Get to know me!

Hey there! Welcome to What does Bart say! I’m Bart, the guy behind this blog. I started writing this blog as a way to share my thoughts and adventures with others, mainly because I’m way more comfortable with words on paper than I am on camera. I’m a theme park enthusiast from the Netherlands, and my home park is the amazing Efteling.

As a child, I was utterly captivated by theme parks, and the Efteling in particular. If I had my way, I’d spend every day there, exploring every nook and cranny, and peeking behind the scenes to see the magic happen. From dark rides to roller coasters, I was fascinated by it all. Sound familiar, fellow theme park enthusiasts? For me, it all started around the age of 12, when my curiosity took over. What began as a childhood dream to be a train conductor eventually evolved into a lifelong passion for theme parks, which I now enjoy sharing with others through my blog

“Now that I’m a bit older (30, woohoo!), my perspective has shifted. I still love theme parks just as much, but my dream job has evolved. I’ve discovered a passion for retail, and I’m loving my current role. With social media and YouTube, I can get a sneak peek into the world of theme parks without having to work there. And honestly, I’m pretty happy staying in the audience, enjoying the rides and shows alongside fellow enthousiasts then working behind the scenes.

My first roller coaster memory is still vivid – the Pegasus at the Efteling. Although it closed in 2009 and was replaced by Joris en de Draak, I think the new coaster is a great addition, even if it doesn’t quite replace the nostalgia of the Pegasus. As I grew older, my fascination with theme parks only deepened. I’m sure my mom sometimes felt overwhelmed by my constant discoveries and excitement about new parks and attractions. But everything changed when I stumbled upon an online forum for theme park enthusiasts. It was like a whole new world opened up – I realized there were more parks to explore beyond the Efteling, and that theme parks existed all over Europe and the world! Discovering this community at the age of 12 was a game-changer – getting to share my passion with others who understood my enthusiasm was exhilarating. And it was a good thing I didn’t had to tell my mom about my new findings, I bet she went crazy sometimes.

The best part of this hobby is connecting with fellow enthusiasts and exploring hidden gems that aren’t always on the beaten path. Got a question or two? Fire away! Who knows, maybe I’ll see you in one of the parks soon!

Bart