Layout and Theming
The layout of Petroglyph Park is a simple circle. There is one entrance off Main St. which opens into the circle. The circle allows us to theme the fronts of the buildings while leaving the backs un-themed for maximum cost efficiency. There is also a utility loop running around the outside of the circle.
In the middle of the circle, there is a massive statue of a megalodon swimming upwards. The statue serves as a “weenie” to draw attention and help guests find their way to Petroglyph Park from anywhere in Chronoscapes. The megalodon is in a pool with fountains shooting up around it as if the force of its breaching the surface is pushing the water outwards. The space immediately surrounding the pool will be empty, so guests can walk up to it and take photos. This is just one of many photo opportunities, some beautiful and some exciting, located in various areas of the park. Hedges surround the walkway around the pool with benches placed against them to alleviate “museum feet.” Visitors will see a map of the park displayed in front of the fountain.
The rides, attractions, shops, restaurants, and restrooms will sit along the perimeter of the circular layout. Guests chose to walk either left or right around the center wienie. As Americans tend to walk on the right side, guests will most likely encounter the small outdoor stage first. This stage will have animal “show and tells” where team members show guests prehistoric animals that still live today. Team members will sometimes invite the guests to touch them or look at them closely. The guests exit through the gift shop.
As we continue around the perimeter, the guests arrive at the aquatic tunnel ride, one of the main attractions of the park. The tunnel is constructed in a semicircle like the letter “C.” Guests exit the aquatic tunnel in a different location than they entered. The exit is located just above the entrance. The tunnel serves as a detour off the side of the main circular route. This construct also facilitates reentry for those who love the ride so much, they want to do it again,
Next, we arrive at Man vs. Prey, a hominin vs. megafauna hunt dark ride, but not before passing a souvenir shop and a themed restaurant. Next, we pass another small shop and then the massive marsupial lion roller coaster. The area directly surrounding the roller coaster is built to look like rock cliffs fronted by trees as marsupial lions were known to hunt in rock cliffs and cache their catch in the forest. Videos and other displays will explain all this to the visitors as they wait in the queue to enter the ride.
We pass by another souvenir shop and themed restaurant before arriving at the megafauna carousel for smaller children. We pass one more shop before arriving at the AR Safari Grasslands ride which is in a large area jutting outward from the circle’s perimeter. Since the grasslands will be a natural habitat with some real animals, we have placed it as far as possible from the roller coaster so as not to disturb the wildlife. The small stage located just across the entrance is in this area for the same reason.
In the end, visitors will wind up near the entrance, so they will not tire themselves out getting back to the main park. They will have been directed efficiently through the entire exhibit with maximum opportunities to enjoy the rides and displays, and ensuring plenty of time to buy food and souvenirs.