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Just thought I'd put it out there that I'll no longer be doing articles for Planet Six. Seems there has been a bit of a miscommunication somewhere and they were expecting exclusive use of my photos, thus there has been some discontent over them being recently used in articles featured on other sites such as Parkz and Ausparks. As I'm not prepared to offer that and would prefer to retain 100% exclusiveness and control over my own content, we have mutually agreed to part ways. A bit if a shame, but I guess these things happen. I'd like to be able to keep sharing my pics for sites like this to utilise.

Hey parks crew, long time forum browser, first time posting. Couldn't pass up the opportunity to share a little about getting to try out the VR on Arkham Assylum this afternoon. Saw @themagician had posted about VR testing this morning so decided to head to the park. Queued for Arkham at about 3:30 and noticed a few MW team riding with VR, decided to ask if we could try it out and we're initially told it would be completely random and couldn't be guaranteed but after queuing for a second time and asking a different team member if we could wait, he happily put us to the side and grabbed us some VR headsets for the next train. This was my very first time using VR and i was completely blown away by how immersive the experience is, it takes a little minute to adjust and can be slightly off putting for a moment but is quite easy to adjust to. The headsets are really comfortable with an adjustable knob at the back and just a simple drawstring under the chin like on a straw hat, didn't have any issues feeling like the headset was going to fall off. As for the ride itself, I won't spoil details unprovoked, but i was completely blown away. The VR experience totally transformed the entire ride, it was light years more intense than the regular ride, I have never EVER screamed on that ride like i did today. There was only one portion of the ride that to me was easily recognisable, i didn't even notice the intense leg crushing restraints at the end of the ride. Overall I would definitely rate this adaptation to the Arkham. We couldn't thank the staff enough for letting us test and they had us fill out some feedback forms afterwards. We were also told that it was looking like it will be $5 per ride, I was happy to hear that. I'd been sceptical on the pay per ride scheme but after riding today i will without a doubt be riding again and will be more than happy to be paying $5.

Well looks like i'll stop being so tight-lipped and give into peer pressure Maybe my opinion might be a little biased considering this way my first VR coaster ever, but it was an absolute blast. I felt like I was in sensory overload for the next hour or so.

Did they just screw up the ambiguous theming in that section of the park even more...?

Thanks for letting us know it was a suggestion.

I don't see why people are trying to make other people change their opinion on which park is better. It's an opinion, everyone is entitled to their own, doesn't make it right or wrong.

VR is testing and it is a case of luck of the draw if you get to experience it (people are chosen at random). I will say it does fit the theme of the ride really well and better than what Six Flags have on The New Revolution. Didn't notice any real difference in load times for the ride and the headset setup here is more comfortable than what I experienced on New Rev. It is definitely something I am looking forward to doing again.

Perhaps just use the spoiler tag to describe the experience? Im not sure what is happening but these forums were once a place to come and share enthusiast scoops or talk about new park developments and experiences. But seems of late they have become more like "hey there is stuff at the park, not going to tell you about it or show you, so go check it out for yourself". I'm not a fan.

Yeah, it is ?

I'm very much over it and happy to move on ?

AAAHHHHH every time I come to this topic, people are still talking shit, we have a topic for that. Please guys can you just continue to shower me with your beautiful photos.

To me it sounds like the best implementation of VR I've yet seen/heard of.

If anybody has any questions about digging holes please forward them onto @Theme Park Girl kids.

Yeah, but with a VR motorbike race you could have crashes etc happening around you, a cameo with Mick Doohan riding up beside you, a more spectacular setting with buildings, tunnels etc.... And of course, the proportions of the curves etc could be increased in the footage to make it feel like actual high speed. Have some imagination mate.

I think it's great. It reminds me of the great alien invasion at the Phillip island Moto GP in 2003. Happy to see such fond memories captured in VR and fits the theme really well.

Ah, of course. In the financial results thread!

That was from DW website, and my understanding is that the VR won't have anything to do with the theme of MDMC. If my understanding is correct, in my opinion thats a stupid idea. Why wouldn't you have the VR system make it look like your riding a motorbike track. And it looks like your on a bike, and racing against others.

Can we all just agree to disagree here? Were just going around in circles and it's unlikely anyone is going to change their opinions.

Ive said this elsewhere and i'll say it again here. If the park doesn't want people taking photos of shit. they cover it up - completely. Weeks ago they had bedsheets and such over the statues - now, nothing but a temporary fence \ hoarding, which is easily shot over \ around. Having been a photographer in a theme park selling licensed photos where people were not allowed to take their own, you make it almost impossible to police. TBH - By having staff 'on and off' trying to stop you taking pictures of various areas, all that does is create animosity - you see someone else take a photo and get away with it, and you want to as well, but then someone tells you you can't, when you clearly saw someone else do it seconds earlier? I think this 'respecting the park's wishes' thing is bullshit. GO back and read my thoughts on the confidentiality thread again if you need to hear it all again, but in short: ANYTHING VISIBLE TO MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, EVEN IF OVER \ BEHIND A FENCE IS FAIR GAME. If the park came along and asked you not to take pictures of their new rollercoaster until opening day, would you? (Don't say its different because it isn't - its still 'respecting their wishes' - Unfortunately the park doesn't really get to determine whether someone takes a photo of something in a publicly accessible area. In todays modern media world - the picture can be on the internet before the staff member can get close enough to you to tell you to delete it - so if they want privacy - they need to cover their shit. End of story. TPG - You say to Skeet that it's ok that you took photos of the shop, even though you earlier had a video of someone telling you not to do it - yet you're up in arms about someone else posting photos of the back of house area, and point to a video proving that staff are asking people not to take photos of the statues. Did you stop to think perhaps that the same 'loophole' you've used to justify your pictures of the shop is perhaps the same one used by those who took pictures over the fence? #takealookatyourself #getagrip You've shot loads of images over these sorts of fences. But you aren't showing images of the statues over the fences because someone told you (at a PRIVATE TVC SHOOT) that they wanted them kept under wraps, and you think that should now apply to members of the general public who have been freely admitted into an area where you can clearly see whats behind the fence? #FFS

Usually you like to give your marketing people a heads up on things so they can start formulating a marketing strategy. You don't do that overnight. I'll weigh into the debate with my 80 cents. There has been a lot of discussion here about MW vs. DW. TBH - I don't think that is a fair comparison. It has been mentioned that DW offers families more - by having animals, and kids areas and such, and this has been pointed out where MW is lacking - but I don't think many of you realise the model VRTP have going. You cannot compare DW to MW. What you need to do is compare pass to pass. The VIP \ VRTP Membership vs. the World Pass. Both passes get you into all of the relevant company theme park property both offer a waterpark gate both offer high thrills both cater to families both offer various children's branded entertainment and themed areas both have animal experiences Once you broaden the comparison, those few areas where DW is regarded as 'better' suddenly lose a little shine. #MyOpinion

Haha sorry about that. The main part for you to read is the dot points at the top (the rest is for certain forum members) - I was just giving my reasons as to why I think DW might not be focusing on building high thrill rollercoasters for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Giant Drop was still a world record breaking ride only until 2012. It is still only 11 metres off the world record so I would still consider it a very modern theme park ride internationally. DW did revitalise Tower Of Terror in 2010 so you can go backwards - maybe Tower Of Terror II will be deemed old in 2023? Personally, I don't think Giant Drop & Tower Of Terror II are overshadowed by MW's rides. Also, like I said, I think MW's new rollercoaster is less to do with general industry competition but more for the Gold Coast to meet worldwide theme park standards by the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Mick Doohan's Motocoaster (opened 2007) would be a 'family version' of Superman Escape (opened 2005) - MW definitely overshadowed in that regard but remember DW is targeted to families which Motocoaster is designed for. Buzzsaw (opened 2011) can be considered similar to Green Lantern (opened 2011) due to their steepness and long periods in inversions so I don't think MW overshadowed in this case - they are probably of equal standing despite their obvious differences in design and operation. And remember, DW's major plans haven't been revealed yet for 2017/2018 (though a rollercoaster is now looking unlikely). We'll have to wait & see what DW has in store for us. Also, here are some things to consider about the past 12 years: DW has built 5 high thrill rides while MW has built 3. That's about 1 every 2.4 years (DW) and 1 every 4 years (MW). DW has not gone longer than 4 years (2007 to 2011) without opening a new high thrill ride while MW has not gone longer than 5 years (2006-2011 & 2011 to the present). While DW builds high thrill rides frequently, they are targeted to families while MW's are very infrequent in construction but are designed for the biggest of thrillseekers. This gives the illusion that DW is falling behind MW in the thrill level stakes despite the fact that in the end they are both doing good business practice - catering for their target markets. This might be coincidental but since 2011 when Gold Coast won the Games hosting rights, DW has opened 2 new high thrill rides while MW has opened none. This might be due to strategy for the Games - MW focusing on the 2017 rollercoaster while DW focusing on building multiple flat thrill rides. In the end, we'll have to wait & see. Note: I defined 'high thrill ride' above as for DW, their 'Big 9 Thrill Rides' and for MW, just Superman Escape, Batwing Spaceshot & Green Lantern. Remember, when they opened, they were world record breaking rides. Any ride that breaks a world record would require significant financial investment. Hypercoasters are defined by it's drop height - in this case, between 61 & 91 metres. MW's highest rollercoaster drop is Superman Escape's at 40 metres so it is 21 metres off being classified a 'hypercoaster'. If you compare Superman Escape's footprint with the size of the construction site for MW's new rollercoaster, it is possible to fit a hypercoaster in there - at least the drop is minimum 61 metres high.

This video from earlier in this topic shows you can create the sparks effects convincingly using 3D projection technology: Well I'm now not sure if the sparks in the above video were done using 3D projections but I'm sure it is technically possible. I'm pretty sure the Parkz forums are also the original roller-coaster.com.au forums so if you read it on the old website, then it must be here in the Parkz forums somewhere.

Can I just say, that theming on the side of water mountain imo is better than dw mining theming

I thought i remember reading it ended up being tracked back to a welding unit that was used to create the sparks? There was worksafe report on it or something. Not just a news reporting quoting and unnamed source.

yeah, if you got a spare couple a hundred thousand?

Happiness, you know Dreamworld Happiness

With Adventure World opening in a few days their official Facebook page posted this sneak peek of their new Gold Rush themed area. I think it looks awesome.

What made Nickelodeon well themed?

I think you're being a bit generous in saying that I need a reason to look like a dick, @YLFATEEKS

Now @webslave looks like a dick because we have 2 topics called the same thing.

Certainly, I like your contribution and don't propose to denigrate your work at all. I understand precisely where you're coming from, and agree that it's your personal call to take photos or not based on whatever criteria you choose - be it arbitrary in the eyes of some, many, all or none. Just as others are free to make the same determination for themselves.

My new job will have me in Singapore several times a year. I'm waiting for the new Movie World coaster before going back to Australia – when that opens I'll probably be down for a three day weekend As regards the gardens, this time I did USS, Legoland Malaysia, Gardens by the Bay, the Battlebox, Tussauds, and the Formula One. I've previously done a lot of the other touristy things like Haw Par Villa etc.

My family is currently in the process of planning another trip to the Gold Coast. For demographic purposes you would have us as; Male, 25-35, thrill preference; high, water-park interest; med-high, animal interest; low. Female, 25-35, thrill preference; med-high, water-park interest; med, animal interest; med. Male, 0-3, thrill preference; low, water-park interest; med, animal interest; high. We will probably spend five nights up there. It's enough time to do Sea World/Movie World/Wet n Wild if we want to do that. Pricing It looks like it will set me back $80/park for the VRTP group, or $100 for all three plus something called Paradise Country(?). DW on the other hand looks like it will set me back $95, or $99 to push it to a 3 day ticket with access to SkyPoint included if we wanted to do that. Verdict: VRTP group Time Since we will only have five nights timing becomes a factor to think about. I know that we can get around Dreamworld in a day, most probably including Whitewater World. That's not so bad - it'll save us some time. The VRTP parks are pretty-well single-serving (eg; I don't consider Movie World to be a full day park, but doing WnW and Movie World - particularly without a car - in the same day sounds like a recipe for pain), so that's going to eat a bunch more of our time. Verdict: Dreamworld Rides Starting at the thin end of the wedge I'm interested in working out what my little guy is allowed to go on. He probably comes in on the 90cm mark. At Sea World he can do; the Carousel, Boots' Banana Boogie, Bikini Bottom Crosstown Express, Patrick's Jellyfish Frenzy, (maybe) SpongeBob's Boating School Blast, (maybe) Donatello's Ninja Flyers, Battle Boats, Sky Fortress (best case 8 rides). At Movie World he can do; (maybe) Justice League, (maybe) Junior Driving School, {nb: I'm sure there's more here but they aren't listed on the site (best case 2 rides). At WnW he can do; WnW Junior, Calypso Bay, Wave Pool, Whirlpool Springs (4 areas) which gives us a total of 14 items across 3 parks. At Dreamworld he can do; Dreamworld Express, Mad Jungle Jam, Log Ride, Vintage Cars, (maybe) Big Red Boat Ride, Big Red Car Ride, (maybe) Tea Cup Ride, Dronkey Flyers, Carousel, ABC Kids World Fun Spot, Maze, Pirate Ship, Art Room (best case 13 rides/areas), and at WWW he can do; Wave Pool, Wiggle Bay (2 areas) for a total of 15 rides/areas. The stuff that my wife and I haven't done before and is of interest is; Shockwave (?), Wedgie, Little Rippers, Triple Vortex, HWSW (previously did Cyclone), Buzzsaw, Pandamonium, Tail Spin, Storm Coaster, Jet Rescue, Constrictor, Doomday Destroyer, Justice League. Verdict: Dreamworld has slightly more to do for the little guy, and even better it's in the one park. For us there's probably more we haven't seen at Dreamworld. Shows/Animals Starting at MW there's the yawn-worthy HSD2, which is unlikely to keep the little guy interested (much less mum and dad...). There's the main street parade that he might like and we would tolerate. Looney Tunes 4D exists, although I doubt he's doing to be too keen on the glasses. Doesn't to much for mum and dad, either. At Sea World things are very different - he might like COTD, would like Polar Bear Shores, would like Seal Harbour, would like Affinity, would like the penguins, and would like the sharks/rays. He'd probably also be keen on the jet ski show, and the fish detectives show too. At Dreamworld he will like Tiger Island, like the ABC Kids World stuff, like Corroboree, and like Wiggles World. With Sea World having to do all of the heavy lifting in this regard the question is does Sea World stand alone well enough to get it over the line? For us we'd stick with Dreamworld on the basis that it's in one park, the more akin to what the little guy is interested in. Verdict: Sea World/VRTP. Which park(s) are we going to go to? I have a funny feeling it's going to be Dreamworld. No doubt the wife and I will argue it out a little more. Have I forgotten something? Talked about something that doesn't exist? Got something wrong? Do tell!

check the Ardent thread, that's where everyone is talking about it

I checked out Tiger Island, and Im really really impressed with the area. I even noticed that the ceiling of the food outlet wasn't completed either. Despite this and a number of things not being completed, it will be even better once completed. I love tigers, so to see this great facility for them and guests was great.

Could revamped the whole ride to something themed to Ned Kelly being chased by cops through old Ballarat or something. Would of fit the bushy feel to the whole area better. IMO

Exactly. If I choose to respect what the park wishes, whether or not it's considered a "free for all" to others, then it's my personal choice. I'm choosing to respect what has been asked of the GM, whether or not it was at a private event or not. MY choice. I initially didn't tell others off for posting pics, I simply stated that I'd prefer to withhold mine for what I consider good reason. It only turned into a can of worms when others questioned and debated it. I'm not changing my stance on it, if others want to blatantly post up photos of everything and (as I see it) potentially risk ruining their reputation with management at the theme parks, even if it's considered "fair game" to them, then that's their choice entirely. But I'm not. I'd rather wait a whole week (heaven forbid) for the area to be finished off and, as it happens, leave a few final surprises for the peeps following my blog. I agree with @reanimated35, it would be wise to agree to disagree on this one because I am not changing my opinion. PS. If you read my last post @AlexB, you'll find that I did in fact seek permission and get approval prior to taking photos inside the shop. I simply choose to seek a second opinion on the matter first.

Could the fact they have boarded up the view to Blue Lagoon mean they are trying hide building going on or just leaving another closed area out of peoples memory?

You could technically add in doomsday destroyer and arkman asylum to that list! I still prefer quality over quantity You could technically add in doomsday destroyer and arkman asylum to that list! I still prefer quality over quantity HAHA soz mate but i still go to school , so im technically still a kid. Like i said this is my opinion

I guess when the carriage reaches speeds of 120-150 kmh around a sharp turn they gotta stop the pole from moving somehow ??

Time to invest in a drone @Theme Park Girl.

Did they update the Peppers Ghost? Or is it still 144p?

Its a cool little sequence for those who haven't looked more closely....you hear a gunshot, the dodge city population sign has a small bit that falls off, so the population drops by one, and then a tombstone rises up in response.

Long time reader, first time poster... Just wanted to say how blown away I am with the effort that MW went to theming the new area. I personally don't have a VRTP pass but after the photos I have seen from @Theme Park Girl and all the other members that have posted photos, I am definitely purchasing one next week to ride this amazing looking ride!

He's become quite the celeb GM, huh.

The next chapter has finally been posted: Merimbula! http://pirouettes.org/?p=1757

Interesting. A few hundred words and it's not written by @AlexB Can someone cliff note that for me please?

I give you 3200% zoom with individual pixels shown.

Or that they knew and weren't allowed to reveal anything, so they did the right thing and kept their mouths closed and waited until it was official announced by the right source