Theme parks are designed to create unforgettable moments—some exhilarating, some immersive, and others simply enjoyable in their own right. But ask any guest what they remember most, and chances are they’ll talk about the thrill rides: the heart-pounding, awe-inspiring attractions that leave a lasting impact. In education, we have our own version of thrill rides—those extraordinary, high-energy lessons that break the mold of daily instruction and ignite curiosity in powerful ways. However, just like a well-designed theme park, a balanced classroom experience isn’t built entirely on these high-intensity moments. The key is knowing when and where to strategically place them to maximize engagement without leading to burnout—for students and teachers alike.
One of the most immersive and exhilarating attractions in all of Disney Parks is Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom. From the moment guests step into the queue, they are transported into the world of Pandora. The ride itself delivers a breathtaking experience, simulating the sensation of flying on the back of a banshee. This kind of attraction falls into the category of a “thrill ride”—an experience that is extraordinary, exhilarating, and designed to leave a lasting impression.
The Balance Between Novelty and Sustainability
Thrill rides captivate us because they offer something out of the ordinary—an adrenaline rush, a sense of awe, and a unique experience that leaves us wanting more. But imagine riding the same attraction repeatedly without pause. The novelty wears off. Worse, it becomes exhausting, even nauseating, rather than enjoyable.
The same principle applies to teaching. A thrill ride lesson is any lesson that breaks away from routine—an immersive project, an outdoor exploration, a field trip, or an activity that sparks deep engagement. These lessons don’t just excite students; they reinvigorate teachers as well. But just as a theme park isn’t built entirely on thrill rides, a classroom cannot be sustained by high-energy lessons alone. Overuse can lead to student fatigue, teacher burnout and a stressed-out classroom.
The key is balance—knowing when to take students on an exhilarating deep dive and when to maintain a steady, engaging pace. If you get it right, the rewards are worth the risk.
Digging Post-holes: A Thoughtful Approach to Lesson Planning
A veteran teacher, Mrs. Satterfield, once shared a story we me that reshaped how I approached lesson planning. She grew up on a farm, where one of her tasks was helping her father build barbed wire fences. The process was strategic: she would dig a deep post hole, then measure out a set number of steps before digging the next. This process provided structure and consistency and was repeated again and again until the fence was complete.
This method, she explained, translates very well into teaching. Some lessons—your “post-hole” lessons—require depth, time, and immersive exploration. These are your thrill ride moments. But to make room for them, you must move more quickly through other lessons, skimming the surface where appropriate before diving deep again. This rhythm, she suggested, can be used throughout the year, spacing out the high-impact, more time-consuming lessons from those that can be covered in less time.
In our theme park scenario, a post-hole lesson is the thrill ride. It takes more time to plan, more energy to teach and usually more resources since you’re going deeper into the content, like you would with a project-based unit. To have time for this, consider moving faster through some of the other lessons that you teach. Just look carefully into where you can make up the time. The thrill ride lessons can be great fun and very impactful, yet if you try exclusively teaching like this, it can lead to burnout for both you and your students. A more effective approach is to think strategically, much like how a theme park balances high-energy attractions with immersive yet lower-intensity experiences.
Consider any one of the Disney parks: while guests may be excited for the thrill rides, they actually spend much more time walking between attractions, waiting in queues, and experiencing themed environments outside of a ride. These in-between moments are carefully designed to sustain engagement and anticipation. The same concept applies to curriculum design. Not every lesson needs to be a high-adrenaline adventure, but every lesson should contribute meaningfully to the overall experience.
Strategic Planning for Maximum Impact
Thrill ride lessons work best when planned intentionally, rather than used spontaneously or excessively. To maximize their impact:
Schedule them in advance. At the start of the year, map out when these high-energy lessons will take place. Spacing them thoughtfully ensures they remain fresh and impactful.
Balance them with regular instruction. Just as the Imagineers design every aspect of a guest’s journey for engagement, be intentional about crafting learning experiences in which even “regular” lessons feel purposeful and compelling.
Space them out. A well-placed thrill ride lesson can serve as a motivational milestone for students—something to look forward to each quarter or semester.
By thoughtfully incorporating high-impact, high-energy lessons while maintaining engaging daily instruction, you can create a dynamic and sustainable learning environment that you and your students will enjoy.
With these thoughts in mind, consider the following questions:
Theme parks use thrill rides strategically, ensuring they don’t overwhelm guests but instead create a balanced and engaging experience. How might you apply this same approach in your classroom?
The metaphor of digging post-holes suggests that deep, immersive lessons should be carefully spaced between more routine instruction. Reflect on your own teaching or learning experiences—how have you seen this balance play out effectively (or ineffectively)? What challenges might arise in implementing this approach, and how could they be addressed?
Just as Imagineers design the entire guest experience beyond just the thrill rides, we should consider how every lesson contributes to the overall learning journey. What are some ways that you could make regular instruction feel purposeful and engaging, even when it’s not a “thrill ride” lesson? How can everyday moments be designed to sustain curiosity and motivation in students?
Designing and exciting and engaging classroom isn’t about packing every lesson with high-intensity excitement—it’s about developing a balanced learning experience that sustains curiosity, deepens understanding, and fosters meaningful growth. In the end, it’s not just about the thrill—it’s about the journey of learning, the memories that are made, and the lasting impact that you'll leave on your students.