Attractions
Picsolve announces new US$13m investment
Picsolve has announced a US$13m invest- ment from Moonray Investors – part of Fidelity Worldwide Investment. Te image capture firm says the invest-
ment will help it achieve its vision for guest-experience photography in leisure. With 20 years’ experience, the com-
pany has expertise in designing end-to-end photo and video capture and distribution platforms to support retailing experiences, with interactive products such as GSX. Picsolve showcased GSX and its digital
product suite for the first time at IAAPA 2013 Attractions Expo in Orlando, Florida. Guests to the Picsolve stand had the
opportunity to experience the GSX digital solution, which enables clients to provide customers with fully integrated and seam- less purchasing of photos and merchandise. Picsolve offers ride photography and
video, waterpark photography and immer- sive Green Screen Technology. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=E3W5S
Merlin reports steady growth in 2013
Merlin Entertainments plc enjoyed a positive year in 2013, with the attractions company reporting like-for-like revenue growth of 6.7 per cent. Merlin, which saw a success-
ful launch on the London Stock Exchange in November, also posted an overall year-on-year visitor increase of 10.9 per cent across its range of attractions. Other figures show a jump
in EBITDA from £346m (US$575m, €421m) in 2012 to £390m (US$648m, €474m) by the end of last year, as well as an operating profit increase of 12.3 per cent. Te company has invested £95m (US$158m, €115m) in its estate and says this has under- pinned its growth. In addition, Merlin cites
the roll-outs of its midway attractions across the world last year, with further open- ings due, including Shrek’s Far Far Away Adventure – a partnership with Dreamworks – which was announced in February 2014.
Chief executive Nick Varney is confident about the company’s future “With seven new attrac-
tions in 2013, we’re making good progress towards our stated long-term aim of a geographically diversified business, generating revenues equally across Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific,” said CEO Nick Varney. “Te flotation has given us the platform for the next stage
of development and we’re better placed to continue to build this robust, diversified business, based on our iconic attractions and determination to deliver memorable days out for our millions of visitors in 22 countries, across four con- tinents.” Turn to page 30 for our Merlin special. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=Z5s6c
Te original ship sank aſter hitting an iceberg in 1912
Plans revealed for life-size Titanic simulation in China
A Chinese theme park, located in the land- locked province of Sichuan, has revealed plans to create a life-size replica of the Titanic, which will simulate the conditions experi- enced during the ship’s tragic sinking in 1912. Proposed by the Seven Star Energy
Investment Group, the project will see the creation of a ship to house a simulation that will allow several hundred people at a time to feel what the disaster was like. It is thought that the mock vessel will
cost in the region of RMB1bn (US$165m, £100m €120m) to create. “When the ship hits the iceberg, it will
shake, it will tumble,” said Su Shaojun, chief executive of Seven Star. “We will let people experience water coming in by using sound and light effects... Tey will think, ‘Te water will drown me, I must escape with my life’.”
Details:
http://lei.sr?a=7C2v6 16 Shrek attraction coming to London
Merlin Entertainments has agreed a deal with Ho l l y w o od st udio DreamWorks Animation to open attractions based on the Shrek movies, with next year’s London opening scheduled to be followed by five more locations around the world. The attractions will take
visitors on an interactive adventure featuring charac- ters from the franchise and will see an initial roll-out of the six attractions up to 2023, with the London opening expected during Q3 of 2015. Te announcement marks
the first time Merlin has worked with DreamWorks to create a branded entertain- ment attraction based on a globally recognised franchise.
Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital
Tere will be an initial roll-out of six Shrek attractions up to 2023 The 2,000sq m (21,500sq
ft) attraction will be based around a completely new story written by the DreamWorks team and will include char- acters from Shrek, as well as others from Madagascar,
Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. In addi- tion, there will be a rotating exhibition area for various DreamWorks releases and a branded retail outlet. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=M8w7A
AM 1 2014 ©Cybertrek 2014
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