My name is Alex Neville. I’m a software engineer by profession, with a lifelong interest in the theme park industry. I have recently graduated with my B.S. in Computer Science: Animation Emphasis, from Brigham Young University. I am currently working on an M.S. degree, also in Computer Science, with the goal of becoming a software controls engineer for the theme park industry. In addition to computer science, I have strong interests in creative writing and art. I’ve been the president of the BYU Theme Park Engineering and Design Club since fall 2018.
I grew up in Ventura, Southern California, only a few hours away from some of the major players in the theme park industry. I have many happy memories of visiting theme parks as a child. My favorite roller coaster as a kid was Jaguar at Knott’s Berry Farm. Despite my love of sleeping, I always begged to stay at amusement parks from opening until closing. I never wanted to leave!
Ever since childhood, I’ve enjoyed analyzing the most efficient ways to tour parks, while minimizing waiting in line. Furthermore, I was an imaginative kid, and I loved how theme parks would immerse me in faraway, fantastical worlds. At the age of 7, I knew I wanted to work in the theme park industry. That goal has never changed.
As I got older, I struggled with OCD, generalized anxiety, and depression for many years. Theme parks were a huge part of my therapy during this time, even if all I could do was watch a few coaster POVs on YouTube. Today, I consider theme parks and roller coasters an essential part of my life. They bring me an incredible amount of happiness, whether I’m visiting alone or with family and friends.
After finishing high school, I moved to Utah for college, also taking a 2-year gap to be a missionary for my church in Colorado. Now, I have recently finished a gap year and am working on my M.S. degree. My eventual goal is to move back to California, or possibly Florida, and work in the theme park industry. After that, I wish to design and operate my own large-scale theme park resort, at a scale close to that of Walt Disney World. Work-life balance is very important to me. I am determined to excel in the theme park industry, while avoiding a crazy schedule.
This blog will focus on theme parks, from the perspective of both a tourist and an aspiring designer and engineer. In addition to this, I will cover water parks, carnivals, aquariums, zoos, fun centers, themed restaurants, arcades, theaters, hotels, science centers, and recreation centers. Theme park related apps and video games are also fair game. So are theme park related design competitions, such as the Disney Imaginations competition and Cornell Theme Park Design competition. I’m unfortunately a huge lover of cheap junk food, so don’t expect fine dining analyses, but I will definitely be talking about theme park food here too. Also, expect tips for solo trips, group trips, and visiting theme parks with OCD.
Furthermore, due to the lack of theme parks in the Utah area where I am currently residing, this blog will also talk about normal parks: the kinds with walking trails, tennis courts, and playgrounds. Other vacation destinations, such as beaches, national parks, and state parks will also be covered, but the primary emphasis will always be on theme parks.
When I am not doing coding, art, or writing, I can always find another way to keep busy. I love getting outside and being in nature: running, walking, weight lifting, swimming, going to the beach, and hiking. I play clarinet and piano, and sing in church choir. I love computers, math, astronomy, psychology, lucid dreaming, the Internet, reading, video games, and watching cartoons. I love listening to music — some of my favorite bands include Owl City, Sky Sailing, Evanescence, Nightwish, Woods of Ypres, Nine Inch Nails, Blue October, Korn, The Birthday Massacre, Swallow the Sun, Insane Clown Posse, N.W.A., and Gravediggaz. In an effort to balance all these different things, I am also somewhat of a productivity enthusiast. My current productivity technique, which I am refining, combines the methods of Cal Newport, Scott Young, and Steve Pavlina.
I love cats, and really any animal that isn’t a spider or insect (those demons can crawl back into the wretched inferno from whence they came). I love spring and summer, and hate fall and winter (well, I do like early fall). I’m also a romantic — you know, the sappy, disgusting, poetry-writing, star-gazing, believe-in-my-one-true-soulmate type romantic. I still play with Legos and Hot Wheels. And I’ve been interested in dinosaurs, dragons, and Pokémon for as long as I’ve been into theme parks.
As of August 2021, I have ridden at least 88 roller coasters and quite a few water slides.
Also, feel free to check out my other, more general blog, Undead Cheese.