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Visitor attractions


Miirage is a new modular holographic system bringing the virtual world to life without any additional need for mobile devices, screens or wearables. The creators behind the technology speak to Planet Attractions about the new product and exactly what it can do...


A new experience exploring space and featuring images from the James Webb Space Telescope has launched at Illuminarium Las Vegas


A museum in the Netherlands has come under fire for cultural appropriation, after using the likeness of American rapper Nas’ in a Tutankhamun-inspired bust


Cairns Aquarium is on the hunt for a new investor, with Colliers appointed to seek expressions of interest for the popular Queensland attraction


The Royal Commission for the ancient Saudi Arabian city of AlUla has approved plans for a new eco-luxury destination with its own museum


Build-A-Bear is on the hunt for new partners in locations offering family experiences, with the company announcing a new partnership to bring its Workshops to all four of Kalahari’s US waterpark resort destinations


Donald Finley, owner of the Bayville Adventure Park on Long Island, New York, has pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining US$3m in Covid relief funding to buy himself a house


Triotech has been selected to supply interactive dark rides for Saudi Arabia’s upcoming Transformers attractions


The former home of both George Frideric Handel and Jimi Hendrix has reopened to the public in London following a two-year, £3m renovation


SeaWorld and Miral are celebrating the launch of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi - the first SeaWorld-branded attraction to open in more than thirty years and the first to open outside the US


UN experts have expressed alarm after three people evicted from homes to make way for Saudi Arabia’s The Line, now face the death penalty


Merlin’s Scott O’Neil and Sony’s Jeffrey Godsick have hinted at the use of further Sony IPs in Merlin attractions following the launch of World of Jumanji at Chessington World of Adventures in the UK


Five cultural institutions are in the running for this year’s Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023


A new exhibition celebrating and exploring the life and times of iconic English footballer Paul Gascoigne has opened its doors in London


Universal Orlando has revealed details and renderings of its upcoming Minion Land, with the hotly-anticipated attraction set to open to the public this summer


Global attractions association IAAPA has launched its 2022-2026 Global Theme and Amusement Park Outlook report, with the research forecasting a 7% increase in attendance at North American theme parks


Digital agency Rubber Cheese has teamed up with attractions management platform Convious to launch the 2023 edition of its Visitor Attraction Website Report. The survey was launched during this year’s Museums + Heritage Show


A Fjordarium with a literal window to the ocean is at the heart of a proposed development in Oslo, with the plans forming ‘an important part of the regeneration and conservation of the fjords of Norway’


Attractions.io has teamed up with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to develop a brand new experience platform for guests of the popular destination


The Nerja Caves has launched a new VR experience that allows visitors to access parts of the caves that have previously been closed to the public


A major Transformers attraction is planned for Seven’s upcoming entertainment destination in Riyadh, with plans for two further attractions in the kingdom as Saudi Arabia’s PIF continues to expand its entertainment offerings


A new brand home dedicated to Pilsner Urquell has opened its doors in Prague. BRC’s Christian Lachel tells Planet Attractions how the attraction celebrates the brand’s place in Czech history and culture


An official location tour dedicated to hit BBC series ‘Call the Midwife’ has opened at The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent, UK


Pembrokeshire County Council has approved plans to transform a grade II-listed prison in Haverfordwest, Wales, into a visitor attraction


Audubon Aquarium will reopen in June following a major renovation project that creates a combined experience with the newly-relocated Audubon Insectarium


Disney has sued Florida governor and presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis, claiming the state’s retaliation for its stance on LGBTQ+ issues violates its constitutional rights


Chester Zoo is set to host "Planet Shark: Predator or Prey," a touring exhibition dedicated to sharks. Taking visitors through 310 million years of shark evolution, the immersive experience debuts in May


Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas is scheduled to reopen next month following a US$300m renovation targeting increased visitor numbers and an enhanced visitor experience


A new blockbuster exhibition based on hit CBBC show Operation Ouch! will open at the Science and Industry Museum (SIM) in Manchester, UK, in July


You can hear Avenged Sevenfold’s upcoming Life Is But A Dream early thanks to a 360º Immersive Album Experience coming to AREA15 in Las Vegas next month


With the attractions and cruise industries seemingly closer than ever before, RWS CEO Ryan Stana speaks to Planet Attractions about what that means and the steps we can take to bring these two powerhouses under one metaphorical roof


Work has started on a new agriculture museum dedicated to cannabis in Atlantic City. The museum is one of several marijuana-themed projects greenlit by the city in the hopes of attracting a new wave of ‘weed tourists’


A first-of-its kind offering will make guests feel like they’re at the heart of the action during live UFC events, with Cosm’s ‘shared reality’ spectacles set to transform the way we watch live sporting events


A major museum dedicated to William Shakespeare will be built on the foundations of the theatre where the famed playwright hosted some of his first works


Sega Sammy Holdings has agreed a deal to acquire Rovio, with Sega aiming to accelerate its mobile gaming capabilities while also acquiring a powerful IP in the world of entertainment


A major new development in Tennessee has broken ground, with The 407: Gateway to Adventure’s ‘Smoky Gap’ entertainment district promising to feature world-class attractions when it opens in 2025


Continuum Attractions has taken up operations of the Loch Ness Centre, which is set to reopen next month following a £1.5m redevelopment


You can experience Carnegie Science Center with a roaring twenties twist on April 14, with the popular attraction set to host a special adults-only speakeasy night


Digital attractions platform Love To Visit has raised £2.1m as it aims to corner the UK tourism attractions market and expand its operations overseas


Amnesty International says that Cambodian officials are forcing residents of the Angkor Wat World Heritage site to ‘voluntarily’ leave in the name of preserving the popular heritage attraction, with the move affecting an estimated 10,000 families


The Caribbean’s most popular cruise destination is about to gain a major new port, with work on Calypso Cove to start towards the end of this year


Will AI take over the planet or could it just maybe develop your next new dark ride attraction? Tom Anstey asked an AI a few simple questions to see how it would do in developing such a ride concept


Arie Force One has been cleared for take off at Fun Spot America Atlanta, with the RMC steel coaster hybrid marking a major addition to the Georgia theme park


Disney has managed to strip power from the newly-appointed board governing its Florida parks by invoking the name of King Charles III in an ongoing dispute with governor Ron DeSantis


A cargo port controversially seized from a US company last week by the Mexican government has been earmarked for an XCaret style water and theme park, as well as a docking point for cruise ships


Development company Seven is to launch the world’s first Play-Doh-themed attractions in partnership with Hasbro


Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s Mission Ferrari opened to the public to much fanfare in January. Holovis’s James Lodder shares a decade-long journey to realise this incredible immersive rollercoaster experience


Disney has revealed a ‘real’ lightsaber at this year’s SXSW, an arts and technology festival currently underway in Austin, Texas


Equity is different from equality, and on International Women’s Day Una de Boer reflects how to support this foundational step towards a more just world


Fun Spot America Atlanta’s hotly-anticipated RMC-manufactured ArieForce One is set to open later this month, with the major attraction representing the park’s largest-ever investment


Scandinavian artist Olafur Eliasson has collaborated with author Robert MacFarlance to create a permanent art installation on the West Cumbria coastline


Keith James, president of JRA; Robin Breese-Davies, executive vice president of ted; and Danielle Kramer, executive vice president of RWS, speak to Planet Attractions about what looks to be a bumper year ahead for the company


The UK’s National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced several changes to its funding priorities to address concerns for the ‘health and future of the nation’s heritage’


Adam Hattan explains how content creators can be effectively used to drive new and returning guests to your attraction


Florida’s Republican governor has declared an end to Disney’s ‘corporate kingdom’ with new legislation seeing the state gaining effective control of the company’s Florida operations


Ukrainian security company Ajax Systems has installed US$13,000 worth of security equipment to protect several Banksy artworks in Kyiv created by the artist during the Russian invasion


Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince has announced plans for New Murabba - a US$48bn commercial downtown development in Riyadh, anchored by a cube-shaped skyscraper large enough to accommodate 20 Empire State buildings


Merlin Entertainments is adding to its cluster of attractions in Blackpool, with a £2.3m Gruffalo-themed attraction set to open later this year


Original costumes, set designs, drawings and handwritten lyrics will allow visitors to V&A East to trace David Bowie’s creative process across six decades


Romain Grosjean’s torched F1 car from the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix is set to go on display as part of a wider touring exhibition looking at the world of F1


A riverside retreat featuring Manhattan’s first public beach is set to open in New York City this summer


DEAL is coming back to Dubai next month. Here’s everything you need to know about the region’s hottest attractions show


3D printing has been used to create a full-size replica of a World Heritage site in China, offering visitors an up close and personal experience while also securing crucial data for future world heritage protection


Fancy a job as a rollercoaster test rider? Well good news - Blackpool Pleasure Beach is on the hunt...


London is set to emulate New York’s Highline with its own version running from Camden to St Pancras. Here’s everything you need to know about the £14m project


Unesco has offered its support to the victims of the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria this week as concern grows for a number of historically important World Heritage sites in the region


The popular Titanic Belfast attraction will reopen next month with four new galleries and a 7.6m-long replica of the iconic ship following a multi-million pound revamp


Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the featured addition to Disneyland as the park celebrates 100 years of Disney with a host of new attractions and experiences


The former Pleasure Island could find new life as a tourist destination after plans were submitted to turn the former theme park into a £65.9m holiday site


Operator Great Wolf has broken ground on a new US$300m resort in Connecticut, with a 91,000sq ft indoor waterpark set to be the development’s main attraction


SeaWorld has announced a shakeup of its leadership structure, making eight new appointments as the company seeks to accelerate growth


Norway’s TusenFryd will soon launch Europe’s first ever suspended triple launch coaster, with the NOK100m Storm - The Dragon Legend being described as the ‘most important single investment’ in the park’s 34-year history


South Carolina’s Greenville Zoo is looking at changing to a nonprofit operation following a city consultation last month


Workers at the British Museum along with a number of other institutions across the UK are set to go on strike in February


Patients at a number of children’s hospitals across the state of South Carolina can now explore Charleston’s popular aquarium remotely, using a robot to interact with the exhibits and take part in tours


Disney is celebrating 100 years with an adult-oriented immersive experience coming to London, Berlin and Paris in 2023


An interactive experience taking visitors inside hit NBC sitcom ‘The Office’ is set to open in Toronto later this year


Another mega project has been announced for Saudi Arabia, with the PIF’s Seven announcing plans for a SAR1bn entertainment destination in the city of Tabuk


Connect&Go - a global leader in guest and attractions management technology - has grown significantly over the last decade. Its co-founder Anthony Palermo spoke to Planet Attractions


Chessington World of Adventures has unveiled what will become the world’s first Jumanji-themed coaster when it opens later this year


The fifth annual MENALAC Awards ceremony will take place in Dubai, with the event bringing together senior leaders to celebrate attractions across the Middle East and North Africa


Attractions.io has teamed up with SSA Group to provide a fully digital experience for visitors to cultural attractions in 2023


A ‘radical, once-in-a-generation’ development will see Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum undergo a year-long transformation starting in June


After a difficult few years the museum sector is showing promising signs of recovery with several exciting projects set to open this year. Here are 14 of 2023’s most anticipated museum openings


Following Argentina’s historic win at the 2022 World Cup, the student accommodation that global footballing icon Lionel Messi stayed in is set to be turned into its own mini museum


Nike chair and Disney director Mark Parker is set to succeed Susan Arnold as Disney’s new chairman


Disney is introducing a number of consumer-friendly changes to its US parks, including an increase on the number of days its lowest-priced ticket will be available and increased access for annual passholders


It’s a new year with old records just waiting to be broken by some incredible new projects. Here are twelve blockbuster rollercoaster openings for the coming year


Arguably Britain’s most well known dinosaur - the Natural History Museum’s iconic ‘Dippy’ the diplodocus - is set for a three year move to Coventry starting next month


Trade body Experience UK has named David Willrich as its new chair


A Ukrainian activist who tried to take a Banksy work from Kyiv faces a 12-year prison sentence for an act he says was intended to support the work of the country’s army


Just a quick message from everyone at Planet Attractions to say thank you and to wish you a happy holiday


The Museum of Sex is expanding, with the New York attraction announcing plans to open a new Miami location in the spring


When it comes to all-in-one solutions for visitor attractions, Semnox’s Venue Management Software system has transformed operations at popular FEC Kokomo Joe’s. Here’s how the technology works


A world-first Discovery entertainment centre is coming to Saudi Arabia with more to follow in the coming years


The highly-anticipated Pipeline surf coaster is coming to SeaWorld Orlando this spring. SeaWorld’s vice president of rides and engineering, Jonathan Smith, spoke to Planet Attractions about the project


London Eye operator Merlin Entertainments has applied to extend the attraction’s planning permission ahead of its 2028 deadline


Hasbro’s Monopoly Lifesized has opened in Riyadh following a three-way partnership between the toy manufacturer, the Al Hokair Group and The Path Entertainment Group


New online courses from the Natural History Museum will share exciting insights into the institution’s research


Culture, heritage and sport sites are set to receive £4.5m over the next three years to support actions in the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan


Disney Parks has teamed up with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) to introduce a supply chain accelerator programme focused on transforming the businesses of diverse entrepreneurs


PortAventura has announced plans for a new Uncharted dark ride coaster with Sally Dark Rides and Intamin behind the €25m attraction


Audiences around the world will soon get to see record-breaking stunt performers pushing the boundaries of what is possible with Guinness World Records and Mirage Entertainment Design announcing the launch of an exciting new show


Saudi Entertainment Ventures - part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund - will develop more than 150 new attractions in the kingdom across 21 integrated entertainment destinations


Merlin executive Fiona Eastwood has been promoted to oversee the operator’s global portfolio of theme parks and midway attractions


Directors from The Met, British Museum, Louvre and National Gallery have signed an open letter published by ICOM condemning the ‘risky endangerment’ of irreplaceable artworks in climate demonstrations


Dronisos is seeking partners in the US following a successful year, which saw the company serve as a technology partner for Disneyland Paris


More than 36,000 people travelled to Orlando in November for the annual spectacular known as IAAPA Expo. Planet Attractions was in attendance


Footballing legend Cristiano Ronaldo has taken over the iconic Times Square to unveil a new waxwork for Madame Tussauds New York


Longtime member and actor Helena Bonham Carter CBE has become the first female president of The London Library


The attractions industry and wider attractions community has paid tribute to the legendary Alberto Zamperla following his death last week aged 71


Ride manufacturer Zamperla is behind the CA$9m development of what will be Canada’s fastest launch coaster when it opens in 2024


IAAPA has appointed Jakob Wahl as its new president and CEO. Wahl will assume the role at the beginning of 2023


Industry legends Joan Ganz Cooney, Xavier Lopez Ancona, Darrell Metzger and Dennis Speigel are all set to be inducted into IAAPA’s prestigious Hall of Fame at this month’s IAAPA Expo


Following a special panel session featuring some of the UK’s top theme park content creators, Planet Attractions joined Jack Silkstone, Sean and Jo Dyer, and Kieran Adams as they explored this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe in London


Disney World’s Blizzard Beach waterpark will reopen to the public next month with new Frozen additions following a lengthy refurbishment


Gateway Ticketing Systems has appointed Joe Marshall to lead the company’s UK operations


Flight bookings to Qatar and the UAE are currently 10 times higher than pre-pandemic levels ahead of this winter’s FIFA World Cup


Convious showcased its digital engagement platform at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe. The company’s managing director for the UK & Ireland, Andy Povey, tells Planet Attractions about everything the company has to offer


Leading experience designers Mather & Co have named Kim Kherlopian as the company’s new managing director. Planet Attractions caught up with him at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe to find out more


Ahead of a special industry panel looking at iconic attractions, experts from WhiteWater have named their personal picks, explaining why they think their choice is an iconic attraction


Ohio’s Kings Island theme park will introduce Adventure Port, its newest themed area, in 2023. The themed land will feature several attractions and enhanced theming on a classic rollercoaster


IAAPA’s president and CEO, Hal McEvoy spoke to Planet Attractions about this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, the industry’s post-Covid recovery, his retirement plans and more


Creative firm Zeitgeist Design and Production is behind three of this year’s haunted houses at Hersheypark’s Halloween spectacular Dark Nights


WhiteWater brings a strong presence to each and every IAAPA Expo. The company’s chief marketing officer, Una de Boer, tells Planet Attractions about everything the company has to offer


Industry veteran Paul Kent has been named as VP of global business development at Mad Systems


A world-first theme and waterpark utilising Sony IPs has opened its doors in Pattaya, Thailand


A wildfire on Easter Island which could have been started deliberately has caused ‘irreparable’ damage to the Unesco World Heritage Site’s iconic moai head statues


Clearwater Marine Aquarium has debuted a new manatee exhibit to inform guests about the threats the species faces as well as the work being carried out by various groups to protect them


AVIXA produces a number of popular events around the world, including InfoComm and Integrated Systems Europe. The organisation's regional manager for the UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard, spoke to Planet Attractions


Russia’s lethal barrage of strikes against Ukrainian cities this week has seen a number of cultural sites in the capital of Kyiv hit


The world’s tallest freestanding drop tower will be dismantled in Orlando following the death of a 14-year-old boy on the ride


IAAPA’s director, Global Communications, Caitlin Dineen, spoke to Planet Attractions at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe about her new role and what goes into putting on an event of such magnitude


Holla at your boy for the zoo work - Paradise Wildlife Park recently turned to professional pool cleaner turned social media influencer Miles Laflin - aka The Pool Guy - to clean the zoo’s animal pools


The Louvre is among a number of French cultural institutions and landmarks turning their lights off in an attempt to cut soaring energy costs


Family-friendly active free-roam VR experiences provider Spree Interactive showcased its technology at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe. Co-founder and CEO Jonathan Nowak Delgado spoke to Planet Attractions at the show


A panel of industry legends will share their stories about the creation and evolution of Disney’s Epcot at this year’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida


Katapult brought its entire team down to this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe in London. The company’s creative strategist, Kelly Herrick, spoke to Planet Attractions


Vantage announced the launch of The Joy Economy at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe. Planet Attractions spoke to the Whitewater division’s new president, Michael Jungen, about the campaign and what he hopes to deliver with the technology


As Florida prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Ian, here’s how the state’s theme parks are handling the situation


Experiential design collective Conductr made its first appearance at an IAAPA show this year as part of the Experience UK stand in London. Planet Attractions spoke to co-founder and CEO Peter Cliff about the start-up and its plans for the future


With sizeable business growth and the need for new team members, HB Leisure has embarked on a recruitment drive, with the company aiming to expand its workforce in multiple locations worldwide


More than 200,000 people have voted in this year’s UK Theme Park Awards 2022 with Alton Towers, Flamingo Land, Drayton Manor and more coming out with some of the top accolades


Triotech has landed a deal with Puy du Fou Asia that will see the dynamic attractions specialist supply several attractions to the upcoming SAGA attraction in Shanghai


The Giant - a mammoth moving attraction and exhibition - is coming to a city near you


IAAPA Expo Europe saw a 30% increase in attendees to its 2022 show in London, compared to its previous year in Barcelona


IAAPA Expo Europe is coming to London this September. Here’s everything you need to know about the event


OCT Group has debuted a first-of-its-kind attraction at its new Fabland Valley Resort in China. Triotech’s Ernest Yale and Nol van Genuchten speak to Planet Attractions about the exciting new multi-path dark ride, how it came to be and what it could mean for future attractions


The attractions community has been sharing stories of the profound impact Queen Elizabeth II had on some of Britain’s most beloved institutions, paying tribute to the monarch following her death, aged 96


Planet Attractions recently travelled to meet the team behind IAAPA Expo Europe - the EMEA region’s largest trade show for the attractions industry. Here’s what to expect from this year’s show.


JRA has revitalised Bush's Visitor Center Museum in Tennessee, celebrating the brand’s history and all things bean with an all-new guest experience


Attractions.io is adding a new feature to its mobile platform with the company set to showcase its new for 2022 wayfinding solution at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe


An immersive experience celebrating the life and music of rock legend Prince has opened in Chicago


FORREC and Sun Group have formed a long-term strategic partnership to develop world-class tourism projects in Vietnam


Media-based attractions specialist Triotech will showcase a new stand-up flying theatre attraction and announce a major European theme park project at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe


The dynamic media-based attractions specialist will showcase several new ride concepts at IAAPA Expo Europe


Blurring the lines between an experiential art gallery, interactive theme park and detailed film set, Wake the Tiger is a new attraction that just opened its doors in Bristol, UK. We spoke to co-founder Graham MacVoy about the new attraction, dubbed the world’s first ‘Amazement Park’


RWS Entertainment Group will showcase its capabilities as a full-service provider of visitor attractions and experiences at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe following two major acquisitions


Merlin has announced that three of its ‘next generation’ Lego Discovery Centres are coming to the US in 2023


SeaWorld, Cedar Fair and Universal have all experienced strong second quarters with the operators also revealing some hints as to what’s coming for each in the near future


A light trail inspired by the iconic forest from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast franchises will open in the US in October


A new art installation powered by data from London’s Natural History Museum will provide an ever-changing visual representation of how society’s choices impact the natural world


Carmel Allen has been named the new managing director of Tate


Planet Attractions is set to be joined by some of the UK’s top content creators this September for a special panel session to be held at IAAPA Expo Europe in London


Mather & Co has developed the visitor experience for Hydro Ness - a new hydro scheme in Scotland on the River Ness that generates renewable energy using an Archimedes Screw


A change in the law will see private ownership of big cats in the US banned, putting an end to possession of tigers, lions and other big cat species except by qualified entities


Michael Myers, Dracula and now The Weeknd will be offering the scares at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, with the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter set to debut an all-new horror experience


IAAPA is on the hunt for its new president and CEO with a global search now underway to find a replacement for the outgoing Hal McEvoy


Fundraising has started for the Natural History Museum’s Urban Nature Project, a scheme which will allow the museum to turn its five-acre site into a free-to-visit educational outdoor space


As we enter the busiest time of the year for most waterpark operators, the team at WhiteWater has offered some tips to ensure the season runs smoothly


Experiential design collective Conductr has appointed Ben Dowson to oversee the company’s creative division


Shark Week is back for 2022 and Planet Attractions has taken a deep dive to find a collection of shark-related content that you can take in during the event


Disney is about to launch its upgraded MagicBand+, with the wearable technology offering a host of new features for visitors


The projection mapping market could be worth as much as US$8bn according to a new report on the technology


Six Flags is offering improved access for its guests with physical disabilities with a specialised restraint harness that allows them to experience rides they would otherwise be unable to


The heatwave currently cooking the UK has forced the closure of one of Europe’s most visited zoos


Rounding up all the biggest news from fans and influencers, here is your latest edition of From the Community from Planet Attractions


Planet Attractions travelled to Belgium recently to meet Peter van der Schans, IAAPA’s new executive director and vice president for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. Here’s what he had to say


A £38m cultural development in the north of England is set to open its doors this weekend, with the debut of the astonishing Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot


Matt King, co-founder of arts and entertainment collective Meow Wolf has passed away


Madame Tussauds has taken a cheeky dig at Boris Johnson, after a waxwork of the soon-to-be-former Prime Minister appeared outside a Job Centre in Blackpool


Registration is now open for this year’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida


Almost 70 European theme park enthusiasts made their way to the US last month for the trip of a lifetime, gathering to visit seven of the country’s top theme parks


Colour deficient and colour-blind visitors to Australia’s Chau Chak Wing Museum are now being offered special glasses to see works of art in clear, vibrant colour for the first time


Merlin is introducing a new education scheme that will offer training opportunities to guest-facing staff members to help elevate their careers and encourage diversity in the company’s senior ranks


It’s back! Rounding up all the biggest news from fans and influencers, here is your latest edition of From the Community from Planet Attractions


The Disney Wish will soon set sail with visitors on board following a special christening event in Port Canaveral, Florida


California’s Great America will cease to operate by 2033 after Cedar Fair announced the US$310m sale of the land the park is built on


Tibet Planetarium, which could open in two years’ time, hopes to welcome over 100,000 guests annually


The US$70m is being funded from donations, and hopes to attract some 35,000 visitors annually after its 2024 opening


The redeveloped ‘The Open Era’ gallery is now open to the public at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum


The Ford Island Control Tower at Pearl Harbor is now open to the public for the first time in decades following a US$7m restoration


The Adler Planetarium in Chicago is one of a number of informal education institutions to receive NASA funding to serve students from communities underrepresented in STEM fields


With Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind now open at Walt Disney World, Disney has released a behind-the-scenes look at how the attraction and its special scenes have been brought to life


Universal has revealed the return of Michael Myers for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, with the iconic slasher set to deliver the frights for the always popular horror spectacular


Thank You Walt Disney, Inc has launched a virtual tour of Walt Disney’s historic Laugh-O-Gram Studio, with the historic animation site set to open to the public following work in Q4 2023


Pop supergroup ABBA need to earn £140m from ticket sales of their London residency Voyage to cover the cost of the virtual spectacle


The concert series, the second such partnership between Sofar Sounds and Tiqets, will see artists perform at iconic attractions in London and San Francisco.


The cartoon twins are popular in Malaysia and Indonesia, and will be used as the IP for the proposed attraction


A man entered the Louvre on Sunday disguised as an old lady in a wheelchair in an attempt to deface the Mona Lisa with cake


Site workers will be kept inside a ‘closed-loop’ system following strict prevention and control measures


The British government is supporting a range of public sector organisations in reducing their dependency on carbon and improving energy efficiency


Construction has started on the King Salman Park’s Royal Arts Complex, which once complete will act as a cultural hub for the Saudi capital of Riyadh


‘The Pop District’ from The Andy Warhol Museum will feature a larger cultural hub for live music, events, public art, expanded programming and a home for creative workplace development


Launching this summer, Stranger Things: The Experience is the result of a partnership between Netflix and live-entertainment discovery platform Fever


The Natural History Museum is partnering with the University of Reading on a major new digitisation centre to be built at the Thames Valley Science Park


FORREC’s Anthony Van Dam is set to leave the company after 34 years following his retirement announcement


How do you develop a POS system that caters to both digital natives and the generation before them? Convious’s Miendu Dang has the answers


Following the RWS acquisition of The Experience Department, Planet Attractions travelled to ted HQ to meet RWS CEO Ryan Stana and ted CEO Robin Breese-Davies to see what’s next following the landmark deal


Planet Attractions and IAAPA Europe have announced a partnership that will see them work together on, media, content creation and more for this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe at London’s ExCeL Centre


The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science is set to reopen on May 23 following an extensive renovation


A new Supreme Committee has been formed to plan and implement the future of the Expo 2020 Dubai district


Fast becoming one of the key industry events for the visitor attractions sector, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo


Puy du Fou has partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to develop its first-ever attraction in the US


What can the House of Gucci movie teach us about sustainability? WhiteWater’s Una de Boer tells all


Minnesota Zoo has started work on the US$39m redevelopment of its monorail track, which is set to be repurposed into the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop


Visitation and revenue soared for SeaWorld in the first three months of the year, with the most visitors in Q1 since 2013 and record all-time revenue for the period


Leaders in the themed entertainment industry gathered last month for the return of TEA Summit and Thea Awards Gala for the first time in two years. Christine Kerr on behalf of the TEA and Nicole Sangster from Thea Award recipients Simworx both report on the event


You can finally be a Barbie girl in a Barbie world with World of Barbie - a brand new immersive touring attraction set to make its debut later this year in Toronto


We've rounded up all the special events you should be attending this month


An iconic wedding destination is now home to a new visitor experience, with designers Mather & Co behind the newly-opened Gretna Green Experience


Nick Varney who has led Merlin since its inception and Mark Fisher, who played a key role in the company’s formation, have both announced their intention to leave the attractions giant in 2023


Would you pay US$125,000 to travel into space via a hydrogen balloon? Well that’s exactly what you can do in the Space Lounge, launching from Florida in 2024


The Hettema Group and Themespace are to combine their talents to form a single independent creative studio known as THG


ted is the latest company to come under the RWS umbrella, with the entertainment group now able to add a number of new strings to its ever-expanding bow


Attractions.io’s Peter O’Dare explains how user segmentation is transforming the visitor experience for the better


The Dubai Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure Exhibition returned in 2022, bringing with it much success for attendees and exhibitors alike


Starting this August, Katherine E. Fleming will take the reins at the J. Paul Getty Trust, leading the institution’s mission to advance and share the world's art and cultural heritage for the benefit of all


The hotly-anticipated Fønix from Vekoma has opened to the public at Fårup Sommerland with the new rollercoaster representing the park’s largest investment ever


IAAPA’s president and CEO, Hal McEvoy has announced his intention to retire in 2023 following a glittering career in the attractions industry that has spanned more than five decades


Cityneon, Disney Location-Based Experiences and Lightstorm Entertainment have collaborated to develop an all-new Avatar attraction coming to Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay later this year


Family entertainment company Main Event is set to be acquired by Dave & Buster’s in a deal worth US$835m


Efteling will break ground on a new hotel at the end of this year’s summer season, with the 143-bedroom development to open its doors in 2024


Could Bob Iger be Chelsea FC’s co-saviour? The former Disney man has been linked as an investor for the Premier League club alongside Steve Pagliuca


Walkman’s at the ready, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind finally has its launch date, with the Vekoma reverse launch coaster set to make its debut in May.


IAAPA has named Peter van der Schans as its new executive director and vice president for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, with Schans set to take up his new position starting April 4


Toronto Zoo is starting to undergo a major transformation. Its CEO Dolf DeJong spoke to Planet Attractions about the ambitious masterplan


The companies have entered into a three-year partnership that will see Accesso supply its point of sale solutions across four of Pyek Group’s waterparks


The new attraction will feature a planetarium dome and exhibition spaces and will open in June


The event will feature an extensive tradeshow and the MENALAC LEA Conference and awards


The immersive experiential design firm won in the category for ‘Best Use of VR’ for its Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor virtual reality (VR) experience


San Diego Zoo has launched one of its most ambitious ever additions, with the brand-new US$69m Wildlife Explorers Basecamp showcasing a number of different ecosystems through a series of immersive experiences


The B&M-designed Emperor has opened to the public at SeaWorld San Diego


The effects of Covid-19 continue to affect China, with IAAPA Expo Asia cancelled again as a result of the pandemic


Leading experience designers Thinkwell have been acquired by Tait


Los Angeles’ iconic La Brea Tar Pits will soon undergo a major transformation should a masterplan by Weiss/Manfredi pass its environmental review


The Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum was burned to the ground as Russia continues its aggressive invasion of the country


Here are all the events you should be attending this month


The RAAPA Expo will go ahead as scheduled despite the difficulties being caused for people and businesses in Russia following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine


The exhibition had its world premiere at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute earlier this month

Industry insights



International Women’s Day: Equality is the goal, but EQUITY is how we'll get there




Video



WATCH: Hersheypark unveils first-person look at Wildcat’s Revenge

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Bridging realities: How Miirage’s no-glasses holographic experience could change the game for immersive experiences



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Bridging realities: How Miirage’s no-glasses holographic experience could change the game for immersive experiences


Miirage is a new modular holographic system bringing the virtual world to life without any additional need for mobile devices, screens or wearables. The creators behind the technology speak to Planet Attractions about the new product and exactly what it can do...

Illuminarium Las Vegas launches space-themed experience


A new experience exploring space and featuring images from the James Webb Space Telescope has launched at Illuminarium Las Vegas

Dutch museum faces backlash over Nas-Inspired Tutankhamun bust


A museum in the Netherlands has come under fire for cultural appropriation, after using the likeness of American rapper Nas’ in a Tutankhamun-inspired bust

Cairns Aquarium seeks investors as Colliers launches global search


Cairns Aquarium is on the hunt for a new investor, with Colliers appointed to seek expressions of interest for the popular Queensland attraction

Museum at the heart of plan for luxury eco-resort in Saudi Arabia’s ancient city of AlUla


The Royal Commission for the ancient Saudi Arabian city of AlUla has approved plans for a new eco-luxury destination with its own museum

Build-A-Bear seeks family-focussed destinations as company partners with Kalahari to open stores across waterpark portfolio


Build-A-Bear is on the hunt for new partners in locations offering family experiences, with the company announcing a new partnership to bring its Workshops to all four of Kalahari’s US waterpark resort destinations

Theme park owner pleads guilty to fraudulently claiming US$3m in Coronavirus aid


Donald Finley, owner of the Bayville Adventure Park on Long Island, New York, has pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining US$3m in Covid relief funding to buy himself a house

Triotech selected to develop multiple attractions for Transformers experiences in Saudi Arabia


Triotech has been selected to supply interactive dark rides for Saudi Arabia’s upcoming Transformers attractions

Former home of George Frideric Handel and Jimi Hendrix reopens in London after multi-million pound revamp


The former home of both George Frideric Handel and Jimi Hendrix has reopened to the public in London following a two-year, £3m renovation

First SeaWorld park to open outside US launches in Abu Dhabi


SeaWorld and Miral are celebrating the launch of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi - the first SeaWorld-branded attraction to open in more than thirty years and the first to open outside the US

Death penalties linked to Saudi Arabia’s The Line project condemned by UN


UN experts have expressed alarm after three people evicted from homes to make way for Saudi Arabia’s The Line, now face the death penalty

Playstation and Ghostbusters among IPs on the table for potential Merlin-Sony attractions, say bosses


Merlin’s Scott O’Neil and Sony’s Jeffrey Godsick have hinted at the use of further Sony IPs in Merlin attractions following the launch of World of Jumanji at Chessington World of Adventures in the UK

Art Fund reveals Museum of the Year 2023 shortlist


Five cultural institutions are in the running for this year’s Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023

The World of Gazza!!: New exhibition explores life and times of iconic English footballer Paul Gascoigne


A new exhibition celebrating and exploring the life and times of iconic English footballer Paul Gascoigne has opened its doors in London

Universal Orlando offers first look at highly-anticipated Minion Land attraction


Universal Orlando has revealed details and renderings of its upcoming Minion Land, with the hotly-anticipated attraction set to open to the public this summer

North American theme park market set for significant growth in attendance and guest spending, says IAAPA report


Global attractions association IAAPA has launched its 2022-2026 Global Theme and Amusement Park Outlook report, with the research forecasting a 7% increase in attendance at North American theme parks

Convious partners with Rubber Cheese to launch 2023 Visitor Attraction Website Report Survey


Digital agency Rubber Cheese has teamed up with attractions management platform Convious to launch the 2023 edition of its Visitor Attraction Website Report. The survey was launched during this year’s Museums + Heritage Show

‘Fjordarium’ the centrepiece of Oslo’s proposed Fornebu Brygge ocean campus project


A Fjordarium with a literal window to the ocean is at the heart of a proposed development in Oslo, with the plans forming ‘an important part of the regeneration and conservation of the fjords of Norway’

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex partners with Attractions.io to reimagine guest experience platform


Attractions.io has teamed up with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to develop a brand new experience platform for guests of the popular destination

Spain’s largest VR experience opens at the Nerja Caves


The Nerja Caves has launched a new VR experience that allows visitors to access parts of the caves that have previously been closed to the public

Transformers announced as latest brand to come to Saudi Arabia under Seven banner


A major Transformers attraction is planned for Seven’s upcoming entertainment destination in Riyadh, with plans for two further attractions in the kingdom as Saudi Arabia’s PIF continues to expand its entertainment offerings

Pilsner Urquell: BRC’s Christian Lachel on Prague’s new ‘Original Beer Experience’


A new brand home dedicated to Pilsner Urquell has opened its doors in Prague. BRC’s Christian Lachel tells Planet Attractions how the attraction celebrates the brand’s place in Czech history and culture

‘Call the Midwife’ location tour launches at The Historic Dockyard Chatham


An official location tour dedicated to hit BBC series ‘Call the Midwife’ has opened at The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent, UK

Plans approved to transform 200-year-old prison in Wales into a visitor attraction


Pembrokeshire County Council has approved plans to transform a grade II-listed prison in Haverfordwest, Wales, into a visitor attraction

Reimagined Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium to reopen in June


Audubon Aquarium will reopen in June following a major renovation project that creates a combined experience with the newly-relocated Audubon Insectarium

Disney sues Florida governor Ron DeSantis over ‘targeted campaign of government retaliation’


Disney has sued Florida governor and presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis, claiming the state’s retaliation for its stance on LGBTQ+ issues violates its constitutional rights

Planet Shark touring exhibition set to make UK debut at Chester Zoo


Chester Zoo is set to host "Planet Shark: Predator or Prey," a touring exhibition dedicated to sharks. Taking visitors through 310 million years of shark evolution, the immersive experience debuts in May

US$300m redevelopment sees Bahamas cruise port reimagined with enhanced visitor experiences and new attractions


Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas is scheduled to reopen next month following a US$300m renovation targeting increased visitor numbers and an enhanced visitor experience

CBBC’s ‘Operation Ouch!’ to become major exhibition at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum


A new blockbuster exhibition based on hit CBBC show Operation Ouch! will open at the Science and Industry Museum (SIM) in Manchester, UK, in July

Avenged Sevenfold to share new album early with 360º immersive experience at Area 15


You can hear Avenged Sevenfold’s upcoming Life Is But A Dream early thanks to a 360º Immersive Album Experience coming to AREA15 in Las Vegas next month

Rising with the rides: RWS’s Ryan Stana on how the cruise and attractions industries are reimagining entertainment


With the attractions and cruise industries seemingly closer than ever before, RWS CEO Ryan Stana speaks to Planet Attractions about what that means and the steps we can take to bring these two powerhouses under one metaphorical roof

High hopes: Construction begins on Atlantic City’s new cannabis museum


Work has started on a new agriculture museum dedicated to cannabis in Atlantic City. The museum is one of several marijuana-themed projects greenlit by the city in the hopes of attracting a new wave of ‘weed tourists’

‘Beyond the arena’: UFC set to offer ‘shared reality’ live events at all-new experiential venues


A first-of-its kind offering will make guests feel like they’re at the heart of the action during live UFC events, with Cosm’s ‘shared reality’ spectacles set to transform the way we watch live sporting events

Major cultural attraction announced for London with Museum of Shakespeare set to open in 2024


A major museum dedicated to William Shakespeare will be built on the foundations of the theatre where the famed playwright hosted some of his first works

Sega Purchases Angry Birds owner in US$706m deal


Sega Sammy Holdings has agreed a deal to acquire Rovio, with Sega aiming to accelerate its mobile gaming capabilities while also acquiring a powerful IP in the world of entertainment

The 407: Gateway to Adventure breaks ground on ‘Smoky Gap’ entertainment district


A major new development in Tennessee has broken ground, with The 407: Gateway to Adventure’s ‘Smoky Gap’ entertainment district promising to feature world-class attractions when it opens in 2025

Brand new Loch Ness attraction set to open in May


Continuum Attractions has taken up operations of the Loch Ness Centre, which is set to reopen next month following a £1.5m redevelopment

Carnegie Science Center to host adults-only speakeasy event


You can experience Carnegie Science Center with a roaring twenties twist on April 14, with the popular attraction set to host a special adults-only speakeasy night

‘Uber Eats’ for attractions: Love To Visit raises £2.1m to enhance UK operations


Digital attractions platform Love To Visit has raised £2.1m as it aims to corner the UK tourism attractions market and expand its operations overseas

Amnesty International says Cambodian government is overseeing ‘mass forced evictions’ from Unesco World Heritage site


Amnesty International says that Cambodian officials are forcing residents of the Angkor Wat World Heritage site to ‘voluntarily’ leave in the name of preserving the popular heritage attraction, with the move affecting an estimated 10,000 families

Major US$250m cruise destination under development in the Bahamas


The Caribbean’s most popular cruise destination is about to gain a major new port, with work on Calypso Cove to start towards the end of this year

I asked an AI to develop a Sonic the Hedgehog dark ride. Here’s what it came up with


Will AI take over the planet or could it just maybe develop your next new dark ride attraction? Tom Anstey asked an AI a few simple questions to see how it would do in developing such a ride concept

Rocky Mountain Coaster’s highly-anticipated Arie Force One makes debut at Fun Spot America Atlanta


Arie Force One has been cleared for take off at Fun Spot America Atlanta, with the RMC steel coaster hybrid marking a major addition to the Georgia theme park

Royal lives clause enters King Charles III into Disney vs DeSantis feud


Disney has managed to strip power from the newly-appointed board governing its Florida parks by invoking the name of King Charles III in an ongoing dispute with governor Ron DeSantis

Mexican President wants to build XCaret rival on controversially-seized cargo port


A cargo port controversially seized from a US company last week by the Mexican government has been earmarked for an XCaret style water and theme park, as well as a docking point for cruise ships

PIF’s Seven to develop world’s first Play-Doh attractions in partnership with Hasbro


Development company Seven is to launch the world’s first Play-Doh-themed attractions in partnership with Hasbro

Mission Holovis: How Holovis brought Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s immersive mega coaster Mission Ferrari to life


Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s Mission Ferrari opened to the public to much fanfare in January. Holovis’s James Lodder shares a decade-long journey to realise this incredible immersive rollercoaster experience

Disney unveils ‘real’ lightsaber at SXSW


Disney has revealed a ‘real’ lightsaber at this year’s SXSW, an arts and technology festival currently underway in Austin, Texas

International Women’s Day: Equality is the goal, but EQUITY is how we'll get there


Equity is different from equality, and on International Women’s Day Una de Boer reflects how to support this foundational step towards a more just world

Opening date announced for Fun Spot America’s highly-anticipated ArieForce One coaster


Fun Spot America Atlanta’s hotly-anticipated RMC-manufactured ArieForce One is set to open later this month, with the major attraction representing the park’s largest-ever investment

Scandinavia’s Olafur Eliasson to create major new artwork on UK coastline


Scandinavian artist Olafur Eliasson has collaborated with author Robert MacFarlance to create a permanent art installation on the West Cumbria coastline

Transforming the business: Meet the minds behind RWS Entertainment Group


Keith James, president of JRA; Robin Breese-Davies, executive vice president of ted; and Danielle Kramer, executive vice president of RWS, speak to Planet Attractions about what looks to be a bumper year ahead for the company

National Lottery Heritage Fund announces changes to funding priorities as part of Heritage 2023 strategy


The UK’s National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced several changes to its funding priorities to address concerns for the ‘health and future of the nation’s heritage’

How to work with content creators (influencers) to drive attendance and improve brand affinity


Adam Hattan explains how content creators can be effectively used to drive new and returning guests to your attraction

Ron DeSantis strips Disney of self-governing powers following ‘Don’t Say Gay’ row


Florida’s Republican governor has declared an end to Disney’s ‘corporate kingdom’ with new legislation seeing the state gaining effective control of the company’s Florida operations

High-tech security systems installed to protect Banksy’s Ukraine murals


Ukrainian security company Ajax Systems has installed US$13,000 worth of security equipment to protect several Banksy artworks in Kyiv created by the artist during the Russian invasion

Saudi Arabia’s PIF announces US$48bn New Murabba development in Riyadh anchored by giant cube


Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince has announced plans for New Murabba - a US$48bn commercial downtown development in Riyadh, anchored by a cube-shaped skyscraper large enough to accommodate 20 Empire State buildings

Merlin bringing multi-million-pound Gruffalo attraction to Blackpool


Merlin Entertainments is adding to its cluster of attractions in Blackpool, with a £2.3m Gruffalo-themed attraction set to open later this year

Treasure trove of David Bowie artefacts secured for permanent display at V&A East


Original costumes, set designs, drawings and handwritten lyrics will allow visitors to V&A East to trace David Bowie’s creative process across six decades

Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean’s burnt-out car to go on display


Romain Grosjean’s torched F1 car from the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix is set to go on display as part of a wider touring exhibition looking at the world of F1

Manhattan’s first public beach to open in the summer


A riverside retreat featuring Manhattan’s first public beach is set to open in New York City this summer

DEAL 2023: Opening new doors in the Middle East


DEAL is coming back to Dubai next month. Here’s everything you need to know about the region’s hottest attractions show

World Heritage site reproduced using 3D printers opens in China


3D printing has been used to create a full-size replica of a World Heritage site in China, offering visitors an up close and personal experience while also securing crucial data for future world heritage protection

Blackpool Pleasure Beach seeks rollercoaster test rider ahead of new season


Fancy a job as a rollercoaster test rider? Well good news - Blackpool Pleasure Beach is on the hunt...

London to get its own Highline after Camden plans approved


London is set to emulate New York’s Highline with its own version running from Camden to St Pancras. Here’s everything you need to know about the £14m project

Unesco offers support as earthquake damages World Heritage sites in Turkey and Syria


Unesco has offered its support to the victims of the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria this week as concern grows for a number of historically important World Heritage sites in the region

Titanic Belfast to reopen in March following £4.5m revamp


The popular Titanic Belfast attraction will reopen next month with four new galleries and a 7.6m-long replica of the iconic ship following a multi-million pound revamp

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway comes to Disneyland as part of Disney100 celebrations


Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the featured addition to Disneyland as the park celebrates 100 years of Disney with a host of new attractions and experiences

Plans submitted to redevelop former Pleasure Island site into tourist destination


The former Pleasure Island could find new life as a tourist destination after plans were submitted to turn the former theme park into a £65.9m holiday site

Great Wolf Lodge breaks ground on US$300m resort in Connecticut


Operator Great Wolf has broken ground on a new US$300m resort in Connecticut, with a 91,000sq ft indoor waterpark set to be the development’s main attraction

SeaWorld makes leadership changes with a number of new roles created to accelerate growth


SeaWorld has announced a shakeup of its leadership structure, making eight new appointments as the company seeks to accelerate growth

Europe’s first triple launch coaster coming to Norway’s TusenFryd in April


Norway’s TusenFryd will soon launch Europe’s first ever suspended triple launch coaster, with the NOK100m Storm - The Dragon Legend being described as the ‘most important single investment’ in the park’s 34-year history

Greenville Zoo explores nonprofit model following strategic assessment


South Carolina’s Greenville Zoo is looking at changing to a nonprofit operation following a city consultation last month

British Museum workers among those set to strike in February


Workers at the British Museum along with a number of other institutions across the UK are set to go on strike in February

Children in hospital can now explore South Carolina Aquarium remotely using a robot


Patients at a number of children’s hospitals across the state of South Carolina can now explore Charleston’s popular aquarium remotely, using a robot to interact with the exhibits and take part in tours

Disney bringing major immersive experience to London, Berlin and Paris in 2023


Disney is celebrating 100 years with an adult-oriented immersive experience coming to London, Berlin and Paris in 2023

‘The Office’ visitor interactive experience coming to Toronto in March


An interactive experience taking visitors inside hit NBC sitcom ‘The Office’ is set to open in Toronto later this year

PIF’s Seven announces SAR1bn entertainment destination for Saudi city of Tabuk


Another mega project has been announced for Saudi Arabia, with the PIF’s Seven announcing plans for a SAR1bn entertainment destination in the city of Tabuk

WATCH: Anthony Palermo on how Connect&Go is transforming attractions operations


Connect&Go - a global leader in guest and attractions management technology - has grown significantly over the last decade. Its co-founder Anthony Palermo spoke to Planet Attractions

Chessington to open world’s first Jumanji coaster


Chessington World of Adventures has unveiled what will become the world’s first Jumanji-themed coaster when it opens later this year

MENALAC Awards head to Dubai for 2023 edition


The fifth annual MENALAC Awards ceremony will take place in Dubai, with the event bringing together senior leaders to celebrate attractions across the Middle East and North Africa

Attractions.io and SSA Group join forces to deliver fully digital experience to cultural attractions in 2023


Attractions.io has teamed up with SSA Group to provide a fully digital experience for visitors to cultural attractions in 2023

Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum to close ahead of year long £6m revamp


A ‘radical, once-in-a-generation’ development will see Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum undergo a year-long transformation starting in June

Fourteen of 2023’s most anticipated museum openings


After a difficult few years the museum sector is showing promising signs of recovery with several exciting projects set to open this year. Here are 14 of 2023’s most anticipated museum openings

Lionel Messi’s World Cup accommodation to become museum


Following Argentina’s historic win at the 2022 World Cup, the student accommodation that global footballing icon Lionel Messi stayed in is set to be turned into its own mini museum

Nike chair Mark Parker named new Disney chairman


Nike chair and Disney director Mark Parker is set to succeed Susan Arnold as Disney’s new chairman

Disney makes consumer-focused changes to US park policy for first time since Iger’s return


Disney is introducing a number of consumer-friendly changes to its US parks, including an increase on the number of days its lowest-priced ticket will be available and increased access for annual passholders

Twelve of the biggest rollercoaster openings of 2023


It’s a new year with old records just waiting to be broken by some incredible new projects. Here are twelve blockbuster rollercoaster openings for the coming year

Natural History Museum’s Dippy headed to Coventry for three-year exhibition


Arguably Britain’s most well known dinosaur - the Natural History Museum’s iconic ‘Dippy’ the diplodocus - is set for a three year move to Coventry starting next month

David Willrich named new Experience UK chair


Trade body Experience UK has named David Willrich as its new chair

Ukrainian activist faces 12-year prison sentence for trying to remove Banksy mural


A Ukrainian activist who tried to take a Banksy work from Kyiv faces a 12-year prison sentence for an act he says was intended to support the work of the country’s army

Happy Holidays from Planet Attractions


Just a quick message from everyone at Planet Attractions to say thank you and to wish you a happy holiday

New York’s Museum of Sex is expanding into Miami


The Museum of Sex is expanding, with the New York attraction announcing plans to open a new Miami location in the spring

All-in-one: How Semnox’s Venue Management system has transformed operations at Kokomo Joe’s


When it comes to all-in-one solutions for visitor attractions, Semnox’s Venue Management Software system has transformed operations at popular FEC Kokomo Joe’s. Here’s how the technology works

PIF’s Seven reveals plans for Warner Bros Discovery edutainment attractions across Saudi Arabia


A world-first Discovery entertainment centre is coming to Saudi Arabia with more to follow in the coming years

‘A first of its kind experience’: SeaWorld’s Jonathan Smith on operator’s upcoming Pipeline surf coaster


The highly-anticipated Pipeline surf coaster is coming to SeaWorld Orlando this spring. SeaWorld’s vice president of rides and engineering, Jonathan Smith, spoke to Planet Attractions about the project

Merlin seeks extension to keep iconic London Eye in British capital beyond 2028


London Eye operator Merlin Entertainments has applied to extend the attraction’s planning permission ahead of its 2028 deadline

Monopoly Lifesized opens in Saudi Arabia


Hasbro’s Monopoly Lifesized has opened in Riyadh following a three-way partnership between the toy manufacturer, the Al Hokair Group and The Path Entertainment Group

Natural History Museum launches online masterclass series


New online courses from the Natural History Museum will share exciting insights into the institution’s research

Anti-racist action in culture, heritage and sport gets £4.5m boost from Welsh government


Culture, heritage and sport sites are set to receive £4.5m over the next three years to support actions in the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan

Disney World welcomes black entrepreneurs for supply chain accelerator education programme


Disney Parks has teamed up with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) to introduce a supply chain accelerator programme focused on transforming the businesses of diverse entrepreneurs

PortAventura announces world-first Uncharted dark ride coaster


PortAventura has announced plans for a new Uncharted dark ride coaster with Sally Dark Rides and Intamin behind the €25m attraction

Guinness World Records partners with Mirage Entertainment Design for new live stunt show


Audiences around the world will soon get to see record-breaking stunt performers pushing the boundaries of what is possible with Guinness World Records and Mirage Entertainment Design announcing the launch of an exciting new show

Saudi Arabia’s PIF to invest US$13.3bn in development of 21 integrated entertainment destinations across the kingdom


Saudi Entertainment Ventures - part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund - will develop more than 150 new attractions in the kingdom across 21 integrated entertainment destinations

Merlin promotes Fiona Eastwood to oversee midway attractions and theme parks


Merlin executive Fiona Eastwood has been promoted to oversee the operator’s global portfolio of theme parks and midway attractions

92 museum directors sign open letter condemning climate action against ‘irreplaceable’ artworks


Directors from The Met, British Museum, Louvre and National Gallery have signed an open letter published by ICOM condemning the ‘risky endangerment’ of irreplaceable artworks in climate demonstrations

Dronisos targets US market following exciting year


Dronisos is seeking partners in the US following a successful year, which saw the company serve as a technology partner for Disneyland Paris

IAAPA Expo 2022: 36,000 gather for industry extravaganza


More than 36,000 people travelled to Orlando in November for the annual spectacular known as IAAPA Expo. Planet Attractions was in attendance

WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo unveils Madame Tussauds Waxwork with Times Square takeover


Footballing legend Cristiano Ronaldo has taken over the iconic Times Square to unveil a new waxwork for Madame Tussauds New York

Helena Bonham Carter named first female president of The London Library


Longtime member and actor Helena Bonham Carter CBE has become the first female president of The London Library

Industry pays tribute to legendary Alberto Zamperla following his death


The attractions industry and wider attractions community has paid tribute to the legendary Alberto Zamperla following his death last week aged 71

Zamperla to install Canada’s fastest launch coaster at Vancouver’s Playland Amuseument Park


Ride manufacturer Zamperla is behind the CA$9m development of what will be Canada’s fastest launch coaster when it opens in 2024

IAAPA names Jakob Wahl president and CEO


IAAPA has appointed Jakob Wahl as its new president and CEO. Wahl will assume the role at the beginning of 2023

Four industry legends to be inducted into IAAPA Hall of Fame


Industry legends Joan Ganz Cooney, Xavier Lopez Ancona, Darrell Metzger and Dennis Speigel are all set to be inducted into IAAPA’s prestigious Hall of Fame at this month’s IAAPA Expo

WATCH: Exploring IAAPA Expo Europe with ParkSpill, Jack Silkstone and Kieran Adams


Following a special panel session featuring some of the UK’s top theme park content creators, Planet Attractions joined Jack Silkstone, Sean and Jo Dyer, and Kieran Adams as they explored this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe in London

Frozen fun for Blizzard Beach as Disney announces Florida waterpark's November reopening


Disney World’s Blizzard Beach waterpark will reopen to the public next month with new Frozen additions following a lengthy refurbishment

Gateway names Joe Marshall new managing director for United Kingdom


Gateway Ticketing Systems has appointed Joe Marshall to lead the company’s UK operations

Fifa World Cup boosts Gulf tourism as Qatar prepares for global spectacle


Flight bookings to Qatar and the UAE are currently 10 times higher than pre-pandemic levels ahead of this winter’s FIFA World Cup

WATCH: Meet Convious’s managing director for the UK & Ireland, Andy Povey


Convious showcased its digital engagement platform at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe. The company’s managing director for the UK & Ireland, Andy Povey, tells Planet Attractions about everything the company has to offer

WATCH: Meet Mather & Co’s new managing director, Kim Kherlopian


Leading experience designers Mather & Co have named Kim Kherlopian as the company’s new managing director. Planet Attractions caught up with him at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe to find out more

Industry experts name iconic attractions ahead of special IAAPA webcast


Ahead of a special industry panel looking at iconic attractions, experts from WhiteWater have named their personal picks, explaining why they think their choice is an iconic attraction

Kings Island’s Adventure Port set for 2023 debut


Ohio’s Kings Island theme park will introduce Adventure Port, its newest themed area, in 2023. The themed land will feature several attractions and enhanced theming on a classic rollercoaster

WATCH: Meet IAAPA’s president and CEO Hal McEvoy


IAAPA’s president and CEO, Hal McEvoy spoke to Planet Attractions about this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, the industry’s post-Covid recovery, his retirement plans and more

Zeitgeist develops haunted houses for Hersheypark’s Dark Nights event


Creative firm Zeitgeist Design and Production is behind three of this year’s haunted houses at Hersheypark’s Halloween spectacular Dark Nights

WATCH: Meet WhiteWater’s chief marketing officer Una de Boer


WhiteWater brings a strong presence to each and every IAAPA Expo. The company’s chief marketing officer, Una de Boer, tells Planet Attractions about everything the company has to offer

Paul Kent to lead global business development at Mad Systems


Industry veteran Paul Kent has been named as VP of global business development at Mad Systems

Sony’s world-first theme and waterpark opens to the public in Thailand


A world-first theme and waterpark utilising Sony IPs has opened its doors in Pattaya, Thailand

Wildfires cause ‘irreparable’ damage to Easter Island’s famous statues


A wildfire on Easter Island which could have been started deliberately has caused ‘irreparable’ damage to the Unesco World Heritage Site’s iconic moai head statues

Clearwater Marine Aquarium set to debut new Manatee Springs exhibition


Clearwater Marine Aquarium has debuted a new manatee exhibit to inform guests about the threats the species faces as well as the work being carried out by various groups to protect them

WATCH: Meet AVIXA’s regional manager, UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard


AVIXA produces a number of popular events around the world, including InfoComm and Integrated Systems Europe. The organisation's regional manager for the UK and Ireland, Ben Barnard, spoke to Planet Attractions

Cultural sites damaged in Ukrainian capital in latest wave of Russian attacks against country


Russia’s lethal barrage of strikes against Ukrainian cities this week has seen a number of cultural sites in the capital of Kyiv hit

Icon Park’s Orlando FreeFall to be taken down following death


The world’s tallest freestanding drop tower will be dismantled in Orlando following the death of a 14-year-old boy on the ride

WATCH: Meet IAAPA’s director of global communications Caitlin Dineen


IAAPA’s director, Global Communications, Caitlin Dineen, spoke to Planet Attractions at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe about her new role and what goes into putting on an event of such magnitude

WATCH: Paradise Wildlife Park recruits The Pool Guy to boost social media presence


Holla at your boy for the zoo work - Paradise Wildlife Park recently turned to professional pool cleaner turned social media influencer Miles Laflin - aka The Pool Guy - to clean the zoo’s animal pools

Louvre turns the lights out amid spiralling energy costs


The Louvre is among a number of French cultural institutions and landmarks turning their lights off in an attempt to cut soaring energy costs

WATCH: Meet Spree Interactive CEO and co-founder Jonathan Nowak Delgado


Family-friendly active free-roam VR experiences provider Spree Interactive showcased its technology at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe. Co-founder and CEO Jonathan Nowak Delgado spoke to Planet Attractions at the show

Disney legends set to come together to celebrate 40 years of Epcot


A panel of industry legends will share their stories about the creation and evolution of Disney’s Epcot at this year’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida

WATCH: Meet Katapult’s creative strategist Kelly Herrick


Katapult brought its entire team down to this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe in London. The company’s creative strategist, Kelly Herrick, spoke to Planet Attractions

WATCH: Meet Vantage president Michael Jungen


Vantage announced the launch of The Joy Economy at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe. Planet Attractions spoke to the Whitewater division’s new president, Michael Jungen, about the campaign and what he hopes to deliver with the technology

Hurricane Ian set to hit Florida as theme parks prepare for ‘storm of the century’


As Florida prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Ian, here’s how the state’s theme parks are handling the situation

WATCH: Meet Conductr CEO and co-founder Peter Cliff


Experiential design collective Conductr made its first appearance at an IAAPA show this year as part of the Experience UK stand in London. Planet Attractions spoke to co-founder and CEO Peter Cliff about the start-up and its plans for the future

HB Leisure on recruitment drive as business grows globally


With sizeable business growth and the need for new team members, HB Leisure has embarked on a recruitment drive, with the company aiming to expand its workforce in multiple locations worldwide

Alton Towers, Flamingo Land and Drayton Manor pick up top accolades in UK Theme Park Awards 2022


More than 200,000 people have voted in this year’s UK Theme Park Awards 2022 with Alton Towers, Flamingo Land, Drayton Manor and more coming out with some of the top accolades

Triotech announces major partnership with Puy du Fou Asia


Triotech has landed a deal with Puy du Fou Asia that will see the dynamic attractions specialist supply several attractions to the upcoming SAGA attraction in Shanghai

Paddy Dunning announces worldwide locations for ‘The Giant’


The Giant - a mammoth moving attraction and exhibition - is coming to a city near you

IAAPA Expo Europe makes triumphant return, with 30 percent more attendees than 2021 event


IAAPA Expo Europe saw a 30% increase in attendees to its 2022 show in London, compared to its previous year in Barcelona

Everything you need to know about IAAPA Expo Europe 2022


IAAPA Expo Europe is coming to London this September. Here’s everything you need to know about the event

A new take on dark rides: Ernest Yale and Nol van Genuchten on OCT’s game-changing walkthrough attraction from Triotech


OCT Group has debuted a first-of-its-kind attraction at its new Fabland Valley Resort in China. Triotech’s Ernest Yale and Nol van Genuchten speak to Planet Attractions about the exciting new multi-path dark ride, how it came to be and what it could mean for future attractions

Attractions across the world pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death


The attractions community has been sharing stories of the profound impact Queen Elizabeth II had on some of Britain’s most beloved institutions, paying tribute to the monarch following her death, aged 96

Meet the team behind IAAPA Expo Europe


Planet Attractions recently travelled to meet the team behind IAAPA Expo Europe - the EMEA region’s largest trade show for the attractions industry. Here’s what to expect from this year’s show.

Bean-tastic: JRA redevelops Bush’s Visitor Center Museum


JRA has revitalised Bush's Visitor Center Museum in Tennessee, celebrating the brand’s history and all things bean with an all-new guest experience

Attractions.io to showcase new wayfinding features at IAAPA Expo Europe


Attractions.io is adding a new feature to its mobile platform with the company set to showcase its new for 2022 wayfinding solution at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe

Immersive attraction dedicated to Prince opens in Chicago


An immersive experience celebrating the life and music of rock legend Prince has opened in Chicago

FORREC partners with Sun Group to develop entertainment projects in Vietnam


FORREC and Sun Group have formed a long-term strategic partnership to develop world-class tourism projects in Vietnam

Triotech to present new standing theatre attraction and announce major European theme park project at IAAPA Expo Europe


Media-based attractions specialist Triotech will showcase a new stand-up flying theatre attraction and announce a major European theme park project at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe

Simworx to showcase new ride concepts at IAAPA Expo Europe


The dynamic media-based attractions specialist will showcase several new ride concepts at IAAPA Expo Europe

The world’s first ‘Amazement Park’: Wake the Tiger’s Graham MacVoy on Bristol’s newest immersive attraction


Blurring the lines between an experiential art gallery, interactive theme park and detailed film set, Wake the Tiger is a new attraction that just opened its doors in Bristol, UK. We spoke to co-founder Graham MacVoy about the new attraction, dubbed the world’s first ‘Amazement Park’

RWS to showcase full capabilities at IAAPA Expo Europe following key multi-national acquisitions


RWS Entertainment Group will showcase its capabilities as a full-service provider of visitor attractions and experiences at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe following two major acquisitions

Merlin’s ‘next generation’ of Lego Discovery Centre coming to three US locations


Merlin has announced that three of its ‘next generation’ Lego Discovery Centres are coming to the US in 2023

Earnings reports: SeaWorld, Cedar Fair and Universal all soar in the face of Covid-19


SeaWorld, Cedar Fair and Universal have all experienced strong second quarters with the operators also revealing some hints as to what’s coming for each in the near future

Harry Potter Forbidden Forest experience coming to the US


A light trail inspired by the iconic forest from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast franchises will open in the US in October

Robotic plant powered by data from Natural History Museum will wilt or grow based on society’s choices over biodiversity


A new art installation powered by data from London’s Natural History Museum will provide an ever-changing visual representation of how society’s choices impact the natural world

Tate names Carmel Allen its new managing director


Carmel Allen has been named the new managing director of Tate

Planet Attractions to host influencer panel at IAAPA Expo Europe


Planet Attractions is set to be joined by some of the UK’s top content creators this September for a special panel session to be held at IAAPA Expo Europe in London

Mather develops visitor experience for hydroelectric scheme on Scotland’s River Ness


Mather & Co has developed the visitor experience for Hydro Ness - a new hydro scheme in Scotland on the River Ness that generates renewable energy using an Archimedes Screw

Big Cat Public Safety Act passes the US House of Representatives


A change in the law will see private ownership of big cats in the US banned, putting an end to possession of tigers, lions and other big cat species except by qualified entities

The Weeknd is debuting a haunted house at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights


Michael Myers, Dracula and now The Weeknd will be offering the scares at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, with the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter set to debut an all-new horror experience

Hunt begins for IAAPA’s new president and CEO


IAAPA is on the hunt for its new president and CEO with a global search now underway to find a replacement for the outgoing Hal McEvoy

London’s Natural History Museum launches fundraising campaign for free-to-visit green space


Fundraising has started for the Natural History Museum’s Urban Nature Project, a scheme which will allow the museum to turn its five-acre site into a free-to-visit educational outdoor space

Some handy tips to get waterpark operators through the busiest time of year


As we enter the busiest time of the year for most waterpark operators, the team at WhiteWater has offered some tips to ensure the season runs smoothly

Ben Dowson to lead creative division at Conductr


Experiential design collective Conductr has appointed Ben Dowson to oversee the company’s creative division

Everything you need to know about Shark Week


Shark Week is back for 2022 and Planet Attractions has taken a deep dive to find a collection of shark-related content that you can take in during the event

MagicBand+ technology set for July 27 launch at Walt Disney World


Disney is about to launch its upgraded MagicBand+, with the wearable technology offering a host of new features for visitors

Projection mapping market to be worth US$8bn by 2030


The projection mapping market could be worth as much as US$8bn according to a new report on the technology

Inclusivity for all: Six Flags introduces special restraints for disabled guests


Six Flags is offering improved access for its guests with physical disabilities with a specialised restraint harness that allows them to experience rides they would otherwise be unable to

UK’s record-breaking heatwave forces closure of Chester Zoo


The heatwave currently cooking the UK has forced the closure of one of Europe’s most visited zoos

From The Community: Climbing Colossus, Holiday World and Disney’s Dole Whip Day


Rounding up all the biggest news from fans and influencers, here is your latest edition of From the Community from Planet Attractions

‘We're the industry of fun and it's time to have fun again’: Peter van der Schans on IAAPA EMEA, industry challenges and what to expect at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe


Planet Attractions travelled to Belgium recently to meet Peter van der Schans, IAAPA’s new executive director and vice president for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. Here’s what he had to say

Shakespeare North: £38m playhouse set to rival London’s Globe Theatre


A £38m cultural development in the north of England is set to open its doors this weekend, with the debut of the astonishing Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot

Meow Wolf co-founder Matt King dies


Matt King, co-founder of arts and entertainment collective Meow Wolf has passed away

Madame Tussauds stunt sees Boris Johnson waxwork placed outside job centre


Madame Tussauds has taken a cheeky dig at Boris Johnson, after a waxwork of the soon-to-be-former Prime Minister appeared outside a Job Centre in Blackpool

Registration opens for IAAPA Expo 2022


Registration is now open for this year’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida

European coaster enthusiasts travel to US for theme park excursion


Almost 70 European theme park enthusiasts made their way to the US last month for the trip of a lifetime, gathering to visit seven of the country’s top theme parks

The museum that’s introduced special glasses to help colour-blind people see art in a whole new light


Colour deficient and colour-blind visitors to Australia’s Chau Chak Wing Museum are now being offered special glasses to see works of art in clear, vibrant colour for the first time

Merlin introduces career acceleration scheme for frontline staff


Merlin is introducing a new education scheme that will offer training opportunities to guest-facing staff members to help elevate their careers and encourage diversity in the company’s senior ranks

From The Community: The Bizzare Garfield dark ride, Alton Towers as an F1 track and how Disneyland is responsible for the creation of Doritos


It’s back! Rounding up all the biggest news from fans and influencers, here is your latest edition of From the Community from Planet Attractions

Disney Wish christened ahead of debut voyage


The Disney Wish will soon set sail with visitors on board following a special christening event in Port Canaveral, Florida

California’s Great America to close after Cedar Fair announces land sale


California’s Great America will cease to operate by 2033 after Cedar Fair announced the US$310m sale of the land the park is built on

Building commences in Lhasa on world's highest planetarium


Tibet Planetarium, which could open in two years’ time, hopes to welcome over 100,000 guests annually

BIG’s designs for the National Juneteenth Museum in Texas revealed


The US$70m is being funded from donations, and hopes to attract some 35,000 visitors annually after its 2024 opening

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum launches The Open Era gallery


The redeveloped ‘The Open Era’ gallery is now open to the public at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum

Pearl Harbor's Ford Island Control Tower opens to public following decade-long restoration


The Ford Island Control Tower at Pearl Harbor is now open to the public for the first time in decades following a US$7m restoration

Chicago’s Adler Planetarium to receive share of US$12.5m in NASA STEM funding


The Adler Planetarium in Chicago is one of a number of informal education institutions to receive NASA funding to serve students from communities underrepresented in STEM fields

WATCH: Go behind the scenes of Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind


With Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind now open at Walt Disney World, Disney has released a behind-the-scenes look at how the attraction and its special scenes have been brought to life

Michael Myers set for Halloween Horror Nights return at Universal


Universal has revealed the return of Michael Myers for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, with the iconic slasher set to deliver the frights for the always popular horror spectacular

Virtual walkthrough unveiled for Walt Disney’s Kansas Laugh-O-Gram Studio


Thank You Walt Disney, Inc has launched a virtual tour of Walt Disney’s historic Laugh-O-Gram Studio, with the historic animation site set to open to the public following work in Q4 2023

‘Bloody expensive’: ABBA need to recoup £140m to cover costs of virtual Voyage residency


Pop supergroup ABBA need to earn £140m from ticket sales of their London residency Voyage to cover the cost of the virtual spectacle

Sofar Sounds partners with Tiqets for concert series at iconic attractions in London and San Francisco


The concert series, the second such partnership between Sofar Sounds and Tiqets, will see artists perform at iconic attractions in London and San Francisco.

Malaysian animation studio plans new theme park to appeal to Upin & Ipin fans across Southeast Asia


The cartoon twins are popular in Malaysia and Indonesia, and will be used as the IP for the proposed attraction

Man smears cake on the Mona Lisa as he encourages people to ‘think of the earth’


A man entered the Louvre on Sunday disguised as an old lady in a wheelchair in an attempt to deface the Mona Lisa with cake

Legoland construction starts up again as Covid lockdown starts to ease


Site workers will be kept inside a ‘closed-loop’ system following strict prevention and control measures

National Football Museum and Royal Botanic Gardens get share of £553m in carbon reduction scheme


The British government is supporting a range of public sector organisations in reducing their dependency on carbon and improving energy efficiency

Saudi Arabia starts work on Riyadh’s Royal Arts Complex


Construction has started on the King Salman Park’s Royal Arts Complex, which once complete will act as a cultural hub for the Saudi capital of Riyadh

Andy Warhol Museum announces plan to launch US$60m ‘Pop District’ in Pittsburgh


‘The Pop District’ from The Andy Warhol Museum will feature a larger cultural hub for live music, events, public art, expanded programming and a home for creative workplace development

Netflix partners with Fever to launch live-action Stranger Things experience in London


Launching this summer, Stranger Things: The Experience is the result of a partnership between Netflix and live-entertainment discovery platform Fever

London’s Natural History Museum announces plan to open major new research centre with the University of Reading


The Natural History Museum is partnering with the University of Reading on a major new digitisation centre to be built at the Thames Valley Science Park

Industry veteran Anthony Van Dam announces retirement from FORREC after 34 years


FORREC’s Anthony Van Dam is set to leave the company after 34 years following his retirement announcement

The generation game: How modern POS is transforming attractions operations


How do you develop a POS system that caters to both digital natives and the generation before them? Convious’s Miendu Dang has the answers

Ryan Stana and Robin Breese-Davies on what’s next for RWS and ted


Following the RWS acquisition of The Experience Department, Planet Attractions travelled to ted HQ to meet RWS CEO Ryan Stana and ted CEO Robin Breese-Davies to see what’s next following the landmark deal

Planet Attractions partners with IAAPA Expo Europe on media and content creation for 2022 event


Planet Attractions and IAAPA Europe have announced a partnership that will see them work together on, media, content creation and more for this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe at London’s ExCeL Centre

Delaware Museum of Nature and Science to reopen as a ‘Tik-Tok-friendly’ attraction following multi-million-dollar renovation


The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science is set to reopen on May 23 following an extensive renovation

Dubai establishes Supreme Committee to oversee future development of Expo 2020 District


A new Supreme Committee has been formed to plan and implement the future of the Expo 2020 Dubai district

Everything you need to know about SEA Expo 2022


Fast becoming one of the key industry events for the visitor attractions sector, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo

Puy du Fou announces first US attraction as part of Tennessee’s US$75m Gateway to Adventure


Puy du Fou has partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to develop its first-ever attraction in the US

Two sustainability mantras from the House of Gucci movie


What can the House of Gucci movie teach us about sustainability? WhiteWater’s Una de Boer tells all

Rails to trails: Minnesota Zoo announces plan for record-breaking treetop attraction


Minnesota Zoo has started work on the US$39m redevelopment of its monorail track, which is set to be repurposed into the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop

Pandemic resurgence as SeaWorld soars with record results in first quarter


Visitation and revenue soared for SeaWorld in the first three months of the year, with the most visitors in Q1 since 2013 and record all-time revenue for the period

Back with a bang: TEA Summit and Thea Awards Gala return


Leaders in the themed entertainment industry gathered last month for the return of TEA Summit and Thea Awards Gala for the first time in two years. Christine Kerr on behalf of the TEA and Nicole Sangster from Thea Award recipients Simworx both report on the event

Immersive touring Barbie attraction to make debut in Toronto this summer


You can finally be a Barbie girl in a Barbie world with World of Barbie - a brand new immersive touring attraction set to make its debut later this year in Toronto

Attractions Calendar: May


We've rounded up all the special events you should be attending this month

Scotland’s historic Gretna Green welcomes new visitor experience


An iconic wedding destination is now home to a new visitor experience, with designers Mather & Co behind the newly-opened Gretna Green Experience

Nick Varney and Mark Fisher both announce retirements from Merlin Entertainments


Nick Varney who has led Merlin since its inception and Mark Fisher, who played a key role in the company’s formation, have both announced their intention to leave the attractions giant in 2023

Welcome to the Space Lounge: Space tourism venture sees visitors climb 20 miles via balloon


Would you pay US$125,000 to travel into space via a hydrogen balloon? Well that’s exactly what you can do in the Space Lounge, launching from Florida in 2024

Hettema Group and Themespace merge to form THG


The Hettema Group and Themespace are to combine their talents to form a single independent creative studio known as THG

RWS Entertainment Group announces acquisition of The Experience Department


ted is the latest company to come under the RWS umbrella, with the entertainment group now able to add a number of new strings to its ever-expanding bow

The Netflix approach: How user segmentation is changing the visitor experience game


Attractions.io’s Peter O’Dare explains how user segmentation is transforming the visitor experience for the better

Deals at DEAL: Middle East attractions show hails successful return to Dubai in 2022


The Dubai Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure Exhibition returned in 2022, bringing with it much success for attendees and exhibitors alike

Katherine E. Fleming to lead Getty Trust after being named new president and CEO


Starting this August, Katherine E. Fleming will take the reins at the J. Paul Getty Trust, leading the institution’s mission to advance and share the world's art and cultural heritage for the benefit of all

Record-breaking Fønix debuts at Fårup Sommerland


The hotly-anticipated Fønix from Vekoma has opened to the public at Fårup Sommerland with the new rollercoaster representing the park’s largest investment ever

IAAPA’s president and CEO Hal McEvoy to retire in 2023


IAAPA’s president and CEO, Hal McEvoy has announced his intention to retire in 2023 following a glittering career in the attractions industry that has spanned more than five decades

Immersive Avatar experience coming to Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay


Cityneon, Disney Location-Based Experiences and Lightstorm Entertainment have collaborated to develop an all-new Avatar attraction coming to Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay later this year

Dave & Buster’s acquires FEC chain Main Event in US$835m deal


Family entertainment company Main Event is set to be acquired by Dave & Buster’s in a deal worth US$835m

Efteling reveals new details about upcoming hotel experience


Efteling will break ground on a new hotel at the end of this year’s summer season, with the 143-bedroom development to open its doors in 2024

Former Disney chief Bob Iger linked with Chelsea FC sale


Could Bob Iger be Chelsea FC’s co-saviour? The former Disney man has been linked as an investor for the Premier League club alongside Steve Pagliuca

WATCH: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind arrives at Epcot next month


Walkman’s at the ready, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind finally has its launch date, with the Vekoma reverse launch coaster set to make its debut in May.

Peter van der Schans to lead IAAPA EMEA after being named executive director and vice president for the region


IAAPA has named Peter van der Schans as its new executive director and vice president for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, with Schans set to take up his new position starting April 4

The zoo of the future: Toronto Zoo CEO lays out attraction’s CA$328m masterplan


Toronto Zoo is starting to undergo a major transformation. Its CEO Dolf DeJong spoke to Planet Attractions about the ambitious masterplan

Pyek Group names Accesso as dedicated technology partner


The companies have entered into a three-year partnership that will see Accesso supply its point of sale solutions across four of Pyek Group’s waterparks

Manchester observatory to unveil £21m visitor experience


The new attraction will feature a planetarium dome and exhibition spaces and will open in June

DEAL to welcome global entertainment industry to Dubai for 2022 show


The event will feature an extensive tradeshow and the MENALAC LEA Conference and awards

Cityneon’s VR Machu Picchu experience scoops Lumiere Award


The immersive experiential design firm won in the category for ‘Best Use of VR’ for its Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor virtual reality (VR) experience

San Diego Zoo’s US$69m Wildlife Explorers Basecamp opens to the public


San Diego Zoo has launched one of its most ambitious ever additions, with the brand-new US$69m Wildlife Explorers Basecamp showcasing a number of different ecosystems through a series of immersive experiences

Emperor: California’s tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster opens at SeaWorld


The B&M-designed Emperor has opened to the public at SeaWorld San Diego

IAAPA Expo Asia cancelled again


The effects of Covid-19 continue to affect China, with IAAPA Expo Asia cancelled again as a result of the pandemic

Tait Group announces acquisition of Thinkwell


Leading experience designers Thinkwell have been acquired by Tait

Environmental review underway for La Brea Tar Pits redevelopment masterplan


Los Angeles’ iconic La Brea Tar Pits will soon undergo a major transformation should a masterplan by Weiss/Manfredi pass its environmental review

Ukraine culture minister calls for UNESCO to revoke Russia’s membership after Russian forces destroy museum housing works by folk artist Maria Prymachenko


The Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum was burned to the ground as Russia continues its aggressive invasion of the country

Attractions Calendar: March


Here are all the events you should be attending this month

‘The situation in Moscow is stable’: RAAPA Expo to go ahead next month despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine


The RAAPA Expo will go ahead as scheduled despite the difficulties being caused for people and businesses in Russia following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine

Harry Potter: The Exhibition arrives at Franklin Institute for worldwide debut


The exhibition had its world premiere at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute earlier this month



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