“ The groundbreaking, immersive ride experience: Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge is a richly detailed, dual-track dark ride that lets guests experience the world of Mario Kart aboard an interactive ride vehicle, using Augmented Reality headsets themed as Mario’s cap,” the THEA award says. They steer through courses underwater and in the clouds and throw shells as they race to the finish line with Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge brings the experience to guests using a powerful story and characters, advanced augmented reality technology, projection mapping, and screen projection combined with a physical set that recreates iconic environments in fantastic detail. Guests race through iconic courses from the Mario Kart series with Nintendo characters and are transported into Nintendo worlds where they’re not just playing a game, they’re actually living it. Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge at Universal Studios Japan is the world’s first interactive Mario Kart theme park ride and immerses guests in the worlds of Nintendo. The attraction’s 64 animatronic figures bring the fuzzy and furry “Pets” characters out of their digital world with warmth, humor, and charming realism.” The ride’s inventive use of digital, gesture-tracking technology enhances its storytelling capability as guests see themselves as stray puppy avatars. “ The rich layering and world-class execution of the ride’s immersive queue experience, scenic show environments, lovable and engaging animatronic characters, and technological gags all exemplify excellence. “ The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash exemplifies the very best qualities of a classic, story-driven dark ride experience, while integrating new technology that heightens the storytelling,” the THEA award says.
Featuring more than 64 animated figures and voiced by the film’s original talent, including Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish, “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash,” is a ground-breaking, tech-savvy attraction the whole family can enjoy. It is inspired by the blockbuster film franchise, The Secret Life of Pets, which answers the question, “What are your pets really doing when you’re not at home?” It’s a heartfelt experience that transforms guests into stray puppies as they journey to become loved and adopted. The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash is Universal Studios Hollywood newest ride that continues its collaboration with Universal Pictures and Illumination. And all of us are grateful for the recognition we have received from the Themed Entertainment Association.”
We create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. “We use constant innovation along with powerful stories and adventures to take our guests places they can only go within Universal theme parks,” said Mark Woodbury, Incoming Chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts and President, Universal Creative. “We create more than rides and lands. TEA’s THEA Awards have become internationally recognized as a symbol of excellence. The THEA Awards were created by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) in 1994 to help realize a key mission of the association: bringing recognition to achievement, talent and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. Outstanding Achievement – Theme Park Land for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.Outstanding Achievement – Technical Innovation for Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge at Universal Studios Japan.Outstanding Achievement – Attraction for The Secret Life of Pets – Off the Leash! at Universal Studios Hollywood.NovemUniversal Parks & Resorts has earned three Outstanding Achievement Awards for theme park experiences around the world, the Themed Entertainment Association announced today: