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Futuroscope

Theme Park Guy Rating: 22
Date Visited:
October 03, 2009

Review

The pride of France's home-grown leisure industry, 300 kilometers south-east of Disneyland Paris, offers less than one would expect, unfortunately!

I believe the future of mankind won't consist of cold glass-and-steel buildings with isolated individuals wandering lost between them. The creators of Futuroscope, inspired by Disney's then newly-opened Epcot theme park, obviously didn't share my view when the project was being planned in the 80s.

Futuroscope's many crystal, golf ball and organ-shaped buildings all have one thing in common: there's just another cinema screen inside. If you expect thrilling dark rides or roller coasters, you will be disappointed! The only difference between the attractions is whether you put 3-D glasses on or not, whether the screen is big, bigger, the biggest, in front of you, below you or around you. Apart from a few violent simulator rides, the future is reduced to a collection of movie theatres.

However, the movie-buff in me enjoyed the great 50-minute 3D-film 'The Wings of Courage', directed by mastermind Jean-Jacques Annaud, and I was in for another suprise with the night laser show, which was so brilliant and rich in storytelling that Futuroscope deserves one extra star (hat) for this alone.


Futuroscope in France Futuroscope in France

View from above View from above

Futurism in rural France Futurism in rural France

Interestingly shaped structures Interestingly shaped structures

Each building houses one attraction Each building houses one attraction

Will the future look like this? Will the future look like this?

Lost in the future Lost in the future

Les Animaux the Futur is one of the newer rides Les Animaux the Futur is one of the newer rides

Arena for the brilliant night show Arena for the brilliant night show

Massive cinema Massive cinema

Here, the movie runs in front of you and below you Here, the movie runs in front of you and below you

Simulator ride and someone who doesn't want to board it Simulator ride and someone who doesn't want to board it

Futuristic walk-through attraction Futuristic walk-through attraction

Futuristic robot arms Futuristic robot arms

Futuroscope water battle Futuroscope water battle

Futuroscope playground Futuroscope playground

This one must be awesome fun for the kids This one must be awesome fun for the kids

Futuroscope was quite empty when I visited Futuroscope was quite empty when I visited