FUN FACT
Dynamic Attractions won IAAPA’s Brass Ring award for Best New Product Concept four years in a row:
- 2015: SFX Coaster, opening as an attraction in 2021
- 2016: Dynamic Motion Theatre, opening as an attraction in 2021
- 2017: All-Terrain Dark Ride, project on hold due to COVID-19
- 2018: Dual Power Coaster, opening as an attraction in 2021
With eight new rides slated to open worldwide, Dynamic Attractions is set to have an exciting year. The 2021 attraction openings include two brand new coasters and three flying theatres, one being Dynamic’s first 3D flying theatre. According to executive vice president of business development, Cindy Emerick Whitson, “While the opening dates of several rides got pushed back as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the attitudes of our clients and our team have remained incredibly positive. We are continuing to progress in the construction and installation of our ride systems.”
While the pandemic has presented numerous operational difficulties, Cindy remains optimistic., “We have been fortunate to survive 2020 and enter 2021 in a strong position. Thankfully, we had over US$100 million in the pipeline. We also have a comprehensive parts and service department that services all types of rides from various manufacturers. Right now, with parks not investing in capital intensive projects, they are using this downtime to concentrate on smaller improvements, which our parts and services team has supported effortlessly.” “It has been a very challenging time for virtually every company in the world,” states executive chair and chief executive officer, Guy Nelson. “We used this time to get closer to our customers, critically assess the company’s incredibly valuable intangible assets, and re-organize our employees in such a way as to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities that we have identified in a post-pandemic world.”
Dynamic Attractions has been juggling teams in six different locations since mid-summer. Cindy praises her team and her clients for taking the unusual circumstances in their stride: “Our clients and team have seamlessly integrated all necessary COVID-19 safety precautions and protocols, and our clients have understood the delayed timeline and project turnaround time.”
Dynamic in Name and Nature
New ride openings are not the only novel things on the horizon. Dynamic Attractions’ parent company, Empire Industries, is taking on a fresh name: Dynamic Technologies Group. The rebranding reflects the company’s focus on innovation and technology and aligns all of its entities–Dynamic Entertainment, Dynamic Structures, and Dynamic Attraction–under one unifying umbrella.
With the name change also comes new leadership. Jerry Pierson brings his 30 plus years of experience in the themed entertainment industry to the role of president
of Dynamic Technologies Group. Jerry has an extensive background of working on projects for major companies and has played a role in a number of visionary attractions. Pierson’s track record of delivering exceptional results makes him a key asset in the future focus of the company.
“The rebranding is reflective of many things,” says Jerry, “not the least of which is the strategic pivot the company has been making towards creating and leveraging its proprietary technology. Over the past five years, the company has made significant investments to engineer and develop first-of-its-kind entertainment ride vehicle technology and intellectual property. One of Dynamic’s core values is its commitment to innovation.”
Coming Up: The SFX Coaster
Winner of the 2015 Brass Ring Award for Best New Product Concept
Dynamic Attractions will set a new industry benchmark with the opening of its fi rst SFX coaster. This unique, highly innovative, fi rst-of-its-kind SFX Coaster mixes elements of a dark ride with the thrills of a high-speed roller coaster. This ride not only delivers the intense roller coaster experience but also surprises with track switches and immersive state-of-the-art media.
Cindy explains: “Using our energy effi cient linear synchronous motors (LSM), the SFX Coaster is a narrative driven dark ride that occurs on a high-speed, catapult launch coaster. It contains new coaster elements that offer movements and sensations that were previously impossible on a roller coaster. Even more impressive is the perfect synchronisation of the ride’s hardware with high defi nition, immersive sound and visual media. This is a truly remarkable blend of dark ride and coaster technology that allows themed entertainment designers a broad palette for creating new attractions. Guests are going to love it.”
The SFX Coaster, a term originally coined by Dynamic Attractions, opens new doors for immersive storytelling and creates compelling experiences
“unrivalled by traditional coasters”.
Synergy Coaster Winner of the 2018 Brass Ring Award for Best New Product Concept
Dynamic Attractions will also be delivering its first Synergy Coaster at Genting Highlands in Malaysia. Cindy explains, “Our Synergy Coaster yet again raises the bar as the world’s first dueling coaster that utilizes a hidden onboard drive that works in tandem with linear synchronous motors (LSM).”
The hidden onboard drive system allows guests to focus on the story experience as it unfolds and not anticipate what happens next. The onboard drive allows for variable speeds and works seamlessly with the LSM system to deliver storytelling as it should be, with varied pacing and storyline twists and turns.
In this 2018 award-winning concept guests duel other riders in a high-speed race to the fi nish. Guy states, “We are here to conceptualise dreams and build attractions. Our specialty lies in being able to convert a creative idea into a physical experience.”
Dynamic Flying Theater
As the creator of the original Flying Theater some 20 years ago, Dynamic Attractions is an industry leader for this type of product. Dynamic’s focus on safety, reliability, and innovation has led the company to continually evolve its Flying Theater product using the newest technology. Dynamic’s development efforts will come to fruition with the opening of its first 3D Flying Theatre, Wings of Destiny, at Doha Oasis Quest, the first of three new Flying Theaters taking flight in 2021.
“There is something about the experience of flying that universally inspires wonderment in all of us”, says Guy.
“Dynamic has mastered the sensation of flight to deliver an unmatched guest experience. Using our hardware with a realistic ride motion profile, 180-degree immersive media, and onboard effects, we create an unbeatable experience.”
Dynamic’s patented TrueFlight system allows motion profiles that can either be action packed or gentle, creating wonder, excitement, and fun for guests from eight to eighty years old. Dynamic Attractions is also opening flying theatres at Genting Highlands, Malaysia, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Dynamic Motion Theater
Winner of the 2016 Brass Ring Award for Best New Product Concept
The Dynamic Motion Theater provides limitless options for integrating the ride system with show sets, projections, special effects, and even live performers. The ride hardware features a rotating theatre platform that can raise, lower, tilt, and spin to reveal new sets and scenes, allowing guests to be in the very center of the action. The shows can be easily changed, encouraging guests to come back again and again for new experiences.
According to Jerry, “This versatile system delivers a unique theatre experience and creates a solid foundation for a diverse range of storytelling opportunities. By allowing the guests’ perspective to change and follow the action, guests are immersed in a rich world of media and live theater performance.” The Motion Theater has the ability to rotate 360 degrees, while simultaneously tilting in a “coin-roll” fashion. This is coupled with a full meter heave up or down, allowing for family-friendly thrills.
Early next year the company will open its first Dynamic Motion Theatre at Futuroscope, France’s first amusement park. Welcoming two million visitors through its gates every year, the park shares Dynamic Attractions’ vision says Cindy, providing “attractions that take visitors on extraordinary human and technological adventures.”
“We are here to conceptualize dreams and build attractions. Our specialty lies in being able to convert a creative idea into a physical experience.”
Chief Executive Officer
Guy Nelson
Reflecting on the Future
The Dynamic team is looking forward to the new attractions opening in 2021. Following the massive sweep of entertainment closures in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the industry is poised for 2021 to bring new experiences that draw guests back to the parks. As venues around the world open back up, guests are returning to enjoy the magic of rich, immersive experiences. As Cindy puts it, “There is nothing quite like the excitement of a ride that is executed well and leaves guests wanting to get right back in line for another go.”
Park World Magazine | Winter Part 2 2021 | Page 42-43
https://content.yudu.com/web/69r/0Aiy7l/PWWinter20212/html/print/PW-FEB21DL.pdf
