Jason Surrell ’95 has spent decades shaping the stories behind some of the world’s most iconic theme park attractions. His credits include the Thea Award-winning Jurassic World Adventure, Halloween Horror Nights and Universal Epic Universe. He’s also contributed to Walt Disney World Resort’s Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and enhancements to the Haunted Mansion. Now, the interdisciplinary studies alum returned to UCF to share his storytelling expertise with students in the themed experience program.

We sat down with Surrell to talk about what storytelling means today — not just for theme parks, but for anyone looking to make an impact. Here are five insights he believes every student should know.

1. Storytelling Is a Universal Skill

Whether you’re designing a ride, writing a research paper or helping a patient, storytelling matters. It is how we connect, communicate and create meaning.

“Regardless of your discipline …  we’re all storytellers,” Surrell says. And it is particularly important in today’s entertainment options: “The thing that separates theme parks from amusement parks is stories.”

He encourages students to understand classic story structures, like the hero’s journey, because they help us make sense of life.

“I’ve mapped my own personal and professional life to the hero’s journey — and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t work,” he says.

2. Curiosity Is Your Superpower

Surrell believes curiosity is essential, not just for creatives but for anyone who wants to innovate.

“You need to be a student of life. You need to be curious about everything, because you never know what’s going to come into play in this field.”

While working on Disney’s Pal Mickey, Surrell had to learn about unfamiliar subjects to write dialogue for the interactive toy. It was a challenge that pushed him outside his comfort zone and led to the creation of a toy that entertained and educated guests at the parks, including Animal Kingdom.

“All of a sudden I’m a zoologist  … literally having to learn about ring-tailed lemurs,” he says.

3. Comfort, Reassurance and Escape Are Human Needs

Theme parks aren’t just entertainment — they’re emotional experiences. Nostalgia plays a big role in this, especially in places like Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Surrell says.

“There’s something inherently reassuring about going to a place that … remains the way you remembered it as a kid,” he says.

He sees themed entertainment as a noble pursuit, one that supports mental and emotional well-being, which became very apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Theme parks are explicit about it,” he says. “It’s comfort, reassurance and escape. There really is no more noble pursuit than to provide that for people. Our central product really is emotion.”

4. Be Ready to Pivot

Surrell’s career path — from performer to Imagineer to professor — shows the power of flexibility.

“You have to be ready to pivot and adapt to whatever life in the industry throws at you.”

He shares how a mentor once advised him to gain more experience before applying to Disney. That advice led him to Universal, and eventually back to Disney.

“Five years later, a job opened up … That was a deviation from the path I thought I was on.”

Students should be prepared to adapt, take risks, and embrace opportunities outside their original plans.

5. Themed Experience Is a Growth Industry

The themed entertainment industry is booming, and that extends beyond the opening of  Epic Universe and Disney’s expansions. Themed experience can be found everywhere now, including restaurants, hotels, libraries, cruise ships, hospitals, museums and retail. Surrell sees UCF as the ideal place to study this field.

“It only makes sense. We’re in the theme park capital of the world … the go-to place for themed experience,” he says.

He compares UCF’s program to film schools in the 1960s — a launchpad for a new generation of storytellers.

“This program offers young people a very clear and legitimate pathway into the industry.”

Surrell’s message to students is clear: Be curious, be adaptable and embrace storytelling — no matter your field.

“Charge forth now because you have everything on your side,” he says. “Be fearless, be courageous and go for it.”