Why is a market study so important in getting the process started on the correct path?

The market study theoretically tell you, How many Guests How Much to Spend, How Big, and Capital Expenditure recommendations

• 90% of millennials are very close to their parents.
• 40% of baby boomers (1974) felt they would be better off without their parents.
• In 5 years 40% of the global workforce will be millennials.
• In 10 years 75% of the global workforce will be millennials.
• Millennials have a spending power of over $200 Billion/year.

What can I reasonably afford? How can I finance it? How much capital must I contribute? what is the return on my investment?

Capital expenditure is market driven.

The Feasibility report will determine the capital expenditure; alternately, The General Capital investment is based on a simple formula… the spend, per the first-year guest.

The average spends on an International Standards theme park “you will need to invest $70 to $140 per first-year guest attendance”.

If your study identifies a 1st-year guest attendance of 1,000,000 visitors per year, then your capital works budget would be $70-$140 million investment.

Note: Family Entertainment and other forms of Entertainment Destinations have various capital investment formulas.

How much space do I need and what type of infrastructure does the building require?

Area or massing calculations are of critical importance to the success of your development, too large the facility will look empty; too small it will be uncomfortable and crowded

The calculated number of people within one acre of theme park gross area based on a comfort factor is 500-700 people per gross acre is considered a comfortable density

• 500    Pax per Gross acre = 8.4 Guests per gross M2
• 700    Pax per Gross acre = 6.0 Guests per gross M2
• 900    Pax per Gross acre = 4.6 Guests per gross M2
• 1100  Pax per Gross acre = 3.8 Guests per gross M2
• 1300  Pax per Gross acre = 3.2 Guests per gross M2

 An Uncomfortable Crush guest experience  is at 1100 to 1,300 Pax per Gross acre, a time when it is all but impossible to move without constant bumping into other guests.

Density is used by park designers to calculate total area requirements

How much space do I need and what type of infrastructure does the building require?

Each development regardless of size will require designated areas

1/ Ticketing Entrance and Administration area

2 Guest Services, toilet or changing Room, medical, or information

3 Retail

4 Food and Beverage

5 Ride or Show Building

6 Open Space area/Area Development

7 Storage Warehousing

8 Car Parking

The Design Process will consist of

1. Sight Survey Assessment
2. Preliminary Conceptual Design of the Park or facility
3. Conceptual Master Plan Design of the Theme areas
4. Conceptual/Schematic Design of Ride’s /Attractions general theme
5. Architectural Design Detail of Ride and Show Facility
6. Architectural & Ride and Show Tenders documentation

Master Plan, (MP, is a living document and will mature over a period of time constituting numerous design changes)

How much will it cost?

Country by Country pricing variables are at all times at odds with one another

Generally pricing is separated into 9 categories (excluding land purchase)

1. Design
2. Project Management
3. Preliminary’s
4. Contracting
5. Finishes (I.D)
6. Parkwide
7. Area Development
8. Operations
9. Ride and Show

Category 1, 4 and 9 are at all times double digit budget percentages

How do I go about evaluating the various manufacturers? What should I look for in selecting a ride vendor?

Attraction must be chosen based on these criteria:

1. Rating record
2. Area x Height required
3. Instant Capacity
4. Cost
5. Manufacturers
6. Indoor/Outdoor
7. Active / Passive
8. Maintenance