In-Depth Analysis with a Comparison of Factors Leading to Informed Choices
Successful visitor attractions have dark rides integrated into their design. Dark rides guide customer flow, create and control the overall emotional impact of the attraction, and ultimately determine, in many cases, if a visitor will return to the attraction. In the realm of dark rides, customer expectations around the level of immersion and reliability increase with each successive visit to a dark ride. Operating dark rides involves making one of the more critical design choices in the early stages of an attraction’s design, which is the choice between a trackless ride system and a track-based dark ride. This choice, development, and design in the ride system creates the flexibility and balance of storytelling in a dark ride, along with operational, maintenance, operational cost, and storytelling flexibility, and financial cost impact and operational and storytelling flexibility impacts over time.
A dark ride system using tracks and wheels is designed to follow a specific path on a floor embedded with track systems that provide guidance through steel tracks. The vehicles are designed to be controlled in a path on a floor with guidance tracks embedded in the floor that control the vehicles in a path with control of the position on the floor, control of the speed, and control of the time intervals between vehicles. The control and predictability creates the ability to designers the control and predictability creates the ability to designers to control the operational confidence of the process. This is the same control and predictability that translates into operational confidence.
Trackless dark rides use technology and different methods to provide an exciting experience for guests. Rather than relying on physical tracks for movement, vehicles are able to navigate themselves using on-board systems to move within a space determined by an interactive program. This technology means vehicles can move, spin, separate, and rejoin to provide an experience that is different every time guests ride. This feel is usually perceived by guests to be more lively, and therefore boosts a dark ride’s appeal for riders. Designers also benefit from using trackless ride systems because the lack of visible tracks and lack of set ride geometry allows limitless creativity that can be hard to achieve by relying on fixed routes and sets.
An example of where the difference between trackless dark rides and track-based rides becomes more obvious is in storytelling. Integrating timing-based storytelling is an area where track dark rides excel. Every reveal, stop, and cue is the same every single time. Trackless rides, on the other hand, create more space for storytelling and scene interactions. Rather than a procession of a dark ride, trackless rides can create an experience more like exploration through an environment. In the end, the success of either approach relies on the demand of the story’s precision or freedom.
Another factor to consider is the flexibility of the layout. With trackless systems, more flexibility is offered. With track dark rides, you must commit to a fixed layout early on. After the tracks are installed, it will cost a lot of money and take a lot of time to change them. On the other hand, trackless systems have more flexibility because routes can be easily changed after being installed. Additionally, settings and choreography can be changed after being installed. This type of flexibility is good for retrofits, changing attractions, and venues that will be changing attractions in the future.
From a reliability standpoint, track-based dark rides have proven to be easier to maintain than mechanical guidance systems. Operating issues are easier to detect in track-based rides. The parts are easier to find and are more available. With trackless rides, more factors are at play. With software, communication, and sensors being wireless, troubleshooting with trackless rides can take more time and usually requires more supervision.
Capacity and throughput are the other primary differences. For high-traffic areas in parks, track-based dark rides are more predictable. When rides are used in high-traffic areas, trackless rides need more sophisticated programming. With softer traffic areas, track-based dark rides are the better option. When it’s busy in the area, the track-based dark rides will have a more predictable and consistent capacity.
When planning a dark ride, owners need to look beyond just installation costs. Trackless dark rides typically cost more to install than track-based dark rides. Trackless rides need their technology updated more often than track-based rides. This leads to trackless rides being more expensive over time. Owners need to consider the long-term costs associated with dark rides to understand the real cost.
FAQ
1. Do trackless rides replace track-based rides?
No. Trackless rides focus more on creativity and story, but track-based rides can accommodate more guests and focus on reliability.
2. Which ride lasts longer?
Track-based rides need fewer technology updates, but trackless rides are known to have more tech updates throughout the ride’s life.
3. Are trackless rides harder to maintain?
Yes. Trackless rides are technology-based and require more specialized people to maintain the rides.
4. Which type of ride is better for smaller parks?
This can vary based on staff, budget, and space. Trackless rides are generally more flexible, while track-based rides are considered to have less risk.
5. Is it possible for a trackless ride to become a track-based ride down the line?
No. Ride systems are fundamental decisions and are made early on in the design process.
