NEWS: Merlin announces 'The San Francisco Dungeon'

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/merlin-entertainments-group-opening-north-americas-first-ever-dungeon-attraction-in-san-francisco-in-summer-2014-2014-03-25?d=nbkt

 

Merlin Entertainments Group, the largest entertainment operator in Europe, today announced the upcoming opening of its first Dungeon attraction in North America. Named The San Francisco Dungeon , the attraction will be located in San Francisco’s historic Fisherman’s Wharf district and is scheduled to open in Summer 2014. Centered on the rich history of the San Francisco area, it is an entertainment experience that will combine hilarious fun with edge-of-your seat live performances.

 

With the opening of The San Francisco Dungeon, Merlin Entertainments brings its widely-acclaimed Dungeons experience from London to North America. San Francisco was selected as the first city in the United States due to its vivid and compelling history.

 

“Through a storytelling journey, The San Francisco Dungeon sheds a whole new light on San Francisco’s rich and authentic history,” said Adrea Gibbs, General Manager, The San Francisco Dungeon.

 

The San Francisco Dungeon highlights 200 years of San Francisco’s past with tales from the early missions of San Francisco, through the Gold Rush and to the beginning of Alcatraz. As a 60-minute experience, it will guide visitors on a walk-through journey of nine actor-led shows, featuring dozens of authentic local stories, 360-degree theatrical sets, special effects and an underground boat ride. The attraction is designed to make guests laugh and jump in a live action journey featuring stories spotlighting the “underbelly” of the city’s history, with tales of Shanghai Kelly, Miss Piggott’s Saloon, Gangs of San Francisco and Alcatraz.

 

“Against the backdrop of vibrant sets, authentic costumes and detailed make-up, our actors will portray characters from specific periods in history to tell the stories of San Francisco. It will not only deliver scary fun, but provide a walk into the Bay Area’s unique past,” added Gibbs. “You will laugh until you scream and then laugh that you screamed!”

 

The San Francisco Dungeon will be located at 145 Jefferson Street in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf and just a short walk from Pier 39. For more information including hours and admission, please visit http://www.thedungeons.com/sanfrancisco .

 

About the San Francisco Dungeon

 

The San Francisco Dungeon, opening in summer 2014 and the first attraction of its kind in North America, brings to life the stories of old San Francisco with a full theatrical actor cast, special effects, gripping storytelling, 360-degree sets and an underground boat ride. The San Francisco Dungeon is hilarious fun and sometimes a little bit scary. It is the ultimate live action journey through San Francisco’s murky past. It is located in Fisherman’s Wharf at 145 Jefferson Street. The attraction is open at 10 a.m. 365 days a year. For more information, visit: http://www.thedungeons.com/sanfrancisco .

 

Edited August 31, 2016 by jedimaster1227

[KBrylczyk]

Dungeons in San Francisco are generally a COMPLETELY different experience than Merlin is going for...

[cfc]

I wonder if they're devoting a section to Haight-Ashbury in the 1960s. They could do some crazy stuff with psychedelia.

[djcoastermark]

Oooh Laawdy, what is Merlin getting themselves into ? There is going to be sooooo much confusion going on there. I don't even know where to start. Like, how does one dress for an evening going out with all the different types dungeons around town ? On the bright side, standing in line may really be interesting. ( ahem, to one any of them) It does sound fun, if not a bit touristy.

[cfc]

It does sound fun, if not a bit touristy.

 

The Dungeon? Touristy? I had no idea . . .

[Jew]

Is there anything at Fisherman's Wharf that isn't a tourist trap?

[gerstlaueringvar]

^

 

Honestly I don't get why people would like to spend that much time there. The most interesting thing that happened to me around there was buying a bag of Ghirardelli's with a small discount. I would rather ride Kong, Roar and Boomerang than wasting a day there.

 

Hope this new attraction would change it. At least it's from Merlin so shouldn't be bad.

[jedimaster1227]

The San Francisco Dungeon has sent us a press release about the newest experience coming to the Dungeon, debuting this Halloween weekend!

 

“Escape Alcatraz” – a brand new drop ride and show located in a staggeringly large underground space below Fisherman’s Wharf – debuts this Halloween Weekend at the The San Francisco Dungeon. The new ride creates a thrilling finale to the sixty-minute Dungeon experience, complete with fresh sets, script, characters, costumes, and culminates in a heart-pounding drop ride simulating a jump from the infamous island prison into the frigid and choppy waters of the San Francisco Bay.

 

Construction of the new drop ride and permanent attraction is currently underway six feet below sea level. The Dungeon must first break down several walls in order to accommodate the new ride within its existing 25,000 square feet of underground space, then build new rooms, staging, and sets around it. Engineered by Swiss-based WillTEC, the custom-built ride height totals 23 feet with a drop of just over 11 feet. The ride will hold a total of 18 passengers per drop, with a ride time of approximately 33 seconds, while a snug lap bar provides passenger safety in two gondolas, each holding nine passengers at a time.

 

Over $1M was spent to build this new and only ride on Fisherman’s Wharf including the conception, construction, shipping, installation, new sets, costumes, technical training, and more. Nothing else like The San Francisco Dungeon or the new “Escape Alcatraz” drop ride exists in the entire country, making this the first and only family-friendly attraction of its kind in the United States to be created by Merlin Entertainments.

 

The new “Escape Alcatraz” drop ride and show will be unveiled to the public over Halloween Weekend, offering a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate the holiday and enjoy something brand new directly under San Francisco’s iconic Fisherman’s Wharf. Elaborate sets with simulated grass and foliage create an authentic re-creation of an Alcatraz cliff complete with barbed wire on aged wooden supports, sooty brickwork, and splashes of mud. Sounds of distant thunder, sea gulls, sea lions, crashing waves, and the hum of the prison echoes around a room filled with the smell of briny sea air. Detailed prison guard costumes, sharp and irreverent script writing, and hilarious visitor interaction and engagement make the show and build-up to the (optional) drop ride that much more genuine and thrilling.

 

As visitors depart the popular “Ghosts of Alcatraz” scene they’re marched through a dimly lit corridor into a stark and foreboding and immersive processing room. Realistic prison set pieces and props, including posters of prisoners and the prison’s rules, surround them as they’re fingerprinted and processed as prison inmates by a grim and not-so-friendly guard. As is true with all Dungeon shows, visitors will also learn a bit of true history surrounding 1915 Alcatraz and its infamous past.

 

Next, prisoners are shuffled out to the desolate prison yard where they find themselves joining an escape attempt as a storm rages above. Cue the sirens, barking dogs, shouting guards, and the scream of bullets flying past. Searchlights sweep across the faces of trapped prisoners who… desperate to escape The Rock… now face a jump… into the deathly San Francisco Bay… and DROP! Lucky prisoners successfully “Escape Alcatraz” and complete their journey through The San Francisco Dungeon with the option of taking home a souvenir photo of their surprised and exhilarated faces on the drop ride experience upon exiting through the gift shop.

 

What: The San Francisco Dungeon’s new “Escape Alcatraz” drop ride and show:

https://sanfrancisco.thedungeons.com/en/san-francisco/Explore/the-scenes/escape-alcatraz-drop-ride/

 

When: Opening on Halloween Weekend, Friday, October 28. Shows run continuously, 365 days a year.

 

Where: Fisherman’s Wharf at 145 Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

 

Cost: The San Francisco Dungeon admission starts at $22 for adults, with lower rates for SF Bay Area residents, youth, seniors, students, teachers and the disabled. For best pricing, visit http://www.thedungeons.com/sanfrancisco.

Edited August 31, 2016 by jedimaster1227