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VOL23 Q3 2018 www.simworx.co.uk

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AQUATIS Meet the minds behind Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium and vivarium

PETAL POWER BOB Atlanta Botanical Garden's Mary Pat Matheson

DYLAN COEN Iconic artist's music archive BERTENS opening to the public COO on the park's success

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.nwave.com Editor’s letter

Rewilding As our natural world increasingly comes under threat, we’re learning more about how being in nature underpins our wellbeing and this precious resource is becoming an important part of the attractions industry

hich areas of the attractions industry are going to grow fastest in the future? This is one of the questions we’re asked most frequently here at W Attractions Management magazine. Everyone wants to know where the next opportunity lies. One strong trend we’re spotting at present is towards ‘rewilding’ – giving people time in nature to recharge and to reconnect with their wild side. This trend is driven by a bigger movement towards health and wellbeing, which is permeating every market sector from food production to cosmetics, travel, manufacturing, transport and everything in between. There’s now clear scientifi c evidence that time spent in nature is good for humans’ mental and physical health. One example is Japanese healing modality Shinrin-yoku, People are increasingly interested in spending time in nature or forest bathing, which involves spending time in forests of all kinds, from bamboo to deciduous trees. The results of over 100 adacemic studies show We envision attractions based on hormones secreted by the trees boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure and stress, enhance mood and nature and ‘rewilding’ being a major

energy levels, improve sleep and increase happiness. trend for the industry going forward As scientists learn more about how being in greenspace and nature is benefi cial, so the public’s appetite for these experiences grows and well-designed attractions which have In another wonderful example, the success of the an authentic base in nature thrive and grow as a result. extraordinary Atlanta Botanical Garden is celebrated on Rewilding takes many forms. In this issue, we hear about page 66 in our interview with CEO Mary Pat Matheson. an initiative by Merlin Entertainments to move two beluga Gardens, arboretums and forest parks have traditionally whales to a wild Arctic inlet in Iceland, where they will live been very low-key parts of the attractions industry, but we out their days in safety, but in a natural environment. envison them blossoming and growing in importance as Merlin inherited the whales as part of a theme park rewilding becomes a major trend for the sector. buyout and its policy of not keeping cetaceans in captivity raised issues, as they could not be released into the wild. /L]7HUU\HGLWRU The company will build an attraction on-site, so visitors can OL]WHUU\#OHLVXUHPHGLDFRP learn more about the creatures and the rewilding process. @elizterry

Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385 attractionsmanagement.com @attractionsmag [email protected]

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 7 IN THIS ISSUE ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT

Q p12 Bob Dylan’s music archive Qp52 Riding the rails: four of the biggest rollercoaster launches worldwide

Q p42 Meet the minds behind Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium and vivarium Q p34 Coen Bertens on the success of Efteling

07 Editor’s Letter 34 Interview 52 Rides Coen Bertens Riding the rails 12 People Fairytale theme park Efteling has Four multi-million-dollar rollercoasters, Meet the people in the news, with gone from strength to strength including Valkyria and Hyperion legendary musician Bob Dylan and singer- during its 65-year history, enchanting songwriter Dolly Parton more visitors last year than 66 Visitor attractions ever before. We talk to COO Coen Petal Power 20 Science Centres news Bertens about its success Mary Pat Matheson, CEO of Atlanta 21 Visitor Attractions news Botanical Garden, speaks to Kath Hudson 22 Theme Parks news 42 Aquariums 24 Waterparks news High Waters 72 Sponsored briefing

27 Museums & Galleries news We visited the brand new Aquatis Professionalising your PART THREE 28 Heritage news Aquarium-Vivarium in Switzerland attractions security team 31 Zoos & Aquariums news for a journey through our planet’s NW Security Group looks at 32 Technology news freshwater environments, network video and audio

8 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT ISSUE 3 2018

Q p94 Eyes are on the tropical island of Hainan, as the ‘Hawaii of China’ continues to exand Q p84 New Bond attraction opens in Austria

Q p66 We talk to Atlanta Botanical Garden’s CEO Q p78 The landmark US$1bn Warner Bros Movie World is open for business on Yas Island

78 Theme parks 94 Tourism Playing the Looney Tune Aloha Hainan As new and exciting leisure opportunities This year, two global waterpark brands increase in the Middle East, Yas came to the island province of Hainan Island welcomes the US$1bn Warner in China. We look at what’s going on. Bros World Abu Dhabi. We speak to the two key members of the team 100 Show preview behind the landmark project. Euro Attractions Show On the cover: Bob Dylan The European edition of IAAPA’s trade show 84 Museums comes to Amsterdam, the Subscribe: License to Thrill in September. Here’s what to expect To subscribe, call: +44 (0)1462 471915 or visit www.leisuresubs.com A brand new James Bond visitor attraction, Web gallery: nestled snugly inside a mountain peak 107 Attractions-kit.net For suppliers of products and in Sölden, Austria, opened this July. We Product Innovation services in the worldwide attractions talked to the operator and architect Suppliers present their latest launches industry, turn to page 108

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 9 the team

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10 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 MORE TO ENJOY... What’s hot in Leisure Media’s magazines

HEALTH CLUB CLAD SPA BUSINESS ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT Q Ole Scheeren, ‘In my Q Henri and Dominique Q Matthew Allison, rolling work, form follows fiction’ Chenot on new growth Q Bob Dylan music out Space Cycle in China for the Chenot Group archive opening Q Gabrielle Bullock – the to the public Q Pure is launching a good news on diversity Q Iceland’s Blue Lagoon Small Box gym concept launches lava spa Q Europe’s largest Q David Collins Studio freshwater aquarium Q Colin Waggett, CEO of on keeping the legacy Q ISPA’s inaugural and vivarium launches Thirdhttp://leisuremedia.com/TP_counter.cfm?sitecode=LMD&mag=Health%20Club%20Management&codeID=3043&linktype=homepage Space on getting ofhttp://cladglobal.com/TP_counter.cfm?sitecode=CLD&mag=CLADmag&codeID=3041 its founder alive Workforcehttp://leisuremedia.com/TP_counter.cfm?sitecode=LMD&mag=Spa%20Business&codeID=3037&linktype=homepage Study http://leisuremedia.com better not just bigger debunks industry myths Q Efteling’s Coen Bertens

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SPORTS LEISURE SPA OPPORTUNITIES AM NEWS MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Q QC Terme opens Q ‘No plans’ to Q Rugby star Laurence Q 1Rebel cycle concept 3,000sq m spa open SeaWorld Dallaglio uses sport is world’s first in Chamonix Q $1bn Warner Bros to help youngsters Q Iconic Gold’s Gym Q ‘Algorithmic Beauty’ World Abu Dhabi Qhttp://leisuremedia.com/TP_counter.cfm?sitecode=LMD&mag=Sports%20Management&codeID=3025&linktype=homepage Are councils asking brandhttp://leisuremedia.com/TP_counter.cfm?sitecode=LMD&mag=Leisure%20Opportunities&codeID=3044&linktype=homepage is up for sale exploredhttp://leisuremedia.com/TP_counter.cfm?sitecode=LMD&mag=Spa%20Opportunities&codeID=3042&linktype=homepage at GWS openshttp://leisuremedia.com/TP_counter.cfm?sitecode=LMD&mag=AM2&codeID=3045&linktype=homepage to public too much of operators? http://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital/green/indexLMD.cfm?origin=DIGIpdfLMD&PASScodeID=3025 Qhttp://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital/green/indexLMD.cfm?origin=DIGIpdfLMD&PASScodeID=3044 Hospitality ‘to generate Qhttp://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital/green/indexLMD.cfm?origin=DIGIpdfLMD&PASScodeID=3042 Urban wellness Qhttp://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital/green/indexLMD.cfm?origin=DIGIpdfLMD&PASScodeID=3045 One&Only Resorts Q Everyone Active’s £100bn’ in 2018’ comes to Shanghai to debut in Malaysia Stephen Hulme reflects

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 11 PEOPLE

Attractions People

I’m glad that my archives, which have been collected all these years, have finally found a home

Bob Dylan musician

ore than 100,000 artefacts related to Bob Dylan will no longer be left blowing in the wind, after plans were Mrevealed to open an archive dedicated to the singer-songwriter. An archive of more than 6,000 artefacts – collected by the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) – already sit in the Tulsa University in Oklahoma, however the collection is largely inaccessible to the public and only available for academic research. When the centre opens, a vast majority of items – including unrecorded song lyrics, photographs and private correspondences – will go on public display for the first time ever. The land, acquired in 2016 by GKFF for the centre, sits next to a museum dedicated to Woody Guthrie – a musician who had a big influence on Dylan’s career. “I’m glad that my archives, which have been collected all these years, have finally found a home and are to be included alongside the works of Woody Guthrie,” said Dylan. “To me, it makes a lot of sense and it’s a great honour.” Architects Olson Kundig will design the visitor attraction, with Tom Kundig handling architecture and Alan Maskin exhibit.

The Bob Dylan archive will include the artist’s entire musical catalog as well as hundreds of hours of video

12 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 The collection features essays, poems, liner notes, correspondence and philosophical musings from Bob Dylan

Alan Maskin (left) and Tom Kundig (below) will design the exhibits and attraction respectively

The Bob Dylan archive stands to make Tulsa a prime hotspot for music tourism

Olson Kundig was awarded the project as part of an international competition. The entry, said the competition judges, was “focused on the notion of Bob Dylan as a master of change”. According to Kundig and Maskin, the centre has been envisioned as “the embodiment of continual change”, from its architectural approach to its exhibit design. “We are not only acting as architectural support to Bob’s transformational legacy and creative, disciplined force,” said Kundig. “We are also helping to preserve the teaching value of his legacy for future generations”. The architects envision the centre as a dynamic venue, to house permanent, temporary and travelling exhibitions readily accessible by artists, historians, The centre will open musicologists, and members of the public to the public in 2021 who are seeking deeper understanding of Dylan’s work. The centre will open in 2021.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 13 PEOPLE

Dollywood’s new Wildwood Grove addition will feature 11 new experiences, six new rides included among them

This is going to give families a place to explore, play and imagine together Dolly Parton singer-songwriter

ountry singer Dolly Parton has announced plans for the US$37m expansion of her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. CTo feature new rides, live entertainment and dining experiences, the Wildwood Grove expansion will open to the public in 2019. “When I’d be out exploring in the hills around our home in the Smoky Mountains, I’d let my imagination roam free,” says Parton. “I’d pretend that the frogs and butterflies were my friends. I’d imagine what it would be like to fly with a dragonfly or to follow a bear family through the woods. Now all these things are coming true for our guests in Wildwood Grove.” Visitors will enter Wildwood Grove through the trunk of a giant fallen tree, emerging into the imaginative land envisioned by Parton. At the heart of the land, a 55ft-tall (16.7m) tree grows from a cluster of natural rock and boulders, offering a natural platform for live performances from the park’s entertainers. At night, the tree will come to life, with Dolly Parton jointly a show featuring “butterflies glowing in a owns Dollywood kaleidoscope of spectacular colour.” alongside Herschend The main attraction will be Dragonflier – Family Entertainment a suspended family rollercoaster. Joining it will be the Treetop Tower, Black Bear Trail, Mad Mocking Bird flying , Sycamore Swing swinging ship and the called Wildwood Creek will offer an place where they can spend more time Frogs and Fireflies carousel. outdoor playspace featuring pop jets and together,” Parton says. A 4,000sq ft (371sq m) indoor play splash pools. The space will also feature “I believe everyone has a song in their area is also included in the plans. Called a set of instruments available to play. heart that needs to be set free. Wildwood Hidden Hollow, the space is a climate “This area is going to give families Grove will be a place where families controlled area with climbing structures, a place to explore, play and imagine can learn together about what their slides and games. A second play area, together, but more importantly, it’s a heart song truly is.”

14 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 Specialist Visitor Attraction display products for System Integrators & Visitors

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The Poble Espanyol has replications of 117 buildings representing fifteen communities of Spain

Visitors are immersed in the Sanfermines in Pamplona or the Tomatina in Buñol

Anton Vidal director general, Poble Espanyol

oble Espanyol, a 90-year-old Invest in the future theme park in Barcelona, Poble Espanyol escaped being demolished Spain, is admired by Michael after the World Fair and grew to be one of Eisner, Disney chair and chief Spain’s best-loved attractions, recording executive of 21 years. almost 2 million visits in 2017. P“Eisner did an interview with a Barcelona Though its aim is to immerse guests newspaper and said that he always visits in an environment that’s true to history, Poble Espanyol when he’s in Barcelona,” Vidal says it was important to invest in the says Anton Vidal, director general of the future success of the attraction. Catalan attraction. “For him, it’s the first A 10-year improvement plan costing theme park in the world and it inspired more than €10m ($11.4m) has just been Disney and the theme park concept. Now, completed with the opening of its final theme parks of course are very different, phase, a €2.3m state-of-the-art multimedia but the concept was born here.” experience designed to throw visitors right Poble Espanyol was established for the into the thronging crowds of a vivid, noisy, 1929 Barcelona International Expo to show vibrant, traditional Spanish fiesta. the world the Spanish way of living. The “These modern installations are designed idea was to build a town using different to show how people live now in the five architectural styles of the area, such as regions of Spain, and through this we hope Roman, Gothic, Mudéjar, Renaissance to explain the ‘Spanish soul’,” says Vidal. and Baroque. The park’s creators visited “For the Fiesta zone, we recorded 180 1,600 Iberian towns and villages looking hours of footage at nine different fiesta for their inspiration. The site is also locations over a whole year to create this home to the Fran Daurel Museum, a visual spectacular. With the sound of the contemporary art gallery with works by Anton Vidal is director general of fiesta all around them and surrounded by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Joan Míro Poble Espanyol the 10-metre-tall 4K screens, visitors will and other famed Spanish artists. feel as though they’re in the middle of the

16 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 The museum was built for the 1929 Barcelona International Expo as an exhibit of the architecture and culture of Spain

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 17 PEOPLE

Poble Espanyol has undergone a 10-year, €10m improvement plan

Sanfermines in Pamlona or the Tomatina in Buñol, for example.” The state-of-the-art multimedia installations were handled by Mediapro and bring a “dynamic and didactic” element to Poble Espanyol that’s both engaging and capable of evoking emotions. Two further areas have also been completed: a welcome zone with interactive touch screen technology, which introduces visitors to the history of the attraction and helps them plan their visit; and the Feeling Spain zone, which takes visitors on a multi-sensory journey across Spain. “We also did not want to introduce too much multimedia and technology because we don’t want to compromise the feel of the park,” says Vidal. “You could put multimedia attractions anywhere but you cannot build a town like this.” Aside from the new investments, Vidal keeps people coming back to Poble Espanyol by working with different partners to host a varied offer of events, such as the OFFSonar electronic music festival, Barcelona Marionettes Festival, Rock and Grill Festival and Biergarten festival. O

The site is home to a contemporary art gallery called the Fran Daurel Museum 18 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 Voletarium at Europa-Park, Rust (DE) | (c) Frank Baudy (DE) | (c) Frank at Europa-Park, Rust Voletarium

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Buffalo Museum of Science reopens renovated observatory

The Buffalo Museum of Science in PHOTO: BUFFALO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE Buffalo, New York, is celebrating the redevelopment of its Kellogg Observatory. Part of the museum’s history for close to a century, the observatory – along with its Lundin telescope and rooftop area – has undergone extensive restoration work. Opened in 1930, the observatory closed in 1999 due to the need for repairs. It also featured outdated equipment and offered limited accessibility to visitors. HHL Architects was appointed architect partner for the project, with Picone acting as construction contractor. As part of its restoration, the observatory’s 90-year-old telescope has been fully restored, with the object sitting under a new aluminised steel dome. The redeveloped roof deck and dome pier are also now available for all museum guests. QThe observatory reopens to the public for the first time in nearly two decades “The Kellogg Observatory and its iconic silhouette have been dormant “Not only does the Kellogg Observatory In addition to its physical transformation, for almost two decades, and we’re provide a unique science learning the museum has also undergone a thrilled to now open the skies to a new destination for local and regional rebranding, introducing a new logo and tag generation of explorers,” said Marisa stargazers, but it solidifies the Buffalo line – “Find Why” – which will be rooted in Wigglesworth, president and CEO of the Museum of Science’s place as a leading the idea of asking ‘why?’ to science. Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences. resource for astronomy for our region.” QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=F3H7J_T

Science Museum urged to end fossil fuel deal

A collection of nearly PHOTO: CULTURE UNSTAINED 50 scientists has urged the London Science Museum to end three oil company partnerships, with the collective arguing the sponsorships are QThe deal will benefit Unesco members “undermining” the museum as a scientific institution. China and Unesco to Called Culture Unstained, the activist collective promote science includes signatories such as broadcaster Chris Unesco has reached an agreement Packham and writer Sir QThe group wants the museum to abandon oil sponsorship with science museums in China to Jonathon Porritt, with the promote the exchange and sharing of group urging the Science aware they are involved change is real and urgent,” science resources between them and Museum to drop deals in alleged “corruption, said professor Naomi other institutions across the world. with fossil fuel companies pollution and links to Oreskes, one of the Signed at the Shanghai Science BP, Shell and Equinor. human rights violations”. signatories. “Partnerships and Technology Museum, the Having obtained internal “To accept sponsorship like these risk damaging agreement will promote cooperation reports through Freedom of from an industry that the public’s trust in between the Chinese Association of Information requests, the has worked to cast scientific institutions Natural Science Museums and the group says the museum doubt on climate science while legitimising the museums of Unesco member states. approved sponsorship undermines the scientific anti-scientific activities QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=e9W4y_T deals with these community’s clear of fossil fuel companies.” companies despite being message that climate QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=e4Y3k_T

20 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 VISITOR ATTRACTIONS NEWS

AECOM Economics transferring European operation overseas

AECOM – the multinational consulting and engineering firm that provides design, feasibility, masterplanning and construction services to clients all over the world – has dissolved the London-based European division of its entertainment economics arm. Founded in 1958, when it was known as Economics Research Associates, the Los Angeles-based company completed many assignments for Disney in its early years, before being acquired by AECOM in a landmark deal in November 2007. Following the closure, AECOM will run its European entertainment economics operation out of its office in the US, the Middle East and Asia. The division also produces the annual TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index reports (see p58). QAECOM’s main headquarters are located in Los Angeles, California John Robinett, senior vice president of Economics at AECOM, told Attractions the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East, Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Management: “Due to a decline in rather than through London. on the report. Our urban planning and attractions- and resorts-related economics “AECOM is committed to supporting real estate economics practice out of volume in Europe, AECOM has decided to the Theme Index and Museum Index, London, and our other economics offices lead its entertainment economics services and we’re very much looking forward to throughout the world will be unaffected.” to clients in Europe through our offices in continuing our collaboration with the QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=f6y4P_T

Thai cave to become museum following rescue

The cave in which 12 ROYALPHOTO: THAILAND NAVY Thai schoolboys and their football coach were trapped for 18 days is to be turned into a museum highlighting the bold rescue operation that saw them QBloomberg has given US$43m to US arts escape unharmed. Trapped after heavy rains Bloomberg funds US partially flooded the cave, an international rescue was art training scheme launched when the group was found unharmed after Bloomberg Philanthropies – the 10 days missing. It would Q An image taken of the cave mouth during the rescue charitable arm of Michael Bloomberg’s be a further eight days business empire – has granted 45 before all members of the “An interactive database Thailand’s Prime organisations funding to help finance group would be rescued, will be set up. It will Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha the small to midsize arts organisations. with retired Thai navy Seal become another major commented on the To be spread across seven diver, Saman Gunan, dying attraction for Thailand.” plans, saying that strict cities, including Austin, Baltimore, during the mission. The Tourism Authority safety precautions would Denver, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, “This area will become of Thailand has said that need to be taken – both and Washington DC, part of the a living museum, to it plans to promote the inside and outside of US$43m funding initially goes to arts show how the operation site as a tourist attraction, the caves – before any organisations in Atlanta, Georgia. unfolded,” said Narongsak while Hollywood producers members of the public QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=q2v2t_T Osottanakorn, who headed have been quick to try and could be given access. up the rescue mission. acquire the movie rights. QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=e8f5R_T

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 21 WATERPARKS NEWS

Parques Reunidos acquires Wet ‘n’ Wild INDUSTRY OPINION

Village Roadshow has Making a diff erence announced the sale of its Wet ‘n’ Wild waterpark when it comes to in Sydney, Australia, with drowning prevention Spanish operator Parques Reunidos buying the property Aleatha Ezra for AU$40m (US$29.6m). Opened in December For the past 2013 at a cost of nine years, the AU$140m (US$103.5m), World Waterpark the waterpark covers Association has 250,000sq m, with 42 partnered with water slides, three pools thousands of water/ and a children’s area. leisure facilities and The move is a “unique QSydney is one of two Wet ‘n’ Wild properties in Australia more than 50 international water opportunity” for Parques safety organisations to host the Reunidos, according to waterparks in its portfolio. with the sale resulting in World’s Largest Swimming Lesson the operator, which said The company says that overall pre-tax losses of (WLSL) event each June. that its fi rst Australian it expects to improve about AU$25m (US$18.5m) Our overarching goal for the WLSL property would provide performance in the coming for Village Roadshow. The event is to provide kids and parents the opportunity to build years, adding that there transaction is expected exposure to life-saving water safety a platform in the country is potential to develop to be completed in the skills and build awareness about the through acquisition deals a second gate and new next three months. vital importance of teaching children and the development of themed areas at the park. Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney is to swim to help prevent drowning. new indoor centres. Money raised from the one of two Wet ‘n’ Wild According to the World Health Following the deal sale is being used to reduce properties in Australia. Organisation and the Center for Parques Reunidos has 22 the company’s debt levels, QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=a6b4b_T Disease Control and Prevention, drowning remains a major public health problem worldwide. In 2015, an estimated 360,000 people died from drowning. Drowning is the Huge indoor waterpark opens in Russia third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death, accounting for LetoLeto Waterpark, a 7 per cent of all injury-related deaths. sprawling indoor attraction We are working to connect in Tyumen, Russia, the dots between the real risk of PHOTO: POLIN PHOTO: has opened its doors, childhood drowning and the need for promising to keep guests basic water competency skills and warm no matter what the the fact that parents must remain weather outside. vigilant at all times when supervising The Sibentel Holding children in and around water. development has been This year’s WLSL event took place built in partnership with on 21 June over a 24-hour period. The Turkey’s Polin Waterparks event not only set a new personal best and is being billed as the with 41,814 people participating in largest in Russia. the live event at 603 host locations in LetoLeto boasts tens of QRussian offi cials inspect the LetoLeto Waterpark 27 countries, but we reached our goal water attractions, including of sending the message ‘Swimming more than a kilometre’s guests with disabilities. acting governor Alexander Lessons Save Lives’ more than a billion worth of thrilling slides, The wider complex also Moore. “The government of times – one year earlier than planned. a 21-metre tall slide, a offers a four-star hotel. the Tyumen region creates Next year, we’ll celebrate our 10th 750sq m wave pool and “I am sure that LetoLeto comfortable conditions World’s Largest Swimming Lesson a half-a-kilometre lazy will become one of the for investors in all areas event Thursday, 20 June. Facilities river ride. Polin installed favourite places for family of our economy. The interested in learning more about Turbolance, Windigo and recreation for Tyumen creation of an aqua park the WLSL event should visit WLSL. Magic Hole slides. citizens and will turn it into is yet another confi rmation org for more information. The waterpark has a an attraction for tourists of the correctness capacity of 2,500 and from other regions of the of such a strategy.” Aleatha Ezra, director of park is equipped to cater for country,” said Tyumen QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=h4F6A_T member development, WWA

22 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 DISK’O COASTER

MUST HAVE RIDEZ The Disk’O combines the best of a with a flat ride and a unique patented seating style. It is a breathtaking experience that is unlike anything in the industry and a must have family thrill ride for any park. www. zamperla.comzamperla.com THEME PARKS NEWS

Fox acquisition off ers new horizons for Disney, says Iger

Disney chief Bob Iger has said the PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM company’s acquisition of Fox will offer new compelling ways for it to bring its products to market, utilising newly-acquired intellectual property to create never- before seen products across its portfolio, including in its theme parks. The US$71.3bn acquisition of Fox, which has now been approved by Disney’s shareholders, sees Disney gain a huge media library and the rights to the fi rst Star Wars fi lm and the fi lm rights to the Fantastic Four and X-Men franchises – two IPs not obtained through its previous multi-billion-dollar acquisitions of Lucasfi lm and Marvel. The move is expected to have a signifi cant impact on the theme park industry, with Disney likely planning to bring its new Fox IPs into its parks. “In this era of unprecedented consumer QBob Iger and Rupert Murdoch announced the Disney/Fox merger in December last year choice, brands matter more than ever and our incredible portfolio of high- “The assets we’re buying fi t perfectly For the quarter, Parks and Resorts revenue quality, in-demand branded content with our plans to substantially grow our at Disney increased 6 per cent to US$5.19bn, uniquely positions us to strategically and intellectual property portfolio and to with operating income up 15 per cent to successfully navigate this increasingly bring our products to market in ways US$1.3bn. These fi gures represent a new dynamic marketplace,” said Iger, speaking that consumers, as well as the creative high for Disney in what is the operator’s Q3. during an earnings call. community fi nd extremely compelling.” QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=z6B2p_T

Universal considering Fantastic Worlds park

Comcast executive vice president Stephen Burke has confi rmed that Universal is looking at building a fourth gate in Orlando, with the theme park set to be the latest to QSeveral Paddington rides are featured join the market’s lucrative attractions sector. Paddington comes Universal fi led a patent in June for the name to Pleasure Forest “Fantastic Worlds”, leading many to speculate the A Paddington-themed attraction has fi ling to be the name of the QA fourth Universal park could be coming to Orlando soon come to Japan, marking the Peruvian operator’s long-rumoured bear’s fi rst foray into the country’s fourth theme park. “In terms of a new gate in turn Florida from a two or theme park market. Joining Universal Florida we are looking at it,” three-day destination to Covering 4,420sq m, Paddington Studios Orlando, Islands of said Burke. “We’ve fi led a potentially a week-long Town is an addition to Sagamiko Adventure and Volcano Bay, name registration, we have destination. We think that Resort “Pleasure Forest”, offering a fourth Universal property a lot of great intellectual would be attractive.” fi ve themed rides and attractions, would offer increased properties and we love the To support longer stays, including a railway line, miniature competition to Disney, theme park business, which Universal has grown the fi re engine, mini-coaster, science which operates four theme is one of our best, most hotel side of its business attraction and a maze. parks, two waterparks and consistent businesses. in Orlando, bringing total QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=w2S8B_T the Disney Springs retail “Another gate for rooms up to 6,000. complex in the Orlando area. Universal in Florida would QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=z4y7R_T

24 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON. WHITEWATER DOES WATER RIDES. Find your park’s splash factor so you can tap into your park’s water ride potential at: www.whitewaterwest.com/splash-factor/ Visit us at EAS booth #1-1327 in Amsterdam, this September 25th to 27th

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MUSEUMS & GALLERIES NEWS

Government pulls funding related to Peter Jackson museum

New Zealand’s government has suspended NZ$25m (US$17m) financing for a convention centre in Wellington, New Zealand, with the plans on hold until Sir Peter Jackson can reach an agreement with the city over his proposed movie museum project. The country’s government had agreed the financial package to help pay for the NZ$165m (US$111.6m) development, which would also feature Jackson’s museum, however, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has now put the request on hold. The much-hyped museum project – which would if realised be home to a collection of movie memorabilia synonymous with Wellington’s film-making industry – is currently in limbo, with Jackson continuing to lock horns with the Wellington City QThe project, announced by Sir Peter Jackson in 2015, has encountered numerous problems Council over the project. The development was initially approved Jackson also said in an open letter, that Henderson, MBIE sectors policy manager, in 2016, however, progress stalled, with the council seemed “intent on reneging the ministry has started a process of Jackson – who will be investing millions of on many of the terms already agreed in assessing the financial agreement. That dollars in the project – raising concerns the November 2015 signed contract,” assessment is now on hold pending an over the council’s decision not to put the which he said was the “principal cause of agreement between Jackson and the city. design contract out for tender. the ongoing delays”. According to Robyn QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=k7S2x_T

PHOTO: OTOGODFREY.COM PHOTO: London Cartoon Museum plans relocation

Architecture and design PHOTO: SAM JACOBS STUDIO practice Sam Jacob Studio will give London’s Cartoon Museum “greater flexibility” in displaying its collection, having been appointed to design its new home. QClassic cars will be placed on display The museum, which showcases a collection New car museum of cartoon and comic art dating back as far as the coming to Route 66 18th century, was founded in 2006 and is “dedicated Located beside the famous Route 66 to preserving the best QSam Jacob Studio will design the museum’s new home in Kansas, Texas, a new car museum of British cartoons, will showcase some of the US’s most caricatures, comics “This is a fantastic a shop and an “inspiring new loved cars and motorbikes. and animation”. institution with an incredible learning centre”, along with Called Decades of Wheels, the Following a 25-year collection and programme,” archive space and back of museum will feature more than 300 lease deal agreed with said practice principal house facilities. motor exhibits. Cars from movies, developer Great Portland Sam Jacob. “Our approach “The new museum will such as the DeLorean from Back Estates, the museum will will turn the graphic world build on the success of the to the Future, are included among move to a new space, of cartoons into a three past 12 years, enabling us to those exhibits. The museum will close to London’s iconic dimensional space full of bring our amazing collection open its doors on 12 October. Oxford Street, leaving its humour and delight.” to life,” said museum QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=d2A6J_T original home in nearby As well as its exhibition chair, Oliver Preston. Bloomsbury. spaces, facilities will include QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=x4V8R_T

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 27 HERITAGE NEWS

Unesco makes 18 new additions to World Heritage list

Germany’s Naumberg Cathedral, the Caliphate City of Medina Azahara in Spain and the Sansa Buddhist Mountain Monasteries of Korea are among the 18 new sites inscribed to Unesco’s World Heritage list this year. Naumburg is one of two German additions, with the historic cathedral dating back to 1028. It is joined by the Archaeological Border Complex of Hedeby and the Danevirke, which is the site of a former trading town from the first and early second millennia. Located in the central part of West Greenland, a new World Heritage site has been named for Denmark, with the Aasivissuit-Nipisat, Inuit Hunting Ground between Ice and Sea containing the remains of more than 4,200 years of human history. In Colombia, Chiribiquete National Park QChiribiquete National Park is the largest protected area in Colombia – “The Maloca of the Jaguar” is the largest protected area in the country. The park’s and ceremonies. The National Park becomes now vanished Western Islamic civilization tepuis – tabletop mountains – have more the country’s ninth World Heritage site. of Al-Andalus. After prospering for a than 75,000 paintings, spanning more than Spain’s Caliphate City of Medina number of years, the city was destroyed 20,000 years to the present. Believed to Azahara also joins the selection, with the during the civil war that put an end to the be linked to the worship of the jaguar, the 10th century site built by the Umayyad Caliphate in 1009-10. paintings depict hunting, battles, dances dynasty offering in-depth knowledge of the QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=p5X3S_T

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM English Heritage launches castles campaign

English Heritage has PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM launched a campaign for families to visit its castles, after a survey by the organisation revealed that children’s memories of castles are more than QThe palace’s east wing will be emptied twice as likely to have come from film and fiction instead of a real-life visit. Queen’s art to be moved A 2,000 person survey during palace refurb of both children and adults showed that while More than 10,000 works of art most adults’ first castle QEnglish Heritage is encouraging people to visit British castles from the British royal family’s private sightings are likely to collection will be relocated during the have been in real life, 40 per cent had visited one to bring more families $489.6m refurb of Buckingham Palace. almost two thirds of in the last year, and 12 per to these historic sites. According to a spokesperson, in children remember their cent had never been to one. “These castles and forts addition to relocating some of the first memories from English Heritage manages tell the turbulent and often works of art to other parts of the fictitious castles featured 66 castles – more than surprising story of power, war building, there are “opportunities” to in the likes of Harry Potter, any other organisation in and siege in England,” said move works to other parts of the Royal Cinderella and Frozen. Britain. In an effort to boost Kate Mavor, CEO of English Palaces estate and to loan out certain Of the children surveyed, attendance through the Heritage. “We encourage works of art to public institutions. more than two thirds said summer months, the body you to explore the history QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=Y5N4n_T that they enjoyed visiting has launched #LoveCastles of these castles.” castles, however less than – a campaign aiming QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=w2r2p_T

28 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions presents EURO ATTRACTIONS SHOW 2018 CONFERENCE: 23–27 Sept. | TRADE SHOW: 25–27 Sept.

DISCOVER LEARN

NETWORK

5 500+ 12,000+ 100+ exhibit exhibiting leisure industry hours of halls companies professionals seminars

EXPAND YOURNETWORK BUILD YOURKNOWLEDGE Join the premier European trade show and conference for the leisure, attractions, tourism, and entertainment industry. RAI Amsterdam | AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS | www.IAAPA.org/EAS

Parks and Attractions History and Education Tourism and Hospitality Entertainment and Events Amusement parks, water parks, Museums, cultural attractions, Resorts, hotels, cruise lines, Concert venues, sports family entertainment centres, zoos and aquariums, eco holiday/bungalow parks, city arenas, summer/music playgrounds attractions attractions, campgrounds festivals, carnivals ZOOS & AQUARIUMS NEWS

Merlin opening first whale sanctuary INDUSTRY OPINION

Merlin chief executive How can you use your Nick Varney has reiterated the company’s stance zoos or aquariums to on cetacean captivity, as create change? it embarks on its first steps to create an ocean Martín Zordan sanctuary for a pair of captive beluga whales. Progressive zoos In 2012, Merlin acquired and aquariums the Living and Leisure connect us with Australia Group (LLA), wildlife. They do which within its attractions so by sharing their portfolio included Shanghai passion for animals Chang Feng Ocean World and inspiring in China – home to both visitors and surrounding the two whales. Since QThe inlet will offer the whales a sub-Arctic environment communities to join the fight to Merlin’s foundation in save our natural world. 1979, company policy belugas to be transported in Shanghai,” said Varney. For wildlife, both the problem has dictated that marine there in the first or “This reflects our long and the solution are based on how mammals such as whales second quarter of 2019. held view that cetaceans we interact with nature – what we and dolphins should not be “Since the acquisition should not be kept in take from and what we give back held in captivity. of LLA, Merlin has been captivity. To this end, to it. This interaction is unique In June earlier this committed to finding a Merlin has found a suitable and complex, and zoological year, Merlin announced sustainable solution to location in a small bay institutions are prepared to advise plans to open a first of its the long-term care of on Heimaey Island on the on how to enjoy our planet while kind whale sanctuary in the beluga whales at south coast of Iceland.” still securing its future. Iceland, with Ocean World’s Changfeng Ocean World QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=e8T9j_T This is perfectly aligned with some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example, smart and environmentally friendly US$158m shark exhibit for New York Aquarium consumption choices can make a difference, zoos and aquariums The New York Aquarium is can guide their 700 million annual celebrating the launch of visitors to make the right choices. its US$158m (€135.6m, This is exactly what WAZA and £120.2m) shark-themed its members are trying to achieve expansion, with the new by choosing certified sustainable addition opening on Coney palm oil (which has the potential Island’s iconic boardwalk. AQUARIUM NEW YORK PHOTO: to protect orangutans and other Covering 57,500sq ft species’ habitats) and choosing (5,300sq m) and set alternatives to single-use plastics. over three floors, Ocean Increasingly, zoos and aquariums Wonders: Sharks! features are advising companies to have nine galleries, which aim a genuine commitment towards to drive awareness of the species protection. With a growing importance of sharks to QThe aquarium originally opened its doors in 1957 audience that needs and expects the health of the world’s guidance on how to care for our oceans; educate visitors Hurricane Sandy hit New power was restored and planet, no matter the size or about the severe threats York, just days before the damaged buildings budget, any zoo or aquarium can sharks face; and inspire the new expansion was were secured and cleared. join this call. At WAZA, we work guests to protect New York’s due to break ground. The The groundbreaking finally with, and for, our members, to help own marine wildlife. The aquarium, which opened took place in January them in the unique task of being new exhibit features more in 1957 was already 2014, with part of the agents of change. than 115 species of marine in need of significant aquarium remaining open life, including 18 species restoration but was to the public. of sharks and rays. closed for an additional The full restoration is set Martín Zordan, conservation The aquarium was badly seven months as its to be completed in 2020. coordinator, World Association of Zoos damaged in 2012, when animals were tended to, QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=3p8C8_T and Aquariums (WAZA)

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Intelligent machines offering new ways of interpreting art

Philadelphia’s Barnes Foundation art gallery has used machine learning to create an intelligent art critic, with the technology able to interpret and pair digital artwork together to recognise art style, objects and even images of Jesus. Created to help users view artificially generated art collections, the new AI can identify basic elements in an artwork – such as people, objects and animals – which it will then categorise and place in different artificially-generated collections. The technology, however, sees and interprets things differently from a human. Through computer vision, art is looked at differently, for example, the program interpreting many works by Renoir as being filled with stuffed animals and teddy bears. While on the surface this might seem like a failure in the technology, for Martha Lucy, QUsing the AI, the Barnes website allows visitors to access digitised versions of its collection deputy director for education and public programmes at the Barnes, it supported a she said.“A big part of my argument rests on Using the AI, the Barnes website allows theory she had about the artist’s work. proving (to the extent this is possible) that visitors to access its digitised collection. “I’ve been working on an essay about Renoir was deliberately trying to evoke the When the user selects a particular piece, Renoir’s obsession with the sense of touch, sense of touch in his paintings of fleshy naked it offers it alongside visually related works, which I’m trying to link with his desire to revive women. So discovering that the computer was which then offers a slider toggle for similarity. artisanal values during the industrial era,” seeing teddy bears – soft things – was good.” QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=p6b3e_T

Disney creates superhuman robotic stunt man

Disney’s Imagineers have unveiled their latest innovation in new generation robotics – an autonomous robotic stunt double. Called Stuntronics, the animatronic robot QMario was on-hand for the launch can control and alter its pose in mid air, as Nintendo brings well as guaranteeing the completion of Labo to KidZania sophisticated aerial stunts with precision every time. Kidzania’s London attraction at the The robot represents a QDisney’s newest robotics breakthrough is named Stuntronics Westfield Shopping Centre has made significant improvement to a new addition to the pint-sized traditional animatronics, as and its characters as The project was sparked indoor city – the Nintendo Labo. it can be flung from a wire vivid and as true to by a universal concern Teaming with Nintendo, the new 60ft into the air and execute their films as possible. at Disney that its parks’ addition uses its handheld Switch acrobatics while in flight. The Stuntronics robots did not match the device, along with cardboard DIY kits Robots have been used programme originally began increasingly authentic nature crafted to work with the console. throughout Disney’s theme as Disney’s “Stickman” of its on-screen characters. In the workshop, visitors will play parks for decades to project – based on a As a result, Disney chose with the Switch, learning how the help create an immersive Z-shaped robot fitted with to task its Imagineers with technology shapes ideas into reality. experience for visitors, a laser-range finder, that improving the dynamics QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=x3j6M_T as the company wants to produces a variety of of its animatronics. make the Disney universe somersaulting stunts. QDetails: http://lei.sr?a=F2n8a_T

32 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 www.holovis.com INTERVIEW

COEN BERTENS

Fairytale theme park Efteling has gone from strength to strength during its 65-year history, enchanting more visitors last year than ever before. We talk to COO Coen Bertens about its success

34 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 is a recent addition to Efteling, opening to the public in July 2015

n the recent AECOM and TEA Theme and Museum Index Report, Efteling – the fairytale theme park in the south of Holland – was singled out I for its achievements in 2017. “Some specifi c parks deserve a special mention,” writes AECOM’s former EMEA director, Margreet Papamichael, in represents the report. “[One of them] is Efteling.” Efteling’s largest The report notes that the launch of investment to date a Thea award-winning called Symbolica coinciding with the theme park’s 65th birthday celebrations boosted visitor numbers by almost 9 per cent to over 5 million people for the fi rst time ever – a “WE’VE ALWAYS ENSURED TO PRESERVE target Efteling originally set for 2020. EFTELING’S NATURAL CHARACTER These successes were not won in just a year, but are the product of a wider, ongoing AND NOT TO FORGET ITS ROOTS” plan fi rst launched in 2014. “The strategy was aimed at developing the park into an international, multi-day off the fi rst phase of the development Dubbed World of Efteling, it will mark holiday destination, welcoming strategy. The Bosrijk accommodation was the resort’s fi rst major expansion for many 5 million visitors per year by 2020,” Coen also expanded at this time. years, helping to attract more visitors, while Bertens, Efteling’s COO, tells Attractions Phase two meant the addition of the keeping returning guests happy. Management. “To achieve this goal, the €35m ($40m) Symbolica: Place of Fantasy Efteling opened in 1952, with its Fairytale strategy was implemented in phases, with and the opening of Holiday Village Efteling Forest at the heart of the experience. Efteling focusing on offering guests an Loonsche Land, a brand new hotel, which In this area, fairy stories were brought exceptional experience, both within the joins the existing Bosrijk and Efteling to life for guests, and it still remains what theme park and in its accommodation.” Hotel. Efteling is most famous for. “The fi nal phase will consist of the park’s “In the early 80s, the park grew to add new World of Efteling expansion by a total of eight hectares and larger attractions to appeal to a wider A major boon for the park was Baron 1898, and the introduction of a new attraction in demographic, yet we’ve always ensured to an €18m ($25m) Bolliger & Mabillard 2020,” says Bertens, adding that further preserve Efteling’s natural character and that opened in 2015, kicking details have not yet been revealed. not to forget its roots,” Bertens says.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 35 INTERVIEW

Attractions at Efteling are based on elements from ancient myths and legends, fairy tales, fables, and folklore

“The latest expansion plans will ensure “THE LATEST EXPANSION PLANS WILL ENSURE that Efteling’s future is protected by both building on its heritage and giving our visitors THAT EFTELING’S FUTURE IS PROTECTED more reasons to return.” BY BUILDING ON ITS HERITAGE” Brabant hospitality Located in the province of , Efteling holds a special place in the Dutch psyche, with most of the population SYMBOLICA having visited the park at least once in their lifetime. More than 130 million have passed through its gates to date, making it The €35m family-friendly indoor attraction Symbolica: Place of Fantasy marks the one of the most visited parks in Europe. operator’s largest ever investment to date. “There are a number of factors that Sander de Bruijn, head of the design team at Efteling, was responsible for realising make our park different from others in the the project, which places six people into a single carriage, choosing one of three world,” explains Bertens. “Efteling is all different routes – the Heroes Tour, the Treasures Tour or the Music Tour. On each of these about storytelling. Not only in our Fairytale routes is an alternate story with different adventures and interactive elements. Forest, but also in the more complex rides “Visitors live a whole adventure in Symbolica,” says de Bruijn. “They are invited to the such as The Flying Dutchman, palace by King Pardulfus to have an audience with him. When they enter the palace, or Baron 1898. Fairy tales are universal there is a twist in the story. We enter rooms where we should not really be and that’s and can be enjoyed by visitors of all when the adventure starts.” nationalities and all ages. The concept is based on the drawings of former Efteling designer Henny Knoet, who “All our rides and entertainment are died in 2013. Working with de Bruijn, a style book of Symbolica was created, detailing custom-made by our own creative team and everything about the fantasy world and its characters. That work was the foundation of are of high-quality. Our employees are very the new attraction. important to us, they all have the innate Brabant hospitality, which contributes to creating a very special Efteling experience that enchants and amazes.”

Always innovating Operationally, Efteling has a range of advantages. Unlike many European theme parks, it’s open year-round and also offers late nights in the summer, as well as different seasonal events. The park is also increasingly digital. For example, it has its own app and a new boarding pass

36 attractionsmanagement.com AM 2 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 Do you manage a media-based attraction within your theme park or museum? ARE YOU SURE THAT A LICENSED MOVIE IS THE SOLUTION FOR YOUR THEMATIZED VENUE? (or your OLD custom movie isn’t boring your guests?)

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Get your Magicboard Sample for FREE simply stop by booth #312 - Hall 2 at EAS Amsterdam or open your web browser and enterWWW.BIT.LY/FREE-MAGICBOARD bit.ly/free-magicboard in your address bar INTERVIEW The park’s coaster has been a mainstay since it launched in 1981

“EVERYTHING WE DO IS AIMED AT ENSURING OUR GUESTS LEAVE THE DAILY GRIND OF LIFE BEHIND THEM FOR A WHILE. WE WANT OUR GUESTS TO MAKE AND SHARE MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME”

that lets guests pre-book time slots to ride on the rollercoasters. “We want to The Flying Dutchman watercoaster is one offer our visitors a personal and seamless of Eftelings’s most popular attractions experience, as well as easy access to all information about the park, before, during and after their visit,” Bertens says. To stay abreast of what’s going on in the park and in the wider industry and for ideas on where to innovate or improve, Bertens says he is on-site as often as possible, engaging with employees and guests. He also visits theme parks around the world, and maintains good relationships with stakeholders and suppliers. “The key themes that we are seeing emerging today are short holidays near a theme park, demand for healthy food and an element of wellbeing and sustainability,” over’ our industry. We might lose the invest in a new attraction every year, he says. “Economically, things are generally human touch if we let this happen.” we choose not to, as each ride has to looking positive. However, there are still contribute to a particular experience challenges that we have to overcome. Invest wisely in the park. Typically, we’ll build an “We receive our fair share of well- Bertens says investment in new hardware attraction every few years to maintain our travelled and demanding guests, (rides) and software (shows and attractiveness and to increase capacity. environmental concerns have grown over entertainment) is vital if you want visitors “Everything we do is aimed at ensuring the last couple of years, and it can also to return year after year. This investment our guests leave the daily grind of life be challenging to fi nd and keep good provides the opportunities to make exciting behind them for a while. quality employees. Finally, cumulative new memories for Efteling’s visitors. Efteling believes everyone needs to get technology is starting to have an impact “Each investment is carefully considered away from it all from time to time. We want on our industry. What I mean by this and evaluated based on the demands our guests to make and share memories is more and more technology is ‘taking of our guests,” he says. “While we could that will last a lifetime.” O

38 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 OFFER YOUR CUSTOMERS A CHOICE OF AWARD-WINNING ADVENTURES!

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TRIO-TECH.COM EAS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

This year’s EAS takes LEARNING place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Where and when

CURVES Location: RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre Dates: This year’s Euro Attractions Show promises to Conference: 23-27 September, 2018 be the biggest in the history of the event, with Trade Show: a brand new schedule of seminars to match 25-27 September, 2018

his September, the Euro Attractions Open to professionals from across the guest experience, revenue, design, global Show (EAS) returns to Amsterdam, industry, attendees in Amsterdam will challenges, local challenges and marketing. the Netherlands, offering attendees represent theme parks, waterparks, FECs, Across these seven trends-focused tracks T the chance to get up to speed with resorts and hotels, museums, cultural will be more than 100 hours of seminar the latest business trends and best attractions, zoos and aquariums, and more. time, with presentations and panels practices, thanks to its extensive educational They’ll be welcome to not only browse hosted by some of the most experienced programme, which runs for fi ve days. the 14,000sq m trade show professionals in the sector. fl oor and visit more than 525 exhibiting booths, but Right on track also to participate in a For attendees interested in the guest variety of seminar tracks, experience track, seminars on offer during including digital future, the event, cover a wide range of topics.

100 years of IAAPA

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) began in 1918. IAAPA has become the largest international trade association for permanently located attractions More than 525 global companies and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity will be exhibiting products over of the global attractions industry. the course of three days www.IAAPA.org @IAAPAHQ #IAAPA100

40 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 Seven seminar tracks to help your business

Q Digital future Q Guest experience Q Revenue Q Design Q Global challenges Q Local challenges Q Marketing

Fort Fun’s Andreas Sievering is moderating a panel on how to be inclusive More than 12,000 people are What’s more … and design and operate with a diverse range expected to attend, travelling from of groups in mind, while Electrosonic’s Paul locations across Europe and beyond As well as the seven new seminar tracks, Kent will weigh up the value of apps. there are more opportunities to learn In the digital future track, the EU’s for IAAPA members, with the IAAPA General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) The design track will offer tips on how Institute for Attractions Managers, IAAPA raises its head again, as Lars Nielsen from to use a space to serve more than one Safety Institute, Leadership Breakfast, MK Illuminations and his panel offer advice purpose, while another seminar will delve CEO Talk, the Young Professionals on what to do with the data we collect, into the world of retailtainment and the Forum, the Waterpark Forum and store and use. There will also be seminars blurred lines between retail and leisure. two Lunch and Learn sessions. on virtual and augmented reality. Further topics will look at sustainability, Of course, the popular CEO Talk In the revenue track, check out a seminar overtourism, engaging with schools, returns, which will be moderated by entitled #Foodie to find out how you can marketing startegies and much more. Continuum’s Juliana Delaney and take inspiration from global food trends There are many more seminars available will feature Andreas Andersen from to boost profits. Representatives from on a whole host of other topics, so , Ahmad Hussain from DXB Leolandia, Tayto Park and Eataly World are attendees are sure to find educational Entertainments and Michael Mack from participating. A further revenue-led track sessions that fit their area of expertise Europa-Park. Additional registration is will look at more than 50 innovative and and can look forward to expanding their required for some of these events. creative ways to boost secondary spend. knowledge at EAS in Amsterdam.

TO RESERVE BOOTH SPACE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND www.IAAPA.org/expos/euro-attractions-show/exhibit-sponsor www.IAAPA.org/EAS

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 41 ZOOS & AQUARIUMS

HIGH WATERS

Attractions Management’s Tom Anstey visited the brand new Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium in Lausanne, Switzerland for a fascinating journey through our planet’s freshwater environments

o look at the entire history of one “We thought about what we could put on of Europe’s largest freshwater Aquatis by numbers the top of a park and ride so people would aquariums, you have to go back use the parking spaces at night and on 18 years to November 2000. QDifferent types of ecosystem: 20 weekends,” says Richter. “That’s why we made T At the time, city planers in QLitres of water: 2 million a proposal for an aquarium and a hotel.” Lausanne, Switzerland, was in the Q Number of aquariums, vivariums RDR’s proposal was an L-shaped midst of planning to build its new Metro and terrariums: 46 hotel, with a shimmering circular line. Attached to one of its stops near the Q Size: 3,500sq m (37,673sq ft) aquarium at its heart. AEP would create city’s edge would be a multi-storey car park. QSpace: 12,000sq m (129,166sq ft) the interiors for the attraction, which Envisioned as a park and ride system, QParking spaces: 1,200 (park and combines an aquarium setting with an the line would boost accessibility and ride system connected to metro line) interactive museum experience. tourism to the city, providing an easy route QAreas: 5 (each representing “The location is a strategic location,” into central Lausanne and easy access to a different continent) says Richter. “You have the highway Lake Geneva, by which the city sits. QReptiles and amphibians: 100 passing nearby. If you take the Metro you City offi cials decided they wanted to do Q Fish: 10,000 can be downtown in 15 minutes.” more than create the new transport system, QHotel rooms: 143 In 2005, the city approved the plans, so called for proposals for an attraction to QAluminium discs on facade 100,000 which meant RDR could move on to the sit on top of the giant parking structure. QEducational footage: 75 minutes design and development phase. The Jacques Richter, co-founder of moveable facade of the aquarium was architectural practice RDR, teamed with the focal point of the design, with a body aquarium specialists AEP Concept to of water separating two terraces for the propose an eye-catching aquarium and aquarium and the hotel. hotel development overlooking the city. Made up of 100,000 anodised The brief was specifi c and called for no aluminium discs, which can move in any commercial centres such as shopping malls direction on a pivot point, the facade was or offi ces, as that would result in much of inspired by the scales of a fi sh moving the parking being used through the day, but through the water. As the fi sh moves, its The aquarium was fi rst discussed in 2000 not for the purpose it was created. scales sparkle in the sunlight. For the

42 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 The Aquatis Hotel serves business people through the week and visiting tourists on weekends

aquarium, the wind moves the discs, to maximise the space. We then adjusted creating a constantly changing artwork. the round shape on top of the platform. “The exterior is a wrapping on a black “The plan didn’t come together right box. Because we’re on a raised platform, away. We knew there would be a restaurant the facade catches your eye from far and terrace, for example, but the water away,” says Richter. “We had to test it basin was bigger and the terrace was made because of the wind and to check the of wood. Things changed quite a lot. angles of everything. Then it was quite “We originally wanted to have more green easy to do and easy to put it up,” he says. on the site, but you can’t control everything AEP handled the museum’s interiors, and you have to compromise. What is which uses a number of technologies and interesting here is that we always wanted special effects to wow the visitors. to separate the aquarium and hotel terrace “Nowadays if you’re doing a museum or with water. The hotel terrace was originally an aquarium you need to astonish people,” smaller, but then we realised it could double says Richter. “Many aquariums follow a as a space for events and parties. The template and there’s a very expected, basic pool separating the two terraces is only fi ve formula that you see frequently. The visitors centimetres deep, so children can also play will begin to feel they’ve seen it before or Nowadays if you’re in it and have fun without worry. Because of start to fi nd it boring. Because of this, you the aquarium we wanted water to represent always need to bring in new things. AEP did doing a museum it. It’s like bringing a little piece of the lake a really incredible job of doing that.” of Geneva up here into the hills.” Over the 18 years from conception to or an aquarium As a resident of Lausanne, the project is a reality, the plans have changed multiple you need to particular triumph for Richter. “The response times, constantly evolving to meet the has been great. It’s unusual but not demands of style, structure and cost. astonish people aggressive and people are intrigued by it,” he “We knew the shape from the very says. “I live downtown and, for me to be able beginning,” says Richter. “We tried to Jacques Richter, co-founder of to build something like this in Lausanne, I’m adjust the parking at the border of the site architectural practice RDR very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 43 ZOOS & AQUARIUMS

The aquarium and its hotel are located just a few minutes away from central Lausanne

How does the Quentin Delohen aquarium fit in with DIRECTOR the rest of the city? We have the Metro AQUATIS station downstairs, which makes it What’s your history very practical. In 10 with the project? minutes you are at the I joined in March 2015 main train station and when we opened the hotel. within 20 minutes you are Following the launch, we down at Lake Geneva. At the concentrated on the aquarium project, lake you have the Olympic Museum. In before opening in October last year. two years we will have the Pôle muséal – an With the hotel, I arrived one week arts district, which is under construction at before the opening, which is a bit unusual. the main train station. This means the three Now it’s going well in terms of business main attractions in Geneva will be on the revenue. We have very good occupancy same Metro line, which is perfect for leisure. levels, which are increasing. We reached We also had to integrate the Lausanne more than 70 per cent in June. Last year What’s the journey been like to get to vivarium’s reptiles. It’s always been very we reached 50 per cent for the year, which this point? famous in the city. People liked it but it was not bad. Hopefully this year we can be The aquarium process was long. The first couldn’t afford to operate independently. closer to 60 per cent occupancy. idea came in 2001, so it has taken 17 They always had help from the community years to finally deliver this project. The and the city and in the end they had to close Has there been notable growth in people who started out the project were not it because the model wasn’t sustainable. occupancy since the aquarium’s launch? the same people at the end and the vision We decided to take it and integrate the There has, especially on weekends. has changed a lot during that time too. vivarium into our aquarium. It took time to Before, it was very quiet and now we reach What we wanted to exhibit also changed. rethink the project to accommodate that. 50 per cent occupancy, which is what we It’s not like a normal museum or aquarium The finances on the deal changed too. need to achieve for profitability. At the at all. There’s a lot of scenography and We initially budgeted the project at CHF18m weekend, we get families and people design outside of the tanks. When we (US$18.1m) but costs rose by CHF16.7m travelling for leisure. During the week first envisioned it, it was more of a “basic (US$17.1m) to CHF35m ($35.2m) You – Monday to Thursday – we get a lot of style” aquarium – really what you would don’t find millions under the sofa, so it was business customers. expect – but all of this changed. quite a challenge for us.

Aquatis is divided up into five biozones and 12 natural environments, each with its own unique scenography representing a different world region

44 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 The Freshwater Crisis

he key message coming out of Aquatis is that the human We’ve had more than 280,000 people since T population needs to better protect opening. We would like to reach 450,000 and safeguard freshwater sources. While 70 per cent of the Earth’s visitors at the end of our fi rst year surface is water – remaining constant at 1,386,000,000 cubic kilometres – 97.5 per cent of that is undrinkable seawater. The combination of global warming and the continuous increase in the global population have placed freshwater levels under severe strain across the world. Between 2000 and 2050, global water demand is predicted to rise by 55 per cent. Agriculture accounts for 70 per cent of global freshwater usage and the population increase will mean that by 2035 food production will need to increase by 69 per cent to sustain the human population. Water use in energy creation is also expected to rise by 20 per cent, putting the planet’s water sources in higher demand. According to Nasa, many of the world’s freshwater sources are depleting faster than they The aquarium’s conservation are being replenished, spelling potential message is strong, reminding disaster for future generations. visitors of the importance of freshwater throughout its journey

How has attendance been since launch? We’ve had more than 280,000 people since opening. We would like to reach 450,000 visitors at the end of our fi rst year, which is a little bit ambitious, but we should be close to 400,000 by that point.

What is the aquarium experience? There isn’t an aquarium like this anywhere else in the world – through the aquarium and vivarium, you travel across fi ve continents. You start in Europe inside a glacier, then you go through Switzerland and France. Upstairs you visit Africa, Asia and Oceania. When people visit they forget where they are and feel as though they’re abroad. Throughout the experience you have have the dinosaurs and the story of how use of different technologies. There are the countries and the continents were Guests are invited on a trip of the fi ve mirrors on the fl oor, with decorations on created. It tells the history of our planet. continents to learn about their rich the wall and ceilings creating special and diverse freshwater ecosystems effects. These kind of things are making Is there room for expansion? the experience unique. We have three empty rooms ranging from The main idea is to actually teach people 120sqm to 250sqm. We’re planning to we want to extend our message to the that fresh water preservation is a challenge expand into these spaces in a number of French part of Switzerland, then the worldwide. There are parts of the world ways, including building a cinema and we Swiss part – places like Zurich, Basel, where people need to walk long distances want to develop a maker space on our Bern and Lucerne. People will drive to reach fresh water – the thing we need theme of fresh water. between two and three hours to see us most. There are screens in the aquarium and it’s perfect for the hotel because they that tell people how to conserve water and Who are you targeting in can stay and enjoy the rest of the city. how to be careful not to waste it. terms of visitors? Then there’s Europe – the UK, France We also tell the history of freshwater Lausanne is not enough for us when and Germany are the three main countries and the people and things around it. You it comes to outreach and visitation, we’re targeting in terms of visitors.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 45 ZOOS & AQUARIUMS

Aquatis is also home to an array of different reptiles and plant species

FIRST PERSON Did you encounter any problems along the way? Tom Anstey, managing editor, Attractions Management We have to admit it was not as perfect as it is now. When we opened, it was a rush. quatis is unlike any The history lesson dates back The water was not as clear, the fi sh were a aquarium I have as far as the Cretaceous lot smaller. The piranhas when they arrived ever experienced. period 112 million years ago, were 2-3 centimetres compared to now From the moment with a full-size moving replica where they are more mature. The feedback A you enter, it spinosaurus on display generally has been quite positive. feels a completely as visitors climb from the When it’s crowded it is diffi cult to get the different beast to a traditional fi rst to second fl oor. overall picture. You can see the aquarium aquarium encounter – from its In addition to the 10,000 fi sh that but you cannot hear well with the screens presentation, to its message, to its call the aquarium home, a number of and feel the technology. Sometimes people teaching philosophy. reptiles, snakes, lizards, crocodiles and are a bit frustrated. There were teething Technology is there from the moment even a komodo dragon are on display. problems. We’re on the way to solving it. you walk in, with a mirror at the It’s a vast and varied collection, As soon as you talk about technology there entrance showing not only the viewer’s immersing visitors in each world region, are always some problems. refl ection, but also using special effects no more so than in the Amazon-themed to make water droplets and names vivarium. Walking into the climate- What are the future goals and appear in the mirror. controlled room, the change in humidity targets for the aquarium? From there the technology experience hits you immediately. Walking along a We want the aquarium to be famous continues, with information stations series of wooden walkways, a collection across Europe and the rest of the world. available in a number of languages, with of South American fi sh and reptiles We also plan to be more involved in a simple touch screen interface allowing fi ll the space, with a series of pools special actions for the environment. We visitors to choose their selected media. holding the majority of the marine life. need to be part of a special dialogue Through the aquarium, special moving From there you step out back into the on that topic and to be involved in sets installed in its ceiling refl ect into real world, which places you directly at cleaning rivers and lakes. glass panels on the fl oor, creating the the door of either the hotel or the park This isn’t just an attraction, it’s effect that you are walking over amazing and ride/metro system. something that people come to visit and scenes taking place beneath your feet. For aquarium-, or even museum-, have a nice time but also it’s a place to More than a simple aquarium, lovers, Aquatis is defi nitely something really highlight to people the importance Aquatis tells you the history of different. The team has set the goal of of freshwater to the human race. We have freshwater, particularly locally, with being one of Europe’s top aquariums to be careful with the environment, the stories of the people who worked on and the ambition they’ve shown with the plastic, the garbage that we produce. They the river and how its change affected project suggests that this is likely to be need to know and they need to react. Now the wider population and planet. the case very soon. is the time to take action. O

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©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 47 NWAVE PICTURES PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

With more than two decades of experience creating high quality original content, nWave looks ahead as it continues to produce its own industry-leading creations THE BIG PICTURE

Caroline Van Iseghem which I developed over the Wave Pictures years and we started off boasts one of the CEO and producer with the production of biggest collections of nWave Pictures a ride simulation fi lm independent 3D/4D called Volcano Mine fi lms for rides, large Ride under the direction format theatres and attractions What’s your role at nWave? of Ben Stassen. After and since 2008 has produced its I’m the producer and I handle a while, we merged our own feature-length 3D/4D fi lms. everything related to the studio, companies in order to meet Established in 1994 by fi lm such as our feature fi lms and attractions. the growing demand from special producer and Golden Globe I’m also responsible for the studio’s venues, which is how nWave was born. nominee Ben Stassen among day-to-day tasks, such as hiring staff, others, nWave has steadily grown running the team, managing the budget, What made the new company diff erent? over the years to become not overseeing departmental workfl ow and We started by doing adverts, TV, corporate only an animation studio but a purchasing the equipment. jobs and things like that. You can survive trusted partner to thousands of with that and you always have plenty of special venues all over the world. How long have you been in the industry? work, but it’s mainly small productions. Attractions Management met I started in 1989 with the Belgian CGI But we quickly created our own business with two of the company’s leading company Little Big One, which was the fi rst model. We decided to build a library of women, CEO and producer Belgian company to own a CGI department. multimedia content. At that time, it was Caroline Van Iseghem and sales We had one computer that took up half the very expensive for theatres to have their director Goedele Gillis, to fi nd out room, with two processors I think. From this own fi lm product. A four-minute ride more about the nWave story. fi rst adventure with Little Big One sprung simulation fi lm could cost €750,000 two CGI companies, including Movida or more, so we decided to create and

48 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 nWave creations include a Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures (main image), with upcoming releases including The Queen’s Corgi and Jolly Roger (above)

“WE WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF MAKING A CAREER AMONG US, RATHER THAN RECRUITING THEM AS FREELANCERS LIKE OTHER STUDIOS DO” distribute our own content. We started to There’s a constant workfl ow. We don’t recruit people, especially when you’re not create our own library and charged the want to force people to look for work in well-known, like other well-known studios. theatres for the product based on the between productions. On the contrary, number of seats, the size of the theatre and we want them to have the opportunity of And how did you manage? the length of the contract. We also charged making a career among us – if they want It was impossible to fi nd qualifi ed, a premium to keep the content exclusive to of course – rather than recruiting them experienced people, but we had to fi nd within a certain area, so that a competitor as freelancers like other studios do. a solution, so I decided to hire fi nal-year could not offer something similar. I’m happy to have kept the same We moved on to making feature fi lms in team because good technicians 2008, our fi rst being Fly Me To The Moon, can be very diffi cult to fi nd. I’ll which was the fi rst stereographic 3D never forget when we started Fly feature animation. Every year we make a Me To The Moon, I was stressed. new feature fi lm and create complementary You need a range of different attraction fi lms to keep the library fresh. talents and it was so hard to

How has the business grown since 2008? When we make a feature animation fi lm, Fly Me to the Moon we always do one or two attractions fi lms was released by based on that feature fi lm. We now have nWave in 2008 about 110 people working here.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 49 NWAVE PICTURES PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Some of nWave’s major feature fi lms to date

2008 Fly Me to the Moon

nWave was established in 1994 and has offi ces based in Brussels, Belgium and Los Angeles, California

2010 students from the ESMA school and working on a storyboard, and afterwards we worked on Fly Me To The Moon with we start working on the layout, animation, A Turtle’s only a handful of experienced people modelling and shading. Tale: and the rest fresh out of school. Unlike some of the bigger studios, Sammy’s where they have a vertical hierarchy, here Adventures Do you have a company culture that it’s only one line – me for the production makes people want to stay longer-term? and Ben for the direction. This means 2012 Yes, my desire is to keep our animators for we can make decisions on the spot. more than one production. We offer them A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s full-time employment from one fi lm to the Would you say there’s a style Escape from Paradise next, even if we have a gap. that defi nes an nWave fi lm? As a result, we have people who have I think we do have a style. People say that 2013 been with us for eight, even ten years, we have a realistic look. I mean, it’s CG, which is unusual in this fi eld. Of course but it’s realistic in a sense. It’s about how The House that has a cost, and that’s why we go from you’re going to create the images. To be of Magic one production to another. It’s my job to more specifi c, it’s a question of shading, ensure our different departments have a texture and lighting. We also adopt a 2016 steady, constant workfl ow. different angle in our stories, if you look at Our people work hard but I don’t want Fly Me to The Moon or The Son Of Bigfoot, The Wild them to spend the night at work. I think there’s our own nWave twist. Life it’s important to make sure everyone can combine their work with their In terms of technology, how much personal lives and have enough have things changed? time to dedicate to their Well, 20 years ago you didn’t have 2017 family and hobbies. the creative people. To We also try to accommodate work on 3D, you almost The Son our working space and had to be an engineer of Bigfoot make it as welcoming as or at least have some possible. For example, technical skills. If you didn’t we bought this building have that, you couldn’t in the late 1990s, create anything on the and we’ve been able to computer because it was accommodate a small so diffi cult and not as gym space for our most user-friendly at all as it athletic members. is today. Today we have an array of softwares to choose After the script is from. Therefore, people can chosen, what’s the now focus on the creative production process? aspect fi rst, rather than the We start with the concept technical aspect. Naturally, of characters and sets. we always need TD profi les to In parallel, we start support our artists. 2019 Expectations from people are also higher and our animators The Queen’s nWave is working on a new constantly strive to get better results. Corgi fi lm – The Queen’s Corgi They want to achieve more freedom and fl uidity in the animation.

50 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 All of nWave’s productions are created in its in-house studio

“ONE OF THE REASONS FOR NWAVE’S A new fi lm, Jolly Roger, will debut SUCCESS IS THAT WE’VE ALWAYS KEPT at this year’s TRUE TO OUR CORE BUSINESS” Euro Attractions Show, coming later to Orlando for IAAPA Goedele Gillis years. That’s why we wanted to create an independent library. Each department strives to improve Sales Director EMEA with the tools they have. How do you work nWave Pictures with your clients? How do you maintain It’s a big advantage of being nWave’s standards? Why do you think the a small company that we can Thanks to our experience. Being a clients in the attractions be very fl exible. Scandinavia is smaller company also means having industry come to nWave? one territory, for example, but India more creative fl exibility. You can choose It’s nWave’s level of quality. There is is completely different. We don’t have to to change position or department and other 3D content on the market, but only work from a price sheet. We fi nd out what evolve easily. Consequently, you can nWave 3D is the real deal. It pops into the client is looking for, we get to know quickly become a supervisor if you want your face, and that’s what attracts people. them, we research their needs, their park to. You can build your career, achieving There’s also our reputation. We’ve been and market, and we tailor the partnership. this goal much faster than you could there for many years and we come up with We have clients that have been with other big companies. new titles every year, so our clients know with nWave for 20 years or more. We Our software also improves with that if they sign a three-year contract, they have the odd client who wants to try each project. Every year something will have a new movie next year and for the something else but we will always new gets released but we now have season after that. We also take good care maintain good communications with them, the skills to develop our own tools to of our customers and get back to them because they always come back. improve our programs according to our asap, if possible on the same day. needs. As a result, we’re able to create In our minds “the client is king” and we’ll Can you talk a bit about what our our very own technical environment do what we can to accommodate them. readers could expect if they visit to help our animators focus on A good client service and follow-up is you at EAS or IAAPA this year? the creative aspect of their job. one of the reasons they come to nWave. Well, we’ll have a new attraction, Jolly Roger. It’s all about pirates and excitement What are you working on in Why is a 3D/4D off er so important and fantastic 3D as always. That will be the studio at the moment? to most attractions? our biggest release for EAS and Orlando. We’re currently putting the fi nishing In theme parks and attractions, people There might be some surprises in Orlando, touches to our new feature fi lm, The are looking for kicks. People want to be but that’s confi dential – otherwise it’s not Queen’s Corgi. The movie follows Rex, amazed and they want to be blown away a surprise anymore! But I like to introduce the British monarch’s favourite dog, by the dinosaur coming out of the screen the new attraction fi lm at EAS because not who loses track of his mistress and or Big Foot trying to grab them. When the all Europeans make the trip to Orlando. stumbles across a fi ght club with dogs extra effects are added, that just makes of all kinds confronting each other. the picture complete. And that’s something What makes nWave so successful? In his attempt to return to you will never fi nd in a regular cinema. One of the reasons for nWave’s success Buckingham Palace, Rex not only fi nds It’s a strong part of the offer of theme is that we’ve always kept true to our core love, but also his true self, which is a parks because it’s also an effective way to business. Our core business is and will theme we were happy to also explore get people in. That’s why they need a new always be 3D movies, no matter the shape with Bigfoot. The schedule is tight but title every year, to encourage return visits. or length or medium, that’s what we’re the movie will be released in early It used to be so expensive that parks known for. I think that that’s our strongpoint 2019, depending on the territory. had to keep the same title for four or fi ve and that makes us recognisable.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 51 RIDES

RIDINGRIDING THETHE RAILSRAILS

From Norse mythology to a day out at the zoo, we look at a series of multi-million dollar coasters that recently debuted at visitor attractions around the world

BOLLIGER & MABILLARD

VALKYRIA Liseberg Gothenburg, Sweden

Valkyria, a steel dive coaster created by Bolliger & Mabillard, took its maiden fl ight on 10 August, representing the largest ever investment made in Swedish theme park Liseberg’s 95-year history. A US$33.6m investment, which also includes Loke – a Gyro Swing manufactured by – Valkyria is a key part of the park’s long-term masterplan. Its Valkyria is Liseberg’s name is derived from the Norse mythology largest ever investment creature Valkyrie – a mythological creature that took fallen warriors into the afterlife. “Valkyria is important. It is the biggest investment in the history of the park – and project in the south end of the park – both replaces Kanonen – a US$5.6m steel one of the most complicated projects we starting up in 2019. In that sense, Valkyria launch coaster from Intamin, which was have completed,” Liseberg CEO Andreas is a bit like an insurance policy, making dismantled at the end of 2016. Andersen told Attractions Management. sure we have a relevant and updated “Valkyria is the perfect complement to “It’s the last ‘big’ attraction we can attraction product for the next few years.” our coaster portfolio, which also includes construct in the park for the next few Climbing to 47m with drops of up to Helix, and Lisebergbanan,” said years, because we have a very extensive 50m, Valkyria includes three inversions Andersen. “With the elaborate theming infrastructure project being built in the and is laid out over 700m. The ride, and landscaping here at Liseberg, it fi ts north part of the park – and our expansion which reaches speeds of up to 65.2mph, the park very well.”

52 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 TWEESTRYD Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen Drenthe, the Netherlands

African for ‘Duel’, the Tweestryd twin shuttle coaster is a new addition to the Wildlands Adventure Zoo in Drenthe. A story-driven “adventure zoo” opened in 2016 to replace its home of 80 years, Wildlands houses more than 7,000 animals along with its rides to tell a story of discovering new worlds and experiencing adventure. Joining the hybrid attraction’s ‘Serenga’ area, themed to recreate the savanna and desert habitats of Africa, Tweestryd opened to the public in March. The park chose an African name because of the themed area the coaster is set in Installed by RCS GmbH and manufactured by Vekoma as a custom version of its family boomerang-style “When riders race each other, depending coaster, Tweestryd is 218m in length, with the ride reaching heights of 20m on the result, money will be committed and going as fast as 37.3mph. to the charity ActionAid” The story of the attraction is that of a mine which closed 40 years prior. It features two separate tracks sitting next to each other, with passengers being lifted up backwards, before being released launched forwards and then backwards again in a race back to the station. Following the theme, when riders race each other, depending on the result, money will be committed to the charity The Vekoma- ActionAid, which works to fi ght poverty designed and injustice worldwide. If the blue cart Tweestryd wins, riders are supporting the charity’s races to win work related to fair mining, and if the red money for one wins, riders will be raising money for charity sustainable agricultural projects.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 53 RIDES

Intamin’s trains allow riders to experience the feeling of “fl ying through the air”, even for taller people

“Hyperion takes the crown from PortAventura’s Shambhala as the tallest and fastest hyper coaster in Europe”

HYPERION Energylandia INTAMIN Zator, Malopolskie,

A new addition to Poland’s Energylandia, Hyperion is an Intamin- manufactured steel hyper rollercoaster, which takes the crown from PortAventura’s Shambhala as the tallest and fastest hyper coaster in Europe. The ride, which opened to the public on 14 July and follows a sci-fi theme, climbs 77m, with a drop of 80m, reaching maximum velocity of 88.2mph. It starts inside a space station setting with a research team (the riders) sent on a research mission to Saturn’s moon of Hyperion. The crew’s spaceship enters a black hole, passing through space and time into another universe. The track extends 1,450m, creating Hyperion joins three Intamin water rides feelings of weightlessness and extreme installed at the park this year. These Passengers are immersed in a space gravity through the ride’s twists and turns. include the Speed Water Coaster, the scenario on a research mission to It also features a water splash and has two Anaconda spillwater ride and the Jungle Saturn’s moon – Hyperion trains, each able to carry up to 28 people. Adventure river rapids.

54 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 www.lagotronicsprojects.com

Booth Interactive attractions • Show experiences • Darkrides 1-1619

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 2 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 55 RIDES The B&M ride reaches speeds of up to 59mph, with three inversions

BOLLIGER & MABILLARD FENIX Toverland Limburg, Netherlands

Opened on 7 July, Toverland’s new Fenix coaster is the “ultimate fl ying experience”, according to its operator. While the mythical fi rebird the ride is named after only rises from its own ashes every 777 years, the steel wing coaster runs a little more “Elements of the ride include a dive drop, frequently, taking one minute and 45 immelmann loop, helix and a Zero-G roll” seconds to complete its circuit. Covering 813m and climbing 40m, the coaster includes three inversions, reaching speeds of up to 59mph and creating the sensation of fl ight. Elements of the ride include a dive drop, immelmann loop, helix and a Zero-G roll. IMAscore created the ride music, while RCS GmbH installed the US$19.7m attraction. Fenix joins several new attractions as part of Avalon – a new themed area for Toverland representing the largest expansion in the park’s his- tory. A total investment of US$40.6m, Fenix is joined by Merlin’s Quest – a water attraction that passes under- neath the coaster – as well as an interactive magic show. With its expansion, Toverland has stated its ambition to break the one million visitor mark over a full season. The park’s owners plan to Merlin’s Quest is a increase the length of stay with fur- new water attraction ther ride developments, as well as which passes the opening a four-star hotel resort. underneath Fenix

56 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 www.bertazzon.com ANALYSIS Tom Anstey, deputy editor, Attractions Management

TEA/AECOM THEME INDEX 2017 Just the ticket

The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 shows major theme park operators had an outstanding year, while stabilised global economies and strong investment planning bodes well for the global attractions industry going forward

THEME PARKS 32.9 per cent to 42.9 million visitors – a staggering rise of 10.6 million people Disney continues to reign supreme, (Table 1) through the course of the year. with the operator gaining a 6.8 per cent For individual theme park attractions, increase in visitors – up to 150 million Disney also sits on top of the pile, with in 2017. Merlin Entertainments came a the top three most-visited properties distant second, upping its visitation year- and eight of the top 10 attractions being on-year to 66 million visitors, marking a Disney’s. The most-visited park – Magic 7.8 per cent increase. Universal rounded Kingdom in Orlando, Florida – saw a slight out the top three, with a 4.4 per cent increase of 0.3 per cent, while Disneyland increase of around 2 million visitors. in California was second with a 2 per cent For the top 10 theme park groups overall, rise and Tokyo Disneyland upped its visitor in 2017. Universal Studios in Orlando also attendance growth rose by a combined figures by 0.4 per cent in third place. saw a slight rise of 2 per cent. Opened 8.6 per cent to 475.8 million visitors. Aside from Disney, fourth-placed in 2016, Shanghai Disneyland broke the Fourth-placed OCT Parks China enjoyed Universal Studios Japan saw its visitation top 10, coming eighth with 11 million the most growth, increasing visitation by rise by 3 per cent, with 14.9 million visitors visitors in its first full year of operation.

For the top 10 theme park groups overall, GLOBal attendance growth rose by a combined 8.6 per cent to 475.8 million visitors

Walt Disney is the Table 1: Theme Park Groups Worldwide theme park leader, Rank & Group name % Attendance Attendance outperforming Change 2017 2016 its nearest rival 1 WALT DISNEY ATTRACTIONS 6.8% 150,014,000 140,403,000 Merlin by nearly 90 million visitors 2 MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP 7.8% 66,000,000 61,200,000

3 UNIVERSAL PARKS AND RESORTS 4.4% 49,458,000 47,356,000

4 OCT PARKS CHINA 32.9% 42,880,000 32,270,000

5 FANTAWILD 21.7% 38,495,000 31,639,000

6 CHIMELONG GROUP 13.4% 31,031,000 27,362,000

7 SIX FLAGS INC. 2.3% 30,789,000 30,108,000

8 CEDAR FAIR ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY 2.4% 25,700,000 25,104,000

9 SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT -5.5% 20,800,000 22,000,000

10 PARQUES REUNIDOS -1.1% 20,600,000 20,825,000

TOP 10 ATTENDANCE GROWTH 2016-17 8.6% 475,767,000 438,267,000

Source: TEA/AECOM 2017 Theme Index and Museum Index

58 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©Cybertrek 2018 A Mandarin-language version of The Lion King takes place at Shanghai Disneyland Pore cust, ipissi blacest, sectas et quis es aut mo vellabo. Nemquis quoditatus

Table 2: Top 20 Amusement/theme parks Worldwide Rank, Park & Location % Attendance Attendance Change 2017 2016

1 MAGIC KINGDOM AT WALT DISNEY WORLD, LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL, U.S. 0.30% 20,450,000 20,395,000

2 DISNEYLAND, ANAHEIM, CA, U.S. 2.00% 18,300,000 17,943,000

3 TOKYO DISNEYLAND, TOKYO, JAPAN 0.40% 16,600,000 16,540,000

4 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN, OSAKA, JAPAN 3.00% 14,935,000 14,500,000

5 TOKYO DISNEYSEA, TOKYO, JAPAN 0.30% 13,500,000 13,460,000

6 DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM AT WALT DISNEY WORLD, LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL, U.S. 15.30% 12,500,000 10,844,000

7 EPCOT AT WALT DISNEY WORLD, LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL 4.20% 12,200,000 11,712,000

8 SHANGHAI DISNEYLAND, SHANGHAI, CHINA 96.40% 11,000,000 5,600,000

9 DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD, LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL, U.S. -0.50% 10,722,000 10,776,000

10 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO, FL, U.S. 2.00% 10,198,000 9,998,000

11 CHIMELONG OCEAN KINGDOM, HENGQIN, CHINA 15.50% 9,788,000 8,474,000

12 DISNEYLAND PARK AT DISNEYLAND PARIS, MARNE-LA-VALLEE, FRANCE 15.00% 9,660,000 8,400,000

Minions are a big draw for Universal 13 DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE, ANAHEIM, CA, U.S. 3.00% 9,574,000 9,295,000 Studios Japan – the most visited non- 14 ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO, FL, U.S. 2.00% 9,549,000 9,362,000 Disney park on the list 15 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD, UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, U.S. 12.00% 9,056,000 8,086,000

16 LOTTE WORLD, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA -17.60% 6,714,000 8,150,000

17 EVERLAND, GYEONGGI-DO, SOUTH KOREA -9.50% 6,310,000 6,970,000*

Mainland China helped buoy the Asian 18 HONG KONG DISNEYLAND, HONG KONG SAR 1.60% 6,200,000 6,100,000 market in terms of attendance growth by 19 NAGASHIMA SPA LAND, KUWANA, JAPAN 1.40% 5,930,000 5,850,000 5.5 per cent. Many new parks experienced double-digit growth year-on-year, with 20 OCEAN PARK, HONG KONG SAR -3.30% 5,800,000 5,996,000 Shanghai Disney leading the way. 21 EUROPA-PARK, RUST, GERMANY 1.80% 5,700,000 5,600,000 Overall, visitation increased to 134.2 22 WALT DISNEY STUDIOS PARK AT DISNEYLAND PARIS, MARNE-LA-VALLEE, FRANCE 4.60% 5,200,000 4,970,000 million visitors in the Asia-Pacific region, 23 DE EFTELING, , NETHERLANDS 8.70% 5,180,000 4,764,000 though it wasn’t all plain sailing, as parks in South Korea – particularly Lotte 24 TIVOLI GARDENS, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK 0.00% 4,640,000 4,640,000 World and Samsung Everland – were 25 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE 2.90% 4,220,000 4,100,000 hit hard, owing to “geopolitical events TOP 25 TOTAL ATTENDANCE 2017 243,926,000 232,525,000 that discouraged tourism from Mainland Chinese” – their key tourist demographic. TOP 25 ATTENDANCE GROWTH 2016 –17 4.7% 243,926,000 233,057,000 Source: TEA/AECOM 2017 Theme Index and Museum Index

©Cybertrek 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 59 ANALYSIS

Volcano Bay (above) joins the waterparks list in sixth position, while Chimelong (below) remains the world’s most visited waterpark

Table 3: Top 20 Waterparks Worldwide Rank, Park & Location % Attendance Attendance Change 2017 2016

1 CHIMELONG WATER PARK, GUANGZHOU, CHINA 6.00% 2,690,000 2,538,000

2 TYPHOON LAGOON AT DISNEY WORLD, ORLANDO, FL, U.S. -5.00% 2,163,000 2,277,000

3 THERMAS DOS LARANJAIS, OLIMPIA, BRAZIL 2.50% 2,007,000 1,959,000

4 BLIZZARD BEACH AT DISNEY WORLD, ORLANDO, FL, U.S. -7.00% 1,945,000 2,091,000

5 BAHAMAS AQUAVENTURE WATER PARK, BAHAMAS -2.00% 1,831,000 1,868,000

6 UNIVERSAL’S VOLCANO BAY, ORLANDO, FL, U.S. NEW 1,500,000 NA

7 HOT PARK RIO QUENTE, CALDAS NOVAS, BRAZIL 7.20% 1,481,000 1,381,000 WATERPARKS 8 AQUATICA, ORLANDO, FL, U.S. -10.00% 1,382,000 1,536,000 Waterpark attendance has for the first 9 CARIBBEAN BAY, GYEONGGI-DO, SOUTH KOREA -3.50% 1,380,000 1,430,000* time broken 30 million visitors among the world’s top 20, with particularly strong 10 AQUAVENTURE WATER PARK, DUBAI, U.A.E. -5.60% 1,350,000 1,430,000 performance from Europe’s top waterparks. 11 OCEAN WORLD, GANGWON-DO, SOUTH KOREA -9.70% 1,330,000 1,473,000 Across the world’s top 20 most-visited 12 THERME ERDING, ERDING, GERMANY 6.00% 1,320,000 1,245,000 waterparks, attendance increased 1.6 per 13 SUNWAY LAGOON, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA 2.40% 1,300,000 1,270,000 cent between 2016 and 2017 – breaking the 30 million visitor barrier for the first 14 KAIFENG YINJI WATER PARK, KAIFENG, CHINA 46.10% 1,300,000 890,000 time in the report’s history. 15 AQUAPALACE, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC 18.80% 1,215,000 1,023,000 Chimelong in China retains the title of 16 SIAM PARK, SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, SPAIN 20.90% 1,209,000 1,000,000 world’s most-visited waterpark, with a 6 per 17 WUHU FANTAWILD WATER PARK, WUHU, CHINA 17.60% 1,204,000 1,024,000 cent increase year-on-year. Making its debut on the list is Orlando’s Volcano Bay, as the 18 SHENYANG ROYAL OCEAN PARK — WATER WORLD, FUSHUN, CHINA 2.60% 1,200,000 1,170,000 Universal waterpark ranked sixth with 1.5 19 WET ‘N’ WILD GOLD COAST, GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA -5.00% 1,180,000 1,242,000 million visitors in its first year. The largest 20 TROPICAL ISLANDS, KRAUSNICK, GERMANY 3.10% 1,168,000 1,133,000 attendance rise came for 16th-ranked Siam

TOP 20 ATTENDANCE GROWTH 2017 30,155,000 27,980,000 Park on the Canary Islands, which grew visitor numbers 20.9 per cent. TOP 20 ATTENDANCE GROWTH 2016–17 1.6% 30,155,000 29,688,000 In Latin America, waterpark visits totalled Source: TEA/AECOM 2017 Theme Index and Museum Index

60 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©Cybertrek 2018 Table 4: Top 20 Museums Worldwide Rank, Park & Location % Attendance Attendance Change 2017 2016

1 LOUVRE, PARIS, FRANCE 9.50% 8,100,000 7,400,000

2 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CHINA, BEIJING, CHINA 6.80% 8,063,000 7,550,000

3 NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM , WASHINGTON, DC, U.S. -6.70% 7,000,000 7,500,000

4 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK, NY, U.S. 4.50% 7,000,000 6,700,000

5 VATICAN MUSEUMS, VATICAN, VATICAN CITY 5.90% 6,427,000 6,067,000

6 SHANGHAI SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM, SHANGHAI, CHINA 1.70% 6,421,000 6,316,000

7 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, WASHINGTON, DC U.S. -15.50% 6,000,000 7,100,000

8 BRITISH MUSEUM, LONDON, U.K. -8.00% 5,907,000 6,420,000

9 TATE MODERN, LONDON, U.K. -3.10% 5,656,000 5,839,000

10 NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WASHINGTON, DC, U.S. 22.80% 5,232,000 4,261,000

11 NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON, U.K. -16.50% 5,229,000 6,263,000

12 AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NEW YORK, NY, U.S. 0.00% 5,000,000 5,000,000

13 NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM (TAIWAN), TAIPEI, TAIWAN -4.90% 4,436,000 4,666,000

14 NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON, U.K. -4.10% 4,435,000 4,624,000

15 STATE HERMITAGE, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA 2.50% 4,220,000 4,119,000

16 CHINA SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM, BEIJING, CHINA 4.00% 3,983,000 3,830,000

17 REINA SOFIA, MADRID, SPAIN 6.90% 3,897,000 3,647,000

18 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY, WASHINGTON, DC, U.S. 0.00% 3,800,000 3,800,000

19 VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON, U.K. 25.40% 3,790,000 3,022,000

20 CENTRE POMPIDOU, PARIS, FRANCE 2.20% 3,371,000 3,300,000

TOP 25 ATTENDANCE GROWTH 2017 107,967,000 107,424,000 Attendance at London’s V&A was boosted by three major exhibitions TOP 25 ATTENDANCE GROWTH 2016–17 0.2% 107,967,000 107,798,000 Source: TEA/AECOM 2017 Theme Index and Museum Index

Asia’s culture sector recorded the fastest growth worldwide, with an 11 per cent increase in visitor numbers

9.9 million visitors, raising expectations region’s most visited attraction – Dubai’s four of the five museums in the top 20 that 2018 will for the first time see that Aquaventure – which declined 5.6 per cent. suffered declines in visitation. region cross over the 10 million mark. Prague’s Aquapalace in the Czech The top-ranked British Museum – which While there were increases at several Republic had an excellent year, increasing came in eighth – saw numbers drop from properties in Brazil, the 2017 earthquake its attendance by 18.8 per cent, and 6.4 million in 2016 to 5.9 million in 2017. in Central Mexico led to declines, Therme Erding in Germany, Europe’s most In ninth, Tate Modern saw its visitor particularly for Six Flags Hurricane Harbor visited waterpark, enjoyed a 6 per cent rise. numbers drop 3.1 per cent, while the Oaxtepec – a newly acquired Six Flags The top 20 waterparks in the US National Gallery dropped to eleventh place. waterpark in its inaugural season. suffered in 2017, with a 2.9 per cent There was a 4.1 per cent decline at the For the EMEA market, overall attendance decline, driven by lack of reinvestment Natural History Museum. Bucking the was up 3.2 per cent, though visitation and significant bad weather. trend, the Victoria & Albert Museum upped in the Middle East declined due to attendance by 25.4 per cent to 3.8 million. “the significant increase in competition MUSEUMS Asia’s culture sector recorded the for leisure time and spend” in the region, fastest growth worldwide, with an impacting across the board and felt by the France’s museums have shown significant 11 per cent increase in visitor numbers. recovery following a tumultuous 2016, Of the top 20 museums worldwide, which had been affected by terror attacks, seven were in China, with the newly strikes and serious flooding. The Louvre opened Chengdu Museum entering the reclaimed top spot as the world’s most Index for the first time. visited museum with a 9.5 per cent This strong performance has been increase in visitor numbers. Similarly, the partly fuelled by “an emerging middle Musée D’Orsay experienced a significant class with rising levels of education, recovery, with a 5.9 per cent increase. cultural awareness and disposable Across the Channel it’s not been so rosy, income, exposure to global cultural trends with uncertainty over Brexit and renewed through online and social media, as The Louvre regains its spot as the world’s security concerns affecting Britain’s well as increased international travel to most visited museum and gallery museums, particularly in London where destinations with high-quality museums”.

©Cybertrek 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 61 be CONNECTED EXPOS + EVENTS

be READY SAFETY + ADVOCACY be EDUCATED TRAINING + PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT be INFORMED TOOLS + RESOURCES

be IAAPA

For the past 100 years, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has been a powerful resource for professionals in the attractions industry. As we look to the future, we will remain committed to providing our members with access to a variety of resources, ongoing best practices, and a support system INTERNATIONAL of colleagues around the world — everything you need to offer safe, memorable, ASSOCIATION OF and exciting experiences for your guests. AMUSEMENT PARKS AND ATTRACTIONS Be connected, educated, ready, and informed. Be IAAPA. Join or renew today.

IAAPA.org/Membership ANALYSIS

TEA/AECOM THEME INDEX 2017 EMEA FOCUS

We spoke with Margreet Papamichael, founder of CLEAR Associates about what the report means for the EMEA region

What successes have you seen It becomes very diffi cult to prove, but the in EMEA theme parks? number of day trips is up in every region The main successes are those that have of the UK. This could indicate people are focused on events and those where the taking more staycations and day trips. greatest investments have been. If the increase in the number of tourists The events side of it is interesting. isn't followed by an attendance rise The success of Halloween and the in attraction admissions, it suggests incorporation of other seasonal events is increased competition. That's one increasing, and that seems to be working. explanation. It may be that people are Big investments, such as additional hotel visiting a wider range of attractions rather rooms and new rides, are also making a than just the big names. Either because the difference. We can see that at Efteling ticket prices are prohibitive of numerous where attendance went up by 8.7 per cent. visits per annum or a lack of investment in, “new things to do” in the larger attractions. What other trends have you Papamichael previously contributed to the There’s a third explanation that gets observed across the EMEA report as director of economics at AECOM cited – that people won't go to larger region over the last year? attractions because of security fears. I've In France, the story is one of a market contemplative’. It may have something to tried to fi nd evidence of this, but most of which is picking up where it left off a year do with consumer confi dence and, with the data suggests overall visits are up. ago – at least for the large part. Brexit looming, waiting to see what will This is a case of multiple factors coming The diffi culty with EMEA numbers in the happen to the economy. together. You have consumer confi dence report this year is that they’re very much Offi cial statistics show increased tourism and people not wanting to spend big money infl uenced by the big growth at Disney to London but the report doesn’t necessarily on an entry ticket. Increased competition (15 per cent). Disneyland Paris attendance refl ect that, with several major institutions and lack of investment at some of the larger had dropped 14 per cent in 2016, but this reporting attendance declines. When you’re attractions are also factors to consider. year’s improvement has made up for that. looking for an answer, it really depends on Other theme parks have done well in which numbers you're following. Were any other countries France and it's been OK weather-wise, One of the things we looked at was of particular interest? helping drive these improved numbers. tourism day visits to London – those were Italy had a really rough year. I hope So if we call France ‘happy’ then we up. Domestic tourism and day trips for UK they get great weather this summer, no could call the UK a little bit ‘sad or regions as a whole – were also up. more fl oods, and a more stable political

French visitor attractions like Parc Astérix in Plailly have shown signifi cant recovery following a tough 2016

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 63 ANALYSIS

THE EUROPEAN WATERPARK MARKET OFFERS A MIX OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FACILITIES. THERME ERDING DOES AN ADDITIONAL 500K VISITORS IN ITS SPA ALONE

environment. They deserve it and they've vying for the residents’ time and money. How does this aff ect the market? earned it, whichever way you want to look In this sense, innovation in the sector is Visitors will go to the latest openings. at it. They've had a rough ride. So in that really coming from the Middle East. They go there a couple of times and sense my heart goes out to the Italians. then need to be enticed back with new How did the waterpark sector fare? investment. It's going to be a while How did the Middle East perform? The European waterpark market offers until that amount of supply in leisure We're aware expectations were set high and a mix of indoor and outdoor facilities. facilities and visitor attractions is properly that those haven’t been met. Will they ever Therme Erding does an additional 500k absorbed and stabilised into that market. be met? Probably not to the extent that they visitors in its spa alone, which is not were fl oated originally. For instance, I don't included in their waterpark attendance, When it comes to museums, see Dubai Parks and Resorts reaching its but is quite a large slice of their annual what are the key points? predicted levels in the near future. turnover. Aquapalace and most European Museums results are affected by There are different ways you can look at waterparks have a spa element. fl uctuations in attendance, usually as a this however. They've always said that in We ought to be looking at exporting this result of major temporary exhibitions. the Middle East visitor attractions live off indoor/outdoor, fun/wellness, all-seasons If they have a couple of really successful tourism. Tourism numbers are the most model. Tropical Islands, where they've exhibitions, then they’re going to be on the diffi cult numbers to get up. It takes time increased their attendance year on year up that year, but if one year, they don’t pull for a new tourist attraction to solidify it moving from an indoor to indoor/outdoor in the same numbers, attendances drop. position in the market. It needs time to waterpark, is also now expanding its This isn’t the same as an overall drop get onto Trip Advisor and needs time to get accommodation product around it. in attendance, it's more a question of not into the brochure of the travel agents for That just seems to be very successful, having a blockbuster exhibition. example. Building that market and growing and it’s defi nitely worth seeing if that It’s unfortunate that we have to report visitor numbers is just going to take time. model is translatable to other markets. when numbers drop as a result of this, but They were set very high expectations and it’s a challenge to keep attendances at a I'm not surprised they haven't been met, Was it surprising that attendances high level every year – there can only be so but I hope that, over time, total tourism to dropped in the Middle East waterparks many brilliant exhibitions. that region will grow, and thereby a share market but increased in Europe? of that will grow the visitor numbers for the These two markets are very different. And perhaps the price of theme parks and the visitor attractions. There’s so much competition at the exhibitions can be a factor too? Secondly, there is quite a bit of moment from a leisure perspective in the There’s an overall increase in competition, competition for leisure time and a large Middle East, it's incredible. On top of that, very much because of all the free stuff part of attendance is currently driven by Aquaventure in Dubai had to close over that museums are putting out there for residents, as opposed to tourists. the high season for a couple of days for children and adults to do. It increasingly The Middle East is home to some maintenance, so that had an impact.That blurs the line between attractions great innovative Family Entertainment dip in the Middle East impacted the whole and museums, which in turn leads to Centers and there are some exciting new region, because there are so many new successfully competition with regular and developments in that area that are all things for visitors to do. paid for attractions. O

64 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 melodic durable accessible outdoor musical We Design + Build Visitor Attractions instruments Pioneering creative technology built by musicians for over 20 years

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©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 65 ATTRACTIONS

PETAL POWER

A 30-acre garden in the centre of Atlanta has become famous for its collections, conservation work and art exhibitions in nature, and is now a beloved haven for locals. Mary Pat Matheson, CEO of Atlanta Botanical Garden, talks to Kath Hudson about her vision

hen I joined in 2002, I saw the garden as an adolescent in a city which was growing up,” says W Mary Pat Matheson. “I realised it had huge potential for growth and my expertise is in raising money to build gardens. It had some great staff, as well as the largest collection of carnivorous plants in the world and the largest collection of orchids in the US. I told the executive committee that I wanted to create big exhibitions and they gave me the freedom to be creative.” Matheson kept true to her word; under Mary Pat Matheson her stewardship Atlanta Botanical Garden, has worked at the located in Atlanta, Georgia, has gone from Atlanta Botanical strength to strength. She has increased Garden since 2002 annual visits from 120,000 to 500,000, as well as raising funds and overseeing

66 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 The Atlanta Botanical Garden is home to a number of living sculptures, ranging from 26 feet tall to 21 feet wide

an ambitious expansion of the main site and the launch of a second, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainsville. One of Matheson’s ideas credited with putting the attraction on the map was to turn it into an outdoor art gallery, inserting sculpture among the plants. The first exhibition – a glass sculpture of Dale Chihuly, in 2004 – helped lay the groundwork for the first capital campaign. However, the second time the artist was showcased, in 2016, it was worth an estimated US$50m to US$60m for the city.

A MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS In 2009, the gardens played host to the largest collection of Henry Moore bronze sculptures ever seen in the US. Four years later, the attraction commissioned The mainly outdoor visitor attraction offers more than 30 acres of botanical gardens Mosaiculture International of Montreal to

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 67 ATTRACTIONS

A 180-metre-long canopy walk is among a series of 2010 additions that doubled the size of the garden

create some of its massive sculptures made out of plants for the Imaginery Worlds exhibition. Some of these remain at the Gainsville location. “Gardens are simply museums without walls, and the best canvas to showcase sculpture and art,” says Matheson. “There’s often the perception that museums aren’t open to everyone, but gardens don’t have the same exclusivity: everyone enjoys being out in nature. It has been a privilege to be able to showcase such iconic artwork in In a competitive environment such a serene setting.” Another Matheson win has been to you need to offer more than diversify to bring in new audiences. “In a competitive environment you just hydrangeas in bloom need to offer more than just hydrangeas in bloom. I work by the mantra that it all begins with the visitor: educate them, which is one of the biggest in the US. It URBAN OASIS get them to join as a member or become draws 185,000 people, from all over the Going forward, as more people live in cities a donor,” she says. “In order to attract south east, having a major economic impact than rural areas, Matheson predicts public different audiences, we needed to offer on hotels and restaurants. gardens will become ever more important different opportunities. In 2002 we had With the gardens’ popularity growing, for health and wellbeing, both mentally some families visiting, but no young Matheson saw the opportunity to expand and physically. “There’s more pressure people. So we started holding cocktail and in 2012 successfully completed a on everyone now and many studies show evenings aimed at those in their mid-20s US$55m capital campaign which enabled that in order to be healthy, humans need to late 30s. All the marketing was done the expansion of the garden with a new nature,” she says. “Gardens offer people electronically and it was very successful.” visitor centre, an edible garden, a cascade the opportunity to slow down and feel more These evenings have now become garden with waterfalls and a flagship 180- human again, replenish their spirit and established in the city, with older people metre canopy walk being added. relieve the stress of the city. We’re an urban coming in the early evening to have a glass Once that was completed, work started oasis in a concrete city.” of wine and listen to music and then a on creating a second site in Gainsville, A challenging aspect of the job has been younger crowd arriving later. which was launched in 2015. “We were the constant push to evolve and raise simply out of space,” says Matheson. the bar on quality, which involves always TIME TO EXPAND “Part of our mission is to work with fund raising. However, this is Matheson’s A variation of the social offering has been other countries to save species – we speciality: “Good planning is the key,”she culinary experiences, with the attraction’s are actively involved in many countries says. “We know where we want to be in five chefs cooking outdoors: “Who doesn’t like including Cuba, China and Vietnam – so we years time. We think of it like a business, being cooked for by a great chef in nice needed more room for nurseries in order but operate like a non-profit. And, the more outdoor surroundings?” says Matheson. to do our conservation work. Gainsville is successful we become the easier it gets: A major part of the annual event calendar much bigger than the main site and has investors want to invest in success and we is the holiday light show at Christmas, given us the chance to grow. have a great product which everyone loves.”

68 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 PHOTO: YAMTANOM SORNRAM

The garden was founded as a non-profit organisation in 1976

ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN: OVERVIEW

Following a petition by local residents in 1973, Atlanta Botanical Garden was incorporated in 1976 as a non-profit corporation with a mission to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment. In 1980, a 50-year lease was negotiated with the city, safeguarding the garden’s future. Located in the heart of Atlanta, the 30-acre attraction is composed of a number of themed gardens, including formal gardens, woodlands, a children’s garden and an edible garden with outdoor kitchen, as well as a 180m canopy walk through the city’s last urban forest and the world’s largest collection of carnivorous plants. The largest permanent display of orchids in the US is on show at the The Fuqua Orchid Centre, including rare orchids which are able to thrive thanks to special technology developed to create the ideal environment. The Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory contains plants from deserts and tropical rainforests. In collaboration with Atlanta Zoo, there is a room containing tropical animals, including birds, turtles and poison dart frogs.

Within the grounds of the botanical garden is the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 69 ATTRACTIONS

In addition to the Atlanta flagship, a second botanical garden is located in nearby Gainsville, Georgia

THE GAINSVILLE GARDEN

A US$2.5m gift from the Woodruff Foundation helped to fund the launch of this Gainsville branch of the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2015. At 168 acres it is more than five times the size of the Atlanta site and amenities include a 2,000-seat amphitheatre and a 5,000sq ft greenhouse. The attraction also houses some installations from the Imaginary Worlds exhibition. These impressive sculptures are made by stuffing metal frames with fabric bags of mulched bark and soil-less bedding material. Holes are then made in the bags which grasses, succulents and evergreens are included to create spectacular living sculptures.

70 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 Through Matheson’s leadership, Atlanta Botanical Garden has been transformed into an iconic, landmark attraction enjoyed by the entire city

MARY PAT MATHESON

President and chief executive officer of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Mary Pat Matheson joined in 2002 and under her stewardship, the visitor attraction has actively expanded its fund raising, education, business administration, horticulture and conservation initiatives. Her reputation and expertise has led to her winning many awards, including 2005 Professional of the Year from the American Horticultural Society, and to joining committees, including a conservation committee in Cameroon and one on sustainability in China. Previously, she was executive director of Red Butte Garden and Arboretum in Salt Lake City where she increased revenue by 600 per cent.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 71 SPONSORED BRIEFING

PART SECURITY THREE 3 PART SERIES Part 1 AM 1 18: USING NETWORK VIDEO Protecting your visitor attraction

Part 2 AM 1 18: Training your AND AUDIO SYSTEMS security team Part 3 AM 2 18: Nigel Peers, senior consultant at NW Security Group, looks at Using IP video how modern network-based video surveillance and audio systems and audio can be used for much more than just safety and security

uring my time in the security systems over their old Nigel Peers, senior industry and my previous analogue CCTV systems, consultant at NW role as security manager particularly their Security Group at Chester Zoo in the UK, versatility and scalability. D I’ve seen huge advances in When the first network is to play a warning technology that have changed camera was created in message when the way surveillance cameras are used by 1996, it began an era of surveillance cameras organisations of all sizes. One interesting innovation that’s seen video detect someone loitering area of development is the increasing use surveillance transcend low- near a fence or entering of network audio, allowing speakers to be resolution images recorded on a restricted area of the site connected via the local network. VHS to the detailed, high-resolution outside of normal opening hours – This article looks at how network video images of the digital age that can be quickly the message can even be automated. and audio systems are not only helping processed and searched to support real- Often, potential criminal activity can be protect staff and visitors at attractions, time decision making. The term “CCTV” may deterred as soon as the suspect realises but how the technology can also help have stuck, but the technology has evolved. their presence has been detected. If you with operational efficiency gains and the have patrolling guards on site they may capture of valuable business intelligence. Network audio complements video still be some distance away, so the use of Video surveillance allows you to an audible warning can put someone off Why network video? monitor and review. Audio allows you to the idea of scaling a fence while security Network technology is deployed over an IT communicate and interact. When you personnel make their way to the location. network and the use of network video for combine audio with video, your operational Another technique is to equip the CCTV surveillance camera systems has been toolkit becomes far more effective. control room with a microphone that security steadily growing over the last couple of For example, in a large site, using an staff can use to issue advice or instructions decades. This growth has been driven outdoor horn speaker in conjunction via speakers. With a network audio system, as organisations discover the benefits with surveillance cameras can enhance the speakers on the network can be of network-based video surveillance perimeter protection. A common technique selected individually or in zones, even the whole site. Combining audio and video this way allows staff to manage scenarios where announcements need to be made The Axis Q6000-E Mk to select groups of visitors in particular II features four 2MP areas, supporting effective communications sensors, providing a between personnel at the scene and a complete 360° field of central security office or CCTV control room. view over large areas As business hours approach closing time, network audio can be used to announce a reminderof the site’s closure, for example. Visitor movement can be monitored via video, allowing staff to quickly attend to visitors that may need some form of assistance. This can be a huge time-saver for sites with large indoor areas as well as outdoor estate.

72 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 Visitor attractions are seeing the benefi ts from technologies such as heat maps

Video surveillance allows you to monitor and review. Audio allows you to communicate and interact

Beyond safety and security identifi cation and heat maps. A better A phased upgrade is often the most Network audio systems are of course understanding of customers helps the viable approach, allowing a return on able to play background music or other owners and managers of attractions make investment to be quickly realised. Video sound tracks that enhance ambience. The informed decisions to improve customer encoders and audio bridges can be use of network audio is proving popular service, staffi ng levels and site layout. used to convert analogue CCTV and with retailers who no longer need to run A fi nal example of a non-security audio feeds during the migration, which separate systems for announcements and application for network video relates to means organisations can continue background music – each speaker only animal welfare at zoos. Chester Zoo is normal operations whilst making requires one cable for connectivity, power leading the way in the UK with unobtrusive the transition to systems that are and communication, meaning the systems round-the-clock monitoring, Dublin Zoo in fi t for purpose in the digital age. O are simple to install and connect. Ireland has been using network video to The scope to curate soundtracks for gift help study the behaviour and ensure the shops, exhibition fl oors and galleries is welfare of their animals, and Prague Zoo huge. For example, Axis Communications in the Czech Republic has been using About the author network speakers feature a built-in MP3 network cameras to monitor animal births Nigel Peers is a security consultant, player, streaming support and scheduling whilst minimising the presence of keepers. data protection practitioner and functionality, allowing an optimal trainer. With a military background and communication mix to with planned Upgrading for the future founder of a workplace compliance announcements played at the right time. Network video surveillance solutions, training company, Peers possesses Another area where retail is driving integrated with analytics software and a wealth of expertise in conducting advancements in network-based technology complemented by network audio systems security site surveys, vulnerability is the use of video analytics to capture help attractions keep staff and visitors assessments and delivering Security business intelligence. Visitor attractions safe, protect assets, improve customer Industry Authority (SIA) and other are already seeing the potential benefi ts experience and service quality, and industry-related training courses. of people counting, queue monitoring, provide operational insight. But, with occupancy estimation, demographic many visitor attractions About NW Security Group still using analogue CCTV NW Security Group provides security and separate audio, what planning consultancy and training as To read the NaCTSO guidance, go to is the most practical and well as planning and physical security www.gov.uk/government/ affordable approach to equipment specifi cation, confi guration publications/crowded-places-guidance upgrading systems to a and installation services. network-based solution?

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 73

REVIEWREVIEW

Intellectuals from across the museums sector gathered recently for the European edition of MuseumNext. Held at London’s Royal Geographic Society, it was a conference to remember. Tom Anstey was there for Shaz Hussain challenged delegates not to Attractions Management “defl ect responsibility” on diversity representation FORWARD THINKING

useumNext has been Netherlands, Hussain had said using “I receive messages every week asking welcoming decison- the word ‘diversity’ suggests a museum me to take part in projects and speak at makers from the museums and its white, middle-class audiences conferences,” she said. “I don’t tell you community to its events are ‘normal’, with any other type of this to brag – actually I’m exhausted. since 2009, to look at the vistor considered to belong to ‘other’ “Despite being a curator, I never get future of museums and how institutions categories. She proposed that ‘diversity’ asked to speak about collections, only about can adapt to a constantly changing world. should be replaced by ‘representation’, diversity. Doing that every day isn’t fun. with the sector’s goal being to represent “I’m not special, I’m not your poster girl The ‘D’ Word the entire community in its work. for diversity. People of colour won’t carry the Diversity was among the issues up for Picking up the theme, Hussain said: load and that means you have to do some discussion at this year’s conference, with “Last year I basically trashed museums, work. You can’t defl ect your responsibility. Shaz Hussain, assistant curator at the saying how much I hate it when museum “In all the conversations I’ve been having, London Science Museum, telling delegates professonals use the word ‘diversity’. I none of it is innovative. Next time you slide not to “defl ect responsibility” on the issue. challenged everyone to think of ways in into my DMs, think hard if you’re asking me Speaking at the previous edition which they could make a difference and use to solve your problems or coming to me to of the conference in Rotterdam, their own power to create change. tell me about what you’re already doing.”

The intelligent museum For museums to succeed, they must adapt to the ever-expanding presence of artifi cial intelligence. That was the message delivered by Sara Boutall – from data analytics company Dexibit – who looked at how AI is being used in museums and looked at future trends in this area.

Left: Pepper the Robot, was created to communicate and interact with humans Right: Museum technologist Sara Boutall spoke at MuseumNext

76 attractionsmanagement.com The Santa Cruz museum was rescued from fi nancial ruin Send Me SFMOMA, an SMS service provided by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, has sent art to thousands of users by text

Nina Simon (left) delivered the keynote at MuseumNext, explaining how she used community to turn around the struggling Santa Cruz Museum. (Above) Shaz Hussain

“We have to get our heads around AI in Amazon a museum context,” she said. “We expect Amazon to know what we want to buy and knows what Uber to know where we are. People will expect that intuition in our institutions.” we want. We’ll to draw new visitors and what was it willing A number of projects have already expect that to do to help them feel they belonged? shown creative use of AI. San Francisco’s When she started in 2011, MAH had an Museum of Modern Art recently intuition in our annual budget of US$700,000, with seven introduced Send Me – an SMS service staff members and attracted 17,000 which acts as an art discovery tool. In museums people a year. Seven years later, income Philadelphia, the Barnes Foundation stands at US$3m a year, MAH has 32 staff art gallery used machine learning to members and welcomes 140,000 visitors. interpret art, pairing digital work together Nina Simon, director for the Santa using ‘visual identity’ to recognise art Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH), Raising funds for communities style, objects and even images of Jesus. told delegates about the OFBYFOR ALL OFBYFOR ALL was recently launched as a Artifi cial concierges are also a new philosophy, which she deployed to turn standalone programme for other museums innovation, with the Smithsonian Institute, around the failing institution in 2011. and community organisations, to offer for example, developing Pepper – a The OFBYFOR ALL initiative stands for guidance on community transformation. 4-foot-tall interactive humanoid robot. “of, by and for the community”. OFBYFOR ALL has already raised more “We need to embrace AI,” said Boutall. Now a thriving community hub, MAH was than US$900,000 and the team behind “It’s a growing part of our lives, we need to in serious trouble when Simon took over, it wants to involve a million new people in teach our children about it and we can use with thousands of dollars of debt and an culture over the next two years. it in the world of museums to make them identity issue that meant it was struggling “Answering two questions took us from more agile, more open and more fl exible.” to stay relevant to its audience. the brink of failure to stunning success,” Spearheading an initiative aimed at Simon asked two new questions – what said Simon. “We’re able to engage, because creating community inclusion in museums, was the museum willing to change in order we’re of, by and for our community.” O

attractionsmanagement.com 77 THEME PARKS

Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi features six immersive lands, including The Flintstones’ home of Bedrock (left) and DC’s Metropolis (right) PLAYING THE LOONEY TUNE

Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi is the largest indoor theme park in the world

78 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 The Gotham City area features several Batman-themed rides, including Knight Flight, The Joker’s Fun House and Riddler’s Revolution

With new and exciting leisure opportunities continuing to crop up in the Middle East, Yas Island, one of region’s hotspots for such off erings, welcomes one of its largest additions to date – the US$1bn Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi

Tom Anstey, managing editor, Attractions Management

t seems just yesterday that AECOM and the Thinkwell Group both Abu Dhabi welcomed Ferrari working on the landmark project. World, then Yas Waterworld Visitors experience a selection and then Dubai Parks and of 29 rides, shows and attractions, I Resorts among a host of new including thrill rides, family visitor attractions coming to the attractions and live entertainment. emirate. What was once largely a The DC universe makes up two of barren desert landscape is starting the six worlds, with Metropolis and to be fi lled with wonder, culture and, Gotham City showcasing characters most importantly, visiting tourists. including Wonder Woman, Superman Miral – the government Batman and a rogues gallery of organisation responsible for building villains from those franchises. lifelong visitor value for Abu Dhabi The next world, Cartoon Junction, – has led this charge, with its latest brings together popular Warner development adding to the leisure Bros characters, placing them in a offering at Yas Island. stylised cartoon world. Called Warner Bros World Abu For fans of Hanna-Barbera’s Dhabi, the US$1bn investment The Flintstones, a recreation of opened its doors to the public on Bedrock makes up the fourth 25 July, with Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh world, while Dynamite Gulch Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, features both Looney Tunes and and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Hanna-Barbera characters. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al The fi nal part of the park is the Nahyan, inaugurating what is now the Warner Bros Plaza – celebrates world’s largest indoor theme park. Hollywood, telling the rich history of Featuring six immersive lands the Warner Bros brand. and covering 1.65 million sq ft Combined, these worlds offer (153,000sq m), the attraction one of the best visitor experiences has been developed by Miral, with available anywhere in the region.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 79 THEME PARKS

Attractions Management spoke to Craig Hanna, chief creative offi cer and co-founder of the Thinkwell Group, and Peter Van Roden, senior VP of global-themed entertainment for Warner Bros Consumer Products, to discuss the 10+ year journey that led to the realisation of Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi

back up again in 2011. It’s been with the public and where we wanted to Craig Hanna full steam ahead since then. keep them hidden away. chief creative Another challenge was working offi cer in the region, because you don’t Were there any challenges have a lot of experience there working with distinct IPs? Thinkwell Group with world class theme parks Our role was interesting because we worked and themed environments. both as representatives of the IP for Warner Bros, while also working directly with Miral What was your role in the project? Does the theme park being indoors to build the park with them. We were I’m chief creative offi cer and one of the change your usual design approach? responsible for making sure the translation owners of Thinkwell. I was the executive You can’t really build big rides under a of any of the IPs were brand-accurate and creative director for the project. roof. They take up such a large volume, also telling stories that involved a lot of that we had to come up with clever ways to original thinking and new creativity. What was your goal? incorporate the rides into the environment. If you put, for example, Wile E. Coyote The brief originally was to do an all indoor You still want rides to provide kinetic and the Road Runner into 3D, how do Warner Bros-branded park featuring the activity and engagement to people walking you translate what what you remember DC Comics characters, as well as classic through the park but at the same time, not seeing in the cartoons to make sure Looney Tunes and Hanna Barbera. take up the entire space. that everything is looking and feeling as Being indoors, we really had to think accurate as possible? That took a lot of How long has the development through where attractions would engage work, down to small things like rock work; process been and what what makes the rocks from Wile E. Coyote challenges have you faced? and Road Runner so specifi c and how We started work in 2008. One of the Thinkwell conceived, designed and do you translate that into 3D? This isn’t challenges was the economic crisis, which was a key member of the project something you’d see off in the desert, this happened not long after we started. The delivery team to bring the park to life is something you’d see specifi c to them. project was paused and then picked Attention to detail is paramount.

WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THE IPS WERE BRAND-ACCURATE AND TELLING STORIES THAT INVOLVED A LOT OF ORIGINAL THINKING AND NEW CREATIVITY

80 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 How has it been working with Peter Van Roden Miral on the project? Warner Bros characters, such as Tweety Pie and Sylvester, will meet senior VP of global- You can partner in all kinds themed entertainment of different ways. The most and greet visitors around the park successful partnerships are Warner Bros not about writing a cheque. It’s about the value the partner brings. again. Every project at that period of time In terms of Warner Bros, we bring our had a moment. The same thing happened What’s your background? characters, our content and our storytelling. with us. We said ‘let’s reset, let’s stabi- I run global-themed entertainment at Miral brings this unbelievable vision in lise’. It wasn’t about our project, it was Warner Bros, which includes all theme terms of an Abu Dhabi masterplan. They about the world economy. It was not a parks and attractions, live entertainment, also bring excellence in execution in terms stop, it was a moment in time where the travelling exhibits, location-based of design and construction. world took a pause. We very quickly got entertainment and virtual reality. Mohamed Al Mubarak – chair of the the project back on track. Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Why did you choose Yas and chair of Miral – is a visionary leader How was the project funded? Island for this project? of entertainment, attractions, leisure and This is a license relationship. Warner This is a 10-year venture inspired by our construction. He is a force of nature and Bros licenses our IP and our expertise CEO, Kevin Tsujihara, who thought about has become our mentor and partner there. and our participation to Miral. Miral is the Warner Bros and themed entertainment as owner/operator of the project. something we could do bigger. How were the plans affected We started to think about that journey by the recession? Are there future plans for Warner and potential partners around the world, If you look back at that time, everyone Bros World Abu Dhabi? reaching out to different regions. In that who had a project going in 2008 had a There are discussions about expansion reach, the Middle East came up. We spoke hiccup. Many around the world and in the but our main focus has been getting this to Miral and quickly formed a partnership. Middle East stopped and never got going wonderful thing up and running.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 81 THEME PARKS

WITH WARNER BROS COMING TO THE REGION, IT BECOMES THIS CENTRE OF REAL QUALITY DESTINATION TRAVEL Warner Bros Plaza is an Art-Deco- inspired land that celebrates the golden age of Hollywood

Are there plans to roll this model out? The Jetsons Cosmic Orbiter is among It’s certainly possible. We have lots of 29 rides, interactive family-friendly discussions and we have a number of attractions and live entertainment plans in the works. The indoor element is spectacles on offer in the park really interesting for us. It gives it some stability in terms of environment with an air-conditioned place to go, making it a year-round prospect. Because it’s we’re a major part of that story. Inside the that way yet, but I think that’s the vision all inside, you have full control over themed entertainment area for that region, – a critical mass of quality attractions. noise, lighting, sound and that general we’ve set the bar. You can put Warner Bros If you see what our partners are doing feeling of immersion. That’s the beauty World Abu Dhabi up against the best of with Yas Island and in Abu Dhabi, it’s of this park. It feels like you’re in these the true theme parks in EMEA in terms of absolutely amazing. From Ferrari World worlds. The wonderful box that was quality and immersive experiences, rides, to Yas Waterworld, to the Yas Mall, to the created is really paying off in terms of F&B, merchandise and operations. We had Amazing Louvre. With Warner Bros coming the product we’re presenting. remarkable responses from our visitors to the region, it becomes this centre of since launch. If you look at attractions real quality destination travel and I think How do you see the Middle East market? capable of drawing visitors from across there’s more to come. The level of vision We believe in the vision of the Middle the world, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and execution that Abu Dhabi is pulling off East. There’s a vision for Abu Dhabi that represents a big player in the Middle East. is really making it a destination. our partners in Miral and across the territory have, which is that the Middle How does the Middle East How do you feel following the opening? East – specifi cally the UAE and Abu compare to Orlando? We’re absolutely over the moon. I think Dhabi – will become a world-class leisure I don’t want to compare in terms of scale this is a huge accomplishment. The work destination. That has been in the works and scope of park. Orlando has a massive and dedication that has gone into it is for the last 10 to 20 years and we think size in terms of that. I don’t compare it absolutely world class. O

82 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 4 October 2018 Registration www.vacevents.comOpen!

Official Publication: Thursday 4 October 2018 - The QEII Conference Centre, Westminster, London.

The essential event for owners, managers and marketers of a visitor attraction, for opinion formers and tourism or heritage professionals. Supported by: VAC is a national conference organised by the industry, for the industry where you can: • Get involved in a unique forum for industry professionals. • Network and share experiences. Don’t miss this opportunity to: • Understand your business in the context of the wider visitor attractions market. • Keep up to date and find new directions for your business. Register on line now. Early bird and multiple booking discount registration rates apply. www.vacevents.com ATTRACTIONS Alice Davis, managing editor, Attractions Management

LICENCE A brand new James Bond visitor attraction, nestled snugly inside a mountain peak in Sölden, Austria, opened this July. We talked to the operator and architect TO THRILL

Daniel Craig has portrayed James Bond in four fi lms

84 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 state-of-the-art James Bond-inspired facility, called 007 ELEMENTS, NEAL CALLOW, has opened in Sölden, Austria, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, designed to immerse visitors in an A environment that will make them 007 ELEMENTS feel like secret agents themselves. Described as a cinematic installation, the Our aim in creating 007 new attraction is housed in a purpose-built ELEMENTS is to tell the story of structure designed by local architect Johann the making of the 007 fi lms in an Obermoser and his team. Obermoser’s building, located more than ultra-modern and engaging way. 3,000 metres above sea level at the summit We want to use this incredible of the Gaislachkogl mountaintop, is inset location in Austria to place our into the rock face, with just the entry and guests into Bond’s environment, exit, a pair of large projected windows – offering breathtaking panoramic views – and and bring the stories to life in a a viewing plaza visible from the exterior. unique and unforgettable way The museum sits by the Gaislachkoglbahn cable car and ice Q restaurant, which

were also designed by Obermoser and were the original inspiration for scenes from the 2015 movie Spectre. With a minimalist design, Obermoser aims to blend the gallery with its stunning surroundings as well as referencing the sophisticated style that’s synonymous with the Bond brand. The experience takes visitors through fi ve different zones, entering through The Barrel of the Gun and out onto the Plaza, where they can soak up the views of the Tyrol mountainscape. In the the Lobby, a fi lm narrated by director Sam Mendes introduces guests to the Bond fi lm franchise. The visitors then proceed through different zones (Lair, Briefi ng Room, Tech Lab, Action Hall, Screening Room, Legacy Hall) where they are immersed in the world of 007 and learn about various aspects of the iconic character and franchise.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 85 ATTRACTIONS

Jakob Falkner was inspired to create the experience after Bond hit Spectre was fi lmed in the region

Visitors are immersed in the world of James Bond

Jakob Falkner CEO / Cable Car (Bergbahnen) Company Sölden

What’s your background and After EON Productions chose Sölden How did that relationship how did that bring you to as one of the fi lming locations for the develop and what are the the idea for 007 ELEMENTS? 24th James Bond fi lm, Spectre, I was terms of the partnership? I’m the CEO of the Bergbahnen inspired to create a unique visitor Bergbahnen Sölden owns the building. The Sölden and have been working for the experience in the heart of the Tyrol installation is a partnership between EON company for over three decades. region to showcase the fi lmmaking that Productions and MGM, who own the rights It’s my goal to promote and advance took place in and around Sölden. to the Bond fi lms, and Bergbahnen Sölden. Bergbahnen Sölden and the Sölden brand through innovation, excellence, Are you a Bond fan? Why did you want to work and state-of-the-art technology. As one I’m a Bond fan. I think Bond is with Johann Obermoser? of the Alps’ leading ski lift companies, universally popular with people Johann Obermoser is a fantastic architect Bergbahnen Sölden takes pride in of all ages around the world. and a good friend, and we have worked its great architectural masterpieces, together many times before. Using his vast including the ‘big three’. This refers to Why did you decide to experience of building at altitude, three vista platforms on three different go ahead with this I asked him to conceive a space suitable 3,000-metre high mountains in the project and what were for a James Bond installation. Sölden ski area. We also have the the first steps? cutting-edge Gaislachkoglbahn, one of EON Productions and MGM jointly own the How much was the Europe’s most modern gondola lifts; rights to the James Bond franchise, so the investment and how and the spectacular ice Q restaurant fi rst steps were to approach EON with the is it funded? on the summit of Gaislachkogl. idea being to create a permanent James Bergbahnen Sölden funded the project, I’m also president of the tourism Bond visitor experience here in Sölden. It and the investment is substantial and think tank Future Mountain and was important to me that this is an offi cial representative of a state-of-the-art Chairman of the Ötztal Tourism Board. project approved by EON and MGM. bespoke experience of this kind.

86 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 007 ELEMENTS extracts the experiential fundamentals of a Bond fi lm and brings them to life using innovative technology, theatrical presentation and interactive installations

The state-of-the-art attraction opened its doors to the public on 12 July

Tino Schaedler is an award-winning art director, production designer and trained architect. He has worked on FAST FACTS fi lms such as Charlie and the Chocolate Sölden was chosen as the location Factory, V for Vendetta and Harry Potter for the winter action sequence in the 24th James Bond movie, Spectre, directed by Sam Mendes.

Can you describe experience, 007 ELEMENTS extracts the Production designer Dennis Gassner what the visitor experiential fundamentals of a Bond fi lm chose the ice Q restaurant in experience is like? and brings them to life using innovative Sölden for the Hoffl er Klinik The interior concept was designed and technology, theatrical presentation, developed by James Bond art director Neal and interactive installations. Key scenes set inside the Klinik Callow, who’s worked on all the Daniel were fi lmed at Pinewood Studios Craig Bond fi lms, and Tino Schaedler Do you intend that in England, the traditional home who is the head of design at Optimist visitors go to the ice of the James Bond fi lms Inc – a leading worldwide creative agency Q restaurant too? What James Bond production designer based in Los Angeles, California. else can they do? Sir Ken Adam oversaw the The galleries within the building explore Sölden is a year-round destination vision for the attraction the legacy of the making of 007 movies for sports and entertainment with with a special focus on Spectre. something for everyone. In addition to Neal Callow, who has worked on It is a purpose-built, next-generation 007 ELEMENTS and the ice Q restaurant all the Daniel Craig Bond fi lms, is experience that places visitors visitors to the area can experience 007 ELEMENTS creative director inside the world of 007 while also the extensive ski area in winter. revealing how that world is created. We have luxury hotels and the Territory Studio worked with Visitors are taken on a multi-sensory Aqua Dome in Längenfeld, Tirol’s fi rst IP-owners EON Entertainment and journey, with emotive soundscapes, and only thermal spa. In summer we creative agency Optimist to create dramatic programmed lighting, and have hiking, an outdoor adventure the multimedia, including a cinematic high-quality visual projections. park at the entrance to Ötztal, and soundscape for all the galleries Both an immersive and informative Bike Republic for mountain bikers.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 87 ATTRACTIONS Visitors access the attraction via

007 ELEMENTS creates a captivating experience with a dramatic cinematic soundscape

Each gallery distills the signature elements that defi ne a James Bond fi lm

88 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 Johan Obermoser has previous previous experience working in high altitude locations I’m used to designing and building in extreme locations like this

Johann Obermoser Founder / Obermoser Architektur

What was your reaction The building had to represent the Bond I’m used to designing and building in to this project when you brand, so we looked for inspiration in the extreme locations like this. were first approached? work of production designer Ken Adam, We designed and constructed the I was excited to work once more with and we designed a Bond environment able building within the summit of the Jakob Falkner on such an interesting and to immerse visitors in the world of 007. Gaislachkogl mountaintop, and the challenging project. Besides focusing on the spatial architecture complements the mountain development, signifi cant consideration panorama. The building is stabilised at What were the most was given to the choice of materials, as 1ºC, so it does not affect the permafrost. important architectural they needed embody Bond’s iconic fi lm elements you wanted sets. The decision to avoid heating and air How did you work to include? conditioning was taken early on, in order to to incorporate the I wanted to realise a building with imposing experience the extreme climate conditions design alongside the architecture, able to fi t in the natural of high altitudes in the inner spaces. existing building? surroundings and to harmonise with the The geological situation inspired different architectural ensemble on the peak. How did you work with the alternatives. Early studies featuring From the beginning, establishing natural surroundings? spectacular approaches near the cable-car visual connections to the locations used The permanently frozen ground at station turned out to be unsuitable for the in Spectre was essential to the design 3,040-metres elevation, geological fault existing structures at the summit. process: the Gletscherstraße road, the lines and the exposed location on the Eventually, the themes “inside the ice Q restaurant and the cable car. peak ridge created huge challenges, but mountain” and “iceberg principle” were selected to inspire the fi nal design. We fi nally designed seven free-shaped architectural concrete elements, connected by ramps and embedded into the mountain. The experience offers spectacular views of What were the unique the Tyrolean valleys challenges of designing this visitor experience? The unique thing about designing 007 ELEMENTS has been the close cooperation process with Neal Callow and Tino Schaedler who created the interior experience; the architectural outcome and the exhibition contents are the result of a tailor-made collaboration. The location, altitude, the ever-changing weather conditions, with early snow in September 2017 were truly challenging.

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 89 RMA PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

MEET THE CREATORS

RMA Ltd is a design stablished in 1993, RMA has At Drayton Manor, RMA designed and and build company that designed and built some of the built the park’s Thomas World, creating an most high-profi le attractions in the environment true to the iconic brand. specialises in themed UK and around the world. RMA also highlights among its signature attractions, theme parks, E The company has worked on many projects two attractions at Paultons Park high profi le projects In Britain, in Romsey – the prehistoric Lost Kingdom auditorium and 4D theatre including the Jorvik Viking Centre in York. and the popular Peppa Pig World. shows, and dark rides. For Jorvik, RMA has carried out a num- At its helm, managing ber of refurbishment projects, the most A world class approach recent being a complete rebuild following With substantial pedigree, RMA wants director Nigel Knight catastrophic fl ooding in the city. to expand its ever-increasing attractions says the company is here Cadbury World in Birmingham has also portfolio. According to Knight, the company been a long-term client, with RMA recently has a lot to offer any client. to deliver exciting new carrying out the design and installation of “We’ll take on anything we feel we can projects to wider audience the attraction’s 4D cinema experience. add signifi cant value to,” he says. “Whether than ever before. it be a smaller area of theming, an odd sound or special effect, a grand 4D auditorium show or even a dark ride with all the above.” RMA offers total design, build and production services, meaning it’s able

RMA has a newly- upgraded sound studio at its disposal

90 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 THE RMA TEAM:

Nigel Knight managing director

Nigel has worked in the leisure industry since 1986. He’s responsible for the technical design of our mechanical, optical and electronic special effects systems. He also storyboards, scripts, records and directs our productions before heading into our studio to add music and effects

Among its creations, RMA Andy Sinclair-Harris masterplanned the new senior concept designer Peppa Pig-themed area (above) and the Lost Kingdom Andy has recently joined the team (below) at Paultons Park and brings with him a wealth of design experience and substantial knowledge base in computer-based art design. Originally trained in theatre design, Andy has spent his career working in the themed entertainment sector, the majority of that at Walt Disney Imagineering

Lee Taylor senior production designer

Lee recently joined RMA from the commercial interior design sector. His AutoCad skills are exceptional, which allow us the fantastic ability to design all aspects of an attraction in three dimensions

Nick Arnold “Our philosophy is simple: You’re only technical manager

as good as your last project” Our principle audio-visual designer, Nick can be found creating sound, lighting and video systems to provide a wide enough knowledge and service possible. This is set out with its Angela Basker skills base to get projects off the ground aim, mission and company philosophy. artwork designer and open to the public. “Our aim is to continue to grow our Another string to the RMA bow is offering, to be prepared to diversify Angela handles the design of our graphics and its newly-upgraded sound recording and adopt new ways of thinking so that information panels, art boards and signage studio, where it produces all of its music every new project provides an even soundtracks and special effects. better overall experience than the one Nik Kirby “Some of our more complex sound that came before it,” says Knight. construction manager tracks can take a few months to design, “For our mission, we strive to design record and mix,” says Knight. and build the best quality experiences – Nik is responsible for managing and supervising “Having our own facility allows us the and to do so without compromise – so our on-site construction works freedom to tweak these productions that the interpretation of the narrative is up to the day the attraction is opened as good as we can possibly make it. Simon Prophet to the public without the delays of “Our philosophy is simple: ‘You’re construction manager waiting for commercial facilities to only as good as your last project’.” become available. We can also easily According to Knight, RMA’s unique Simon is responsible for managing and update a soundtrack at a later date, selling point is its ability to design and supervising our on-site construction works should the client require changes.” build an attraction or themed area from the ground up through to handover, Leeann Holden A mission of quality including productions, media content, project coordinator While already offering a complete production sound and lighting systems, mechanical service, RMA wants to continually expand its special effects systems, projection and Leeann is responsible for the coordination of offering in order to give clients the very best video systems and animatronics. all projects running at any point in time at RMA

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 91 RMA PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

RMA is currently working on a Wild West attraction

“The whole point of a creative designer is to develop solutions that will be perceived as new and fresh and exciting”

To achieve this, the company has a set out work-up a concept design proposal, which of a creative designer is to develop process, which it uses to create a quality includes concept drawings, example solutions that will be perceived as new experience for each of its customers. elevations, an overall masterplan and a and fresh and exciting.” “During our fi rst meeting we’ll detailed cost sheet. establish a narrative and, if relevant, “Once all these items are agreed, the A changing industry the focus of the message we are to project commences proper and we move on The attractions industry is constantly portray,” he says. “Secondly, we like to to the detailed design and build phases.” changing, with new trends and events establish ground rules and boundaries shifting what is in right now and what to the narrative that need to be strictly Inspired thinking will the public respond to. As a leading adhered to from day one. When it comes to design, RMA’s staff deisgn fi rm, RMA is at the forefront of this, “Once we’ve established these draw inspiration from a number of places. always adapting its offering to meet the parameters, we’ll generally move on to These, according to Knight, include expectations of the changing marketplace. discuss the available space, anything from existing “From an RMA perspective, there seems building constraints, attractions and cutting to be a swing away from production-based timescales and budgets, edge technologies attraction shows and 4D theatres and from which we’ll begin to on display at towards themed, often IP-based park areas create and produce an trade shows, to a that feature many rides heavily integrated initial guide proposal. television show or within the theming,” says Knight. “Further to a sound heard while “From a personal perspective, I think the outcome of this driving to work. it would be fantastic if our British and discussion, we’ll “Inspiration European parks considered following in comes from the the footsteps of the likes of Universal

Canvas Storm Flaps Secured With Leather Straps Moulded GRP Roof on Steel Frame See Drawing 823.07.006 need to provide Studios and Disney, whereby the parks See Drawing 823.07.005 Hot Dog Cooker Shroud See Drawin a solution to a are beautifully themed and feature as 823.07.008 previously unanswered many different formats of entertainment question,” he says. as possible, rather than restricting the Coffee Pot Storm “The whole point entertainment to multiple mechanical rides.” Lanterns Cash Register Shroud Bagged Snack See Drawing 823.07.009 Display Area Moulded GRP (Popcorn & Creative minds Peanuts) Axle & Mounting See Drawing 823.07.007 Blocks See Drawing 823.07.004 Left Elevation For RMA, the company is keen to be Front Elevation Left Elevation Moulded GRP Main Body on Steel Frame (Customer Side) See Drawing 823.07.001 Moulded GRP Wagon Wheels The design and involved in any project, regardless of size, See Drawing 823.07.003 Moulded GRP Pick build phase takes as long as it feels it can add something See Drawing 823.07.007

Black Painted 4/#.VF place following a worthwhile to the complete experience. Steel Underframe The Haybarn, Birtley Courtyard, Bramley, Surrey. GU5 0LA For Forklift Moving Tel: +44 (0) 1483 8983094 Fax: +44 (0) 1483 894205 See Drawing 823.07.002 consulation period “We’re a group of creative minds,”

L.Taylor 20.07.2018

Paultons Park where a masterplan concludes Knight. “Any project, regardless Wild West - 1:10 @ A1 is created of size or budget, will allow us the Snack Cart Overall Drawing Storage Cupboard Rear Elevation 3D X-Ray View 823.07.000 (Server Side) opportunity to be challenged.” O

92 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 ƍ 'onGept desiKn ƍ 1asterpPanninK ƍ 4roduGtion GesiKn ƍ Set buiPdinK GonstruGtion ƍ 8heminK ƍ SpeGiaP HJJeGts PiKhtinK T: +44 (0) 1483 898 304 E: [email protected] www.rma-themedattractions.co.uk TOURISM ALOHA HAINAN

This year, two global waterpark brands came to the island province of Hainan, China, once more drawing attention to the tropical destination

Alice Davis, contributing editor, Attractions Management

94 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 ainan, a tropical island off International tourism is a new frontier have to forego access to their social southern China is often for Hainan, which does not currently media feeds (including Facebook and described as the nation’s compete for the millions of tourists who Twitter) while they’re on holiday. answer to Hawaii. travel to popular destinations in the New strategies include increasing H It attracts more than 60 region, such as Vietnam or Thailand. the number of international fl ight routes million domestic tourists a Inbound tourist numbers to to 100 and boosting the number of year, as Chinese holiday-makers fl ock Hainan doubled year-on-year to countries qualifying for 30-day visa-free to enjoy the province’s ancient towns, 1.1 million in 2017, as world-class arrival to 59, including Russia, the UK, warm climate, clean air and lush developments helped promote the the US, France and Germany. forests. Natural attractions include hot destination to a wider audience. “By extending the policy to individuals springs and white sandy beaches. The Chinese state news agency Xinhua and the stay up to 30 days, the area is also a duty-free zone. has recently reported that the number of government aims to attract more Hainan’s Tourism Development overseas visitors to Hainan is expected international tourists, nurture the tourism Commission is aiming to attract 74 to exceed 2 million by 2020 – and the industry and meet the needs of foreign million tourists in 2018, including government may even lift its fi rewall on individuals,” says Qu Yunhai, vice head of 1.33 million from overseas. the province so that tourists will no longer the State Immigration Administration.

Massive infrastructure investment is driving the growth of tourism in Hainan

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 95 TOURISM

Two major waterparks have come to Hainan recently, including a Wet’n’Wild and an Aquaventure waterpark

Hainan – designated a Special Economic Zone since 1988 – is reaching out to global With global hotel operators recently opening investors by aiming to become a free- trade zone. With global operators such as high-end resorts, it’s no wonder the attractions Atlantis recently opening high-end resorts there, it’s no wonder the attractions sector sector is also receiving heavy investment is also getting heavy investment.

World-class waterparks Meanwhile, at the southern end of the including one with a Michelin-starred chef. Australian theme park operator Village island, another of Asia’s most anticipated There are also two underwater restaurants, Roadshow launched its third Wet’n’Wild waterpark projects has opened at the a spa and extensive retailing. waterpark this year, in the Mission Hills US$1.7bn Atlantis Sanya mega-resort, with Another waterpark with an adjacent entertainment precinct of Haikou. its 200,000sq m Aquaventure waterpark. theme park, dubbed Ocean Happy World and In partnership with the Guangxi This 540,000sq m resort, owned by developed by R&F Properties, is scheduled Investment Group and Mission Hills Group, China’s Fosun International and managed to open in December in nearby Lingshui. Village Roadshow’s latest facility features by Kerzner International, is inspired by 50,000sq m of family-friendly fun, with the underwater world and like its sister, Mega developments more than 30 WhiteWater West slides, a Atlantis The Palm in Dubai and the under- In the city of Haikou, where Movie Town is Wild Water Bay attraction, a large wave development Atlantis Ko Olina in Hawaii, an existing theme park, Wanda is investing pool, restaurants and events spaces – all has an Aquaventure waterpark. too. In the Guilinyang Beach tourist area, aimed at bringing a first-in-class waterpark The resort’s aquarium, The Lost the US$7.5bn Haikou Wanda City is under to locals and holidaymakers. Chambers, has an Atlantis theme and over construction and will consist of a Wanda “Our mission is to be a world leader 30 exhibits, making it one of the biggest mall, an outdoor theme park that extends in safety and provide world-class water in the world. It’s home to more than 280 to the beach, theatres and live show areas, slides, facilities, food and service to species and 86,000 marine animals, hotels, a conference centre, an ecological generate repeat visitation and enjoyment including sharks, piranhas and rays. park and a leisure and dining district. for all visiting guests,” says the park’s The Atlantis Sanya has more than 1,300 “Hainan is the only international tourist general manager, Lee Carter. “Village guest rooms, 154 seaview suites, and destination island in China,” says Wanda Roadshow aims to operate under the five spectacular underwater suites with CEO Wang Jianlin. “It’s a natural holiday highest standards of safety and water floor-to-ceiling windows which look into the destination. Haikou Wanda City will become quality and we bring this knowledge and Ambassador Lagoon area of the aquarium. a super seaside vacation destination, expertise to Wet’n’Wild Haikou.” The mix is completed by 21 dining spots, bringing a new identity to the island.”

96 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 World-class waterpark developments are expected to be big tourism draws for Hainan

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 97 WATERPARKS

Ruyi Island is expected to open in 2019 and will feature developments such as Evergrande’s Sea World

A number of huge construction projects are underway to create a series of artifi cial islands to support the development of tourism in Hainan

The company expects Haikou Wanda City Meanwhile, Ocean Flower Island – an boasts a mix of theme parks, museums, to welcome more than 10 million tourists artifi cial archipelago under construction malls, wellness facilities, hospitality and annually and it should be open by 2020. in the waters north of Hainan – is a entertainment offerings. The 559-hectare no-expense spared mega-project that Ruyi Island was master planned by EDSA. Artifi cial islands boasts a striking futuristic design by LAVA. Unique to the island’s design, a network Off the coast of Hainan, a number of huge Chinese real-estate investment group of water streets, internal lagoons, marinas construction projects are underway to Evergrande is behind Ocean Flower Island, and coves not only provide alternative create artifi cial islands that support the which will be home to almost 60 hotels, as transportation but also anchor varying land province by adding to its tourism offer. well as retail space, museums, an opera uses and establish a continuous experience HNA Group, a huge Hainanese house, food streets with restaurants and through organically inspired districts conglomerate, is developing Nanhai (South the world’s biggest conference centre. according to the landscape architects. Sea) Pearl Eco-Island off Haikou Bay. Evergrande’s move into the attractions Rumours have circulated that a SeaWorld New York-based Diller Scofi dio + Renfro, industry is gathering speed, as the island will be built on Ruyi Island, since developer the architects chosen for the scheme, will boast three major developments – the Zhonghong acquired a 21 per cent stake have designed a yin yang-inspired island Fairytale Theme Park, a marine park and a in the operator in 2017. However, when connected to Haikou by bridge which is waterpark. It’s scheduled to open in 2020. contacted for verifi cation, SeaWorld told envisioned to be “part of a future three- Attractions Management the company had island eco-archipelago”, while also acting High-end tourism resort “no plans” to open a park in China and had as a breakwater for Haikou’s coastline. The third artifi cial island in the pipeline, made no announcements to that effect. “The island will plug into the existing which has been approved by the Haikou With China’s big-name developers tourism network,” say the architects. authorities is Ruyi Island. Billed as a “high- seeking international partnerships in “However, rather than creating an extension end tourism resort for design, fashion and order to evolve Hainan’s proposition, there of Haikou, it will extend the city’s limited leisure,” this artifi cial island, connected are likely to be further announcements in shoreline, and offer a rejuvenating retreat.” to the main island by a 5.7km bridge, the very near future. O

98 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 D J WILLRICH LTD FOR THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND YOUR STORY

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©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 99 SHOW PREVIEW

The Euro Attractions Show returns to Amsterdam for its 2018 edition EURO ATTRACTIONS SHOW

The European edition of IAAPA’s trade show comes to Amsterdam in September. Here’s what’s on off er at the show, plus news from attending exhibitors

aking place from 23-27 September, the Euro Attractions NEED TO KNOW Show (EAS) is one of the leading What: Euro Attractions Show international business events for T industry professionals in Europe. When: 23 - 27 September 2018 Coming to the Amsterdam RAI Where: Amsterdam RAI Exhibition Exhibition and Convention Centre, more and Convention Centre, than 12,000 people are expected to Amsterdam, Netherlands attend, travelling from locations across How much: €72.25 - €395 Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Register: www.IAAPA.org/EAS beyond, with visitors from more than 100 countries descending on the city. Over 525 global companies will be Due to its increasing relevance in the exhibiting products over the course of attractions industry, this year’s conference three days, presenting new rides, virtual will introduce the Animal Welfare Forum, reality attractions, motion simulators, which will discuss how attractions can waterpark attractions, video and skill understand, cope with and proactively games, design and theming services, manage potential public criticism. ticketing solutions, and food and beverage. Also on offer will be a variety of This year’s conference features the networking sessions, with the opportunity largest education programme in EAS to visit some of Amsterdam’s most popular history, with a wide variety of learning attractions for special events, including opportunities on offer. Walibi, Toverland and Efteling.

100 attractionsmanagement.com AM 4 2017 ©CYBERTREK 2017 EXHIBITOR NEWS

Triotech Aside from the colourful Booth: 1-611 interactive Watertoys, the focal point will be will be a dynamic The Triotech booth is offering a Aquadolce climb ‘n’ slide fi rst to EAS attendees, allowing Aquadek, with interactive water them to try out Assassin's play features and fi breglass Creed: The Temple of Anubis slides for kids, who can spend in virtual reality. Developed endless hours burning off in partnership with Ubisoft, energy, while the parents relax the new adventure will be an on the sidelines. unprecedented VR experience available exclusively on Rocas & Design Triotech’s VR Maze. Booth: 1-1000 Also on the Triotech stand will be its award-winning XD Rocas & Design will exhibit Dark Ride interactive theatre. at EAS its theming turnkey solutions. Visit the booth Frontgrid to know more about the successful launch of the Angry Booth: 1-1031 Birds Indoor Park at the Doha Visit Frontgrid at EAS on City Mall Festival in Qatar, of Triotech is showcasing its Assassin’s Creed VR maze at EAS the Simworx booth to fi nd which Rocas is the theming out about the launch of contractor. You can also fi nd ParadropVR at the Universe out more information about the Science Park, Denmark and at works of its sister companies Alterface Intamin Brighton Pier in the UK. in Emirates and China. Booth: 2-502 Booth: 1-1606 This attraction combines dynamic physical movement Bright Buildings Alterface will demonstrate Intamin’s record-breaking with free-roam VR content and its new Nomad interactive Mega Coaster “Hyperion” Booth: 1-836 is unlike any other. technology at this year's show. successfully started operation Both the physical and virtual Bright Buildings designs, Nomad – a New Optimised at Energylandia in Poland gameplay is 100 per cent develops and builds Mobile Action Device – is a in July. Hyperion is Europe’s controlled by the visitor for an transparent buildings in which compact and portable device highest and fastest hyper immersive and realistic fl ying daylight is the key. that enables interaction with coaster. Intamin will also be experience. The company’s BrightOpen media screens, scenery and presenting a number of new buildings raise transparency to animatronics. LSM Launch Coasters, Family Empex an entirely new level, better- The device, says Alterface, Launch Coasters, Tower Rides connecting buildings to the will bringing a new level of and several different Water Booth: 1-1313 outside world. game interaction. Rides at EAS. Empex presents Aquadolce – Sliding roofs and walls Nomad can be integrated a new sweetly-themed Splash create a natural transition in both existing and new Park with popsicles, jelly from indoors to outdoors, ride systems, including beans, ice cream, candy stix, lengthening an outdoor season Alterface's recently launched cupcakes and lollipops. and increasing turnover. Erratic Ride. Visit the booth for a demonstration of the technology. Empex’s sweetly- themed Splash Park Red Raion will be on show for Booth: 2-312 this year’s EAS Red Raion will premiere two brand new VR titles – Pinocchio, A Modern Tale VR and Peter Pan, Saving Tinkerbell VR – at EAS. Guests can try out a two- seat simulator from Amega – a Turkish hardware manufacturer Pinocchio, A Modern Tale and one of the Red Raion’s VR is one of two VR fi lms partners. They will get to Red Raion is debuting experience the VR directly from during this year’s show the EAS show fl oor.

©CYBERTREK 2017 AM 4 2017 attractionsmanagement.com 101 SHOW PREVIEW EXHIBITOR NEWS

P&P Projects Theatre, AGV (Advanced Booth: 1-1236 Guidance Vehicle) dark rides, the Stargazer Motion Theatre, P&P Projects specialises in the recently introduced turnkey projects for the entire Immersive Adventurer leisure industry. simulator and ParadropVR, Working with Nickelodeon, an immersive, interactive, the company recently virtual reality attraction. developed the fi rst Nickelodeon-branded Mack Rides immersive FEC in Murcia, Booth: 1-619 Spain, with plans to develop P&P Projects developed the fi rst Nickelodeon FEC in Murcia more of these FECs across Mack Rides is bringing France Europe in the coming years. to Amsterdam for this year's P&P is currently developing a EAS because CanCanCoaster Twelve LED displays are JRA highly immersive attraction, the Eurosat – the classic Mack mounted on individual scissor Booth: 1-514 biggest in its history. family coaster – is back. arms, which are mounted on At the beginning of 2018, An original front car of the three horizontal rings. The The recently-opened National P&P opened a brand new new rollercoaster will go on three rings are stacked at the Comedy Center is a new home base in Someren, the display on the show fl oor, centre of the system and can non-profi t cultural institution Netherlands, expanding its showing the brand new design be rotated jointly or against dedicated to the art of comedy. offi ces and workshop to a of Eurosat. each other. Visit the Simtec Each visitor experiences a 5,000sq m space. Mack will also share the booth for more information. comedic journey tailored to news of its Xtreme Spinning their tastes through the use of Simworx Coaster, the PowerSplash nWave an RFID bracelet, while more and its . than 3,000sq m of hands-on Booth 1-1031 Booth: 1-1336 exhibits cover comedy history Simworx, the UK-based Simtec nWave is inviting attendees to from Vaudeville to viral memes. dynamic simulation attractions jump aboard a pirate boat for JRA provided complete Booth: 1-1306 specialist, will be promoting its Jolly Roger 3D adventure. planning, design, and project its full range of media-based Simtec Systems presents The video content producer management for the museum products at EAS 2018. its new ScreenFLITE media will also showcase Planet – the fi rst of ten JRA projects to The company’s attractions information system under the Power, a 3D documentary taking open over the next 12 months. can be found at a wide range name of "Le Chandelier" at a look at the inventors who of attractions around the Rome Fiumicino Airport. paved the way to Solar Impulse, TÜV SÜD world and include 4D/5D Placing your advertisement, the fi rst plane capable of Booth: 1-331 effects cinemas, immersive information or message in perpetual fl ight, and the natural tunnels, the 360° Flying motion, ScreenFLITE is a one-of- resources that our planet offers Under the motto of “safety for Theatre, the Mini Flying a-kind eye-catcher for passers by. to guarantee a cleaner future. amusement parks and rides”

Simworx recently installed an immersive tunnel at Parc Spiroux in Monteux, southern France

Planet Power is among nWave’s huge library of video content on offer

102 attractionsmanagement.com AM 4 2017 ©CYBERTREK 2017 Vekoma Rides has a presence in more than 40 countries worldwide

TÜV SÜD – one of the leading suppliers of quality, safety and sustainability solutions for amusement rides and parks – will showcase its services at this year's EAS. TÜV SÜD's presence at the show will focus on retrofi t measures for existing rides, and the safety of water and amusement parks.

The Producers Group Booth: 2-405

Specialising in destination attractions for integrated resorts, casinos and theme parks, The Producers Group works with designers and It will host its annual designed to help guests build Walltopia developers to manage the symposium and trade show in their own Lego creations. Booth: 1-1536 creation of high-tech guest Las Vegas, Nevada, on 23-26 experiences from start to fi nish. October 2018. Clip 'n Climb Walltopia will debut its newest TPG has announced the product in Amsterdam – the Booth: 2-903 opening of its new offi ces in Seeper Curved Ropetopia. Orlando, Florida. With this Clip ’n Climb is a leisure A next generation ropes strategically located offi ce Seeper is a London-based concept for the whole family, course with an entirely space, TPG has expanded visitor attraction design studio, based on climbing activities new belay line that accessibility to the East Coast bringing stories to life through that provide appeal to unlocks numerous design and international partners for the design of technology and every visitor. Clip 'n Climb's opportunities, the new Curved current and upcoming projects. content. BelayMate eliminates the Ropetopia leads to a much It recently collaborated with need for close supervision higher throughput than the World Waterpark Association Merlin Magic Making to produce thanks to an internal standard ropes courses due to the world’s fi rst digitally sequencing mechanism. its single-direction progression. Booth: 1-321 activated play tables, now Intuitive and simple to The modern design offers easy In its 37th year of business, located in fi ve Lego Discovery use, BelayMate exponentially implementation in otherwise the World Waterpark Centres across the globe. improves risk management. It unusable spaces with Association (WWA) is a Guests can now experience also prevents accidental recoil complicated footprint. member-driven organisation Dino-, Arctic- and Aquatic- of the automatic belay line. that provides educational themed Lego landscapes, that The Clip 'n Climb team will Zamperla resources and networking have been brought to life with be available at EAS to discuss Booth: 1-316 opportunities both in-person interactive 3D projection and the background to this new and online to water leisure responsive audio. safety device. Zamperla will present new professionals, operators and Integrated touch screens rollercoaster concepts at developers across the globe. feature display tutorials Vekoma Rides this year’s EAS, including a new ride at the newly-opened Booth: 1-1016 Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi. Vekoma Rides is known for Called Riddler Revolution, its quality and innovation, as the park’s Super Twister refl ected in its many installed Coaster features more vehicles family and thrill coasters, as than standard and a new well as special attractions. restrain system. The ride sits With in-house disciplines in the park’s Gotham area from sales, R&D and and is themed on Batman engineering, to production, supervillian, The Riddler. project management and Zamperla will also talk maintenance, Vekoma Rides about Z+, the new business is among the market leaders, division of the company born gaining worldwide recognition with the aim of creating new by having a presence in more experiences using the latest Zamperla has a range of concepts to debut at this year’s EAS than 40 countries. hi-tech ride developments.

©CYBERTREK 2017 AM 4 2017 attractionsmanagement.com 103 ROCKET FROM ZERO TO OVER 100 KILOMETERS PER HOUR IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS IN OUR LAUNCH COASTERS

THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME Inversions, airtime hills and forceful turns and twists. A unique combination of thrills and sights. An experience that doesn’t let up until the final turn.

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EAS AMSTERDAM 2018 BOOTH #1-1016

104 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 ATTRACTIONS-KIT.NET Lauren Heath-Jones, products editor, Attractions Management

For the latest supplier PRODUCT INNOVATION news and company information, visit attractions-kit.net Suppliers tell Attractions Management about their latest product, design and technology launches

OThe virtual reality headset allows users to see constellations overlaid on the real night sky

Aryzon headset lets guests ‘view the sky as an expert’, says Jeremy Fontana

ational Geographic has Recently installed at Au N teamed up with augmented Diable Vert in Quebec, Canada, reality provider Aryzon to ‘ObservEtoiles’ allows up to create the world’s fi rst open-air 180 visitors to observe the planetarium, using AR to project night sky with a digital overlay images into the night sky for a showing the constellations and unique stargazing experience. names of the stars and planets. The Aryzon headset uses mirrors to project 3D mixed overlay without detracting from creator of ObservEtoiles. “You reality images. Using the the night sky experience,” put the headset on and see the device, visitors can observe explains Aryzon CFO and sky full of constellations. It lets a selection of 17th-century co-founder Alexander Ceha. you view the sky as an expert.” illustrations of the constellations The outdoor show will feature Au Diable Vert has recently overlaid over the real stars and a “star guide”, who will narrate been certifi ed as Quebec’s planets, without obstructing the experience with specially- second Dark Sky Reserve, viewers’ line of sight. created content from the “Night acknowledging efforts to Users can keep the cardboard Sky Guy”, Andrew Fazekas – a remove light pollution from the headset and use the app to science writer and consultant area for clearer night skies. explore the stars at home. for the Canadian Space Agency. “We wanted to create a “It’s been a really exciting ATTRACTIONS-KIT KEYWORD headset that would display project” says Jeremy Fontana, ARYZON OAlexander Ceha, Aryzon the stars with augmented owner of Au Diable Vert and

©CYBERTREK 2018 AM 3 2018 attractionsmanagement.com 105 OSally offers a new dark ride based on Splash and Bubbles

PROMOTION

Sally Corporation offers a fun, new underwater dark ride perfect for parks large and small

What is it? “Splash and Bubbles presents A Splash and Bubbles dark ride is an excellent opportunity to OJohn Wood, now available! Sally Corporation, in provide family fun to a whole Sally chair partnership with The Jim Henson new sector of the theme park Oand CEO Company and Herschend Studios, industry including waterparks have developed an array of dark and aquariums,” says Sally ride concepts, based on the hit-TV chair and CEO, John Wood. series, Splash and Bubbles. “Working with a proven intellectual property from The What to expect Jim Henson Company and An immersive underwater- Herschend Studios gives us an themed dark ride with colourful excellent platform to create a sets, toe-tapping tunes and truly magical experience in a award-winning 3D media. ride-through attraction that can Background Episodes are available 24/7 Riders will dive into the be both meaningful and fun.” The Emmy-award winning Jim on the PBSKids.org website and incredible world of marine biology Henson Company and Herschend on the PBS KIDS 24/7 Channel. and oceanography with the show’s Benefi ts Studios are production partners stars, Splash and Bubbles. Q Family experience of the PBS series, Splash and Call Sally today to discuss Q Based on PBS KIDS Bubbles. The series debuted adding this ride to your park Who’s it for? hit TV series in November 2016, making a +1 (904) 355-7100 and With Sally’s ability to custom- Q Educational value worldwide Netfl ix premiere in the visit sallycorp.com to learn design dark rides to any Q Award-winning music Summer of 2017 and releasing more about our 40 years of footprint, this attraction is Q Bonus theming overlays internationally Spring 2018. destination-quality dark rides. suitable for any park, aquarium, Q Flexible to any budget The series broadcasts in Latin zoo or FEC wanting to gain a or footprint America, the UK, Canada, the ATTRACTIONS-KIT KEYWORD memorable guest experience and Q Turnkey installation Middle East and Thailand, with SALLY a marketable IP for their location. Q Everyone can ride additional territories to come.

106 attractionsmanagement.com AM 3 2018 ©CYBERTREK 2018 ATTRACTIONS-KIT.NET

Play Disney Parks app represents how the guest experience can be enhanced by digital technology, says Vivek Sharma

isney is gamifying a new activity while waiting D its park experience, to ride its attractions. releasing a new app to Gamifi cation of queue lines is a add a layer of interaction. major part of the new application, Available as a free download with a number of interactive OThe app is a at both the Disneyland and experiences available for select fi rst for Disney Walt Disney World resorts, rides. At California Adventure, and is designed the ‘Play Disney Parks’ app ‘Playset Party’ will be available to enhance the has been created with group for the Toy Story Mania ride. existing park play in mind, offering visitors The same ride at Hollywood experience Studios also offers the game, as well as ‘Andy’s Boardgame Blast!’ at the Slinky Dog “Play Disney Parks represents Dash rollercoaster. the next step in how we use Peter Pan’s Flight and innovative digital technology to Space Mountain have gaming enhance the guest experience experiences called ‘Off to in our parks,” says Vivek Neverland’ and ‘Rocket Race’ Sharma, senior vice president respectively, with the same rides of Digital Guest Experience. and games on offer at both parks. “The app is designed to help In addition, guests can earn, guests immerse themselves in collect and share uniquely themed the Disney stories they love.” achievements, as well as rewards for playing games, answering ATTRACTIONS-KIT KEYWORD O A number of interactive trivia, completing challenges and DISNEY experiences are now available experiencing select attractions. OVivek Sharma, Disney

Guests reach their musical potential with Acoustic Arts, says John Walls

coustic Arts, a UK-based Part of the new collection is A manufacturer of outdoor the company’s latest release, percussion musical the Wobble Drum. Consisting instruments, has launched a of a shallow drum, mounted range of instruments that can on a spring and anchored to be played using the whole body. the ground, the Wobble Drum is a sealed drum that contains bells, balls or rattles. Users stand on the drum, moving their hips or gently rocking from side to side to create a rhythm. “Acoustic Arts’ products are designed to bring out people’s OAcoustic Arts creates dynamic musical play areas for attractions innate musical potential with an activity that combines creativity, moves to another level when as a standalone piece, rhythm and coordination,” other people join in.” or combined to create a says Acoustic Arts managing Mounted in hand-built dynamic musical play area. director, John Walls. timber frames, the instruments “This presents an exciting are designed to provide fun, ATTRACTIONS-KIT KEYWORD and fulfi lling challenge on an interactive experiences for ACOUSTIC ARTS OJohn Walls, Acoustic Arts individual level, the experience visitors and can be installed

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At IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018, fun is serious business. Discover everything you need to enhance your guest experiences, make bigger, bolder memories, and drive new revenue opportunities as you connect with experts from the global attractions community. Amplify fun and move your

2018 business forward toward a more successful future.

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