User:Schlitterwater/Scenic Props and Displays

Scenic Props and Displays (SPAD) is an amusement park industry term which refers to the scenic decoration, props, special effects, sound effects and other physical elements that help create a given theme. It is an integral part of theming. The term is related to theatrical scenery or theatrical property which serves the same purpose for theatrical design as SPAD does for amusement park theming design.

SPAD differs from theatrical scenery and props in many ways. First, most of the elements of SPAD must be outdoor rated as they will more than likely be subject to outside elements. Second, SPAD is usually static in nature unless the prop is intentionally motion oriented such as an audio-animatronic feature made famous by Disney. Thirdly, unlike a theatrical set, SPAD is for all intents and purposes, permanent as it is usually placed in an interactive environment in which sometimes thousands of guests per day will be within reaching distance of the props and scenery.

Philosophical SPAD
Scenic Props and Displays are an element of guest experience in amusement parks that are best if they are not noticed. A proper collection of SPAD will create an environment so realistic, engrossing and tactile that guests will just be amazed by the experience as a whole.

Amusement park professionals use SPAD to create or recreate a theme park environment. It could be said that SPAD is the main difference between a theme park and an amusement park. For theme park creation is not just about enjoying a roller coaster, but making you feel like you are Superman or Harry Potter. This is what theming and SPAD is all about.

Examples
If you were to create a nautical environment. Your list of SPAD would include, buoys, a lighthouse, rope, tie line, crabs in cages, rocks, deck type flooring, giant ship steering wheel, diving helmet, seaweed, seagull sound effects, misters that create the scent of salt water. Really anything and everything you can think of related to a specific theme.

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