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The Goddard Group signs a partnership with Lotte
World in South Korea
Update : 18/12/12 - 16h11Published by François Mayné the 17 December 2012, New.
The Goddard Group, one of the most renowned companies in entertainment design, has recently signed a partnership with Lotte World, the world's largest indoor amusement park located in Seoul, South Korea.
This multi-project collaboration entrusts to Goddard Group the role to design the future developments of the park in which space is limited and the facilities are aging. The first phase - currently underway - is a renovation plan of an existing themed area (Aqua Plaza, a colorful underwater world) with new attractions, dining and shopping.
After integrating a new family ride called Jumping Fish (a Flying Tigers manufactured by Zamperla) in October, Lotte World will open in next January Do You Speak Beluga?, an interactive theater where visitors will interact live with the animated character of a beluga on a giant screen.
Popularized by the Walt Disney Imagineering with attractions such as Turtle Talk with Crush and Stitch Encounter, the technology - commonly known as digital puppetry - consists of a CGI character animated by an actor hidden backstage who plays according to the reactions of the audience collected through multiple microphones and cameras.
The Korean company Rayglyph, which specializes in interactive technology and computer-generated images, will handle the show's content via its own technology called Anirobo. The character of the beluga has already proved its popularity during the last Yeosu 2012 International Exhbition where it was featured among the attractions of a pavilion dedicated to the protection of the oceans.
“The ‘Beluga’ project comes at an exciting time of growth for Lotte World,” said Taylor Jeffs, the Goddard Group’s Director of Design. “More guests are coming to the park than ever before, so we’ve been actively working with the Lotte team to find fresh and exciting ways to increase capacity while bringing the guest experience into the 21st century.”
W.G. Choi, the attraction’s producer, agreed. “'Do You Speak Beluga?’ will not only be among the most technologically-advanced attractions in the park, but in all of Korea. We anticipate this to be a very popular experience with guests both young and old.”
A new food court is also scheduled to open in next January. Minsung Kim, Lotte World Manager of Attraction Development, added, “With the new restaurant, our guests will be able to enjoy a modernized dining experience, as well as an environment filled with original characters and artwork created by animation legend Phil Mendez." This will complete the year-long Aqua Plaza renovation project.
Property of the Korean-Japanese conglomerate Lotte Group, Lotte World is an impressive recreation complex with two main themed spaces, the first one being indoor divided in 4 floors and the other one being located outside. Inaugurated in 1989, it hosted in recent years between 5 and 7 million visitors annually and is now one of the 10 most visited theme parks in Asia.
Based in Los Angeles, the Goddard Group was founded in 2002 by Gary Goddard, a former designer of the Walt Disney Imagineering. The company has designed and opened over two-dozen of attractions and destinations for a variety of clients including Universal Parks & Resorts, Six Flags Entertainment, Lotte Group or Galaxy Entertainment Group. For more information, please read our related articles below and visit www.garygoddard.com
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NewsParcs will do a full coverage of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando to have a look at the latest trends and developments of the global theme park industry.
W.G. Choi, the attraction’s producer, agreed. “'Do You Speak Beluga?’ will not only be among the most technologically-advanced attractions in the park, but in all of Korea. We anticipate this to be a very popular experience with guests both young and old.”
