Theme park management

This examination of theme park management considerations is under development by University of Florida, College of Health and Human Performance, Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management (THEM) HFT 4755 Theme Park & Attraction Management undergraduate students. This ongoing coursework initiative started Spring 2021 and is being led by the THEM students at the direction of Brian D. Avery, UF SPM/THEM Faculty member.

Students will develop a foundation based on consensus defining and outlining theme park and attraction management considerations including history, typology, stakeholders, guest experiences, workforce, security, business continuity, legal, and regulatory issues impacting the theme park and attractions industry.

Learning Objective

1. Familiarization with the global theme park and attraction industry, including its characteristics, economic impact, volume, industry structure, and historical considerations;
2. Evaluation of the concept of theming and its role in tourism and hospitality operations;
3. Evaluation of the role authentic/inauthentic environments play in themed settings;
4. Evaluation of the planning phases in the development and design processes of theme parks and attractions;
5. Analysis of the managerial aspects of theme park and attractions; and,
6. Familiarization of the selection/sourcing process of the theme park product offerings.

Topics

• History and introduction of theme parks and attractions;
• Typology of parks and attractions;
• Industry stakeholders, organizational structures, management cultures;
• Destination management considerations (travel/tourism - lodging, transportation, etc.)
• Evolution of industry regulations, standards, and practices;
• Modern industry regulations, standards, and practices;
• Guest experiences and expectations / Theming and design characteristics;
• Consumables, environmental impact;
• Theme park metrics / Associations / Marketing and sales
• Workforce (engineering, maintenance, operations, talent, govt. controls, accounting);
• Crowd management and control / Security and loss prevention; and,
• Emergency preparedness and response; and,
• Legal considerations and exposures.