In the Spotlight


Thinking inside the box T


he earliest concepts of dark rides – indoor ride-thru attractions – date back to the late 19th century. They were simple moving rides, under cover or in makeshift buildings, featuring some props for guests to observe as


they would move through the story on their adventure. More than 70 years later, Jacksonville, Florida-based company Sally


Unlimited – today’s Sally Dark Rides - was gaining national recognition as a robot company, supplying single animatronic characters for corporate clients like Borden Foods and Gloria Vanderbuilt; tooth fairies for dental offices, and entertainment packages that featured a robotic piano player so realistic, guests often thought she was alive. As the company’s reputation grew, so too did the realisation that Sally could


supply the global attractions industry with original robots that could enhance the ride experience. In 1986, Sally introduced an entirely new concept – an interactive dark ride


featuring a well-known IP. Ghostbusters, based on the popular franchise, had animatronic characters, animated targets, special effects, and custom ride cars. While the concept never found a home, the Sally team knew they were on to something, and continued to hone the idea. While Sally believed developing interactive dark rides was their industry


specialty and differentiator, they continued to supply original animatronics and shows to parks around the world. And they would share their concepts for how interactive dark rides could enhance traditional park experiences. 2000 marked the beginning of a new chapter for Sally Dark Rides, putting


the company on a trajectory of building new guest favourites with advanced technology, multimedia applications, and storylines with strong IP.


26


Justice League: Battle for Metropolis


In an industry that constantly focuses on thinking outside the box, one company has instead sought to change the inside of the box, inviting millions of guests around the world along for the ride. For 45 years, Sally Dark Rides has merged technology, imagination, and innovation to create incredible attractions in ‘boxes’ of their own making. Susan Storey speaks with Lauren Wood Weaver, vice president of marketing and business development at Sally Dark Rides.


The question “Scooby Doo, where are you?” was answered with the creation


of seven Scooby Doo Haunted Mansion attractions for Paramount Parks. The themed dark ride first debuted at Canada’s Wonderland, earning the IAAPA award for Best New Children’s Ride, and guests’ hearts. The attraction put kids and adults alike in their favourite Saturday morning cartoon, solving a mystery with Scooby Doo and his famous friends. In ride vehicles that looked like mini Mystery Machines, guests worked to


capture ghosts by using interactive ‘Fright Lights’ with the props and targets throughout the ride course. It was a hit and propelled Sally, and the interactive dark ride, forward. Exclusive original new dark rides followed at parks including Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Holiday World, Astrid Lindgrens World, and Legoland parks in the UK, United States and Malaysia. One of the company’s hallmark attractions was also developed during this


time in Sally’s history. The world-class Challenge of Tutankhamon debuted at Walibi Belgium in 2003 and brought something entirely new to their dark ride product. With 130 interactive targets and digital consoles in the TRV track, riders took an active role, and had to achieve a set score for the chance to defeat an ancient god and enter the treasure chamber. Failure to do so sends the cars into one of two early exits, ending both the challenge and the ride. ‘Tut’, designed for repeatability, was quickly embraced by guests and heralded by the global attractions industry as an incredible achievement. In 2014 Sally announced a partnership five years in the making. Together with


Six Flags and Oceaneering, Sally launched an entire new generation of dark ride experiences – and it had superheroes and super fans shouting: “Justice League advance!”


NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022


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