In the fight for theme park visitors the battle lines have been drawn monster trucks, virtual reality zombie warfare and smellscaping, just thankfully not all at the same time.
And while there was a sombre atmosphere around parts of London as tens of thousands lined up to pay their respects to the Queen, there were 10,000 more gathered in a convention centre in East London experiencing the future of the theme park.
The convention centres hall was dominated by a monster truck on hydraulics rocking riders and a nine-foot-tall alien 3D-printed in a matter of hours.
Alongside that were several full-size bowling lanes and more soft play areas than you could fill with a whole primary schools worth of birthday parties. Pinball manufacturers Stern did, however, delay the launch of its James Bond pinball machines as a mark of respect for the Queen.
Anyone taking a walk down the cavernous hall couldnt help but notice the vast quantity of virtual reality headsets. Through VR, riders on the monster truck experienced being thrown about as though they were being driven around a real arena, while rollercoaster manufacturer Mack Rides could demonstrate some of its own rides without needing to ship attendees out to the companys own Europa Park in Germany.
The technology also helps provide interactivity, something that Mark Beumers, chief executive of Dutch dark rides vendor Lagotronics Projects, thinks is going to become increasingly crucial to the experience.
Visitors expect more and more, since they grew up with technology, nowadays, and they want to experience technology in a theme park in a different and better way than they can do it at home. And since they already have a lot of technology at home that they experience in a good way, a theme park needs to be the extra step.
But, Beumers says, virtual reality has its limits. Simply getting headsets on and off riders can add unacceptable delays to loading up rides, and the technology limits one of the best aspects of going to a theme park: sharing the experience with the friends and family you visit with.
And while the technology was just starting to be installed in parks towards the beginning of 2018, the impact of Covid in the last couple of years has given operators a chance to consider, and shift their approach.
In 2019, people were thinking, this is the new thing, this is going to take off, says Emily Popovich, of theme park design agency Outdoor Factory. But then Covid hit, and everyone sort of forgot about that.
And then, after Covid, everyone is calm and developing new awesome things, theres so many geniuses in this industry. So we come out of Covid and everything is better than it was in 2019 and nobody cares about that any more.
In its place, says Maximilian Roeser, Mack Rides head of marketing, is a new push for augmented reality that lets riders experience all the benefits of VR without being stuck in a bubble that shuts them off from the real world.
In the companys latest creations, riders even put the headsets on long before they get on the rollercoaster itself, with the queue, boarding and alighting experience all having virtual additions.
Alex Hern's weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives
But Roeser says the biggest changes are likely to be those behind the scenes that such technology enables. Theme parks will develop in a way that youll have more and more interactivity.
More and more customisation to your customers as well: all the parks will know who is coming in, their name, their age, probably what they like and what they dislike, and therefore they can transform the park for each guest. And each guest experience will be different and probably fitted directly to that guest.
We already worked with that, because we have some alpha options for our coaster ride so that you can choose your own experience: one person that is sitting on the lefthand side could see another movie than the person on the righthand side.
The classic experiences arent going anywhere, though. For many, like Julie Rice-Witherell of conference organiser IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, theres still nothing that matches the thrill of riding a new rollercoaster for the first time.
Every time they build a new one anywhere near me, its like its just something different. I wouldnt say its better, but it is faster, or it has more turns or you know, hits higher G forces, whatever. Its always something new that youve never experienced.
Read more:
Each guest experience will be different: VR and the future of theme parks - The Guardian
- Fans still waiting for a virtual reality view of the Buffalo Bills' new ... - Buffalo News - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Immerse yourself in new, augmented worlds - University of Miami: News@theU - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Who are the leading innovators in vehicle digital twins for the ... - just-auto.com - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- How Virtual and Augmented Reality Are Redefining Construction - TimesTech - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Virtualware Appoints VRARA's John A Cunningham to Advisory Board - XR Today - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- University Project Aims to Dissolve Borders Between Virtual and ... - XR Today - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Are real cadavers better than virtual ones? - Slate - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Samsung Glasses could be the name of a new pair of Samsung ... - TechRadar - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- The Best Augmented Reality Accessories for AR Immersion - XR Today - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- The best VR apps for 2022 | Digital Trends - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- What is virtual reality? - TechTarget - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Forget the metaverse, Sony's PlayStation VR2 will make you a virtual reality believer again - British GQ - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Time to play! New virtual reality gaming coming to Northern Virginia - WUSA9.com - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- Virtual reality training content launched for footwear and leather sector - The Hindu - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- Texas A&M researchers are using multisensory virtual reality to help NASA astronauts - KAGSTV.com - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- Hollywoods Virtual Reality Guru and American Millionaire Expanded His Soccer Portfolio to Europe With a Deal Worth $940 Million - EssentiallySports - January 8th, 2023 [January 8th, 2023]
- TikTok owner ByteDance takes first step into virtual reality with ... - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Virtual Reality inspires students to think about long-term careers - Turn to 10 - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- Virtual Reality Arcade with Best VR Game Experiences - Main Event - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- Virtual Reality - reddit - November 16th, 2022 [November 16th, 2022]
- The Future Of Virtual Reality (VR) - Forbes - November 16th, 2022 [November 16th, 2022]
- Virtual Reality (VR) For Professional Workflows | NVIDIA - October 28th, 2022 [October 28th, 2022]
- Virtual reality in fiction - Wikipedia - October 28th, 2022 [October 28th, 2022]
- Meta will release a new consumer-grade VR headset next year - TechCrunch - October 28th, 2022 [October 28th, 2022]
- Virtual Reality [VR] Market Size & Share | Forecast Report, 2029 - October 25th, 2022 [October 25th, 2022]
- Virtual Reality in the Healthcare Industry - VISUALISE - October 25th, 2022 [October 25th, 2022]
- Virtual Reality vs. Augmented Reality vs. Mixed Reality - Intel - October 25th, 2022 [October 25th, 2022]
- Applications Of Virtual Reality - Virtual Reality Society - October 25th, 2022 [October 25th, 2022]
- The Global Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality In Manufacturing Market size is expected to reach $27.9 billion by 2028, rising at a market growth... - October 25th, 2022 [October 25th, 2022]
- We Met in Virtual Reality Explores the Potential of the Metaverse - Seven Days - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- What If the Metaverse Is Better Without Virtual Reality? - WIRED - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- XRHealth and HTC Introduce The First Distraction Therapy Virtual Reality Platform to Improve Patient Experience During Painful or Anxiety Provoking... - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Department of Corrections Introduces Virtual Reality Technology to Augment Programming for Incarcerated Parents and Their Children - Pennsylvania... - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Arden Bendler Browning conquers virtual reality, Luve More LC + Thinkers Makers Society, and opportunity - theartblog.org - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- How Virtual or Augmented Reality Can Help Your Packaging Line - Packaging Digest - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- A marriage of virtual reality and physical therapy: Immergo Labs emerges from its UCSC roots - Lookout Santa Cruz - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Senior living residents explore the world through virtual reality - Rocky Mountain PBS - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Orthopedic Residency Program and PrecisionOS Team up For Exclusive 3-Year Collaboration: Virtual Reality Development and Curriculum Integration - PR... - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- 6 Insightful Construction XR Cases to Read in 2022 - XR Today - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Video footage emerges from an MMA event that put virtual reality users into the thick of the fighting action - Yahoo News - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Carmack: Theres a bunch that Im grumpy about in virtual reality - Ars Technica - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- The Peripheral Co-Creator on the Shows Line Between Reality & Virtual Reality - TV Insider - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Clarkson's Dr. Dana Barry Gave a Presentation at International Conference in Italy - Clarkson University News - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Apple VR glove with finger- and hand-tracking patent hints at companion accessories for the "Reality Pro" headset - Notebookcheck.net - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Virtual reality spectacle of 2010 sockeye run returns to Shuswap Salmon Arm Observer - Salmon Arm Observer - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- The virtual reality push brings together Microsoft, Meta and the art of war - Stuff - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- What Is Virtual Reality All About? - Oculus VR - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- What Is Virtual Reality? | Tech & Learning - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- 10 Advantages And Disadvantages Of Virtual Reality (2022) - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Insights on the Tactile Virtual Reality Global Market Research Report to 2027 - Growing Advancements in Virtual Reality Products & Rising... - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Get your own personal holodeck with the HP Reverb G2 VR headset, now over $100 off at Amazon - Space.com - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Highway workers got a dose of virtual reality to help keep them safe - WVXU - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- IDC Tracker Sees a Long Road Ahead for Augmented Reality Headsets - Business Wire - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Anti-virtual reality note included with Northeastern explosive package - GBH News - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Virtual Reality (VR) Headset Market Projected to Hit USD 57.65 Billion at a 28.50% CAGR by 2030 - Report by Market Research Future (MRFR) -... - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Perspectus and The University of Charleston Offer Next Generation Virtual Reality Education Lab - Business Wire - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Virtual reality: Veteran on virtual trips around the world - VA News - Veterans Affairs (.gov) - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Malden Dancer Part Of Upcoming Augmented Reality Dance Project - Patch - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Cognitive load, fatigue and aversive simulator symptoms but not manipulated zeitgebers affect duration perception in virtual reality | Scientific... - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- The Joys and Horrors of Virtual Reality in Anime - Otaku USA Magazine - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Robot skull measures VR and AR headsets from any angle - MIXED Reality News - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Why VR could be the new dawn of pain, anxiety management - MedCity News - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Disney Releases First AR Short Film; Is Virtual Reality the Future of Streaming at Disney+? - The Streamable - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- virtual reality gaming (VR gaming) - WhatIs.com - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Worlds Most Immersive Virtual Reality Experience, Sandbox VR, is Coming Soon to Park Meadows - Yahoo Finance - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Virtual Reality Becomes Actual Reality for Title I Schools Across the Nation - PR Newswire - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Why is VR so important to the metaverse? - Verdict - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Worldwide Virtual Reality in Gaming Industry to 2027 - Rising Research Activities in the Field of VR is Driving Growth - Yahoo Finance - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Clocking In at the Virtual Reality Kmart - WIRED - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Virtual Reality Market to Register Impressive Expansion of - GlobeNewswire - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Welcome to the iDome: Concept offers virtual-reality riding therapy without a headset - Horsetalk - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Virtual Reality for Diversity and Inclusion - ATD - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Meta's 'Project Cambria' Virtual Reality Product to Launch This Fall - The National Interest Online - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Could virtual reality be the future of poultry health? - Food Safety News - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Virtual Reality: Taking the Online Dating Game to New Heights - TechSpective - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- POSITIVE VIBES: The positive vibes of virtual reality - Finger Lakes Times - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Planning Commission to hear request for virtual reality arcade in downtown Carson City - Carson Now - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- The Impact of Augmented Reality on the Gaming Industry in India - GLYFE Nation - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Oshkosh PD: Virtual reality simulator is proving to be a useful tool - WGBA NBC 26 in Green Bay - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]
- Accelerating the Evolution of the Industrial Metaverse - University of Houston - September 2nd, 2022 [September 2nd, 2022]