Animatronic penguins

Sally Corporation has launched a life-sized animated show in the Ice Palace Theatre at Chimelong’s Penguin Hotel.

The show is performed by 16 life-size animatronic penguins on a fanciful stage of glistening ice nestled in the corner of the Emperor Penguin restaurant in Chimelong’s all new Penguin Hotel in China.

The penguins sing and dance to originally composed music and lyrics and each penguin wears a custom-designed and constructed costume specially made for this production.

Keywords: Sally Corporation

Animatronic penguins

Castaway with nWave

Film distribution firm nWave has released its latest 3D/4D attraction film, Robinson Crusoe 4D.

The 13-minute 4D animation is based on nWave Studio’s upcoming feature film about the famous island castaway.

US distribution rights to market and distribute Robinson Crusoe 3D, which was released this year as The Wild Life, were acquired by Lionsgate, to follow StudioCanal’s European roll out.

Keyword: nWave

Castaway with nWave

Gaming in 3D dome

Holovis has presented the world’s first realtime interactive game solution in a 3D dome, combining immersive visuals and a highly compelling storyline with perfectly synced motion and interaction for a next-gen dark ride-style experience.

The company is using the technology to showcase the latest game from the Holovis Dome Rider series, Crimson Wing – a fast-paced, space-age adventure.

Keyword: Holovis

Gaming in 3D dome

Simworx’s Adventure Time

Media-based dynamic simulation attraction developer Simworx has teamed up with UK television channel Cartoon Network to offer a host of new attractions based on the brand’s popular Adventure Time show.

Together, Simworx and Cartoon Network will create a world first range of media-based attractions solely focused on Adventure Time, a series which follows the adventures of Finn and his dog.

Attractions available under the new agreement will include immersive tunnels, 3D/4D effects theatres, AGV dark rides and RoboCoaster rides as well as fully themed multi-experience attractions.

Through Simworx, all of its products will now be available with custom Cartoon Network content and branding, providing visitors with a truly exciting and bespoke experience based on some of the best known Cartoon Network characters and IPs, such as Adventure Time.

Keyword: Simworx

Simworx’s Adventure Time

Singha’s RocketBLAST

ProSlide Technology has unveiled its newest waterslide – which combines two world-first rides into a single high-thrill experience – at Siam Park in Tenerife, Spain. Singha incorporates ProSlide’s FlyingSAUCER features into its RocketBLAST water coaster, with patented water jet and boat design. It uses ProSlide’s water coaster and turbine technology to propel rafts up the coaster hills higher and faster, with water jets powering steeper climbs.

Keyword: ProSlide

Singha’s RocketBLAST

Riding high on WaveOz

WhiteWater and FlowRider have developed WaveOz (pronounced ‘huevos’) – a never-ending surfing wave.

The 180-degree semi-circle, 37m-long sheet wave allows riders to ride the largest wave experience on the market. Its latest inflatable ride surface technology allows surfers to ride a 2,200sq ft carpet of air. Debuting in Brazil; Puerto Rico and Europe to follow.

Keyword: WhiteWater

Riding high on WaveOz

Magic gesture n’ sensor

Alterface is advancing the potential of interactive technology in the dark ride sector with its gesture-led technologies and “magic” wand.

The gesture sensor technology allows ride designers to create device-free scenarios where guests can control their role in the experience with arm and hand movements.

Whereas, Magic Wand is an intuitive wireless, button-free device that can be used with Come To Life scenery, a mixture of video projection mapping with physical set props.

Keyword: Alterface

Magic gesture n’ sensor

Condor flies over Tivoli

A Huss Condor has been installed at Tivoli Gardens in Denmark, marking a “world first” combination from the German ride maker.

The 45m-tall Condor 2GH, which has been named Fatamorgana by the park, is unique in that it combines two types of passenger gondola. The four-armed Condor, one of Huss’ most popular rides, offers two different types of experience, in either an oriental-themed flying animal gondola or a more typical outward facing single-seat gyro frame.

Keyword: Huss

Condor flies over Tivoli

Smooth ride for Polin

Campsite Le Chateau Vieux in France has introduced two new combination waterslides called Sphere + Blackhole Combo and Space Hole + Aquatube, designed by Polin Waterparks.

The rides incorporate Polin’s patented Natural Light Effects technology to deliver a hypnotic visual experience for guests swooshing through the slide. They are constructed using Resin Transfer Moulding technology for a smooth ride.

Keyword: Polin Waterparks

Smooth ride for Polin

Triotech goes to Bollywood

Triotech has built an interactive ride experience for Bollywood Parks Dubai.

Featuring Triotech’s Lightgun technology and based on Sholay, a Hindi-language adventure film and classic of the genre, the multi-sensory adventure features cutting-edge graphics and special effects.

“It’s an honour for our company to have been selected for this project,” said Triotech’s chief executive Ernest Yale.

Keyword: Triotech

Triotech goes to Bollywood

4D penguin endurance

Detroit Zoo in the US has a new Polk Penguin Conservation Center that features a 4D walk-through film experience provided by SimEx-Iwerks.

The 360-degree 4K projection and audiovisual system was carried out in collaboration with Alcorn McBride, in a journey that transitions guests from ground level to the underwater penguin-viewing exhibition. During the four-minute experience, visitors board the ship Endurance and learn the story of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton.

The adventure-themed 4D experience, which emulates Antarctic conditions using blasts of polar air and sea mists, also depicts the phenomenon of iceberg calving – when an iceberg splits and crashes into the sea. Using CGI, stills, video, projection mapping, and 4D techniques like mist, hurricane fans and a snow machine, the team have created an immersive and thrilling journey.

Keyword: SimEx-Iwerks

4D penguin endurance

Jurassic thrills at Paulton’s

Vekoma has created two new family rollercoasters for the new dinosaur-themed Lost Kingdom at Paulton’s Park in the county of Hampshire, UK.

The Flight of the Pterosaur suspended family coaster – the first of its type in the UK – has open design seats and a restraint which moves in one easy movement over the shoulder for optimal fit and security, providing an experience of freedom and an unobstructed view of the ride. The Velociraptor Family Boomerang Rebound coaster has a small footprint but a big impact, with a forward/backward run and full speed through the centre station, plus other fun elements.

The Lost Kingdom zone opened in May and also features Boulder-Dash, Temple Heights, Dinosaur Tour Co – a 4x4 Jurassic Jeep expedition where families discover animatronic dinosaurs – and Alive, Dinosaur Encounter where visitors come face-to-face with a captive T-Rex.

Keyword: Vekoma

Jurassic thrills at Paulton’s

Pirating with Empex

Empex Watertoys has a new line of colourful pirate-themed water features for splash pads and spray parks. Aquapirates watertoys has fun pirate-themed water play structures, with childlike pirates of different sizes, a pirate ship toddler slide, parrots and tropical palms.

Each of the features has a different combination of water jets, sprays and streams. Aquapirates debuts at the MGM Grand Hotel in Sanya, China.

Keyword: Empex Watertoys

Pirating with Empex

Colourful Klime

Innovative Leisure has launched its new Klime Wallz – a customisable climbing-based fun wall designed to brighten up adventure zones at attractions.

Available in a range of heights and styles, it is suitable for people of all ages. The brightly coloured Klime Wallz provides a novel alternative to the more traditional grey rock climbing walls and towers. Often referred to as ‘fun walls’, they introduce climbing to younger children.

Keyword: Innovative Leisure

Colourful Klime

Dynamic flying theatre

Dynamic Attractions has installed a cutting-edge flying theatre at a historic attraction in Seattle, WA, USA.

The new version boasts a 42-inch (107cm) LCD monitor rendered with Unreal Engine’s graphics technology, and the tilted screens create a greater sense of immersion.

Operators can marry two pods for twin-player capabilities. In this co-op play mode, players need to work together to contribute to the success of the mission. Both players aim to shoot down the same enemy target.

Keyword: Dynamic Attractions

Dynamic flying theatre

Videro tells a story

A new platform will change the way operators and visitors interact with audiovisual content, allowing them to manage multimedia content from their smart device.

The Videro operating system removes the need for multiple hardware modules, streamlining the solution to a single, compact hardware, making it 60 per cent more energy efficient, and cost effective. The operating system allows theme parks and museums to change their storytelling capabilities from their smart phone or smart device. With a single swipe of a finger, an operator can change the media displayed on any or all of the attraction’s screens in an instant.

Co-created by Edwards Technologies and Videro, the technology can be connected to an attraction’s database, so unique content can be managed by the operator and updated at any time, with different content on different screens.

Keywords: Videro

Videro tells a story

Gamble for Atlantic

Atlantic City is continuing to push for new, non-gambling attractions in a complete rebranding of the city.
The latest development includes a beachfront giant Ferris wheel and a zip line, an extension of the Steel Pier and a rebuilt Boardwalk.

The 205 foot-high observation wheel designed by Italian manufacturer Technical Park will have climate-controlled cars and the zip line ride. The 31,500sq ft pier extension will accommodate these new developments.

Keyword: Technical Park

Gamble for Atlantic

4D KNIGHTS at LEGOLAND

A 4D film experience starring LEGO® NEXO KNIGHTS™ launched at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort in May. The 12-minute immersive animated adventure created for LEGOLAND Parks and Discovery Centres worldwide features wind, water and smoke to bring the battle to life.

Guests can also go on their own quest via the LEGO® NEXO KNIGHTS™ Merlok 2.0 mobile app, which is set in the futuristic world of Knighton.

Keyword: LEGO

4D KNIGHTS at LEGOLAND

Theatrical deductions

An innovative theatrical live walk-through adventure called The Sherlock Holmes Experience opened in July at Madame Tussauds London.

Visitors to the permanent interactive theatrical experience enter the world of Sherlock Holmes staged in the atmospheric basement of the attraction to embark on a gripping journey featuring theatrical sets, illusions and actors.

Keywords: Les Enfants Terribles

Theatrical deductions

Virtual motion ReactiVR

MediaMation has launched a virtual motion gaming platform called ReactiVR – a machine that combines multiplayer interaction, player freedom and competition in one package.

Player one drives the ATV and player two shoots other vehicles. The pod dynamically reacts to the gameplay, so the physical experience is matched with the visual experience inside the HMD. Integrating VR with motion technology could tempt people away from playing VR games at home. The new gaming platform combines teamwork and an element of competition, making it far more interactive than passive VR experiences where guests simply go where the ride takes them. ReactiVR allows the guest to decide where they want to go and the VR experience responds to their choices.

MediaMation turned 25 last year and continues to offer products that are non-proprietary.

Keyword: MediaMation

Virtual motion ReactiVR

Light up with Gantom

The THEA award-winning Gantom Torch looks like a normal battery-powered flashlight. But unlike a normal torch, it’s not controlled by the visitor, but via infrared emitters placed in the attraction.

The lighting designer can programme the Gantom Torch to flicker, switch off and on, change the colour of the light and vibrate as the visitor moves around the attraction. It has great potential for dark attractions and escape room experiences.

Keyword: Gantom Lighting

Light up with Gantom

Disney toys get makeover

Whitehouse Leisure has signed a two-year agreement with Disney, giving classic characters such as Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh a makeover and creating a new spaceman Mickey Mouse for 2016.

Its brand new range of Disney plush toys include characters from Finding Dory, Zootropolis, Marvel’s Avengers, Secret Life of Pets, Minions, Angry Birds, Frozen, Toy Story and Disney Princess.

Keyword: Whitehouse Leisure

Disney toys get makeover

Rollercoaster Smaash

Mumbai-based virtual reality games developer Smaaash has launched new technology that allows users to draw a rollercoaster and then ride their creation in a virtual space.

Finger Coaster can be drawn with your finger, so it can be made as long and with as many loops as you want, before choosing a lakeside, theme park, frozen area or beach setting. Once drawn, the new four-seater rollercoaster car can be ridden while wearing a head-mounted VR device and accompanied by a sound track.

Keyword: Smaash

Rollercoaster Smaash