This past summer, UTA Libraries student worker Alex Patrón helped answer a question children have been asking for decades: “How do you get to Sesame Street?” The answer? It’s in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, just north of Philadelphia. 
 

Patrón spent his summer interning at Sesame Place Philadelphia, a theme park and water park inspired by the beloved children’s television show. During his internship, he applied skills he honed while working at UTA Libraries’ FabLab, learning firsthand how creativity, design and technical know-how combine to make a theme park magical. 

"I’ve loved theme parks since I was a kid," Patrón shared. "As a child, I loved the thrills of the rides, but as I got older, I developed an appreciation for storytelling. I want to contribute to that experience for thousands or even millions of people. That’s the career path I’m pursuing." 

 
A Lifelong Love for Theme Parks 

 
Alex’s passion for theme parks grew from decorating his family’s home for Halloween and enjoying cartoons like Scooby-Doo with his parents, David and Debi Patrón. 

"Watching 'Scooby-Doo' taught me that there are no real monsters, just people in costumes, which sparked my fascination with props and decorations," Patrón said. "For years, my dad and I decorated our house, adding one animatronic from Spirit Halloween each year. We also made annual trips to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights to explore haunted houses. Seeing behind the scenes there inspired me to pursue my field of study at UTA." 

From the FabLab to the Front Lines of Fun 

At UTA Libraries’ FabLab, Patrón has helped fellow students bring projects to life, sharpening his skills as a designer, fabricator, and problem solver. He also teaches people how to use the FabLab’s machines and acts as a conduit for ideas. Students and faculty often share their visions with him, and through conversation and feedback, Patrón helps refine those ideas into stronger final projects. That combination of technical skill and creative collaboration prepared him well for the fast-paced, behind-the-scenes world of theme parks. 

"I hadn’t even heard of Sesame Place before the internship," he said. "It’s a smaller park, about 17 acres, with roller coasters, a lazy river, and a wave pool. My role as a tech services intern involved running shows, prepping props, managing lighting and sound cues, and even refilling a giant bubble cart or loading a confetti cannon." 

As in the FabLab, where he transforms ideas into reality, Patrón ensured that every detail works together to create a memorable guest experience at Sesame Place. 

In addition to show duties, Patrón became a certified parade float driver, a credential that allows him to operate floats at theme parks nationwide. 

Pitching a New Ride 

 
One of the internship highlights was a team project: interns were asked to pitch a new ride idea. Patrón’s group proposed a log flume ride featuring Baby Bear from Sesame Street on a playful quest to find his friends Snuffy and Telly. They developed a whole concept, including story, marketing, merchandise, a 3D model and a video. 

"I don’t believe in doing anything less than 100%," Patrón said. "Using the game 'Planet Coaster,' I created a one-to-one virtual model of the ride, taking real measurements from Google Earth to ensure it fit within the proposed area. We analyzed ride stats like G-forces, drops, and excitement levels to make it as realistic as possible." 

The pitch was well received and is being considered for presentation to the park president. 

A New Perspective on Theme Parks 

After a summer of hands-on experience, Patrón reflects on just how much goes into running a theme park behind the scenes. "This internship gave me a whole new appreciation for how theme parks operate," he said. "I learned so much about the behind-the-scenes work, and it helped me think critically about which department I want to work in when I graduate." 

From the FabLab to Sesame Street, Patrón’s summer demonstrates how the Libraries’ resources, creativity, and determination can launch students into extraordinary opportunities, even helping answer that age-old question: how to get to Sesame Street.