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The rise in adventure parks, active entertainment and outdoor experiences

Opinion
Zipline over river

There is a recent global trend for more active forms of entertainment, such as adventure parks, outdoor activities and adrenaline-pumping experiences.

In the first of three updates from the team here at The Park Database, we explore the rise of active entertainment and adventure parks.

When our researcher sent around the below chart and asked us to guess what kind of attractions these dot clusters represented, we have to admit we were completely wrong.  These are not FECs or trampoline parks, nor any other typically clustered attraction type. They are, in fact, adventure parks.

Park Database adventure Eastern Europe

Adventure parks

There are areas in the world where certain theme park ‘types’ proliferate – mega theme parks in Orlando, indoor waterparks in Wisconsin Dells – and we are chagrined to admit that we didn’t know Eastern Europe was so completely dotted with adventure parks and rope courses.

These low-investment, low-impact seasonal operations offer a range of highly active elements, with ropes and obstacle courses, zorbing, hiking, and other outdoor activities the norm.  Targeting both school and corporate groups, as well as families, the parks are a highly social environment.

Active entertainment

In the rest of the world, we’re beginning to see a rise in more active entertainment, in both indoor and outdoor formats.  Discovery Adventures Park, District 21, and Sports Monster are some higher profile outdoor-based examples.

Indoor climbing wall adventure parks

Indoors, many trampoline parks and FECs are beginning to incorporate indoor zipline “coasters”, ninja warrior courses, rope courses, climbing walls, and other highly active features.  We for one, hope the trend is here to stay.  And for developers considering such types, this region may be one to learn from.

Some common elements of these adventure parks include:

  • Ziplines
  • Rope bridges and courses
  • Zorbing over water and on land
  • Observation towers that double as bungee platforms
  • Climbing walls
  • ATV/offroading adventures
  • Tubing, over artificial grass slopes
  • Ninja park (obstacle courses)
  • Mazes, both suspended on ropes and on the ground
  • Archery ranges
  • Longboard/scooter trails
  • Paddleboarding and boating
  • Sports facilities such as trampoline parks, mini football pitches
  • Amenities such as restaurants and accommodations, facility rental

Zorbing on water active entertainment

In our next post, we will be exploring the state of the market in our industry review, followed by a closer look at attraction business models.

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The Park Database

The Park Database is the leading market intelligence solution for the attractions industry. https://www.theparkdb.com/

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