Part of Lesson Plan: Creating a theme Park

Activity Overview / Details

Whole class discussion-Let's list all of the theme parks that this class has been to (list should be similar to one above).  Can someone raise their hand and share a theme park that they have been to, and tell everyone what you liked about it.   Does everyone agree wd                Does everyone agree, is there anything that could of made your experience there more enjoyable? What are the benefits of a theme park? Teacher will write each name of a theme park that they come up with and post them around the classroom.   

Now choose one theme park that you have been to and go stand under the sign.  As a group I want you to discuss the park as a whole.  Take a large sheet of paper and write what you like about the park and what you dislike or would change if given the opportunity. What make this park different or unique. Also what are the mental and physical benefits of the theme park as a whole. You will share this list with the class.

Once everyone has completed their lists each group will take a turn to share about each theme park.

Disney's 10 commandments in theme park design Keep these in mind  

Your Fast Guide to Mickey’s Ten Commandments

1. Know your audience
Don't bore people, talk down to them or lose them by assuming that they know what you know.

2. Wear your guest's shoes
Insist that designers, staff and your board members experience your facility as visitors as often as possible.

3. Organize the flow of people and ideas
Use good story telling techniques. Tell good stories not lectures.

4. Create a ‘come to me’ (the castle, the Epcot dome)
Lead visitors from one area to another by creating visual magnets and giving visitors rewards for making the journey

5. Communicate with visual literacy
Make good use of all the non-verbal ways of communication - colour, shape, form, texture.

6. Avoid overload
Resist the temptation to tell too much, to have too many objects. Don't force people to swallow more than they can digest, try to stimulate and provide guidance to those who want more.

7. Tell one story at a time
If you have a lot of information divide it into distinct, logical, organized stories. People can absorb and retain information more clearly if the path to the next concept is clear and logical.

8. Avoid contradiction
Clear institutional identity helps give you the competitive edge. The public needs to know who you are and what differentiates you from other institutions they may have seen.

9. For every ounce of treatment , provide a ton of fun
How do you woo people from all other temptations? Give people plenty of opportunity to enjoy themselves by emphasizing ways that let people participate in the experience and by making your environment rich and appealing to all senses.

10. Keep it up
Never underestimate the importance of cleanliness and routine maintenance. People expect to get a good show every time. They will comment more on broken and dirty stuff.