L.A. Theme Attraction Soars to Top of N.Y.

Where do New Yorkers go when they’re looking for someone to build a themed attraction with the look and spirit of the Big Apple?

Southern California, of course.

On Wednesday in Sunland, a local design company displayed the components of an interactive multimedia attraction that it will ship to New York in February to be permanently installed on the 107th-floor observation deck of the World Trade Center.

The attraction, called “On Top of the World,” features a large, detailed model of Manhattan, informational laser disc video kiosks, three-dimensional photo murals and four 47-seat helicopter simulators offering an aerial tour of the city.

“Los Angeles is the center of the themed entertainment industry, so even for a New York attraction this is the place to do it,” said Virginia Schweninger who, with her husband, Dave, owns Dellmont Leisure International Inc., the small La Crescenta-based company that was hired to design the $6-million project.

“Hopefully, when you get to New York, this will be the first place you go. It will help you get orientated to the city,” Schweninger said.

When the attraction opens in April, visitors to the observation deck will no longer be prevented by poor weather from seeing the sights, Schweninger said.

Six interactive kiosks on each of the building’s four sides will display the different views available from the deck, which is almost a quarter-mile in the sky. The terminals offer information in six languages about city landmarks such as the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. Additional kiosks allow visitors to type in messages that will be broadcast into outer space via radio waves at the end of each day.

As visitors wait in line to view a six-minute film simulating a helicopter flight across Manhattan, they can take in an impressive, 225-square-foot model of the city. Dellmont also designed restaurants, including one in the shape of a subway car, a “Central Park” eating area, and two theme stores for the attraction.