YouTube star Digital Dan is facing one of the biggest challenges of his life with his long-awaited RITA 100 Challenge (which I'm certain you all know all about by now) taking place on 21st September — it's nearly here.
We caught up with Dan for a chat last week, in the glamorous location of the Splash Landings car park. He's genuinely such a nice guy and clearly LOVES rollercoasters, but we were surprised he was spending time at Towers that day, bearing in mind he has a long, hard week of riding RITA looming!
One of the things that makes Dan so likeable is that he never takes himself too seriously, so with that in mind, we didn't either and wanted to have a bit of fun with our questions…
You're one of the best-known theme park creators out there. Who are your favourite content creators – theme park or otherwise?
Dan: Honestly, I haven't got any favourites as there are so many amazing creators! If I had to recommend three, I would say Sam Costello, Dean Stokes and That's So Mid! They've been making some very different and awesome content recently, and I'm loving their videos at the minute!
What's your dream job if theme park content wasn't an option?
Dan: I love theme parks... obviously. But I love designing rollercoasters and rides even more, so I'd say designing the layout and theming for coasters or dark rides would be my dream job! I do it in Planet Coaster, but I wish I could do it for real…
Weird one... what's your go-to snack from a garage after a day at the park?!
Dan: Depending on the drive that's ahead, 100% a Juneberry Red Bull to keep me awake! And for food, probably Jaffa Cakes!
If money and space were no object, what pet would you get?
Dan: I've already got the best pet I could ask for, Nina, my black cat! But the ideal pet is a dog that acts like Gromit from Wallace and Gromit. The smartest dog I've ever known.
You have to choose: never do a flat ride again or never do a water ride again?
Dan: That's a really tricky one! I love water rides and flat rides equally, so it's tough for me to decide. But because of the extra addition of theming and the longer, more unique layouts, I'd say I'd never ride flat rides again and keep riding water rides!
Alton Towers lets you design their next big ride. What are you calling it?
Dan: A.I.R Command, replacing Galactica. It would fit perfectly into Forbidden Valley and pay nice homage to Galactica/AIR!
To win a £1 million bet, you have to wear nothing but one ride's merchandise for a whole year. What ride merch are you going for?
Dan: I think for the joke of it I'd have to go with RITA at Alton Towers! Although Icon at Blackpool Pleasure Beach does have some cool merch, so I may have to go with that one!
To be honest, we think you deserve free Rita merch for life! Moving away from theme parks briefly, what's your all-time favourite TV series?
Dan: All-time, definitely the original Top Gear, but some recent favourites upon first watch include The Office (US) and Modern Family!
And finally... how long will it be before you go on RITA again after the challenge?!!!
Dan: Probably won't ever go on it again... unless it hopefully closes. Then I might have one final ride on it!
And there you have it – Theme Park Daily's first world exclusive!
A big thank you to Dan for taking the time to do this interview and for taking an interest in TPD. It genuinely means a lot to us.
We'll certainly be watching come 21st September, with a can of Juneberry Red Bull and a double pack of Jaffa Cakes at the ready!
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