People profile: Damien Hirst
Turner Prize-winning artist Damien Hirst exhibits a series of spot paintings and huge sculptures at a Norfolk stately home
People profile: Penka Kouneva
Movie and video game composer Penka Kouneva moves into the world of attractions with the Heroes and Legends exhibit and VR installations
Industry Opinion: Zoos & Aquariums
WAZA’s Sabrina Brando on providing animals with opportunities for choices, stimulating environments and enriching activities
Interview: Sultan Al Dhaheri
With the launch of Warner Bros World and
the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, the Department
of Culture and Tourism’s Sultan Al Dhaheri
explains how investing in attractions is
helping the emirate meet its tourism goals
Animal sanctuaries: Paws for Thought
The UK’s Big Cat Sanctuary is the subject
of a recent BBC documentary. Managing
director Giles Clark explains how the
facility works – and introduces Maya
the jaguar and Willow the cheetah
Science Centres: Getting Engaged
Researchers Dr Amy Seakins and
Dr Heather King explain how science
capital empowers science centres
to engage wider audiences in STEM,
plus European initiatives in action
Digital art: Light Fantastic
Tokyo-based digital art collective teamLab is
on a mission to change the way we interact
with and experience art. Magali Robathan
reports on the group’s installation work
and their upcoming museum launch
‘Sensational space story a perfect fit’ for new Mack VR coaster, says Michael Mack
Michael Mack, MackMedia
Mack Rides has teamed up with acclaimed film director Luc Besson to develop Eurosat Coastiality, a brand new VR dark coaster experience at Europa-Park.
Expected to open this summer, Eurosat Coastiality is based on Besson’s 2017 blockbuster, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, and will take riders on an epic space-themed adventure.
It will be located inside the Eurosat sphere in the newly-renovated France-themed area of the park, and will share its home with the Moulin Rouge-themed Eurosat-CanCan Coaster. It will be the first attraction of its kind to host two rides, which use the same track, within the same space, and will feature a second station with a shift track and separate trains in order to accommodate the experience.
“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets on Eurosat Coastiality will be both exceptional and exclusive,” explains Besson, chair of French motion picture company EuropaCorp.
“I cannot imagine a better partner for the Eurosat Coastiality project,” says managing partner of MackMedia, Michael Mack.
“The combination of Luc Besson and Valerian’s sensational space story is a perfect fit for us. I am happy to pick up on the popular space theme and offer it once again to our visitors,” Mack adds.
Mack Rides will work with VR Coaster to create and install the technical elements of the ride, while Mack’s media development arm, MackMedia, will create the 360-degree content for the rollercoaster, which riders will view on a VR headset.
attractions-kit keyword: MACK
“I cannot imagine a better partner for the Eurosat Coastiality project,”
Filmmaker Luc Besson (right) previously worked with the Mack family to turn his Arthur IP into Europa-Park’s Minimoys Kingdom
New Middle East Galleries at Penn Museum are ‘attractive and inviting’, says hsd’s Alisdair Hinshelwood
Alisdair Hinshelwood, hsd
The Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has unveiled a brand new exhibit that takes visitors on a journey through 10,000 years of human history.
The Middle East Galleries, a suite of galleries themed Journey to the City, explore the impact that ancient Mesopotamian societies had on modern life, particularly how the earliest settlements in these societies gave rise to the modern city.
The galleries, which opened at the end of April, form the first phase of a major refurbishment project at the museum.
UK-based design consultancy Haley Sharpe Design (hsd) was responsible for the overall design of the exhibition, which features three themed galleries: Towards Cities; Ur: The Great City; and The World of Cities.
Almost 1,200 objects from the museum’s extensive collection, including the crown jewels of a Mesopotamian queen and one of the world’s oldest wine vessels, are displayed throughout the galleries, alongside large-scale video projections, scale models, interactive stations and touchable reproductions of artefacts.
“The Middle East Galleries were designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of visitors”, says hsd designer and director Alisdair Hinshelwood. “Our design optimises visitor flow and routing, stylistically acknowledging the historic character of the spaces, whilst offering an attractive and inviting gallery environment.”
attractions-kit keyword: HALEY SHARPE
“The Middle East Galleries were designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of visitors”,
Around 1,200 artefacts
are on display at the museum
Attraktion’s Markus Beyr on custom-made experience at Yas Waterworld
Markus Beyr, Attraktion
Austrian media-based attraction developer Attraktion has created a brand new multimedia experience for Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Combining an immersive 4D theatre attraction with a traditional waterpark experience, Cinesplash 5D, which opens in June, submerges guests in 50cm of water as they experience the immersive film Legend of the Lost Pearl.
Based on the region’s rich pearl diving heritage, Legend of the Lost Pearl takes visitors on a thrilling quest with scrappy young protagonist Dana, heroine of Yas Waterworld, as she journeys across Abu Dhabi to find the Mother Pearl.
As the action unfolds on screen the cinema floods, immersing guests in water, and water effects, including rain, waterfalls, water explosions, sprays, fountains, water guns and neck blasts, are deployed. Additional effects, including RGB lighted bubbles in the walls and ceiling, as well as wind effects, ground fog, seat vibrations and leg ticklers, are used throughout.
“The development of Cinesplash for Yas Waterworld took several years. Besides building the full attraction, our studio also produced the custom movie for the waterpark, bringing their original characters to life and telling the story of the park,” says Attraktion CEO Markus Beyr.
Yas Waterworld’s general manager Bianca Sammut says: “Cinesplash 5D is one of the most exciting new additions to our lineup of experiences and we are proud to be the first waterpark to introduce it.”
attractions-kit keyword: ATTRAKTION
“The development of Cinesplash for Yas Waterworld took several years. Besides building the full attraction, our studio also produced the custom movie for the waterpark, bringing their original characters to life and telling the story of the park,”
Dana stars in Legend of the Lost Pearl at Yas Waterworld
People profile: Damien Hirst
Turner Prize-winning artist Damien Hirst exhibits a series of spot paintings and huge sculptures at a Norfolk stately home
People profile: Penka Kouneva
Movie and video game composer Penka Kouneva moves into the world of attractions with the Heroes and Legends exhibit and VR installations
Industry Opinion: Zoos & Aquariums
WAZA’s Sabrina Brando on providing animals with opportunities for choices, stimulating environments and enriching activities
Interview: Sultan Al Dhaheri
With the launch of Warner Bros World and
the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, the Department
of Culture and Tourism’s Sultan Al Dhaheri
explains how investing in attractions is
helping the emirate meet its tourism goals
Animal sanctuaries: Paws for Thought
The UK’s Big Cat Sanctuary is the subject
of a recent BBC documentary. Managing
director Giles Clark explains how the
facility works – and introduces Maya
the jaguar and Willow the cheetah
Science Centres: Getting Engaged
Researchers Dr Amy Seakins and
Dr Heather King explain how science
capital empowers science centres
to engage wider audiences in STEM,
plus European initiatives in action
Digital art: Light Fantastic
Tokyo-based digital art collective teamLab is
on a mission to change the way we interact
with and experience art. Magali Robathan
reports on the group’s installation work
and their upcoming museum launch
‘Sensational space story a perfect fit’ for new Mack VR coaster, says Michael Mack
Michael Mack, MackMedia
Mack Rides has teamed up with acclaimed film director Luc Besson to develop Eurosat Coastiality, a brand new VR dark coaster experience at Europa-Park.
Expected to open this summer, Eurosat Coastiality is based on Besson’s 2017 blockbuster, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, and will take riders on an epic space-themed adventure.
It will be located inside the Eurosat sphere in the newly-renovated France-themed area of the park, and will share its home with the Moulin Rouge-themed Eurosat-CanCan Coaster. It will be the first attraction of its kind to host two rides, which use the same track, within the same space, and will feature a second station with a shift track and separate trains in order to accommodate the experience.
“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets on Eurosat Coastiality will be both exceptional and exclusive,” explains Besson, chair of French motion picture company EuropaCorp.
“I cannot imagine a better partner for the Eurosat Coastiality project,” says managing partner of MackMedia, Michael Mack.
“The combination of Luc Besson and Valerian’s sensational space story is a perfect fit for us. I am happy to pick up on the popular space theme and offer it once again to our visitors,” Mack adds.
Mack Rides will work with VR Coaster to create and install the technical elements of the ride, while Mack’s media development arm, MackMedia, will create the 360-degree content for the rollercoaster, which riders will view on a VR headset.
attractions-kit keyword: MACK
“I cannot imagine a better partner for the Eurosat Coastiality project,”
Filmmaker Luc Besson (right) previously worked with the Mack family to turn his Arthur IP into Europa-Park’s Minimoys Kingdom
New Middle East Galleries at Penn Museum are ‘attractive and inviting’, says hsd’s Alisdair Hinshelwood
Alisdair Hinshelwood, hsd
The Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has unveiled a brand new exhibit that takes visitors on a journey through 10,000 years of human history.
The Middle East Galleries, a suite of galleries themed Journey to the City, explore the impact that ancient Mesopotamian societies had on modern life, particularly how the earliest settlements in these societies gave rise to the modern city.
The galleries, which opened at the end of April, form the first phase of a major refurbishment project at the museum.
UK-based design consultancy Haley Sharpe Design (hsd) was responsible for the overall design of the exhibition, which features three themed galleries: Towards Cities; Ur: The Great City; and The World of Cities.
Almost 1,200 objects from the museum’s extensive collection, including the crown jewels of a Mesopotamian queen and one of the world’s oldest wine vessels, are displayed throughout the galleries, alongside large-scale video projections, scale models, interactive stations and touchable reproductions of artefacts.
“The Middle East Galleries were designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of visitors”, says hsd designer and director Alisdair Hinshelwood. “Our design optimises visitor flow and routing, stylistically acknowledging the historic character of the spaces, whilst offering an attractive and inviting gallery environment.”
attractions-kit keyword: HALEY SHARPE
“The Middle East Galleries were designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of visitors”,
Around 1,200 artefacts
are on display at the museum
Attraktion’s Markus Beyr on custom-made experience at Yas Waterworld
Markus Beyr, Attraktion
Austrian media-based attraction developer Attraktion has created a brand new multimedia experience for Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Combining an immersive 4D theatre attraction with a traditional waterpark experience, Cinesplash 5D, which opens in June, submerges guests in 50cm of water as they experience the immersive film Legend of the Lost Pearl.
Based on the region’s rich pearl diving heritage, Legend of the Lost Pearl takes visitors on a thrilling quest with scrappy young protagonist Dana, heroine of Yas Waterworld, as she journeys across Abu Dhabi to find the Mother Pearl.
As the action unfolds on screen the cinema floods, immersing guests in water, and water effects, including rain, waterfalls, water explosions, sprays, fountains, water guns and neck blasts, are deployed. Additional effects, including RGB lighted bubbles in the walls and ceiling, as well as wind effects, ground fog, seat vibrations and leg ticklers, are used throughout.
“The development of Cinesplash for Yas Waterworld took several years. Besides building the full attraction, our studio also produced the custom movie for the waterpark, bringing their original characters to life and telling the story of the park,” says Attraktion CEO Markus Beyr.
Yas Waterworld’s general manager Bianca Sammut says: “Cinesplash 5D is one of the most exciting new additions to our lineup of experiences and we are proud to be the first waterpark to introduce it.”
attractions-kit keyword: ATTRAKTION
“The development of Cinesplash for Yas Waterworld took several years. Besides building the full attraction, our studio also produced the custom movie for the waterpark, bringing their original characters to life and telling the story of the park,”
Dana stars in Legend of the Lost Pearl at Yas Waterworld
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
