www.parkworld-online.com
Cover Story
upon arrival and encourage photos and social sharing. The approach transforms queue and pre- show areas into part of the attraction itself rather than transitional space. Inside the theater, the experience continues with
expanded side-wall projection that extends the cinematic environment beyond the main screen. Choreographed lighting, directional audio, special effects, and immersive visual design work together to create a more enveloping atmosphere. The result feels less like sitting in a theater and more like stepping inside the story.
newest generation seat design, developed to improve comfort and reliability while delivering special effects from the armrests for added guest excitement. Thoughtfully designed, the special effects turn off when the seat is not occupied, conserving water and making it more operationally efficient when not in use. For Shedd Aquarium, the immersive theater aligns
closely with its broader mission of connecting guests emotionally to the aquatic world.
more immersive than ever before, allowing our guests to not only learn about, but also feel what nature, and sensory experiences are a great way to That emotional connection is becoming
increasingly important across the attractions industry, particularly within zoos, aquariums, and museums that seek new ways to inspire audiences.
surround them, surprise them, and make them for zoos, aquariums, and destination attractions worldwide. Institutions like Shedd Aquarium are proving that these shared cinematic experiences The operational advantages of immersive theaters
are also highly relevant. Cinematic attractions continue to offer high-capacity throughput, weather- independent entertainment, broad demographic appeal, and repeat visitation opportunities through rotating film libraries and seasonal programming. For many destinations, they remain one of the most flexible attractions available. SimEx-Iwerks portfolio includes family adventure
films, nature documentaries, seasonal content, and custom storytelling experiences designed specifically for zoos, aquariums, theme parks and other destinations worldwide. The company continues to focus its content strategy around experiences specifically designed for immersive environments, creating moments that cannot be replicated at home.
IAAPA ASIA EDITION 2026
© Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez
© Brian McAllister. All Rights Reserved.
© Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez
The next SimEx-Iwerks Immersion Theater
installation is already scheduled for Central Park Zoo in New York, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), another globally recognized institution investing in immersive guest engagement experiences. For operators evaluating the future of dormant
theater spaces or aging cinematic attractions, these projects may offer an important reminder that the shared theater experience continues to be a viable attraction. In many ways, audiences still crave collective emotional experiences that cannot be replicated at home or on personal devices. What has changed is the expectation around
immersion, with audiences increasingly seeking environments that are interactive, layered, and memorable enough to share socially and revisit again. Immersion Theater reflects that evolution. As attractions operators continue searching for
experiences that combine storytelling, repeatability, accessibility, educational value, and emotional engagement, immersive cinematic attractions may be entering a new era. For SimEx-Iwerks and partners like Shedd
Aquarium, the future of cinematic attractions is about redefining what immersive storytelling can become.
© Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez
19
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
