4D Magic Cinema
Morgan’s Wonderland, San Antonio, Texas, United States
SimEx-Iwerks
Morgan’s Wonderland, an accessibility-focused theme park in San Antonio, provides attractions for children with all levels of ability. In 2024, the park partnered with SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment to create a new experience.
“Our 4D motion ride experience, named Mars Coaster, features motion, wind, and water elements that recreate the thrills experienced on a roller coaster for our guests,” says Entertainment Manager Matthew Cassi.
Mars Coaster is the first cinematic experience at Morgan’s Wonderland’s 4D Magic Cinema. The ride has already welcomed tens of thousands of guests since opening in March. Actuators deliver motion effects similar to a roller coaster, and a special platform allows guests in wheelchairs to experience these same effects. Riders can also turn off motion effects if they prefer.
Cassi adds the Texas weather played a role in adding a new indoor attraction. “Not only is it the first cinematic offering in the park, it’s also another great way to cool down from the Texas heat.”
morganswonderland.org/attraction/4d-cinema/
Destination: Dolphin
Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Just in time for summer visitors, Georgia Aquarium refreshed and enhanced its dolphin show with a new presentation named Destination: Dolphin.
Show developers knew having a splash zone would remain a crowd pleaser from previous presentations, so they programmed the new show to take an even deeper dive into dolphin traits, behaviors, conservation efforts, and their connection to humans.
“Destination: Dolphin provides even more insight into dolphins as a species, how you can respect and conserve them, and also showcases their energy, athleticism, and agility through high-energy behaviors and interactions with trainers,” says Dan Dipiazzo, chief marketing and experience officer at Georgia Aquarium.
Music, lighting, and effects in the aquarium’s 1,800-person theater add to the show’s entertainment appeal.
georgiaaquarium.org/experience/dolphin-presentation/
Detective Conan 4-D Live Show:
Jewel Under the Starry Sky
Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan
Universal Creative, ShoPro, TMS Entertainment
Blending live action, special effects, and 3D imagery across massive screens places guests in the middle an original story at Universal Studios Japan. The new Detective Conan 4-D Live Show: Jewel Under the Starry Sky features actors and technical wizardry where the world of anime and manga come together. The entertainment team at USJ worked with publisher Shogakukan, production company ShoPro, animation studio TMS Entertainment, and Detective Conan’s creator, Gosho Aoyama.
“It all starts with the creation of a compelling story,” says Dan Mitchell with Universal Studios Japan, who adds the production team faced some unique challenges, such as language considerations as Universal Studios Japan welcomes audiences from across the globe. “Within our multi-cultural entertainment team, we actually have our own microcosm of these varying IP awareness levels—as well as our own language considerations—so we lean into this in a way that acts as an internal check to help guide our development to create something that works on multiple levels for a wide audience.”
usj.co.jp/web/en/us/events/conan-2024
Disney Dreams That Soar
Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States
Disney Live Entertainment
From “Peter Pan” to “Pete’s Dragon,” many beloved Disney movies take to the skies above Disney Springs. Realizing this, the team at Walt Disney World took their imagination to new heights, using 800 drones to light up the night sky above Disney Springs. Disney Dreams That Soar debuted in May, becoming the resort’s first fully realized show using only drones.
“While many people have seen drones in online videos, very few people have actually experienced a drone show in person,” says David Duffy, vice president of Disney Live Entertainment at Walt Disney World. “To watch people gasp as they see the drones fill the sky and magically transform into their favorite characters really makes all the team’s hard work worth it.”
Baymax from Disney’s “Big Hero 6,” the Death Star from Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars,” and Buzz Lightyear from Pixar’s “Toy Story” are just a few of the characters featured. When the drones align, some of the lighted figures measure more than 400 feet tall.
disneysprings.com/entertainment/disney-dreams-that-soar/
Lego World Parade
Legoland California Resort, Carlsbad, California, United States
At Legoland California Resort’s Lego World Parade, floats like a red Lego City Firetruck, a swashbuckling pirate ship, and those inspired by Lego Ninjago, Lego City Deep Sea Adventure and Duplo dazzled guests of all ages from its opening in May.
When planning the new parade, park president Kurt Stocks says the entertainment team identified the most popular Lego entities already found at the property. They then programmed a ensemble of Lego characters to be part of the parade and hired more than 50 performers who are instructed to “captivate the audience.” A new Lego World Parade soundtrack was composed exclusively for use during the parade that takes place on the west side of the park.
“We also have show-stopping moments to give opportunities for families to jump in and join the party,” Stocks says.
legoland.com/california/things-to-do/seasonal-events/lego-world-parade/
Luminous: The Symphony of Us
Epcot, Walt Disney World, Bay Lake, Florida, United States
Using a combination of classic and modern Disney songs, original music, fireworks, fountains, narration, and lights, Luminous: The Symphony of Us wows guests at Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon.
Producers designed the new show to serve as a bow of sorts to wrap up a day spent at Epcot.
“We wanted to deliver an experience that’s intrinsically connected to the overall themes and philosophy of Epcot that could serve as a perfect conclusion to a day spent in the park,” says Kartika Rodriguez, vice president of Epcot. “The Disney Live Entertainment creative team behind Luminous: The Symphony of Us did just that, honoring Epcot as a place that invites connections, where people and cultures can come together and share their stories.”
Narration, stirring music, and stunning visuals weave together a story about our shared humanity across cultures.
disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/epcot/luminous-the-symphony-us/
Viola’s Room
Punchdrunk, London, United Kingdom
Based on a Victorian gothic horror story called “The Moonslave,” Viola’s Room is Punchdrunk’s newest immersive experience and features audio narration by award-winning actor Helena Bonham Carter.
Guided by light and sound, guests explore a dimly lit bedroom and other spaces wearing headsets and missing something else: their shoes. Navigating the sets of Viola’s Room is experienced barefoot.
“We’re asking audiences to step into the dark and let us take their hands on a journey. What’s exciting for us is the opportunity to tell a tale from beginning to end, to distill what we love about sensory experiences into a compact design installation with a spine-tingling story at its core,” says Hector Harkness, co-director of the piece.
Participants are encouraged to piece together the story as they wander at will through different environments while they pick up visual and audio cues in their headsets.
“In Viola’s Room, you’ll flow through a story, beat by beat, riding the wave of it,” Harkness adds.
punchdrunk.com/work/violas-room/
- This original reporting from IAAPA News first appeared in Funworld magazine. For more stories and videos covering the global attractions industry and to read a digital version of Funworld magazine, click here.