This summer, Universal Creative gave 16 students from the University of Central Florida (UCF) a behind-the-scenes look at creating a world-class theme park as part of the UCF Creative Lab. First introduced in 2023, this is the first-ever themed experiences program offered anywhere. Its unique immersive learning experience allows students to gain insight directly from the industry’s top professionals.
Universal Creative is responsible for bringing to life the most relevant stories and popular characters through innovative attractions, immersive destinations and more at Universal Destinations & Experiences locations around the world.
Each semester, students join the Universal Creative team on-site at Universal Orlando Resort, where they learn first-hand what it takes to develop theme park rides and experiences, including the upcoming new Universal Epic Universe theme park.
Universal Creative Team Members also participate as speakers and as part of panel sessions where they share their areas of expertise. These focus areas include storytelling, design, engineering and safety, legal, budgeting, business analytics and other key skills needed when creating an attraction. Over 90 speakers from Universal Creative have participated since the program’s inception.
“Universal has gone above and beyond what I had originally proposed for the class,” says Peter Weishar, founding director of UCF’s themed experiences program. “They’re showing us projects in progress like Epic Universe. They’re talking to us transparently about challenges they had and things they would have done differently. That kind of access is invaluable.”
“One of the benefits of the program being in Central Florida is that this is the epicenter for themed entertainment,” says Chris Oliver, vice president of engineering and safety for Universal Creative. “The students are learning from those who are creating the future of this rapidly growing industry. We try and show them everything that’s involved in creating and building attractions, to get holistic exposure from ideation to completion.”
At the end of each semester, students have the unique opportunity to present their original design concepts to a panel of Universal Creative leaders. The students receive productive critiques of their creative thinking, project design, management and presentation skills.
“I have a better understanding of how rides are designed [and] how theme parks are created,” says Christopher Harris, a current engineering student in the class. “I’ve gained so much knowledge and connections. To be able to talk to Chris Oliver and all the other professionals — I think that’s the best part of this class.”
“[Universal Creative has] brought in professionals [with] 30 years experience. The exposure to those professionals is incredible.” — Karlyn Leander, themed experiences student and Universal Creative intern
Throughout the course, students meet with esteemed Universal Creative professionals from all different backgrounds and disciplines at Universal, such as engineering, operations, guest experience, ride design, finance and more. Many students — including Karlyn Leander, a current themed experiences student and intern with Universal Creative — say the networking opportunities are one of the top benefits of the class.
“Universal is investing in this program — training a new generation and finding a place for us,” Leander says. “They’ve brought in professionals that have 30 years of experience creating theme parks all over the world. The exposure to those professionals is incredible. It’s an industry of mentorship.”
Since UCF Creative Lab launched in Spring 2023, Universal has hired almost 40% of students who have participated in the class. Leander is one of those students. Through this program and partnership with UCF, Universal Creative strives to promote knowledge of careers in themed entertainment and inspire students who may not have originally considered it as a potential career path.
“When [students] start this program, they start to see it as an aspirational goal to work at [Universal Creative],” Weishar says. “It’s one of those classes that really confirms your passion for what you want to do for the rest of your life.”
The Creative Lab is offered through the themed experiences program in the UCF College of Arts and Humanities. Two courses are currently offered annually: a graduate-level spring course and a six-week summer course open to graduate and upper-level undergraduate students from any accredited college or university.
And there’s a plan to broaden the concept and expand the program into additional disciplines.
“This is the start of something bigger. I look forward to seeing it grow and exposing more students to what we do,” Oliver says. “It is important to all of us at Universal Creative who are involved in this program to teach the next generation what we do, and have what we built here continue on.”
