THRILL Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University
Amusement attraction design, engineering, and analysis
Events and activities
Shortly after the Thrill Club began developing a scale model dark ride for its future activities, we had the opportunity to offer a demonstration for an audience of amusement ride safety inspectors, owners, and others at the annual TSSA Ride Safety Seminar in Niagara Falls. A smaller scale first draft model was quickly completed and packed for transport! Club president Jake Fulton attended the safety seminar and enjoyed great professional networking and continuing education hours as well.
Planning for IAAPA Expo, taking place in Orlando in November 2021, continues. Dr. Woodcock is joining a panel with Danielle Heffernan, of Cedar Fair, moderated by Charlie Wickham, grad student from Iowa State U, on industry-academia cooperation for themed entertainment. Check the IAAPA website for registration details. Early registration discount expires 23 September.
One of the best benefits in the themed entertainment industry is the professional development opportunities. The highlight of the summer was a behind-the-scenes event with the Themed Entertainment Association hosted by Universal Creative at the new VelociCoaster in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, at Universal Orlando Resort.
Continue reading “VelociCoaster behind-the-scenes”“Una giostra per tutti” A ride for everybody: determining limits for the use of amusement devices by children and adolescents with disabilities. Expert panel, experimental trials at Bergamo, Italy.
The culture of safety: no excuses (panelist, in English). El Foro IAAPA de seguridad. Bogotá, Colombia (2019)
Un llamado a la acción. Cómo cada uno de ustedes puede hacer la diferencia (panelist, in English). El Foro IAAPA de seguridad. Cancun, Mexico. (2018)
This year, three Ryerson Engineering students joined the CNE construction field trip (from left, Taha Simsek, Tyler Nagata, Meghan Keegan). Aside from posing with Squirtles (Pokémon game prizes likely to be the hot commodity this year), they had the opportunity to join me in shadowing some ride inspections and watching the assembly of Canada’s largest fair.
Continue reading “CNE 2017 construction week field trip”The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) hosts a series of valuable international conferences and expos. The IAAPA Asian Attractions Expo 2016 was held in Shanghai at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in mid-June, including a reception on the evening of opening day of Disneyland Shanghai, and a day visit to the park on Day 2.
Continue reading “Disneyland Shanghai”During the IAAPA Europe, Middle East and Africa Spring Forum at Gardaland Park in Peschiera del Garda, Italy, THRILL Lab Director Dr. Kathryn Woodcock was honoured with a Career Special Award for Professional Merit. This award recognized her leadership in the attractions industry project promoting expanded accessibility and risk-informed rider eligibility for rides.
Continue reading “Parksmania recognizes ride accessibility initiative”Orlando: the company town for themed entertainment.
The THRILL Lab is about to spend some extended time in Orlando. We’ll be learning, writing, watching, and riding our way to progress on the rider eligibility / ride analysis challenge and tools for human factors applications in the attractions industry.
Continue reading “Sabbatical”
Meetings at the IAAPA Asian Attractions Expo allowed time for a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, including the terrific new attraction “Mystic Manor”.
