In the words of its creator, Theme Park Go is a mobile device app built on a “lifetime of love and affection” for theme parks, rollercoasters, and the community.
The community of course being the impressive number of people that share an interest in rides and theme parks across the world.
Theme Park Go is the result of hard work by Mat Bailey, who says he set out to create something for the community, but also the wider public.
The app contains a directory of all of the UK’s rollercoasters, and more than 80 theme and amusement parks across the country.
It will also enable users to receive the latest industry news, by partnering up with outlets including RideRater.
Developed by a fan
Mat says he has always loved theme parks and rollercoasters, and this inspired the app’s creation.
“When I was a kid, we’d be visiting my local park at the time – American Adventure most weekends in the summer,” he tells us.
He says that Alton Towers was “more of a treat”, but still managed to visit most years.
“My first ‘big’ rollercoasters were Corkscrew and Black Hole at Alton Towers along with Missile at American Adventure,” he explains.
“At the time were considered to be some of the most exciting and thrilling coasters in the world.
“I remember my first ride on Corkscrew – it was near the end of a two-day trip to the park when I finally managed to pluck up the courage to ride it.
“I must have been only eight or nine at the time. I loved it so much that I rode it over and over until it was time to go home.”
Mat became very interested in theme parks into his early 20s, and later joined the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain (RCCGB).
Research and development
By his 30s, “competing life priorities” took over for a decade or so, but then came a reprise of that love and affection for the theme park industry.
“Over the past few years, I realised that the theme park experience and its community was something I’d come to sorely miss,” Mat says.
“Back in the day, I was involved with my good friend Lee Bennett in running the RCCGB forum.
“Now, by day job, I work with data, technology, and automation – so I thought why not bring the two things I love together?
“After about 12-14 months of research, development and testing, the Theme Park Go app was born.”
Mat says he loves “making things and solving problems”, as well as the theme park community at large.
“The app allows me to have fun building something in an industry I love, whilst hopefully adding to the community by providing an app experience that is both fun to use and functional,” he says.
Initial aims and future development
We asked Mat what his aims were for the development of the app.
“There’s probably two answers to this; short term and long term,” he explains.
“Initially, I just wanted to create an app for the theme park community that people want to use and find useful.
“That said, the app is designed with both theme park enthusiasts and the wider general audience in mind.
“I’ve included as many attraction stats and resources that I could lay my hands on for not only coasters, but flat rides and dark rides too (which is pretty unique).
“I’ve also included helpful information for parents including height restrictions and paying ticket thresholds with handy filters and search options.”
Now a parent of three, Mat says that being able to establish whether he needs to buy a ticket for his children for a particular park is a valuable resource to have in his pocket.
Global ambitions
And the long-term ambitions for Theme Park Go?
“The long term goal is to expand its content with a vision to include all parks, coasters, flat rides and dark rides globally, with a global news feed,” Mat says.
“This will take some time as I currently do all of the work myself in between managing a full time job and three kids under five years old.
“I’ve already started on the content for some of the major European parks, so I’ll release territories as they’re completed.
“I’ll try to prioritise the popular parks first,” he adds.
Mat is keen to point out that Theme Park Go is free, has no in-app purchases and no “annoying ads” to distract users.
“There’s loads of upcoming features that I’m really excited about,” he adds.
“I’m keen to ensure the app is updated regularly with new stuff and I love user feedback, and I read all ideas and suggestions that get sent to me.”
Theme Park Go is available on iOS and Android now.