downunder

I go up to Coffs tom play sport every year and it's a shame I don't get to really check the BB out. Fortunately, we had a day-off in 2015 and got to do some laser tag at least.

^^^That archway using the outline of the Superman logo is really effective, especially at night when it's lit up. When you go through it on Superman at SFNE at night, it's awesome, the lights are quite blinding. It's quite possible this will be better than Flash at Lewa as MW really knows how to customise ride experiences, I guess it will be a matter of how much better. I'm a hard marker because I'll compare the MW "hyper" (lol) to stuff I've been on in all parts, but in any case a visit to MW will be infinitely richer for having this ride.

There doesn't seem to be much in the way of very recent developments on the coaster, but over on the fake news front: Just when you thought it was safe to go to an amusement park. An unnamed source at a Portaloo contractor has revealed that the manufacturer Intamin believes the new coaster being built may stop unexpectedly during the ride. Leaving riders precariously suspended, their lives hanging by a thread. When will this madness stop? When will President Trump intervene and save us. A Trump aide off the record stated: "nothing a few Tomahawk missiles won't fix". Meanwhile: we watch the grass grow.

^I was only joking about the Purge, hence "in all seriousness" in the next paragraph. I've experienced The Purge many time at Halloween Horror Nights, and yes, it is a very good haunt theme. It was especially good at Universal Hollywood last year. I'm not sure how much IP familiarity there would be in Australia for Purge, everyone I know has never heard of it, and neither had I until it was introduced at Halloween Horror Nights. It's such an interesting concept with so many possibilities.

I've heard Storm Coaster drenches you year round (no winter mode), is this true?

I've been to a lot of the Scandinavian Parks, the standouts for me were Liseberg in Gothenberg and Gronalund in Stockholm (loved this city).Haven't been to Kolmarden where Wildfire is, but who knows if that coaster will open again. Copenhagen has nice parks in Tivoli (in the middle of town) and Bakken (a bit further out). Hansa Park in Northern Germany is well worth a visit. I concur on Europa and Phantasialand, Heide is nice too. Holiday Park is worth it for GeForce, but pray it's open (my last "ride" involved an evac).

Surfrider for me, no contest there.

^I feel for VRTP on this one. I'd love to see them sufficiently monetise quality events to preserve and/or enhance the quality of said events.

Touche', I'll pay that one. Brilliant Valentine's Day is on a Tuesday, I can say i'm at training lol (actually true).

^I am joking, in case that wasn't extremely obvious. I've never been to Bali and wouldn't go if you paid me. I don't think animal cruelty would be a good episode to add to Dw's recent troubles.

After your Valentine leaves you for taking her to this, are they able to sedate a tiger to pose with for your new Tinder photo?

I wonder where that shed will be located LOL. ^It would be logical to fabricate the track locally, if there is the capability, but it would be interesting to know what's actually happening.

^LOL don't say that, it will drive all the fanboys crazy. I wonder where Mack will fabricate the track for this ride?

I concur with the sentiment expressed about the food, that is the major attraction to me as well. I'd love it if they had foodie nights, Millionaire Bacon for the win. I guess VRTP is in a pickle because they are putting on expensive events that aren't fully a separate gate (i.e. a freebie for season pass holders, albeit the extra cost of the higher pass tier might subsidise it a little) and may not recoup the cost from ancillary spending in the park. I've heard rumours (I stress rumours) Carnivale is dead after the SW event, but I guess we'll see. .

^Maybe all the USA lefties that don't get into Canada might move to the Gold Coast and create a huge local market that can support a park the size of Cedar Point lol. I'm not familiar with the complexities of coaster project management, but I imagine there might be some insulation from exchange rate fluctuation if they factor in what is locally sourced into the quoted cost - such as labour, materials etc. Don't know if Mack do this, but it would seem logical. It's possible Mack were cheaper than Intamin and B & M, and it got them over the line (possibly VRTP liked what they proposed better as well). I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when they were evaluating tenders (if they did put it out to tender and had competing proposals).

With this hysterical trial by media of amusement park rides, coasters might be outlawed by the time this gets built lol. People are really going to lose their load when some track shows up. Better go check the fridge. Any actual movement on the site of significance in the last day or so?

^^I agree with you there, Jamberoo and Toboggan Mountain, which I've been on, are pretty cool too.

Madagascar for me - the additional thrill of being suspended gives it my preference. Roadrunner is fun too though, but I can't say I ride it every visit (too much competition for my time).

^Is the red button to eject opponents of the communist party from the ride lol.

An animatronic Sarah Michelle Gellar is an addition I would view favorably.

^C'mon people are entitled to their own preferences. This thread is worth doing periodically to add new coasters, re-assess improvement to existing ones (Arkham has improved with the new restraints etc), and that people may have ridden more Oz coasters (like me). Here's what I've been on: Superman Escape Abyss Jet Rescue Scooby Doo Green Lantern Arkham Asylum Wild Mouse (LPS) Buzzsaw Tower of Terror 2 Scenic Rallway Surfrider Hot Wheels Sidewinder Storm Coaster Escape From Madagascar Mick Doohan's Slumber Coaster Road Runner Coaster Dragon Express Jungle Twist

Jet Rescue by the length of straight. I can't believe Intamin made such a fun coaster and such a bomb (maybe DW insisted it be boring). DW could have built a much better attraction with the money they spent, no matter what demographic they wanted to appeal to. Jet Rescue, as others have observed, is lower to the ground heightening the sensation of speed. I also really like the sudden, quick overbanks, it's a fun element (works really well for Maverick too). In contrast, Mick Doohan's Slumber Coaster doesn't have those overbanks and just ambles along a very boring circuit.

I forgot to add: "...killing machine...dealier than the thousands of Great Whites that inhabit the Gold Coast canals".

Headline that wouldn't surpise me: Malicious Murder Machine Foiled By Emergency Services Dozens of people barely escaped with their lives after being lured into Arkham Asylum where they were unknowingly strapped into a killing machine... Seriously, it's getting that ridiculous.

^It was wonderful to have a look inside. There looked like enough floor space under the coaster for another ride lol. I wonder if Scooby is on the Star Tour itinerary at the moment with all the deconstruction. Though you don't really go near the dark ride part.