Active Students (as of Fall 2025)*
Graduate students: 61
*All active students with declared CAH programs are included in the enrollment counts.
UCF’s Themed Experience (TE) M.S. and MFA graduate programs continued their momentum this year, with growing enrollment, increased industry recognition, and expanded opportunities for students. Applications increased 17 percent, reflecting the program’s rising reputation and enabling a more selective admissions process.
This year marked the first full academic year of the program’s separate concentrations in the M.S. program: Creative Producing and Design. The new Creative Producing concentration is unique in higher education. To support and lead this expansion, Adora English, former Director of Communications for Universal Destinations and Experiences, joined the faculty full-time. Denise Hatcher, General Manager of AOA and Northeast President of the Themed Entertainment Association also joined as an adjunct instructor.
TE welcomed David Hoffman, former Executive Creative at Walt Disney Imagineering, as a full-time instructor. During a 35-year career with Disney, Hoffman contributed to major projects at Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Seas, Disneyland in California, and Walt Disney World, bringing exceptional knowledge and unparalleled expertise to the program.
Director Peter Weishar received two significant industry honors. He was named a Top Theme Park Influencer by Blooloop and received IAAPA’s (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) Brass Ring Inspiration Award in recognition of his contributions to the field.
Industry engagement remains a defining strength of the program, enhancing our curriculum and increasing placement opportunities for our graduates. The highly successful UCF/Universal Creative Lab entered its fourth year, providing students with behind-the-scenes access to Universal professionals across design, engineering, architecture, law, production, operations, and business functions. TE also partnered with AOA Partners, one of the industry’s leading design/build firms, to develop the AOA Scholars program. Through this initiative, select students receive a full scholarship and spend a semester embedded with AOA professionals, gaining firsthand experience on active projects.
In fall 2025, a cohort of Themed Experience students and alumni worked alongside Walt Disney Imagineers in a two-week Themed Finishes Summit, developing skills in sculpting concrete and other durable materials used throughout Disney parks and resorts.
The program also strengthened connections with Central Florida’s creative community. Students collaborated with Orlando Shakespeare Theatre to design and create immersive lobby experiences for Cabaret and The Hound of the Baskervilles. In partnership with United Arts and Downtown Orlando, students created a piece of public art as part of their Creative Placemaking initiative. The piece, titled United in Creativity, was exhibited at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts during UCF Celebrates the Arts after a month-long installation at the 55 West Building.
Through these industry partnerships, creative collaborations, and hands-on learning opportunities, Themed Experience continues to prepare graduates for successful careers while reinforcing UCF’s position as a leader in themed entertainment education.
