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I noticed today that part of the reason why the ice cream parlour roof was removed was so they can fix the mess in the photo above. Good job DW Here’s a look at progress I noticed a lot of footer markings along the path to the DW, so I’m thinking this path will be widened or moved into the fenced off area

Not many people realise just how important the functions and corporate venues are to Luna Park's revenue streams but there are actually 12 options with varying capacity and flexibility. These function centres make up a large chunk of the parks overall revenue and allow the park to be not reliant on just one resource ( amusement park) for earnings. Without these , the park would be in a far less stable position than it is in and even though these corporate and private functions have taken a battering due to COVID, they remain a core service alongside and in conjunction with the amusement park side of the business. And of course, who wouldnt want to have their wedding reception in a 85 year old amusement park with the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a backdrop or host a corporate event where your entire company can own an amusement park for a day? The 12 corporate and functions venues that are on offer at Luna Park are as follows: Of course the installation of these function centres has come at the cost of the one thing that Luna Park did not have a lot of- and that is space. When the park opened in 1995 with the Arrow Big Dipper coaster as the signature attraction the park boasted 18 rides and attractions but only a small offering of function centres- namely the Crystal Palace and a smaller venue next to the Dodgem's building under the Wild Mouse called Popcorn Hall. They also had a larger exhibition space under the then Big Dipper that was utilised for travelling exhibitions but this space was touted as being saved for a return of a River Caves attraction at the time. Fast forward to 2020, and we see much of the space of the old Big Dipper being consumed by the Big Top Venue, unashamedly the largest function centre with the biggest capacity of close to 3,000 people. Add into the mix the Deck function centre at the front of the park plus the carpark entrance, lifts, gift shop and ticketing centre, and you can see how much room was eaten up from 2004 for viable attractions. True the addition of Maloney's corner gave the park valuable space to work with and it is this area that the bulk of the 2021 expansion will be focused on. Once it is complete, the park will now offer 19 rides and attractions-one more than in 1995- with significantly less footprint to do so than in that year. This brings back balance to the park and lets the amusement side of the business now reach an equal standing with the coporate and events offerings- something that has been severely unequal since reopening in 2004. Once the new expansion opens, and hopefully COVID becomes less of a concern with vaccines available, both cash flows for the park will achieve a synergynistic relationship with more people visiting the park for the amusment park and the new rides achieveing greater public and international consciousness, allowing for greater demand for its function and corporate offerings. This will allow the park to both thrive and survive for decades to come and is the business model that makes the most sense for the 85 year old Sydney icon. The future is so, so bright for Luna Park.

In a time where VRTP themselves were saying they could not operate without any government assistance and they needed raised capacity, i think it's a fair suggestion to say that they did not utilise some of their attractions due to money saving.

"unprecincted"

The amount of energy and stress on the motors to perform a launch are much higher as opposed to just dragging a train up a hill. They also generally require a set of motors and not just the single motor.

Assume just general maintenance prior to peak period. It has been open post-COVID closures so it’s not a case of it being closed due to social distancing or touch points etc

Stop making shit up

unprecedented opinion.

the work experience kid who did the terrible 3d map has graduated so now nobody knows how to change it.

The track is over 1km long, it ain't going to be a cheap coaster. DC might be tall, but this ride is building a launch. Actually I'd be interested to know in terms of cost, is height, or building a launch system more expensive?! Also look at all those Earthworks DW has done on the ride so far to get it ready to start building on, can't imagine that is cheap, plus the moving of the train line. The coaster isn't $32 mill, its everything included needed to get it going.

Um yeah.......DC Rivals IS a Mack coaster ........... In saying that, you have to look at where the $32 million is going to go. Yes its a lot of money to spend on one coaster but I am guessing that the theming and associated works is all included in this price. This is a coaster that definitely does NOT want to be a bare bone construction- if you look at the original Blue Fire mega coaster at Europa Park the theming on this coaster is world class. If we get half of this level of theming for Steel Taipan, then it WILL become the most heavily themed coaster in the country. The corollary of this of course is that $30 million will ALSO buy you this: 1-Intamin Hot Racer 2-Gerstlauer Family Shuttle 3-L&T Mini Coaster 4-Samba Balloon 5-Zamperla Discovery Revolution. 6-Midi Ferris Wheel 7-Crazy Submarine 8-Bounce Around 9-Jumpin Tower 16 The concept of value becomes a little subjective when you start this sort of comparison. Yeah sure 6 of these 9 rides are kiddie rides but lets not forget that included in this list are a Gerstlauer Family shuttle coaster, a Zamperla Discovery Revolution and of course the signature Intamin Hot Racer single rail dual launched coaster. Luna Park are getting all of these attractions for the same price as Dreamworld's one. Now its hardly apples for apples in terms of attractions but it is when you start looking at relative spend and you have to wonder what the reaction would have been if Dreamworld had announced they were adding the attraction list that LPS is adding for the same amount. Looking at it, it appears that LPS has spent their $30 million well and got very good bang for their buck. In saying that, I think that Steel Taipan will be a GREAT addition to Dreamworld and that it will be a great shot in the arm for them in leading the park back to positive public consciousness. It simply is the coaster they need at this very point in time.

Bla bla... it’s so good unlike others they got all their rides opened on time for their reopening rather than rio people off for constant delays and lack of rides running... something something

It's a 25 year old coaster, so we shouldn't be surprised if that's the case. I know everyone was excited about the repaint for some reason but it was literally just lipstick on a very painful pig.

Woah, Ocean Parade is edging closer to actually having an ocean/beach theme for once

Turbines or bust!

And just like that....the last of LPS's Huss rides have been dismantled and now completely gone. RIP Spider!! These rides have now entered into Luna Park history and whilst we lament their loss, we know that over the next 12 months, there is so much to look forward to for the park. Hopefully over the next 12 months, we see the return , in conjunction with the Big Dipper name, other names from Luna Parks historical past! Ride names such as The Wild Cat, The Whirler, The Whip, The Hey Dey as well as the retainment of the Tumblebug , The Spider and the Flying Saucer should all be considered if they are ride appropriate. This would be another great nod to Luna Park's history and would also give some continuity whilst ushering in the new age. Bring on 2021!! To be honest, I dont think Big Dipper is meant to be pitched as a "RMC killer" I think its just being seen as simply an alternative. To be really fair, I think it is actually the perfect coaster for the park. They do not need a high intensity , over the top thrill machine. Big Dipper will still deliver on thrills for sure, but without having the shadow of being a hugely intensive ride hanging over it. The fact that it is Australia's FIRST rail coaster will sit it in good stead for a good amount of time- and unless MW adds in a RMC Raptor as their Arkham replacement, I cannot see any other park in Australia emulating them in the short to medium term. The POV and the simulation I think do not properly convey the sense of speed within each element and I surmise that this coaster, whilst short on ride duration and height, will still pack a sizeable punch. Definitely looking forward to riding it, and judging by the international attention that the announcement has garnered, it appears so are many other people, in and outside of Australia!