Luna Park Sydney announces world-first immersive attraction

Luna Park Sydney has today revealed its new $15 million Dream Circus attraction that will open on 22nd December.

The world-first, immersive circus experience will be located in the harbourside attraction’s Big Top, which has been transformed to meet growing guest demand for immersive experiences.

Referred to as a ‘Magic Box’ inside the existing 3,000 metre² Big Top building, Luna Park Sydney Chief Executive, John Hughes explains that the introduction of the groundbreaking attraction was based on his team realising that the Sydney icon had to offer “more than just rides”.

Hughes told media “in 2023, with what is happening globally on the back of a pandemic, we think that there is this innate need again to escape, somewhere to go have fun and somewhere to go socialise."

The fully accessible multi-purpose entertainment venue will feature, according to Hughes "Barco projection technology, a spatially mapped audio system, hologram technology, motion-activated LED screens and the latest in lighting technology".

It provides a 360-degree visual and audio experience in the Big Top that will initially be used to show the Dream Circus production and later for live music, product launches, fashion week and other corporate connections.

Hughes added "we know globally that Gen Z, Gen Alpha are craving these highly social and immersive experiences.”

He went on to acknowledge that simply relying on rollercoasters and rides at Luna Park isn't sustainable for the future of the amusement park and moving into the digital space and creating an ‘Instagrammable’ experience will attract a new wave of visitors.

He noted "Luna Park has historically pushed what is possible creatively it has always been a leader in the next best thing.

"It is in our DNA. We are replicating it in a 2023 way to a 2023 audience who are largely digital natives.”

In preparing the new attraction, Luna Park put together a team of Sydney-based creatives and technicians who have worked across some of the most complex creative projects in the world, from Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies to Marvel films, Vivid Sydney and award-winning, location-based experiences like ABBA Voyage.

The team leaned into Luna Park Sydney’s carnival themes, developing a magical universe in the Big Top, where lovable characters will take visitors on a dream-like adventure to the circus, the seaside, underwater and beyond through 360-degree projections, motion-activated LEDs and hologram technology which will work in with 3D, textured walls and across stages.

This will be a spatially mapped audio system throughout the whole room.

The Big Top site will also become a stage and training facility for Sydney’s creatives and technologists of the future – with access to this state-of-the-art canvas for skill-development opportunities and vocational pathways.

Hughes goes on to say “we are proud to build for Sydney one of the most technically advanced environments in the country.

“The result will be a venue without equal - capable of featuring the best immersive experiences, never-before-seen immersive live music and special events.”

Starting at $35 for children and $45 for adults, the Luna Park Sydney say the pricing is "comparable to a movie".

Hughes concluded "when you look at the broad spectrum of going to the cinema, going to other attractions or going to shows that come to town we think that is priced quite low given the experience and quality.

"Hopefully people can see the value proposition of coming to the park for a ride pass and an experience pass for the Dream Circus for a fairly affordable price."

Images: Renders of Luna Park Sydney's new Dream Circus experience (top and below) and Luna Park Sydney’s John Hughes (middle). Credit: Luna Park Sydney.