IAAPA 2016: Sally debuts world-first Five Nights at Freddy's attraction
by Tom Anstey | 18 Nov 2016
Sally Corp has unveiled a world-first attraction at IAAPA, using the Five Nights at Freddy’s videogame franchise to create an immersive dark ride experience.
The ride, which is currently in concept after Sally secured exclusive rights to the franchise, made its debut at IAAPA 2016, with an animatronic version of Freddy Fazbear giving attendees a small fright if they approached it, screaming and lighting up.
The dark ride concept will combine animatronics, large-scale video projection, special effects and immersive sets and scenery, with the six-person motion-base ride designed to make guests feel like they’re playing a real life version of the horror game.
"We’ve had a lot of excited interest,” said Drew Hunter, vice president of design at Sally, speaking to Attractions Management. “The idea is you’re going to ride through as a security guard at night in Freddy’s Pizza and Arcade. These characters will jump out at you and you’ve got two ways to stop them - shut doors on them or hit them with your flashlight - but be careful because you don’t want to run out of battery on your flashlight because if you do, they win.”
Sally Five Nights at Freddy's animatronic IAAPA 2016
The animatronic was debuted at this year's IAAPA expo by Sally Corp
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Sally Corp has unveiled a world-first attraction at IAAPA, using the Five Nights at Freddy’s videogame franchise to create an immersive dark ride experience. The ride, which is currently in concept after Sally secured exclusive rights to the franchise, made its debut at IAAPA 2016, with an animatronic version of Freddy Fazbear giving attendees a small fright if they approached it, screaming and lighting up. The dark ride concept will
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Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
by Liz Terry | 04 Jun 2026
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company. Ownership has transferred to president Carmel Lewis, chief creative officer Christian Lachel and vice presidents of story and creative, Brad Shelton and Matthew Solari. The move formalises a leadership structure that the company says has been operating in
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by Helen Andrews | 03 Jun 2026
Lithuanian care operator Addere Care has launched a “wellness care hospital” in Vilnius. It's the company’s second Lithuanian site, following a hospital in Trakai, but the first to offer professional medical care in a spa resort environment. The new 4,400sq m facility has been developed within a reconstructed former hotel. It features 160 rooms and a day care centre that can accommodate up to 12 patients at a time. The
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Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
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Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
by Helen Andrews | 28 May 2026
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Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
by Kath Hudson | 04 May 2026
A wellness club opens on London’s River Thames in June, offering luxury facilities and personalised wellness protocols focused on recovery and longevity. Sæl Spa at Fulham Pier – London’s new lifestyle destination on the River Thames – will be set across four floors and has been conceived as a “modern British sanctuary.” Facilities include a 15-metre heated rooftop infinity pool and sun terrace and a movement studio with integrated infrared
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by Helen Andrews | 30 Apr 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 02 May 2026
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Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
by Magali Robathan | 21 Apr 2026
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by Magali Robathan | 18 Apr 2026
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David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
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by Magali Robathan | 16 Apr 2026
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Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
by Helen Andrews | 14 Apr 2026
The €200m (US$221.3 million, £169.7 million) Pical Resort, Valamar Collection has opened in Croatia with the country’s first ESPA spa. Valamar Riviera, a Croatian tourism company and hotel operator has revealed the 514-key property in Poreč, Istria. The development of the Pical Resort represents Valamar’s largest investment to date. The accommodation is split into the following options: the Pical Hotel, the luxury all-inclusive Pical Family Hotel, the exclusive Pical Suites
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
by Helen Andrews | 13 Apr 2026
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has revealed plans to expand its presence in Egypt with the renovation and operation of two historic hotel properties and the brand’s first-ever luxury river cruise. In 2022, Mandarin Oriental announced it would open its first Egyptian property, Mandarin Oriental Shepheard in Cairo. The hotel is undergoing a comprehensive renovation and is due to open in 2027. Ownership and development The river cruise, Old Cataract
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
by Helen Andrews | 27 Mar 2026
Holistic design and architecture practice Mendil + Meyer, based in Arizona in the US, has introduced a new division called Lām Concepts to integrate and align wellness goals for projects before they reach the design stage. Ben Meyer, architect and co-founder of Mendil + Meyer, told Spa Business exclusively about the new division: “Lām comes from the word loam, meaning fertile ground – the place where conditions are right for
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by Helen Andrews | 05 Mar 2026
Wilderness, an operator of 60 safari camps across eight African countries, has unveiled the second spa under its new concept called The Sanctuary, at Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda. The Sanctuary is a concept that pairs design and wellness with raw, restorative landscapes. The offering at the Rwandan property follows the opening of a different interpretation of The Sanctuary’s concept at Wilderness Mombo in Botswana. Read more about that property here.
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
by Helen Andrews | 04 Mar 2026
Design firm 4a Architekten has shared details of the recently-completed extension to the wellness facilities at destination spa park Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa in Germany. The upgrades to the leisure pool facility, which has been in operation since 1984, included the addition of a thermal spa and sauna in a new building that integrated sensitively into the landscape. Commissioned by the facility’s operator, utility company Stadtwerke Bad Dürkheim, the
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