Bringing a Beloved Children’s Story to Life
At Chessington World of Adventures, seeper transformed the classic BubbleWorks ride into The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, immersing visitors in the beloved story of The Gruffalo. Using material adapted from Magic Light Productions’ animated film, we created videos featuring creatures and scenery scaled to the 3D theming. The lighting design transitions with colour temperature, mimicking woodland scenes from dawn to dusk with wildlife sounds enhancing the atmosphere.
Aims
Our goal was to provide an immersive and enchanting experience that brings Julia Donaldson’s story to life for visitors of all ages. Collaborating closely with Merlin and partners, we redesigned the ride using immersive experience design to overcome challenges such as unpredictable boat speeds, ensuring every guest enjoys a seamless storytelling journey.
Insights
The project involved extensive programming to coordinate light fixtures, audio channels, animatronics, smoke, mist, smell machines, projections (including hologram-like displays), a 3D mapped waterfall, and a projection fog screen. Despite the complexity, The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure successfully accommodates 1,200 riders per hour, offering a charming and timeless experience.
Coverage
The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure has been acclaimed as a charming and timeless addition to Chessington World of Adventures. It has received praise for faithfully bringing Julia Donaldson’s enchanting world to life, making it a perfect family attraction.
