MAY - JUNE 2023Media & Entertainment8IN MY OPINIONSean Reish, VP, Business Development, Theme Parks + Attractions, TAITByHOW THEMED EXPERIENCES WILL EVOLVE TO MATCH GROWING CONSUMER EXPECTATIONSSean Reishhe themed experience industry has captivated audiences since the early 19th century and then became more popular when disneyland opened its doors in 1955. While the core layout and management of theme parks have largely remained the same, new technologies have elevated consumer expectations and the possibilities that businesses and entertainment studios can achieve.The evolution of themed entertainment is a nonstop sprint because it must keep up with personal technologies that become increasingly impressive by the day. Virtual reality (VR), affordable big-screen high-resolution televisions, and modern video game consoles can turn your home entertainment into a spectacle that never seemed possible even 10 years ago. Below are some of the ways that the industry is transforming to meet the needs of guests and businesses.The Combination of VR and Physical Space will Continue to Dominate AttractionsMany guests believe theme park developers create new technologies to build or upgrade attractions. But the magic is in how we apply existing technology to create genuinely unique shared experiences. Themed attractions use an array of disparate technologies that innovate at different times, such as projection, robotics, screens, lighting, engineering systems, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and more. Developers must figure out how to combine some, or all, of these elements in large settings as they evolve for millions of people daily, while also conceiving new creative ideas these innovations allow.For example, improving projection means we can allow guests to get even closer without breaking immersion. And what else T
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