Tag: TMTDC

Response to the 2026 Open Qualifying stage of the Toronto Metropolitan Thrill Design Competition was strong! We were able to invite teams from 35 universities to compete at the Invitational in November. Team rosters and rooming configurations are due September 09.

Teams will travel for arrival on November 11 (Wednesday).

The program begins early November 12 (Thursday)

Challenge presentations are scheduled Friday through Sunday.

IAAPA Expo Educational programming begins November 16 (Monday). The record-breaking exhibit halls open on November 17 (Tuesday) following the IAAPA Official Opening “kickoff” session, at which students can hear what the industry itself considers the most remarkable achievements and trends of the past year.

Due to the capacity limitations, we cannot invite every interested club/group to a challenge. We have offered the opportunity for non-competing clubs/groups to send a small Development Program delegation to observe on Saturday / Sunday AND receive IAAPA Expo admission. Interested clubs/groups may be in touch with us. We have a form for teams to request to be added to our mailing list. Any clubs/groups added through August 31 will receive information about the Development Program.

Information for faculty

Faculty guiding student teams or making decisions about giving academic consideration to student participation at the Toronto Metropolitan University Thrill Design Competition may wish to review some past publications about the competition to understand its design as a learning experience, and its results to date. Links are provided to some publications.

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Paper presented to 2024 Themed Experience and Attractions Academic Symposium

Engineers contribute to attraction design, manufacture, systems integration, construction, installation, commissioning, and regulatory approval of attractions including amusement ride and show components from multiple manufacturers sourced from around the world, to be operated at venues ranging from major fixed-site theme parks to travelling carnivals.

Some branches of engineering education explicitly identify an application domain, but no specific theme park and amusement ride engineering program exists, nor is establishment of one likely. This paper begins a discussion of complementary learning goals applicable to engineers aspiring to theme park engineering careers. 

Continue reading “Curricular considerations for engineering in themed entertainment”

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. 🎉

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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”

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”

The 2024 Toronto Met U Thrill Design Competition is underway with Open Qualifying challenge in the hands of new and returning teams. Teams interested to receive announcement for 2025 should contact us and we will be sure to send an announcement in early 2025.

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Toronto Met Thrill Design Competition is now an established elite experience for students interested in theme park design. The TMU Thrill Club had a taste of the experience over the weekend of 22 – 26 March 2024, braving a big dump of snow to get to the challenge reveal. One attraction design challenge, and the luxury of FOUR days to tackle it! (The Invitational has a maximum of three, and as little as ONE day to design a challenge response!) As usual, all challenge details are top secret, so nothing more to say here. Teams presented to a fantastic professional jury comprised of Peter Marshall (FORREC), Joelle Javier (TSSA) and Jake Fulton (outgoing Club President and TMU 2024 grad joining Universal Destinations and Experiences).