AR/VR in
Theme Parks
Written by | Shan Chang
VR is not a new concept for the field of theme parks since they always care to upgrade guests' immersive experiences first. Disney launched the original DisneyQuest in 1988, which included Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride. However, it didn’t deliver profit targets that were part of the plan for Disney and was closed.
In recent years, VR technology has become affordable and stable. According to the research in 2018, the VR effects have been spread widely. Between 2015 and 2017, most European steel roller coaster industry manufacturers adopted VR technology on one or more of their operating roller coasters.
Theme parks began utilizing virtual reality technology with existing roller coasters, water slides, and drop towers. Riders are given VR headsets that have LED screens. These headsets place riders in a virtual world that corresponds to the movements of the attraction.
VR Star Theme Park
In Guizhou province, China, there is a VR Star theme park costing about $1.5 billion and offers a wide variety of VR rides for visitors to have an immersive experience. Combining VR and AR technologies, a large number of exciting rides and virtual attractions have been set up. It is the first VR theme park in China with 35 different virtual reality attractions such as VR coasters, a futuristic space battle, and experiential tours. As feedback, most of the audience felt excited and satisfied with the experience equipment; while some people were not used to the side effects of VR equipment and felt dizzy and vomited.
Image Source: ROAD TO VR
Video Source: Tech Insider
Video Source: American Coaster Enthusiasts - Northern California
Six Flags theme parks
Six Flags is an American amusement park corporation. The majority of Six Flags parks are located in the United States. Augmented Reality Scavenger Hunt is one of the attractions applying AR technology for visitors to find clues hidden in the park and discover unknowing surprises through their phones.
In terms of VR, Six Flags collaborated with Samsung Galaxy smartphones by using the Samsung Gear VR headset in its virtual reality (VR) roller coasters in 2017. The video shows how the experience of "The New Revolution: Galactic Attack" from the users' sight. Seeing through the VR headset on the coaster, this attraction takes the visitors from the earth to space and makes them feel they are actually saving the earth from the alien drone invasion.
Image Source: 2REUTERS/Joseph Campbell