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Great Wolf Story Explorers Interactive adventures for little lodge guests
“The family entertainment landscape is evolving just as rapidly as the technology used by our guests, and that changes expectations entirely,” notes Kim Schaefer, CEO of Great Wolf Resorts, North America’s largest operator of indoor waterpark resorts.
The group recently unveiled an interesting new attraction called Great Wolf Story Explorers. Designed with the young, tech-savvy generation in mind, it blends classic storytelling with interactive technology and imagination to create a fully participatory, hi-tech experience that’s believed to be the first-of-its-kind. Built upon a proprietary software platform from Creative Kingdoms (creator of MagiQuest), the attraction takes young guests on an adventure throughout the Great Wolf Lodge Pocono Mountains resort in Pennsylvania. The “explorer” has the ability to choose their particular course and is fully integrated into the story as one of the central characters.
After choosing a plush toy companion, based on the resort’s animal mascots the Great Wolf Kids, the child pauses to strike several pre-determined poses for a camera before embarking on a story told on a series of video screens. As they move from location to location, they must scan an RFID wristband worn by the toy. Each time wristband is scanned, an animated video character comes to life on screen, telling more of the story, and guiding players to the next stop. After
The Little Prince
“I believe it’s one of the best ever films we’ve done,” says a modest nWave president Eric Dillens, talking about The Little Prince. Launched last year on a low-key basis, the feature-film quality 3D/4D movie retells Antione de Saint-Exupéry’s endearing story in a fully immersive and spectacular way.
Accompanied by his hilarious friend the Fox, the Little
Prince leaps from one fanciful universe to another in search of his beloved Rose. Audiences can fly alongside these fearless heroes as they scale instruments on the musical planet, wake the friendly stone giant and dodge the metal claws of a ferocious dragon.
Lasting just shy of 13 minutes, the film is already playing in several leading parks including France’s Futuroscope. Operators can also benefit from a sselection of Little Prince merchandise.
See a trailer for the film by reading this article online at
www.parkworld-
online.com or visiting the nWave website.
www.nwave.com
completing the entire storybook, players are given a keepsake of their adventure: a personalised storybook which integrates the photos taken at the beginning of their adventure with the illustrations. “What’s really exciting about Great Wolf Story Explorers is that it never really ends,” says Maggie Moore, corporate director of kids experience for Great Wolf Resorts. “Not only do explorers get to take their plush animals and storybooks home, but there will be new stories for them to experience during future visits.” The installation of Great Wolf Story Explorers in Pennsylvania is the final phase in a $2.1 million capital expenditure programme which also included a six-lane bowling alley called ‘Ten Paw Ally’ and remodelling of many existing facilities. Story Explorers will eventually be rolled out to other Great Wolf Lodge locations.
www.greatwolf.com/story-explorers EOS Graffiti
Due to be exhibited this month at IAAPA Attractions Expo in Ortando, Graffitti is the latest attraction from the Italian manufacturer EOS Rides. This child-friendly ride features a turning base for an added sensation as the main gondola jumps up and down the tower. Following its launch earlier this year at DEAL in Dubai and Euro Attractions Show in London, the ride has received a warm welcome.
Also at IAAPA, look out for
Volare from EOS. More new attractions are promised in the coming months, including four patent pending rides.
www.eos-rides.com
14
NOVEMBER 2011
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