Port Coquitlam/Vancouver/Fraser Valley – A Vancouver area company (based in Port Coquitlam), inspired by the rugged terrain of the Fraser valley, invents new rides.
Coincidentally the company relies upon about 100 suppliers, including many from the Fraser Valley.
Port Coquitlam based Dynamic Attractions unveiled its latest innovative attraction, the Dynamic Flightcycle, at the annual convention of amusement park operators, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo (IAAPA), in Orlando, Florida.
In this attraction, passengers sit forward in a motorcycle-like racing position and are surrounded by a massive concave screen. It takes everything that has made the Dynamic Flying Theater so popular to the next level featuring wind, mist, scent, and media perfectly synchronized with the motion to create a thrilling family-level illusion of flight.
“This does what Flying Theaters can’t do,” states Guy Nelson, CEO, Dynamic Attraction. He should know; the Dynamic Flying Theater has been the company’s most popular attraction. Flying Theaters are adventures featuring spectacular, serene views. Flightcycle is more about action that lunges you into a multi-media immersion.
Instead of sitting with their backs against a chair, riders lean into the action, with their torso-forward on a cycle-style ‘flying’ vehicle. “It’s like a motorcycle with wings,” explains Mike Haimson, VP of Technical Development, Dynamic Attractions, and the visionary of the design. “This position changes your perspective both physically and emotionally. The ability to perceive speed and motion are heightened. And you have a fuller perspective of the story unfolding below you. It is a dramatically more powerful, immersive sensation, ideally suited to more intense action media and theming.”
“Flightcycle is ideal for theme parks, amusement parks, and tourist destinations that want a cutting-edge attraction to draw guests,” explains Nelson. “We are also excited that this attraction can fit into many locations because of its flexible size.” The Dynamic Flightcycle comes in sizes ranging from 12-72 guests with ceiling height requirements that are much lower than typical Flying Theaters.
The Dynamic Flightcycle is also available in a complete Attraction Package called “Dragon Rider” that includes screen, projection, media, scenic and preshow elements, all for one price. This attraction tells the epic story of two kingdoms engaged in a battle with each other, and the warriors ride on the backs of dragons. Guests get to join the forces and lay siege to their enemy’s city, flying, soaring, and swooping through the towers and canyons in a medieval, other-world adventure filled with flames and action. Other attraction package storylines are available as well.
At previous IAAPA’s, Dynamic Attractions introduced the SFX Coaster, which is a dark ride roller coaster, and the Dynamic Motion Theater, which is a live-action, multi-media theatre that moves with the action. They have been recognized by IAAPA with ‘Best New Product Concept’ awards in 2015 and 2016.
As well, The Dynamic All-Terrain Dark Ride, a trackless, indoor/outdoor dark ride vehicle that breaks boundaries, was unveiled in front of the annual gathering of theme park operators, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo (IAAPA) in Orlando, Florida.
“No dark ride vehicle has ever been able to do what this vehicle can do,” states Guy Nelson, CEO, Dynamic Attractions. “This brings the thrilling, all-terrain movement and agility to an intense, theme park-style adventure. The All-Terrain Dark Ride can tackle rough terrain, climb up and down steep banks, and even give air-time sensation while maneuvering in ways never possible before.”
The big game-changer is the real-life action. “The experience feels more intense because the riders’ sensation of the motion is real, not a simulation,” explains George Walker, SVP Creative Services, Dynamic Attractions.
It is also trackless. This provides unpredictable and, seemingly, unrestricted adventures for guests. “We are able to intentionally put you in seemingly precarious and thrilling situations, but in reality, we are always in complete control,” states Mike Haimson, VP of Technical Development. To do this, the company utilized military-grade technologies, including a wireless positioning system and cutting-edge batteries to power the vehicles.
Trackless doesn’t mean that you can’t take a turn driving it. It is the first dark ride that will allow guests to seemingly go anywhere they steer. “In the military world, they call this ‘Fly by Wire’,” explains Haimson. “However, if they come close to another vehicle, wall or obstacle, the system will safely and thematically take control.”
Dynamic Attractions also introduced two other new vehicles to its dark ride portfolio of products. The Dynamic Motion Dark Ride features a vigorous motion base on an omni-directional drive system that can be used to create compound paths simultaneously with complex motion profiles. The other is the Dynamic Classic Dark Ride, which does not require the typical super-flat floor. It also has greater acceleration, speed and free roaming ability. Both of these vehicles are ideal for traditional dark ride needs.
