XOrdinary by Crucial FX, a UK-based creative studio, has supplied immersive 3D audio and experiential systems for the new Bluey-themed coaster at Alton Towers in the UK.
Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! officially opened on 28 March and marks the first coaster to be based on the internationally renowned children’s brand.
"Bluey is a world people already feel connected to, which comes with a responsibility," says Mark Rivkin, director at XOrdinary.
"Families arrive with a clear sense of how it should feel, so every detail has to feel right.
"Our approach is to layer the experience in a way that builds depth and interaction, while driving re-rideability by ensuring no two experiences are ever the same, giving guests a reason to come back again and again."
As part of the wider delivery team, XOrdinary helped shape a coherent, narrative-focused visitor experience, with responsibility for designing and integrating audio, lighting, and media systems across the attraction.
A key component is a 3D spatial audio system that introduces variation throughout each ride. With more than 4.1 trillion unique sound combinations, the system delivers a constantly evolving ride experience that encourages repeat visits and continual discovery.
Interactive, engaging elements
Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! captures the series' charm, fun, and imagination in a fully realised physical environment.
Set in Bluey’s back garden, the ride combines an exciting first-coaster experience with interactive queue moments and character-led narratives developed for young visitors and their families.
See also: Merlin’s IP wizard Jonathan Lewis on Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies!
Coaster dispatches feature synchronised audio and lighting sequences. As each train launches, these elements create moments of anticipation within the queue, bringing the ride's energy into the surrounding environment and helping engage visitors throughout the experience.
The queue includes interactive elements throughout, such as playful 'fairy ring' moments. When a visitor steps into these spaces, music and sound are activated, encouraging exploration and discovery.
At the Bluey house set, visitors will discover a custom visual illusion that adds depth and presence. XOrdinary used custom media content to subtly combine physical and digital elements. This both extends the narrative and integrates more of Bluey's world into the environment.
These components add to a cohesive, captivating attraction that evokes the tone, energy, and recognisable world of Bluey, while offering an intuitive, accessible experience for younger audiences on their first coaster.
The project reflects ongoing demand for IP-led attractions that merge operational reliability with emotionally resonant narratives.
See also: Collapsing the creative–technical divide in visitor attractions
