Aug 14, 2020 Joe Kleiman Europe & Middle East, News, North America, Technology & Media, Theme Parks, World markets Comments Off on New attractions from Sally Dark Rides contribute to record attendance at two theme parks
Sally Dark Rides reports record-breaking attendance for two client theme parks in 2019. PortAventura World and Hersheypark partnered with Sally Dark Rides to add interactive dark rides to their attractions in 2019. Both made the top twenty lists of most-attended theme parks for their respective regions, according to the 2019 TEA/AECOM Theme Index.
The Sally-designed and produced Sesame Street: Street Mission debuted in April, 2019 at PortAventura World in Spain. It made history as the first Sesame Street-themed dark ride in Europe. The near six-minute dark ride attraction is housed in a newly-constructed 14,000 square-foot building. It was named “Family Ride of the Year” by Park World and “Europe’s Best New Ride” by European Star.
In 2019, attendance grew 2.7 percent at PortAventura compared to 2018. The park drew 3,750,000 visits and was the sixth most-visited theme park in Europe. Season pass sales, which contributed to these record-breaking numbers, increased by 50 percent following the addition of the Sesame Street dark ride. Officials from PortAventura say new attractions, such as Sesame Street: Street Mission, new shows and special events are responsible for the additional guests.
“The Street Mission dark ride has been a huge success for our family destination resort,” says Fernando Aldecoa, CEO of PortAventura World.
Reese’s Cupfusion, another Sally Dark Rides production in conjunction with Raven Sun Creative, debuted at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania during the summer of 2019. This ride was a redevelopment project for Sally Dark Rides, replacing Reese’s Xtreme Cup Challenge. The ride occupied the same building while introducing a host of new characters, storyline, and features that completely transformed the attraction.
“Hersheypark knew that redeveloping RXCC and bringing an even more advanced gaming experience to their attractions roster, is exactly what the park guest wanted,” says Lauren Wood Weaver, Director of Marketing and Business Development of Sally Dark Rides.
Reese’s Cupfusion is the park’s first story-based attraction featuring an all new IP custom to the park. Raven Sun Creative worked closely with Hersheypark, in cooperation with the Reese’s Company to create this new IP. Raven Sun developed the design for the attraction then worked with Sally to bring it to fruition. The ride engages multiple senses; sight, smell, touch, and sound, as guests experience interactive family game play.
“We’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback with guests complimenting the new technology, the multi-level game play and the unique elements of the story,” says Vikki Hultquist, General Manager for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts.
At Hersheypark, attendance grew 0.5 percent in 2019. The park drew 3,384,000 visits, putting it in the top twenty theme parks of North America. “Dark rides offer unmatched, interactive experiences for the whole family to enjoy. They can be a real game-changer for regional and destination theme parks,” says John Wood, CEO/Chairman of Sally Dark Rides. “We’re very proud of the contributions our rides have made to the success of these parks and look for opportunities to do more of the same in the future.”
Comments Off on BoldMove introduces Smash & Reload XXL with greater hourly throughput
Comments Off on From classics to high tech: Themed Entertainment Association announces newest Thea Award recipients
Comments Off on DNP photo printers help attractions and concessionaires stay competitive on the souvenir photo front
Comments Off on PortAventura World and LaLiga partner on football-based digital entertainment experience
Jan 22, 2021 Comments Off on Looking forward, WhiteWater redefines leadership team
Jan 21, 2021 Comments Off on Mad Systems announces addition of Toni Losier to business development team
Jan 21, 2021 Comments Off on Rock Solid: Stoneface sculpts natural environments for theme parks, zoos, aquariums and more
Jan 21, 2021 Comments Off on Museums Evolving conference goes virtual for second year in a row due to COVID-19 pandemic
Dec 29, 2020 Comments Off on Cedar Fair seeks Corporate Director, Communications
The position will lead strategy development and execution...Dec 28, 2020 Comments Off on Pursuit seeks Financial Analyst, FP&A
This role will focus on all aspects of financial planning...Dec 26, 2020 Comments Off on AOA seeks Show Set Designer
There will be a great deal of freedom, which will be...Dec 09, 2020 Comments Off on Visualization firm THE THIRD FLOOR has openings for a variety of positions
THE THIRD FLOOR is currently seeking Postvis Generalists,...Dec 09, 2020 Comments Off on CineVenture seeks 3D character animator
CineVenture develops high-end content for the global...