Enhancing Guest Experience Through Theme Park Masterplanning

Lily-Ann Bedder
Aug 13, 2025
2 min read

We’ve all been there—holding all the bags in the blistering sun while our loved ones dash towards the next big ride. While they're thinking about airtime, I'm focused on the uncomfortable surface I’ll be sitting on for hours.

Although this may not ruin my day, it has become a core memory of my theme park visits. It might seem like a minor inconvenience, but over an 8-hour day, these “little things” can snowball into a strongly worded review on TripAdvisor. So, how can we ensure that our guests (and their bums) are happy during their visit? We plan for the problem before it even becomes a reality.

The Essentials of Masterplanning

When we think of “masterplanning,” we often focus on the exciting aspects—the shiny entrance portals, glossy hotels, and adrenaline-fueled rides. But what about the essentials?

theme park masterplanning bubble diagram

From accessibility ramps to shaded areas, stroller parking to toilets, these elements are expected. Yet, many times we assume that adding more will enhance the guest experience. Yes, having enough places to sit is a great start, but it doesn’t address the bigger issues guests may face during their day.

Anticipating Guest Needs

Imagine we’ve built the best new family coaster ever (and it was completed on time and within budget!). What’s the basic checklist of what your guests might need in this new area? At a minimum, you’d need stroller parking, toilets, and benches—check!

Guest Scenarios Matter

But how does it hold up in a real guest scenario? Picture a family with a sibling too young to ride. One parent has to stay behind with them, or perhaps a grandparent isn’t feeling up to it and decides to sit this one out. How can you elevate their experience beyond just providing a place to sit and wait?

A sprinkle of additional CAPEX could allow for a small food and beverage outlet with an adjoining toddler soft play area. This gives guests a place to sit, relax, and have fun while they wait. It also serves as an additional revenue stream—everybody wins!

Smart Budgeting Solutions

When the budget can’t stretch that far, we can still be smart with our initial checklist. It could be as simple as positioning stroller parking in a shaded or undercover area, ensuring no one has to place their child in an uncomfortably hot stroller. Theming the bins and trash cans can also keep the story of the land flowing at all touchpoints.

The toilets can be family-focused, featuring ample baby-changing spaces, kid-friendly toilet seats, and sinks and hand dryers at accessible heights for everyone.

The Importance of Perspective

Putting yourself in the role of the guests highlights potential problems, ensuring they never become issues for them. These might seem like minor details, but it’s the little things that make a day memorable.

Theme Park Masterplanning from Katapult

For new and reimagined themed attractions, we undertake theme park masterplanning to ensure that creative concepts and operational flow work seamlessly together. Our package of support can include: