Transforming Spaces: The Rise of  Downloadable Theme Parks

Overview:

This week on “Live with Sondra,” Sondra Shannon, CEO of Gatemaster Technology,  welcomed an incredibly innovative guest, Aiden Wolf, CEO and Co-Founder of Dream  Park. In this episode, they dove deep into Dream Park’s groundbreaking concept and its  potential to revolutionize the attractions industry. It was a fascinating look at how mixed  reality is creating entirely new possibilities for entertainment.

Insights from This Live

• Downloadable Theme Parks are Here:
  Dream Park is pioneering “downloadable mixed reality theme parks” that transform ordinary public spaces into immersive wonderlands, maintaining core theme park elements through digital visuals.
• Mixed Reality is the Future:
  Unlike VR, mixed reality allows full awareness of the real world, prioritizing safety and integrating digital content seamlessly with existing physical environments.
• Pop-Up Permanence for Venues:
  Dream Park offers a flexible “pop-up permanence” model, allowing venues to activate underutilized spaces for months or years with easily interchangeable digital attractions, like a “Netflix catalog” for entertainment.
• Unprecedented Accessibility:
  A surprising benefit of this technology is its inherent accessibility, as it leverages existing ADA-compliant spaces and offers headset based games playable by individuals with various mobility needs.
• Collaboration is Key for Evolution:
  The successful scaling of mixed reality attractions requires close collaboration between game developers, mixed reality experts, and traditional amusement industry professionals to blend digital innovation with real-world operational understanding.

5 Notable Quotes

• “We have the same goals we’ve had since we sat around a fire as cavemen. We want great stories, we want to sit around with each other, we want to eat, we want to do all these things, and our fire has only just grown into bigger things, Disney Worlds and such.”
  – Aiden Wolf
• “That location owner or that vendor can actually just start dropping attractions into the space. They only have to set it up once, and then from there on out, it’s a ticketable, everyday attraction.”
  – Aiden Wolf
• “Our games, our experiences, are readily available to play even if you’re in a mobility scooter or wheelchair.”
  – Aiden Wolf
• “It’s interesting that these kids are going on roller coasters or playing mini golf, but inside a video game, so you know, by the time they show up, it’s not a new thing to them.”
  – Aiden Wolf
• “When we start bringing people together, especially for fun, amusement, and play, that’s when we start to unlock this sense of community and happiness that I think this world really needs right now.”
  – Aiden Wolf

Dream Park’s Approach: Crafting Immersive Real-World Magic

Dream Park is redefining what a theme park can be. Aiden Wolf explained their vision: to take the core magic of a theme park – the crowds, the fantastical visuals, the grand scale,  and the engaging attractions – and make it accessible anywhere. Their “downloadable mixed reality theme park” concept leverages MetaQuest 3 mixed reality headsets to overlay magical digital visuals onto ordinary public outdoor spaces like parking lots or schoolyards. This means visitors can physically walk through real-world environments while experiencing interactive digital content, such as smashing blocks, collecting coins,  or jumping over lava pits, as seen in their viral “Super Adventure Land” in Santa Monica.

Aiden’s Preferences and Technology: Blending Digital Fun with Physical Spaces

Aiden’s passion for bringing people together through play is evident in Dream Park’s design.  He emphasizes that the technology, particularly the MetaQuest 3’s true 3D depth and full-color passthrough, is merely a tool to enhance human connection and shared experiences. Dream Park’s content, “literally made of light,” allows for rapid deployment and removal, fitting into a “pop-up permanence” model that transforms underutilized spaces.  

Sondra’s Perspective: A Vision for Inclusive Entertainment

Sondra Shannon expressed immense excitement for Dream Park’s potential, especially for hospitality venues and festivals. She praised its small physical footprint, which makes it adaptable to various locations, and its inherently inclusive nature. Sondra highlighted the remarkable accessibility of Dream Park, operating within existing ADA-compliant spaces and designing games playable by individuals in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. This aligns perfectly with Gatemaster’s commitment to enabling seamless and enjoyable experiences for all guests.

Improving Guest Experience: Beyond the Digital Overlay

Aiden revealed a fascinating insight: traditional attraction and ride designers often grasp  Dream Park’s concept faster than game developers. This is because successful real-world deployment requires a deep understanding of staffing, guest flow, and immediate engagement, factors critical in traditional amusement parks. This emphasizes that while the technology is digital, the guest experience remains firmly rooted in real-world operational excellence and human interaction. The goal is to bring the beloved elements of digital worlds into physical spaces, creating truly memorable family experiences.

Creating Memories and a Guest-Centric Culture: A Gatemaster Value

The success of Dream Park, as exemplified by a child who, despite being engrossed in  Fortnite, didn’t want to leave Dream Park, underscores the power of combining digital innovation with real-world engagement to create lasting memories. This aligns with Gatemaster Technology’s core value of supporting attractions in fostering a guest-centric culture. By offering solutions that streamline operations and enhance visitor flow,  Gatemaster empowers attractions to focus on delivering magical, unforgettable moments. 

Connecting with the Speakers:

Want to learn more about transforming your spaces or optimizing your attraction  management? Connect with our incredible speakers on LinkedIn!