Whereas we regularly lump the 2 collectively, there’s a big distinction between amusement parks and theme parks. At a theme park, it’s not simply in regards to the rides, however in regards to the tales being advised by them. Increasingly, we’re seeing theme parks attempt to create uniquely immersive experiences to essentially make friends really feel like they’re inside one other world, and in the present day, you don’t have to go to a theme park to seek out these sorts of sights.
Themed leisure extends past conventional theme parks. In Las Vegas alone, you’ll be able to expertise the brand new Common Horror Unleashed, an offshoot of the favored Halloween Horror Nights within the parks, however you may as well do the John Wick Expertise, which has no theme park equal. I like to see themed leisure increase into new concepts, which is why, as a lot as I’m wanting ahead to what’s coming to theme parks sooner or later, I’m presumably much more excited by Netflix Home.
Netflix Home Is An Thrilling New Addition To Themed Leisure
Netflix can be dipping its toe into the world of themed leisure later this 12 months with Netflix Home, which can deliver the streamer’s well-liked IP to life with out the necessity for a Netflix subscription. Two areas are set to open with distinctive experiences. Netflix Home Philadelphia will open on November 12 with experiences primarily based on Wednesday and the live-action One Piece adaptation. Netflix Home Dallas is about to open on December 11 with experiences primarily based on Stranger Issues and Squid Recreation. A 3rd location in Las Vegas is already deliberate for a 2027 debut. We don’t know what experiences can be discovered there, however given the success of Kpop Demon Hunters, there is a zero p.c probability considered one of them will not be that, proper?
There’s lots we nonetheless don’t learn about precisely what these interactive experiences are or how they’ll play out. However the particulars are much less vital to me than the fundamental idea, and the truth that we’re seeing a significant participant like Netflix get into the themed leisure sport.
It’s not unusual to see themed experiences for various IPs seem as momentary “pop-up” experiences, however Netflix Home can be everlasting areas that embody Netflix Bites eating places (a type of already exists in Las Vegas, and the meals is fairly good) and merchandise areas alongside the experiences to make them full-fledged locations. Netflix is investing in themed leisure, and that’s fantastic to see.
I Hope We See Extra Netflix Home Areas, And Extra Locations Like It, Too
Whereas the actual franchises being spotlighted at Netflix Home are certain to enchantment to lots of people, as they symbolize a few of Netflix’s hottest reveals, I’ll be trustworthy that, as an IP, solely Wednesday actually excites me personally. However that doesn’t dampen my pleasure for Netflix Home as an idea, and as a fan of themed leisure, I’m hoping it seems nice and is profitable.
Success definitely means extra Netflix Home areas, nevertheless it may additionally imply extra corporations getting in on the motion. Think about Apple TV+ constructing Severance’s Lumon as an “workplace” you would actually enter and discover. Even theme park powerhouses like Common and Disney may construct smaller areas in additional locations to deliver particular experiences to followers.
One of many causes I used to be most enthusiastic about Disney World constructing the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was that it was a repeatable expertise that might increase past the theme parks. Whereas that kind of premium themed leisure expertise clearly wasn’t the suitable name, maybe a smaller expertise like that is the best way to go.
Themed leisure is fantastic, however theme parks are few and much between. It takes a large funding to construct one, simply ask Common. They constructed Epic Universe, which is unbelievable, nevertheless it wasn’t low-cost. The extra locations high-quality themed leisure is constructed, the extra individuals can expertise how nice it’s.