Walk-through mazes shouldn't just be for Halloween. There's no good reason why theme parks, especially ones that do not have access to Disney and Comcast-sized bank accounts, should not lean into walk-through attractions as another tool in their storytelling workspace.
Italy's Gardaland has opened its second Jumanji-themed attraction in consecutive seasons. Last year's was a dark ride, but this year's is a walk-through. Jumanji The Labyrinth challenges visitors to save the fantasy kingdom by finding their way to the Elephant Temple, the only way to return needed water to Jumanji.
"We are very proud to be able to continue this global collaboration between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Merlin Entertainments and offer our Guests a new Jumanji-branded experience, building on the success of the opening of Jumanji -The Adventure last year, which welcomed more than one million visitors," Gardaland CEO Sabrina De Carvalho said. "The Jumanji experience is synonymous with adventure, imagination, fun, action and play, and is perfectly suited to the fundamental values of Gardaland Park."
On the walk-through, visitors pass through a green vortex to enter the story. Then they face a mirror maze, with more than 40 mirrors, to find their way out to the 180-meter-long jungle labyrinth.
More than 2,000 plants of 30 species decorate the maze, which at its conclusion holds four animal statues and the entrance to the Elephant Temple, which is the attraction's exit.
In addition to Jumanji The Labyrinth, Gardaland this year has opened a new live show, Nautilus, in the park's Gardaland Theatre.
Inspired by Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas," the production includes LED panels and projection mapping in addition to its stage sets, as well as some self-referential moments when audience reactions will appear on the show's screens.
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It's good. I had no idea what to expect in all honest. I am not huge fans of other movies by these actors, but this really worked. You could see the great chemistry between them all and it paid off.
What I liked: I enjoyed how it didn't dither about at the beginning and got right into the action. Jack Black especially was brilliant and hilarious! All the actors/actresses were great but Jack Black stood out. Good mix of action and comedy throughout. I was on the edge of my seat (metaphorically) wanting them to escape the game.
Negatives: not many to be honest, couple of scenes were slightly cringe, but not off putting. Same logic goes for a couple of scenes which felt dragged out.
I think people need to forget about this being a remake of a classic film and treat it as a separate movie altogether. If you start comparing the 2 that's when it goes wrong.
Great day!
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We were hoping the new Jumanji Land at Chessington would be open during our trip to England last week, but alas it appears we missed that by a few weeks.
I was pretty surprised how prevalent mazes and horror concepts are used in the attractions we visited in England. I really liked the Black Mirror maze at Thorpe Park, and the mirror maze section of the London Dungeon was exceptional (though a bit of a cop out that they lock guests in by blocking the exit with a mirror for a set amount of time).