MARKET REPORT: EUROPE
1. Immersive tech will continue to see major investments and find new footholds. Technologies like AI, AR, VR, holograms, LED screens, audiovisual (AV) tools and projection mapping can help to create the most innovative and immersive experiences around. By this point, total immersion has become something of an expectation for visitors and parks must continue to ensure these expectations are lived up to - and exceeded.
2. Gamification is another trend that seems set to become more deeply entrenched across the European attraction in 2024. Theme park and other LBE operators are busy developing new technologies and concepts to add an additional, interactive layer to their attractions. As with last year, Universal’s Super Nintendo World is leading the way. Now open at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood, this gamified land brings Nintendo’s video games to life. Visitors can enjoy interactive experiences thanks to wearable wristbands linked to smartphones via an app. They can physically hit the land’s Question Blocks to collect coins as if they are competing in a video game.
3. Horror is no longer just for Halloween as parks see an increase in demand for year-round horror attractions and
The Curse at Alton Towers
experiences. Halloween fright nights have long been an immensely popular draw for guests - and there is now even a name for this - ‘recreational fear’ - coined by scientists from the Recreational Fear Lab, a research institute at Aarhus University in Denmark. Having teamed up with Sweden’s Liseberg park on a fear experiment, they discovered that fear can have a positive effect on park visitors; that it is something people actively seek. Two examples of parks which opened year-round horror attractions last year are the UK’s Thorpe Park, with Ghost Train, and Alton Towers with The Curse at Alton Manor. And it seems we can expect more of these in 2024 and beyond.
4. Eco-friendly experiences will be another priority for operators as more and more visitors adopt an increasingly conscious stance, from animal welfare to the environment. This comes down to operations too; for instance, Edinburgh Zoo installed solar panels last year in a bid to become more sustainable.
Anticipated openings 2024 is set to be a big year for operators across Europe, not only in terms of a strong market outlook, but also some of the rides which are set to open, including a UK record-breaker on the cards at Thorpe Park.
Emerald Park in Ireland is opening
two new roller coasters as part of its new Irish mythology themed Tír na nÓg area by Jora Vision. Both are by Vekoma, although the names of the two coasters have yet to be revealed. One will be a Suspended Thrill Coaster reaching speeds of 90km/h, with a height of 32m, a total track length of 750m, and five inversions including a 360 Zero-G Roll and an Upward Helix. The other will be a Family Boomerang which runs both forwards and backward with top speeds of 60km/h. The 450m track climbs to 25m and features airtime hills, dives and turns. Hyperia will open at Thorpe Park in the UK. Designed by Mack Rides, this colossal coaster will stand at 236 feet and reach epic speeds of 80mph, earning it the title of both the tallest and fastest coaster in the UK when it opens. Mahuka will open at Walibi Rhône- Alpes in France as the very first Hot Racer single-rail coaster by Intamin in Europe, taking riders through a jungle world with ancient temple theming, propelled by tyre- driven launch sequences. Nemesis will return to Alton Towers in
the UK following its 2022 closure. The inverted B&M coaster has been completely rebuilt with improvements in place and a brand-new colour scheme. Vindfald will open at Tivoli Friheden in Denmark. This Eurofighter-inspired Gerstlauer steel roller coaster includes two inversions along with a vertical lift hill and first drop combination. Voltron will open at Europa-Park in
Germany. This custom layout Stryker Coaster by Mack Rides will feature a dark ride-style show scene near the beginning, several LSM launch tracks boosting the track to speeds of 55.9 mph, a maximum height of 106.6 feet, a unique turntable element and seven inversions along the 4,544-foot long course. It is expected to act as the anchor to Europa-Park’s new Croatia-themed land, themed to the electric experiments of Nikola Tesla.
PARK WORLD Handbook & Buyer’s Guide 2023/24
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