Leaderboard
Popular Content
Showing content with the highest reputation on 21/12/18 in all areas
-
But what is window dressing, and what is real make-a-difference infrastructure? You talk about the redevelopment of the ice cream shop a few years ago. A few weeks back I talked about looking at buildings that were falling apart and I wondered how much was held together by paint. The building I was specifically referring to was THE ICE CREAM SHOP. As the saying goes, you can't polish a turd, but you can add glitter - and it would seem that that is precisely the kind of redevelopment they did with the ice cream shop if a few short years later the building looks as it does (go and view it from the train station and you'll see what i mean). They removed thunder river - It killed people. They removed Eureka Mountain - it sat rotting for more than a decade They removed the rest of gold rush - without TRRR and EMMR, what exactly was left? - Oh wait - the disused Skylink chairlift station that also sat rotting for a decade. You suggest they might have plans to remove rides - but history suggests that they need to shutter the ride and let it sit for 8 or more years before they do. How many years did the gravitron ride sit in the boneyard? So they renovated a store to capitalise on a new hot craze (lego). They rebuilt their old food outlet into something modern - which was only about 15 years overdue. They redeveloped tiger island, yes - but they botched it with the giant green prison. Coroborree was only done because of generous government grants for indigenous cultural projects. This wasn't done with their own money or because they felt strongly about the subject matter. The expansion of White Water World? A lazy river that WNW has had for more than a decade is hardly an inspiring investment - and its still just one attraction. The plans for that park had staged developments including numerous attractions, none of which we've seen - instead we've seen the kneejerk reaction to Aqualoop that is the Wedgie, Triple Vortex, and finally the lazy river... 3 new attractions in TWELVE YEARS. Shall we talk about the cock up that was Trolls Village that was supposed to open last Christmas, and didn't open until more than 8 months later? Plonked smack down in the middle of an ocean themed area? Shall we talk about those big screens or the revolving globe? Dreamworld have had screens all over the park for years, showing music videos and crappy advertisements for related products. I'm not getting excited over a few outdoor LED screens when their marquee attractions can't even stay open, or carry a full load of passengers. And the globe. Yeah - what a photo opportunity. Its pretty, but its just window dressing. It is a take it or leave it thing that wasn't really necessary. Things they could have spent their money on instead: Upgrading the control system on their flagship 21 year old coaster to newer technology (and actually running it at its capability Properly rebuilding Wipeout so that it can run as designed Running rides at capacity - both sides of Giant Drop, for example Maintaining a working steam railway, instead of wasting money on a glorified yard tractor that tears up the rails and constantly breaks down Maintaining the park's people soaking paddlewheeler attraction The article points it out better than I ever could - but there are just so many things WRONG right now, its hard to be positive in the face of such blatant mismanagement. You choose to focus on the positive, and let the negative slide, and thats your choice - but don't decry others who speak the truth - you can't live in a dreamworld and pretend that the issues don't exist, just because it doesn't fit your mould of 'fun'. If you're going to ignore the negative, then you shouldn't be complaining about bored train conductors. You can't have it both ways.10 points
-
Was in the park and snapped these on the way out. Still think the original facades looked a million times better, but it's not the worst thing in the world. Will say i'm now excited to jump on this thing in a week or two - bonus points to Dreamworld / Cutting Edge if they pull a Soarin' at the end of the ride's film and the fly-over ends back in at Dreamworld. Switchbacks are all in. Sails look nice. Not sure about all the white. Bit boring. With the huge barriers down it's much easier to see now. It's a tight fit. (THATS WHAT SHE SAID) The connection between old and new is... interesting. 😕 Note the switchbacks on the left - i'm guessing for Ride Express? A closer look at the main entrance. Three stories? Signs. There was another sign near Billabong which shows something different as well. It definitely wasn't always going to look this way outside. Big ol' white bum with a lot of exhausts. A wider look at what's going on. And some panos for the pano folk.5 points
-
Needs more love. If you want to skip the below i'll simply say that it seems that it seems like it's still very much a work in progress. Lots of technology used and lots of it still needs refinement (and a bit more coin spent) to bring it up to either what they're selling in their TVC's or up to the standard it was at previously. Main queue line hall is still very sparse - black walls where there was facades previously plus the same behind the scenes reel is still showing. If it's "next generation" i'm sure it's worth the money spent to put something new or additional on the screens because without much else to look at all eyeballs are on those screens. I suspect something unexpected happened there with the main hall facades and am guessing it'll return soon, so not a big deal. Strobes are missing from load. Are they still there? A lot of the dark ride component is as it was which is great to see - new facades do blend in well and it's hard to figure out what was actually old and new. Great job there. First sign of newness are two gigantic screens in the dark ride section (not project mapping) with videos of the purple gargoyles trying to jump at you. It's fine but a bit meh for my liking. It's definitely missing something (like a facade to project map onto, methinks.) Second newness you see happens as you approach the swinging swords - there's a giant green screen that sticks out like a sore thumb that's used for a big projection screen effect that succeeds the mirrors - essentially more purple gargoyles seem to appear from behind you and try and attack you. Again, it's okay but with a bit of love and refinement of the timing between cars and effects would mean you wouldn't see that green screen and the illusion wouldn't be ruined right off the bat. I think personally taking the super old school approach of something like a simple pepper's ghost effect would've been way more effective, but to each their own - at least in this situation it's an easy fix so not a big complaint from me, and if it can be improved upon and refined it'll be great. TV Screens line the lift. Great idea, but needs way more love. One car (and i'd say only the front row of the front car) gets to see Scrappy, with the rest seeing two screens that are out of sync with the front screen's faux-rock wall graphics - meaning when the lift hill moves it's not only out of sync with what's physically happening but the screens are out of sync with each other. Again, just needs love to get right. High zone (party room) is strange. The turntable is a...thing? Is it a mirror room now with kebab-shop LEDs? Is it a breaking mirror room because of the car entering it? Is it supposed to be a laser and i'm being zapped? It doesn't make sense and I don't get the story being told there. It's from here through to the end where I become really lost - one laser was working in the high zone but there was plenty of random props on the floor of the high zone. Just seems off. Cool strobey lights and effects for the drops along the track but neither seemed to be in sync when the train zoomed past. Again not a big deal, that'll take time to get right, so no complaints there, but the cool, epic track was missing (is it supposed to be playing?) and with one laser it just seems flat now. Not hard to get back to being super awesome, just needs someone with the right expertise to spend a bit more coin to bring it up its former glory. The last scene with the faux drop has more projection screens. I much preferred the faux drop being hidden by plenty of haze and a laser cutting across. At this point there's been so many gargoyles randomly jumping out at you with the volume set to 11 that the novelty of the jump-scare has worn off. I'd maybe try something different, or fun, or novel, or something with the screens to round off the story. Ends back in a Tiki room theme along the brakes with a jump scare at the end which I will admit I liked. TLDR - I walked away kind of lost of words - i'm not sure I like it yet - it feels rushed. Is all hope lost? Nah, it's salvageable with some more love, which I hope it gets and it's what i'd like to see in the future - it's fine for the summer break, and then come February, having someone spend a bit more time getting the timing bang on, spending some time getting the screens (and some real project mapping) happening and even getting a specialist in to do the lasers right will make this ride epic.4 points
-
3 points
-
But Skyvoyager doesn’t have road frontage or scale that allows it to be seen from outside the park...3 points
-
I love it, definitely a good change for main street, just a shame they didn't modernise Green Bean Coffee to fit in then everything will look good . Maybe we will see this in the near future.3 points
-
'Actions speak louder than words': Dreamworld is still a decaying, unreliable theme park Dreamworld CEO told Sunrise viewers this morning that actions speak louder than words as Dreamworld once again promises the same commitment to safety and maintenance that they've been offering for more than two years. Click here to continue reading2 points
-
2 points
-
The Joker Head and Green Lantern logo are lit during the day and visible. So it can be done.2 points
-
Sorry Push but agree to disagree on this one. Dreamworld needs help, and yes it’s finally getting some investment, but Ardent have taken out too much financially and literally out of the park in the last 10 years, and it’s the reason the park is in its current sad state. TOT is limping along because Ardent did not want to spend the money for the major upgrade. SFMM got that upgrade and it shows. They have made poor choices in regards to where to skimp and where to spend the money over the years. Case in point, Dreamworld once had a charming river boat that needed refurbishment, instead of spending the money for marine grade wood products, they skimped and rebuilt the boat with non marine wood products to save money. The result? The boat requires constant attention and eventually they pulled the pin. The above is story is just one of many examples of why Dreamworld are in their current predicament. They were already on this downward spiral, it just took the accident to stop the spiral. And to be fair, people on here don’t “hate” Dreamworld, no one on here wants to see a sick theme park, what they object to is Ardent and the way they are running the park.2 points
-
I think you need to finally get over this. It's you who has decided that the members here love theme parks. It's you that has decided this forum is dedicated to loving theme parks. The reality is this forum is for discussion of theme parks (it even says so). If you've got it wrong you ought to wear it rather than sulkily expecting everyone else to change to suit you. These are commercial businesses, not football teams. They don't need you to cheerlead them.2 points
-
That's a perfectly valid opinion. I just prefer to focus mostly on the positives, and there's plenty of that at Dreamworld!2 points
-
It's possible to love theme parks and still hold them to account push. Entering peak period with so many rides out of action is ridiculous and Parkz is not being unsupportive of the GC tourism industry for calling them out in my opinion.2 points
-
As someone who absolutely loves living in SE Queensland, and the amazing access we have to so many theme parks (Dreamworld being the largest), it saddens me to see so much negativity about it. This on a site that's all about theme parks, in a forum whose members love theme parks. Anyone who visits Dreamworld can easily see investment all around the park. Sure there's a lot more still to be done, but I would like to believe it will be. Of most immediate interest of course is SkyVoyager, which I'm sure will be one of Queenslands (and Australias) best theme park attractions! The atmosphere in Dreamworld is energetic, and most of the staff offer guests great friendly greetings (some train announcers excepted)! Exciting things are happening! Let's show our support for Dreamworld!2 points
-
In the disco Room as shown in the advertising1 point
-
Haha, I know what you mean man. One time I remember it changed 'Push' to 'Auto-incorrect'.1 point
-
TBH I wouldn't mind a lighting install on any hypothetical sign, so long as it's done in a classy way and not totally cheesy. I think a chase might be a bit cheesy given what the facade is going for but not against it straight off the bat.1 point
-
That has no relation to the "it'll only been seen at night" statement. If they actually went ahead with a moving display on the building facade (they won't, $$$ for a start), it would end up being more "next gen" than scooby doo"😂1 point
-
They've just finished removing Thunder River Rapids, which was a huge ride. The disused Eureka Mountain Mine Ride has also gone, as has the Gold Rush area. They might well have plans to remove some other rides but it shouldn't be done all at once, otherwise the place would feel like a ghost town! With the Lego store and restaurant at the entrance, SkyVoyager, complete resurfacing of Main Street, new large screens on Main Street, new revolving globe near the entrance, recently redeveloped Tiger Island and Coroberree, and the current expansion of Whitewater World including new Adventure River, the redevelopment of the ice cream shop and coffee shop at the front of the park a few years ago, new Trolls Village including Trolls Funhouse, it's very hard NOT to see the investment that's happening, but of course it does take time! 😀1 point
-
Great summary, Dreamworld have spent money on the unnecessary to save on the important. A visit to the park now becomes a quest to find which rides are open. Ardent management had no idea how to run the place prior to the rapids accident, and it's clear that they still don't. SkyVoyager is nice but it's also the only major addition since 2014, far too long between drinks for even a medium-sized park. The sooner this place is bought out the better, hopefully by a group with some money and common sense.1 point
-
Now it’s all come together, I actually don’t mind it. Maybe on the big white wall on Main Street they could had add the rides name in paint, or add a name of this ‘airport’, just to add something to the white. I do think it’s very clean and crisp though, shame it doesn’t blend to great into the stores to the right. Surprised how narrow the walkway to BuzzSaw has become, but I doubt it will be an issue. Hopefully this means once the ride opens, BuzzSaw will reopen. And I’m very glad to see they are painting the backside of the wall. Would be nice if they planted some large trees just to discguisr it a little1 point
-
When I saw the animation on the POV’s on YouTube I immediately thought of this video, it’s animation is on par 😂1 point
-
That's a pretty good concept Spotty. I took it a little further: Most of this explains itself. The F&B and Merch discounts would have to be priced up - i don't know the parks profit margins but i assume the percentages here maintain a margin across most of their range. If it would increase the pass holder per cap spend, then it can't be a bad thing. One thing to think about is whether you'd include a discount (even if its a different rate) for experiences such as SW animals, WnW pay-per-play experiences, HWSD back of house, star tours etc etc, and\or AOS, or whether you reserve that for 'premium privilege' tiers (more on that below). FN and WC tickets - i kept them in the higher tiers as Carnivale, by all accounts, needs to boost attendance, whereas WC and FN are frequently full. I opened FN in a lower tier as they have more flexibility about running additional nights, whereas WC, there isn't much option to run extra nights, and it frequently sells out despite not much in the way of improvements. Discounted offers would be perhaps half the price of a GA ticket. Premium Privilege - yes, its a crap name. I just see this as a way for them to offer more to a select group - early entry during peak times, with exclusive rides open early (like the old VIP Gold). First access to new attractions and experiences - admission by invitation only \ etc. Offers to attend things like out of hours events for filming, TVCs etc, all the enthusiasty things that die-hard fans want and are willing to pay for Special one-off offers - eg: "visit this month and show your pass to receive a free bucket of popcorn"... things to encourage revisits, that don't cost much\anything to do. Preferential seating at shows on a first come first served basis - ie - reserve a block of maybe 10 seats in show arenas at SW and MW, available only to premium privilege members. (and once its full, its full). The tiers would mean that some things are offered to tier 1 first, and then opened to tier 2 if the tier 1 holders don't take the offer up. Other things would be offered to both tiers from the start (such as preferential seating, and the monthly freebie). They could also feature a 'premium privilege upwards seating pit' exclusively for some events for the parade.... Pie in the sky? probably. still - nice to dream.1 point
-
Hotdog fans rejoice, for the stand has returned for the summer holidays. For @Slick and other fans of just the tip a1 point
-
0 points
-
Yes it is time Dreamworld remove Tower Of Terror, Wipeout and Hot Wheels Side Winder. With tower of Terror I reckon they should replace it with a all new modern system but keep tower in place .0 points
-
That's almost at the same level as "Justice for captives".0 points
-
Yes. Auto-incorrect is pretty thick sometimes!0 points
-
Now Sky Voyager is complete are we going to see Hot Wheels Side Winder and Tower Of Terror Replaced???0 points
-
Well, A to the Lex to the B, you're attitude just makes me think of this!0 points
-
Don't visit but also don't see investment around the park. Article covers off most of what is not being invested in. SkyVoyager is the only major investment. I just don't understand why they haven't made the painful decision to take out a few of their ageing rides. I think it would actually be a signal that they're serious and not just giving lip service to their issues. I'd prefer them to take out three rides, rather than just install a new one.0 points
This leaderboard is set to Brisbane/GMT+10:00