Writing a business plan for a theme park is tough work. For one thing, even if you have a smaller scale than Disneyland or Six Flags in mind, there is a ton of planning to do. How large will the park be, what number of rides will it have, and what are the capital equipment costs for construction? Beyond the budgeting, what are the various forms of insurance you'll need, what licenses and permits do you have to obtain, and what is the ideal corporate structure for the parent company that will run all the attractions? This sort of business plan quickly becomes much less fun than, say, going to a theme park! But don't be dissuaded from trying your hand at it – if you take each section one step at a time, a great business plan for a theme park will surely emerge. Answer these questions for yourself:
• Who is the target market for your park?
• What ages will various attractions be suited to?
• What do you estimate will be the timeline and cost for construction?
• Where is the site you have in mind?
• What is the likely timeline to break-even?
• Where are the nearest competing parks?
The question of competition is an interesting one for a theme park, because you will need to take into account both primary and secondary competitive threats. If you're opening a park far from the major attractions in California and Florida, those theme parks are probably secondary competition at best. But what about a state fairgrounds, mega shopping center, or activities within driving distance of your intended site that might be far cheaper (kids' auto racing, miniature golf, bowling, movie theaters, etc.)? You have to consider both. And no matter what you do, having a clear implementation plan and a financial model is that is believable is paramount. Need help here? MasterPlans has written more than 11,000 business plans to date and can help you create the perfect pitch for your amusement park. Call 877-453-2011 today.
