Some of the most popular films come to life in theme parks. What is known in the industry as Intellectual Property (IP), in other words, the stories and their main characters, have leapt from the screen to the real world in these theme parks. For example, Pandora: The World of Avatar has recently materialised at Disney World; and Harry Potter, the character, his stories, sets and environments, at Universal Orlando; and the universe of Marvel characters has landed at Disneyland Paris. However, here we would like to take a look at cases where the opposite has happened, in other words, when it was not the film that gave rise to the theme park, but rather the (fictional) theme park that gave rise to the film, which is set in it.
Perhaps the best known of these films are the Jurassic Park series, and the most famous theme park in fiction is Isla Nublar. This island is home to a theme park that exhibits dinosaurs brought to life and where all the adventures take place, (which we omit here so as not to spoil the films for those who have not yet seen them).
Another example arose from a novel by Michael Crichton, both in its 1973 film version, starring Yul Brynner, known as Futureworld, and in the successful 2016 serialised version entitled Westworld. The fictional amusement park in which the action takes place, highly technologically advanced, features theming inspired by the American West. However, its inhabitants are a series of androids who cater to the desires of visitors. Let’s say that the elaborate plot is triggered in the film by the fact that these androids don’t quite work…
Less well known among younger audiences, but just as cult as the previous ones, is the film National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983). In this film, a family faces various misadventures while driving from Chicago to California. Upon arrival, they discover that Wally World, (filmed at the Six Flags theme park), will be closed for two weeks for maintenance work. So, the father of the family makes a decision to ensure the smooth running of his family’s holiday… There was even a sequel set in Europe.
But, among the characters who force a turn of events, the zombies take the cake. In Zombieland (2009), the protagonists flee across the country until they reach a zombie-free haven. This safe haven turns out to be Pacific Playland in Los Angeles, USA.
Surely this brief review omits many other films in which a theme park or amusement park is a fundamental part of the plot. We leave it to you to complete it and enjoy the task. Now, it only remains for us to wish you that your next visit to a theme park will provide you with an unforgettable experience, but without any unpleasant surprises!
By Miquel Solís, Senior Architect in Amusement Logic’s Architecture Dept.
