Emerging Trends in Aqua Park Market
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In recent years, the development of aqua park projects has seen remarkable growth. According to incomplete statistics, the number of water amusement parks currently constructed and underway in China significantly exceeds that of other theme park types. The global water amusement park industry remains in a phase of rapid expansion and is expected to continue on this upward trajectory for the foreseeable future.
From the viewpoint of tourist consumption demands, the interactivity and storytelling aspects of water amusement parks are gaining increasing recognition. Themed water amusement parks, in particular, stand out due to their clear thematic positioning, exceptional landscape design, artistic expression, and cultural narratives. They naturally excel in fostering interactivity and storytelling.
The Interactivity of Aqua Park Projects
The interactivity within aqua park projects is primarily showcased through the engagement between water amusement equipment and water, the interaction between visitors and the equipment, and the connection between visitors and water itself. Tourists typically engage with water through various amusement devices. While mobile water amusement parks are currently popular, they are limited in scale and often fail to deliver high-quality interactive experiences. Conversely, large-scale water amusement equipment, which combines size and advanced technology, offers more engaging experiences for visitors, making it a preferred choice.
This trend is evident in the enthusiasm of investors for large-scale water amusement attractions such as the giant python slide, 28-metre high-speed slide, storm valley slide, and big horn slide. A prime example of interactivity can be found in the big horn slide located in the canyon drift section of Dream Valley Water World in Hengdian, China. The “devil’s curtain of water,” inspired by the face of the devil Imotan, creates a dramatic atmosphere through lighting and sound effects. Positioned centrally within the drift section, the big horn slide features an “Egyptian” colour scheme that complements the overall theme. Four tourists embark on a raft from a platform over ten metres high, experiencing the thrill of high-speed descent, which is cleverly intertwined with the exhilarating narrative presented in the drift section, transforming the visitor’s experience into a cinematic adventure and enhancing the interaction between the tourist, water, and water amusement equipment.
The Storytelling of Aqua Park Projects
Another crucial factor that draws tourists to water amusement parks is storytelling. By weaving narratives through the landscape, architecture, facilities, and scene design of these parks, operators create dreamlike experiences that captivate visitors. The constantly evolving scenes serve to enhance the storytelling aspect of the attractions.
For instance, Hengdian Dream Valley Water World Phase I, leveraging the Hollywood film “Gods and Ghosts,” has successfully integrated ancient Egyptian architecture, scenery, and cinematic elements into its product design. The interactive water area’s slides incorporate small props or items featured in the film, allowing tourists to “play within the play” at all times.
Thus, storytelling products provide visitors with a unique and engaging experience. The ideal design maximises the use of every scene element, ensuring that each corner tells a story. Even without explicit explanations, tourists can become the narrators of their own experiences through spontaneous and imaginative engagement.
Our research indicates that the Aqua Park Market may soon face saturation challenges. However, this does not imply that the consumer market lacks potential for breakthroughs; rather, conventional water amusement parks may struggle in a highly competitive landscape and could even face elimination. To thrive, water amusement parks must innovate, focusing on interactive and storytelling themes for individual parks, while also exploring synergies with other leisure formats such as hot springs, countryside retreats, mountains, and seaside attractions, which are likely to garner increased interest.
