Keeping you up to date with the latest breaking news and events from around the world, welcome to the Planet Attractions daily news feed
Summary Blenheim Palace announces Bridgerton Experiences Connect&GO strengthens leadership team with three new appointments Valo Motion to showcase three new mixed-reality games at IAAPA Expo Europe Seychelles' giant tortoises under threat from luxury hotel development Zoo animals escape in Nigeria following floods Brooklyn Museum rebranded after 200 years Northumberland Zoo viral video ‘hits different’ Natural History Museum debuts mixed reality experience highlighting climate crisis Universal set to debut Wicked-themed retail experiences at US parks UK Theme Park Awards head to Thorpe Park for 2024 edition Immersive Squid Game experience coming to New York Hertfordshire Zoo opens native species survival trail Auckland Castle rebranded Auckland Palace Best of British as UK Pavilion returns for IAAPA Expo Europe Giant-8-Loop on show as Maurer Rides heads to Amsterdam for IAAPA Expo Europe A third of guests want attractions to up their game when it comes to mobile food and beverage ordering Myths come to life at Ripley’s Aquarium’s newest Toronto exhibit Nicolas Fournier named sales director for Triotech Warner Bros brings parks, tours, exhibitions and more under one roof with Global Experiences division Museum visitors in Wales pass 1.5 million for first time since Covid First-of-its-kind Hello Kitty and Friends Café to open at Universal's CityWalk Embed heads to Amsterdam for IAAPA Expo Europe More than half of visitors willing to pay a premium for superior experiences V&A finishes moving collections to east London storehouse Attack on Titan attraction coming to Fuji-Q Highland Seattle Aquarium launches 50,000sq ft Ocean Pavilion expansion Alterface’s first Moviemax attraction makes debut in Saint-Tropez Planet Attractions teams up with Park World for Park World Excellence Awards 2024 Survey explores future of digital experiences for visitor attractions Pop-up Beetlejuice experience has opened in LA ahead of the theatrical release of highly-anticipated sequel
13 Sep 2024
Blenheim Palace announces Bridgerton Experiences
Blenheim Palace first appeared in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story as Buckingham House Credit: Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, UK, has announced the launch of several experiences based on the popular Netflix Bridgerton.
Acting as the backdrop for the period drama, Blenheim Palace has already launched a Bridgerton-themed film trail, which has been extended until November 25th.
Connect&GO strengthens leadership team with three new appointments
Gautier Poiret, Stéphane St-Arnauld and Cédric Dutertre have joined Connect&Go in senior roles Credit: Connect&Go
Integrated attractions management platform Connect&GO has announced the addition of three new members to its leadership team.
Bringing 15 years of experience in digital marketing, product strategy, and team leadership, Gautier Poiret joins Connect&GO from Laps, where he previously served as VP of Marketing & Products. In his new role as vice president of Marketing for Connect&GO, Poiret will work to enhance brand visibility, optimise marketing expenditures, and lead a selection of large, multidisciplinary teams within the company.
Valo Motion to showcase three new mixed-reality games at IAAPA Expo Europe
Valo Motion has expanded its game catalogue with three new original games Credit: Valo Motion
Valo Motion is set to offer new, original mixed-reality games for its ValoClimb, ValoJump and ValoArena platforms, with the content to be showcased at the upcoming IAAPA Expo Europe.
Exhibiting at IAAPA for the eighth time, Valo Motion has more than 220,000 of its games played daily across 1,350 installations in more than 75 countries.
Seychelles' giant tortoises under threat from luxury hotel development
The habitat of the largest giant tortoise population in the world is threatened by a Qatari-funded hotel development that aims to bring luxury yachts, private jets and well-heeled tourists to a remote island in the Indian Ocean, conservationists have warned.
Plans for an upscale resort on Assomption, which is part of the Aldabra island group, are currently under discussion by the Seychelles authorities, and construction is already finished on an airport expansion that would allow bigger aircraft to land on the 11.6-sq-km (4.5-sq-mile) coral island.
The developers have said they will follow world class sustainability practices. But wildlife conservation organisations and biologists argue that the project is being rushed through without sufficient analysis of the dangers. They say it should be halted until there is independent scrutiny of the risks posed to island fauna, which also include whales, turtles and many species of birds.
Officials from a zoo in north-east Nigeria have confirmed that some wild animals had escaped from captivity after flooding hit Borno state.
Videos of some of the creatures on the streets of the state capital, Maiduguri, have been widely shared on social media.
Ali Donbest, who runs the Sanda Kyarimi Zoo, told the BBC that he does not know exactly how many animals are free but a hunt is on to locate them. One ostrich has been found but he advised residents to be careful.
Local media are reporting that Maiduguri is experiencing flooding on a scale that has not been seen for three decades with many forced to leave their homes.
Can a 200-year-old institution rebrand as cutting edge? The Brooklyn Museum is attempting to do just that with its new logo design.
The new “visual identity” of the museum entails a sans serif font, new ligatures featuring an overlapping ‘o’ in Brooklyn and a combined ‘u’ and ‘m’ at the end of museum, and two dots surrounding the institution’s name intended to mimic those that frame the names of ancient philosophers, playwrights, and poets on the building’s facade.
“This reference to writers and thinkers links to our beginnings as a library and to the intersectional nature of the arts,” the museum stated in a release.
Northumberland Zoo viral video ‘hits different’
Northumberland Zoo has ‘hit different’ with a video posted to TikTok that has been viewed millions of times on the social media platform.
Starring the zoo’s directors, Brian and Linda Bradley, the pair in their 60s use modern slang in a bid to draw in visitors and attention to the attraction.
"It's weird for me because I've made my parents go viral around the world,” said Maxine Bradley, the zoo’s manager and the daughter of the couple, speaking to ITV. “Everyone finds it funny but I find it weird.”
Natural History Museum debuts mixed reality experience highlighting climate crisis
London’s Natural History Museum has unveiled its first-ever mixed-reality tour, with visitors invited to travel a century into the future to see how the natural world has responded to the actions we take today,
Utilising Microsoft’s mixed reality headset, the immersive experience was created by the Natural History Museum, Microsoft and SAOLA Studio, with research by the museum’s scientists informing the narrative.
The species featured, which are experienced as interactive holographic animations in the Microsoft headset, come to life in the Museum’s Darwin Centre. The tour features a selection of the Museum’s 80 million physical specimens, including a cuttlefish, Darwin’s frog and coconut crab.
“Visions of Nature is an incredibly exciting, immersive experience - and the first offering of its kind for the museum,” said Dr Alex Burch, NHM’s director of Public Programmes.
“Whilst visually beautiful, it also delivers a powerful message that the actions we take now can have a positive impact on the future.
“It presses fast-forward so visitors can see how nature has responded, for better and for worse, to the aftermath of centuries of human industrial activity as well as to the interventions we have introduced to remedy our unsustainable activity.
“We hope that visitors to Visions of Nature leave with a greater confidence to discuss the type of future they’d like to build and are driven to be part of the response to the planetary emergency.”
11 Sep 2024
Universal set to debut Wicked-themed retail experiences at US parks
Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort are both inviting guests to experience immersive attractions and exclusive merchandise based on the upcoming Wicked.
Opening in late October, Universal Orlando Resort will welcome guests to ‘Wicked: The Experience’, which will bring guests up close with a number of iconic locations from the Land of Oz, including the Yellow Brick Road, Shiz University and the Emerald City. Inside, costumes and props created by the designers from the film will also be on display.
Meanwhile, at Universal Studios Hollywood, the Feature Presentation store within the theme park, and UNIVRS store at Universal CityWalk Hollywood will both be transformed into Wicked-themed experiences including showcase film props and a photo opportunity.
At the core of both experiences is the retail element, which will offer a variety of merchandise and exclusive products.
11 Sep 2024
UK Theme Park Awards head to Thorpe Park for 2024 edition
Thorpe Park’s Hyperia is up for Best New Attraction in this year’s UK Theme Park Awards Credit: Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park will be the host for this year’s UK Theme Park Awards, with George Akid set to return to his role as presenter for the awards ceremony at the popular attraction.
Representing the leading public facing awards for the UK theme park industry, the UK Theme Park Awards recognise the best rides and attractions, shows and events, as well as the theme parks offering the best customer service and value.
Immersive Squid Game experience coming to New York
Squid Game: The Experience is coming to New York City in October as Netflix is stirring up interest in another upcoming season of the streaming series.
On top of that, a multiplayer video game Squid Game: Unleashed, featuring series characters and all the competitive fun, is set to release later this year.
The idea is to make people feel like they’re insight the cutthroat environment of Squid Game, a fictional reality show where the losers go home in body bags.
Hertfordshire Zoo opens native species survival trail
Hertfordshire Zoo has opened a new area dedicated to UK species and their conservation.
The zoo marked National Wildlife Day by unveiling its latest conservation initiative — the UK Centre for Species Survival Trail for British native species.
This new trail, dedicated to highlighting the rich biodiversity of Britain’s native wildlife, was officially opened by Annie Brewster JP, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, alongside CBBC TV presenter and TikTok wildlife influencer Cam Whitnall.
This trail comes at a crucial time as the UK faces a severe biodiversity crisis, with 41 per cent of species in decline and 15 per cent at risk of extinction since 1970.
Auckland Castle – the historic residence of the Prince Bishops of Durham – is to be renamed Auckland Palace.
The palace is part of the Auckland Project in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, a multi-site cultural destination that includes the Faith Museum, the Spanish Gallery and Mining Art Gallery.
The palace recently completed the biggest phase of development for centuries, which included major restoration and conservation work between 2016-2019 and the opening of the Faith Museum in a new extension to the 14th-century Scotland Wing last year.
Best of British as UK Pavilion returns for IAAPA Expo Europe
Experience UK is bringing the UK Pavilion back to IAAPA Expo Europe for its sixth edition, with some of the UK’s top suppliers to the attractions industry set to be represented at the event.
Working in partnership with the British government and the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Experience UK is hosting the pavilion, which will act as a “centrepiece of British excellence in the leisure and attractions industry”.
Giant-8-Loop on show as Maurer Rides heads to Amsterdam for IAAPA Expo Europe
Maurer Rides will be showing off a number of innovations including its Spike Giant-8-Loop at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, with the new attraction offering guests the chance to “ride the impossible” with a design “coaster designers have been dreaming about for decades”.
Featuring Spike ASM technology, the rollercoaster offers a “wow factor” to parks with its distinct design, centred by a figure of eight design.
A third of guests want attractions to up their game when it comes to mobile food and beverage ordering
A new survey has revealed that around a third of visitors to attractions would like to see investment made when it comes to mobile food and beverage ordering.
Working alongside SSA Ventures, initial research by Attractions.io was based on data collected from 1,000 attraction guests across both the US and Europe, with more than 200 operators contributing to the study.
Looking at the impact of technology on visitor experiences, it was revealed that a significant portion of guests would like improvements made to F&B order systems, also adding that they would also interested in technology being used to incentivise repeat visits with offers and rewards.
In addition, for technology use to be successful, it must add to or aid, not distract. Along these lines, more than a quarter of respondents said that existing digital experiences can prove a distraction, rather than an aid.
Myths come to life at Ripley’s Aquarium’s newest Toronto exhibit
Fantasy fans and nature enthusiasts rejoice! There’s an epic new exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto and it’s all about legendary dragons.
Get ready to be entranced by these awe-inspiring creatures, whose mythical tales have enchanted hearts and minds for generations.
Will you be brave enough to enter the dragon’s lair? Here’s a closer look at what’s in store.
Opening Thursday, September 5, the Dragons exhibit is set to showcase ten remarkable animals that embody the essence of mythical dragons from diverse cultures worldwide.
Interactive displays and tactile models are designed to educate visitors of all ages, so be sure to bring the whole family!
Visitors will get to meet the Siren, an aquatic marvel with feathery gills and a... More from Daily Hive
06 Sep 2024
Nicolas Fournier named sales director for Triotech
Triotech has named industry veteran Nicolas Fournier as its new sales director, with Fournier set to focus on expanding the company’s position in the Family Entertainment Center market in Canada and Europe, as well as managing distribution in both regions.
“I'm thrilled to join the Triotech Team and contribute to our continued success,” said Fournier. “Triotech’s commitment to pushing the boundaries aligns perfectly with my passion for creating exceptional guest experiences.”
Yannick Gemme, vice president of Sales and Marketing at Triotech, added: “We're excited to welcome Nicolas to the Triotech team. His deep experience in entertainment, coupled with his strategic insight, makes him the ideal choice to propel our growth and expand our global footprint.”
06 Sep 2024
Warner Bros brings parks, tours, exhibitions and more under one roof with Global Experiences division
Warner Bros Discovery Global Experiences brings WBD’s attractions portfolio under one umbrella Credit: Warner Bros Studio Tour
Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has announced a new global structure for the company’s worldwide studio tours, retail destinations, touring exhibitions, and all location-based experiences, bringing together the existing licensed entertainment and owned and operated teams into a single global division.
Called Warner Bros Discovery Global Experiences, the new division will aim to expand WBD’s fan-facing experiences while also pursuing new businesses that capitalise on the company’s portfolio of global IPs.
Museum visitors in Wales pass 1.5 million for first time since Covid
Visitor numbers to Wales' national museums have jumped by 20% over the last year.
Attendances have increased across the seven sites - passing the 1.5m mark again for the first time since Covid.
But figures are still not back to the pre-pandemic levels, when they were close to 1.9m.
Museum Wales said: "Despite having to operate in an increasingly challenging environment, we’re pleased that visitors continue to return and engage with our diverse collections, quality programmes and services."
First-of-its-kind Hello Kitty and Friends Café to open at Universal's CityWalk
Get ready to roll out the pink carpet because Hello Kitty is soon to become a permanent fixture at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe and the Sanrio Smile Shop both open to the public Friday at Universal CityWalk.
The Sanrio-themed cafe — the first of its kind in Los Angeles — is a can't miss attraction with Hello Kitty's giant signature bow signage greeting guests upon entry. The sweet treats and specialty beverages on the menu include the Hello Kitty mousse dome, signature birthday cake, a macaron set and more.
The half a dozen beverages are named after Hello Kitty and her friends: the Hello Kitty strawberry green iced tea, the My Melody lemonade, the Kuromi berry iced tea, the Tuxedosam lemonade, the Keroppi matcha latte and the Chococat frozen mocha.
Embed is set to showcase a range of technologies at IAAPA Expo Europe Credit: Embed
Embed is heading to Amsterdam for this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, with the cashless solutions provider set to showcase some of its breakthrough innovations at the landmark event.
Sharing a range of Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, the company is targeting the market in a time where FECs in Europe are worth an estimated US$1.82bn annually, with compound annual growth of 7.4% through to the end of 2031.
More than half of visitors willing to pay a premium for superior experiences
Ahead of a webinar taking place on September 11th, Attractions.io has revealed some key findings from a study, which has revealed that 63% of guests are willing to pay more for tickets in the future if it guarantees a superior experience.
Working alongside SSA Ventures, initial research was based on data collected from 1,000 attraction guests across both the US and Europe, with more than 200 operators contributing to the survey.
While guests are willing to pay more for a superior experiences, existing experiences with technology have been found to be either average or “as expected”, with 30% of visitors going as far as to say that digital experiences are too limited for what they provide. Additionally, a quarter of guests have said that digital experiences are difficult to find or not easy to access.
V&A finishes moving collections to east London storehouse
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has completed the biggest collections move in its history, with more than 250,000 objects, 1,000 archival collections and 350,000 library books now relocated to its new storage and research centre in east London.
The four-year project saw the institution decant its collections from its former storage site in Blythe House, which it shared with the British Museum and the Science Museum Group, to the new V&A East Storehouse in Stratford, which will open to the public next year.
The work was led by the V&A’s head of collections move programme, Philippa Mackenzie, and overseen by Kate Parsons, the director of collections care and access.
Attack on Titan attraction coming to Fuji-Q Highland
Among Japanese theme parks, Fuji-Q Highland, located in Yamanashi Prefecture about 90 minutes west from downtown Tokyo, has a reputation as being the one with the scary attractions, such as a haunted hospital and a roller coaster so fast that it broke riders’ bones. Fuji-Q never stops looking for new ways to get guests’ hearts pumping, and their newest plan to do that involves anime hit Attack on Titan.
Set to open later this month is Attack on Titan The Ride: The Battle of Liberio. This is a new program for Fuji-Q’s flight-simulation motion theater ride which uses a gigantic 20-meter (65.6-foot) diameter screen that wraps to the sides, overhead, and beneath the dangling feet of guests for an immersive sensation of flight.
But instead of a leisurely air cruise around Mt. Fuji, for Attack on Titan The Ride: The Battle of Liberio fans will strap in as a new member of the Survey Corps. Apparently there’s no time to ease you in with a... More from SoraNews24
04 Sep 2024
Seattle Aquarium launches 50,000sq ft Ocean Pavilion expansion
The Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion transports passersby from the concrete shore of the Salish Sea — with groaning ferry horns, electric bikes whizzing by and schools of pedestrians spilling off nearby cruise ships — to a tropical oasis.
The building’s design, overseen by Seattle-based architecture firm LMN and Thinc Design, is state-of-the-art. Gone are the dark tunnels illuminated by exhibits in traditional aquariums. At the cedar, concrete and glass Ocean Pavilion, natural light and a view of the bay are blended with blissful scenes from the turquoise seas and mangrove trees of Indonesia.
The cars and trucks that once rumbled through downtown Seattle on the Alaskan Way Viaduct have been replaced by... More from The Seattle Times
04 Sep 2024
Alterface’s first Moviemax attraction makes debut in Saint-Tropez
Alterface’s Moviemax has made its debut in Saint-Tropez’s Azur Park, with the attraction’s first season hailed as an “unqualified success”.
Targeting fairs and other touring attractions, Moviemax is housed inside a 40ft (12.2m) container, which can be transformed into a 90sq m (969sq ft) theatre for thirteen players at a time in just a few hours.
Planet Attractions teams up with Park World for Park World Excellence Awards 2024
Planet Attractions and Park World will once again partner on this year’s Park World Excellence Awards, with both publications jointly announcing a renewed partnership for the 2024 edition.
Working together for the second consecutive year on the awards, this year, Planet Attractions’ Editor-in-Chief, Tom Anstey, joins the judging panel for the prestigious awards, which have been firmly established as one of the attractions industry’s leading award schemes since its inception in 2018.
Survey explores future of digital experiences for visitor attractions
A third of visitors say that digital experiences are too limited for what they provide
Leading mobile solutions provider Attractions.io has explored the digital experience of the future, asking if an operator’s plans for technology investments will meet the expectations of guests.
Working alongside SSA Ventures, initial research was based on data collected from 1,000 attraction guests across both the US and Europe, with more than 200 operators contributing to the survey.
Pop-up Beetlejuice experience has opened in LA ahead of the theatrical release of highly-anticipated sequel
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice The Afterlife Experience’ brings visitors face-to-face with the titular trickster Credit: Fever
Warner Bros. Discovery has teamed up with live event discovery platform Fever to launch a new Beetlejuice-themed pop-up experience in the US.
Called ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience’, the immersive experience celebrates the upcoming release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the highly-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic film Beetlejuice.
Blenheim Palace first appeared in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story as Buckingham House Credit: Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, UK, has announced the launch of several experiences based on the popular Netflix Bridgerton.
Acting as the backdrop for the period drama, Blenheim Palace has already launched a Bridgerton-themed film trail, which has been extended until November 25th.
13 Sep 2024 Connect&GO strengthens leadership team with three new appointments
Gautier Poiret, Stéphane St-Arnauld and Cédric Dutertre have joined Connect&Go in senior roles Credit: Connect&Go
Integrated attractions management platform Connect&GO has announced the addition of three new members to its leadership team.
Bringing 15 years of experience in digital marketing, product strategy, and team leadership, Gautier Poiret joins Connect&GO from Laps, where he previously served as VP of Marketing & Products. In his new role as vice president of Marketing for Connect&GO, Poiret will work to enhance brand visibility, optimise marketing expenditures, and lead a selection of large, multidisciplinary teams within the company.
12 Sep 2024 Valo Motion to showcase three new mixed-reality games at IAAPA Expo Europe
Valo Motion has expanded its game catalogue with three new original games Credit: Valo Motion
Valo Motion is set to offer new, original mixed-reality games for its ValoClimb, ValoJump and ValoArena platforms, with the content to be showcased at the upcoming IAAPA Expo Europe.
Exhibiting at IAAPA for the eighth time, Valo Motion has more than 220,000 of its games played daily across 1,350 installations in more than 75 countries.
12 Sep 2024 Seychelles' giant tortoises under threat from luxury hotel development
The habitat of the largest giant tortoise population in the world is threatened by a Qatari-funded hotel development that aims to bring luxury yachts, private jets and well-heeled tourists to a remote island in the Indian Ocean, conservationists have warned.
Plans for an upscale resort on Assomption, which is part of the Aldabra island group, are currently under discussion by the Seychelles authorities, and construction is already finished on an airport expansion that would allow bigger aircraft to land on the 11.6-sq-km (4.5-sq-mile) coral island.
The developers have said they will follow world class sustainability practices. But wildlife conservation organisations and biologists argue that the project is being rushed through without sufficient analysis of the dangers. They say it should be halted until there is independent scrutiny of the risks posed to island fauna, which also include whales, turtles and many species of birds.
12 Sep 2024 Zoo animals escape in Nigeria following floods
Officials from a zoo in north-east Nigeria have confirmed that some wild animals had escaped from captivity after flooding hit Borno state.
Videos of some of the creatures on the streets of the state capital, Maiduguri, have been widely shared on social media.
Ali Donbest, who runs the Sanda Kyarimi Zoo, told the BBC that he does not know exactly how many animals are free but a hunt is on to locate them. One ostrich has been found but he advised residents to be careful.
Local media are reporting that Maiduguri is experiencing flooding on a scale that has not been seen for three decades with many forced to leave their homes.
12 Sep 2024 Brooklyn Museum rebranded after 200 years
Can a 200-year-old institution rebrand as cutting edge? The Brooklyn Museum is attempting to do just that with its new logo design.
The new “visual identity” of the museum entails a sans serif font, new ligatures featuring an overlapping ‘o’ in Brooklyn and a combined ‘u’ and ‘m’ at the end of museum, and two dots surrounding the institution’s name intended to mimic those that frame the names of ancient philosophers, playwrights, and poets on the building’s facade.
“This reference to writers and thinkers links to our beginnings as a library and to the intersectional nature of the arts,” the museum stated in a release.
11 Sep 2024 Northumberland Zoo viral video ‘hits different’
Northumberland Zoo has ‘hit different’ with a video posted to TikTok that has been viewed millions of times on the social media platform.
Starring the zoo’s directors, Brian and Linda Bradley, the pair in their 60s use modern slang in a bid to draw in visitors and attention to the attraction.
"It's weird for me because I've made my parents go viral around the world,” said Maxine Bradley, the zoo’s manager and the daughter of the couple, speaking to ITV. “Everyone finds it funny but I find it weird.”
11 Sep 2024 Natural History Museum debuts mixed reality experience highlighting climate crisis
London’s Natural History Museum has unveiled its first-ever mixed-reality tour, with visitors invited to travel a century into the future to see how the natural world has responded to the actions we take today,
Utilising Microsoft’s mixed reality headset, the immersive experience was created by the Natural History Museum, Microsoft and SAOLA Studio, with research by the museum’s scientists informing the narrative.
The species featured, which are experienced as interactive holographic animations in the Microsoft headset, come to life in the Museum’s Darwin Centre. The tour features a selection of the Museum’s 80 million physical specimens, including a cuttlefish, Darwin’s frog and coconut crab.
“Visions of Nature is an incredibly exciting, immersive experience - and the first offering of its kind for the museum,” said Dr Alex Burch, NHM’s director of Public Programmes.
“Whilst visually beautiful, it also delivers a powerful message that the actions we take now can have a positive impact on the future.
“It presses fast-forward so visitors can see how nature has responded, for better and for worse, to the aftermath of centuries of human industrial activity as well as to the interventions we have introduced to remedy our unsustainable activity.
“We hope that visitors to Visions of Nature leave with a greater confidence to discuss the type of future they’d like to build and are driven to be part of the response to the planetary emergency.”
11 Sep 2024 Universal set to debut Wicked-themed retail experiences at US parks
Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort are both inviting guests to experience immersive attractions and exclusive merchandise based on the upcoming Wicked.
Opening in late October, Universal Orlando Resort will welcome guests to ‘Wicked: The Experience’, which will bring guests up close with a number of iconic locations from the Land of Oz, including the Yellow Brick Road, Shiz University and the Emerald City. Inside, costumes and props created by the designers from the film will also be on display.
Meanwhile, at Universal Studios Hollywood, the Feature Presentation store within the theme park, and UNIVRS store at Universal CityWalk Hollywood will both be transformed into Wicked-themed experiences including showcase film props and a photo opportunity.
At the core of both experiences is the retail element, which will offer a variety of merchandise and exclusive products.
11 Sep 2024 UK Theme Park Awards head to Thorpe Park for 2024 edition
Thorpe Park’s Hyperia is up for Best New Attraction in this year’s UK Theme Park Awards Credit: Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park will be the host for this year’s UK Theme Park Awards, with George Akid set to return to his role as presenter for the awards ceremony at the popular attraction.
Representing the leading public facing awards for the UK theme park industry, the UK Theme Park Awards recognise the best rides and attractions, shows and events, as well as the theme parks offering the best customer service and value.
10 Sep 2024 Immersive Squid Game experience coming to New York
Squid Game: The Experience is coming to New York City in October as Netflix is stirring up interest in another upcoming season of the streaming series.
On top of that, a multiplayer video game Squid Game: Unleashed, featuring series characters and all the competitive fun, is set to release later this year.
The idea is to make people feel like they’re insight the cutthroat environment of Squid Game, a fictional reality show where the losers go home in body bags.
10 Sep 2024 Hertfordshire Zoo opens native species survival trail
Hertfordshire Zoo has opened a new area dedicated to UK species and their conservation.
The zoo marked National Wildlife Day by unveiling its latest conservation initiative — the UK Centre for Species Survival Trail for British native species.
This new trail, dedicated to highlighting the rich biodiversity of Britain’s native wildlife, was officially opened by Annie Brewster JP, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, alongside CBBC TV presenter and TikTok wildlife influencer Cam Whitnall.
This trail comes at a crucial time as the UK faces a severe biodiversity crisis, with 41 per cent of species in decline and 15 per cent at risk of extinction since 1970.
Auckland Castle – the historic residence of the Prince Bishops of Durham – is to be renamed Auckland Palace.
The palace is part of the Auckland Project in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, a multi-site cultural destination that includes the Faith Museum, the Spanish Gallery and Mining Art Gallery.
The palace recently completed the biggest phase of development for centuries, which included major restoration and conservation work between 2016-2019 and the opening of the Faith Museum in a new extension to the 14th-century Scotland Wing last year.
10 Sep 2024 Best of British as UK Pavilion returns for IAAPA Expo Europe
Experience UK is bringing the UK Pavilion back to IAAPA Expo Europe for its sixth edition, with some of the UK’s top suppliers to the attractions industry set to be represented at the event.
Working in partnership with the British government and the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Experience UK is hosting the pavilion, which will act as a “centrepiece of British excellence in the leisure and attractions industry”.
09 Sep 2024 Giant-8-Loop on show as Maurer Rides heads to Amsterdam for IAAPA Expo Europe
Maurer Rides will be showing off a number of innovations including its Spike Giant-8-Loop at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, with the new attraction offering guests the chance to “ride the impossible” with a design “coaster designers have been dreaming about for decades”.
Featuring Spike ASM technology, the rollercoaster offers a “wow factor” to parks with its distinct design, centred by a figure of eight design.
06 Sep 2024 A third of guests want attractions to up their game when it comes to mobile food and beverage ordering
A new survey has revealed that around a third of visitors to attractions would like to see investment made when it comes to mobile food and beverage ordering.
Working alongside SSA Ventures, initial research by Attractions.io was based on data collected from 1,000 attraction guests across both the US and Europe, with more than 200 operators contributing to the study.
Looking at the impact of technology on visitor experiences, it was revealed that a significant portion of guests would like improvements made to F&B order systems, also adding that they would also interested in technology being used to incentivise repeat visits with offers and rewards.
In addition, for technology use to be successful, it must add to or aid, not distract. Along these lines, more than a quarter of respondents said that existing digital experiences can prove a distraction, rather than an aid.
06 Sep 2024 Myths come to life at Ripley’s Aquarium’s newest Toronto exhibit
Fantasy fans and nature enthusiasts rejoice! There’s an epic new exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto and it’s all about legendary dragons.
Get ready to be entranced by these awe-inspiring creatures, whose mythical tales have enchanted hearts and minds for generations.
Will you be brave enough to enter the dragon’s lair? Here’s a closer look at what’s in store.
Opening Thursday, September 5, the Dragons exhibit is set to showcase ten remarkable animals that embody the essence of mythical dragons from diverse cultures worldwide.
Interactive displays and tactile models are designed to educate visitors of all ages, so be sure to bring the whole family!
Visitors will get to meet the Siren, an aquatic marvel with feathery gills and a... More from Daily Hive
06 Sep 2024 Nicolas Fournier named sales director for Triotech
Triotech has named industry veteran Nicolas Fournier as its new sales director, with Fournier set to focus on expanding the company’s position in the Family Entertainment Center market in Canada and Europe, as well as managing distribution in both regions.
“I'm thrilled to join the Triotech Team and contribute to our continued success,” said Fournier. “Triotech’s commitment to pushing the boundaries aligns perfectly with my passion for creating exceptional guest experiences.”
Yannick Gemme, vice president of Sales and Marketing at Triotech, added: “We're excited to welcome Nicolas to the Triotech team. His deep experience in entertainment, coupled with his strategic insight, makes him the ideal choice to propel our growth and expand our global footprint.”
06 Sep 2024 Warner Bros brings parks, tours, exhibitions and more under one roof with Global Experiences division
Warner Bros Discovery Global Experiences brings WBD’s attractions portfolio under one umbrella Credit: Warner Bros Studio Tour
Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has announced a new global structure for the company’s worldwide studio tours, retail destinations, touring exhibitions, and all location-based experiences, bringing together the existing licensed entertainment and owned and operated teams into a single global division.
Called Warner Bros Discovery Global Experiences, the new division will aim to expand WBD’s fan-facing experiences while also pursuing new businesses that capitalise on the company’s portfolio of global IPs.
05 Sep 2024 Museum visitors in Wales pass 1.5 million for first time since Covid
Visitor numbers to Wales' national museums have jumped by 20% over the last year.
Attendances have increased across the seven sites - passing the 1.5m mark again for the first time since Covid.
But figures are still not back to the pre-pandemic levels, when they were close to 1.9m.
Museum Wales said: "Despite having to operate in an increasingly challenging environment, we’re pleased that visitors continue to return and engage with our diverse collections, quality programmes and services."
05 Sep 2024 First-of-its-kind Hello Kitty and Friends Café to open at Universal's CityWalk
Get ready to roll out the pink carpet because Hello Kitty is soon to become a permanent fixture at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe and the Sanrio Smile Shop both open to the public Friday at Universal CityWalk.
The Sanrio-themed cafe — the first of its kind in Los Angeles — is a can't miss attraction with Hello Kitty's giant signature bow signage greeting guests upon entry. The sweet treats and specialty beverages on the menu include the Hello Kitty mousse dome, signature birthday cake, a macaron set and more.
The half a dozen beverages are named after Hello Kitty and her friends: the Hello Kitty strawberry green iced tea, the My Melody lemonade, the Kuromi berry iced tea, the Tuxedosam lemonade, the Keroppi matcha latte and the Chococat frozen mocha.
05 Sep 2024 Embed heads to Amsterdam for IAAPA Expo Europe
Embed is set to showcase a range of technologies at IAAPA Expo Europe Credit: Embed
Embed is heading to Amsterdam for this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, with the cashless solutions provider set to showcase some of its breakthrough innovations at the landmark event.
Sharing a range of Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, the company is targeting the market in a time where FECs in Europe are worth an estimated US$1.82bn annually, with compound annual growth of 7.4% through to the end of 2031.
05 Sep 2024 More than half of visitors willing to pay a premium for superior experiences
Ahead of a webinar taking place on September 11th, Attractions.io has revealed some key findings from a study, which has revealed that 63% of guests are willing to pay more for tickets in the future if it guarantees a superior experience.
Working alongside SSA Ventures, initial research was based on data collected from 1,000 attraction guests across both the US and Europe, with more than 200 operators contributing to the survey.
While guests are willing to pay more for a superior experiences, existing experiences with technology have been found to be either average or “as expected”, with 30% of visitors going as far as to say that digital experiences are too limited for what they provide. Additionally, a quarter of guests have said that digital experiences are difficult to find or not easy to access.
04 Sep 2024 V&A finishes moving collections to east London storehouse
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has completed the biggest collections move in its history, with more than 250,000 objects, 1,000 archival collections and 350,000 library books now relocated to its new storage and research centre in east London.
The four-year project saw the institution decant its collections from its former storage site in Blythe House, which it shared with the British Museum and the Science Museum Group, to the new V&A East Storehouse in Stratford, which will open to the public next year.
The work was led by the V&A’s head of collections move programme, Philippa Mackenzie, and overseen by Kate Parsons, the director of collections care and access.
04 Sep 2024 Attack on Titan attraction coming to Fuji-Q Highland
Among Japanese theme parks, Fuji-Q Highland, located in Yamanashi Prefecture about 90 minutes west from downtown Tokyo, has a reputation as being the one with the scary attractions, such as a haunted hospital and a roller coaster so fast that it broke riders’ bones. Fuji-Q never stops looking for new ways to get guests’ hearts pumping, and their newest plan to do that involves anime hit Attack on Titan.
Set to open later this month is Attack on Titan The Ride: The Battle of Liberio. This is a new program for Fuji-Q’s flight-simulation motion theater ride which uses a gigantic 20-meter (65.6-foot) diameter screen that wraps to the sides, overhead, and beneath the dangling feet of guests for an immersive sensation of flight.
But instead of a leisurely air cruise around Mt. Fuji, for Attack on Titan The Ride: The Battle of Liberio fans will strap in as a new member of the Survey Corps. Apparently there’s no time to ease you in with a... More from SoraNews24
The Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion transports passersby from the concrete shore of the Salish Sea — with groaning ferry horns, electric bikes whizzing by and schools of pedestrians spilling off nearby cruise ships — to a tropical oasis.
The building’s design, overseen by Seattle-based architecture firm LMN and Thinc Design, is state-of-the-art. Gone are the dark tunnels illuminated by exhibits in traditional aquariums. At the cedar, concrete and glass Ocean Pavilion, natural light and a view of the bay are blended with blissful scenes from the turquoise seas and mangrove trees of Indonesia.
The cars and trucks that once rumbled through downtown Seattle on the Alaskan Way Viaduct have been replaced by... More from The Seattle Times
04 Sep 2024 Alterface’s first Moviemax attraction makes debut in Saint-Tropez
Alterface’s Moviemax has made its debut in Saint-Tropez’s Azur Park, with the attraction’s first season hailed as an “unqualified success”.
Targeting fairs and other touring attractions, Moviemax is housed inside a 40ft (12.2m) container, which can be transformed into a 90sq m (969sq ft) theatre for thirteen players at a time in just a few hours.
04 Sep 2024 Planet Attractions teams up with Park World for Park World Excellence Awards 2024
Planet Attractions and Park World will once again partner on this year’s Park World Excellence Awards, with both publications jointly announcing a renewed partnership for the 2024 edition.
Working together for the second consecutive year on the awards, this year, Planet Attractions’ Editor-in-Chief, Tom Anstey, joins the judging panel for the prestigious awards, which have been firmly established as one of the attractions industry’s leading award schemes since its inception in 2018.
04 Sep 2024 Survey explores future of digital experiences for visitor attractions
A third of visitors say that digital experiences are too limited for what they provide
Leading mobile solutions provider Attractions.io has explored the digital experience of the future, asking if an operator’s plans for technology investments will meet the expectations of guests.
Working alongside SSA Ventures, initial research was based on data collected from 1,000 attraction guests across both the US and Europe, with more than 200 operators contributing to the survey.
03 Sep 2024 Pop-up Beetlejuice experience has opened in LA ahead of the theatrical release of highly-anticipated sequel
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice The Afterlife Experience’ brings visitors face-to-face with the titular trickster Credit: Fever
Warner Bros. Discovery has teamed up with live event discovery platform Fever to launch a new Beetlejuice-themed pop-up experience in the US.
Called ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience’, the immersive experience celebrates the upcoming release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the highly-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic film Beetlejuice.
