This Theme Park Design Competition Prize Is The Only Reason I Wish I Was Still In High School

Theme parks are our favorite thing.

Celestial Park in Epic Universe

We go to Disney World every day! Universal is our home away from home! We love theme parks so much that we made it our job, so we were absolutely obsessed when we heard that there’s a college hosting a theme park competition. Let’s dive in and see if you can participate too.

Have you ever wished that theme parks were what you learned about in school? Well, now you can put your daydreams to the test! Ringling College of Art and Design is hosting a high school student theme park design contest to search for the next great theme park designer.

Isle of Berk in Epic Universe

This is the first-ever theme park design competition, and every U.S. high school junior and senior can participate! The competition runs from September 1st to November 30th.

A design for an outdoor merchandise cart from Don Carson

The competition requires all entries to create a concept for a mobile merchandise cart that can be used outdoors at a theme park. Every design will be seen by a panel of judges that includes professors from Ringling College of Art and Design, Universal Creative, and other professionals in the entertainment design industry.

Universal Orlando

The winners of the competition will win a $20,000 tuition to Ringling College and a VIP tour at Universal Studios Florida with complimentary travel and hotel provided. Second and third place can also earn a scholarship to the college’s PreCollege Summer Program. The entries will be judged in December 2025, and winners will be announced in January 2026.

Universal Orlando!

Jamie DeRuyter, Entertainment Design Department Head at Ringling College of Art and Design, said, “Through this competition, we hope to inspire today’s high school students to see themselves as tomorrow’s immersive experience designers and raise their awareness of this exciting, versatile, and fast-growing career field.” DeRuyter also discussed how entertainment designs impact not only theme parks but everything else, from museums to concerts to hotels and sporting events.

Universal Studios Florida

Eliza Lee of Universal Creative shared that they are proud to be working with the school to create the first of its kind design competition. Lee said, “This competition is intended to get high school juniors and seniors thinking practically about how to solve creative problems, design memorable experiences, and bring their unique ideas to life.”

Universal Orlando crowds

We can’t wait to see all of the designs and wish good luck to all of the students participating! As always, be sure to keep following DFB for more theme park news and updates.

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What would you create if you entered this competition? Tell us in the comments!