It has to be maintainable . And, of course, it has to be entertaining . It's relatively easy to create special effects for a one-time event, Bauer said. Designing a show that must be repeated and maintained for years of performances is much more complex. The Battle of Buccaneer Bay is performed six times daily, year-round, weather permitting.
All effects have measures to safeguard the Treasure Island crew and spectators alike.
Many of the actors also operate enablers to signal the computer that they are prepared and in position. If the computer receives the necessary signals, a combination of pyrotechnic and propane explosions follows. Without signals, the event is bypassed. In addition, anyone on the set or behind the scenes can immediately stop the performance at any time by hitting one of the 14 hard-wired emergency stop buttons. Another safety element is the computer-controlled choreography.