IDEAS Recaps the IAPPA EXPO 2024

I mean, really… aside from actually visiting a new amusement park or destination and enjoying it as a guest, what’s more captivating than IAAPA’s  “candy store” filled with the latest attractions technologies and listening to the industry’s great innovators that dreamt them up? The IDEAS team was thrilled to attend the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) EXPO to talk shop, explore up-and-coming trends and share some of our own life-learnings.

If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely aware that IAAPA is the global trade association representing the attractions industry with exhibitors offering all the resources required to design, build and operate a theme park, water park or family fun center.  In many cases, new parks or attractions are transformative for the regional economies in which they’re built.  They bring prosperity to both communities and their residents.

For IDEAS, the IAAPA EXPO in Orlando is a vital networking event with clients, vendors, operators and industry colleagues. More than 1,100 exhibitors and almost 40,000 attendees were at this record-setting year’s EXPO, filled with news, education, technology and of course, fun!

This year, we met with numerous past and future clients in the attraction, hospitality, retail and related industries. With tourism remaining at an all-time high, many operators and investors are interested in expanding or starting themed attractions and businesses, as well development of new destinations. Corporate mergers and acquisitions and signs of this almost exponential growth were everywhere, and we’re pleased to be providing many of these clients with creative concepts, designs and operational optimization.

[Related: What Is Destination Performance, and Why Does It Matter for Your Attraction?]

IAAPA Trends and Takeaways

Through the week we met with numerous vendors who provide full attraction ride systems, technology and support services. One trend — a trend reversal, actually — was large attraction manufacturers pitching scaled-down, smaller versions of their theme park products for varied use:

• Regional parks
• Family fun centers
• Malls
• Museums
• Stand-alone operations

One of these scaled-down attractions is flying theaters, the ride Disney first conceived in the mid ’90s. These theaters are generally designed for big operators and 80 to 140 passengers facing 8- to 10-story-tall screens. 

Ride manufacturers now offer scaled-down versions for 32, 24 and even as few as 8 passengers. At this scale, flying theaters are readily available for use in regional parks and smaller venues for operators who have never considered them possible.

Read more about our approach to Experience Design.

It was wonderful to see our friends at MV Rides, DOF Robotics, Digital Water Systems, Dynamic Attractions, ARM Rides and others showcasing their latest innovations — several of which we’re actively working to bring to life in new destination experiences.

Using AI applications was a hot topic, with the resounding call that AI can produce many design and operations benefits. But does AI still convey the immersion in new experience stories that keeps guests coming back? How can we inspire people?

Overall, it was a great show! But we had two particularly exciting moments: 

• Seeing IDEAS’ own work for MORPH’D at The Florida Aquarium featured in the opening ceremony
• Spotting vendors showcasing custom attraction concepts we conceived for current projects

Seeing your hard word and fresh approaches on display is always gratifying. 

[Related: Aquarium and Zoo Exhibit Design: 4 Examples of Effective Interactive Exhibits]

Talk To IDEAS

We’re excited to talk about your own attraction revamp and distinctive vision. We zero in on your concepts and help bring them to life, one piece at a time.

Contact us to chat, and let’s take that ride. Sign up for our newsletter to catch up on can’t-miss industry topics and take a peek inside our noggins.

Explore our work, from attractions to resorts to aquariums.