LA Times Article on Experience-based Theme Parks

[CumulusIsobar]

Didn't see this posted elsewhere. Interesting read.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...ore-future-of-theme-parks-20181109-story.html

References the closing of Adventurers Club which was ahead of the curve back in the 90s:

“Adventurers Club did work,” says Shipley. “To this day, I think it's a tragedy that it doesn't exist, or that it wasn't evolved, if that was the need from a business model.”

Also interesting comments on the need (or lack of) IP link:

Asked why he believes Evermore can succeed without linking with, say, a known fantasy franchise or video game, he says without hesitation, “New Orleans Square,” referencing the ornately themed area of Disneyland with wholly original attractions such as the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. “It's a classic pirates story,” Bretschneider says of the ride that spawned the film franchise instead of the reverse. “And it's a classic story about a haunted mansion. It is not IP. You don't associate it with anything.”

 

[Shouldigo12]

Sounds like a neat place, but it seems more like LARPing than a theme park.
Edit- ok, now that I'm out of the cold I was able to read it a bit more. I stand by saying that this sounds more like a super elaborate role playing experience than a theme park, but I have to admit this place sounds pretty amazing. The cynic in me wonders how long they'll be able to keep this level of detail up though. Have you found pricing information? I've looked at the website and I can't see anything.

 

[Phonedave]

I can see the appeal, but I can also see some problems with the concept.

When something is as immersive as that, you need buy in from your entire group. There is more individual appeal for families in a place like WDW.

It does not scale well. When you have 30 people in a tavern, and somebody wants to prove to the hunters that they can use a bow, that is great. When you have 300 or 3,000 people, now it gets unwieldy. The AC was different, while there was a lot of one on one guest interaction, there was also a lot of group interaction. Plus teh size of the venue was limited.

It is expensive. Having that many good actors is difficult. There is a Renaissance Faire that runs every year near me http://renfair.com/ny/ were all of the staff and most of the attendees are in costume and character. They make the vendors stay in character too. One year (I have not been there in forever by the way) there was a guy selling candles. You would walk into his shop and he would go "prithee, dost thou whishest to peruse mine lighting .. of .. devices .. of the ... finest ... oh hell, I can't do this, Do you want to buy a candle". It's hard toget people who can stay in character, and if they slip up it really sticks out.

 

[Shouldigo12]

I can see the appeal, but I can also see some problems with the concept.

When something is as immersive as that, you need buy in from your entire group. There is more individual appeal for families in a place like WDW.

It does not scale well. When you have 30 people in a tavern, and somebody wants to prove to the hunters that they can use a bow, that is great. When you have 300 or 3,000 people, now it gets unwieldy. The AC was different, while there was a lot of one on one guest interaction, there was also a lot of group interaction. Plus teh size of the venue was limited.

It is expensive. Having that many good actors is difficult. There is a Renaissance Faire that runs every year near me http://renfair.com/ny/ were all of the staff and most of the attendees are in costume and character. They make the vendors stay in character too. One year (I have not been there in forever by the way) there was a guy selling candles. You would walk into his shop and he would go "prithee, dost thou whishest to peruse mine lighting .. of .. devices .. of the ... finest ... oh hell, I can do this, Do you want to buy a candle". It's hard toget people who can stay in character, and if they slip up it really sticks out.

This is my biggest concern too. This place looks like it requires an insane amount of planning and skill just for their nightly operations. Its doubtful they'll be able to keep this up forever, especially if it gets more popular.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I can see the appeal, but I can also see some problems with the concept.

When something is as immersive as that, you need buy in from your entire group. There is more individual appeal for families in a place like WDW.

It does not scale well. When you have 30 people in a tavern, and somebody wants to prove to the hunters that they can use a bow, that is great. When you have 300 or 3,000 people, now it gets unwieldy. The AC was different, while there was a lot of one on one guest interaction, there was also a lot of group interaction. Plus teh size of the venue was limited.

It is expensive. Having that many good actors is difficult. There is a Renaissance Faire that runs every year near me http://renfair.com/ny/ were all of the staff and most of the attendees are in costume and character. They make the vendors stay in character too. One year (I have not been there in forever by the way) there was a guy selling candles. You would walk into his shop and he would go "prithee, dost thou whishest to peruse mine lighting .. of .. devices .. of the ... finest ... oh hell, I can't do this, Do you want to buy a candle". It's hard toget people who can stay in character, and if they slip up it really sticks out.

Dilly Dilly!

 

[Shouldigo12]

The article mentioned the escape the room games; I feel like this concept might be better suited to something like that. Get your friends, sign up for a timeslot, and go on a guided quest of some sort. It would cut down on all the variables, I think.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Does anyone have some more information on Evermore Park? So it's in Utah, and I've seen pictures of it. From what I am seeing it is more an immersive experience with different theming. Are there lots of rides or shows? Is it worth going to see?

 

[Shouldigo12]

Does anyone have some more information on Evermore Park? So it's in Utah, and I've seen pictures of it. From what I am seeing it is more an immersive experience with different theming. Are there lots of rides or shows? Is it worth going to see?

I know there's no rides yet.

 

[larryz]

Dilly Dilly!

If you say so...