Alterface, a leader in interactive technology, is celebrating the opening of SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride at The Land of Legends in Antalya, Turkey. This is another successful collaboration between Alterface and Sally Dark Rides.
After its successful debut at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the ride made its international premiere at Nickelodeon Land in The Land of Legends on 1 March 2025.
This opening represents a significant milestone as the first SpongeBob SquarePants dark ride outside the United States, giving fans from Turkey and beyond the opportunity to dive into the lively, entertaining, and chaotic realm of Bikini Bottom.
Interactive family fun
SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride, built around a beloved IP, offers a joyful family experience. Its humour, character-driven storytelling, and entertaining gameplay immerse guests of all ages in the whimsical world of Bikini Bottom, allowing them to actively participate in the SpongeBob story.
The attraction, designed and manufactured by Sally Dark Rides, welcomes visitors to Mr. Krabs’ zany carnival. Here, SpongeBob, Patrick, and their friends are using a delivery of Krabby Patty ingredients for midway games while trying to fend off Plankton. Drawing on its proven expertise in interactive systems, Alterface supplied the advanced shooting system and responsive show control, guaranteeing a smooth experience for riders.
The integration of storytelling with interactive gameplay was a primary goal for the ride, with Alterface’s technology being essential to maintaining this balance. Rather than using a conventional shooting gun, riders are provided with a wand-like Zapper. This intentional selection creates an intuitive interface, enabling riders to immerse themselves in the experience and actively contribute to the evolving narrative powered by Alterface’s technology.
A solid partnership
Alterface has established a solid reputation for merging well-known intellectual properties with advanced interactive technology to design truly immersive rides. This is exemplified by its collaboration with Sally Dark Rides on the successful Justice League attraction series. SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride continues this legacy, providing an engaging experience that transcends conventional dark rides by immersing guests in the story through interactive gameplay.
“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Sally Dark Rides,” says Stéphane Battaille, CEO of Alterface. “Our collaboration on SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride exemplifies our shared commitment to creating immersive and memorable attractions.”
The attraction features the IDR trackless Mystic Mover system from ETF Ride Systems, a leading ride designer and manufacturer, leading guests through six interactive scenes that combine 2D media with physical targets. Alterface’s technology places riders in the centre of the story by triggering and adjusting sound, animatronics, media, and special effects in real time, depending on the exact location of each vehicle within a scene.
“The interactive elements are perfectly aligned, creating an energetic and dynamic experience. Our system allows players to become the central protagonists, as the story is directly driven by their actions,” says Battaille. “Additionally, Sally Dark Rides did an incredible job bringing the unmistakable humor of the SpongeBob series to life through a storyline and gameplay that are easy to understand, fast-paced, and packed with fun.”
Enter the world of SpongeBob
During the ride, each vividly themed game station comes alive with high-resolution laser projectors. Alterface’s technology enables players to hit targets on various surfaces, including a giant LED screen in the concluding scene that nearly reaches the ceiling.
Additionally, physical Easter eggs are hidden throughout the ride, rewarding guests who discover and activate them with bonus points. This blend of interactive gameplay and multiple media formats—complete with five animatronic figures—and Alterface’s adaptable technology results in a memorable experience.
At the ride’s conclusion, a “Hall of Fame” feature displays player scores, adding a competitive spirit and motivating guests to return.
Since its debut, SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride has captivated guests at The Land of Legends through engaging storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and interactive gaming elements.
“As a huge SpongeBob fan, I absolutely love this attraction!” said Battaille. “It feels like stepping into Bikini Bottom and being part of an episode from the series. We are excited to continue this successful partnership with Sally Dark Rides and we hope that it will lead to many more SpongeBob rides worldwide.”
Alterface recently launched Action League Popcorn Revenge at Suzhou Paradise Forest World, marking the first Action League attraction in China.
