ThisPlays Expands Unique Photo Booths to Water Parks in Europe
ThisPlays International, a leading provider of photo booths for attractions, zoos, aquariums, and shopping centres, is swiftly making its mark in the waterpark sector.
Having partnered for several years with Tropical Islands near Berlin, Germany, ThisPlays has recently secured a long-term agreement with the award-winning Scandinavian water park chain Lalandia, as well as Suntago Water World near Warsaw, which is the largest indoor water park in Europe.
The company’s straightforward business model has already proven successful with zoos, attractions, and museums throughout Europe. “With over 200 installations, we have amassed a wealth of experience and references, prompting us to explore other niches within the leisure industry,” states Mark van der Weide, the owner and founder of the company.
Following its entry into the cruise line industry in 2023 and the launch of its first PicCity shops in 2024, the firm is further broadening its reach within the water park industry this year.
“These strategic decisions are not made lightly. While there is overlap among the various niches, we aim to keep things simple. True success stems from a profound understanding of the niche, and we address challenges that others may overlook or fail to perfect,” Van der Weide adds.
To facilitate its expansion into water parks, ThisPlays has developed a unique sealing technique for its equipment, allowing its photo booths to be installed in the wet areas of the parks. Safety remains the firm’s top priority, and it is the first company capable of operating photo booths in such environments, creating a distinctive selling point for both the company and its partners, with whom it shares revenue.
This setup is particularly advantageous for larger parks and resorts that utilise barcode or RFID wristband payment systems, enabling water park guests to enjoy attractions while in their swimsuits.
All investments related to research and development, as well as the physical setup, are covered by ThisPlays through its unique revenue-sharing model. The company assumes all costs, and revenue is shared with its partners. Essentially, partners only need to provide a small space and a power socket, while ThisPlays manages the rest.
By offering its photo booths at no cost, ThisPlays ensures that its partners face zero risk, guaranteeing a profitable, fully themed activation. This allows attractions to introduce a new revenue stream and social media engagement tool without any upfront investment.
New AI Integrations
ThisPlays has also incorporated new AI integrations into its water park offerings. “The possibilities are endless,” remarks Van der Weide. “From digital character meet and greets to morphing, this opens an entirely new era in the realm of photo booths. While the potential of AI is not novel, the key lies in its logical integration, delivering a wow factor, and ensuring 100 percent stability.”
“We’ll soon be unveiling some genuine game changers,” Van der Weide adds.
“While we are recognised for our zero downtime promise, we also uphold this commitment when launching new features.”
ThisPlays has recently announced details of its new PicCity shop openings, which are set to debut in five metropolitan cities across Europe over the coming year. PicCity is an experiential, trendy photo souvenir shop with a compact footprint of between 10 and 20 square metres. Its self-service model allows visitors to purchase souvenir images of the city in both print and digital formats. These new shop openings represent a separate addition to the company’s portfolio.
For further insights into the company’s initiatives within the zoo and aquarium sector, visit their website.
