The Dolfinarium has opened the new indoor playground Atlantis. The investment of approximately 1.250 m² is more than just an additional play facility: the park is broadening its offerings alongside the animal presentations and creating a product that is less dependent on weather and the regular season.
Indoor offering as part of new direction
Atlantis consists of a themed play world centered around a sunken underwater city. The play structure is up to approximately 7,40 meters high and features various climbing routes, tunnels, slides, a foam pit, and interactive play elements.
For the Dolfinarium, the addition fits within a broader development of the park. Director Alex Tiebot stated earlier this month that there is a deliberate focus on broadening the offerings, alongside the animal presentations. Water fun and more educational activities were already part of this.
Less weather-dependent
The choice for a large indoor facility is attractive from a business perspective. A zoo with an extensive outdoor program is susceptible to rain, heat, and other weather conditions. With Atlantis, the Dolfinarium gains an activity that is usable for a larger part of the day and under varying weather conditions.
According to regional reports, the realization involves more than €1 million.
In doing so, the Dolfinarium follows a trend also visible at holiday parks and other day attractions: investing in indoor recreation to make the offering more robust and keep families on site longer.
Possibly also outside the regular park season
It is noteworthy that Atlantis may also play a role outside the animal park's normal opening period. The Dolfinarium states that the play area can be opened separately outside the regular season. In that case, a separate admission fee may apply for Atlantis.
This potentially makes the playground a more independent operational unit. For attraction companies, this is an interesting development: an investment that initially enhances the regular visitor experience can simultaneously create opportunities for season extension and additional visitor moments.
From animal park to a more complete day out
Atlantis is included in the admission price on regular opening days. The new facility is being added to the animal shows, existing playgrounds, and Water Fun, among others.
This development primarily shows that the Dolfinarium is broadening its product mix. The animal collection remains an important component, but play, education, and water recreation are being given a larger place within the overall visitor experience.
For the leisure market, this shift is particularly interesting: a specialized attraction is gradually becoming a broader family destination with multiple reasons to stay longer and to visit even in less favorable weather.
More information
Resources and more information:
- Dolphinarium, New indoor playground Atlantis officially opened.
- Dolphinarium, background on the development of Atlantis.
- VRMG, Atlantis and the broader direction of the Dolfinarium.