Attractions news…
Super Nintendo World music video and wearable wristbands; Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens; Harry Potter flagship for NYC; CES 2020; AI robot ‘Musio’ at V&A Dundee; Gusteau’s restaurant at Epcot; Ocean Park redevelopment; Anakeesta expansion; retail trends; Museum of London; RWS 2.0 expansion; Chessington’s ‘Rainforest Land’; and BRICKLIVE Peppa Pig tours.
Watch the news in 3 minutes
For a quick run through of our most eye-catching stories see our briefing video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv4JbJjtyhE
Read the news in 5 minutes
Theme parks
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has finally opened at Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. In the early hours of Friday morning (January 17), visitors were queuing for the immersive attraction in California.
Disneyland released a guide to virtual queues, as well as planning tips, prior to the opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. A virtual queue, or boarding group, will be implemented as needed.
Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee announced $6m expansion plans for 2020. The theme park is adding a new restaurant, interactive family area, water play area, and observation tower.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort announced that ‘Rainforest Land’ will open in 2020. The new area will include three new rides and is inspired by the rainforest. Patchwork elephant Elmer is also coming to Chessington.
Ocean Park Hong Kong has unveiled the master plan for its HK$10.6 billion redevelopment. The theme park will boast new zones and thrill rides, and is putting an end to animal shows.
Nintendo released a new music video from Galantis and Charli XCX, ‘We Are Born To Play’, to promote the Super Nintendo World expansion at Universal Studios Japan.
Universal Studios Japan also released new information about Super Nintendo World, unveiling the expansion’s state-of-the-art technology and wearable wristbands, called Power Up Bands.
Walt Disney World Resort has unveiled a first look at the new sign for Gusteau’s restaurant, which has been installed at the France pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot, as part of its historic transformation.
Technology
CES 2020, the world’s largest and most influential tech event, wrapped after the debut of more than 20,000 products. These unveiled the future of technology, with key themes including AI, 5G, and mobile technology.
Super League Gaming has partnered with Wanda Media to host esports events and tournaments at more than 700 theatres across China, owned and operated by Wanda. These will be transformed into esports venues.
AKA is showcasing its English conversational artificial intelligence robot ‘Musio’ at the V&A Dundee’s current exhibition, ‘Hello, Robot. Design Between Human and Machine’. The exhibition explores our relationships with robotics.
Retail
Warner Bros is opening the first official Harry Potter flagship store in New York City. Coming this summer, it will have the world’s largest collection of Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter merchandise.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) unveiled its biggest retail trends report to date. It predicts that by 2025, more than half of retail space in shops will be dedicated to providing experiences.
Museums
The Museum of London has submitted a planning application to create a £337m world-class cultural destination at West Smithfield. The attraction is relocating and set to open in 2024.
onePULSE Foundation has issued a request for proposals seeking an owner’s representative to manage finalising design and construction of the new $35m National Pulse Memorial and Museum.
Resorts World Sentosa is preparing for its expansion and transformation (RWS 2.0) with the closure of two attractions, the Maritime Experiential Museum and the Crane Dance. This makes way for new attractions.
New attractions
BRICKLIVE International signed a license agreement with Entertainment One to produce themed tours associated with animated TV series Peppa Pig, with the first Peppa Pig BRICKLIVE tour launching in Q3 2020.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio is expanding its rhino habitat, which will be named the Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve. Opening in spring 2020, construction has started on the $2.5 million project.
attractionsTECH at ISE
For the third year, Blooloop is partnering with ISE to deliver attractionsTECH – a morning conference looking at cutting edge technology in visitor attractions. We will feature the latest in interactive and immersive technology in visitor attractions including artainment; look at integrating AV and multimedia on coasters with Mack Rides; and attempt to improvise a concept for a themed attraction in 20 minutes with Holovis.
Join us on the morning of February 14th at the Okura in Amsterdam for a fast-paced review of attractions technology trends, followed by a networking lunch.
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