add in (Above) Global Immersion’s D8IK@E?FN< the complexities of 3D and you can under- Intensity 4D theatre show- Z_`\]\o\Zlk`m\# stand why it’s still an emerging format. ing at Our Dynamic Earth, >cfYXc@dd\ij`fe Currently, dome content is mostly space- Edinburgh, Scotland and astronomy-based. When an operator tries to expand into other topics, the avail- able content is adapted for the dome. In around the audience helps signifi cantly y defi nition, domes are more this case, the wow factor can be lost in and domes go all the way. 3D content immersive because the audi- the implementation. As a supplier, it’s designed for dome environments using È9 ence is literally placed inside important to ensure the visual quality is good visual clues (markers) can actually the screen and therefore inside consistent with dome expectations. make for a 3D experience without glasses. the content. If the content’s produced well, Ideally, content should be shot to suit I believe 3D is here to stay for a while. It then it’s a more immersive experience and the format. However, it’s possible to work has suffi cient momentum across a range can be signifi cantly more engaging and it in post-production by applying careful of platforms and applications that it’s going compelling than a fl at screen presentation. distortion profi les to the content to wrap it to stick for longer than it has before. We There are, however, more challenges in around a fairly large portion of the dome. all know the glasses get in the way, from a providing content for domes. Firstly, it’s Partial dome done well is much more pref- guest experience and operationally. a complex format. Not only are there typi- erential to fulldome done poorly. Home systems will become glassless cally many more pixels to handle, which quite quickly, which will drive a demand adds to cost and complexity in the produc- No place like dome for 3D glassless in large format, but this tion workfl ow, but also the frame is massive Domes are the better media to use for 3D is much more complex and expensive to compared to fl at screen. Literally half of fi lms because if the object in the image achieve. Domes, even when glassless, will the entire environment is presented to the goes outside the frame, the 3D illusion continue to be immersive, and, with good audience, which gives the producers and is destroyed. Curving the screen partly content, will provide a 3D offer.” AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 61 *;&C8I><=FID8K=@CD (Right) NSC Creative’s Black Rhino from its fulldome fi lm 4DVenture, which was created specially for Our Dynamic Earth’s 4D theatre in the UK 9 he question of whether or not to use fulldome or fl at screen ÈK depends on what story you the process ensures that the images work want to tell. Sometimes that ILK??8IM 62 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 don’t ever grow up At Global Immersion, we continually strive to develop and engineer the most innovative, leading-edge immersive theater solutions so your visitors can re-live childlike excitement and amazement during each and every performance. From the exhilaration of a 4D theater, to the wonder of a stunning 3D planetarium, our job is to create your emotion. We understand the fundamentals for captivating and engaging audiences, and we understand that experience is everything. We create immersive theater. Without limits. founding sponsor EMEA+: +44 (0) 845 0 456225 | Americas: +1 303 357 4760 | [email protected] | globalimmersion.com *;&C8I><=FID8K=@CD he challenge with domes is that to have a great impact and ÈK impress customers, the sphere needs to be big – very big. The position of viewers in the theatre is also a key point. Even though the dome offers a 360-degree experience, the viewer will only see what’s in front of them. So, if your viewers are positioned in a circle-like arrangement (for example, in a K (Left) Triotech’s interac- tive dark ride is played on a curved screen, which allows action-driven con- tent to be shown 64 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 INNOVATION | AND BEYOND WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION THE WORLD´S FIRST WATERPARKK ATTRACTIONA REDEFINING THE MULTI-MEDIA WORLD OF WATERPARK ENTERTAINMENT The leading global partner for unique, customised, high-tech solutions. From the initial conceptual phase to the fi nal implementation, and beyond. KRAFTWERK Living Technologies GmbH Tel: +43 7242 69269-0 [email protected] www.kraftwerk.at AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 65 *;&C8I><=FID8K=@CD how well 3D works, so it’s important to get (Above) Marvel Superheroes AFJ?L8N 66 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 omni? www.omniticket.com D J Willrich Ltd Audio Visual & Multimedia Specialists Beufre Farm, Bucklers Hard Road, Beaulieu, Hampshire, SO42 7XA T. +44 (0)1590 612603 E. [email protected] W. www.djwillrich.co.uk AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 67 K@:B :FEKIFCC@E>K@:B FG 68 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 www.gatewayticketing.com Because K@:B N_XkËjk_\gif[lZk6 (Above) OmniTicket’s Installment The OmniTicket Installment Billing software Billing software can be used both module allows venues to offer flexible pay- online by customers and at the front ment plans for customers buying annual gate of attractions by staff passes, season passes and memberships. For example, a customer could purchase an annual pass for 12 monthly payments, ?fn[f\j`knfib6 which are then automatically charged The OmniTicket Installment Billing module to their credit card. Or a season pass makes it easy for attractions to offer their – ideal for the summer season at a water- guests flexible payment options. With this park – can be purchased through three add-on functionality, staff can generate automated credit card payments over a pass holder contracts on the sale of a pass, three-month period. This functionality sup- and schedule automated billing cycles, ports the creation of automated payment automated payment processing and the plan contracts, automated billing cycles, automated blocking of passes when automated payment processing and the scheduled payments are declined. automated blocking of passes when The Installment Billing functionality scheduled payments are declined. integrates seamlessly with OmniTicket’s ...choose Time Pursuit, on-site and online solutions to encourage latest generation web N_XkËje\nXYflk`k6 easy renewals through both the front gate The product offers unprecedented flexibil- and on the website. based booking and EPoS ity in the creation of payment plan offers that adhere to the specific product being N_`Z_XkkiXZk`fejlj\ system for admissions, purchased. An unlimited number of plans pflie\ngif[lZk6 experiences, retail and F&B. can be created to support various market- Two theme park clients – one in Orlando ing initiatives and promotions. and one in Hollywood – have implemented Multi-channel advanced sales, on-site For example, one client used this for a this technology in the last six months. Christmas lay-away offer whereby a cus- Wild Adventures theme park in Georgia ticketing and integrated customer tomer buying an annual theme park pass implemented an early version for a management that drive revenues, as a Christmas gift could make a deposit Christmas lay-away option online and productivity and delight your customers. up front and then pay the balance at a later WaterWorld in Colorado will be launching date before the end of the year. this feature for its 2011 summer season. D N_XkËjk_\gif[lZk6 tionships, plus the marketing of all events Expert Ticket is a fully integrated system, directly to customers. It also incorporates which allows operators to manage their retail management. attraction with access to any area being Tickets can be sold or redeemed at any automatically controlled by them using the till point for those out-of-season situations the leisure activity booking system unique bar-coding system. where only the till in the shop is operating. The reduction in staffing levels reduces costs and the unlimited number of tickets N_`Z_XkkiXZk`fejlj\ Call us on +44 (0)1223 651400 they can issue means they can create tick- pflie\ngif[lZk6 ets for new events and exhibits in minutes. Clients include Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, Email us at [email protected] The system also allows them to manage Wentworth Castle, Bressingham Steam Visit us at www.openfrontiers.com all aspects of events and customer rela- Museum and Muncaster Castle. ¬ Time Pursuit is an Open Frontiers solution AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 N8K ;DGG:8 orea Currently being created as the fi rst large- , South K World scale, world-class water park in Northern cean O China, Longmenzhen is part of a hotel, spa and commercial district being designed by Forrec. Opening at the end of May, the park will boast one of Asia’s largest mix of attractions, including more than 30 slides, water play, pools, rivers, surfi ng machines and the largest surfi ng wave pool in China. Its theme will combine traditional Chinese architecture with The 12.5ha waterpark is designed by modern highlights. Scheduled to open Forrec and will open at the end of May later this year, the park is targeting both local and international visitors of all ages. The company behind the project, Spanning 12.5ha (31 acres), the park’s the Sichuan Longmenzhen Tourism & peak day attendance will be 15,000. The Resorts, is aiming to duplicate the suc- waterpark will comprise a 7,500sq m (1.9 cess of the Happy Magic Watercube acre) wave pool, a lazy river and two spa Water Park, also in China, and was keen pool complexes. to incorporate the design brand which ProSlide Technology has provided Forrec developed at Watercube into their pipeline tube slides, Octopus racers, future waterpark developments. Tornado, Tantrum Alley, Behemoth Bowl, According to Forrec’s Bettina Klug, Double Cannon Bowl, Plummet Speed the biggest challenge of the project was slides, Tornado Wave and RideHouse. incorporating the existing structure of Whitewater West is supplying the teen the former theme park with the design water play area, a Flow Rider, bodyslides elements from the Watercube and pro- and a water play structure. ducing a cohesive design. The Waterpark Company AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 +1 604 273 1068 • www.whitewaterwest.com EGDHA>9: Wild Wadi Waterpark in Dubai unveiled its expansion in January, with new fea- tures including the world’s fi rst ProSlide Bowling Alley, the Burj Surj and the world’s longest Tantrum Alley. Spanning a record-breaking 250m (820ft), this is the only Tantrum Alley with three funnels – two open and one enclosed. Riders in four-person tubes experience an overall drop of 20m (65ft) and plenty of speed and exhilara- tion, with two large sections of downhill waterslides and three tornadoes. The Burj Surj features two 12m (40ft) bowls, which riders whizz around twice The world’s largest in their four- to fi ve-person rafts before The Burj Surj spins riders being dropped down a slide and into the and most thrilling! before dropping them on pool. At more than 236m (775ft), this is a slide and into the pool longer than all existing Bowling Alleys. CDA6, The Bulgarian-based NOLA 7 has designed the largest indoor waterpark on the Balkan Peninsula at Tamplier Resort, Bansko – the Bulgarian ski resort which hosted the world downhill championships. The 1,000sq m (3,280sq ft) facility opens in May with three merging pools, slides, two lazy rivers, water caves, fountains and water curtains. According to NOLA 7’s managing direc- tor, Richard Bishop, the resort is becoming uth Korea increasingly popular out of season, so the ort, So Water curtains, fountains and caves Res waterpark will provide family entertainment nwha are among the offer at the waterpark Ha to complement the adjacent spa centre. C:EIJC:7:CHDC Sustainability is the watchword of Al The Defender eliminates more than Ain’s latest waterpark. Slated to open 90 per cent of the backwash water asso- this year, the Jebel Hafeet Project (its ciated with sand fi lter operation. This working title) aims to give an exhilarating leads to chemical savings and means and fun experience for adrenalin junkies, less fuel is needed, as make-up water with a surf pool and kayaking attraction. isn’t being reheated. The Defender Neptune Benson was appointed to footprint takes up 25 per cent less install fi ve Defender regenerative media space than conventional sand fi lters, fi lters on the installations, which prove as it requires no holding tank or waste that green doesn’t have to be costly, as discharge plumbing. Added to this, the the operational savings will soon offset water quality is high, saving up to 25 per the capital costs. cent on chemical consumption. Al Ain’s latest waterpark is using Neptune Benson’s Defender sand fi lter system The Waterpark Company AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 +1 604 273 1068 • www.whitewaterwest.com Some models not available in Canada and United States N8K The Water Web rain curtains can be a play feature or used as part of a show PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/BEATA WAWRZYNIUK SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/BEATA PHOTO: I:8=C>;:M Technifex has a product in the closing stages of completion, which is cur- rently known as the Water Web. A grid of individually controllable rain curtains, the Water Web can be programmed to create a maze for Disney Dream’s AquaDuck is the first watercoaster to be built on board a cruise ship guests to move through, which can be simply reconfigured by a computer. During the day, the Water Web can L=>I:L6I:GL:HI act as a play feature, but at night, or Whitewater West has provided one of the brave enough to look down through the under controlled lighting conditions, attractions at Disney Dream, the latest translucent tube. A straight rapids section it takes on a different appearance. cruise ship from Disney, which is twice the gives breathtaking views over the ocean, With changing lighting and projected size of the previous two ships. before guests are deposited in a pool. imagery, the Water Web can create a The AquaDuck coaster, themed on “Whitewater is thrilled to have helped to mesmerising show to provide a night Donald Duck, is based on the concept of create magic for the global leader in the time attraction, or a backdrop for a Whitewater’s award winning MasterBlaster. entertainment industry,” says Whitewater’s concert or special event. The com- Combining elements of a rollercoaster, it’s CEO, Geoff Chutter. “The design and pany is currently in talks with several the first watercoaster aboard a cruise ship. sophistication takes on-board entertain- companies interested in integrating A slide loops 46m (150ft) above the water ment to a new level. The AquaDuck and the Water Web into their facilities. and 4m (13ft) off the side of the deck, giving the Disney Dream are perfect examples of great views of the ocean below, for those Disney’s industry-leading innovation.” EDA>C May sees the launch of an exciting new the first site of the eagerly anticipated King then the two tubes speed into the valley park on the Mediterranean coast near Cobra, which Polin unveiled at IAAPA Asia. section alongside one another.” Antalya, Turkey. The Maxx Royal Resort King Cobra is the star attraction with Polin uses a closed moulded produc- and Waterpark covers 400,000sq m Polin’s marketing manager, Sohret Pakis, tion technology, Resin Transfer Moulding (131,2335sq ft), with the waterpark saying it offers an intense riding experi- (RTM), which has less styrene emis- accounting for 10,000sq m (107,640sq ft). ence with great visual impact and spectator sion than open moulded Turkish company Polin has designed appeal. “The core feature is the unique methods and creates a mix of rides suitable for the whole fam- configuration which enables two double less physical waste ily, including 10 waterslides and a -sized tubes to race through a circular path, pro- during production. ● water play area with themed slides, foun- viding twists, turns, and surprises,” she tains and a water play structure. This is says. “Riders experience a steep drop, Two double tubes race alongside each other on Polin’s King Cobra waterslide 74 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 R June 22-24, 2011 BOOTH #431 Respected & Installed Worldwide Saves millions of gallons of water and waste Removes over 99.9% of crypto in a single pass Over 500 Defender systems installed in 13 countries Proud Supplier to Equarius Waterpark Sentosa, Singapore www.neptunebenson.com www.defenderfilter.com Aquatic Commercial Residential Health/Community Custom Applications Imagine. A water park where it never rains. As the world’s leading designer, manufacturer and installer of custom retractable roof enclosures and operable skylights, OpenAire offers solutions that inspire the imagination. Our exclusive, maintenance-free thermally broken aluminum framing system withstands moist, chemical aquatic environ- ments, and our opening roof system reduces energy and operating costs, offers year-round enjoyment, and creates a beautiful venue. Your vision. Our passion. Everything is possible with OpenAire. 1-800-267-4877 [email protected] www.openaire.com AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital 75 ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT Call +44 (0)1462 471919 to book your space BUYERS GUIDE AMUSEMENT RIDES COSTUME CHARACTERS MULTIMEDIA AV THEMING WORLD CLASS LIGHT, SOUND & VIDEO Amazing Characters! SHOW CONTROL [email protected] +44 (0)8706 268024 SIMULATION THEMED CONSTRUCTION Amusement ride manufacturer since 1952 EXHIBITS ROCKWORK BERTAZZON 3B Srl Sernaglia - Italy WATER FEATURES Tel. +39.0438.966291 FACADES Fax +39.0439.966165 SCULPTURES E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 001-262-677-6060 www.bertazzon.com www.frenzycreative.co.uk www.kraftwerk.at Email: [email protected] BODY DRYERS DESIGN & THEMING SIMULATION RIDES 5D WATERPARK ATTRACTIONS KF9FFBPFLI www.explore5d.com JG8:<:8CC ALC@<'E Specializing in the ultimate waterslides, "++ 'interactive play (+-)+.(0(0 structures and more! Tel: +44 (0)1202 890705 www.joravision.com [email protected] Your Waterpark Company www.haystack-dryers.com 4EL s WWWWHITEWATERWESTCOMwww.whitewaterwest.com COIN SORTERS DESIGN & THEMING WATERPLAY Money Book your advert counters on our website and sorters and be seen by www.scsinteractive.com over 11,000 buyers every month. www.cumminsallison.co.uk www.sandersongroup.com.au COSTUME CHARACTERS INTERACTIVE & 4-D ATTRACTION WET LEISURE PLAY PRODUCTS RAINBOW PRODUCTIONS Costume creation & cartoon character appearances Contact Danny Smith: +44 (0)20 8254 5312 [email protected] www.rainbowproductions.co.uk www.3dba.be Call the Sales Team Today to Discuss Your Booking WATERPARKBRANDLANDS/ARCHITECTS/BOTANIC/CULTURAL/MUSEUMS ATTRACTIONS Specializing in the ultimate waterslides, 01462 interactive play structures and more! Hippo Leisure Products Ltd, Unit 18, Estover 431385 Road, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PY Tel: +44 (0) 1752 313075 c\`jli\d\[`X E: [email protected] JKL;@F www.attractionsmanagement.co.uk W: www.hippoleisure.com To subscribe to Attractions Management log on to www.leisuresubs.com email: [email protected] tel +44 1462 @e[ljkip$c\X[`e^ 471913 fax +441462 433909. Annual subscription rates are UK £34, Europe £45 rest of world £65, students UK £17 ...museums brandlands cultural attractions botanic gardens Attractions Management is published each quarter by The Leisure Media Company Limited, Portmill House, Portmill dXib\k`e^Xe[ Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1DJ, UK and is distributed in the USA by SPP, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. zoos safari parks visitor centres themed attractions mixed Periodicals postage paid @ Manchester, PA. POSTMASTER. Send US address changes to Attractions Management, c/o development heritage centres science centres hotels restaurants... PO Box 437, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437 USA [\j`^ej\im`Z\j The views expressed in print are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher The Leisure Media Company Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system Tel: +1 604 273 1068 www.whitewaterwest.com K\c'(+-)+.(0(. or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright holder. Printed by The Manson Group Printers. © Cybertrek Ltd 20102011 ISSN 1479/9154 76 Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 2 2011 ©cybertrek 2011 ASIAN ATTRACTIONS EXPO 2011 SIMPLY DAZZLING Prepare to be amazed at Asian Attractions Expo 2011. Come to Asian Attractions Expo 2011 at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore to discover how you can elevate the guest experience at your park or attraction and to connect with industry colleagues from across Asia and the world. Featuring a kaleidoscope of innovative products, rides, games, and equipment from more than 200 exhibiting companies; exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of Singapore’s fi nest attractions; unparalleled special events; and expert-led education sessions— Asian Attractions Expo will dazzle you. www.IAAPA.org/AAsianAttractionsExpo Asian Attractions Expo 2011 RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA Produced by: SINGAPORE 21-24 June, 2011 Hard Rock Hotel Singapore To attend or exhibit, go to www.IAAPA.org. !-11. Discover a universal and timeless 3D/4D attraction nWave Pictures proudly presents A 3D/4D experience inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince: an eternally enchanting story. For more information contact: $FESJD*HPEUt5FM t'BY tDJHPEU!OXBWFDPNtXXXOXBWFDPN +BOJOF#BLFSt5FM t'BY tKCBLFS!OXBWFDPN (North & South America Sales)