Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alula Adventures?

AlUla Adventures is virtual travel!  Stand inside and you can be “teleported” to ancient AlUla, a UNESCO world heritage site in Saudi Arabia.  You’ll get to take part in a 10-15-minute interactive adventure, where you’ll discover ancient Artifacts and make your very own digital Journal, like a photo album.  In this incredible videogame-like virtual reality experience, the Pod surrounds you with 360-degree sensory effects including wind and haptic sensations, which make the experience so realistic you’ll believe you’re truly flying, driving and floating through the real AlUla!  When it’s over you get an email with your own digital Journal to review and share with friends. 

Is This A Video Game?

AlUla Adventures has been designed as a state-of-the-art virtual travel experience. It is like a video game in that you can interact in the world and make choices, and has been designed by highly experienced video game creators.

How Many People Go In The Pod?

The AlUla Adventures Experience is designed for one person inside the Pod at one time.

What Can I Take Into The Pod With Me?

Just you! It is important that you do not have anything that could obstruct your arms, feet or body when in the Pod as you will be using a VR headset, which will obstruct your view of the real-world. We don’t want you falling over bags by accident, for example!

How Long Does AlUla Adventures Take?

Because users can interact within the Experience, including starting and stopping at will, the length of time inside the Pod can vary.

Most users complete the Experience in about 12 minutes. But because of the incredible immersion created during the Experience, most users believe they were in the Pod for at least 20 minutes!

Is It Virtual Reality?

Yes, the Pod incorporates VR but in addition it features sensory effects, like wind and haptic effects, which combine to make a truly realistic experience. Even though you’re standing still, you will believe you are  flying, driving and floating through the real AlUla!

Is It Available on mobile phones, or PCs, or Consoles?

No. Because of the advanced technology involved, AlUla Adventures has been designed exclusively for this Pod.

I Dont Play Video Games But I Like Travel. Can I Use The Pod?

Yes. You don’t need to be proficient in video games to use the Pod.  If you don’t have a medical condition or disability, and you have read and understand the safety cautions we provide, then you should be fine to use the Experience.  The Attendant can help guide you through how to use the Pod.

Can I Interact With People In Other Pods?

The Pods are designed for that capability, but it is not offered as a feature of the AlUla Adventures Experience at this time.  These are solo missions. Let us know if that is something you would like to see!

Can I BUY A POD?

If you are interested in buying an AlUla Adventures Pod, or would be interested in the Pod visiting your location, or you would like to know what else the Pods can do, please do get in contact with us.

Does The Pod Play Any other Games or experiences?

AlUla Adventures is the only interactive experience that this Pod performs. In future, there will be other Pods which will play a variety of different games and experiences. 

Is It Safe?

For most people, using AlUla Adventures it is perfectly safe if they follow all of our instructions, but it is not recommended for everyone.  For example, if the user has a medical condition or disability that may be impacted by the experience, it is strongly recommended that they consult with a physician before participating. 

There are some possible side-effects to consider also: some participants may suffer from a loss of balance, headaches, locomotor system pain, dizziness, problems caused by jets of air, and in extraordinary cases, epilepsy-like symptoms, during or after the Experience.

Can I Wear Glasses In The Pod?

You can, it really depends on your comfort level.  Adjusting the tightness of the VR headset can accommodate most glasses. Many users prefer to remove their glasses and manually adjust the focus in the VR headset.

What Data Is Collected?

If you use the AlUla Adventures Experience, we collect your email address and also data about how you use the Experience. If you would like to know more about our Privacy Policy before using the AlUla Adventures Experience, you are more than welcome to review it here.

What Do You Do With My Data?

If you use the AlUla Adventures Experience, we use your email address to send you your personalized digital journal after you have completed your virtual trip to AlUla. We may use data about how you use the Pod in an aggregated form with other user data in order to improve the Experience. You can find out more about our use of data in our Privacy Policy here.

Will You Delete My Data If I Ask You To?

Yes. If you have used the AlUla Adventures Experience, you may instruct us to request the deletion of your Personal Data or the Personal Data of your child at any time by sending us an email from the email address you use to register. Full details are in our privacy Policy here.

I Get Motion Sick. Can I Use The Pod?

During our testing, most people did not get motion-sick, but there is a strong sense of motion in the Experience and if you have any doubt, we recommend that you do not use the Pod. If you decide to try it, make sure to tell the Attendant you are prone to motion sickness beforehand and be ready to take off the VR headset immediately should you begin to feel motion-sick.

SAFETY NOTICES

There are potential risks when using any VR-based experiences and use of AlUla Adventures is not suitable nor advised for some people especially those with medical conditions or disabilities. 

Certain people SHOULD NOT USE THE EXPERIENCE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.  In general, Users should be in good health and free from: heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, vertigo, visual impairments, pregnancy, epilepsy or sensitivity to flashes or loud noises.

The following people cannot use the Pod at any time:

Anyone under 10 years of age;

Anyone less than 48-inches tall (1.22m);

Anyone weighing more than 400lb (181Kg);

Persons who suffer from vertigo, back or neck conditions, epilepsy;

Anyone that is blind or visually impaired;

Pregnant women;

Persons under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants

Can The Pod Be Used By People With Disabilities?

It depends on the disabilities. We have not yet had time to develop an Experience that will work well for people with major disability, but we would hope to in future.  There are risks in using virtual reality experiences and we do not want to put anyone with a disability at any unnecessary risk.  The Pod may be suitable for people with minor disabilities, but we recommend that if in doubt, you consult with a physician before using the Pod.

Are There Any Side-Effects From Using The AlUla Adventures Experience?

It is possible that some participants may suffer from a loss of balance, headaches, locomotor system pain, dizziness or problems caused by jets of air, and in extraordinary cases, epilepsy-like symptoms, during or after the Experience.  If you have any concerns, especially if you have a medical condition that may be impacted by the Experience, we recommend that you consult with a physician before using the Pod.

HOW CAN I BOOK A TICKET?

Tickets can only be booked by going to a location where there is an AlUla Adventures Pod. There are very few Pods at this time, so be sure to check it out if you get the opportunity! When you are at an Alula Adventures Pod, you will see a Touch Screen on one side. Tap the language of your choice, enter the requested details and reserve your time.

WHY DO I HAVE TO REGISTER TO USE THE EXPERIENCE?

Most location-based entertainment experiences, especially those featuring VR, require users to sign a waiver.  This is because there are possible risks to you by using the Experience, however small they might be, and we need you to confirm you have understood these before entering the Pod, not least for your own safety.  In registering, we capture your email address, which also allows us to send you a copy of the waiver and a copy of the digital Journal you create in the Experience as a souvenir!

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO USE?

In most locations there is no cost to try the AlUla Adventures Experience, but you will need to reserve a virtual ticket by making a booking.

CAN I BOOK A TICKET IN ADVANCE?

No, reservations are only for the current day and have to be made at the Pod itself, due to high demand.

WHY DO I HAVE TO GIVE MY EMAIL ADDRESS?

We need a valid email address for several reasons:

• We need a way to identify you, so that if you want to try the Pod again, you don’t need to re-register. So, it will be quicker next time.

• We will email you a copy of the Waiver text you sign during registration

• We will email you your personalized digital Journal after you have taken the experience.

Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

All Operators of the AlUla Adventures Experience, and all users of the Experience are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy here.

All users must sign a waiver before using the AlUla Adventures Experience, a copy of which may be found here.

What Does The Waiver Say?

The waiver that you sign before using the AlUla Adventures Experience, in summary says the following:

• You are accepting responsibility for your use of the Experience, and you do so at your own risk;

• You are consenting to our collecting of your data, including an email address;

• There are risks in using virtual reality experiences and some people, especially those with medical conditions, should seek medical advice before using the Experience.

We invite you to review the waiver in advance, here

Why Can’t My Child Use The Pod?

Children aged 11 - 13 may only use the Pod if a Parent or Guardian signs the waiver on their behalf. Children aged 10 or under cannot use the Pod.  It is designed for people aged over 10.

Is There An OptioN To Not Sign The Waiver Or Give An Email Address?

No. It is a condition of using the AlUla Adventures Experience that you sign a waiver. You are under no obligation to use the Pod, and if you want more time to read the Waiver, you can review it anytime, here