Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sally Corporation partners with Sesame Workshop and PortAventura World on first Sesame-themed dark ride in Europe

 

Sally Corporation of Jacksonville, FL, PortAventura World, and Sesame Workshop announced a new dark ride for 2019.  The new attraction will be the first Sesame Street dark ride in Europe.  The announcement was made at the IAAPA Attractions Expo with a life-sized animatronic Big Bird on display, telling guests about the new adventure he and his friends are about to embark on.

Continuing PortAventura’s policy of constant investment and the goal of offering new and exciting experiences to visitors every year, 2019 will feature a new attraction suitable for all family members – a Sesame Street-themed dark ride to be located in SesamoAventura, a dedicated Sesame Street area featuring the iconic characters and where children are center stage.

Animatronic Big Bird at Sally booth during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018

According to Fernando Aldecoa, General Director of PortAventura World: “This partnership with the internationally recognized global leader in children’s education and entertainment Sesame Workshop, along with the collaboration with Sally Corporation, as a dark ride specialist will contribute to create an attraction that will be unique experience within the range of the family entertainment offer.”

Ed Wells, Senior Vice President and Head of International Media and Education for Sesame Workshop, said: “Theme parks are one of the most powerful ways for children and families to engage and connect with their favorite characters.  Our partner PortAventura World, one of the top regional theme park resorts in Europe, has done an amazing job along with Sally Corporation, in capturing the true essence of the Sesame Street brand and creating an immersive experience that brings our characters to life for park guests.” 

The near six-minute long dark ride attraction will be housed in a newly constructed 14,000 square foot building and will feature a 10 minute preshow and 5:50 minute ride experience.  Detective Grover will be your guide through this interactive adventure, urging guests to collect clues that will help solve a mystery happening on Sesame Street.  With numerous animatronic characters, immersive scenery, and interactive gameplay, this mixed media attraction will appeal to guests of all ages.

Sesame Street unique dark ride features:

— Show length over 15 minutes long (10 minute preshow, 5:50 minute ride experience)

— 8 projection screens including :

             *4, projection-mapped screens on dimensional sets with practical target integration.

             *1, ninety-degree curved screen with animatronic and show element synching.

             *2, one hundred eighty-degree curved, fully immersive screens allow guests to fly through  Count’s Castle and dive down into Oscar’s Trash can.

             *1, Hall of Fame scoreboard

— Over 2,000 clues/targets (virtual and practical)

PHOTO CREDITS: top courtesy PortAventuraWorld. Big Bird by Joe Kleiman for InPark Magazine.

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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