Imagine stepping into the 360 immersive world of your favourite movie, becoming a part of its thrilling storyline, and engaging with beloved characters in a virtual reality setting. This is the magic of media-based rides, the popular trend revolutionising the theme parks and attractions industry. Media-based attractions are captivating visitors in ways that traditional rides and exhibits simply cannot match. Whatsmore, their flexible and easily changeable content keeps audiences coming back for more, while ensuring a surprisingly speedy return on investment.
Fulldome.pro’s Ride Dome is a great example of a highly flexible media-based attraction. This exciting 4-5 minute immersive ride is experienced on motion seats or on a standing motion platform, inside a 360-projection dome. Wrap-around movie graphics and multi-sensory motion effects, transport audiences right into the heart of the movie action for a powerful VR-like experience, without the need for goggles or headsets.
The fully customisable Dome Ride is designed for entertainment venues of any size or location. Ranging from a cozy 5m in diameter to an impressive 40m diameter, this ground-breaking media-based attraction is especially suited to theme parks, FEC’s, visitor attractions and retail or real estate precincts.
In this blog, we’ll explore just why media-based attractions like the Ride Dome are garnering so much attention in the attractions industry and whether this trend is likely to be fleeting or here for the long run. Let’s start by breaking down the key factors driving demand for media-based attractions.
Competitive Edge
In a fiercely competitive industry, theme parks, FEC’s and visitor attractions constantly seek innovative ways to stand out from the crowd. Media-based attractions offer a unique and enticing edge that attract Gen Z-ers in droves. If your competitors down the road aren’t currently invested in media-based immersive rides, it’s the best indication you should be! Identify that gap in the market and plug it before anybody else does. Integrating media-based attractions into a larger portfolio of attractions diversifies the offerings of an entertainment venue. This diversification can attract a broader range of visitors with varying interests, increasing overall revenue streams.
Immersive Storytelling
Nowhere is storytelling more powerful or memorable than inside a projection dome, where the walls and even the floor act as a giant immersive canvas. Inside The Ride Dome, wrap-around graphics transport audiences beyond the realms of reality, sucking them into a whole new fantasy world. This emotional connection leaves a lasting impact, turning visitors into loyal fans and inspiring repeat visits.
Broad Audience Appeal
One of the most significant advantages of media-based attractions is their universal appeal. Families, teenagers, and adults alike are all drawn to these experiences, creating a diverse and multi-generational audience. Kids as young as 4+ can buckle up for a ride in The Ride Dome, alongside their siblings and parents.
Custom or Licenced Content
It’s crucial to choose content that your audience connects with. At the heart of every successful media-based attraction lie captivating, well-chosen shows. The Ride Dome offers access to an extensive content catalogue for the attractions industry, making it possible to screen familiar shows to large existing fanbases. Alternatively, it’s also possible to custom-design unique content that delivers a brand message or tells an important story, in a highly immersive way.
Repeat Visitation
A key indicator of success for a theme park attraction is its ability to draw a repeat crowd. The flexible, dynamic nature of media-based attractions means visitors are likely to return to experience the attraction multiple times, increasing overall attendance and revenue. The digital nature of these attractions allows for easy updates and the refreshing of content to keep experiences relevant and exciting for years to come. Additionally, content often draws on popular characters and franchises that pull in the crowds.
High THRC
For a ride to be profitable it needs to have a high theoretical ride capacity (THRC). This is achieved through the efficient and fast turnover of audiences; the longer people linger, the less money is being made! Standing rides are appealing because they encourage audiences to file in and out fast without slowing down the process. What’s more, experiencing a ride from a standing position tends to amp up the adrenaline and heighten the emotions in ride-goers. After enjoying a captivating show, audiences simply unbuckle their hip belts and effortlessly exit, saving both time and money.
Premium Pricing
The unique and high-tech nature of many media-based attractions justifies premium admission prices. People are willing to pay for novel and innovative experiences that showcase the latest advancements in audiovisual and interactive technologies.
High Capacity
Media-based attractions, such as 3D theatres, simulators, or projection domes, often have high seating capacities. This allows them to accommodate a large number of visitors in a relatively short amount of time, maximising revenue potential.
Demand for VR & AR
VR and AR, are an irresistible magnet for younger audiences. Advanced technology fuels their excitement and immerses them in an unparalleled social experience. With interactive features, visitors actively engage and take charge, creating a sense of agency and meaningful participation. They also provide visually stunning moments perfect for sharing on social media. These experiences become social currency, generating free publicity for attractions.
As the attractions industry continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovation, creativity, and magic in the world of digital attractions. Immersive rides in projection domes not only offer flexibility and longevity, but often take up a smaller footprint than traditional rides, in compact entertainment venues. While classic rides like roller coasters and ferris wheels will never go out of fashion, they’re now being joined by dynamic, media-based rides that can reinvent themselves with just the press of a button. Exciting times lie ahead in the world of digital attractions!