DaptoFunlandGuy

Alright - let me mark that off my bingo card... They're running a bit behind on my wishlist, but they're getting there.

We had to skip Nagashima (the curse of Forbidden Journey continues) but all our trip planning said you absolutely had to get there at opening if you wanted a chance of getting through all the major attractions. If you get there at open, you can always compromise and leave earlier (TBH we were warned to either leave early or plan to eat nearby as getting out of the area on public transit at close was supposed to be a bit congested) One tip I would give you though - ask these sorts of questions earlier if you want more chance of getting an answer you can actually use - By now I assume it's too late.

The ride underwent an extensive refurb, where custom parts were fabricated because they were no longer available. You can keep being obtuse if you wish, the fact remains that the osborne-led park was trying very hard not to close rides - even so much as suggesting they'd try and rebirth Eureka. Also the quote from the park was never 'people want shaded seating over a new ride' What they said was that they had decided to use the wipeout space for seating, because guest feedback had indicated more seating was needed close to food outlets and rides, and wipeout's plot was the perfect spot. While its a very fine distinction, there was nothing there that said 'people want this over a new ride' (If you want to check my homework - it was your own post)

This link might help explain the concept of idioms.

management at the time poured a small fortune into a refurbishment that was supposed to last but didn't. I'm quite sure they were trying everything permissible to keep it operating, and if it had still been in production at Vekoma, it probably still would be

I'm quite sure if Vekoma still made the Waikiki Wave, Wipeout would still be there - either the original with new parts or a new one of the same type. And i'm not sure there's anything else out there that could beat it!

because it's been done. At least King Claw is an upgrade - something new, something different. The park has a small offering as it is. Something the locals haven't seen before might have had a greater impact than just bringing back a retiree.

How imaginative of the management.

While they don't necessarily issue a staff newsletter with all the thoosie gossip talking points, staff are friendly with staff, and some staff know things, and share things. I remember way back at Wonderland - backstage near wardrobe there was only one designated smoking spot - so all the maintenance guys, ride ops, entertainment cast, custodial, F&B and retail who smoked would sit there and chat. (And back then, a lot more smoked than do now - but it still happens) There's a lot of NDA stuff in the background, but you'd be kidding yourself if you thought zero frontline staff knew what was going on. Which is because this is precisely the circumstance where SBNO applies - it's the correct listing for a ride that isn't open to guests. Technically every ride down for annual maintenance is SBNO, but since they only go down for a few weeks, Duane and his team aren't going to update every ride across the world - but when it is down for an extended or indeterminate amount of time, it's worth updating.

If they switched to a dinosaur style system, you'd wait outside, with your phone prior to the lockers and spend little time in the indoor section. Anything to speed up operations should be welcomed!

Hollywood never had a Jaws boat ride. Only the Amity Island set on the Studio Tour, which still exists. Around here we call that 'getting on in years' One of our family has an inner ear condition that makes them violently sick if triggered. They've been on coasters across Asia and America (as well as Forbidden Journey in Hollywood) and never had an issue - but we did forbidden journey twice at USJ and they were hospitalised the next day with the worst attack they've ever had. Suffice to say we don't do Forbidden journey anymore. I think we're a little spoiled given many of our popular "big park" neighbour countries like Singapore and Hong Kong are all well versed in English for most service-based roles that Japan is quite jarring. While many younger people learn English in school, there are many people in service roles that don't speak English at all. I found many of those carried translator devices and google translate was very helpful - as long as you kept the phrase or question very simple. Too many words would result in an unintended meaning when translated. Most places we went in Japan, the staff had laminated signs printed in English for the critical safety directions, but other than that we were on our own. It's quite the culture shock - but not being able to communicate with the cast is our problem, not theirs. Can confirm in June 2024 it was the paper slips. Folded inside a pants pocket, it simply cannot fall out once you are seated. Honestly, it's minimal issue to just hold the paper in your hand. Even if the operators had a problem with it, they can't see it. Great TR @TBoy - look forward to hearing about the rest of your travels!

I realise this is too late to help you but it might help someone else. We stayed on property and the universal hotels tell you when the gates will be opened for the next day. If the official park time is 8:30, it's a guarantee that gates will open at 7:30, if not even earlier - but the lines to get through security and turnstiles will already be super long. If you're busting it to try and fit everything in a single day visit (they sell a 1.5 day pass that we found very effective) then you've got to be in line at least an hour before gates - so 6:30 would be my recommendation in that instance.

Are you sure it wasn't due to guest feedback?

It's one of the rare occasions where you'll get to see it lit with all the lighting they installed

interesting. It just leaves me wondering if they can open all these attractions now, in place of others that have maintenance issues or similar, why couldn't they have opened them all in the first place?