Aryzon headset lets guests ‘view the sky as an expert’, says Jeremy Fontana
null,National Geographic has teamed up with augmented reality provider Aryzon to create the world’s first open-air planetarium, using AR to project images into the night sky for a unique stargazing experience.
Recently installed at Au Diable Vert in Quebec, Canada, ‘ObservEtoiles’ allows up to 180 visitors to observe the night sky with a digital overlay showing the constellations and names of the stars and planets.
The Aryzon headset uses mirrors to project 3D mixed reality images. Using the device, visitors can observe a selection of 17th-century illustrations of the constellations overlaid over the real stars and planets, without obstructing viewers’ line of sight.
Users can keep the cardboard headset and use the app to explore the stars at home.
“We wanted to create a headset that would display the stars with augmented overlay without detracting from the night sky experience,” explains Aryzon CFO and co-founder Alexander Ceha.
The outdoor show will feature a “star guide”, who will narrate the experience with specially-created content from the “Night Sky Guy”, Andrew Fazekas – a science writer and consultant for the Canadian Space Agency.
“It’s been a really exciting project” says Jeremy Fontana, owner of Au Diable Vert and creator of ObservEtoiles. “You put the headset on and see the sky full of constellations. It lets you view the sky as an expert.”
Au Diable Vert has recently been certified as Quebec’s second Dark Sky Reserve, acknowledging efforts to remove light pollution from the area for clearer night skies.
attractions-kit keyword: ARYZON
Alexander Ceha, Aryzon
The virtual reality headset allows users to see constellations overlaid on the real night sky
The virtual reality headset allows users to see constellations overlaid on the real night sky
Play Disney Parks app represents how the guest experience can be enhanced by digital technology, says Vivek Sharma
Vivek Sharma, Disney
Disney is gamifying its park experience, releasing a new app to add a layer of interaction.
Available as a free download at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts, the ‘Play Disney Parks’ app has been created with group play in mind, offering visitors a new activity while waiting to ride its attractions.
Gamification of queue lines is a major part of the new application, with a number of interactive experiences available for select rides. At California Adventure, ‘Playset Party’ will be available for the Toy Story Mania ride.
The same ride at Hollywood Studios also offers the game, as well as ‘Andy’s Boardgame Blast!’ at the Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster.
Peter Pan’s Flight and Space Mountain have gaming experiences called ‘Off to Neverland’ and ‘Rocket Race’ respectively, with the same rides and games on offer at both parks.
In addition, guests can earn, collect and share uniquely themed achievements, as well as rewards for playing games, answering trivia, completing challenges and experiencing select attractions.
“Play Disney Parks represents the next step in how we use innovative digital technology to enhance the guest experience in our parks,” says Vivek Sharma, senior vice president of Digital Guest Experience.
“The app is designed to help guests immerse themselves in the Disney stories they love.”
attractions-kit keyword: DISNEY
"Play Disney Parks represents the next step in how we use innovative digital technology to enhance the guest experience in our parks,” says Vivek Sharma, senior vice president of Digital Guest Experience."
The app is a first for Disney and is designed to enhance the existing park experience
Guests reach their musical potential with Acoustic Arts, says John Walls
John Walls, Acoustic Arts
Acoustic Arts, a UK-based manufacturer of outdoor percussion musical instruments, has launched a range of instruments that can be played using the whole body.
Part of the new collection is the company’s latest release, the Wobble Drum. Consisting of a shallow drum, mounted on a spring and anchored to the ground, the Wobble Drum is a sealed drum that contains bells, balls or rattles. Users stand on the drum, moving their hips or gently rocking from side to side to create a rhythm.
“Acoustic Arts’ products are designed to bring out people’s innate musical potential with an activity that combines creativity, rhythm and coordination,” says Acoustic Arts managing director, John Walls.
“This presents an exciting and fulfilling challenge on an individual level, the experience moves to another level when other people join in.”
Mounted in hand-built timber frames, the instruments are designed to provide fun, interactive experiences for visitors and can be installed as a standalone piece, or combined to create a dynamic musical play area.
attractions-kit keyword: ACOUSTIC ARTS
“Acoustic Arts’ products are designed to bring out people’s innate musical potential with an activity that combines creativity, rhythm and coordination,”
Acoustic Arts creates dynamic musical play areas for attractions
Aryzon headset lets guests ‘view the sky as an expert’, says Jeremy Fontana
null,National Geographic has teamed up with augmented reality provider Aryzon to create the world’s first open-air planetarium, using AR to project images into the night sky for a unique stargazing experience.
Recently installed at Au Diable Vert in Quebec, Canada, ‘ObservEtoiles’ allows up to 180 visitors to observe the night sky with a digital overlay showing the constellations and names of the stars and planets.
The Aryzon headset uses mirrors to project 3D mixed reality images. Using the device, visitors can observe a selection of 17th-century illustrations of the constellations overlaid over the real stars and planets, without obstructing viewers’ line of sight.
Users can keep the cardboard headset and use the app to explore the stars at home.
“We wanted to create a headset that would display the stars with augmented overlay without detracting from the night sky experience,” explains Aryzon CFO and co-founder Alexander Ceha.
The outdoor show will feature a “star guide”, who will narrate the experience with specially-created content from the “Night Sky Guy”, Andrew Fazekas – a science writer and consultant for the Canadian Space Agency.
“It’s been a really exciting project” says Jeremy Fontana, owner of Au Diable Vert and creator of ObservEtoiles. “You put the headset on and see the sky full of constellations. It lets you view the sky as an expert.”
Au Diable Vert has recently been certified as Quebec’s second Dark Sky Reserve, acknowledging efforts to remove light pollution from the area for clearer night skies.
attractions-kit keyword: ARYZON
Alexander Ceha, Aryzon
The virtual reality headset allows users to see constellations overlaid on the real night sky
The virtual reality headset allows users to see constellations overlaid on the real night sky
Play Disney Parks app represents how the guest experience can be enhanced by digital technology, says Vivek Sharma
Vivek Sharma, Disney
Disney is gamifying its park experience, releasing a new app to add a layer of interaction.
Available as a free download at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts, the ‘Play Disney Parks’ app has been created with group play in mind, offering visitors a new activity while waiting to ride its attractions.
Gamification of queue lines is a major part of the new application, with a number of interactive experiences available for select rides. At California Adventure, ‘Playset Party’ will be available for the Toy Story Mania ride.
The same ride at Hollywood Studios also offers the game, as well as ‘Andy’s Boardgame Blast!’ at the Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster.
Peter Pan’s Flight and Space Mountain have gaming experiences called ‘Off to Neverland’ and ‘Rocket Race’ respectively, with the same rides and games on offer at both parks.
In addition, guests can earn, collect and share uniquely themed achievements, as well as rewards for playing games, answering trivia, completing challenges and experiencing select attractions.
“Play Disney Parks represents the next step in how we use innovative digital technology to enhance the guest experience in our parks,” says Vivek Sharma, senior vice president of Digital Guest Experience.
“The app is designed to help guests immerse themselves in the Disney stories they love.”
attractions-kit keyword: DISNEY
"Play Disney Parks represents the next step in how we use innovative digital technology to enhance the guest experience in our parks,” says Vivek Sharma, senior vice president of Digital Guest Experience."
The app is a first for Disney and is designed to enhance the existing park experience
Guests reach their musical potential with Acoustic Arts, says John Walls
John Walls, Acoustic Arts
Acoustic Arts, a UK-based manufacturer of outdoor percussion musical instruments, has launched a range of instruments that can be played using the whole body.
Part of the new collection is the company’s latest release, the Wobble Drum. Consisting of a shallow drum, mounted on a spring and anchored to the ground, the Wobble Drum is a sealed drum that contains bells, balls or rattles. Users stand on the drum, moving their hips or gently rocking from side to side to create a rhythm.
“Acoustic Arts’ products are designed to bring out people’s innate musical potential with an activity that combines creativity, rhythm and coordination,” says Acoustic Arts managing director, John Walls.
“This presents an exciting and fulfilling challenge on an individual level, the experience moves to another level when other people join in.”
Mounted in hand-built timber frames, the instruments are designed to provide fun, interactive experiences for visitors and can be installed as a standalone piece, or combined to create a dynamic musical play area.
attractions-kit keyword: ACOUSTIC ARTS
“Acoustic Arts’ products are designed to bring out people’s innate musical potential with an activity that combines creativity, rhythm and coordination,”
Acoustic Arts creates dynamic musical play areas for attractions
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic
England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo
and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Populous have unveiled their plans for a state-of-the-art e-sports arena, designed to stand as a
central landmark in Qiddaya City’s gaming and e-sports district, Saudi Arabia.
Immersive entertainment specialists, Layered Reality, is creating a tribute to Elvis Presley
featuring a concert experience with a life-sized digital Elvis.