Thursday, August 6, 2015

I want to manage a theme park

"Mr. Theme Park, how did you get your start in the industry and what can a person do to become a manager of a theme park?"  Jim P. - Florida

Jim P. – Florida.  Thank you for your question. I certainly appreciate you writing.  I got my start in the amusement business here at Coney Island in Cincinnati, Ohio.  It was 1959, I was thirteen and a gate attendant at the park.  I knew then I would make my career in the amusement industry.  I worked my way up through the ranks, learning all that I could about the business and that eventually led me to become Assistant General Manager of the park.  I was fortunate to then have had the opportunity to aid in the development of Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Within two years of that, I became Vice President and General Manager of Kings Dominion in Richmond, Virginia, a new park I helped open and the rest they say is history.

The biggest challenge to entering the industry is that there are not many colleges that teach you how to be successful in theme parks.  (I actually was instrumental in the concept, development and implementation of the IAAPA Educational Program at the Cornell School of Management.)  While there are many business, finance and marketing classes that can be beneficial, the best way to learn about the business is to actually start on the front lines.  Many of our industry’s great leaders of parks and attractions did just that – getting their start by operating rides, guessing weights, cooking food, selling balloons, cleaning the grounds and working their way up.  That’s how many of my staff at International Theme Park Services, Inc. began their careers.  It is a great industry and one that if you get started in, you will love and enjoy.  I always say, “We work in a great industry. We don’t pollute the skies and we don’t contaminate the streams.  At the end of the day, what we really do is put smiles on people’s faces!”   


Thanks again for your question Jim. P, and make certain to visit www.interthemepark.com for additional information on the leisure industry and the services provided by ITPS.  I’ve also got some great videos on my site all about the History of Coney Island, Kings Island and Kings Dominion.

Don't forget to visit www.mrthemepark.com each week for new questions and answers!

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