Chittilapilly’s time studying Industrial Engineering in Melbourne and his experiences in Australia played a crucial role in shaping this vision. “My education at Swinburne gave me the framework for the planning and engineering behind these large spaces,” he explains. “I learned to see parks not just as fun places, but as intricate systems that need to be efficient, safe, and comfortable for guests. That thinking has directly influenced how we’ve built Wonderla—everything from how people move through the park to where the rides are placed and the facilities we offer. That focus on a smooth guest experience and precise operations really comes from that background.”
Being an engineer at heart, Chittilapilly enjoys getting involved in the design process. “It’s one of the most satisfying parts of what I do—being personally involved in designing Wonderla parks.” That industrial engineering perspective is key to how Wonderla parks are laid out. “We really think about how people will move around, where they’ll want to sit, where the restaurants should be, all to make it as easy and comfortable as possible. If you look at our bigger parks in Kochi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, you’ll see how the rides are positioned to manage crowds while still making it easy for families to get around. We also use data and guest feedback to keep refining this every season.”
His passion for amusement parks is also rooted in personal experience, having visited over 150 of them worldwide. “Yes, I’m definitely an enthusiast and have been lucky enough to see most of the big ones. It’s also important to stay inspired and see what’s happening globally in this sector.” He fondly recalls his first visit to Ocean Park in Hong Kong as a 12-year-old. “It was just unforgettable, especially because it was so different from anything in India at the time. That feeling of joy and wonder really stayed with me.” Later visits to places like Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Tokyo DisneySea became learning opportunities. “I was always observing how they created these immersive experiences.”
The challenge then was how to bring those global ideas to the Indian market. “At Wonderla, we aim to bring the best of international amusement to India in a way that feels right for Indian families,” Chittilapilly says. “We take inspiration from rides around the world but adapt them for our climate, our culture, and our price points.”
Recoil in Bengaluru is a perfect example. “Rides like Recoil, India’s only reverse-looping roller coaster at Wonderla Bengaluru, show how we’ve taken an international concept and tailored it for Indian thrill-seekers.” He also highlights their strong in-house engineering team. “We also have an amazing team that has designed over 60 rides ourselves, on par with international standards. They even handle the complex installations of foreign rides in-house after the initial design consultations. This helps us keep that essential ‘Indian-ness’ and also manage our price points effectively.”
