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Features
THE CREATURE™
MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
OUTDOOR USE
Can The Creature™ be used outdoors?
The Creature™ is designed to be used outdoors, but is great indoors too.
How well does it handle wind?
The Creature™ can handle winds of 30-35 mph. To maximize wind resistance, Creature™ should be spiked down at the loops around the base and ropes should be run from the d-rings ¾ up on the body to spikes in the ground. For a constant wind of greater than 35 mph, we can add additional tie-downs.
Is rain a problem?
It is best to leave The Creature™ inflated during a rainstorm it acts like a tent. Some water may need to be mopped up especially by the exits.
PAINT
Will The Creature™ paint fade?
Like any paint, it may fade slightly in the years to come but should not be noticeable. The primary ‘base’ color is actually a custom PMS color that is created when the vinyl is fabricated so the color is permanent and impregnated into the vinyl.
Will the paint chip or peel?
No, the paint used on The Creature™ is amazingly tough. The only way to get it off (short of chemicals) would be to scratch it off by scraping into the vinyl (so do not drag it across cement or asphalt upside down).
SET-UP
How long does it take to set up?
When The Creature™ arrives, initial set up will take approx. 2 days with 2 to 4 people (running the electrical wires in the velcro sleeves, hanging vinyl shards, setting up sound and lighting, connecting inflatables and inflating). Brainchild provides a technician to help you at no charge (transportation and lodging expenses only). Set up time will vary and of course take longer the first time or two, but a good estimate would be 1 to 2 days with 2-4 people. After the initial set up, all electrical wiring and vinyl shards remain in place during deflation, so the next time The Creature™ is set up, you only need to allow approx. 1 day with 2-4 people.
WALK-THROUGH
How long does it take to walk through?
The Creature™ is 150 ft. long, but because of the mazes and obstacles approx. travel distance is 235 ft. Walk through will vary depending on how scared your guests are and how dark you make it, but 3 – 5 minutes is a good estimate.
The Creature™ is designed to put through 400 – 700 guests per hour. This amount will depend on spacing between groups and light levels inside (darker will slow down traffic, lighter will speed it up).
DURABILITY
What if the inflatable gets a cut or tear?
The vinyl is reinforced and extremely strong so a cut or tear (unless deliberate) is unlikely. A cut, even a big one (several feet), will not deflate The Creature™ (but it may sag slightly), so you can continue to run your event. At the end of the day, you can apply the vinyl adhesive (included in your repair kit) to the cut area and the same colored patch vinyl. Let sit with a weight on it for about 10 minutes and, you’re good to go. Sewing the edges later is also a good idea.
How long will it last?
The Creature™ is warranted against material defects and workmanship for a period of 2 years. With proper care it should last for 5 to 10 years.
What about shoes in The Creature™, won’t that hurt the vinyl?
The Creature™ has a very heavy-duty vinyl on the floor and is designed to handle foot traffic with shoes. We do, however, recommend if The Creature™ is on a hard surface (such as cement or asphalt) that you put down canvas or vinyl before you set up The Creature™ to guard against small pebbles, etc.
DIMENSIONS
What is the interior square footage?
The interior square footage is roughly 2500 square feet. Many people are amazed at how big it is inside.
What are the exterior dimensions?
Approximately 150 ft. long x 40 ft. wide x 25 ft. high.
IS THERE A SMALLER CREATURE™ AVAILABLE?
The Creature™ Jr. is the same as his big brother except he comes without the heart section. He is approximately 125 ft. long x 40 ft. wide x 25 ft. high. The heart section can be added later is desired.
SAFETY
What are the safety features of The Creature™?
While The Creature™ is intimidating, it is really just 6 separate inflatables put next to each other. Each of the six inflatables has two ways out, so during the entire walk through, you are never more than 25 ft. from an exit.
Additional Safety Features•.
All vinyl is flame retardant
• 3 – Emergency exits out back plus the mouth and tail exits.
• Glow-in-the-dark emergency exit signs on all emergency exits..
Additionally, since each section is connected to another – if a circuit breaker is tripped or a fan went out, the units next to that section actually help hold it up..
NOTE: Check with local fire and building inspectors for guidelines – regulations vary depending on location..
POWER REQUIREMENTS.
The 8 fans require a 20-amp circuit each (depending on optional equipment inside an additional 2 – 4 20-amp circuits would be needed) 220 fans optional..
SUPPORT.
What product support do you offer?
We provide any setup assistance needed via our customer service line (970) 351-0100 ask for The Creature™ hotline. Also, we provide with each purchase, a free technician who can fly out and assist you in first time set up if desired, you pay only airfare and hotel..
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MARKETING ASSISTANCE
Do you provide marketing assistance?.
Yes, we can provide any of the available images on disc or e-mailed directly to you. As an owner of The Creature™, you may use any of these materials at no charge to promote your Creature™. Also, you can contact us for information and consulting to maximize your marketing..
SHIPPING COSTS.
How much will shipping run?.
Shipping of The Creature™ inflatable is FOB San Diego, CA;
6 pallets, approx. 4 ft. length x 3 ft. width x 3 ft. height each and approx. 500 lbs. each plus 8 fan boxes approx. 70 lbs. each.
All electrical, sound, prop and special EFX components are FOB Greeley, CO..
THE CREATURE™ SAFETY FEATURES.
The Creature™ comes with several safety features that are standard and additional safety features come with the Deluxe Sound and Lighting Package..
The Creature™ is six separate inflatables. Each inflatable has two exits. The head exit is through the mouth and out the backside. The tail exit is through the rear and back out the other side. The other four inflatables when put together each have access to two emergency exits out the back of Creature™. At any given time your guests are no more than approximately 25 feet from an exit anywhere in The Creature™. The Creature™ is designed so that if your guests need to leave through an exit quickly they are no more than one turn and 25 feet from an exit. Another feature of The Creature™ is that if a circuit or a fan does go out the other inflatables on either side of the inflatable (that is loosing air pressure) actually help to hold up the deflating section. This allows for additional exit time. Since The Creature™ is designed with an air baffle system that is like an air mattress with a cosmetic skin vinyl covering, deflation time is slower than if it was just a single sheet of vinyl blown-up by air pressure. This also allows for an extended period of time to exit..
The Creature™ since it is an inflatable with inflatable walls provides a safer environment as an attraction. People respond differently when they are frightened and at times guests will run into walls and get injured in an attraction with hard walls. The Creature™ helps prevent cuts and bruises because of its soft structure..
Be sure to instruct all employees, whether actors or security, in safety procedures including exiting. The emergency exit doors each have glowing emergency exit signs to direct guests out of the inflatable if necessary. There are three emergency exit signs on the backside of The Creature™, each of which are accessible from two of the body sections. There are also the mouth and tail exits. Make sure that all people are out of The Creature™ before fully deflating..
Another safety feature of The Creature™ is that all vinyl used and fabrication is flame retardant vinyl. .
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Deluxe Sound and Lighting Additional Safety Features.
The Deluxe Sound and Lighting Package includes a work/manual safety lighting system. This system is comprised of electrical cords daisy chained together with an on/off switch that is easily accessed by the doorkeeper and allows work lights to be turned on manually if there is ever a need during the operation of The Creature™. There is also a battery backup light system that comes on automatically if there is a loss of power to any of the individual four central sections. Additionally, there are six par can lights above each of the doorways to the emergency exits with ultra violet fluorescent mini tubes to both light the signs brightly when the power is on and to have these signs if the power shuts off so it will be easy for guests to direct themselves out of the attraction..
The Creature™ prop package is made up of latex and foam props with ropes for suspending them. All props have been treated with a flame resistant clear coating. .
The Creature™ also features sturdy sleeves with velcro sealers in order to run all necessary electrical lines. Therefore, keeping all wiring secure, hidden and preventing tripping..
THE CREATURE™ SET-UP.
The Creature™ comes in six separate duffel bags for transport and protection. Each Creature™ section weighs from 400 to 750 pounds. Because of the weight, these duffel bags should not be lifted but rolled onto and off of pallets and then dollied onto trucks for shipping. .
To set-up The Creature™ you should put each duffle bag, starting with the head, approximately 25 feet apart, where you want The Creature™ to be. (If The Creature™ is being set-up on cement or asphalt, we recommend that a heavy canvas or heavy vinyl sheet be laid out completely under where The Creature™ is to be set-up to protect it from incidental stones and roughness that could wear the vinyl out prematurely. This vinyl or canvas blanket needs to be approximately 150 by 25 feet.).
Roll each duffle bag off its pallet, untie the restraining ties and open the flaps pushing the duffel bag to the ground. Now, roll (using 3 to 4 people) the section off the duffle bag, remove the duffel bag and open up the folded piece. You may find you will need to turn it the correct direction. When it is completely unfolded, repeat this process with the other sections until all sections have been opened and are in close proximity to their adjoining section, making sure that they are in the proper order and direction. Next, place the fans into the inflating tubes and blow up all six sections at least partially. This will allow you to make sure the sections are in the right sequence and facing the right direction. While the sections are inflating, use four people to pull the sections together sealing the floor sections with velcro. With The Creature™ still inflated, hookup the quick connectors along the edges where The Creature™ comes together, as high as you can reach on both sides. Now, deflate all sections and continue hooking up the quick connectors until all sections have been completely connected. The Creature™ simulated securing straps will need to be connected now. To do this, deflate all body sections. Starting at the top center where the seams are, push the velcro together going out from both sides of the center until all Velcro is secured. Now you can inflate all sections and The Creature™ is now connected and ready to add wiring, sound and lighting..
THE CREATURE™ ONE TIME WIRING.
CAUTION: Make sure that a responsible person is handling the fan and that he understands that it will be difficult to hear you when you are telling him to turn on and off the fan.
The Creature™ has been fabricated with numerous velcro closure wiring sleeves allowing you to run all necessary wiring one time and leaving the wiring in The Creature™ for teardown and transport. This feature not only keeps all wiring away from guests but also saves in setting up time after the wires have been run. The velcro wiring sleeves run from the center of the ceiling all the way to the floor in each of the four main body sections-lungs, heart, stomach, and small intestines. There are also velcroed sleeves along the entire back wall of all of these four sections. Additionally, there are velcro sleeves around the travel doors and emergency doors. Allowing you to place motion sensors and emergency exit lights and seal-up the wires from these devices..
RUNNING ELECTRIC WIRES:.
If you have purchased either the basic sound and lighting package or the deluxe sound and lighting package, all necessary electric cords have been provided. The package that you selected or whatever lights that you have of your own that you are installing will dictate how many cords need to be run through the sleeves from the ceiling to the floor. For each light placed in the ceiling, you will need one extension cord. The easiest way to run the cords is to have one person outside manning the fans, who will turn off the fan on your command allowing the ceiling to drop so that they are in a single strand making it easier to place in the velcro sleeves. When the extension cords are placed at the opening by the d-rings at the ceiling, the plug-ins should be placed just outside of the sleeve for easy access. All cords are sealed into the sleeve and run to the ground level velcro sleeve that runs along the back wall of The Creature™ and then into the cubbyholes that hold the speakers and other electric devices. Make sure when running electric cords that there are no cords left out where guests could trip over them. Depending on which package you purchased or what lights and effects you are installing into The Creature™, you can run the motion sensors along the sleeves going to the doorways leading from one inflatable to the next so that as guests enter they will trip various effects, such as the Machine Gun Blaster or Air Cannon. You can also hang par can lights above each of the emergency exit doorways, to aid in the visibility of the emergency exit signs. Velcro sleeves have been provided to run those electric lines to the main cubbies. Be sure when running electric lines that the plugs and inlets of the extension cords and at the end of the inflatables so that when the attraction is ready to take down they are unplugged and stay with each separate unit so that electric cords do not need to be taken out of any sleeves to disconnect one section from the other. One step that will make first time wiring easier is to color code both ends of each electric cord with colored electrical tape, this will make it simpler to find the appropriate end when plugging cords into on/off devices, etc. Also, cords that go together that are to plug in together from one section to the next should be color coded so that you don’t need to experiment which cord goes to which. When you set-up the next time the blue plug goes to the blue outlet, the red plug goes to the red outlet, etc., so that set-up time is minimized. When all necessary electric wires are run and color coded, you are now ready to hang lighting and hook-up sound. Be sure that everyone helping tear down knows that the electric cords are to stay in the velcroed sleeves for transport to minimize set-up time the next time. This completes the one time wire running for The Creature™..
THE CREATURE™ SOUND.
The Creature™ comes with a mesh-covered cubbyhole in each of the six sections. These cubbyholes are designed to place the amplifiers and any other necessary electrical devices for the effects of each section. Place the required electrical devices, i.e., amplifier, fog machines, etc. into each of the cubbyholes (what is placed in the cubbyholes depends on the package you purchased or what effects you desire in that section.) Once all devices are in the cubbyholes, you can now plug in all electric wires to main power. Set your volume control on your amplifiers to the desired level and make adjustments to the amount of smoke that you desire, etc. NOTE: You will need to cut a 6” hole in front of any fog machine nozzles to allow fog to completely vaporize..
THE CREATURE™ LIGHTING.
Make sure that a responsible person is handling the fan and that he understands that it will be difficult to hear you when you are telling him to turn on and off the fan. He may need to get away from the fan and listen for your voice. He should also be instructed if the inflatable goes down really low to assume that he did not hear you and turn the fan on. The fan operator must stay near the fan at all times..
One of the greatest features of The Creature™ is that no ladders are necessary to hook-up lighting even though the ceiling is 20 feet in the air. This is accomplished the same way the electrical wiring was run, by having a second operator outside running the fan and a person inside hooking up the lights. Have the person working the fan turn off one body section at a time as a person inside waits for the ceiling to drop and then, when the ceiling comes down to six or seven feet from the ground hook up the lights to the d-rings, provided in the ceiling with quick connectors. Plug the lighting into the extension cords sticking out of the velcroed ceiling sleeve. The fan operator may need to turn on and off the fans several times during this procedure to allow enough time to hook up all lights in the ceiling. When the lights are hooked to the d-rings and plugged into the extension cords, the inflatable section is reinflated and the lights are now in place. (Note: The person inside will need a flashlight or a helmet flashlight in order to do this procedure properly.) This procedure is repeated in all four of the main body sections-lungs, heart, stomach, and small intestines. You are now ready to plug in your internal lighting to the main electrical boxes..
CAUTION: Due to the high heat produced by high wattage bulbs, we recommend that no light bulb should exceed 75 watts. .
THE CREATURE™ AIR CANNONS, AIR BLASTERS, AND SKY TICKLERS.
If you have purchased the Air Cannon / Blaster please note the following. Place the devices where the infrared sensors are placed for maximum effect. When the guests break the infrared beam, it will set off the device. Run the air hoses through the electrical sleeves along with the necessary cords needed to run the units..
CAUTION: You may need to reduce the amount of air pressure to the cannons if the sound is too loud. Check local regulations for maximum decibel output of the devices. Also, make sure the devices are out of the way as a trip hazard. Another technique for minimizing the sound level is to turn the devices away from the guests this will help lower the volume level..
The sky ticklers come with a metal stand to elevate them off the floor. This stand will have to be connected to d-rings in the walls to prevent guests from pulling them over on themselves. CAUTION: When The Creature™ is going to be deflated these stands will need to be unhooked and laid down. .
THE CREATURE™ HANGING VINYL SHARDS.
Your Creature™ comes with various colored hanging vinyl shards that can be easily hung to d-rings in the ceiling or in the tops of the walls in order to create an environment where the guest has to pull away the shards to work their way through the maze. This is easily done with quick connectors, using the same on/off technique to drop the ceiling or walls down, hook up the quick connectors and raise it back up. You may want to try different positions. Make sure that the shards do not drag on the floor, if they do you can easily cut the excess off with scissors. If you are spanning an isle, you may need to add rope to one or both sides of the top of the vinyl so that it does not pull against the walls and centers the vinyl. Take time to do this creative step well. Also, vinyl can be added to the d-rings in the doorways, adding another dimension and helping to prevent light spill from one body section to the next..
THE CREATURE™ HEATING AND COOLING.
Air-conditioning or heat can be added to The Creature™ via tubes coming out the back that empty into The Creature™. Air-conditioning units on wheels or heater units on wheels can be used to control the temperature inside The Creature™..
Warning: Make sure that the air coming out of any heater is not excessive enough to burn the vinyl sleeve. Also, make sure that there is plenty of airflow around the heating and air-conditioning units being attached to The Creature™..
THE CREATURE™ FINAL SET-UP NOTES.
Your Creature™ should now be up, lit, and making sounds. Walk through The Creature™ making sure there are no trip hazards or cords sticking out. Take the time to tweak sound levels, the amount of bass or treble coming out. Check the amount of fog in the rooms. Are the lights too bright or are the lights too dim? These final steps will enhance the experience for your guests. You may have other creative ideas that would make the experience more exciting, just always keep safety in mind as you walk through prior to opening. Have fun..
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