TITLEMYSTERY SHOPPER
touch-screen interactives, music and Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, charges comparable to the many other
sound effects to vignette each fi gure. Staff Britney Spears and Beyoncé wait to meet parking structures in the area. The Metro
members capture digital images of guests visitors in the A-list party room Red Line subway station is one block away.
with key iconic fi gures at strategic points
along the way. These images are available habit to pose with Whoopie Goldberg. In THE VERDICT
for purchase at the exit or can be accessed Making Movies, you can help Quentin The draw for tourists is clear. Guests are
online using a code on your ticket stub. Tarantino compose his next shot or have guaranteed an up-close and personal
a seat in the director’s chair to consult encounter with some of the biggest stars
THE EXPERIENCE with Steven Spielberg. In the American ever. Even the most jaded Hollywood
The journey begins with an offi cial photo- Idol zone, guests can sing karaoke while insider couldn’t resist sharing breakfast
op with President Barack Obama. From their friends sit next to Simon Cowell and with Audrey Hepburn or receiving an offer
there guests ascend a ramp to the Red judge the performance. One of my favour- you can’t refuse from Marlon Brando.
Carpet zone where, under a strobe of ite moments was in the Awards Ceremony I made the mistake of going through the
camera fl ashes, Joan Rivers asks: “Who zone when you can take a seat in the audi- experience by myself. The eerily lifelike
are you wearing?”, then an elevator takes ence next to Jack Nicholson. quality of the fi gures coupled with the “up
guests to the third fl oor. In the Behind the Scenes zone, Beyoncé close and personal” access makes for a
Emerging from the lift you enter the larg- Knowles takes you through the step-by- fun experience that’s best enjoyed with
est of the thematic zones, the A-List Party. step process of creating one of Tussaud’s others. I probably had more fun watching
The environment is a Hollywood nightclub amazingly life-like fi gures. Here you also other guests than I did just on my own. The
complete with fl ashing lights, disco balls meet the youthful fi gure of Marie Tussaud fi gures inspire playful social interactions
and dance music. Celebrities like Beyoncé, and learn about her life in the court of and all the galleries benefi t from the activ-
Elton John and Michael Jackson are posed Louis XVI. There’s a facilitated activity area ity of lots of guests interacting with them.
performing. Guests are invited to join the where staff help guests make a simple wax Timing is everything. The economics
action and strike a pose as if they’re in a mould of their hand as a souvenir. of the last year have put a great deal of
duet. Other super-stars, such as George pressure on even the most established
Clooney and Jennifer Aniston are casually RETAIL AND AMENITIES Hollywood attractions – and everywhere
seated or standing, so guests can pose The exit retail space features a station else for that matter. It’s a tough time to be
with them like old friends. where photos taken can be viewed and launching any new leisure business. The
Guests can take an elevator or stairs ordered. These images can be purchased Tussaud’s brand needs to establish itself
down to the second fl oor. The stairwells as prints or incorporated into a variety of and justify the added value of its ticket,
throughout the building are treated with souvenirs such as magnets and key chains. which is roughly twice the price of most
bold super graphics. At several points, There’s an ample selection of Tussaud’s area attractions. In the long run, the quality
guests in wheelchairs are required to use Hollywood-branded merchandise in the of the attraction, coupled with Tussaud’s
lifts between fl oor-grade changes. shop as well as general Hollywood souve- operational expertise should prove a win-
In the Spirit of Hollywood zone guests nirs. Tussaud’s features only a small snack ning formula for the newest attraction on
can pose with classic stars such as Charlie bar on the second fl oor. This comes as no Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. ●
Chaplin and Marlene Dietrich. They are surprise given the number and variety of
then led through a sequence of immersive restaurants in the immediate vicinity. WHAT’S THE SCORE
thematic zones including Westerns, Crime, The restrooms were clean and well main-
Action Heroes and Sports. tained. They featured graphics that showed SCORES OUT OF 10
One highlight occurs in Modern Classics life-sized silhouettes of selected stars and Toilets 8
when Charlton Heston parts a video Red toilet stalls themed like dressing rooms. Staff 8
Sea projected on the fl oor. A somewhat The restrooms were equipped with chang- Cleanliness 10
jarring sequence involves posing with a ing tables and other family-friendly features. Experience 8
shovel next to Steve McQueen, tempt- Parking in the neighbourhood is legen- Value for Money 7
ing the young Dustin Hoffman with “your” darily bad. There’s a subterranean parking Overall Experience 8
stockinged leg and then donning a nun’s structure underneath the museum with
24 Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 1 2010
©
cybertrek 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86