Las Vegas’ Circus Circus resort has announced an opening date for its new SpongeBob SquarePants-themed dark ride.
Launching on 1 March, the interactive attraction is created by Sally Dark Rides, a leading creator of immersive attractions, in partnership with Paramount, which owns Nickelodeon.
Per a press release, ‘SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride’ is a “hilariously entertaining” attraction that takes guests on a “hijinks-filled ride” through the Bikini Bottom undersea city.
The $6 million ride features colourful sets, special effects, animatronics and vivid projections to immerse guests “in the nautical nonsense of SpongeBob SquarePants“.
First-ever interactive SpongeBob dark ride
“Guests from all over the world will love how the over-the-top optimism and humor that SpongeBob SquarePants embodies is integrated in this exciting new attraction,” said Shana Gerety, senior vice president of operations at Circus Circus.
Marie Marks, senior vice president of themed entertainment at Paramount, added: “We couldn’t be more excited about our collaboration with Circus Circus Las Vegas to bring the first-ever interactive SpongeBob SquarePants dark ride to life.”
SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride will offer 15 scenes, each containing interactive targets. The ride experience begins as Mr. Krabs invites guests to try out his carnival games before his rival, Plankton, comes up with an evil plan.
“For more than 45 years, Sally Dark Rides has been synonymous with developing and installing one-of-a-kind dark ride experiences for the entire family,” said John Wood, president and chairman of Sally Dark Rides, in November.
Riders immersed in “nautical nonsense”
“We understand the importance of meeting every detail and getting everything just right for this special brand.
“Our team has been fully submerged learning each character’s personality and individual traits so that everyone who experiences SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride will feel like they, too, live in a pineapple under the sea.”
ETF Ride Systems, a leading ride designer and manufacturer, delivered the complete, trackless ride system for this ride.
Paramount’s location-based entertainment (LBE) division operates sites across the world, including Nickelodeon hotels and resorts in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya.
Images courtesy of Circus Circus Las Vegas
