Alton Towers creates 'gravity-free zone' at home of astronaut Tim Peake
POSTED 19 Feb 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The gravity-defying stunt aimed to replicate the conditions astronaut Peake is currently experiencing on-board the International Space Station Credit: Alton Towers
Alton Towers has turned UK astronaut Tim Peake’s home street into a ‘gravity-free zone’, also announcing a new space education programme to promote the upcoming launch of its virtual reality rollercoaster Galactica.
Temporarily renaming the street Gravity Avenue, the stunt took place in Peake’s hometown of Westbourne in Sussex. The marketing effort made the street “completely weightless” using a range of illusion and trickery to make people, cars, post boxes, parking cones and benches seemingly float in mid-air.
The gravity-defying stunt aimed to replicate the conditions astronaut Peake is currently experiencing on-board the International Space Station (ISS), where he has been for the past two months and will remain until June this year.
Alton Towers has also marked the launch of Galactica by partnering with the National Space Centre in an effort to support its mission to give young people from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn about the mysteries of space.
As part of this new initiative, the theme park will host a series of interactive shows for kids over the Easter period, where children can go on their own “mission” to learn about rockets, how astronauts live in space and the risk of space travel, with talks delivered by experts from the National Space Centre.
“The nation has been captivated by Tim Peake and his mission to the ISS, so what better place to bring the experience of space travel to life than his home street,” said Gill Riley, marketing director for Alton Towers.
“We want to help make space exploration a reality for the next generation of British space enthusiasts, which is why we have partnered with the National Space Centre. Over the next year, we will support their education programme so more children get the chance to learn about the universe and its hidden wonders.”
Derek Zoolander turns famous attractions into catwalk runways with viral marketing stunt POSTED 17 Feb 2016. BY Tom Anstey In a move benefiting both the visitor attractions industry and Hollywood, Ben Stiller has
hit some of the world’s most well-known attractions as he markets the new Zoolander
film under the guise of its main character, Derek Zoolander.
Astronaut Tim Peake to call Liverpool's World Museum from space POSTED 27 Jan 2016. BY Tom Anstey British astronaut Tim Peake is set to hold a live Q&A session with schoolchildren in
Liverpool’s World Museum while on board the International Space Station (ISS).
Is Alton Towers about to unveil a VR coaster? POSTED 04 Jan 2016. BY Tom Anstey With Merlin bosses hoping to rekindle interest in Alton Towers after a poor summer, the
UK theme park has revealed a teaser for “Something Exciting!”, rumoured to be the
addition of virtual reality to its Air rollercoaster.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
Alton Towers creates 'gravity-free zone' at home of astronaut Tim Peake
POSTED 19 Feb 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The gravity-defying stunt aimed to replicate the conditions astronaut Peake is currently experiencing on-board the International Space Station Credit: Alton Towers
Alton Towers has turned UK astronaut Tim Peake’s home street into a ‘gravity-free zone’, also announcing a new space education programme to promote the upcoming launch of its virtual reality rollercoaster Galactica.
Temporarily renaming the street Gravity Avenue, the stunt took place in Peake’s hometown of Westbourne in Sussex. The marketing effort made the street “completely weightless” using a range of illusion and trickery to make people, cars, post boxes, parking cones and benches seemingly float in mid-air.
The gravity-defying stunt aimed to replicate the conditions astronaut Peake is currently experiencing on-board the International Space Station (ISS), where he has been for the past two months and will remain until June this year.
Alton Towers has also marked the launch of Galactica by partnering with the National Space Centre in an effort to support its mission to give young people from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn about the mysteries of space.
As part of this new initiative, the theme park will host a series of interactive shows for kids over the Easter period, where children can go on their own “mission” to learn about rockets, how astronauts live in space and the risk of space travel, with talks delivered by experts from the National Space Centre.
“The nation has been captivated by Tim Peake and his mission to the ISS, so what better place to bring the experience of space travel to life than his home street,” said Gill Riley, marketing director for Alton Towers.
“We want to help make space exploration a reality for the next generation of British space enthusiasts, which is why we have partnered with the National Space Centre. Over the next year, we will support their education programme so more children get the chance to learn about the universe and its hidden wonders.”
Derek Zoolander turns famous attractions into catwalk runways with viral marketing stunt POSTED 17 Feb 2016. BY Tom Anstey In a move benefiting both the visitor attractions industry and Hollywood, Ben Stiller has
hit some of the world’s most well-known attractions as he markets the new Zoolander
film under the guise of its main character, Derek Zoolander.
Astronaut Tim Peake to call Liverpool's World Museum from space POSTED 27 Jan 2016. BY Tom Anstey British astronaut Tim Peake is set to hold a live Q&A session with schoolchildren in
Liverpool’s World Museum while on board the International Space Station (ISS).
Is Alton Towers about to unveil a VR coaster? POSTED 04 Jan 2016. BY Tom Anstey With Merlin bosses hoping to rekindle interest in Alton Towers after a poor summer, the
UK theme park has revealed a teaser for “Something Exciting!”, rumoured to be the
addition of virtual reality to its Air rollercoaster.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
