Enhancing Safety & Flow for Mystic Aquarium’s Aerial Adventure Course

Project Overview

Mystic Aquarium introduced a brand-new Aerial Adventure Course in their “Dino Seas” exhibit, offering ten distinct challenge paths for guests who are 48″ or taller. (¹Mystic Aquarium) This indoor attraction, embedded within a marine-themed venue, presented a unique challenge:

The Challenge

• The course attracts enthusiastic guests moving in and out of the paths, creating potential for off-limits access or stray traffic into operational areas.
• Safety was critical—not only to prevent unauthorized access but also to guide flow in queuing, prevent cross-traffic, and ensure staff can control ingress/egress points.
• The design of the space and aesthetic goals meant that barriers, gates, and mounting systems had to blend visually with the exhibit while being robust enough to handle heavy foot traffic.

The Solution

Visiontron provided a holistic barrier system to support this new attraction:

• 300 Series RETRACTA-BELT® Stanchions — placed to define queue lanes and manage guest flow leading up to the course start points.
• WM700 Series Wall Mount RETRACTA-BELT Units — installed where floor-mounted posts would interfere with space or exhibit design; these provide line control without floor clutter (useful when floor space is limited).
• Custom Swing Gate in conjunction with Q-PANEL® Panel Post & Post System — created for controlled access points, allowing staff to open and close entry as needed (e.g. when staging groups or preventing off-limits crossing).

This mix allowed the aquarium to direct guests safely, prevent accidental entry into restricted areas, and provide staff with quick control of access points—all while preserving the immersive look of the exhibit.

The Results & Takeaways

• Improved Safety & Access Control: Barriers keep guests safely in line and prevent wandering through sensitive areas.
• Operational Efficiency: Staff can manage flow, open/close access, and maintain control without impeding guest movement.
• Aesthetic Integration: The barrier systems are part of the experience—not visual eyesores interfering with the thematic design.
• Guest Experience: Guests benefit from clear guidance, less confusion, and predictable paths to the attraction.

Conclusion

Visiontron’s ability to design custom queue systems that meet both safety and visual goals, even inside immersive exhibits like aquariums is on full display. Have a unique project with needs that off-the-shelf crowd control and queueing solutions can’t solve? Contact us, we can help!