To expand the customer franchise, there was a shift towards theme parks with country/regional themes,
theme parks as part of larger mixed-used destination projects, greater visitor participation and interaction,
use of simulation and virtual reality, greater water orientation, and all-weather operations in artificial
environments.25
Themed environments used elaborate set designs, special effects, colorful figures applied throughout
parks to draw visitors into another time and place. “People can’t seem to get enough of experiences that
truly surround you and make you feel as if you’re in a certain place or time.”26 Splendid China in Shenzhen,
China across the border from Hong Kong had a theme developed around Chinese cultures. Disney used a
global model, an extension of the American theme park.