Sally Dark Rides, a leading creator of immersive attractions, is celebrating an industry award win for a prestigious project for a new US theme park.
Winning the Golden Ticket Award category of Best New Family Attraction of 2022, Volkanu – Quest for the Golden Idol is an original dark ride experience, which was designed and produced by Sally Dark Rides.
Runner-ups in the category included attractions at EPCOT, Futurescope, Gardaland and Six Flags Over Texas. Lost Island Themepark opened in June 2022 in Waterloo, Iowa, adjacent to the existing Lost Island Waterpark.
The 90-acre attraction comprises five themed lands featuring three roller coasters and a signature dark ride by Sally Dark Rides. Lost Island Themepark is owned by the Bertch family, with consturction beginning on August 2019, leading to an official opening on 18 June 2022.
Sally Dark Rides turnkeyed the headline attraction, ready for the debut season. The firm was responsible for story, ride design, fabrication, and installation.
Ride the adventure
Found in the park’s mythical Mura realm, representing the element of fire, Volkanu – Quest for the Golden Idol features a park-based storyline, around the great god of fire who lives deep inside the Lost Island volcano. Riders are taken on a fast-paced adventure to find a sacred Ora-Tika statue which will keep Volkanu dormant, returning it to an altar to restore peace within the island.
The 4D attraction integrates a custom storyline, trackless vehicles and interactive gaming elements with immersive scenery and animatronics. Special effects including wind and fire add to the realism of the experience.
Volkanu’s lead designer and VP of creative design, Drew Hunter, says:
“This is a wonderful recognition and a superb testament to the creativity and determination of all who have worked so hard to make VOLKANU and the Lost Island Themepark a success!”
Last year, Sally Dark Rides presented a pirate-themed interactive dark ride at IAAPA Expo in Orlando, in partnership with Daniels Wood Land.
