With the grand opening of Orlando Universal’s "Epic Universe" theme park and Saudi Arabia’s accelerated rollout of billion-dollar tourism infrastructure under Vision 2030, the simulation model industry is experiencing explosive growth. Data indicates the global tourism simulation market is projected to exceed $12 billion in 2025, driven by three core technologies: AR/VR integration, high-realistic animatronics, and digital twins. North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific form the market’s "iron triangle" for expansion.

 

On May 22, the $7 billion Orlando Universal "Epic Universe" officially opened. As the first new large-scale theme park in Orlando in 25 years, it attracted over 1,000 visitors lining up as early as 6 AM on opening day, with annual attendance expected to surpass 20 million. Key technological breakthroughs include:

Super Nintendo World: AR glasses and dynamic track systems enable real-virtual Mario Kart racing, with motion capture precision reaching millimeter levels.

Harry Potter Ministry of Magic Zone: 4D projection rendering and thermal sensing allow tactile and visual immersion in "Defense Against the Obscurus" training.

How to Train Your Dragon – Berk Island: Synchronized drone swarms and flame effects create interactive dragon fire spectacles.

 

Zigong companies in Sichuan Province are dominating global supply. Star Robot  produce AI-enhanced animatronic dinosaurs with infrared sensing and multilingual dialogue capabilities, exporting to over 65 countries. A Thailand theme park reported a 48% visitor increase within six months of installing Our Realistic Animatronic Dinosaur, Animal Animatronics, and Animatronic Robot, generating over $1 million in cultural products revenue.

 

especially Saudi Arabia, is emerging as a key testing ground. At the 2025 Saudi Cultural Investment Conference, $13.3 billion in tourism agreements were signed, over 60% involving simulation models. Saudi plans include 200+ digital museums and landmark projects like AlUla Heritage Site and Riyadh Art District integrating simulation tech. Chinese firms such as Silk Road Visual have partnered with Saudi royal entities to deploy digital twin and immersive exhibition systems.

 

Tourism simulation tech has progressed from appearance duplication to full-dimensional upgrades in form, intelligence, and interaction:

High-quanlity Animatronics: Star Robot use 3D printing techonology and electro-mechanical systems, achieve 98% skin texture accuracy, with outdoor durability spanning -20℃ to 40℃ and 20% lower maintenance costs.

Digital Twins: Disney uses real-time ride monitoring and predictive analytics to optimize operations. Silk Road Visual’s collaborations in Saudi apply digital twins to heritage preservation and immersive displays.

AR/VR Combine: Osaka Universal’s Harry Potter "Forbidden Journey" combines 360° domes and dynamic seats with wand-sensing systems, enabling multi-ending storylines to boost revisit rates.

 

 

Focus on upgrades – AR/VR enhancements and cost-effective Chinese animatronics for parks like Universal and Disney.

Middle East: New project boom – Saudi and UAE demand record-scale simulations, with 30% policy subsidies for industrial-grade tech.

IP innovation – Japan and China drive custom scenes blending cultural IP (e.g., Shanghai’s South Heaven Gate Plan) with simulation tech.

 

Chinese Specialists (e.g., Sichuan Star Robot Technology Co., Ltd, ): Cost-effective animatronics and scenics with CE/ISO certifications.