Protection For All: 4 Tips To Ensure A Safe Theme Park or FEC

Safety is #1 for all entertainment and attraction industries to ensure the safe operations and protection of not only the guests but also the team members operating the attractions, rides and games.?

Our guests are trusting us with their lives every time they get on a ride or active attraction. It is an unspoken promise that we make to the public that says “please trust us, we will take care of you and do all that we can to make sure that you are safe while enjoying the experiences that we have to offer.”

But there's a lot more to it than just saying that something is “safe”. There is a lot that goes into keeping our guests protected from danger. Remember, once that trust is broken your business will take a major hit. You will not be trusted easily again in the future, which means you will likely not have your customer base anymore. A dangerous event can start a domino effect and can ruin a theme park or FEC permanently (look at Action Park from the past). There are ways to avoid this from happening. Safety must continue to be a prime directive in our line of work.??

Attraction Safety

Safety should be on the minds of the employees for the guests riding the rides in a positive yet solid and consistent approach to following the rules for each attraction, ride and game. People want to feel protected when they come to us for their thrills and excitement.

Of course, there will always be those guests that insist that while they do not meet the necessary criteria for a ride, they’ll “be okay anyway.” Our team members need to understand that we have these rules for a reason and they should be followed each and every time without fail! All it takes is once, one incident to ruin your establishment if your staff are found guilty of not following safety protocols.

ASTM & Industry Standards

ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) Standards and Industry Standards should be used as the minimum model for each park or FEC. However, a significant motivation to go above and beyond the minimum should be emphasized as a goal for the protection of all guests and team members.?

Do not skip the necessary precautions that are in place for your guests and team members. For example, ASTM F24 helps protect the safe operations of amusement park attractions, rides and games. This committee sets the bar for every aspect of safety concerns regarding our rides and attractions. They are a group of people that come from various backgrounds such as; consumer advocates, ride manufacturers, government officials, amusement park operators, and industry suppliers. This means that the information and criteria specified in their standards have been taken from a wide range of experienced experts.

Tips for a Safe and Secure Yet Thrilling Environment

1. Safety videos, signs and displays should be placed at the beginning and inline ques for the awaiting guests at each attraction, ride and game. As much communication as possible should be given to your guests and team members about every attraction at the park. In this case, over-communication is not a bad thing.
2. Cameras should be installed at every possible part of your park or FEC to cover all areas. Just in case there is ever any question (or frivolous lawsuit) about an incident. This is to protect the park, other guests and team members alike. These videos should be monitored to catch any unsafe conduct before an accident occurs. They can be used for future training if needed.??
3. Staff training and retraining (or consistent training) should be an ongoing safety measure and regular practice. These meetings need to be frequent, and participative to make sure the staff fully understands the need for safety. Education about the different aspects of safety is also essential. Such as its impact on insurance, and the overall function regarding the operations of each entertainment park.?
4. Remember to be transparent with your staff on “guest and team member safety.” Make sure each team member knows their role in the secure operation of the park.?

By following a solid safety education model in your park or FEC, you are contributing to a more stable future for your brand. What type of education and training do you currently have in place? How often do you engage in participatory training exercises with your staff??

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07-09-22

?Tim Murphy is CEO of APX Operating Company, dba Boomers Parks, under the ownership of Cerberus private equity ($55B assets). Boomers Parks owns six family entertainment centers and two water parks with locations in California, Florida, and New Jersey.

As CEO of Boomers Parks since 2020, Tim took these eight parks from bankruptcy to profitability in just a year – in the middle of a global pandemic. When Boomers acquired these parks, they were operating at a $10 million loss. Tim transformed the customer experience and added new revenue streams to generate a 180% increase in revenue in 2021 (and on track to be a 250% increase in 2022).?

Tim launched his 35+ year career at Walt Disney World and has since served more than 150 entertainment, restaurant, and food & beverage brands across more than 10,000 locations in C-suite and senior positions.

?Additionally, Tim is a Board Director with Coney Park, Happy City, and YuKids - Family Entertainment & Amusement Parks, part of The Carlyle Group ($275B assets), a private equity firm that operates 150+ family entertainment centers and amusement parks in Latin America.?

?Tim has worked with top-tier entertainment and restaurant brands including Disney, Rebounderz Trampoline Parks, Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, etc.), Red Lobster, Jimmy John’s, Applebee’s, Sonny’s Bar-B-Q, Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Hardee’s, Golden Corral, and Firehouse Subs.?

Tim has overseen more than 35 purchase transactions involving over 1,200 restaurants, stores, and park locations.?With extensive experience in buying and selling businesses, handling negotiations with buyers and sellers, and creating strategic partnerships to build strong brands, Tim has facilitated deals ranging from $11 million to $350 million+.

?Tim is a member of IAAPA, CAPA, FAA, AAMA & WWA. He is a licensed commercial real estate broker in the State of Florida. Tim earned a BS/BA in Accounting from the University of Central Florida and?an MBA in Finance from Orlando College.?