Middle East
Region
Family entertainment centres
Type
Insights, Design, Creative Production
Expertise
Cartoon Network World
Future Kid Entertainment
We worked with Cartoon Network and real estate owner/operator Future Kid Entertainment to design and develop an indoor themed attraction in Kuwait. The existing 3,000 sqm site was dated, and needed redesigning and refitting to become the fully themed and immersive attraction that it is today.
We worked in collaboration with Cartoon Network and Future Kid to uphold high intellectual property standards and build specifications. We managed everything from initial concepts and schematic designs, to design specification, design guardianship, vendor management, onsite art direction and advising the contractors on refit and the implementation of designs.
"We are delighted to be working with the Katapult team to deliver this project and we are excited to open our doors to the new attraction.”
Mr. Khalid Al-Roumi, Deputy CEO - Future Kid
3,000 SQM Footprint
Design
The newly redesigned and reopened Cartoon Network World Kuwait has become the regional industry benchmark both for a family entertainment centre, and, an IP-based experience. The multi-million dollar project has been four years in the making and has brought to the market the latest technology and rides, as well as becoming the only place in the Middle East for guests to immerse themselves in their favourite Cartoon Network characters and shows.
As experts in themed attraction design, we first considered how the 3,000 sq. metre space could become an immersive world that encapsulates Cartoon Network. After collaborating with operators Future Kid on the master plan, we began visualising the experience with concept visuals of key theming areas and new rides. Five core IPs were identified as being the best to use in-market. Powerpuff Girls, We Bare Bears, Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball and Ben 10 began to feature for the first time in visuals for the newly refurbished experience.
Communal spaces in and around the family entertainment centre were also redesigned alongside the newly created attraction zones. Themed retail, restaurant and arcade redemption spaces were created too.
Throughout our design process, we used our virtual reality capabilities to recreate the FEC in a virtual world to share our work-in-progress designs with both client and suppliers. Virtual reality also allowed us to continually check the design and experience from the guest's point of view. This included reducing the height of visibility to child's level, allowing us to iterate designs to improve the future experience for children visiting.
Creative Production
As part of the project, we took control of vendor management to ensure the designs, brand guardianship and final experience met the high standards required from Cartoon Network, Future Kid, and guests. A well as working alongside structural engineers to reformat the layout and work within challenging height restraints, we worked with partners to create new rides and experiences.
This included spinner teacups, bumper cars, log drop speedway, spinning drop ride, X-Perimental Flyer, interactive dark ride and a motion simulator. The site also features a fun physical play activities such as a softplay, ice rink and high ropes coures. There are also endless fun photo moments throughout and a large ceiling video display with digital fireworks show.