PW-MAR20-35-42-Theming.qxp_Feature 30/03/2020 18:07 Page 36
Special Feature
www.parkworld-online.com
crave so much more. Therefore, we believe there is an even stronger appeal for a ‘hands on’ analogue/realtime experience and coupled with this, a much larger focus on live entertainment and live entertainment doesn't merely mean singers, dancers, and specialist performers, it's the way the operating staff interact with guests and help enhance the theme or experience that's key. Storytelling is crucial and if
the working staff believe in the experience and help enhance the world or environment around them, this will only make it 100% authentic for the guest.
Can you offer some predictions on how this might change in the future? While digital content and technology shouldn’t be the main focus of the themed concept there are definitely ways of incorporating it into an experience or as a lead upto both anticipate the guest's expectation and create immersion. As technology develops and the popularity of self-expression through social platforms grows, this too will need to be incorporated into themed experiences. Not only will guests be able to encounter these fantastic
environments, they will also be able to interact, integrate, change and adapt within them, creating the ultimate immersive personalised experience. The digital age allows
this with full integration of software and constantly evolving special FX coupled with human interaction and ground- breaking theatrical performance, the end results will be breathtaking. This excites us immensely and we are proud to say we are
currently working on some of these developments with significant players in the entertainment and leisure industry. Inthe future, we will ‘Raise the Experience’ and
expectations of operators and guests throughout the world across multiple sectors of the retail, entertainment and leisure industry.
nMK Themed Attractions Lars Nielsen Themed Attractions Specialist at MK Themed Attractions had this to say:
We see immersive themed experiences are in demand.
Visitors expect it more and more so it will become a necessity for attractions. The world has become so small due to digitalisation and cheap flights that people know for example, what a real Mexican Mayan Temple looks like, so the level expected level of theming has risen and needs to incorporate sound and smell etc. much more than before. We also see it with theme parks extending their seasons to
encompass Halloween, winter and Christmas. Halloween is not just cute pumpkins anymore, it is a full immersive
experience with light and sound effects and changes from being sweet and “innocent” during the day to being truly scary at night. In the light of the current situation I believe we will see the
need for creating even more extraordinary theming as parks around the world need to re-establish their business and get their visitors back. A project we are working on right now that reflects
immersive theming is Paultons Park’s brand-new area Tornado Springs. Where there are a lot of amusing themed elements (Leisure Expert Group has designed the new area and we produce it). The story behind the theming is that this city is well-known
for its crazy amount of tornados and whirlwinds hitting it almost constantly, which is reflected all over the theming; actually the 1950s country side theming has been taken to
such a high level, that it even has its own twitter account with optimistic local business owners talking about the rebuild of the city that is nearly complete. What is different and interesting about this theming is that is
uses unusual places to add theming like a sheep on the roof top of restrooms and a comfy armchair at the top of the restaurant, all used to simulate a tornado hit the city. We
have used different light effects for some signs, for example a neon looking signs that flashes like it is broken by a tornado. Something that not many amusement parks, or magazines
for that matter know, is that we actually also produce animatronic figures. We have an in-house workshop where we have built animatronic Christmas figures for 50 years under a different brand, that has delivered animatronic figures
to amusement parks like Adventure Island, Tivoli Friheden and Djurs Sommerland, and this skill is something we have chosen to utilise more in our amusement park projects. In the Paultons project, we have created several animatronic figures by transforming custom-built static fiberglass figures to moving animatronic experiences helping the design idea come even more to life. This not only broadens the platform we are working with; it also helps us create immersive themed experiences like the one at Paultons Park.
n Theming to enhance the overall immersive environment As more attractions look to increase their footfall, we are seeing a greater movement towards the enhancement of immersive environments for visitors. Environmental Street Furniture (ESF) is one company that
MK Themed Attractions
36
has acquired a wealth of experience in that area. From global theme parks to recreational areas, the Northern Ireland based company offers a range of themed solutions to contribute to the immersive experience, transforming mundane products into products that become an integral part of the attraction. Offering themed site furnishings, with an unrivalled
selection of designs, ESF uses a diverse selection ofmaterials MARCH 2020
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
