Three providers have joined forces for the Enchanted Greenhouse – an interactive dark ride attraction in the Six Flags Qiddiya City theme park currently under construction
Enchanted Greenhouse is a new dark ride attraction at Six Flags Qiddiya City Photo credit: Jora Vision
Suppliers Alterface, ETF Ride Systems and Jora Vision are collaborating on a brand new ride project for the under-development Six Flags Qiddiya City theme park.
The trio of ride operators, who have previously worked together on rides such as Bazyliszek at Legendia Poland and Popcorn Revenge and Walibi Belgium, have now collaborated to create Enchanted Greenhouse – a dark ride attraction that will “set new standards for interactive and themed indoor attractions”.
The family-friendly attraction is modeled after an abandoned greenhouse and is located in the park’s “Twilight Gardens,” one of six themed areas currently under construction. Upon entering the greenhouse, visitors will meet the elusive guardian “Farasha,” who unlocks the secrets of the room, searches for its hidden inhabitants, and interacts with everything around her.
According to a press release, the central idea is that the ride is fun even when your finger isn’t on the trigger, and that there are memorable scenes you can influence, rather than a pure shooting gallery. This non-intrusive interactive approach leverages Alterface technology, with interactive elements such as media content, physical props, Pepper’s Ghosts and mapped projections working together to tell the ride’s story.
In addition to creating an interactive experience, Alterface is responsible for coordinating the ride’s media, music and lighting.
“The collaboration with ETF Ride Systems and Jora Vision is crucial,” said Stephane Bataille, CEO of Alterface.
“This allows us to use a whole range of visual tricks and hide the technology from guests to immerse them in a truly magical experience.”
The attraction will consist of 12 ETF six-seat trackless vehicles that will travel 160 m in a 1300 m² themed area. Each vehicle will have a custom-designed body with animated elements and will offer unobstructed views of the ride experience.
In addition, a unique non-linear charging station increases capacity and shortens waiting times.
“With all the different elements and vehicles, it’s like conducting an orchestra to create a symphony,” said Ruud Koppens, CEO of ETF Ride Systems.
Jora Vision developed the overall concept and yet-to-be-revealed story of the ride. During the ride, passengers in each vehicle will work together to awaken the world’s inhabitants. The story will be told through multiple animatronics, 14 multimedia projectors and a never-before-seen effect in an interactive dark ride.
The ride was influenced by both local Saudi culture and stories inspired by the region.
“Six Flags Qiddiya City is an exceptional development in our industry and is known for its creative and visionary ambitions,” said Robin van der Want, project development manager at Jora Vision. “We believe The Enchanted Greenhouse aligns beautifully with these enchanting aspirations and promises to be a brand new ride experience for families in Saudi Arabia.”
The new attraction is part of Six Flags Qiddiya, a 320,000 square meter (3.4 million square foot) theme park that will feature 28 rides and attractions in six themed lands when it opens, including Enchanted Greenhouse.
Qiddiya is a new district on the outskirts of the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, covering 367 km² and consisting of five main areas. First, there is the resort core, which is home to Qiddiya’s theme parks, entertainment and dining attractions, including Six Flags and a gigantic $750 million (€686 million, £598 million) water park.
Next is Qiddiya Village – a 24-hour multi-purpose entertainment and sports centre. Third is Motion Zone with motorsports experiences. Fourth is Ecozone with nature and wildlife encounters. And finally is Golf and Residential Complex – a residential complex with world-class golf courses.
Saudi Arabia, whose biggest investments include Qiddya, has announced plans to invest a further $800 billion (€737.3 billion, £630.4 billion) in tourism projects over the next decade, with construction projects worth more than $1 trillion (€921.7 billion, £787.7 billion) already underway.
