Virtual Reality

Mack Media

Dear Mr. Theme Park,

Do you believe that virtual reality will ever completely take the place of roller coasters?  With the new VR coasters just announced, it seems like they are starting to cross over.  I was thinking virtual reality was maybe a fad, but now I am not so sure.  What do you think?   

From Peter

  

Dear Peter,

As our industry continues to flourish in the greatest growth period we have ever seen, we too are experiencing the greatest impact of technology that we have ever seen.

From RFID bracelets to apps for how to avoid long lines, we continue to see something new introduced almost monthly, if not weekly.

 

Yes, there has been a lot of virtual reality intertwined with our rides and attractions.  This is a natural outgrowth of the technologies we are experiencing.  Companies like TrioTech, Sally Corporation, Mack Media, Holovis, Simex, and others are all blending virtual experiences with everything from dark rides to roller coasters.

One of my favorite virtual reality rides is Toy Story at Disney.  The ride, the theme, and the technology woven together present one of our industry’s best attractions.  It engages the whole family to play and enjoy together, while playing against each other through scorekeeping.

A lot of manufacturers, such as Dynamic Attractions, CAVU DesignWerks, and Mack Rides as I mentioned earlier, are all “toying” with increasing the interface of technology with the ride experience.  When you stop to think about it, Disney’s Space Mountain ride is an early adopter of virtual reality featuring a roller coaster experience in a night simulation / outer space atmosphere.

Peter, no I do not think that the roller coaster will ever be replaced by a full virtual reality experience.  I do believe that we will con  And I believe we will see adaptations and modifications with more light, sound, and participatory involvement for our guests.  This would include hybrids with goggles that allow for interaction of different stories blended with the true coaster experience, or simulations that will allow for multiple story telling based on the same structure but with the ability to change up the experiences.

tinue to see greater coaster experiences – faster and higher for sure.

We know that technology and its advancement has always provided for innovations in our rides and attractions experiences, and will play a larger role in the future.  One only has to look at Harry Potter, the new Reign of Kong attraction, and Transformers the Ride.  The new Star Wars and Avatar attractions coming to Disney, Frozen Ever After, Soarin’ Around the World – these are all tremendous advancements in ride and attraction technology.

So one thing that will never change about our industry is that “it will always continue to change.”  And, Peter, that is why people keep coming back for years and years and years.  Above all, remember in our business, “Coaster is Still King.”  Happy riding!