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Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D

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Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D (also known as Justice League 3D – The Ride) is an interactive dark ride created by the Sally Corporation that is located at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, Australia. It opened on 22 September 2012 and requires riders to shoot their laser blasters at targets in order to defeat an alien threat. The ride is touted as the world's first Justice League-themed ride and the first ride of its type to feature 3D projections.[2][3] Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D has been well received with many praising the ride's special effects and immersive theming.

Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D
Warner Bros. Movie World
Coordinates27°54′29″S 153°18′47″E / 27.908061°S 153.313053°E / -27.908061; 153.313053
StatusOperating
CostA$9 million
Opening date22 September 2012 (2012-09-22)
ReplacedBatman Adventure – The Ride
Ride statistics
Attraction typeTrack-based
3D Interactive dark ride
ManufacturerBertazzon
DesignerSally Corporation
Rich Hill (Lead Designer)[1]
ThemeJustice League
Length197 m (646 ft)
Site area2,000 m2 (22,000 sq ft)
Vehicles20 tactical assault vehicles. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 4 riders per vehicle.
Duration5:50
Height restriction90 cm (2 ft 11 in)
AnimatronicsSally Corporation (16)
TargetsAlterface (250+)
Projectors8
CGIThreshold Animation Studios
ThemingSculpt Studios
Scenes8
Fast Track available in selected peak seasons

History

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Rumours and official announcement

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In September 2011, Warner Bros. Movie World announced that Batman Adventure – The Ride would be closed on 15 October 2011 and would be replaced by a new attraction.[4] On 3 October 2011, the chairman and CEO of Sally Corporation, John Wood, stated the following in an interview for NewsParcs:[5]

We have our biggest project that we can’t talk about unfortunately, but this is really going to be a blockbuster! It’s an interactive dark ride with a major intellectual property involved with it, a major location and a major park. We think it’s going to be the top of the industry, we will know for a year, but we are working to integrate some what you know.

— John Wood, Euro Attractions Show 2011 – Interview with John Wood, Chairman & CEO of Sally Corporation[5]

Wood's statement led to speculation that the new ride might be manufactured by Sally Corporation. On 22 February 2012, Warner Bros. Movie World officially announced via their Facebook page that it would be launching two DC Comics-based attractions in 2012.[6] The following day, a billboard advertising the ride was installed outside the defunct Batman ride.[7] This was followed in May 2012 with a recruitment poster featuring Superman.[8] Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D was officially announced by Warner Bros. Movie World on 25 May 2012.[9] On 5 June 2012, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported that the ride would be manufactured by Sally Corporation and would cost A$9 million.[10] On 25 June 2012, Sally Corporation distributed a press release about the ride, resulting in worldwide media attention.[11][12][13]

Construction and opening

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Construction began for Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D in September 2011.[4] By April 2012, the previous ride had been completely cleared, with the availability of an empty show building to accommodate the new ride.[14] In June 2012, Warner Bros. Movie World released some images from inside the attraction, midway through its construction.[15] On 3 September 2012, the park unveiled the Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D's Hall of Justice façade, which replaced the Wayne Manor façade from the former Batman attraction.[16]

On 21 September 2012, Warner Bros. Movie World announced via Facebook that Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D would open the following day in time for the school holidays.[17]

Ride

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Overview

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DC Comics characters such as Superman, Supergirl, Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, Wonder Woman and Starro are involved in the Justice League attraction.[18][19] The attraction is part of a DC Comics superhero hub within Warner Bros. Movie World. Other attractions within the hub include Superman Escape (2005), Batwing Spaceshot (2006), Green Lantern Coaster (2011) and Arkham Asylum - Shock Therapy (April 2012).[20][21][22]

Although the ride has been primarily manufactured and designed by Sally Corporation, a number of other companies were also involved, including Warner Bros., Alterface, Threshold Animation Studios, Bertazzon Rides, Bose Corporation, Techni-Lux, RealD, MSI Design and Sculpt Studios.[11]

Experience

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The queue for the ride begins outside the Hall of Justice area. Inside the entrance, several portable television screens inform guests that an alien attack on the Earth is underway and that they are required to defeat the alien threat. Riders pass under a scanning device as they enter Cyborg's test lab, which also serves as the load and unload station. Cyborg tells Batman that some new brave members have arrived and "They're ready to kick some alien butt." Cyborg then goes on to describe the tactical assault vehicles and laser blasters, showing it off on one of the aliens, which he dubs "the slimy thing." Riders are provided with a pair of RealD 3D glasses before boarding their tactical assault vehicle and entering the battle.[13][23]

The main section of the ride consists of guests using the laser blasters (mounted to the vehicles) to shoot at over 250 Starro spores. Riders earn points for shooting the aliens and the scores are shown on a panel situated on the vehicles, as well as on a leaderboard at the completion of the ride. The 20 themed cars are guided along a 197-metre (646 ft) guide rail track. Eight 3D screens and 16 animatronic characters complete the ride.[2][10][24]

At the end of the ride, the riders are made honorary members of the Justice League by Superman, similar to how the US counterpart ends.

Reception

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Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D has been well received. Prior to the opening of the attraction, Tanya Westthorp of the Gold Coast Bulletin experienced a preview of the ride and stated afterwards that "the unbelievably real 3D effects and sound, wind and heat blasts and falling walls made for an extremely immersive experience".[19] Richard Wilson of Parkz commended the ride for its engaging theming and immersive storyline, but described Bertazzon's ride system as the biggest disappointment. Wilson concluded by stating, "Justice League adds a new dimension to Warner Bros. Movie World that has been sorely missing".[3]

Based on the reception of the ride at Warner Bros. Movie World, Sally Corporation have expressed interest in transferring the concept to other parks around the world including those in the United States.[25] It wasn't until 2014 when Six Flags officially announced Justice League: Battle for Metropolis would be added in 2015 to Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags St. Louis.[26] Noticeable differences between Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D and Justice League: Battle for Metropolis include a motion-based ride system by Oceaneering International and the involvement of additional DC Comics villains including Lex Luthor and The Joker.[12][27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Rich Hill". LinkedIn. 2012. Archived from the original on 28 November 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  2. ^ a b Warner Bros. Movie World (25 May 2012). "Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D". MyFun. Archived from the original on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  3. ^ a b Wilson, Richard (21 September 2012). "Justice League 3D launches at Movie World". Parkz. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  4. ^ a b Warner Bros. Movie World (September 2011). "Attractions Maintenance". MyFun. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  5. ^ a b Mayné, François (3 October 2011). "EAS 2011 – Interview with John Wood, Chairman & CEO of Sally Corporation". NewsParcs. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  6. ^ Warner Bros. Movie World (22 February 2012). "New Attractions 2012". Retrieved 25 May 2012 – via Facebook.
  7. ^ Warner Bros. Movie World (23 February 2012). "Wall Photos". Retrieved 25 May 2012 – via Facebook.
  8. ^ Warner Bros. Movie World (4 May 2012). "Wall Photos". Retrieved 14 May 2012 – via Facebook.
  9. ^ Warner Bros. Movie World (25 May 2012). "This September..." Retrieved 25 May 2012 – via Facebook.
  10. ^ a b "Building thrills comes at a huge cost". Gold Coast Bulletin. 5 June 2012.
  11. ^ a b Mayné, François (26 June 2012). "New Sally Corporation 3D interactive dark ride set for Warner Bros. Movie World in Australia". NewsParcs. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  12. ^ a b "Justice League Stars in Epic 3D Dark Ride Battle" (Press release). Sally Corporation. 25 June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  13. ^ a b Sim, Nick (26 June 2012). "Further details revealed of Warner Bros. Movie World's Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D". Theme Park Tourist. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  14. ^ Warner Bros. Movie World (19 April 2012). "Wall Photos". Retrieved 14 September 2012 – via Facebook.
  15. ^ Warner Bros. Movie World (3 June 2012). "Wall Photos". Retrieved 14 September 2012 – via Facebook.
  16. ^ Warner Bros. Movie World (3 September 2012). "Wall Photos". Retrieved 14 September 2012 – via Facebook.
  17. ^ Warner Bros. Movie World (21 September 2012). "Wall Photos". Retrieved 21 September 2012 – via Facebook.
  18. ^ Levine, Arthur (22 June 2012). "Aliens to Invade Australia". About.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  19. ^ a b Westthorp, Tanya (15 September 2012). "$9m battle ride's in a League of its own". Gold Coast Bulletin.
  20. ^ Ardern, Lucy (11 March 2012). "Superhero 'hub' coming to Coast". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  21. ^ "Movieworld launches Arkham Asylum ride". Gold Coast Bulletin. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  22. ^ Lacey, Michelle (23 December 2011). "Green Lantern ride opens at Movie World". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  23. ^ "New Sally Corp ride set for Warner Bros. Movie World, Australia". Amusement Today. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  24. ^ "Justice League : Alien Invasion 3D". Sally Corporation. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  25. ^ Hill, Rich (17 November 2012). "IAAPA 2012 Trade Show Coverage". Theme Park Review (Interview). Interviewed by Robb Alvey. Orlando, Florida.
  26. ^ MacDonald, Brady (28 August 2014). "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2015". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  27. ^ "Six Flags Introduces Justice League: Battle for Metropolis" (Press release). Six Flags. 28 August 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
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