{"id":23753,"date":"2023-03-23T16:27:07","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T16:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/?p=23753&post_type=story"},"modified":"2023-03-30T12:51:31","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T12:51:31","slug":"the-art-of-attractions","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/the-art-of-attractions\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Attractions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since Walt Disney World\u2019s creation,\u00a0Central Florida has been the\u00a0destination of choice for creators of\u00a0innovative experiences<\/a>. As the region\u00a0gained recognition, so did its flagship\u00a0university. UCF took this association to\u00a0the next level in 2019 when it created the\u00a0themed experience graduate program,\u00a0the first of its kind at a public university.\u00a0It now includes M.S.<\/a> and MFA<\/a> offerings,\u00a0through which students learn how\u00a0to design interactive environments\u00a0alongside the industry\u00a0leaders who put\u00a0Orlando on the map.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt its core, a themed experience\u00a0is interaction with an environment\u00a0designed to convey a narrative,\u201d says\u00a0Peter Weishar, director of UCF\u2019s themed\u00a0experience graduate program. \u201cThere is\u00a0an established process \u2026 that \u2026 involves\u00a0input from dozens of creative and\u00a0technical disciplines.\u201d<\/p>\n

For students in the program, Central\u00a0Florida is a laboratory for transforming\u00a0imagination into reality, with some\u00a0classes held on-site at the parks. But\u00a0what is the recipe for making worlds\u00a0that bring in millions of guests a year?\u00a0Weishar shares his expertise.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Writing and Storytelling<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cStory is one of the core\u00a0components of a successful\u00a0themed experience,\u201d says\u00a0Weishar. \u201cGuests are not\u00a0passive observers in many\u00a0themed environments \u2014\u00a0they become part of the\u00a0story and discover the\u00a0narrative as they move\u00a0through a space.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Art and Design<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Themed experience\u00a0creators design\u00a0environments reflecting\u00a0the story\u2019s aesthetic and\u00a0setting. This involves\u00a0aspects of fine art, interior\u00a0design, graphic design,\u00a0architecture and more when\u00a0conceptualizing a world.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Production and Management<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cThe producer is the glue that\u00a0holds the project together,\u201d says\u00a0Weishar. \u201cThey don\u2019t just oversee\u00a0budget, but they help pick the team,\u00a0schedule work, communicate with\u00a0vendors and different departments,\u00a0and are involved in every aspect of\u00a0the experience from conception to\u00a0operations and maintenance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Engineering<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cGreat themed experiences often push the envelope and explore new ways of creating compelling attractions,\u201d says Weishar. \u201cDesigners work hand-in-hand with engineers<\/a> who develop\u00a0safe, dynamic and practical\u00a0attractions that delight and\u00a0sometimes thrill guests.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Digital Media<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cMost high-end themed experiences use a combination of digital and physical props and sets. AR, VR, projection mapping<\/a> are all used extensively,\u201d says Weishar. \u201cAdditionally, digital tools are frequently used to visualize and design environments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/h2>\n

Theater<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cTheater<\/a> is a close cousin\u00a0to themed experience.\u00a0In the MFA themed\u00a0experience track in theatre,\u00a0students learn set design,\u00a0period and costume,\u00a0theatrical storytelling and\u00a0other important skills\u00a0that directly support their\u00a0career goals,\u201d says Weishar.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Hospitality <\/strong><\/h2>\n

On-theme accommodations,\u00a0entertainment, food and\u00a0drinks are essential for\u00a0creating a convincing,\u00a0multisensory experience.\u00a0Meanwhile, employees\u00a0might embody characters\u00a0that fit seamlessly into the\u00a0themed world.<\/p>\n

\n

100%<\/strong><\/h3>\n

of UCF themed\u00a0experience students\u00a0had a full-time job\u00a0or internship upon\u00a0graduation in 2022<\/p>\n

72%<\/strong><\/h3>\n

increase in global\u00a0theme park attendance\u00a0in 2021, signaling\u00a0the industry\u2019s revival\u00a0post-pandemic<\/p>\n

50%<\/strong><\/h3>\n

of the\u00a0world\u2019s 12\u00a0most-visited\u00a0theme parks\u00a0are in Orlando<\/p>\n

60<\/strong><\/h3>\n

students are\u00a0enrolled in the\u00a0program this\u00a0year, allowing\u00a0for intimate,\u00a0collaborative\u00a0classes<\/p>\n

\n

Other Examples of Themed Experiences<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As consumers desire more\u00a0personalized and memorable\u00a0experiences when shopping, dining\u00a0and learning, more businesses turn to\u00a0creating immersive, branded experiences.\u00a0Some examples of experiences that\u00a0students design include:<\/p>\n