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The original AndrewH

Hey guys, long time since I've posted on this forum (not since I was a stupid kid in high school). But 2021 is shaping up so well that I was excited enough to dust off the old account again. Seems like I'm more excited for a different coaster every day I think about it. I think Steel Taipan might end up being the best coaster. Never ridden Blue Fire or any of its clones but it looks like a fantastic layout, and Mack Rides are fantastic. It's only Dreamworld's delivery that has me worried for it. I was too young to ever experience Wonderland so obviously I'm hyped for Leviathan. A proper wooden coaster has been on the list of things I think Australian parks needed for years now. That being said, Big Dipper is also a world first, and even forgetting the fact that it's launched and Intamin, RMC's Raptors are fairly new on the block as well, so it's quite a unique coaster that seems like it will fit in well with the new developments. I'm excited to see how it will go, and it's a bit of a wildcard since I don't have much to compare it to that I've already ridden. Overall, I think the only thing I'm sure on is that Aussie World's new coaster is a clear fourth, and that's no reflection on it, because it looks like it'll be a decent spinning coaster as well. Today I'll be hyped for Big Dipper, tomorrow it'll be Leviathan... it's just a great year to be an Aussie coaster enthusiast, really!

What I get gigantic load of BS. True. Enthusiasm doesn’t trump logic and reasoning however (well not in business) I do, most here do. That doesn’t remove the ability to be critical of certain decisions. That’s certainly not me. If anything I’m a defender of the park. Again, that doesn’t make it or management immune from criticism. I don’t know if anyone is bagging the efforts - but it was apparent from day 1 trying to crowdfund $10k for one koala that may or may not be functional or repairable was a decision made on emotion and not logic. If anyone was to get involved in retrieving these “assets” it needs to be DW themselves, or a private enterprise that can display them in a public way that may drive some natural interest and attention (Ie Ripleys Believe It or Not). We’ve just come through one of the most financially challenging periods for many in their lifetime (and still not through it for many) so to think the everyday joe public is going to delve into their pockets for a singular animatronic they’ll probably never physically see is misguided. A proposal with a proper business case could be put together and pitched to many businesses that may want the goodwill associated with it, but without the majority of the collection, which they have priced at over $100k, it will never be an attractive prospect

Seller has asked $8k for one, (and as I mentioned would do the entire set for about $60k). Those organising this fundraiser have summarily tacked on an extra $2k as an estimate to ship a very large, delicate and heavy animatronic from South Australia to the gold coast, and then completely refurbish it. I'd tell you who I think is having a laugh, but that'd break the forum rules.

Gotta love those (NOT) bagging the efforts to fundraise for one of those koalas. This Parkz site has become so vicious and unprofessional and unmoderated towards anyone who has a different opinion to theirs. It’s a theme park enthusiast page. You should be praising those who love theme park history etc. I have noticed ALOT of Dreamworld baggers on this page.

Wow, that's some amazing footage gouge found here. The famous “what if” question. We still had the big dipper accident just weeks before the fire. The parks rides where starting to show age and getting neglected in some cases. I truly think it would have turned into a shopping centre with a cinema and maybe a few kids ride with the Ferris wheel. Those concepts existed in peoples minds right up until the mid-2000s. It's hard to tell what would have occurred tho. We only know what occurred and what bought the park to its current time and place. The fire, while terrible and very tragic showed one thing, it helped the park survive. The parks downfall was the accident. People showed love for the park tho. That speaks volumes. Wonderland Sydney would have still existed. From my memory (without cheating by using Google) the yanks had been looking for a location since the mid 70’s. one thing I know for a fact. Seven people would have grown old, those haunting photos and videos would haven't have occurred on that faithful night.

$10,000? Seller is having a laugh.

Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya my boy. There were only two comments relating to that fundraiser. One of them was mine, and I specifically did not give detail - I'm not bagging the efforts, I'm simply calling it the way I see it. The whole premise is a pipe dream. There's no detail on where these will be set up, whether they actually work, what their current condition is, who will "own" them, how maintenance and upkeep will be handled, and so on. I won't defend Brad's comments, but I do agree with his assessment of the exercise. I'm an admin of the Wonderland History group. The group, at one point, crowdfunded to purchase the rollercoaster trains. They formed a committee and registered a non profit organisation to be responsible for this and it still fell apart. Per above, there was no detail on where they'd go, and who would be responsible for them. Transporting them was additional costs, and after moving them several times, at great (unfunded) expense, they've found a home where someone was willing to look after and maintain them, but still, not an ideal outcome compared to the intention at the time they were funded. I didn't participate in the funding and had no involvement in their acquisition or movement. I think its great they're still around, and one day I hope they get to 'coast' again in the way the current landowner intends to run them - but having seen the headaches caused by this, I know the dangers that are there. This koala thing is scant on detail. Those raising funds have done nothing to either shield themselves from potential issues (such as establishing a separate vehicle to be the owner of the machinery), nor protect the investment of the folks who have pledged should things go wrong. It is a simple comparison to many other "they should bring it back" arguments for many long lost theme park attractions. I'd love them to bring back Gremlins, and Young Einstein, and police academy. But the past is in the past. At $1000, its a cool little piece of memorabilia for a dedicated fan of the park. At $10k, its an expensive piece of scrap metal looking for a home. Despite numerous pieces of media, Dreamworld hasn't stepped forward to offer them a home. Theres very little other option, save perhaps for a prop in a mini golf centre, where this would realistically find a forever home - and no matter where it does end up, there is no guarantee that the owner will keep it there for any length of time. The pricetag is going on a sight-unseen purchase of something that was last photographed around ten years ago (I know people who have spoken to the agent selling them too) - heck, the current owner of them isn't even willing to open the shipping container they are stored in until he has a 'serious' buyer ready to make a deal. The estimate of $2k to both transport, and restore is woefully inadequate, and in reality you could probably get something similar built for the same or less than what the current owner is asking. Folly is a pretty apt description. However, again, my purpose in mentioning this thing in the first place was to draw similarities to those who say 'bring back xx nostalgic thing from my childhood that was closed due to lack of interest because I think its a good idea, regardless of the financial cost or current demographic interest. In summary, Fox Studios closed because it wasn't really all that good, and no, they shouldn't bring it back. I believe the owner would do a bulk discount, and the figures i've heard suggest the entire collection could be had for around $60k - however that is with unspecified condition, most of them not working and much of the latex and other parts needing complete replacement. So you'd probably need your extra $40k to cobble together some sort of refurbishment to make it worth your while (otherwise i'm sure their current condition would be perfectly suited to a fright nights maze somewhere).

SBF Visa by the look of the renderings. @HussRainbow87 the prospect of a genuine 80m star flyer sounds good. Do you think we will continue to see more of these smaller pop up "State Fair" type carnivals happening this year too? Obviously they were borne out of Covid causing the capital city shows to be cancelled. But to be honest, I think we should have more of these free admission carnivals happening everywhere (As you see in Germany and the Netherlands). Seems a waste to have large rides that only get used like 4-5 times per year at the main captial city shows.

Yeaaaaa...... BUT they killed four people.

Ah, the Jamboree. I loved that as a kid. I remember being confused why the show somehow turned into Tomb Raider on my next visit!

Head to the Dreamworld - Remembering the Golden Years FB page. They are trying to raise $10k to acquire ONE of the animatronic animals from the Koala Country Jamboree. It's a perfect exercise in folly. But hey, if you donate more than $40 you get sent a video of the show. As Alex says, its sat at $680 for about 3 weeks now.

Wonderland opened in 1985 and LPS reopened in the aftermath of the Ghost Train fire in 1983. There was no void and both parks coexisted in the 80's until LPS shut down for renovations until reopening in 1995. I get what you are saying though. I have no doubt that if the Big Dipper, the River Caves and Ghost Train had survived then they would now be heritage listed. However, the events of Luna Park Melbourne in the 80's are a cautionary tale and could have been replicated at LPS for the same reasons. In the aftermath of the Giggle Palace fire , the River Caves at LPM were deemed a fire hazard and were removed as a result. The Big Dipper was also pulled down in 1989 , even with a interim heritage order being placed on it. Luckily the 1935 Ghost Train/Pretzel ride survived and is now under heritage protection and one of the few remaining rides of that era left in the world. These events could easily have happened in the 80's to LPS , especially since amusement park history and preservation were almost unheard of, especially in this country. The loss of the Big Dipper , River Caves and the Ghost Train is a huge loss to the fabric of the park. However, we now have a brand new, $30 million dollar investment to look forward to, that will propel LPS into the future for many decades to come. LPS will now be a fine mix of heritage , nods to the past and brand new attractions. The park that really should not have survived the many roadblocks of the past now has outlived and out shone its nearest competition to become a true Sydney icon.

Looks amazing