Park News
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BigQuestion in association with
Have you ridden a Virtual Reality rollercoaster? What did you make of the experience and would you consider adding one at your park?
Karl Rice, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, USA: Virtual reality coasters are a really cool and unique experience. The ability to transform an existing ride is very intriguing and creates interesting new opportunities to enhance the guest experience. However, I’m not sure if they are a good fit for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk because our natural surroundings are such an important part of our guest experience. Whether riding the Giant Dipper or Undertow spinning coaster, being able to enjoy our amazing views while riding is part of what makes the experience so special.
Nick Thompson, Blackpool Pleaure Beach, England: In the past, going back 10-15 years, I was never really very keen of virtual reality. When I heard that Mack (and others) were developing VR for rollercoasters, my mind didn't really change, but then after riding their Pegasus coaster and mine train at Europa-Park I was blown away, I really was. You can create a new buzz for an old ride, unfortunately a lot of the older rides in our stable are wooden coasters and you can't do VR on rougher rides like that
...yet. We spoke with MackMedia and they said it might be possible on our Steeplechase, and Alex [Payne, Pleasure Beach technical director] and I discussed the possibility of doing it on some of our slower rides, like the River Caves or the Ghost Train. Having tried out VR systems now from several different people that are doing it, I
think Mack is the best, and I am not just saying that because we are buying a big coaster from them.
Jerome Gibas, Kennywood, USA: No, I have yet to ride a virtual reality rollercoaster. However Kennywood has a long history of innovation and creativity, so we do have some interest in potentially utilising VR, and are considering it for other rides beyond just rollercoasters. The level of ridership and expense of maintaining a ride and/or implementing new technologies are the predominant factors when considering any significant change to our park's line-up.
Donnie Mills, SeaWorld Orlando: While I personally have not yet ridden a virtual reality rollercoaster experience, I’ve been interested in the technology and the opportunity it gives theme parks to look at their attractions in new ways. Members of our creative team have experienced this and all agree it’s a great addition to SeaWorld Orlando. For 2017, we decided to look at our park’s first rollercoaster, Kraken, and reimagine it [see page 14]. By adding a virtual reality experience to the ride, we can now finally tell the story of the Kraken to our guests. Our guests will be inspired by extinct and legendary sea animals of the past, including the mighty Kraken herself. To do this, we have developed a custom digital overlay with uniquely designed headsets fully integrated, mechanically and electronically, into the coaster train for a new one-of-a-kind adventure.
Figures of Fun 5
per cent – increase in attendance so far this season at Futuroscope in France, which recorded 600,000 visitors by the end of August. The park will launch a new flying theatre attraction this coming December
10.6
per cent – revenue increase in the 38 weeks to September 17 at Merlin Entertainments. Like for like growth was 1.3% during versus the same period last year
295
dirhams ($80/€72) – price of one-day adult ticket to Legoland Dubai, which opens on October 31 at Dubai Parks and Resorts. A child's ticket will be AED 250 ($68/€60)
180,000
number of pumpkins at Europa-Park's (Germany) Halloween Horror Nights. The 10th anniversary season finishes on November 6
600,000
number of tourists who visited Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island this summer, home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld
OCTOBER 2016
5
24
28
32
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