Kathryn Woodcock, PhD CCPE ICAE PEng
Professor
Since 2010, “Team WLSL” from the aquatics industry has produced a worldwide day of swimming lessons. Taking place 2026 June 25, many local host locations including waterparks and other aquatic facilities will have learn-to-swim and water safety skills events. Tens of thousands of people will participate around the world. Look for an event near you.
Find a local event
Too often, the news inquiry begins, “An inflatable device has blown away in the wind. ” This post addresses the most common background information requested or needed to answer the questions asked.
Continue reading “Seasonal questions 💨”Just last week (2025 August 14), there was a scary ride accident involving a derailment of a Wacky Worm kiddy coaster in England. As concerning as the accident was, the BBC News media report and Wales Online reports were very well done. Then this week (2025 August 18) comes a news clip from The National Herald headed “Four injured when Rhodes amusement park ride breaks” with a full-width photo of a Wacky Worm. Two Wacky Worm accidents in one week? Let’s see.
Continue reading “Ride accidents in the media”Teams have completed their registrations for the 2025 Toronto Metropolitan University Thrill Design Competition Open Qualifying stage with tremendous growth in the event.
Continue reading “Thrill Design Competition 2025: Open Qualifying stage sets new record”A lingering theme over the 25 years of research and consultation in this industry is that people look at the attractions industry as an escape from reality. Part of the reason is that this industry has mastered illusion, and hiding the difficult, technical things that make your day at the park an escape from your reality. From time to time, there are studies that show how much is going on behind the curtains.
Continue reading “Economic impact”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”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.
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!
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.)
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.
