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Animal parks add 4D theatres
Zoo Marine on Portugal’s Algarve is one of an increasing number of animal parks choosing to add 3D or 4D to their entertainment mix. Spurred on by the conservation theme of nWave’s ever-popular SOS Planet (Panda Vision) film, the park contracted 3DBA of Belgium to deliver a full turnkey 304-seat 4D theatre package, comprised of everything including the building.
“This set up is very attractive for parks with a short peak season due to the high capacity and very attractive turnkey budget,” notes 3DBA’s Roger Houben.
Unlike other 4D theatres, however, this particular installation does not include effects in the seats, but rather in the theatre building itself, including rainfall, wind and strobes. ”It’s a lot cheaper, but still effective,” believes Houben.
“The 4D effects are wonderful,” adds Zoo Marine manager Arlindo Ferreira.
“The 4D theatre is so far the most entertaining way we've seen to communicate knowledge about the main environmental problems increasingly concerning us all. In the future we will certainly add other movies, particularly those aligned with our values.” Zoo Marine chose to add the theatre, says Ferreira, because it presents a novelty to guests while also giving the park the option to hold conferences in the auditorium.
As well as the 4D theatre, Zoo Marine Algarve also created a number of new animal habitats this season, ready to receive a young Caribbean Manatee and a family of Crocodiles of the Nile.
*South Africa’s largest theme park, Gold Reef City near Johannesburg, was one of several other venues to add a new 4D theatre recently from 3DBA and Kraftwerk Living Technologies.
