The amusement park is a part of our childhood growing up. It brings us joy and enjoyable experience. However, growing up, it seems that it is repetitive or plain to us. In this century, where technology reigns, VR in amusement parks is being considered by theme park owners, to help them with their business.
Virtual Reality in Amusement Parks
VR can be used as a designed tool or to enhance the experience of the guests.
- As a design tool, wherein VR has enabled a significantly enhanced mechanism to pre-visualize attractions, like live shows and attractions. In the past, architects or artists will have to draw and design the stage, now VR can mock up an environment, which will lead to rapid prototyping and advanced ability to get the buy-ins from the stakeholders.
- Enhanced the guest experience. Imagine riding a roller coaster, but this time donning a VR gear, instead of seeing the rails of the coaster and the dull view, it will give you this simulation of a virtual world wherein that adds up to the experience. It’s the combination of the old school roller coaster wherein you’ll get to feel the rush, the excitement plus this time, with the aid of VR can make it twice the experience.
Benefits of Virtual Reality in Amusement Parks
With the advantages of Virtual Reality, it can breathe life to the usual theme parks that we are accustomed. Here’s what both the consumers and proprietors can get from Virtual Reality.
- Makes the experience more enjoyable. With VR in the amusement parks making its mark, it does not only make the rides enjoyable but also memorable, making the park goers come back for more.
- Save on cost. Instead of expanding the theme park, VR can help you enhance and make more simulations for the park. Whether it has something to do with horror, sci-fi or adventure, there will be no need for you to build new buildings but just enhanced or change the simulation and voila, you are done and ready to offer new attractions.
- You can create your own stories that will match the theme of the park. There will be more option for you to be able to enhance the experience of the park goers.
- Increase profit. Since VR can alter reality, people who experienced the rides or attractions using VR can use to spread this to their friends, colleagues, and families. With the recommendations of the customers, people will flock to the amusement parks which is good for business.
- A good place to do gatherings and events or kill time. For companies who are wanting to have a good team building, you can make sure that you will enjoy VR in the amusement parks. There are choices like arena gaming, VR in roller coasters and also the enhancement of the park just using the VR.
- It is more convenient and efficient. Theme parks can incorporate VR to their guests by showing a virtual map or a list of attractions and what more to come. In this way, it will be less effort for the guests to enjoy the amenities and attractions of the park.
The Importance of Good Characters, Stories, and Worlds
Characters are a critical part of an amusement park experience because they have the power in bringing the experience to life. Here are the things that you need to consider:
- Good characters are only useful when they are part of an exciting story. Let’s stop adding mascots that will just stand in the background and do nothing.
- Weave a good story that the various guests can experience and enjoy.
- Try to make sure that the “world” you are creating will captivate the mind of the guests.
It is where VR can make a difference since it will be easier for you to create and design a world, make memorable and significant characters that many people will like.
Old vs. New
People used to enjoy amusement parks with just riding the rides like a roller coaster, Ferris wheels, water slides and even the Merry Go Round. However, as time goes by, people are looking for innovations and new stuff which leads to fewer people going to the park if we fail to supply or upgrade it. Here is the comparison between the old and modern amusement park.
- Amusement parks before can offer you certain rides, wherein with the modern amusement park you can still provide the same rides but with a twist.
- You can get to two places at a time. In the past, you’ll get to go to an amusement park, but it will be just the same place over and over again. Now, VR in amusement parks can take you to places as far as the mind can imagine.
- Modern amusement park can adapt to the guest’s needs, unlike before, it will be the guest who will have to adjust to what the park can offer.
Helps Bring the Fun to Those Who Can’t
VR is the game changer in the amusement park business. Not only does it give you this advantage of using the latest technology, but it also gives you an opportunity to let others enjoy it even with limitations. For people who are not allowed to ride a roller coaster, there are other means for you to enjoy other attractions using the VR.
- For some amusement parks in the US, it adds up to their customer satisfaction, for there will be no more restrictions for people with special needs.
- They can get to enjoy the park without taking the extreme rides that the park can offer.
- They can be entertained or get to feel the excitement by using the simulations with the VR.
With the aid of VR, there will be no more discrimination, and we can get to enjoy the amusement park without any reservations. Though there can still be precautions, it will be lesser this time compared to what the actual environment can offer.
My Thoughts
I am not overly fond of going to amusement parks since I felt they are just offering me the same thing for their attractions. However, VR in amusement parks entices me to come back. Why? It is because of the new experience that it could offer without losing the atmosphere of the old amusement park. It’s like reliving the moment and creating a new one.
References:
http://www.skills2learn.com/virtual-reality-benefits.html
https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/virtual-reality
https://filmora.wondershare.com/virtual-reality/virtual-reality-use-in-entertainment.html