Attractions Expert Q&A: Daan Duijm

By Kendall Wolf

Daan Duijm began his career in themed entertainment as Fitness Director for Disney Cruise Line. Later he was hired as an intern for Sim Leisure Consultants, Malaysia, and after only five months, was promoted to Operations Manager, overseeing a staff of 80. After moving to Dubai, Duijm was Assistant Manager of Operations for Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts. He continued opening and managing water parks in Malaysia and Trans Studio Bandung, the largest indoor park in Indonesia.

Duijm has overseen operations for Sun World for the past three years, including its four theme parks, two water parks, and twelve cable cars.

What theme park souvenir might we be surprised to find on your shelf? What’s the story behind it?

When the Hard Rock Park Myrtle Beach closed in 2009, we acquired some rides and coasters from them. We also got some merchandise, so we have some Hard Rock Myrtle Beach mugs from a park that was open for less than a year, 12,000 kilometers away.

What theme park have you always wanted to visit but have never been to? 

I hate to say it, but Europa Park, which I should have visited! But as soon as I was out of school, I left for Dubai, where I worked in operations for Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts.

Was there a theme park or attraction that made you want to be in this industry? How did it inspire you?

I have to say Disneyland. I never thought I would be in this industry, but I got a job on the Disney Cruise Line, where they send you to the Disney training school–and then off to the ship the next day. The training included going to Disneyland for two days. I was so impressed with the immersive environment, the hospitality–everything! In the end, Mickey gave us a diploma, which was very cool!

What was your favorite ride/attraction as a child, and why?

One of the attractions at Efteling (The Netherlands)–Villa Volta. It’s a Madhouse attraction from Vekoma. You’re in a haunted house, seated on a bench in a room with walls that turn around slowly like you’re in a washing machine. It gives the illusion that everyone is turned upside down.

Was there a ride, attraction, or character that frightened you as a child?

Not really an attraction, but there was a terrifying character, Eddie the Clown, at Walibi, a theme park in the Netherlands. He frightened all the kids.

What is your oddest or coolest job in a theme park?

That would be working on a Disney Cruise Ship. I worked as a Private Trainer on the Disney Wish, which was an amazing experience. Once, when we were about to leave St. Thomas, and we were getting a tour of the ship, I was asked to push the button that sounded the ship’s horn. It surprised everyone by playing “When You Wish Upon a Star,” which was so fun. And I got a certificate.

What ride/attraction do you think everyone needs to experience and why?

I would have to say Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney, Shanghai, with all its effects and technology. The queue line takes you into a whole new world. It’s just so well done, as they made sure your boat doesn’t go into the next scene before having seen all that was going on in the previous one. The sets, special effects, and screens make it amazing, plus, I guess, a lot of behind-the-scenes Disney magic!

Second to Pirates, I would add taking a Disney Cruise as an experience everyone would enjoy. They have taken elements of their theme parks and put onto their cruises. One example is the ship’s cabins. The cabins without windows are not as popular as the cabins that let you see out to the ocean. So they have put in small video screens that look like windows and show the sea conditions outside. Plus, they have added augmented reality, showing Disney characters, like the Little Mermaid in the video, making it a magical porthole!

If you were tasked with creating a new theme park food, what would it be?

During Lunar New Year, Mooncakes are very popular in Vietnam. They are eaten at home and given as gifts. They are filled with red beans or a paste and are quite delicious. I think it would be fun to add theme park flavors—and fill them with the taste of cotton candy, caramel, chocolate, and churros.

You’re a walk-around character for a day; who do you choose?

I really loved all the characters I interacted with on the Disney Cruise ship. I think I would like to be Donald, although I may be too tall. He could pull off tricks and funny pranks with the guests!

What types of attractions would you like to see more of and why?

I would like to see more of the magic of themed entertainment that can be experienced with family and friends, as opposed to VR. Also, taking advantage of opportunities to celebrate the culture and heritage of the local environment, which is what we try to do in Vietnam.

Do you have any interesting theme park pandemic stories?

We were very fortunate here in Vietnam as the country closed its borders and schools when only two cases had been discovered. They put basic procedures in place, like everyone wearing masks, but businesses could stay open since no tourists were bringing in cases. We changed the park’s ticket pricing to pay-as-you-go, and since residents were not allowed to leave the country, we stayed busy with about 12,000 visitors a day.

Can you talk about what you are working on these days?

We are doing quite a few projects—theme parks, water parks, and a garden park in Hanoi that should open later this year. We’re also adding new attractions to our themed French Village in Ba Na Hills.

You are going to your favorite theme park–which industry people (dead or alive) are you taking with you?

It would be hard to narrow it down to specific people, and I’m sure I would forget some important ones! So I’ll say all of my colleagues I’ve worked with in various parks–Wild Wadi (water park in Dubai), Trans Studio (Indonesia), Legoland (Malaysia), and Sun World (Vietnam). I’ve enjoyed all of them!

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Writer Kendall Wolf is a long-time consultant in the themed entertainment industry. She has worked with designers, producers, and fabricators to help developers create unique and successful projects around the world. In 2017, she introduced Merlin Entertainments to a development group in Sichuan province for the first Legoland park in China. Kendall continues to consult for the developer to open more themed resorts in China.