From London to Orlando: New Conversations About Themed Wax Museum Projects at IAAPA 2026

Every wax museum may begin with a list of names.

Which personalities should become figures? How should local cultural icons be balanced with internationally recognized celebrities? Where will visitors pause, take photographs and find the moment they remember after leaving?

As these questions unfold, a wax museum project becomes more than a collection of figures. It begins to involve content planning, spatial design, figure production, themed environments, engineering, international delivery and continuing updates after opening.

In 2026, Grand Orient Wax Art (DXDF) and the ESAC team will attend two IAAPA events in London and Orlando, meeting tourism developers, attraction operators, investors and design teams to discuss practical solutions for wax museums and cultural entertainment projects.

IAAPA Expo Europe will take place in London in September. In November, the global attractions industry will gather again in Orlando, Florida.

As a brand within ESAC Group, Grand Orient Wax Art (DXDF) will introduce its capabilities in custom wax figures, wax museum design, themed fabrication and turnkey project delivery. The team will be available to discuss opportunities with investors, tourism developers, theme park operators and cultural institutions.

An early question in many projects is: “How many figures do we need?”

The questions that shape the project usually come first. Who should the venue attract? Will it operate inside a tourism destination, shopping centre, theme park or cultural institution? What should visitors understand or remember after completing the experience?

The answers influence the character list, exhibition rhythm, spatial design and visual language.

A venue serving local families may emphasize personalities with strong cultural recognition and emotional relevance. A museum in an international tourism destination may combine local writers, artists, leaders or historical figures with recognizable personalities from film, music and sport.

The number of figures is only one part of the project. The relationships between those figures, and the story visitors encounter along the route, are what turn a list of names into a complete attraction.

Before a lifelike figure enters a gallery, it passes through multiple stages. These can include reference collection, character planning, 3D modelling, clay sculpture, mould making, silicone casting, colouring, hair implantation, costume production and prop fabrication.

Visitors see skin texture, eyes, hair and expression. The project team manages the complete process from character approval to finished delivery.

For an international project, completing the figure is not the end of the work. Protective packing, overseas shipping, customs documentation, on-site handling, positioning and lighting coordination all influence how the work is finally presented.

This is where integrated project delivery becomes valuable. When planning, spatial design, figure production, themed construction and installation are handled separately, the developer must coordinate multiple teams throughout the project. An integrated team can connect creative decisions, production requirements and site conditions earlier in the process.

A wax museum does not stop changing when its doors open.

New films, sporting events, cultural moments and public conversations continually change the personalities audiences care about. Existing galleries may also evolve in response to changing visitor groups, seasonal programmes and operational needs.

The opening collection therefore needs a clear identity, along with flexibility for future additions. Operators can introduce new personalities each year, adjust the balance between sections or create temporary content around relevant cultural and entertainment topics.

Drawing on experience from its own operated wax museums, DXDF brings an operator’s perspective to early project planning. Photo opportunities, visitor flow, future updates and practical maintenance can all be considered during design and production.

A productive IAAPA meeting does not require a completed proposal.

A floor plan, an initial list of personalities, a target opening date or an early cultural theme can provide enough information to begin a useful conversation.

If you are preparing a project, bring the following details to one of the two booths:

• Project country and city
• Venue type and available floor area
• Primary visitor groups
• Estimated number of figures or initial theme
• Requirements for spatial design and construction
• Target opening or delivery date

With this information, the team can explore whether the project is best suited to a complete museum solution, an annual figure supply programme or a single figure and themed series. The team can also identify the main stages required to take the concept into production and on-site delivery.

Founded in 1999, Grand Orient Wax Art has 25+ years of industry experience and an 11,000+ m² factory. Its services cover custom wax figures, character planning, museum design, themed fabrication, engineering, installation and delivery support.

Contact the team in advance to arrange a meeting and discuss how your venue, audience and cultural theme can become a distinctive visitor experience.