Before
You Hire Designers, How to Start a Theme Park
The
feasibility study provides critical physical planning recommendations
for theme park designers, and is the first step in the development
process. Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) specializes in conducting this
study, which is typically required by financing institutions and
investors.
The study provides market and financial analysis and projections. It
also provides critical physical planning recommendations to assist the
theme park designer during the design stage of development. It is
critical that the designs are in line with market needs and expected
cash flow. These physical planning guidelines need to be in place
before construction and building can start. Designers, builders, and
managers can all benefit from the guidance provided in the study.
As part of the feasibility study, LBA can work closely with you in
preparing the initial image package that would assist designers in the
design stage of development that follows the feasibility stage. We
could provide a walk-through description and color artist conceptual
images of your new theme park seen through the eyes of a typical
visitor. These would preliminarily suggest the general "look and feel"
of the new park in financing and marketing presentations.
John Gerner, our managing director, has been a consultant for more than
20 years and has conducted feasibility studies for many theme parks in
the United States, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.
We pride ourselves on prompt service and are also sensitive to time
constraints often involved in starting new development projects. If
needed, assignments can be accelerated for an extra fee.
LBA provides theme park
master planning and
design services in cooperation with
Montchai Design. Tom Montchai is an experienced theme park designer and
is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Examples of
his past work are shown on this page.
Although
the actual theme park design process differs from one project to
another, the following paragraphs outline a typical approach.
Concept Development in the
Feasibility Study
The
development process generally begins with a site visit and initial
meeting to discuss the client's vision for the new leisure attraction.
Conceptually, the design effort begins with a blank page. The greatest
opportunity occurs when unique aspects of the project can be
effectively integrated with the proven experience of comparable
attractions elsewhere and potential market support for this particular
location. The resulting plan is generally the strongest tool in
financing and operational efforts.
Design Charrette
As
the feasibility study nears completion, the physical and financial
framework is in place for conceptual design. The transition often
occurs in a "design charrette" that brings together the client group
with designers and other creative team members. The study's findings
are discussed, and ideas presented by all involved.
Specific
goals for this brainstorming session differ, depending on the type of
leisure attraction being developed. For a new theme park or amusement
park, this effort can begin with selecting a general overall theme and
specific themes for individual areas. The most popular themes typically
involve adventure or fantasy.
From
the start, it is important to keep the potential guest experience in
mind. Ultimate success depends on the new leisure attraction meeting
visitor expectations and desires.
Land Use Plan
At
the design charrette, the master planning process also begins. It often
starts with a "bubble diagram" that applies the feasibility study's
physical recommendations to the client's site. This initial land use
plan becomes more refined and detailed as it adapts to the particular
needs of the concept and site.
The
above example provided by Tom Montchai, is from a past amusement
park project with five themed areas, each of which would have a unique
identity that is reinforced by its architecture and landscaping. A
"theme park" typically has five to seven distinctively themed areas
under a broad overall theme.
The
functional layout of this particular example basically follows the
"loop" approach that is common with many recent theme parks. In this
layout, the themed areas surround a central lake that often serves as
the location for evening spectacles. Another common layout is
the "hub and spoke" approach that Disneyland first popularized. It has
a central visual icon (such as a castle) as its hub,
with themed areas fanning out from this centerpiece. Other
layouts are used, and none is clearly superior to the others.
Unique site characteristics influence the choice of the best functional
layout, as well as other design aspects.
After
establishing the themed areas, individual components are
distributed within each area. Major rides and shows are
typically placed at the edges in order to attract guests throughout the
park. This approach helps maximize overall holding capacity
and crowd flow. The main shops are generally placed near the
exit for convenience.
Based
on typical guest behavior and pedestrian planning standards, a visitor
circulation plan can also be prepared to ensure smooth movement
throughout the theme park. This enhances guest comfort and prevents
bottlenecks.
Illustrated Master Plan
Functional
needs are combined with visual theming in an illustrated master plan.
An example is shown below by Tom Montchai from his past design work for
a major new theme park in China. As shown, structures are often
color-coded by type in order to aid optimum distribution and placement.
Aerial Perspective
Although
functional aspects are critical for operational success, a new theme
park also needs to be visually appealing and understandable to
non-professional individuals involved with the project. An effective
way of showcasing a new theme park is with an aerial perspective, often
from a "bird's-eye" perspective. The aerial perspective below is for
the same theme park as the illustrated master plan above, but this
perspective gives a better sense of what the theme park would look like
as it more clearly comes to life in the eyes of viewers.
As
the overall design vision for the project takes form, more detailed
views of smaller parts of the project (such as an individual themed
area) can also be prepared. Below is an example of a close-up rendering
that Tom Montchai prepared for the Town Square entertainment complex in
Las Vegas. This image shows the locally acclaimed children's park area
that opened in 2007.
Concept Art
Our
visual perspective can shift to ground level, now that we have a
detailed overall perspective. The conceptual sketch, or vignette, below
is one of the many concept art images prepared by Tom Montchai for the
Town Square children's park area in Las Vegas shown in the close-up
rendering above. These artist conception images provide a view of the
new leisure attraction through the eyes of a typical visitor.
Assistance with Later Design
Efforts
This schematic
design effort lays the groundwork for the subsequent design
development and detailed design stages. The concept art images of
individual structures will later become the starting point
for scaled architectural drawings.
As
an architect for Forrec Ltd, Tom Montchai was part of the design team
for Universal Studios Florida and was the project
architect for its Fievel's Playland area. Below is one of his
facade sketches along with a photograph of the actual building on that
theme park's New York Street after construction.
More Details on the Feasibility
Study Process
These
theme park design tasks can be part of an expanded planning effort that
begins with the feasibility study. To learn more about the specific
tasks involved in that study, click
here.
Copyright
@2005-2009 Leisure Business Advisors LLC (aka "Leisure Business
Advisers") and its licensors. Design images are provided courtesy of Montchai
Design.
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