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.

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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!

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.

KW in black dress poses casting a magic spell in front of circular portal in photo with superimposed Epic Universe artwork

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.

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.

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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.

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