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Update from July 2

Why bother social distancing, no one social distanced when the flu season normally hits, what’s different now?

I am sure they are working on something. Whether that be funding from the parent company or a lease on the land etc. It is a bad time for Ardent and even if you dislike the company you must feel for them. They want to make a change and started doing a decent job. Then COVID came and look what it's done. I think it is smart keeping the place closed. Many won't agree but if a company is struggling its best to minimise the debt. It is sad people lost jobs. Many people have tho during this pandemic and it is rather unfortunate. Even tho VRTP has opened all properties it will be interesting to see the attendance figures in the next fortnight. I would love to see this coaster built on our shores. I would think it is still possible but I don't have the solution to the problem. I can only assume a buyout occurs allowing this to happen.

The Fed Govt pulling the emergency funding deal at the last minute was likely the final nail in the coffin. the second wave that now seems unavoidable (thanks Vic), will just seal that coffin in cement. and if you are relying on the govt to stay afloat, are you really worthy of the money? Same Argument was raised regarding Virgin when there was talk of a state govt bail out, and not many were supportive of the govt paying to prop up a business who thru its own inadequacies being debt ridden and unprofitable

They are some very interesting cutouts into the slab... Quick Edit: That sand concrete looks incredible from above. I think the whole vortex ride looks awesome from above.

Crowd level is pretty high today

They went all out on this video

Joz, in reference to the important animal attractions and them not understanding how important they are, what are you referring to?

Ardent can go fuck itself as far as I'm concerned. Zero sympathy at a corperate level for them from me. It took them 20 years to get someone who understands theme parks to run their theme park. They milked DW for everything, ran down every last cent, and only when it was too late did they start giving a shit. Imagine what that park could be now if they had started trying a long time ago, maybe if they started being not shit before 2016 even? I agree that Covid fucked them, and the talk out of the park was starting to be good (though they don't understand how important the animal attractions they have are, which is a worry) and I was willing to back them. One year of trying after you've fucked it doesn't undo 20 years though, so Macquarie Leisure / Ardent can totally fuck off.

Do you mean morally or financially? I think unless they can unlock the value of their assets (Sell the land and lease back) or get outside help it's hard to see how they get out of it. Ideal world the bloke who owns Aussie World buys it as another passion Project. Nothing is impossible and presumably Gary is a smart man, but it's hard to see how they come back tbh

Well I would say no, because if they were bankrupt, Ardent Leisure would legally have to disclose that as it’s a publicly listed company

I'll say it's nicely presented. It's not really themed or immersive, nor is it really decorated, but effort has gone into making it look nice. Honestly the weakest part of it is the whole 'Atlantis' thing. When I think of what a non themed but basically well presented modern ride at SW would look like, that's it. Exactly is it could've replaced Pirate Ship and not looked out of place in that unthemed part of the park. I still think it's the wrong ride for that place, and it's not really themed, but it's not like Sky Flyer where literally no effort went into even making it look presentable.

I’ve always been fascinated by the cases of coasters around the world that get bought/delivered and are never constructed. Seems we’ll have one of our own now.

I reckon if you skip forward 6 months it will still be in the exact same place, unless it’s been on-sold to another park..

The bloody track will need a repaint before they out it together

please be sure to update us on how well the mobile queue works, and how the app holds up in the high crowds

Open by September holidays. Technically means they can open any time between now and September holidays. They really shouldn't just open first day of the holidays. They ideally would open at a minimum 1 week early to get into the COVID rhythm.

That’s fantastic! They could legitimately use that for a proper TVC campaign imo...

The queue line videos have subtitles usually, but nothing on the rides, though occasionally some shows will have some random English, eg Universal Monsters. If i had young family I'd not hesitate to go to Japan first! It's closer, cheaper and basically same time zone, so no jet lag. On the whole I felt it was an easy place to travel (so long as 1 person has a roaming data pack), its safe so it feels relaxing, and seemed kid friendly in many ways The parks will be busy though, and you will get on everything at least once, but you have to carry the mindset that for every fast pass ride you do, you'll have a 90 min wait on a different one. And of course, the holiday as a whole will probably be more interesting than say going to LA, and going to the parks + hollywood + santa monica or whatever people do on their first time in the US.

Nothing, but all the maintenance for MW this year has been posted in here

Look Robb you need a snickers mate.

This. If he can't cope any time DW/Ardent comes up in conversation he needs to excuse himself. He gets so worked up that his sentences barely string together any more. We get it, you don't like 'em, and you've been affiliated with VRTP to boot. Change the record.