Theme Parks: Built for the World’s Biggest Audiences

From the first ride to the fireworks, ears, wands, and pins aren’t just souvenirs; they’re badges of belonging that families carry home for years.

Theme parks aren’t just rides.

From Mickey ears to wands in Hogsmeade, merchandise becomes magic, proof that a once-in-a-lifetime trip really happened, carried home in a plushie, a wand, or a pair of ears.

However, most SKUs peak on-site and fade once families leave, resulting in billions of dollars lost to short cycles and gray-market resale. With merchandise already a $30B+ annual engine across Disney, Universal, Merlin, and others, a trusted licensing layer is increasingly likely here.

In 2024, the world’s top 25 parks welcomed ~244.6M visits, with multiple single parks exceeding 10–17M visits annually (Magic Kingdom 17.72M, Disneyland 17.25M, EPCOT 11.98M) (TEA/AECOM).

Disney Experiences generated $34.15B in FY2024, with guest per-capita spend +40% vs. 2019 (Disney disclosure) as a driver. Yet, billions in merchandise value still leak once items hit gray markets (illustrative).

Fanlayer can help ensure merchandise value doesn’t fade when families leave the gates; it helps value flow back to operators and licensors. A plush on a shelf or a wand tucked in a drawer is more than an object; it’s a story families retell for years, and Fanlayer makes sure that story stays alive.

Why It Matters

Families don’t just buy tickets; they buy proof of belonging.

A trip to a park is filled with plushies, ears, pins, wands, apparel, and exclusives, creating tangible memories that are carried home. But once guests leave, most SKUs fade and revenue slips into gray-market resale.

With per-capita guest spending structurally higher than in 2019 (Disney: +40% per-capita vs. 2019), today’s visitors spend more per trip; yet, most SKUs still peak on-site and leak into resale markets.

Fanlayer extends the life of every SKU, authenticates resale, and enables entirely new product categories with built-in royalties and engagement.

  • $30B+ in merchandise annually, but billions vanish once the visit ends.

  • Gray-market resale drains untold value from operators and licensors (illustrative).

Because in theme parks, memories shouldn’t fade when families leave the gates.

Fan Behavior Proves Demand

Theme park visitors prove their willingness to spend for authenticity and memories every year, turning admission into billions in merchandise. The attach rate is massive: from ears to wands to plushies, guests consistently buy items that become the real souvenirs of the trip.

  • Global attendance: 244.6M visits across Top 25 parks in 2023 (TEA/AECOM).

  • Disney: $34.15B FY2024 revenue; guest spend >40% higher than 2019.

  • Universal: ~19% YoY growth in Q2 2025 (Epic Universe launch).

  • Merlin: 62.8M visitors in 2024; £2.06B revenue.

  • Per-capita spend: Structurally higher across all operators.

“When we go to Disney, my kids each get ears, a wand, and a plushie — those are the real souvenirs.” (illustrative guest quote)

Guests have already proven that they are willing to pay for merchandise as a sign of belonging. Fanlayer ensures those SKUs remain authenticated, monetized, and royalty-bearing long after families leave the park.

Revenue at a Glance (Illustrative Only)

Theme parks are among the largest merchandise ecosystems on earth, with plushies, ears, wands, and pins serving as tangible reminders of cherished memories. The challenge: most SKUs peak during the trip and fade once families return home. Fanlayer extends this value by authenticating souvenirs, tying them to milestones, and unlocking royalties that continue long after the visit.

Pilot uplift (existing SKUs, illustrative only):

  • Plushies: $30 × 4M = $120M baseline → $12–$18M uplift (+10–15%).

  • Ears: $40 × 5M = $200M baseline → $20–$30M uplift + resale royalties.
    (5M units ≈ 30–35M visits with 10–20% attach, TEA/AECOM).

New Fanlayer Categories Made Possible:

  • Smart charms @ $39 × 5% of 20M visitors ≈ $39M gross.

  • Wearables @ $129 × 5% of 20M visitors ≈ $129M gross.

  • AI hubs @ $299 × 10–20% of 20M visitors ≈ $600M–$1.2B gross (requires operator push).

Even 2–3% adoption covers integration in Year One. At 10–20% adoption, Fanlayer unlocks nine-figure to billion-dollar upside, ensuring souvenirs don’t fade after the trip, they reactivate at home (illustrative only).

Note: 5M annual units aligns with ~30–35M visits at a 10–20% merchandise attach rate (TEA/AECOM, illustrative).

Next Step: Secure Your Pilot Path

All models and scenarios are illustrative; actual outcomes depend on license scope, OEM schedules, and adoption rates.

What You Receive in a Free ROI Assessment (Pre-Launch)

Before an operator commits, we deliver a clear preview of what Fanlayer looks like on your SKUs. This is a structured ROI model, not guesswork, designed to show both fast payback and long-term upside.

  • SKU scan & baseline sizing — we map your top categories (ears, wands, plushies) against attendance and public benchmarks.

  • Attach-rate scenarios — conservative, mid, and stretch adoption models with unit economics.

  • Royalty logic overview — how UID + POS-gated lifecycles extend value post-visit.

  • Pilot outline — a 1–2 SKU starter plan with KPIs and success thresholds.

Note: The output is non-binding and illustrative, intended for planning purposes only.

The Trusted Standard

Like the invisible standards in audio or wireless, Fanlayer is built to be the indispensable licensing layer.

Every product authenticated through Fanlayer ties into a patent-pending UID lifecycle system that enables royalties and ongoing engagement.

“I built Fanlayer because products shouldn’t stop connecting, or earning, the moment they’re sold.” — Brian Wilson, Founder.

Fanlayer helps every product live longer, earn more, and stay connected to the operators and artists who bring them to life.

Revenue Potential (Illustrative Only)

See “Revenue at a Glance” for group-level math; the following section focuses on portfolio ranges and new category upside (illustrative).

Theme parks are among the largest merchandise ecosystems on earth, with visitors treating plushies, ears, wands, and pins as tangible reminders of their memories. The challenge is that most SKUs peak during the trip and fade once families return home.
Fanlayer extends this value by authenticating souvenirs, tying them to milestones, and enabling entirely new categories that drive ongoing royalties.

Pilot uplift (existing SKUs, illustrative only):

  • Plushies: $30 × 4M = $120M baseline → $12–$18M uplift (+10–15%).

  • Ears: $40 × 5M = $200M baseline → $20–$30M uplift + resale royalties.

Attendance realism note: 5M annual units aligns with a flagship resort (~30–35M visits across gates) and a 10–20% merchandise attach (TEA/AECOM).

New Fanlayer Categories Made Possible:

  • Smart charms @ $39 × 5% adoption of 20M visitors ≈ $39M gross.

  • Wearables @ $129 × 5% adoption of 20M visitors ≈ $129M gross.

  • AI hubs @ $299 × 10–20% adoption of 20M visitors ≈ $600M–$1.2B gross (illustrative; requires operator push & bundling).

Even at a 2–3% attach rate, pilots typically cover integration in Their First Year. At 10–20% adoption, Fanlayer unlocks a nine-figure to billion-dollar upside (illustrative only).

Souvenirs don’t just fade when the trip ends; they reactivate at home.

Industry Proof Points

Theme parks are merchandising powerhouses, with visitors spending billions of dollars each year on items such as ears, wands, plush toys, and pins. Per-capita spending has never been higher, yet most items fade once families leave the park. Fanlayer ensures souvenirs remain authenticated, interactive, and revenue-generating long after the trip.

  • Disney Experiences: $34.15B FY2024 revenue; record year, driven by higher per-capita guest spending (Disney).

  • Universal: Theme Parks revenue up ~19% YoY in Q2 2025 following Epic Universe’s opening (Barron’s).

  • Merlin Entertainments: 62.8M visitors in 2024; £2.06B revenue.

  • OCT & Chimelong (China): Combined 70–75M annual visitors, plush and seasonal collectibles are cultural staples.

  • Six Flags + Cedar Fair: ~48–49M combined visitors in 2023; ~$3.4B pro-forma revenue.

Fanlayer extends this massive in-park spend into always-on, authenticated SKUs with royalties that persist beyond the gates. Combined, these operators represent 300M+ visitors and $40B+ annual revenue. Families already spend to make memories last, Fanlayer helps souvenirs live on long after the trip.

  • Benchmarks are based on conservative attach rates and validated purchasing behavior. Even modest adoption can offset integration costs; higher attach rates scale quickly, especially in parks where per-capita spending has structurally increased.

    Integration Costs at a Glance (Licensee Facing):

    • Retrofit of Existing SKUs: $1.50–$3.00 per unit all-in (UID tag, encasement, registry, dashboard slice). Ears, pins, plush, and wands become royalty-bearing.

    • Single New SKU Build: $250K–$800K upfront + per-unit costs ($10–$25 charms, $65–$140 hubs).

    • Multi-SKU Ecosystem Build: $1M–$2M+ upfront + per-unit costs.

    • Ongoing Licensing: Royalties and enforcement layered on top of per-unit pricing.

    Portfolio Scenarios (Illustrative):

    • Flagship park (~20M annual visitors):

    • Smart Charm ($39): 5% adoption ≈ $39–$78M gross; 20% ≈ $156M gross.

    • Wearable ($129): 5% ≈ $129–$258M; 20% ≈ $516M.

    • AI Hub ($299): 5% ≈ $299–$598M; 20% ≈ $1.2B (requires operator push & bundling).

    • Single flagship park: $50–$100M conservative / $500M+ mid-case.

    • Multi-park operator: $300–$600M conservative / $1B+ mid-case.

    3-Year Portfolio Scenarios (Illustrative):

    • One flagship park: $150–$300M conservative / $1B+ mid-case.

    • Multi-park operator: $900M–$1.5B conservative / $3B+ mid-case.

    • Global rollout (Disney + Universal + Merlin + Six Flags): $3–$5B conservative / $10B+ mid-case.

    Adoption Note: Early adoption bands modeled at 2–5% attach (charms, wearables) and 0.5–1% (hubs). Mature adoption 5–10%+, based on validated per-capita spend increases and historic uptake of premium park SKUs (e.g., MagicBands, Wizarding World wands).

    Even 5% adoption can cover integration costs. At 20%, upside scales to nine- and ten-figure categories.

Easy to Integrate

Fanlayer is structured for fast deployment without disrupting existing workflows. Operators and parks don’t need to reinvent supply chains; the system layers in seamlessly, making adoption practical and low-risk.

Retrofit costs as little as $1.50 to $3.00 per unit. Plushies, ears, or apparel can be retrofitted quickly, proving ROI within a single season.

  • No core factory changes are typically required.

  • OEM integration modeled at ~8–16 weeks (feasibility window, not a build guarantee)

  • UID tags remain inert until point-of-sale activation confirms purchase

  • Fanlayer handoff kit includes API access, dashboard slice, and provisioning docs

  • Full support for new SKUs, including blueprint kits, manufacturing guidance, and introductions to pre-vetted OEM pathways (under NDA)

  • This workflow reflects industry-standard supply chains, supported by feasibility studies, and is structured to simplify operator integration and minimize complexity.

    SKU Selection & UID Provisioning

    • Operator selects product SKUs (e.g., ears, wands, pins, plushies, apparel).

    • Fanlayer provisions unique IDs (UIDs), registered in the Fanlayer cloud to support authenticity and lifecycle tracking.

    OEM Encoding & Embedding

    • OEM vendors (e.g., Avery Dennison, NXP partners) encase UID components in labels, tags, or accessories.

    • Components ship to existing manufacturing partners for incorporation during production.

    • Typical OEM cycle: 8–16 weeks. (Exploratory discussions held with Avery Dennison; no endorsement or affiliation implied.)

    Fanlayer Handoff Package

    • Access to the Verify API / SDK slice for UID scans and ownership checks.

    • Operator dashboard visibility into rewards, resale royalties, and lifecycle events.

    • Provisioning documentation to guide QA and supply chain teams.

    Integration Options

    • Drop Fanlayer’s SDK into an app (or use a white-label scanner if preferred).

    • Simple bulk upload options if third-party platforms (e.g., park/operator app, ticketing, or membership system) don’t allow direct integration.

    • Intended to align with existing guest apps with no major engineering required.

    Activation & Oversight

    • Products can activate upon first verified scan.

    • Dashboard provides real-time visibility into UID activity, resale royalties, and engagement.

    • Enforcement features (duplicate UID flags, revocation controls) support brand protection workflows.

    What does “8–16 weeks” mean during the provisional phase

    • Integration modeling pack: UID specs, POS-gating flow, dashboard mockups (non-production).

    • OEM Readiness Brief: Compatibility Checklist and Reference Options.

    • Prototype plan: off-the-shelf tag paths + activation demo support.

    • Legal note: provisional filed; non-provisional in progress with Sterne Kessler.

    • (Illustrative only; timing depends on operator adoption and OEM schedules.)

Prototypes shown are conceptual. We have held exploratory calls with Avery Dennison about UID components, encasement options across form factors, indicative lead times, and potential OEM introductions. No affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Imagine the New Era of Merchandise

A park visit is magical, but too often the memory fades when families leave. Top 25 global parks drew 244.6M visits in 2023, with Disney’s Experiences segment alone delivering $34.15B revenue in FY2024. Fanlayer ensures souvenirs extend that magic into everyday life.

New Fanlayer Categories (Illustrative) Flagship resort (~20M annual visitors):

  • Smart Charms, $39: 5% = $39M, 10% = $78M, 20% = $156M

  • Wearables, $129: 5% = $129M, 10% = $258M, 20% = $516M

  • AI Hubs, $299: 5% = $299M, 10% = $598M, 20% ≈ $1.2B

At Home & Everyday

  • AI hub delivers pre-cleared greetings or replays park music on anniversaries.

  • UID plushies unlock surprise drops tied to seasonal events or film releases.

  • Pins and wands carry verifiable rarity with resale royalties.

  • Charms celebrate birthdays or trip anniversaries with light shows.

  • Wearables replay fireworks shows or themed music on demand.

  • Trip-iversary mode: ears or wands relight each year with a greeting and bundled offer.

In Park

  • Wristbands unlock ride-based rewards, early access, or special greetings.

  • Charms glow during parades or fireworks, marking presence at iconic moments.

  • Plushies scanned at kiosks unlock location-specific perks.

  • Limited collectibles verify attendance at premieres or seasonal events.

Families already spend billions on plushies, ears, and pins to make memories last. Fanlayer ensures those keepsakes remain living proof of loyalty long after leaving the gates.

The Fanlayer Solution

Fanlayer operationalizes UID lifecycles across entire portfolios. Point-of-sale activation confirms purchase, and authenticity persists across all owners; resale events are intended to be tied into a patent-pending system that can support royalty distribution.

Unlike DIY tags that stop at basic verification, Fanlayer is built for portfolio-scale trust and monetization. Just as Dolby defines audio and Qualcomm defines wireless, Fanlayer positions itself as the framework for authenticated merchandise at operational scale.

brian@fanlayer.io | Secure Your Pilot Path (LOIs open now)

All models and scenarios are illustrative; actual outcomes depend on license scope, OEM schedules, and adoption rates.

The Retention Loop

Loyalty isn’t built in a single moment; it’s built through recognition that lasts. With Fanlayer, every scan turns fleeting interactions into compounding revenue. UID-authenticated goods carry recognition across owners, maintaining their value throughout the purchase and verified resale process.

  • Verified Actions → Revenue: Each scan confirms authenticity and can unlock a purchase, upgrade, or resale royalty.

  • Automated Recognition: Alerts drive new transactions; royalties can be administered automatically (subject to license terms).

  • Proof of Belonging: Fans and families carry lasting recognition, not just a souvenir that fades.

Every interaction creates incremental value, both in aggregated, non-identifying data and in new revenue, as well as royalties that extend far beyond the moment.

Always-On Fandom

Visits may be annual, but loyalty is constant. Fanlayer turns the “in-between” into monetization opportunities that keep families connected year-round. By tying milestones to UID-enabled souvenirs, parks shift from one-time sales to a persistent relationship.

  • Park milestones → anniversaries, new rides, seasonal events.

  • Family milestones → birthdays, trip anniversaries, holiday tie-ins.

  • Franchise energy → Frozen, Marvel, and Harry Potter releases replayed at home.

  • Community energy → livestreams, global fan clubs, digital reveals.

For operators, the trip never truly comes to an end. UID ensures souvenirs re-engage families months later, extending value between visits.

Start Small, Scale Fast

Adoption doesn’t require a massive rollout. Fanlayer is designed for progressive adoption: start small, prove uplift quickly, then scale into nine-figure opportunities.

  • Retrofit Existing SKUs: As little as $1.50–$3.00 per unit. Example: a $30 plushie retrofitted at $1.50 can deliver a +10–15% uplift in Year One—roughly $3–$4.50 incremental value per unit (illustrative).

  • Add 1–2 New Categories: Smart charms, wearables, or hubs. Entry launches cost far less than multi-million-dollar pilots yet can prove premium upside.

  • Scale to Portfolios: A new attraction can generate immediate seven-figure returns, while a flagship park (~20M visitors) can unlock nine-figure engines.

Headline Scenarios (Illustrative)

  • New attraction (~2M riders): Smart charms @ 5% ≈ $3.9M gross.

  • Flagship park (~20M visitors): Wearables @ 10% ≈ $258M gross.

  • Multi-park operator (3–5 parks): $300M–$600M annually, scaling toward $1B+

  • UID-enabled SKUs standardize.

This is the Dolby/Qualcomm path for parks: once UID-based souvenirs become the default, portfolios can scale automatically, with royalties and revenue compounding over time.

  • Assumptions used across examples:

    Smart Charm $39, Wearable $129, AI Home Hub $299. Adoption bands: conservative 5%, push 20%. “Audience” refers to annual park visitors or event attendees.

    Near-term pilots (tied to revenue):

    • New coaster, audience 2,000,000 → Charms at 5% = 100,000 × $39 = $3.9M; at 20% = 400,000 × $39 = $15.6M.

    • Flagship park, audience 20,000,000 → Wearables at 5% = 1,000,000 × $129 = $129M; at 20% = 4,000,000 × $129 = $516M.

    • Seasonal event, audience 5,000,000 → Wearables at 10% = 500,000 × $129 = $64.5M.

    • Resort portfolio, audience 20,000,000 → Hubs at 5% = 1,000,000 × $299 = $299M; at 20% = 4,000,000 × $299 = $1.196B (requires bundling).

    3-year portfolio ranges:

    • Single flagship park: $50–$100M conservative, $500M+ mid-case.

    • Multi-park operator: $300–$600M conservative, $1B+ mid-case.

    • Global rollout (top operators): $1–$2B conservative, $5–$7B+ mid-case.

    New attractions create spikes; portfolios sustain value. All figures are illustrative only; no endorsement implied; royalties and enforcement subject to license terms.

The Future of Fan Engagement

The way families and fans expect to interact with their favorite parks is evolving fast, and theme parks are already ahead.

  • Phygital adoption is mainstream: 13.7M NFC-tagged garments sold in 2023, with 42% engagement (MarketReportsWorld 2024).

  • Identity-driven licensing is booming: Licensed goods hit $307.9B in 2024, up 10% YoY (License Global 2025).

  • Always-on participation is expected: “Audiences now want to actively participate in the worlds they love” (License Global 2025).

What this means for parks: Guests already treat plushies, wands, and ears as tangible reminders of their memories. They now expect SKUs to carry authenticity, engagement, and resale value, not just a logo. Fanlayer provides the licensing system that enables this shift to be scalable, monetizable, and enforceable across multi-park portfolios.

Why Fanlayer Works for Theme Park Leaders

For operators, two questions matter most: will it pay back quickly, and can it scale globally? Fanlayer is designed to meet both.

  • New revenue on day one: +10–15% uplift + resale royalties (illustrative only).

  • Portfolio unlock: multi-category expansion creates nine-figure upside for operators (illustrative only).

  • Patent pending: provisional filed April 2025; non-provisional in progress.

  • Plug-and-play adoption: OEM kit + vendor-informed pricing.

  • Cultural fit: guests already prove loyalty with merch; Fanlayer verifies and monetizes it.

  • Operator control: your brand, your guest relationship.

  • POS-gated activation: intended to support royalty workflows (subject to license terms).

  • Exclusivity advantage: first movers secure categories rivals cannot copy.

  • Aftermarket reclaimed: royalties can extend into secondary sales, not just first-time purchases.

For operators, Fanlayer ensures the trip doesn’t end at the gate; it extends into homes and resale markets as continuous revenue. Every wand, every pair of ears, every plush is already proof of belonging. Fanlayer helps them keep earning.
“Every trip, my kids pick one plushie; it’s how we remember the visit.” (illustrative).

Partner With Us

Fanlayer is building the trusted technology layer behind theme parks, unlocking new revenue, protecting operators and licensors, and deepening guest relationships.

brian@fanlayer.io | Secure Your Pilot Path (LOIs open now)

All models and scenarios are illustrative; actual outcomes depend on license scope, OEM schedules, and adoption rates.

Early adopters who signal intent now through non-binding LOIs may secure first-mover exclusivity once licensing begins (illustrative only).

The magic of a park day shouldn’t end at the gates. Fanlayer keeps souvenirs, earning and engaging in long-lasting memories long after the trip.

Next Step: Secure Your Pilot Path

Non-binding LOIs are open now.

  • Reserve first-mover exclusivity while Fanlayer’s non-provisional patent is in progress.

  • Receive a free ROI assessment pack (SKU scan, attach-rate models, integration brief) tailored to your fandom SKUs.

  • Position your label or group as an early standard-setter in authenticated fan merchandise.

All models and scenarios are illustrative; actual outcomes depend on license scope, OEM schedules, and adoption rates.

brian@fanlayer.io | Request Your ROI Pack

Pilot Roadmap (Illustrative Only)

  • Now – Non-provisional patent in progress with Sterne Kessler.

  • Q4 2025 – Licensee onboarding discussions under NDA.

  • 2026 – First exclusive pilot SKUs expected to launch (ears, plushies, charms, apparel).

  • Beyond – Scale into multi-group portfolios and global rollouts.

(Illustrative only; timing depends on agency adoption and OEM schedules.)