|
FRANCE
FOR FAMILIES' VIEWS ON THE RIDES
The best rides are
those simulator rides which directly involve you in the story such as
Arthur 4D, Petit Prince, Dances with Robots and Dynamic Vienne. Here
are our favourites in order of preference:
Arthur,
the 4D Adventure -
Realized by
Luc Besson (director of The Fifth Element, Leon, and The Big Blue),
Arthur the 4D adventure
takes young visitors
into the make-believe world of the Minimoys.
It is a unique experience that has been hailed by the Industry as one of
the Top TEN attractions anywhere in the world in 2010 at the IAPPA EXPO in
Florida.
The 4D
experience is created through a 3D movie with seats that physically move,
completely involving you in the experience as guides lead you through a
fantasy world, both above and below ground. It's a shame it doesn't
last longer....although there's nothing to stop you doing the ride
multiple times!
Dynamic
Vienne is a
3D show with some really entertaining effects. The pre-show works
well to swallow the crowd (200 people can be accommodated per showing) and
avoid the feeling that you're queuing a long time, although it's in French
only and so you will need to explain to your kids that it's not the main
event! Save those translators till you get moved into the second
auditorium. This is a really cute show with a nice storyline about a
young man who's late for his wedding. You'll join him flying through
the air over the Vienne and driving through some of the local streets at
break neck speeds! It's a surprisingly lively ride and we wouldn't
recommend it for the really young, or anyone with back complaints.
Actually Futuroscope have height limits on some rides, but if you have
very young children parents can ask the hosts to let you through one by
one so that you don't have to queue twice. This way both mum and dad
can get a full day of pleasure (don't forget to take the young ones to the
area dedicated to them).
Dances
with Robots
- the only reason this show isn't at the top of the list is because you
don't get the 3/4D treatment here. What you do get though is an
incredible ride on the end of a huge robotic arm....dancing to a variety
of different types of music. If you're over 1.2m, under 1.95m, not
pregnant and have no back or heart problems then give this a go.
It's absolutely great fun. You have a choice of levels from 1-3.
Even level 3 is OK although it's very lively. If you're nervous then
make it clear that you want a lower level. We recommend to visit
this attraction first thing, during lunch, or around tea time to avoid
long queues. It's only a 2 minute ride...but that's all you'll need!
The
Little Prince (started July 2011) -
This new adaptation of
Antoine de Saint- Exupery’s story of the Little Prince is also the
inaugural act at Futuroscope’s brand new venue devoted to the art of
make-believe and special effects. A 3D adventure with more surprises in
store as they experience water effects, gentle tickles, bowing air and
vibrations in the theatre while the little Prince’s adventure unfolds!
Very bizarre waiting area with mechanical dolphins....see what you make of
them. Still better than waiting with nothing to do.... In the
show itself, make sure you stand on the floor using the rests to lean back
on (don't make the mistake to sit on them....many people do!).
The 8th
continent,
your mission is to eradicate the waste and refuse that is polluting our
oceans. Our oceans are being poisoned with plastic. More than 70% of
marine pollution comes from man-made waste. The idea behind this new
attraction comes from the discovery in 1997 by British sailor Charles
Moore of a gigantic “soup” of plastic waste materials stuck together by
marine micro-organisms, floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This
“Great Garbage Patch” is so deep (around 100 ft) and so vast (six times
the size of the UK) that has been called the 8th continent.
Aim your gun at the screen and destroy the garbage (you can see where you
are aiming by looking for the identifier number on the screen which
corresponds with the number on your gun's base station). It was very
noticeable that the mums and dads were completely outplayed by the
youngsters. 10,000 is a respectable score.....in our case mum and
dad scored 3000 & 5500 respectively!
Sea
Monsters, a
new 3D experience that takes you back to the Cretaceous period and face to
face with gigantic creatures that lived in the seas in the age of the
dinosaurs. It's a very interesting show with incredible animation.
The 3D works very well and you really feel you can reach out and touch the
sharks....without getting eaten! It may be a little scary for less
confident youngsters, although there were plenty there when we went and
no-one seemed to have any trouble with it.
Fly me to
the moon, an incredible 3D adventure with three flies who are the passengers on
the legendary Apollo 11 flight to the Moon. Really a very sweet
story which your kids will enjoy. Lasts a bit longer than other
rides also....so good for a rest!
Cosmic
Collisions
This is a pleasant and interesting show from the American Museum of
Natural History, narrated by Robert Redford, which takes visitors on an
informative journey through time and space to witness the cosmic smashes
that shape the universe. The scientific images shown on the dome screen
were taken by NASA satellites and modelled to simulate cosmic phenomena in
3D.
Les
Ailes du Courage
- a longer 3D film (~40
mins) about the first flights over the Andes mountains in South America.
We watched this later in the day when everyone was quite tired and it was
good to be able to rest for a bit! Although interesting for mums and
dads and older teens (our 17 year old said "just like a good action
movie"), we're not sure it would appeal to younger children. But it
definitely made a pleasant change from the 5 minute white knuckle rides!
Futuroscope Digital City,
the unusual venue that takes you for an artistic stroll through a digital
garden, and ignites your artistic curiosity between two attractions.
It’s a chance to enjoy fun, techno experiences and wander through strange,
virtual vegetation, stimulating your mind as you relax.
Hurricane
on the Bayou
- The gigantic
images on the 9,700-ft² dome screen take viewers deep into the Louisiana
heartland. When the Mississippi was diverted, New Orleans was able to
spread out into these zones, but doing so has resulted in massive coastal
erosion. The damage to its bayous and wetlands, once natural hurricane
defences, has been such that New Orleans finds itself at increasing risk
from cyclones. Hurricane on the Bayou is a thrilling story and a
musical celebration of New Orleans that teaches young generations about
the importance of preserving wetlands and ecosystems.
Brush
with Genius - The
images on the 6,500-ft² screen in
Brush with Genius
offer a totally new look at Van Gogh and his work, and the film’s stunning
graphics are a moving journey to the sources of the artist’s inspiration.
The way the IMAX technology gives young visitors a new perspective on art
makes the film an original sensory experience.
The
Future is Wild New version
Darwin’s theory of
evolution throws light on how species evolved in the past, and is the
inspiration for Futuroscope’s imaginative look into the future. Our young
visitors climb aboard expedition vehicles for an interactive
augmented-reality adventure, where, kitted out with camera-binoculars
and sensor bracelets, they will meet and interact with animals that could
be roaming the planet millions of years from now.
Children’s World -
Enjoy the amazing new
games in Children’s World. A fun area for younger children.
The Blue
Note Mystery evening show -
And at the end of the
day, the Blue Note Mystery evening show will bring you in a
stunning musical fairy tale with lasers and special effects…..although
it's all in French so you'll have to use your imagination!
Travellers
by air and by sea,
two gigantic screens one in front and one under your feet , let you fly
like a bird above the whales and dolphins….. and many other experiences……
Ideally
located near the Atlantic coast, in Poitou- Charente’s region, between the
Loire Valley, Vendée, Cognac area and the Dordogne’s region, Futuroscope
is only and 90 min. from London by plane and 80 min. from Paris by TGV.
More
information on
http://uk.futuroscope.com/
|
Food:
If you're on a budget then there is a very good picnic area close to the
entrance. There are covered areas and good toilets nearby. You
can leave your picnic in the car and then go out and get it when you're
ready to eat (make sure you get your hand stamped to ensure you are
allowed re-entry). However if you're looking to be catered for then
we can highly recommend the KaDeliceScope buffet restaurant. The
cost is 21 Euros per adult, 14 Euros for the under 14s (under 5s free).
The restaurant provides a 3 course buffet with a huge choice of excellent
food. Just have a look at a few examples one of our daughters
enjoyed for desert! We ate here in the evening and thought it was a
good way to fill the evening when less rides are open and when waiting for
the evening spectacular.