Feels like you could write the same article about theme parks nowadays too. Okay, there are still a fair few physical attractions there, but the likes of Universal Studios were infamous for having 'rollercoaster' like rides which were just simulators on a screen rather than relying on physical scenery, animatronics, etc.

Feels like there's a lot of attempts to integrate smartphones into the parks too, like through activities that involve using a mobile app instead of a physical prop or console.

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dangus 4 days ago | parent | next [-]

The pendulum is swinging back on this, thankfully. Epic Universe is proof, and I think recently even Disney stopped being so drastically cheap.

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gorfian_robot 4 days ago | parent | prev [-]

yeah those rides for the most part suck.

I worked at disney when they were developing what became "Avatar Flight of Passage" where you ride a dragon wearing 3d headset. The ride vehicle moved in sync so it was pretty immersive.

On the other side "Toy Story Midway Mania" totally sucks

	▲	dangus 4 days ago \| parent [-]
		Basically, there’s nothing wrong with screens if they’re used thoughtfully, but they can be overused especially if they’re being used in an environment of budget pressures. Just a nitpick though, Avatar Flight of Passage is just 3D glasses. The ride system actually suspends everyone in a vertical moving theater in front of a spherical theater screen similar to IMAX Omni. It’s basically Soarin’ on steroids.