Are 4-D attractions outdated? – DePaoli on DeParks
4-D attractions have been part of the theme park experience for a long time. But has this form of entertainment become outdated for theme parks? It’s a tough question to answer.
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Live entertainment makes the theme park experience – DePaoli on DeParks
As much as I love the rides in theme parks, I’d probably be lying if I didn’t admit my favorite part of the experience is the live entertainment. Whether it’s a parade, stage show, “streetmosphere,” or even a nighttime spectacular, I just love the energy that a live performance can bring to a space. It…
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Disney | Disneyland Resort | Theme Parks | Universal Orlando Resort | Universal Studios Hollywood | Walt Disney World Resort
An appreciation for on-ride performers – DePaoli on DeParks
I’ve always loved the kind of attraction that mixed my love of theme park rides with live entertainment. I’m talking about the sorts of rides that have live performers on the attraction, guiding the story. These performers can often make or break your ride experience, but I feel they’re often overlooked and under-appreciated. Let’s take…
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When is the right time to announce new theme park projects? – DePaoli on DeParks
Theme park fans are a die-hard group of passionate people. There are many blogs, podcasts, and social media accounts keeping constant tabs on what is happening in the world of theme parks. Some details are as small as a bench being moved or a new sign being hung, and others are about larger projects, like…
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Is featuring celebrities in attractions a mistake? – DePaoli on DeParks
Theme parks have been using celebrities in their attractions for a long time. Sometimes it’s just a recognizable voice coming out of an animatronic figure, like Robin Williams’ portrayal of the Timekeeper, but oftentimes it’s the celebrity’s full likeness — as in the case of Johnny Depp and Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the…
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The Great Movie Ride…Restaurant – DePaoli on DeParks
I have an idea, but it’s too late for it to ever come to fruition, so I figured I’d write about it here to share with all of you so that in some little way it exists.
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A case for continued screenings of classic movies – DePaoli on DeParks
As the entertainment industry slowly begins to reopen, one of the destinations we’re seeing return are movie theaters. Although movie fans are excited to get back in a theater for the communal movie-going experience (and the snacks), there is a problem since movie studios have delayed the openings of new movies.
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Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Theme Parks | Walt Disney World Resort
Theme park design: Making reality fantastic – DePaoli on DeParks
Theme park designers do an incredible job creating environments that people dream about visiting, whether it’s a princess’ castle, your favorite wizarding school, living inside cartoon atmospheres, or a myriad of other wondrous locations. But it isn’t always the job of a theme park designer to make fantasy-themed places a reality. Often, the job is…
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My Jurassic Adventure – DePaoli on DeParks
The summer of 1993 was a big year for me. It was the year that Steven Spielberg released his masterpiece, “Jurassic Park.” I’ve always had a fairly obsessive personality, but “Jurassic Park” brought it to a new level for me.
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Disney NOT on Broadway: Shows that never made it to the Great White Way
In a normal June, the Broadway and live theatre community would have celebrated the past year of theatre with ceremonies like the annual Tony Awards and other various theatre honors. But like much else in 2020, these awards ceremonies either didn’t take place or were done in some sort of compromised way due to COVID-19.
