Travisma 1,317 Posted February 12, 2019 Report Share Posted February 12, 2019 Inspired by Disney and Universal, Tyra Banks is now building a new model theme park No, not toy models... April Fools is still a few months away so this can’t be a joke, but Tyra Banks has announced a new attraction inspired by Disneyland and Universal Studios that she hopes will become a movement. In what may be one of the strangest attractions in recent years, Banks will be opening a new 21,000 square foot attraction, Modelland, themed to the glamorous world of modeling in Santa Monica, California. A press release for the new attraction described what can be expected. “With Modelland, Banks creates a new world of storytelling and adventure in a grand, fantastical, physical place where all expressions of beauty are celebrated. The multi-level ticketed experience invites all visitors to redefine what a model really is and for people to be the dream versions of themselves. Each will undertake a transformational journey to celebrate their unique beauty. Modelland is a flagship, permanent destination with a global strategy to expand worldwide.” In an interview with Variety, Tyra Banks says she found inspiration from Disneyland and Universal Studios. She went on to explain the Modelland attraction has been ten years in the making. She explained, “Modelland is not just a place to us; It’s a movement. Yes, it’s an attraction and a destination, but above all, it’s the genesis for people with all types of different beauty to feel seen and validated. Modelland will empower them to embrace, celebrate and adorn their own unique beauty in ways they never thought possible.” Later she points to Walt Disney as her inspiration in creating the attraction that she hopes will outlive her. But Banks might not actually be so crazy after all. While Modelland might seem like an odd attraction, it’s just the latest in a long list of indoor entertainment centers based around specific brands or concepts. LEGO, Hasbro, NASCAR, Nickelodeon, Cirque du Soleil, and Ferrari have all either announced or already have similar indoor entertainment center attractions. One 2017 study forecasted massive growth in the indoor entertainment center industry with revenue more than tripling over the next decade. Crayola has found success with their Crayola Experience attractions. The first Crayola Experience located at their main headquarters in Easton, Pennsylvania was more typical of a factory tour style attraction for years but then in the early 2010s Crayola completely redesigned the factory experience into the Crayola Experience. A second location opened in 2015 in Orlando’s Florida Mall. Since then Crayola has opened three more locations. Tampa Bay-based Feld Entertainment is also getting in on the entertainment center fad when they debuted a traveling Trolls themed concept in New York City late last year. At the IAAPA International Attractions Expo in November, Feld announced plans to develop entertainment centers for third parties using Feld’s various brands including Monster Jam and Ringling Brothers. Previous rumors pointed to one of those entertainment centers possibly heading to Disney Springs but instead, a new NBA themed entertainment center is in the works there. Tyra Banks’ Modelland though is the first major attempt at bringing a modeling and personal beauty theme to such an attraction. While specifics on what will be found in the new attraction are still very much under wraps, it sounds like augmented reality, such as smart mirrors, will be used heavily in Modelland. Banks did confirm that the Santa Monica location will be just the first of many Modellands to open across the globe. With Orlando’s stellar track record on other entertainment centers, like Andretti’s and Crayola Experience, and with a large tourism base to draw from, a Modelland in Orlando would bring awareness to the brand that few other locations can offer. Besides, Modelland is designed to challenge the stereotypes of what beauty is so what better place to do that than in The City Beautiful. https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/02/12/inspired-by-disney-and-universal-tyra-banks-is-now-building-a-new-model-theme-park Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keith_h 420 Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 Sheesh Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Um. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Is it still in the running to becoming America's next top theme park? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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