It looks as though Air is getting a new virtual reality addition Credit: Alton Towers
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.
Attractions Managementexclusively revealed last month that Mack Rides and VR Coaster are working on at least nine new virtual reality rollercoasters, with the new technology to be announced for a major attraction in January. Prior to Alton Towers releasing the teaser trailer, there were rumours that Air would be getting a VR addition – a first for the UK.
The 21-second teaser indicates a space theme for the addition, using the line “in space you can’t hear yourself scream because there is no Air”. The online spot also promises an “out-of-this-world” experience, which will be officially revealed on 12 January.
Alton Towers would be leading the way for VR coasters worldwide, with Mack telling Attractions Management that it is working with several major IPs for branded VR ride experiences for 2016, which will be revealed in the coming months.
The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) Air rollercoaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002. The ride was the first flying rollercoaster and at the time of opening was one of the most expensive rollercoasters ever made and among the most technologically-advanced.
The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) coaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002 Credit: Shutterstock.com
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Clip 'n Climb
Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and
investors more than 40 colourful and unique
Cha [more...]
DJW
David & Lynn Willrich started the Company
over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual
Department [more...]
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
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It looks as though Air is getting a new virtual reality addition Credit: Alton Towers
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.
Attractions Managementexclusively revealed last month that Mack Rides and VR Coaster are working on at least nine new virtual reality rollercoasters, with the new technology to be announced for a major attraction in January. Prior to Alton Towers releasing the teaser trailer, there were rumours that Air would be getting a VR addition – a first for the UK.
The 21-second teaser indicates a space theme for the addition, using the line “in space you can’t hear yourself scream because there is no Air”. The online spot also promises an “out-of-this-world” experience, which will be officially revealed on 12 January.
Alton Towers would be leading the way for VR coasters worldwide, with Mack telling Attractions Management that it is working with several major IPs for branded VR ride experiences for 2016, which will be revealed in the coming months.
The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) Air rollercoaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002. The ride was the first flying rollercoaster and at the time of opening was one of the most expensive rollercoasters ever made and among the most technologically-advanced.
The £12m (US$17.7m, €16.2m) coaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), first opened in March 2002 Credit: Shutterstock.com
RELATED STORIES
Human error caused Smiler crash at Alton Towers; ride will re-open POSTED 24 Nov 2015. BY Alice Davis A rollercoaster crash which seriously injured a number people, including two people who
underwent leg amputations, was the result of human error when an operator manually overrode
the ride safety system, it was revealed today (24 November).
Alton Towers to cut up to 190 jobs following Smiler accident POSTED 11 Nov 2015. BY Tom Anstey Alton Towers is to cut around ten per cent of its staff following a drop in revenue in
the wake of its serious rollercoaster crash earlier this year.
Merlin records weak summer at UK theme parks after Smiler accident POSTED 17 Sep 2015. BY Tom Anstey After suggesting that the rollercoaster crash that seriously injured four people in June
could affect profits by up to £50m (US$77.6m, €70m), Alton Towers operator Merlin
Entertainment has confirmed a notable slump after weak trade through the UK’s summer
months.
Alton Towers teams up with university for theme park degree POSTED 08 Jan 2015. BY Tom Anstey Alton Towers and Staffordshire University have teamed up to offer a Foundation
Degree in Visitor Attraction and Resort Management at the UK university’s
business school.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
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.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
Clip 'n Climb Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and
investors more than 40 colourful and unique
Cha [more...]
DJW David & Lynn Willrich started the Company
over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual
Department [more...]
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...]