H

ome to UCF, Orlando has long been a global center for themed entertainment. As immersive attractions, museums and themed entertainment experiences continue to grow in scale, complexity and cultural impact, the industry faces a critical challenge: preparing the next generation of professionals with the real-world skills needed to bring immersive experiences to life.

Spanning storytelling, architecture, engineering, media, operations and production, today 麻豆精品 S檚 themed experiences and attractions demand skills that rarely live within a single academic discipline.

For many aspiring professionals, the pathway into themed entertainment remains unclear, with limited visibility into professional workflows, real-world timelines and the cross-functional dynamics that ultimately determine a project 麻豆精品 S檚 success.

A new partnership between UCF and AOA 麻豆精品 S� a leading immersive experience design, production and project management company 麻豆精品 S� aims to change that to better support the future of the industry.

Ideal Partnership

鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 themed experience graduate programs at the College of Arts and Humanities and AOA have launched the AOA Scholars Program, a hands-on practicum designed to give graduate students direct exposure to the real-world processes behind themed entertainment design and production.

UCF introduced a theatre Master of Fine Arts聽track in themed experience in 2018. In 2021, the university offered a stand-alone degree program in themed experience. Both programs are聽 the first of its kind at a public university.

The program 麻豆精品 S檚 focused curriculum in themed experience and attractions makes it an ideal partner for AOA.

The scholars initiative will address a common challenge in the field: while demand for immersive attractions, museums and experiences continues to grow, there is an expanding need for practical training and field work for emerging talent.

麻豆精品 S淔lorida is home to some of the most sophisticated themed entertainment work in the world, but the way people enter the industry hasn 麻豆精品 S檛 kept pace, 麻豆精品 S� says Tom Acomb, co-founder and chief creative officer of AOA. 麻豆精品 S淭his program is about opening the door earlier and giving students a clearer view of how these projects actually come together. 麻豆精品 S�

Each semester, a select cohort of students will participate in workshops led by AOA professionals, visit active project sites and production facilities, and learn how creative, technical and operational decisions intersect in real projects.

麻豆精品 S淎OA has always believed in investing in early-career talent, starting with a strong internship program that 麻豆精品 S檚 been part of our culture since the early days, 麻豆精品 S� says Mike Ostendorf, co-founder and CEO of AOA. 麻豆精品 S淭his partnership with UCF is an evolution of that long-standing commitment 麻豆精品 S� because seeing the full lifecycle of a project up close matters. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淭his partnership gives students access to professional workflows with one of the top firms in the themed entertainment industry. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Peter Weishar, UCF director of themed experience

What 麻豆精品 S檚 Next

UCF will oversee academic structure and accreditation, while AOA will contribute funding and industry expertise.

麻豆精品 S淭his partnership gives students access to professional workflows with one of the top firms in the themed entertainment industry with diverse project and a global reach 麻豆精品 S� says Peter Weishar, director of themed experience at UCF. 麻豆精品 S淚t strengthens Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 role as a global talent pipeline for themed entertainment. 麻豆精品 S�

The AOA Scholars Program is expected to begin Fall 2026, reinforcing Central Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 position as a training ground for the next generation of immersive experience professionals.

We sat down with Surrell to talk about what storytelling means today 麻豆精品 S� 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.

麻豆精品 S淩egardless of your discipline …聽 we’re all storytellers, 麻豆精品 S� Surrell says. And it is particularly important in today 麻豆精品 S檚 entertainment options: 麻豆精品 S淭he thing that separates theme parks from amusement parks is stories. 麻豆精品 S�

He encourages students to understand classic story structures, like the hero 麻豆精品 S檚 journey, because they help us make sense of life.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檝e mapped my own personal and professional life to the hero 麻豆精品 S檚 journey 麻豆精品 S� and I 麻豆精品 S檒l be damned if it doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 work, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

2. Curiosity Is Your Superpower

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

麻豆精品 S淵ou 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. 麻豆精品 S�

While working on Disney 麻豆精品 S檚 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.

麻豆精品 S淎ll of a sudden I’m a zoologist聽 … literally having to learn about ring-tailed lemurs, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

3. Comfort, Reassurance and Escape Are Human Needs

Theme parks aren 麻豆精品 S檛 just entertainment 麻豆精品 S� they 麻豆精品 S檙e emotional experiences. Nostalgia plays a big role in this, especially in places like Disney 麻豆精品 S檚 Magic Kingdom, Surrell says.

麻豆精品 S淭here 麻豆精品 S檚 something inherently reassuring about going to a place that … remains the way you remembered it as a kid, 麻豆精品 S� 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.

麻豆精品 S淭heme parks are explicit about it, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚t’s comfort, reassurance and escape. There really is no more noble pursuit than to provide that for people. Our central product really is emotion. 麻豆精品 S�

4. Be Ready to Pivot

Surrell 麻豆精品 S檚 career path 麻豆精品 S� from performer to Imagineer to professor 麻豆精品 S� shows the power of flexibility.

麻豆精品 S淵ou have to be ready to pivot and adapt to whatever life in the industry throws at you. 麻豆精品 S�

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.

麻豆精品 S淔ive years later, a job opened up … That was a deviation from the path I thought I was on. 麻豆精品 S�

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 聽Epic Universe and Disney 麻豆精品 S檚 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.

麻豆精品 S淚t only makes sense. We 麻豆精品 S檙e in the theme park capital of the world … the go-to place for themed experience, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

He compares 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 program to film schools in the 1960s 麻豆精品 S� a launchpad for a new generation of storytellers.

麻豆精品 S淭his program offers young people a very clear and legitimate pathway into the industry. 麻豆精品 S�

Surrell 麻豆精品 S檚 message to students is clear: Be curious, be adaptable and embrace storytelling 麻豆精品 S� no matter your field.

麻豆精品 S淐harge forth now because you have everything on your side, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淏e fearless, be courageous and go for it. 麻豆精品 S�

Taking Themed Entertainment to New Heights

The demand for trained professionals in themed entertainment is at an all-time high.聽 As the industry expands to encompass a range of projects, including theme parks, immersive art installations, live performances and more, there is a growing need for individuals who can effectively manage the complexities of producing these experiences. The program aims to address this need by providing students with comprehensive training in project management, financial budgeting, creative collaboration and advanced production technologies.

麻豆精品 S淧roducing is a key pillar in the successful execution of any immersive experience,” says Peter Weishar, director of 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 themed experience program. “Our new concentration offers a pathway for students to acquire the skills needed to lead projects that blend creativity with logistics, ensuring these experiences resonate with audiences on a global scale. 麻豆精品 S�

In the Heart of Orlando

A standout feature of the themed experience M.S. program is its exceptional connection to the real-world industry, enhanced by 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 prime location in Orlando 麻豆精品 S� the epicenter of the themed entertainment world. Home to some of the world 麻豆精品 S檚 largest and most iconic theme parks, entertainment companies and immersive attractions, Orlando offers an ideal environment for students to engage with the industry in ways that few other programs can provide.

Students enrolled in 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 themed experience M.S. program have exclusive access to a vast network of industry professionals, internships and partnerships with leading attractions and companies such as Disney and Universal. These connections not only enrich students 麻豆精品 S� academic experiences but also offer invaluable real-world insights that directly shape their learning. From collaborating on cutting-edge projects to engaging with experts across various fields, the program’s ties to industry leaders are integrated into the curriculum, equipping students with the tools and experience needed to thrive in this competitive field.

“鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 location in Orlando, at the heart of the themed entertainment industry, provides students with unparalleled access to hands-on experiences,” Weishar says. “Collaborating with industry leaders, walking through the parks after hours with designers, engineers, and producers, and working directly on live projects gives our students a unique advantage. The proximity to major companies and resources creates an environment where students can learn and grow alongside the best in the industry. Not only do they gain exposure to high-level creative and technical practices, but they also experience first-hand the complexities of managing projects from concept to execution.”

Through this robust network of industry engagement, students can refine their skills, build professional relationships and gain a deeper understanding of the evolving trends and challenges that shape the future of themed entertainment. Whether it’s exploring innovative technologies, diving into the logistics of large-scale projects or interacting with professionals who have decades of industry experience, the program guarantees that students graduate with the knowledge and hands-on experience required to succeed in this dynamic sector.

A World of Possibilities Awaits

The curriculum for the producing concentration is carefully designed to address the evolving challenges of the themed entertainment industry. Students will gain in-depth knowledge in key areas such as creative direction, production management and technology integration. They will also explore topics like audience engagement, sustainable practices and the global impact of immersive entertainment.

鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 commitment to providing a forward-thinking education is reflected in this program, as it prepares students to be at the cutting-edge of technological and creative advancements in the industry.

麻豆精品 S淢y time in the program helped me understand that being a producer isn 麻豆精品 S檛 just about managing budgets 麻豆精品 S� it 麻豆精品 S檚 about managing creativity and collaboration,” says Jordan Zauha 麻豆精品 S�22MFA, a member of the inaugural cohort of the themed experience M.F.A. program at UCF. “The skills I gained, especially in communication and logistics, helped me transition smoothly into my first professional role, making me a valuable asset to any team. 麻豆精品 S�

The growing need for specialized producers within themed entertainment is just one facet of the expanding career possibilities for graduates of the themed experience M.S. program. With the industry 麻豆精品 S檚 focus shifting toward interactive, immersive and technology-driven experiences, 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 new concentration ensures students will be equipped to lead and innovate in an increasingly complex landscape.

In the coming years, this first-of-its-kind producing concentration promises to not only offer world-class education but also to serve as a catalyst for new forms of themed entertainment that push the boundaries of creativity and technology. With 鲍颁贵 麻豆精品 S檚 rich resources and industry partnerships, graduates will be ready to make their mark on the global stage.