19 Dec 2018
Attractions Review 2018: July
BY Tom Anstey
In a year of ups, downs, loops and scoops, Attractions Management looks back at some of the biggest stories to hit the headlines, giving possible indicators at what’s still to come in the year ahead.
July was about stunts, spies and spending, with a new robotic stunt double created by Disney, a mountaintop James Bond attraction opening its doors and the US$1bn Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi opening its doors on Yas Island.
Superhuman stunt double
Disney's Imagineers unveiled their latest creation in July – an autonomous robotic stunt double.
Called Stuntronics, the animatronic robot can control and alter its pose in mid-air, as well as guaranteeing the completion of sophisticated aerial stunts with precision every time.
The robot represents a significant improvement to traditional animatronics, as it can be flung from a wire 60ft (18.3m) into the air and execute acrobatics while in flight.
The Stuntronics programme originally began as Disney’s "Stickman" project – based on a Z-shaped robot fitted with a laser-range finder, that produces a variety of somersaulting stunts. The project was sparked by a universal concern at Disney that its parks' robots did not match the increasingly authentic nature of its on-screen characters. As a result, Disney chose to task its Imagineers with improving the dynamicity of its animatronics.
License to thrill
High in the mountains of Austria, a new James Bond-themed attraction opened its doors. Called '007 Elements', the state of the art facility is located more than 3,000m above sea level at the summit of the Gaislachkogl mountain.
Sitting within the rock face, the attraction offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Austrian Alps, which acted as the inspiration for the 2015 James Bond hit Spectre.
The Bond experience takes visitors through five different zones, each immersing visitors in the world of 007. In the attraction, they can learn about various aspects of the iconic character and the James Bond franchise.
What's up Doc?
One of the most expensive attractions to open in 2018 and one of the largest theme park developments in the history of the Middle East celebrated its grand opening, with the launch of Yas Island's latest addition – Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi.
Featuring six immersive lands and covering 1.65 million sq ft (153,000sq m), the US$1bn (€808m, £703m) indoor attraction has been developed by Miral, with AECOM and the Thinkwell Group working on the landmark project.
A wide range of Warner Bros brands feature at the park, including DC Comics characters like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, as well as cartoon favourites such as Bugs Bunny and Scooby Doo.
Inside, visitors can experience a selection of 29 rides, shows and attractions, including thrill rides, family attractions and live entertainment spectacles.
For more from Thinkwell's chief creative officer, Craig Hanna, and Peter Van Roden, senior VP of global-themed entertainment at Warner Bros, click here.
Check back with Attractions Management tomorrow for a look back at the highlights from August
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