Media Based Attractions
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Media-based pre-show
It’s difficult to tell a story during a rollercoaster ride, unless you use virtual reality, which is why Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (FWAD) chose to add a media-based pre-show to its new Flying Aces ride from Intamin. The British company Holovis was brought on board to
create, design and integrate all the projection systems and spatial audio with the purpose-designed media for a presentation that tells the Flying Aces story ahead of the adrenaline-fuelled experience that follows. Themed as an Italian WW1 airfield, the pre-show area is brought to life with projection mapping that depicts the skyline through which the Flying Aces squadron flies, creating a ground-shaking experience as planes swoop from all directions. The themed interiors are aligned with windows that include embedded display technology to create the illusion of a world beyond. “Holovis played an integral role in the storytelling component of this attraction, right down to the comically clever safety film that plays in the briefing room just before guest’s board,” notes FWAD creative director George Walker. “The
VIRTUAL REALITY VS AUGMENTED REALITY With as many as 24 new virtual reality (VR) rollercoaster experiences expected to appear this year at parks around the world, such technology is making new inroads into the attractions industry. The affordability and availability of new VR headsets, some comprising little more than a smartphone and a pair of goggles, is surely one reason for such proliferation. “VR in rollercoasters is not new,” notes Kevin Murphy of
Attraktion!, “but improvement sin technology and content mean it is now becoming better and more widespread. Whilst I still have some reservations about rollercoaster applications for VR, it makes sense to diversify the ride experience.”
team animated wonder into the sky with amazing planes that fill the horizon, breathed life into the faces of scenic figures, populated the environment with holographic characters, layered the scenes with environmental audio illusions, and then underscored the whole thing with a brilliant, cinematic orchestral score.” In addition to the pre-show itself,
Holovis Media also scripted, show produced and designed a number of media elements within the queue line of the ride. Opened in February, Flying Aces is an 1.5km (4,921ft) Wing Coaster featuring signature elements including the world’s steepest cable lift (51°) and tallest non-inverted loop and (52m/171ft). “This spectacular attraction features the thrill of a traditional e-
ticket coaster, but also puts people at the heart of a compelling story thanks to the immersive storytelling in the pre-show,” highlights Holovis CEO Stuart Hetherington.
In many cases parks are using VR to give a new lease of
life to older attractions, such as the 10-year-old ride Air at Alton Towers in England. The B&M Flying Coaster has been relaunched this season as Galactica, complete with a space age ride film that guests experience on VR headsets as they travel along the track. “There’s more to it than just the headsets,” explains Simon
Reveley, whose company Figment Productions worked with Merlin Magic Making on both this and the VR component of Derren Brown’s Ghost Train, opening soon at Thorpe Park near London. “Hosts on Galactica can control each rider’s experience via small touchscreens next to their seat, there are safety tethers, head straps with integrated headphones, pouches to hold headsets empty
Mixed-media dark rides
Media content is increasingly being used by designers of dark rides to complement physical sets and scenery. This year Sally Corporation is delivering two new Justice League: Battle for Metropolis interactive 4D dark rides to Six Flags, following the success last season of the IAAPA award-winning rides at Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags St Louis. Now guests as Six Flags Mexico and soon Six Flags Great America near Chicago will be able to enjoy the Justice League experience as they team up with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The Flash to outwit Lex Luthor and The Joker’s plans to destroy the city of Metropolis. “There are 11 scenes in each attraction (including load/unload) and in six of those scenes we have
Galactica at Alton Towers Resort (UK) is one of 24 VR coaster experiences launhed this season at parks around the globe
MAY 2016
large, interactive screens up to 17 x 30ft,” details Sally’s Lauren Wood Weaver. “We actually describe these dark rides as being ‘mixed-media’ because they feature interactivity (real timing gaming), multi-DOF (motion-based) ride vehicles, media-based scenes (large CG projection screens in 3D), highly immersive theming (ultra-realistic sets, scenery and animation mixed with the projection screens), lifelike animatronic characters and 4D special effects.” Working with Sally again to produce the two latest Justice League rides for Six Flags are Oceaneering (motion-based ride vehicles), Pure Imagination (3D media) and Alterface (interactive gaming). The company is also marketing a new The Walking Dead immersive dark ride concept featuring a similar mixed-media approach. Park World will be examining the role of media content and interactivity in dark rides in greater detail in our annual Dark in the Park feature in August.
The pre-show at Ferrari World features a projection mapped skyline
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