Merlin Entertainments has unveiled two new immersive attractions for the US, Super Neon and Wondra, in Minneapolis and Chicago respectively.
Announced earlier this month, Super Neon is created by Merlin’s creative division, Merlin Magic Making, and Fever, a leading global live entertainment discovery platform.
Described as an illuminated, mood-enhancing wonderland, Super Neon is opening at the Mall of America, North America’s largest shopping and entertainment complex, on 12 September.
The 11,700-square-foot space is a neon playground offering experiences such as a colourful rainstorm with underwater umbrellas hanging from the sky, and a magical forest where towering trees come to life.
As for Wondra, another partnership with Fever, this is a fantastical, nature-infused experience opening in the Chicago area’s Woodfield Mall on 5 September.
An 11,500-square-foot venue, Wondra invites guests to discover the wonders of the natural world, from a dreamy sky filled with personalised clouds to interactive flowers and meadows.
Super Neon and Wondra to open this year
“Wondra is rooted in the idea that people are drawn to nature and we all crave more of it in our lives,” said Liz Cummings, Merlin Magic Making’s creative lead for new products and concepts.
“Super Neon all started with the trend and fascination in awe-inspiring lighting installations and how light has a mood-boosting impact on us all.
“By making these world-first attractions from start to finish in less than a year, we can hone in on current trends and make them relevant for our guests immediately.
“Throughout the creation of Wondra and Super Neon, we’ve had to completely rethink how we bring attractions to life, working differently with our teams to deliver faster while still bringing the depth, quality, and signature Merlin magic our guests expect.”
Wondra and Super Neon are new concepts from Merlin, and come amid a growing trend for immersive experiences.
Tom Mcelwee, RGM North America at Fever, added: “Wondra is imaginative, meaningful, and designed to connect guests to the wonder of nature in a whole new way.
“Super Neon is a perfect example of immersive storytelling done right. It’s imaginative, meaningful, and designed to spark wonder while elevating the senses.”
Images courtesy of Merlin and Fever
