Welcome to the blooloop briefing; a roundup of attractions news from the last seven days.
In the news this week – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland appears uncrowded; Jurassic World – The Ride is open; new investment in theme parks, water parks and FECs and a Tinder-style app for art museums.
Watch the news in 3 minutes
For a quick run through the week’s most eye-catching stories see our briefing video:
Read the news in 5 minutes
Theme parks
New aerial images seemingly reveal Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is experiencing lighter crowds than anticipated. The photos, from Nearmap, were taken on July 4, which is usually one of the busiest days of the year for Disneyland.
Universal Studios Hollywood has officially opened its new immersive attraction, Jurassic World – The Ride, and released an image of the ride’s new dinosaur, the Mosasaurus, seen cracking the glass of her giant aquarium.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in NJ has debuted its largest expansion yet with Calypso Springs, which features an enormous, 100,000-gallon activity pool with an obelisk-style fountain that spontaneously erupts.
Tokyo DisneySea will open its new flight motion-simulator attraction, Soaring: Fantastic Flight, on Tuesday (July 23). Tokyo Disney Resort has also released a preview video of the ride.
Perhutani, a state-owned forestry firm in Jakarta, plans to build a Disneyland-style eco theme park in the Indonesian province of West Java. The project will also boast a safari park, adventure park and water park.
Lost Island Waterpark is expanding with a $100 million (£80m) theme park. The project, known as Lost Island Themepark, will feature rides and attractions to immerse guests in a magical land.
Technology
The High Museum of Art has launched a Tinder-style app for art, Heartmatch, which lets users swipe right and left on artworks they like or don’t like. The app then gives them a customised map showing where the artworks are displayed.
Microsoft has announced the latest addition to its $125m AI for Good project, AI for Cultural Heritage, which will use AI to support the people and organisations attempting to preserve and enrich cultural heritage.
Comcast NBCUniversal has announced 11 startups for its second LIFT Labs Accelerator, which includes companies using facial recognition, AI voice transformation, and interactive sports tech.
French multiplex company CGR Cinemas has revealed the first ICE Theater in the US is heading to the Regal LA LIVE, which will use its ‘Immersive Cinema Experience’ tech, in a partnership with AEG.
London’s bridges are being illuminated in a new project to create the longest public artwork in the world on the River Thames. Illuminated River will light up 15 bridges at a cost of £45 million.
LBE and FECs
The Wolf of Wall Street is being made into an immersive production in London, set in ’90s New York and telling the story of Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese’s 2013 movie.
Scene75 is opening soon in Columbus with a dark ride, laser tag, arcade games, escape rooms and a coaster. Scene75 Columbus will be one of the largest family entertainment centers in the US.
B&B Theatres is building a state-of-the-art luxury entertainment centre. Twin Creeks B&B Plaza in Kansas City’s Northland will include bowling, movies and an arcade, as well as B&B’s Marquee Bar and Grille.
Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group is spending £3m on Europe’s largest retro and futuristic arcade. ArCains will feature old original games, including retro games from the 1970s, as well as the latest games and virtual reality.
GameWorks is heading to Silicon Valley, taking its eighth venue to Westfield Oakridge. The new location will feature a dedicated esports lounge, an arcade and new experiences, attractions and technology.
Sri Lanka is set to welcome a $4m state-of-the-art family entertainment center, Fantasy Island, located in the Colombo suburb of Battaramulla. It will feature a Ferris wheel, an indoor snow experience, and a large water play area.
Museums
The British Museum has announced a new exhibition spanning five centuries, looking at the influence the Islamic world has had on western art. ‘Inspired by the east’ is a collaboration with the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM).
Studio Egret West has unveiled masterplans for the next phase of development at Horniman Museum & Gardens, which involves enhancing the visitor experience and making the attraction more accessible.
French cruise line company Ponant has teamed up with the Louvre to launch two cultural cruises, Cultural Jewels of the Adriatic and Treasures of the Persian Gulf, with the themes ‘discovery and transmission’.
Tenders
Holocaust Memorial – RFQ to design, create and install memorial.
St Louis Science Center – RFQ exhibit design and development.
St Louis Zoo – RFP POS system.
New York State Gaming Commission – RFP Gaming Market Study.
More tenders HERE.
Announce tenders and proposals for upcoming projects across themed entertainment by sending them to Blooloop. Email them to support@blooloop.com for posting on the site and sharing across social media.
