Themics Philippines Inc., a turnkey theming, animatronic and lighting expert for the leisure and amusement industry, and Petro Art Production, a leader in artificial rockwork for themed attractions, were commissioned to help bring to life the new Avalon themed area at Attractiepark Toverland in the Netherlands.
The magic-themed Avalon land opened to the public on 1 July 2023 and features four new attractions, Pixarus, Dragonwatch, Jumping Juna and the Garden Tour. The unique theming concept brings together the different elements in the area and creates a truly immersive environment, based on the story of the legendary wizard Merlin.
Themics creates theming and animatronics
In order to let guests participate in the story of Morgana and Merlin and get to know the new park residents, Themics executed a number of animatronics and theming elements across the area.
Dragon chef Spicy Pete is one of the newly developed characters. The theming company’s artists meticulously sculpted the IP character to ensure that the final product stood out from the initial concept. The talented dragon, who occupies the centre of the new square, is always preparing fine meals and chatting with the visitors. In addition, for a small fee, he will provide visitors with a magical surprise.
Additionally, Themics realised the brand-new IP character Juna, which can be seen fluttering its wings during the Garden Tour attraction. The Waterdwarf Alley, where guests can see the people of Avalon in their dwellings, has more animatronics. There are numerous highlights across its three houses.
For instance, when the hourglass is turned in front of the Books and Spells house, onlookers won’t be able to believe what they see. For this, Themics created a number of complex animatronics that had to fit in a very constrained area, including a self-moving chessboard, a writing feather, a falling broom, and other wonders.
Along with these mystical animatronics, Themics also included other effects in the delivered props, like the fish that spouts water or the Morgana dragon figure that shoots snow. Along with adding new attractions, the expansion project has also included Merlin’s Quest, one of the existing rides in the area. Two swamp dragons can now be seen in the water during the boat trip, ready to frighten or even splash some of the passing visitors.
Themics Philippines also provided static theming products in addition to animatronics. The Dragonwatch Tower’s summit, where visitors can get a magnificent view of the area’s numerous dragons, is one highlight. The drop tower takes guests to a height of 17 metres, and the structure itself reaches 40 metres, giving Themics the opportunity to create a park attraction that is noticeable from afar.
Sculpting and rockwork from Petro Art Production
Themics’ scope for the tower ends at the parachute platforms and then, delivering a seamless theming job, Petro Art Production’s artists moulded the tower’s main body from shotcrete to match the already built tower top. The full shotcrete scope of the Avalon extension was created by Petro Art Production as its park debut.
Petro’s artists carefully crafted the distinctive patterns and vines for the Dragonwatch Tower’s body to give it a distinctive appearance. The rockwork specialist was able to ensure that all the features of the meticulously planned, one-of-a-kind tower are completed accurately by carving on scaffolding at tremendous heights.
The façade- and rockwork of various sections of Pixarus, the Sky Fly attraction., were also contracted out to Petro Art Production. A distinctive wave-shaped line that meanders through a significant portion of the queue was carved into the cobblestone façade for the queue area.
Additionally, Petro’s craftspeople styled the iconic Pixarus Tower in the recognisable style that runs through the design of Avalon. Just before entering the attraction, guests may examine both the exterior and interior. Visitors who pay close attention may spot several druid stones near Pixarus that Petro also made. The theming company had to make sure to match their work with the existing style in order to retain recognition and coherence in the park because these distinctive rocks can be seen throughout Toverland.
Avalon provides enchanting encounters for the younger guests too. These include places like the Little Dragons play area. To ensure the safety of all the young dragons, Petro gave the building’s façade an additional smooth feel.
The German-Slovenian rockwork specialist was also involved in several additional themed shotcrete portions to finish the final appearance of Avalon. Petro contributed to the mystical appearance of the homes in Waterdwarf Alley, where rocks and wood seem to blend. In order to complete the tour of Merlin’s garden, more Druid stones, a well, and other rocks were created for various locations throughout the Garden Tour.
Finally, Petro’s and Themics’ work was combined once more, as the company got the opportunity to create the tower for the animatronic Spicy Pete.
A great collaboration
Petro Art Production and Themics Philippines Inc. say that they are honoured to have been hired for this project. Both businesses congratulate Toverland for creating the extended Avalon area, which is a very magical addition to the park.
“We were really happy to yet again get the chance to cooperate with Toverland’s design team and technical department to realize this wonderful project,” says Carlo Gortjes, CEO of Themics Philippines Inc. “After a successful completion of various theming elements and animatronics for Avalon and such positive response of the guests, we already started working on a future project for the park, so stay tuned!”
“We thank Toverland a lot for the great collaboration on this new expansion of Avalon, especially in creating the Dragonwatch tower, which is literally the new Highlight of the park,” adds Igor Petrovic, managing partner of Petro Art Production.
Last year, Themics won a Brass Ring Award for its Ancient Greece-themed booth at IAAPA Expo in Orlando.
Recently, Petro Art Production created a new dinosaur-themed attraction for Attractiepark de Waarbeek, the Netherlands.
