Page 5 - Monster Bubbles

their “bucket list,” she adds. The ar- cade also serves to bring in adults and entertain parents with a carefully cho- sen selection of games that older gen- erations may remember from their own childhoods, such as Air Hockey, Ms. Pacman, Star Wars, Star Trek and oth- ers, in addition to more contemporary offerings for kids.
The attraction actually gained its “Monster Bubbles” moniker from one of its younger customers, a 4-year-old boy who was getting into the ride.
“I said to him, you get to ride in the large bubble,” Leo recounts. “He said ‘no, it is not a large bubble it is a mon- ster bubble.’ I thought, ‘That’s it! There’s the name.’”
Expanding Bubbles
The Vincents are in the process of expanding the bubble concept to other malls. They plan to open between 20 and 30 locations over the next three years, each with its own unique theme. Their second location, an underwater-themed bubble attraction, is currently under construction at Superstition Springs Mall in Mesa and is tentatively scheduled to open October 15. That attraction will feature mermaids and other undersea creatures. The riders, because of strategi- cally placed ceiling projections and sur-
face lights, will feel as if they are rolling in their bubbles under the sea.
They are not planning to go it alone when it comes to expanding, however. The company is looking for key collabo- rators to help bring their plans to fruition.
“We are not going to try and do ev- erything by ourselves,” Sharon says. “We did that when we were younger, but we learned it is best to work with other com- panies and let them show how they can combine with us, so we can all benefit.”
Beyond Amusements, the company that put its arcade games in Monster Bubbles, has already seen its expecta- tions exceeded, according to Leo. “They weren’t sure about it but decided to take a chance,” he says. “They didn’t realize how much traffic we would bring in. The income they have generated from just this location totally surprised them. It was about three to four times what they had anticipated.”
Other businesses the couple would like to collaborate with are advertisers to showcase their products and services. Also, a T-shirt, hat and jacket company to showcase their wares in the attraction stores and to include themed items, from the various bubble attractions.
“We are going progressively step-by- step to find key collaborators,” Sharon
says. “We are taking our time and mak- ing the right decisions.”
In addition to its permanent locations, the company, with help from collabora- tors, is also planning on putting large Christmas festivals at various malls, similar to those held in Europe. The fes- tivals, which will take place for 10 weeks leading up to the holiday season, will include holiday-themed bubble rides, as well as numerous other features and at- tractions. The couple envision inviting artisans and craftspeople to create and sell their wares – allowing people to view the artistic process first hand.
“When I participated in fairs many years ago as a portrait artist, people loved to watch me draw, which was unexpect- ed,” Sharon says. “I realized people love to watch artists in motion. Which is why we will have artisan glass blowers and other talented craftsman.”
In addition to crafts, Christmas de- cor from Europe and Asia will allow for a unique and diverse blend of products, adding to the complete family and shop- ping experience.
Their goal to kick-off the Christmas festivals is 2017. “We have our goals written up for 20 years,” Leo says. “We know how much work it is and it will in- volve a lot of collaboration.
We are not going to try and do everything by ourselves. ...We did that when we were younger, but we learned it is best to work with other companies and let them show how they can combine with us, so we can all benefit.
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