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< PreviousLAUNCH 8 Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2023 | IAAPA.org/Funworld Next-Gen Entertainment The new entertainment and art installa- tions greet visitors, build anticipation, add storytelling in the queuing and waiting areas, and facilitate better throughput. Australian artist Lindy Lee’s Eye of Infinity sculpture shimmers with starry lighting at the Central terminal entrance. The Beating Heart installation breathes new life into the Peak Tram’s existing historical haulage equipment display. Projection mapping and lighting effects conjure the illusion that the machinery is again pulling the tram up the mountain. A short film shows how the tram’s technolo- gies have evolved. Guests can climb aboard one of the first wooden tram cars at An Icon is Born. Once Upon a Tram charts key moments in the history of Hong Kong and the Peak Tram through a scrolling digital timeline (in English and Traditional Chinese). Go Wild At the Peak is a wraparound hyperreal video experience that immerses guests in The Peak’s fauna and flora. The mesmeriz- ing sequence previews The Peak’s diverse wildlife from dawn to dusk. Dreamlike 3D digital animations play across floor- to-ceiling LED screens for eight minutes. Each show is timed and synchronized to the tram’s timetable. Strategy Behind the Content Design and production company Sarner International was a consultant on the Attractions project, helping deliver the experiential entertainment and media content, which was designed and produced remotely during the pandemic. Sarner collaborated with Squint/Opera to create the immersive digital media. “Audio System Consultants (Asia) Ltd delivered the hardware and our partner on the ground was Dino Tech Ltd,” explains Alex Prescott, lead designer at Sarner. Sarner’s managing director Ross Magri says the project struck “a fine balance between doing something that is an attraction in its own right, but not overtaking what visitors go to The Peak for.” The immersive displays entertain, but, “primarily for the client, it’s all about getting footfall through,” Prescott says. The team had to be mindful that the exhibits didn’t impede that process. The dynamic displays help to manage queues by puls- ing visitors through the terminals and are designed to slow them from rushing onto the tram. Vadim Charles, creative director at Squint/Opera, says one of the challenges was to produce a close-to-final experience before the LED walls and ceilings were built on-site and available for testing. So, Squint recreated everything in its Virtual Twin platform and simulated various crowding conditions to under- stand how the experience might be affected by different visitor numbers. This insight influenced the animations for Go Wild at the Peak; flying and climbing animals were ideal because they could be easily seen by visitors on the upper LED panels. The immersive media enlivens the venue while being sym- pathetic to the Peak Tram’s heritage. It also allows for flexible content, such as highlighting special events. “We have worked hard to integrate technology and engaging interactivity, giving passengers an immersive Peak Tram-themed experience at all guest touchpoints,” Tsang says. “The reason for all this effort is that we put our visitors at the heart of everything we do. With every question we asked ourselves—and every challenge and design consideration that came up—we circled back to how we could better serve pas- sengers and bring more joy and fun to everyone riding on the Peak Tram.” BenefitsthatProduceVisitors Now that Hong Kong is open again to visitors worldwide, the Peak Tram is ready to welcome an increasing number of visi- tors. “The expanded Central terminus with five entertainment zones will help to reduce passenger waiting times by over 70%. People no longer need to wait for over 90 minutes outdoors to get on the tram. They can stay in the covered, temperature-con- trolled queueing and waiting areas and learn about Hong Kong’s culture, history, and nature,” Tsang says. Tsang praises the Peak Tram’s partners and team for achiev- ing the colossal redevelopment. “With a brand-new passenger experience, enhanced technology, and a spectacular experiential journey on the new tram cars, the Peak Tram can proudly take its place amongst the world’s best tourist attractions.” thepeak.com.hk Art installations, such as Lindy Lee’s Eye of Infinity, enhance the storytelling that is central to the tram’s queue experience. THE PEAK TRAMWAYS COMPANY, LIMITEDUpgrade your park today for a seamless entry experience. Whether you are looking for a complete ticketing solution or wanting to integrate into your existing system, Axess has it all. Both digital and physical tickets can be purchased through the Axess WEBSHOP and with the Axess PICK UP BOX 600 , these can be collected without the need to visit the box office. Digital tickets are sent directly to a guest’s cell phone and allow quick and easy access to any venue. And the best part? Both can be read at one of the AX500 SMART GATES. See the full list of solutions at teamaxess.com UNBEATABLE FUNPARK ENTRY Axess Americas Events Inc. Contact Ren Steyn on r.steyn@teamaxess.comSIX FLAGS Dispatch RIBBON CUTTINGS A new ride targeting brave kids and their older siblings is now open at Legoland Deutschland. Maximus — The Guardian’s Flight , a wing coaster from B&M , features two inversions and climbs 17 meters tall. A minimum rider height/age requirement of 120 cm and at least 6 years old when accompanied by an adult is in effect. Riders without an adult must stand 130 cm and be 8 years old. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History ’s new temporary exhibition shares the research of Smithsonian scientists. Life in One Cubic Foot showcases what a cubic foot of land or water reveals about diversity on earth. Organisms ranging in size from the head of a pin to the size of the biocube (seen below) are featured through models, interactive elements, videos, and David Liittschwager’s photographs. Superhero Aquaman began his reign at Six Flags Over Texas this spring with the opening of Aquaman: Power Wave . The park brands the water ride as a roller coaster with 2,000 feet of track, two 150-foot towers, multiple 90° drops, and a turn- table platform to increase rider capacity. Riders and onlook- ers are soaked when the final plunge generates a gigantic wall of water. Aquaman: Power Wave is the first installation of Mack Rides ’ Power Splash model in North America. GROWING UP SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL SPLASH DOWN Universal Parks & Resorts , which operates parks and resorts in China, Japan, Singapore, and the United States, rebranded in early March to become known as Universal Destinations & Experiences. The company believes the new name better reflects its offerings. “Universal Destinations & Experiences aligns with our aspiration to be the destination of choice in the markets where we are today and the markets we enter in the future,” says Mark Woodbury, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Destinations & Experiences. Recent examples of Universal’s original growth include the announcement of two new concepts: a theme park designed for families with young children north of Dallas, and a year-round horror-inspired experience in Las Vegas. UNIVERSAL AS A DESTINATION CORPORATE POSITIONING LEGOLAND DEUTSCHLAND FWMSH 2 Sourced by the Funworld Editorial Team 1 C O M C A S T 10 Funworld11 IAAPA.org/Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2023 | Funworld INNOVATION EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Dominican Republic is home to a new attraction. Katmandu in Punta Cana features four marquee experiences including a 4D dark ride, an ON!X theater attraction, an interactive walk- through, and a suspended theater. “Through innovative rides and attractions that deliver unmatched and immersive storytelling, guests will truly lose themselves in the Hidden Realms of Katmandu,” says Cecil D. Magpuri, CEO of Falcon’s Beyond , who designed Katmandu. 4 5 HIDDEN REALMS ON-SITE LIVING COMPLETIONS AND CONNECTIONS Crews worked throughout the winter to assemble Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark . The hybrid coaster from Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) features what the park describes as one of the “world’s largest underflip” elements, seen here upon completion. 3 GETTING READY TO ROAR HERSHEYPARK KATMANDU Many dream of living inside a theme park. This season, two operators will offer their seasonal staff the convenience of walking to work. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari ’s new Compass Commons will house 136 of the park’s team members in a structure located across from the park’s human resources office. A paved pathway connects to a community trail leading directly to the park. The new dormitory allows Holiday World to recruit seasonal employees from beyond Indiana. “Compass Commons is drawing passionate talent from around the world that will be a key part of our future growth,” Matthew Blumhardt, vice president and chief operating officer, tells Funworld. In Branson, Missouri, Silver Dollar City will open a new dormitory in mid-2023 that will accommodate 300 seasonal hosts and interns participating in the Silver Dollar UniverCity program. Standard rooms will house four students and feature individual lockers, a bathroom, a refrigerator, Wi-Fi, and a study desk. The hall will also feature two common kitchens and laundry facilities. The structure is expected to elevate guest service and increase morale. “We truly believe this is going to help us exceed the expectations of all the wonderful guests who come to visit us each year,” says John Zajac, director of human resources. HAVE A DISPATCH FROM THE FIELD? Send your news and innovations at work to FunworldWorks@IAAPA.org. SILVER DOLLAR CITY SABRINA JONES12 Asia-Pacific LAUNCH Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2023 | IAAPA.org/Funworld by Michael Switow and Scott Fais The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary party extends to Bangkok with the opening of a limited-time pop-up attraction. The Disney100 Village at the Asiatique attraction includes several free activations along with exhibits that require a ticket. Indoor exhibits include Frozen characters and heroes and heroines from the Marvel Universe. Outdoor attractions include a Pixar-themed miniature golf course and a garden featuring golden statues of Disney princesses. Four ticketed zones are joined by eight free zones, many with interactive displays, slides, and photo locations designed for selfies. The Disney100 Village at Asiatique attraction opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes each evening at 10 p.m., allowing folks to visit after the traditional workday ends. In addition to the Disney100 Village event, the Asiatique entertainment district also includes Asiatique Sky, a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and haunted dark ride, along with shopping and dining. The Disney 100 event opened March 24 and will conclude on July 31. asiatiquethailand.com/en/disney Village Roadshow Theme Parks has launched Australia’s largest wooden roller coaster at Sea World on the Gold Coast. The 105-feet tall Leviathan, built with southern yellow pine from the United States, is the anchor of a new AU$50 million themed precinct named New Atlantis. “The Leviathan is a spectacular experience,” says Village Roadshow CEO Clark Kirby. “It takes guests on a thundering quest with exhilarating turns, crossovers, drops, and dips.” The 3,000-foot-long coaster was designed by the Cincinnati-based Gravity Group and built by Canada’s Martin & Vleminckx. The seats on the last vehicle of each train face backward, providing a completely different experience for riders. The coaster is guarded by a towering warrior statue. The new themed area features two other new rides as well: the Trident, a 138-foot high SBF-Visa Swing Tower, and the Vortex, a Huss Top Spin. seaworld.com/au VILLAGE ROADSHOW THEME PARKS A New Atlantis Rises on the Gold Coast D I S N E Y Disney Pop-Up Attraction Opens in ThailandTechnoAlpin is the leading supplier of snow for your attraction. Whether it‘s large snow playgrounds, breathtaking skidomes or leisure facilities with a wow eff ect – we have the optimum solution for you. WE LET IT SNOW INDOORS TOO! WWW.TECHNOALPIN.COM for further information on snowmaking systems, please visit scan me to view the video Snow PlaygroundsIndoor Ski Centers Visit us at IAAPA Expo Asia – Booth L22414 by Juliana Gilling LAUNCH Europe, Middle East, Africa Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2023 | IAAPA.org/Funworld This summer, guests will race along the world’s longest four- person RocketBlast water coaster at The Land of Legends resort in Antalya, Turkey. The multicolored ProSlide ride opens this June in a new 20,000-square-meter area featur- ing eight major slides, a children’s play tower with four slides, a 660-square-meter wave pool, sunbathing areas, and food and beverage outlets. ProSlide collaborated with CSB—Creative Studio Berlin—on the project. The Rixos Hotels resort combines a hotel, the Adventure Land theme park, Aqua Land water park, and a shopping avenue. The resort offers more than 70 attractions, includ- ing a Mack hyper coaster and a Masha and The Bear Land of Laughter-themed zone based on the children’s TV series. “Our visitors have been endlessly asking for more adven- turous attractions, especially for the Aqua Land area. So, we decided to meet their expectations by creating more experi- ence zones for our visitors with our partner ProSlide,” says Cem Tuna, The Land of Legends theme park general manager. The 424-meter-long water ride includes seven drops (the tallest 7 meters high), four FlyingSaucer features, and nine RocketBlast sections. Riders will reach speeds of 20-24 kph on the ride, which lasts 53 seconds. It has a projected hourly capacity of 720 people. thelandoflegendsthemepark.com/en Italy’s Cinecittà World is giving guests the opportunity to become Romans for a day at its new second gate park, Roma World. Visitors will find themselves 2,000 years in the past in a camp of Roman legions. Uniquely, Roma World is situated near Rome, once home to the real-life ancient Roman army. “Roma World is a perfect example of experiential travel back in time,” Cinecittà World CEO Stefano Cigarini says. “We are the only park to offer an engaging experience that allows our visitors to live the history of ancient Rome. Roma World will expand to become an even more immersive experience that will rebuild Imperial Rome as it used to be.” The six-hectare park features a gladiatorial arena where guests can watch shows, including live combat. There’s also the chance to take part in gladiator training. Guests can enjoy a birds of prey display and shop at ancient market stalls. A small farm offers activities from feeding the animals to pony rides and archery. Visitors can also eat like ancient Romans. Reflecting Cinecittà World’s cinematic theme, guests can visit the original sets for “Ben-Hur” and experience the thrill of chariot racing. Visitors can also stay overnight at a camp offer- ing special accommodation packages. romaworld.com THE LAND OF LEGENDS/CSB ROMA WORLD The Land of Legends Reveals New Turkish Delights Cinecittà Roma World Offers Gladiator Experience in Italy16 LAUNCH Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2023 | IAAPA.org/Funworld Latin America, Caribbean by Marck Gutt (Don Viajes) The Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires (MALBA) announced expansion plans with a second location coming to Escobar, a small city in the province of Buenos Aires. The new complex, designed by Spanish firm estudioHerreros and named Malba Puertos, will begin construction in January 2024. Established in 2001, MALBA soon gained recognition as a prestigious institution focused on the collection, promotion, and conservation of Latin American art from the 20th and 21st centuries. With the knowledge that new mediums and formats are always evolving, Malba Puertos will allow the attraction to house and exhibit contemporary work that has yet to find room in traditional spaces. Nested on a 5,500-square-meter site, the new world-class museum will include gardens and three pavilions housing exhibit halls, a cafeteria, shops, learning facilities, and storage space. Expected to open in the spring of 2024, Malba Puertos will host temporary exhibits, performing arts and cultural programs for all ages. malba.org.ar CORPARQUES Art Oasis Coming to Argentina Colombia’s Mundo Aventura Reaches New Heights At about 2,600 meters above sea level, Bogotá is a privileged city located closer to the stars. Thanks to an emblematic amusement park run by Corparques, now the stars are even closer in the capital of Colombia. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Mundo Aventura welcomed an attraction that takes riders to new heights. Inaugurated in February, Gravity is a free-fall tower with a 20-person capacity and an imposing height of 57 meters. As one of Bogotá’s top thrill rides, the new attraction does justice to its name. Gravity reaches speeds of 44 meters per second on the ascent and 11.48 meters per second on the descent. Opened to the public in January 1998, Mundo Aventura has grown as one of Colombia’s most visited amusement parks. The park’s silver jubilee celebration also includes the opening of additional new attractions, implementing sustainable programs, and hosting several parties. ¡Felicidades! corparques.com, mundoaventura.com.co MALBA17 IAAPA.org/Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2023 | Funworld North America by Keith Miller LAUNCH Connecticut’s Lake Compounce Unveils New Floating Stage Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut, says a new floating music venue will launch in spring 2023 on the park’s lake, which has served as a central gathering place for residents of Connecticut since 1846. Opening Memorial Day weekend, the park says the floating stage will host a robust lineup of entertainment performances, including live music, interactive entertainment, and more. The stage will boast a sound and light setup that will enhance viewing from several angles throughout the park. lakecompounce.com Universal Destinations & Experiences, which stages the popular Halloween Horror Nights events at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, recently announced the opening of a new permanent horror experience at the AREA15 entertainment complex in Las Vegas. Universal says the original concept will bring to life its extensive library of classic horror films, along with terrifying tales of today. The new location will feature a variety of unique experiences centered on horror, with high-energy food and beverage spaces during the day that transform into haunting bars and eateries at night. Universal says this concept is the first time the company has created a permanent horror experience away from its theme parks. The company added that the venue will also feature must-see seasonal events and one-of-a-kind merchandise. This new horror experience will be the 110,000-square-foot anchor tenant in a new 20-acre expansion of the immersive AREA15 entertainment district. Universal will share more details about the concept and an opening date in the future. universalparks.com UNIVERSAL PARKS & RESORTS Universal Plans Horror Experience in Las Vegas LAKE COMPOUNCENext >