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INSERT HIGH SCHOOL

The Magic Behind Theme Park Design

Senior Project Research Paper

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AP English 12 - Period 2
TEACHER
28 October 2016

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Walt Disney Imagineering is responsible for the creation, design, and
construction of Disney theme parks and attractions worldwide. Each year, it hosts the
Imaginations competition, where college students from around the country complete a
project challenge and compete for money, as well as internships with Imagineering. The
contest consists of a challenge in which students must brainstorm an attraction, create
the visuals for it, and if selected as a finalist, present their idea to current Imagineers.
For my Senior Project, I plan on creating my own mockup entry for the competition.
The idea for my Senior Project came from a book I had read last year called
Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disneys Magic Kingdoms by Marty Sklar,
who created the competition to find the next generation of Imagineers. I wanted to do
this specific project for many reasons. I am passionate about the arts and interested in a
career in entertainment design, so I wanted to see if theme park design was something I
wanted to pursue. I also thought that completing this project would make me stand out
when I apply for college and a job. Because theme park design utilizes all of the
following subjects, I can even use this project to certify in my three emphases at school:
Graphics and Publications, World Languages and Cultures, and Vocal Music.
During my time in high school, I have gained and developed different skills that
have prepared me for my Senior Project. For starters, I am strong with visual arts,
having made many school art projects which students, teachers, and parents have
called overachieving, outstanding, and that go above and beyond. This is because I
have a natural talent for brainstorming ideas and having a vision of what projects should
look like, including how to make them better.

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My Senior Project is a learning stretch compared to projects I have completed in
the past because I have never done nor had the opportunity to do anything like this.
Creating and designing a theme park attraction requires a great deal of planning,
creativity, technical skill, and knowledge of theme parks and attractions, as well as
entertainment design. While my project focuses solely on the design aspect of creating
a theme park attraction, there are still lots of things to think about in the process such as
the type of the ride, the storyline, and the look of the queue. To assist my Senior Project,
I plan on becoming an expert on theme parks by researching the importance of them
and their history, how to design them and their attractions, and who creates them.
Theme parks are three-dimensional fantasy environments inspired by literature,
film, and television. Their purpose is to entertain people, and they come with many
benefits. Theme parks can lower stress since they are a place where people can
escape their worries for the day and have fun, even if it is just for a couple of hours.
They can boost creativity by exposing visitors to new and imaginative worlds. Theme
parks can even give visitors an opportunity to socialize and bond with the people they
came with. Not only that, attendees can burn calories while walking around the park
(Top 10 Health Benefits).
Successful theme parks and attractions are able to immerse their audiences into
worlds of fantasy. The most iconic example of this is Walt Disneys Disneyland, which
pioneered and made significant contributions to the theme park industry. When
designing his theme park, Disney looked for ways to translate two-dimensional
entertainment, such as movies and television, into a three-dimensional and physical
setting that people could experience. As a result of its popularity and success, many

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other movie studios created theme parks that modeled themselves after Disneyland
(Theme Parks).
The masterminds behind this form of entertainment are theme park designers,
whose goal is to create a theme park or an attraction that makes people come back
again and again. There are a multitude of careers within theme park design range from
the creative to the technical. In fact, Walt Disney Imagineering boasts that it has over a
hundred-fifty disciplines that produce its worldwide attractions! Examples of careers
include concept artists who illustrate the look of the attraction, as well as the engineers
and architects who actually build it (Theme Park Design).
Many theme park designers find their calling in this field at an early age. In a
discussion between designers from both Disney and Universal Studios, many of them
recalled that while watching a television show or movie as a child, they had found their
passion. When they became adults, these designers started working themselves up the
ranks. Many were originally theme park employees doing jobs such as operating
attractions, selling tickets, or doing custodial work. This showed companies their
commitment to being a part of the industry and they eventually got hired into the careers
they wanted. One piece of advice that they give to people interested in pursuing a
career in theme park design is to be exposed and skilled in many creative mediums
rather than specialize in only one. Another is to socialize and make connections with
people who are currently in the industry (Brigante, 2010).
The first step in creating a theme park attraction is deciding the type of ride
based on what the park needs or is currently missing, and choosing the theme for it.
This includes coming up with ideas for the rides name, story, color scheme, and

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decorations and props. A budget must then be set that includes the attractions design,
construction, and operational costs. A space must also be located for it, and there is
much to consider when doing so. Not only must one think about the actual space of the
ride, but the surrounding landscaping, crowd flow, and facilities such as restrooms.
Next, the overall layout for the attraction has to be made, which details the rides
duration, safety mechanisms, and engineering needs. After all of this has been planned,
the attraction can finally be built (Mayntz).
One of the most influential theme park designers is Marty Sklar, an Imagineering
Ambassador and Disney Legend, who spent fifty years creating Disneys theme parks.
He was a ghost writer for Walt Disney himself and is the only Imagineer to be present at
the opening of all eleven parks. Having gained insight from his experiences as a theme
park designer, Sklar created a set of rules to follow when designing an attraction, which
he dubbed Mickeys Ten Commandments (Sklar, 2015).
The first commandment is to know who the audience of your attraction will be.
This is important to keep in mind throughout the entire design process because your
audience will determine what the ride will be like.
The second commandment is to wear your guests shoes. In order to see from
the guests perspective, Sklar encourages his fellow theme park designers to
experience their creation the way guests do.
The third commandment is to organize the flow of people and ideas. In other
words, make sure there is a logical sequence in the your stories and the way guests
experience them. The queue plays an important part in this commandment because
they should connect with the storyline and aid the overall experience.

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The fourth commandment is to create a wienie, or a visual magnet that draws
people towards the attraction. For instance, the Sleeping Beauty castle attracts people
into the park.
The fifth commandment states to communicate with visual literacy which includes
color, shape, form, and texture. A successful attraction or theme park must be extremely
detailed to aid the story!
The sixth commandment says to avoid overloads. You do not want to draw your
audiences attention to too many things since they will not know where to look.
The seventh commandment is tell one story at a time. Good stories are clear,
logical, and consistent in the way they are presented. Theme park designers are able to
tell a full-length movie into a three or five minute ride.
The eighth commandment says to avoid contradictions in the story or its details.
It should maintain identity throughout the attraction.
The ninth commandment says that if attractions educate people, it must be done
in a fun way.
The tenth and final commandment states to maintain your attraction so that it can
keep running for a long time (Sklar, 2015).
To summarize the ten commandments, the audience must always be kept in
mind throughout the creating process, as they determine what the ride will be like. In
order to see from the audiences perspective, theme park designers are encouraged to
experience their creation the same way guests do. Successful attractions tell a single
story with a logical sequence and stay consistent throughout. Also, if the attraction
educates people, it should do so in a fun way. Avoid overloading because it draws the

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audiences attention to too many things at once. Lastly, theme park attractions have to
be regularly checked and maintained to keep them running for a long time (Sklar 2015).
I became knowledgeable on theme parks so I could be successful in my Senior
Project. Since I am creating an attraction, I first read the basics of the subject, such as
what theme parks are and what their purpose is. To many around the world, it is more
than simply another form of entertainment. It is a place where imagination, as well as
the hopes and dreams of people, are brought to life. I will use this information in my
project by to remember what my attractions goal is and then design it accordingly
(Theme Parks).
I also had to learn about individuals who design theme parks and attractions
because that is what I will be doing for my project. I found out that there are numerous
careers within theme park design and if I were to actually become one, I would simply
have to find something that I am passionate about to pursue it. I will use this information
in my project because by knowing the many careers in this field, I am able to know what
different jobs are needed and have to be completed in order to produce the attraction
(Brigante, 2010).
Finally, I studied how to design and create a theme park attraction, as well as
how to make it great. There is more to theme park design than simply brainstorming an
idea for an attraction. There are many areas within the creating process that have to be
addressed such as the background story, the visuals, and even the space in which the
attraction will be built and located at. Because I now have a greater understanding of
the magic behind theme park design, I can create my theme park attraction and
complete my Senior Project successfully.

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Works Cited
Brigante, Ricky. Want to be a theme park designer? Disney Imagineer and Universal
creative experts offer advice. Inside the Magic, http://www.insidethemagic.net/
2010/04/want-to-be-a-theme-park-designer-disney-imagineer-anduniversal-creative-experts-offer-advice/. Accessed 13 October 2016.
Mayntz, Melissa. How to Design Amusement Park Rides. lovetoknow,
http://themeparks.lovetoknow.com/How_to_Design_Amusement_Park_Rides.
Accessed 13 October 2016.
Sklar, Marty. One Little Spark!: Mickeys Ten Commandments and the Road to
Imagineering. Disney Editions, 2015.
Theme Parks. FAQs, http://www.faqs.org/childhood/So-Th/Theme-Parks.html.
Accessed 13 October 2016.
Theme Park Design. Design Schools,
http://designschools.com/resources/theme-park-design/. Accessed 13 October
2016.
Top 10 Health Benefits of Visiting Theme Parks. Health Fitness Revolution,
http://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-visitingtheme-parks/. Accessed 13 October 2016.

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Annotated Bibliography
Alton, Elizabeth. Designing Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party. Entertainment
Designer, http://entertainmentdesigner.com/news/theme-park-design-news/
designing-mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/. Accessed 13 October 2016.
In this article, Elizabeth Alton describes how Imagineers (Disneys theme park
designers) design and create this Christmas event. She discusses the amount of
detail that goes into their work from a visual perspective. Alton also talks about
how every sense is engaged when attendees participate in this event, such as
how the air is filled with the smell of Christmas cookies.
This is a credible source because the organization is dedicated to providing
information regarding entertainment design. The author has written numerous
articles about theme park design. The information is also current as the website
is regularly updated.
Brigante, Ricky. Want to be a theme park designer? Disney Imagineer and Universal
creative experts offer advice. Inside the Magic, http://www.insidethemagic.net/
2010/04/want-to-be-a-theme-park-designer-disney-imagineer-anduniversal-creative-experts-offer-advice/. Accessed 13 October 2016.
In this article, Ricky Brigante recaps a discussion that took place between
designers about working in the theme park industry. He restates the advice given

from the designers on what it is like to work in this industry and how to get your
foot in the door. For instance, one suggestion when choosing a career in theme

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park design is to major in or focus on the one thing you are most passionate
about.
This is a credible source as the author, Ricky Brigante, is the founder of a
website that informs about the entertainment industry. To add to the credibility,
the author now creates themed entertainment. Also, the information comes from
numerous experts (theme park designers) in the field.
Gardner, Dakota. 5 Amazing Storytelling Techniques That Make Disneys Space
Mountain an Unforgettable Experience. Theme Park Tourist,
http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20140711/19296/fiveamazing-storytelling-techniques-make-space-mountain-unforgettable-exper
This article lists and explains five storytelling techniques that makes this ride
successful. The author states his criteria for a successful attraction as engaging,

interactive, and unforgettable. One of his techniques that makes the Space
Mountain ride great is that its music is carefully and accurately chosen to aid the
riders experience.
This a credible source because the organization provides numerous resources
on information regarding theme parks. It is more opinionated as it is the authors
own perspective and thoughts that drive this article. It was published recently in
the year 2014.
Levine, Arthur. The line starts here: Designing theme park queues. USA Today,
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2016/07/2
5/theme-park-queues-lines-design/87540278/. Accessed 13 October 2016.

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In this article, Arthur Levine discusses the thought process behind designing
theme park queues. He argues that the importance of designing great and
engaging theme park queues is to keep visitors happy while getting them to the
attraction as soon as possible. He uses two examples of good theme park
queues including Star Tours and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
This is a credible source because the author is a theme park expert who has
been writing for travel features for newspaper and magazines since 1992. The
article was published recently in 2016. The organization, USA Today, is also a
verified source because it is a national daily newspaper.
Mayntz, Melissa. How to Design Amusement Park Rides. lovetoknow,
http://themeparks.lovetoknow.com/How_to_Design_Amusement_Park_Rides.
Accessed 13 October 2016.
In this article, Melissa Mayntz gives step-by-step instructions on what it takes to
create amusement park rides. She also talks about who designs and creates
theme park attractions. For example, Mayntz states that a budget must be made
before starting designs for a new ride.
This is a credible source because author has been a writer and editor for several
years since 2003. She has written numerous topics on tourism and travel. The
organization is also dedicated to providing informational resources on a variety of

topics.
Mayntz, Melissa. Theme Park Rides. lovetoknow,

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http://themeparks.lovetoknow.com/Theme_Park_Rides. Accessed 13 October
2016.
In this article, Melissa Mayntz talks about different types of rides found within
amusement parks. She says that there are at least nine types of rides and that
these vary from park to park. For instance, Mayntz describes family rides as
suitable for all ages and lists examples of this type of ride, such as bumper cars

and Ferris wheels.

This is a credible source because author has been a writer and editor for several
years since 2003. She has written numerous topics on tourism and travel. The
organization is also dedicated to providing informational resources on a variety of

topics.
Naversen, Nate. Help! I want to be a Theme Park Designer. What Do I Do Now?
Themed Attraction, http://www.themedattraction.com/design.htm. Accessed 13
October 2016.
This article gives thirteen guidelines into becoming a theme park designer. It
discusses numerous careers within this industry. This article also lists some
schools that are good for people who are pursuing theme park design.
This is a credible source because author is an expert in the field. Naversen works

with various groups to create world attractions for companies such as Walt

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Disney World and Universal Studios. The website has also been running since
1996 and is updated regularly.
Sklar, Marty. One Little Spark!: Mickeys Ten Commandments and the Road to
Imagineering. Disney Editions, 2015.
In his book, Marty Sklar examines the top ten commandments or rules in
creating a hit attraction. For instance, the first commandment says to know your

audience. To support his statements, Sklar uses real life attractions as examples
that successfully followed the rules or did not.
This is a credible source because the author is a former Imagineering
Ambassador and Disney Legend. Having worked for over fifty years creating
Disneys parks and their attractions, he is an expert in the field of theme park
design. This book was also published recently in the year 2015.
Theme Parks. FAQs, http://www.faqs.org/childhood/So-Th/Theme-Parks.html.
Accessed 13 October 2016.
This article discusses the importance of theme parks as well as the history of
theme parks and how they were created. To support its ideas, the article uses
the example of an actual theme park (Disneyland) that pioneered and made
significant contributions to the industry. It also talks about the theme parks that
have opened since Disneyland left its impact on the world.
This is a credible source because author is part of an organization that answers
questions on a multitude of subjects. The author also gives a bibliography of
sources they used when creating this article. This article was published by The

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Gale Group, an organization that publishes educational and reference materials
for schools, libraries, and businesses.
Theme Park Design. Design Schools,
http://designschools.com/resources/theme-park-design/. Accessed 13 October
2016.
This article discusses what theme park designers are and what they do. One of
the statements it makes is that a theme park designers main goal is to create an
attraction that entertains guests and makes them want to visit again and again. It
also lists schools that are good for students pursuing a career in theme park
design.
This is a credible source because the organization that provides users a variety
of resources for designers or students pursuing design as a career. It includes
information about design programs and schools. The information is current as the

website was updated in 2016.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Visiting Theme Parks. Health Fitness Revolution,
http://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-visitingtheme-parks/. Accessed 13 October 2016.
This article gives and explains the top ten health benefits people get when they
visit theme parks. An obvious benefit is that attendees walk miles around the
park to get to attractions without even realizing it! Another benefit is that visiting
theme parks improves attendees mood by having them escape their worries,
even for a few hours.

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This is a credible source because the organization, Health Fitness Revolution,
provides information on a variety of topics pertaining to good health and lifestyle.
The article was published recently in the year 2015. Also, the information
presented is still relevant today.
15 Steps to Build a Theme Park. Apogee Attractions,
http://www.apogeeattractions.com/articles/c_15steps.htm. Accessed 13 October
2016.
This article lists and describes fifteen steps for building a theme park. It states
that are many areas to think about in the creating process. This includes
planning, business, financing, market studying, design, and construction.
This is a credible source because the author is part of a company specializes in
theme park design, amusement park design, and varieties of themed visitor
attractions. The article is factual as it simply explains the process of creating a
theme park. Even though it was published in 2006, the information is still relevant

to todays standards.