America in Miniature Overview | Miniature Parks of the World

America in Miniature Overview

America in Miniature (AiM) will be a 10-acre, state-of-the-art indoor theme park built in Las Vegas. It will offer its guests the opportunity to celebrate America by experiencing the multi-cultural sights, sounds, and tastes of this great nation.

Centered-around realistic scale models of famous U.S. landmarks, AiM enables guests to "visit" all regions of the U.S. and see its buildings, monuments, and natural wonders from a unique perspective. Must see landmarks include the White House, Empire State Building, Times Square, Lincoln Memorial, Monticello, Mount Rushmore and Hearst Castle. Built on a scale of 1:24, the landmarks are of an impressive size; for example: White House (4' high and 20' wide), the Gateway Arch (26' high), and the Empire State Building (48' high).

While some of us have been fortunate enough to travel throughout the U.S., most Americans and foreign tourists have actually seen relatively little of this great country. The core guest experience is to see the landmarks that they have read about and seen on TV. From Ellis Island to the Golden Gate Bridge. From Niagara Falls, with real water tumbling over the rocks, to towering redwoods and the Grand Canyon. From the national landmarks in Washington, D.C., to the Kennedy Space Center. These places are viewed from fascinating perspectives, achieved by strolling amongst the models and along a 3/4-mile boat ride.

Guests, as they move through the Park, will be delighted by both expected and unexpected sights, and will leave AiM feeling they haven't seen it all, yet their experience was unique and special; this will generate repeat visits and strong word-of-mouth advertising.

During the past few years, there has been an upsurge by Americans in expressing patriotism, Americana, and family values as being more important to them than ever before (TIME Gallup poll - 11/2/04). AiM serves these basic needs of Americans in that it will present American icons in a way that will be perceived differently by each guest based on their own experiences.

During an average four-hour visit, this will be accomplished with:

• An inspiring entrance and atmosphere;
• Over 200 realistic models of landmarks; about 25% will be interactive;
• 3/4-mile boat ride;
• Autos, planes, and trains that move;
• Special effects, including changing the Park from day-to-night-to-day;
• 100,000 miniature figures 2 1/2 -3" tall;
• Immaculate gardens featuring bonsai plants and flowers;
• Favorite regional foods and beverages;
• Unique souvenirs and gifts;
• Virtual reality games;
• Model making facility; and
• Multi-purpose theater.

The Park entrance will be built in the shape of a waving American flag and will include a four-story glass star, thus serving as an impressive icon so necessary in this city of icons. This building will have areas for food, beverages, souvenirs, and a multi-use theater, which will show films such as ones about the creation of the park and the timeline of American history.

The Park will be a series of six regions that surround a large central map of the country. Each region will emphasize its natural and cultural elements. For example, the Mid-Atlantic will incorporate New York high-rises and the national monuments of Washington, D.C., while the West will incorporate more natural phenomena and Native American elements.

Each regional experience will be enhanced by the availability of popular, indigenous foods, beverages, and music representing it, such as jazz and Cajun food in New Orleans; country music in Nashville; comedy,ÊBroadway music and Coney Island hot dogs in New York; BBQ in Texas; LatinÊmusic in Miami; a Napa Valley wine bar; movie music in Los Angeles; and the Boston Pops and clam chowder in New England. The goal is to provide the visitor with an "edutainment" experience that engages the five senses and combines with patriotic fulfillment with emotional satisfaction.

Park guests will be able to explore the park by foot and by boat. On foot, they will be able to view each model close up, discovering its unique details and perspectives. During a 15-minute, _-mile boat ride, they will be able to view the models at eye level - an experience that does not exist at other miniature parks. The boat ride will be enhanced by sailing through the Port of New York, sliding behind the Niagara Falls, or rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

The Park comes alive through harbors with boat traffic, an airport with taxiing jets, highways with moving vehicles, mountains, rivers and lakes, over 100,000 miniature people (2 1/2 - 3"), and the largest miniature train set in the world.

The landscaped environment is the setting for the displays. Planted with living bonsai style trees, miniature shrubs and flowers, it gives the visitor the image of "real, but small". Thousands of tiny lights are incorporated in the model display area, turning the Park into a magical place at night. America in Miniature is an educational showcase of the beauty, history, ethnic and cultural diversity and industrial might that is America.

The far end of the park will be a large plaza that features the main restaurant, with both raised patio dining and an upstairs reception area with a panoramic viewing deck for groups. The plaza will also have rest areas, food venues, souvenir shops, an arcade and playground, meeting rooms, and wedding chapels. Guests will be able to view the model making studio and the computerized control room which operates the moving model trains, cars, planes, Waltzing Waters (see below), and elements that will turn the Park from day to night.

There will be 3- and 4-D virtual reality rides, related to the general theme, such as a police chase through the congested traffic of NYC, a fast boat ride in the Everglades, a drive in the crooked streets of San Francisco, rafting down the Grand Canyon, a hot air balloon ride, and landing jets on an aircraft carrier. Additionally, the themed arcade and playground facilities will enable children to vent their energy and imagination.

Day-to-Night-to-Day
In other miniature parks, there are very different experiences during daytime and nighttime visits. Since AiM will be built indoors, we can control when the park changes from day-to-night-to-day. Every few hours, the park will change, so that guests can experience both exciting times. This may also serve to increase the average length of stay and increase per-cap spending. Some of the most exciting time-of-day differences will be:

Day

• Models can be seen in much greater detail;
• Miniature figures bring "life" to the Park; and
• Man-made weather, such as snow and rain (away from guest pathways).

Night

• Buildings, bridges, cars, planes, and trains light up at night;
• Waltzing Waters light, sound and water show is more spectacular;
• Park has a more romantic atmosphere;
• Man-made weather, such as thunder and lighting; and
• Stars are in the night sky.

With its desirable Americana / patriotic theme, many enjoyable experiences (including some unexpected "wows"), unique design, and excellent value, America in Miniature will become a "must see" attraction in Las Vegas.

Back to The Top of the Page

Miniature Parks of the World

The first major architectural mini park was Bekonscot, which was built outside London in 1928. Today, there are over 35 architectural mini parks in the world, primarily in Europe and Asia, with many of them build since 1990. Hundreds of millions of visitors have enjoyed the beauty and wonder of these parks.

Links to some of the major architectural mini parks of the world

MADURODAM The Hague, Netherlands Opened 1952 www.madurodam.nl	TOBU WORLD SQUARE Nikko, Japan Opened 1993 www.tobuws.co.jp/main.htm
PARK MINI ISRAEL Shimson, Israel Opened 2003 www.minisrael.co.il	ITALIA IN MINIATURA Rimini, Italy Opened 1972 www.italiainminiatura.com
MINIMUNDUS Klagenfurt, Austria Opened 1959 www.minimundus.at	KOREA IN MINIATURE Seoul, South Korea Opened 2004 www.aiinsworld.com

Back to The Top of the Page