Sub Sea Systems, Inc. (SSS), a company specialising in immersive, memorable and hands-on aquatic encounters that educate through entertainment, is celebrating the official launch of the world’s first Aquaticar underwater adventure ride at Aquarabia, Qiddiya City.
The unique storytelling adventure ride, Aquaticar: Legend of the Glowing Guardian, welcomed its first visitors on 23 April.
Aquarabia is the largest water theme park in the Middle East.
See also: Creating Aquarabia: innovation in water park design
Produced by Sub Sea Systems in California, Legend of the Glowing Guardian is billed as the world's first underwater theme park ride.
The TUV SUD Certified Aquaticar ride system takes guests on an underwater journey to a lost city featuring mythical creatures, colourful effects, and immersive storytelling.
Bubble-powered adventure
Guests drive submersible vehicles powered by the patented Bubble Engine. This uses air released from the track as the cars pass over to propel the vehicles through the experience.
Each Aquaticar vehicle can carry two passengers, from 122 cm (48 in) tall.
The diving experience takes visitors down into the underwater world, immersing guests in the environment while keeping them dry from the mid-chest up. As such, guests can take photos and record videos with their phones. Waterproof cases are available at the park.
After dry-loading at the ride station, the vehicles enter the water via a slope and descend into a magical underwater world, delivered using underwater theming, synchronised narration, music, and large underwater LED screens.
Two-thirds of the ride is set beneath rockwork, with unique lighting and visuals that create an environment similar to a dark ride.
At the end of the 5-minute experience, the vehicle returns to the surface using an ascending conveyor.
Aquaticar: Legend of the Glowing Guardian at night
Last year, Sub Sea Systems provided its small watercraft, SolarCat, to Crystal Lagoons for Evermore Orlando Resort and the Cotino Storyliving by Disney community.
This solar-electric, motorised chaise lounge/pontoon boat is designed for watercraft and beach rental operations and is popular with cruise lines for passenger use at private island destinations.
