The Main Points of Water Park Theme Planning and Design

In the face of the increasing boom in the construction of water parks in China, the new era has put forward new requirements for water parks-the era of piling up water amusement equipment and simply “playing in the water” has passed, and the demand for tourists has become more and more critical. The park’s movement, theme scene atmosphere, amusement equipment story line, and immersive experience put forward higher requirements. Only in the planning and design stage can the water park be themed, entertained, and immersed in scenes, can it truly attract tourists and achieve long-term operation.

What are the main points of the water park theme planning and design? “Asia Water Park” specially invited companies such as Hansi Construction, Sidi International, New Daoxin Creative, and Guangdong Dalang to discuss the current and future trends of this topic.

Photo courtesy of Shanghai Hans

1. Key points: precise positioning and reasonable layout

A well-known domestic design agency, and the designer of the Changxing Taihu Lake Dragon Dream Pleasure World, which has attracted much attention in the industry this year, Shanghai Hansi Architects has rich experience and unique perspective on the planning and design of water parks. Zhang Xiaozhen, the company’s cultural and creative design director, believes that any theme leisure and entertainment project should achieve “precise positioning and reasonable layout” in the planning and design stage, especially site selection, which is a key consideration for many planning and design units. Zhang Xiaozhen said: “The site selection stage can determine the success or failure of the project! Because the site selection can solve the problem of’people’, the flow of people is very important for the water park project. The population base represents the target market and is also an estimate of the future income of the project. Important reference data. Generally speaking, the target population of the park should be the population covered by a 1.5-hour drive radius. In addition, the population base also determines the scale of the water park to be built. If the population base is not enough, build a super large water park. Paradise will bring great investment risks.”

2.IP: Multi-path creation, differentiated design

For the water park to achieve differentiation and sustainable development from other market products, it is very important to have an IP that tourists like and accept (it can be self-designed or imported from outside), and it is also an important work for cultivating potential customers. This “IP style” first achieved excellent results in the film and television cultural industry, and then it was logically introduced into the theme park field. After abandoning the traditional “pure play” style of piling up equipment, the water park has gradually moved towards theming. A complete and interesting story line has been set up during the play, so that the entire travel process of the visitors is like “watching a movie”, thus leaving the park with Impressed. To do a good job in shaping the theme of the water park, IP is the key to success, and this type of work must be considered during the park planning and design stage.

Photo courtesy of Guangdong Dalang

3. The future: integrated design, enhanced interaction

Talking about the direction in which the planning and design of the water park will develop in the future, Zhang Xiaozhen, the design director of Hansi Architects, cultural and creative design, said: “The planning of theme parks has developed in the direction of integrated design. The overall design is a complete process. From the overall planning and layout, From the design of architectural forms, the research and development of themed IP, the integrated design of landscape architecture, and the introduction of deductive shows…more and more elements have put forward new requirements for the planning and design of theme water parks.”

Guangdong Dalang believes that shaping themes is an important means of differentiated management of water parks, and it is also a guarantee for increasing the revisit rate of tourists. The theme is to the water park as the decoration style is to a new house. The theme of the water park should have a distinct personality, which requires proper handling of the park in the design stage. In addition, in the planning and design stage of the future water park, more scientific and technological elements should be considered to allow the theme and visitors to interact, especially at night venues where performing arts and viewing are the main gameplay, and special attention should be paid to enhancing interactivity- Interactive night shows may be one of the most interesting development directions for the water park industry in the future.”

After experiencing the early water parks with amusement equipment experience, tourists have higher and higher requirements and expectations for the new generation of water parks. The creativity of themes and cultures and the integration of theme stories driven by IP have become more and more important. The pure water amusement equipment stacking can no longer meet the experience needs of tourists. For the old water park, the only way is to continuously improve and innovate. For the newly opened water park and the ambitious entrants behind it, it is important to pay attention to important points in the planning and design stage, cater to the trend, and grasp the future. The ultimate vision-profitability.