IAAPA Expo Asia is back in Singapore, showcasing the latest and coolest in amusement parks, attractions, and themed entertainment!
What is IAAPA Expo Asia?
Representing the global attractions industry, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is the largest trade association for theme parks and experiences that we all love. IAAPA Expo, held in the US, Europe and Asia, brings together the worldwide community of suppliers, buyers, industry leaders, educators and of course, members and fans of the attractions industry.
This time, IAAPA Expo Asia made its return at Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Sands. The Expo comprises an extensive show floor with myriad educational programmes and networking opportunities over the week.
I had some time to attend the opening ceremony and explore the show floor, so here are some highlights as I met up with some of the greatest and legendary talents in the industry.
Opening Ceremony of IAAPA Expo Asia
The day started with a bang, as drummers and dancers fill the stage with an energetic performance.
After that boisterous display, it’s time for an Executive Roundtable with June Koh (Executive Director and VP, IAAPA Asia Pacific Operations), Jim Pattison, Jr. (Chair, IAAPA Board of Directors, and President of Ripley Entertainment Inc), Jakob Wahl (President and CEO, IAAPA), and Andrew Bolstein (Chair, IAAPA APAC Advisory Committee).
The panel remarked on the global travel recovery and emerging consumer trends. Many attendees have travelled out of their countries for the first time since the pandemic, so it made for a very exciting and memorable reunion.
Bursts of confetti to mark the start of IAAPA Expo Asia – and we’re off to the show floor!
DOF Robotics
It’s hard to miss DOF Robotics and its impressive ride system demo of Hurricane VR 360, which is open to all attendees. The system uses a robotic arm that can spin the ride vehicle, with the wireless VR headsets in sync with the ride movements.
DOF Robotics also showcased Mission Moon, a “Digital Park” concept attraction that offers visitors with a 30-40 min experience that is highly interactive and immersive.
Legacy Entertainment
Over at Legacy Entertainment, President and CCO Taylor Jeffs introduced the company’s recent works, highlighting its specialty in creating parks, resorts, aquariums and megadevelopments such as the BATAVIA PIK in Indonesia. BATAVIA is the world’s first overwater retail complex that combines restaurants, retail with attractions and live entertainment. The first phase has just opened recently.
Legacy Entertainment is also behind some major parks in the region, such as Lotte World Adventure Busan in Korea, Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, and the Vinwonders Theme Park in Vietnam.
Sansei Technologies
A new trackless dark ride vehicle was unveiled at IAAPA Expo Asia by Osaka-based Sansei Technologies. Its compact size, and a small turning radius of 1m, allows it to be fitted more flexibly into smaller locations or existing structures. A representative informed me that an attraction using this system would be ready sometime next year.
Also, as Sansei is based in Osaka, it might also be building a new IP-based attraction using this new trackless ride system to replace a closed (or soon to close) attraction at Universal Studios Japan.
You may not know it, but you may have sat in a Sansei at a major theme park. Sansei Technologies is the manufacturer of ride vehicles for some Disney and Universal Studios Park attractions, such as Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters. The company also owns Vekoma and S&S Worldwide – big names in the big coaster industry.
Triotech
Triotech, an award-winning creator of immersive media-based attractions, had a large presence at IAAPA Expo Asia, with numerous exhibits and game machines on display.
Founder and CEO Ernest Yale was around to give a tour of the Hyper Ride attraction miniature model.
This new dark ride solution was developed during the COVID Pandemic. It allows park operators to easily switch the ride’s entire media, updating the attraction to an entirely new theme or story without a complete rebuild.
Storm, a VR hands-free interactive shooting game which uses a similar system as the popular LEGO NINJAGO attractions in LEGOLAND Parks.
Sally Dark Rides
Did you know that Sally Dark Rides created the animatronic animals and effects at Universal Studios Singapore’s Treasure Hunters ride? It was also called Sally Corp back then.
At the Expo, the company also showcased some of the dark ride products, but what caught my eye was this model of the Sesame Street: Street Mission interactive dark ride at PortAventura in Spain. This is the second Sesame Street ride in the world (the other being Spaghetti Space Chase at Universal Studios Singapore!)
The company is on a roll for more epic adventures, with the opening of the new Uncharted dark ride roller coaster this weekend, also at PortAventura World.
Absurdities (Andsoforth)
Themed dining has been an enduring trend. Absurdities‘ co-founder, Stuart Wee, was at the Expo to share their unique “multiverse immersive dining” approach. He leads the same team behind Andsoforth’s Around The World in 80 Days.
And oh, Absurdities: Volume 1 has won a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement- Immersive Dining Experience Limited Budget.
Vekoma
Fun fact! Vekoma manufactured the first-of-its-kind and iconic Battlerstar Galactica rollercoasters at Universal Studios Singapore.
A few other coaster big names: Bolliger & Mabillard, Intamin, Mack Rides, were also at the Expo, but their booths were more for meetings than to showcase models and mockups.
Great Coasters International Inc
Great Coasters International Inc had a scale model of a wooden roller coaster, as well as some ride vehicle mockups. Given the sizes of such wooden coaster projects, they are quite rare in Asia, but you can find some of their coasters in China.
Themics
This detailed owl sculpt caught my eye – it’s by Themics, the company that has brought cartoon characters to life at some major parks including Motiongate UAE and Universal Studios Beijing.
Premier Rides
Premier Rides showcased some of their recent achievements, such as the world’s tallest indoor coaster – EpiQ Coaster in Quest theme park at Doha, Qatar.
They also built the Revenge of The Mummy attraction at Universal Studios Singapore, which to date is still the smoothest roller coaster in that theme park.
Park + Associates (P+A)
P+A was involved in the design and planning of several major attractions around the region, including Genting SkyWorlds and Universal Studios Singapore’s Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey attraction at Far Far Away, an area themed to the Shrek media franchise.
Zamperla
Speaking of Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey, that attraction is a customised ride manufactured by Zamperla. The company also specialises in carnival and flat rides.
Other Notables at IAAPA Expo Asia 2023
Dome experts Fulldome Pro showcased their latest Super Reality PRO projection dome, which has a stand-up motion platform within. The half dome beside it (pictured above) offers a fully immersive projection image of very high resolution.
VR is still a hot trend, with multiple exhibitors showcasing solutions, from the thrilling Ghostbusters VR by Hologate…
… to compact VR motion-simulators (pictured: Guangzhou Zhuoyuan Virtual Reality Tech) – they even have a lightcycle/ motorbike-styled vehicle.
Several VR game machine suppliers were also at the Expo (pictured: Guangzhou Movie Power Technology Co Ltd).
Guilin Dinfone Culture Technology Co Ltd showcased its solution for glasses- and headset- free thrills: A 7D Arc Screen Theater that is compact and just slides guests right into the action.
The new solutions by Simtec Systems promises even more thrilling motion-based attractions, stepping up from similar flying theatres such as Disney’s Soarin’ attractions.
Mascot characters still play an important role in an amusement park experience, and several suppliers had many samples on display, such as this dragon by Zigong Red Tiger Culture and Art. It stood out against a landscape of dinosaurs – there were countless dinos that they should’ve banded up for a Jurassic Park experience!
Hangzhou Trains Equipment Co brought some of their train mockups, and also a spirit of nostalgia to an otherwise very media- and VR- heavy attractions expo.
Lastly, this capsule dome by Guangzhou Lucidomes Technology Co Ltd is clearly perfect for stargazing in the wild outdoors, while keeping the elements away.
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