University theme-park clubs are becoming more common. Amusement rides and theme-park-going is a familiar activity for most students. To tell stories or deliver immersive experiences begins with the crafting of the story or theme itself, and numerous creative disciplines contribute to the project execution, including architecture, landscape architecture, environmental graphics, interior design, set design to tell those stories in compelling places. They also contain a variety of technologies, from structures and mechanisms to digital media to deliver the immersive storytelling. The choice of which stories and experiences will be presented is based on strategic decisions, extensive economic analysis, and business analytics. Theme parks also contain the management of operational processes from guest-facing hospitality and service delivery to team-facing management and support of diversified employee cohorts, including entertainment and creative fields.
Continue reading “Student theme park clubs”Author: Kathryn Woodcock
Dr. Kathryn Woodcock is Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, teaching, researching, and consulting in the area of human factors engineering / ergonomics particularly applied to amusement rides and attractions, including broader safety issues of performance, error, investigation and inspection, and assessment of eligibility to participate.
Early birds
One month before the Open Qualifying round registration deadline, we have 18 teams registered, with a few additional teams starting to fill in the individual and team registration forms. Promotion of the competition is by word of mouth; we don’t use a website and advertising. Any university theme park design club can contact me to inquire. Inquiries after April 30 will receive the 2026 announcement.
The contact person must be a student or a student club. The competition involves a NDA process, which means that competition work cannot be submitted for academic credit or recycled in a portfolio, as faculty, staff, professional mentors, and family cannot see the challenges or help with the solutions.
Studying IN theme parks
While some of us study theme parks, what’s on the radar now is students going to theme parks to study. This article in China Daily News describes a familiar scenario! I remember spending many days at Ontario Place, reading and writing during my dissertation, then capping the day watching the fireworks show. Something about the buzz of the ambience is reassuring that while you’re mired in your studies, the world is still there. And then maybe years later, you’re back to study the parks themselves!
Safety training in Ontario
It’s literally the last minute before the TSSA Amusement Ride Safety Training Forum for this year. I’m delighted to contribute content for this NAARSO-accredited safety education event right at home in Ontario, with on-site sessions at Canada’s Wonderland. (Yes, the forecast low is -3C that day.)
Magical
This month, I had the magical opportunity to visit Universal Epic Universe, opening for guests in May. No photos were permitted, except for official photographers, so enjoy me casting an unknown spell using my Wand 2.0 in front of the Wizarding World: Ministry of Magic portal.
Do not even try to ask me my “favourite” land – they are all stunningly immersive! Please visit the official websites to see preview videos and photos.
Virtual guesting update
This month (2025 March), I had the pleasure to join two classes at Wilfrid Laurier University for a guest lecture for students in courses in the User Experience Design program offered at WLU Brantford campus. Immersive Spaces (Prof. Hall) and Designing for EDI (Prof. Harris) were perfect courses to visit with two different presentations based on examples in theme parks.
Also delighted to return to visit Prof. Bill Childs for his course Recreation and Risk at Western New England University School of Law. In my visit, I talk about amusement parks’ competing expectations of safety and accessibility. Bill’s book would be of interest to anyone interested about the law applicable to recreational businesses, including amusement parks, water parks, haunted houses, and more.
I took advantage of these visits to also promote the Themed Experience and Attractions Academic Society to everyone! Hoping to see continued expansion of interest in the 2025 Symposium in November.
Thrill Design Competition 2025
The announcement for the 2025 Toronto Metropolitan University Thrill Design Competition went out on 2025 February 25 to every club or school that had previously participated or requested information. 🎉
Continue reading “Thrill Design Competition 2025”TMU Thrill Club history
An enjoyable walk down memory lane preceded my visit to the Thrill Club meeting on 2025 February 5, visiting campus from my sabbatical away. I presented about the history and past activities of the club since its precursor (student research assistants in the THRILL Lab) and establishment as a formal club, and had a chance to think about the great careers that have emerged from the club.
Continue reading “TMU Thrill Club history”IAAPA 2024
Excited to be back to IAAPA again, and delighted to join another speaker panel. Looking forward to inaugural women’s lunch and the academic symposium on Friday, among many other plans.
2024 Open Qualifying
Welcome to new teams and returning teams, making a record number of teams entered in the 2024 Open Qualifying challenge for TMTDC: Toronto Metropolitan University Thrill Design Competition. We’re currently reviewing the submissions and will send out invitations by the start of August. From there it is a whirlwind of preparation.
Continue reading “2024 Open Qualifying”