Located in the shadow of the awe-inspiring Tuwaiq Mountains, Six Flags Qiddiya City will included The Enchanted Greenhouse, an interactive dark ride designed and built by Jora Vision, ETF Ride Systems and Alterface.
The Enchanted Greenhouse is nestled within the heart of “Twilight Gardens,” one of the six themed zones the park features. Within this landscape, guests are welcomed into a long-lost greenhouse to uncover its mysteries. During the expedition they encounter various secrets to unravel, from the identity of the elusive warden ‘Farasha’ (the butterfly) to the hidden inhabitants of the greenhouse.
Singular view on interactivity
Instead of a classic shooting gallery, guests experience memorable scenes they can influence. The Enchanted Greenhouse offers a collaborative gameplay experience, inviting guests to jointly uncover the wonders around them. Each vehicle works together to awaken the inhabitants of this mystical world: guests wield the power to alter colors, influence behaviors, and illuminate these creatures, breathing life into the green haven. The experience is no longer just a game or a competition, but a journey where the visitors must cooperate to discover the magical biosphere that surrounds them.
A consortium like no other
The consortium of Jora Vision, Alterface and ETF Ride Systems previously partnered on award-winning rides, such as Bazyliszek (Legendia Poland) and Popcorn Revenge (Walibi Belgium).
By joining forces from the get-go, the opportunity arose to fully align every ride element. By starting with comprehensive 3D design studies, Jora Vision made sure the ride’s feature fit perfectly in the framework that Six Flags Qiddiya City provided. With a themed surface of 1,300 square meters (nearly 14,000 square feet) the dark ride is rather compact. Still, through clever design, the experience lasts almost five minutes and will have an extensive pre-show.
A flourishing storyline
Jora Vision created the overall concept and the (still classified) story for the ride. The whole tale is told by multiple animatronics, 14 multimedia projectors and the promise of a never-before-seen effect in an interactive dark ride. All hidden in immersive décor that is overgrown with thousands of otherworldly plants.
The narrative is influenced both by the local culture and stories inspired by Saudi and the region that resonate with the park visitors.
“Six Flags Qiddiya City is an extraordinary development in our industry, renowned for its creative and visionary ambitions. We believe The Enchanted Greenhouse harmonizes beautifully with these enchanting aspirations, promising to be a brand-new ride experience for families to enjoy in Saudi,” says Robin van der Want, project development director at Jora Vision.
Signature vehicles
ETF Ride Systems provides their signature autonomous trackless Multi Mover vehicles. Each vehicle has a custom themed body with animated elements. It seats 6 guests and gives each an unobstructed view of the ride. These 12 vehicles will cruise a 160-meter-long (525-foot-long) course.
During the ride, multiple scenes will take advantage of the absence of a physical track, allowing for movements and effects that are impossible with traditional rails. Additionally, a unique non-linear loading station increases capacity and reduces queue times.
“With all the different elements and vehicles, it’s like conducting an orchestra to create a symphony”, Ruud Koppens, the CEO of ETF Ride Systems says.
Hands-on interactivity
The unique view on non-intrusive interactivity in this ride demands a new approach to interactivity. Alterface adds their technological know-how and makes the interactive elements blend in seamlessly with the ride’s lush surroundings. A vast array of interactive components add to the challenge: media content, physical props, Pepper’s ghost effects and mapped projections all combine to tell the story. Beside linking all these unique gameplay elements, Alterface has coordinated the media, music, and lighting, thus ensuring a cohesive and magical experience.
“The collaboration with ETF Ride Systems and Jora Vision is key. This allows us to use an entire register of visual tricks and to hide the technology from the guests to immerse them into a truly magical experience,” according to Stephane Battaille, the CEO of Alterface.
