Gary Goddard - Work in Themed Entertainment

Work in Themed Entertainment

Goddard began his career at The Walt Disney Company in the early 1970s, directing "Hoop Dee Doo" at Fort Wilderness at the Walt Disney World resort. He then went on to work at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he developed on concepts for EPCOT, Tokyo Disneyland, and River Country, among others.

Gary Goddard Productions, Goddard's first company, was formed in 1980, which became Landmark Entertainment Group in 1985. Goddard exited Landmark Entertainment Group in 2002 to start his new company, Gary Goddard Entertainment (now "The Goddard Group").

Goddard created several large-scale attractions for Universal Studios, including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (at Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios Japan), Terminator 2/3D: Battle Across Time (at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Japan), Jurassic Park: The Ride (Universal Studios Hollywood, Islands of Adventures, and Universal Studios Japan), Conan: A Sword and Sorcery Spectacular (Universal Studios Hollywood), and Kongfrontation (Universal Studios Hollywood).

Other notable attractions created by Goddard and team include Star Trek: The Experience (Las Vegas Hilton), The Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, Georgia), and Sanrio Puroland (Japan).

For Six Flags, Goddard is responsible for the creation of the "Monster Plantation" dark ride at Six Flags Over Georgia, as well as its 2009 makeover into "Monster Mansion." Goddard also oversaw the creation of the Glow in the Park Parade (playing at Six Flags Great Adventure beginning in 2008, Six Flags Mexico beginning in 2008, Six Flags New England beginning in 2008, Six Flags St. Louis beginning in 2009, Six Flags Over Texas beginning in 2009, and Six Flags Great America beginning in 2010). Goddard also was responsible for the conceptual development of Six Flags Dubailand and Six Flags Qatar.