DaptoFunlandGuy

One of these days Yoshi - you'll learn to just go "oh ok, woops - my bad"... then we wouldn't have to do things like this: There was not one reference to power surge in that part of the thread. Not even when you said The entire conversation was about the Freak Out. You even quoted AUSTHEMEPARKS comment when he said 'this one is meant to stay permanent' he was quoting Ranger Dude when he said "this is the same temp travelling Freak Out..." Jesus kid - just roll with it instead of trying to make excuses all the time.

Mount Me Harry is the tallest mountain in WA? BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

They are saying it's the first time the turtles have appeared in an Australian Theme Park. I have a photo of me and my brothers with them at Wonderland many years ago - so that's not correct (although it would be the first in the nickelodeon stable) I had to re-read the article as the one-liner doesn't call it a "major" attraction... it does in the body of the release, and it's a bit rough to call it that, but for parents with kids who love TMNT, it would be a big draw. That said - slapping a new coat of paint and a new theme on an old kids land with the same rides is a bit of a stretch too - but Dreamworld did it successfully with Nick Central Dreamworks... It is what it is... at least it isn't a kids ride being marketed as a thrill ride *cough* MDMC *cough*

My thoughts exactly Liz

Any factual basis for that view? Or are you just speculating again?

It's better than the Dreamworld efforts of laminated A4 pages...

Ok - this came through whilst writing my last post so I want to take you to task on a few things... So firstly as to your statement that unlike Sea World Australia - the other parks only priority is money. So explain to me what things like the Sea World and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund ( http://swbg-conservationfund.org/ ) is about? What about seaworldcares.org? Or the Virgin Pledge? As to the dental claims - you state this is to prevent the whales from biting trainers. I call bullshit. Firstly - the jaw of an orca is more than capable of grabbing and holding a trainer by sheer force with or without teeth. Most articles discussing the drilling of the teeth isn't to remove teeth, but rather to perform a 'pulpotamy' which is drilling a hole in the tooth. This is done to relieve pressure tooth aches, which are caused (based on the book that was published making the claims in the first place) by the whales using aggression displays or dominance displays to challenge or dominate other whales by biting metal pen-gates or the corners of performance stages and platforms. The drill is similar to a dental apparatus, and according to the first 5-6 pages on google (which are in themselves slamming the practice) are done for dental reasons as many as three times a day, to prevent infection caused by rotting fish remaining in the cavity. As for the 'facts' behind your study: The mortality figures span more than 50 years. Without factoring in the ages of the orcas at the time of capture, it is impossible for this to be considered an accurate statistic. As stated in on of my previous posts - females AVERAGE 50 years in the wild, and males even less so - so clearly, when you're looking at figures over more than 50 years, many of them are going to die. The average lifespan in captivity can also be skewed. the early years where studies on captive whales didn't yet understand many of the needs of an orca, there is going to be more deaths earlier on and less deaths later. Further - there is no information on whether the captives were housed in a pod, or kept alone (as stated previously - elephants do not usually survive on their own either) "Most Captives" - do you refer only to those that are wild caught, or are you including captive born? Females CAN live until 80... but the accepted average is closer to 50. The human life expectancy is 67.2 in 2010, whereas Japan's life expectancy is around 83, whilst the oldest verified human lived to 122 years of age in France. Orca mortality in the wild is also affected by predation - they may be a top predator, but the young are still weak and can suffer the same fate. Your stats are clearly outdated, as Keiko died in 2003, whilst trying to be released back into the wild. They also don't agree with your first 'fact' that states at least 134 orca were captured since 1961, with 106 now deceased, yet only 26 captive survive today - 106 + 26 = 132 so there are two missing from that fact, calling one or the other into question. The birth mortality rates are out of date also, but given the other info, i'll accept that the figures are old. Currently (according to orcapod.wikia) the stats are as follows: So the success rate currently stands at over 50%. Given that your stats are at least 10 years old (my info was found in a google search taking only a few seconds), clearly - the breeding programs have come leaps and bounds in the last 10 years. It is also clear that whilst these "Statistics" don't sound great, the same info source clearly points out that there are no wild figures to compare them to, and for all we know - the same statistics could be present in the wild. Lastly you point to the Orca being responsible for 70% of the USA parks income, and given that they are the star attraction, that is to be expected. You could take away the orca, refocus the park to dolphins as the GC park is, and then point to a similar figure being the responsibility of the dolphin. Our Sea World uses the Dolphin as it's logo - the USA parks use the Orca. The same way that Disney uses the Mouse... you don't run with an Otter to market a marine park... it's just common sense. You point at Brad as being ignorant without any knowledge of his background. You suggest people "aren't doing some good" if they don't volunteer at a marine park. Given we only have Sea World - i think they'd have to get to a point where they said "no more volunteers please, we're full" - so those turned away would be ignorant too? I think you are the one that needs to educate yourself. You've gotten yourself a soapbox based on the fact that YOU volunteer to help marine wildlife, so YOU must know more than others. You're relying on media articles that cannot be said to be accurate (we've seen only recently that information from media is often sensationalised and frequently wrong - just look at media associated with the Martin Place Siege in Sydney). Blackfish isn't fact. It's opinion. You are entitled to have one also. But it doesn't make you 'morally' right - and it certainly doesn't give you the right to tread on anyone else's - especially when you yourself are ignorant of important facts that either contradict or flat out disprove your claim.

Welcome to Parkz Terri, and thanks for dredging up a long since finalised discussion. I can only assume, since your 'greed moral' comments come directly after a quoted post of mine that you are directing your acid tongue in my direction. In the further post of mine that you quoted in ad nauseam, you would have read a very objective opinion of my take on the film. I don't support the captivity of Orca, but i'm a realist when I say that the whales in captivity cannot possibly be released into the wild at this stage, both for their health, and also the popularity of the parks that house them. With a view to the future, the parks could slowly phase things out and replace them with other attractions. Our gold coast park is proof that a Sea World can survive without them, but given the long-standing tradition of Orcas within the USA parks, if they were suddenly to lose them rather than some sort of 'staggered withdrawal' the park would not recover. The health argument goes hand in hand with the financial viability issue, and as I've explained several times in this thread - it isn't viable to release these animals fpr their own health and safety. The breeding program isn't just a money spinner either - again as i've mentioned already - because these animals are pod animals and yearn for company of their own kind... very similar to elephants in circuses (note: i'm not condoning that either) where the circus has been prevented from acquiring more elephants, once the second last one dies, the last one generally doesn't survive. I think it's wonderful you have names to drop. Trevor is a nice guy and very passionate about the rescue and rehabilitation of sea life. He wouldn't have the job title he does if he wasn't (nor would he hold the many positions on trusts and boards that he does). You should bear in mind that there are several people on this site that are closely associated with Village Roadshow, and many park employees (and higher-ups) do pay attention to what goes on here. Although I don't drop names, I have made it plain in the past that I am also acquainted with a member of the Sea World team that works closely with Trevor, and the animals within the park. I'm not ignorant to what goes on behind the scenes, and I can assure you that i'm not one to sit there and selfishly demand an animal perform for my own amusement, nor would I consider myself 'self centered' because of the views I hold. Note that since 1973, Trevor has been instrumental in the acquisition of most of Sea World's animals, and whilst the park today is all about spreading the conservation message, it wasn't always that way. The USA parks can change, but it has to be a gradual change both for the health of the animals, and the financial viability of the parks to continue their own marine rescue efforts. If you've got a flag to wave and a message to put across, you're welcome to do so. If you're going to blindly follow a "crock-umentary" that is clearly biased, one sided and deliberately inflammatory whilst remaining ignorant to key facts easily obtained online (as detailed in the post of mine that you quoted) then there will be no reasoning with you and you may as well just leave. I'm quite happy to have a civil discussion about the merits or otherwise of the points made in this film - but there is no need for name calling and slanderous behavior simply because you disagree with someone else's point of view.

^plus don't forget they had all the Scenic Railway trains refurbished by MACK...

I'm not quite sure what you're trying to say AUSTHEMEPARKS... Are you suggesting that LPS is somehow deficient because they didn't install a permanent ride this year? Apart from having installed the Hair Raiser last year, and plans for further attractions already in the pipeline (that we know of) - I'm not seeing a deficiency, given LPM has opened a permanent attraction this season, their last install was in 2010 according to my information (which could be wrong) - so thats a space of 4 years between new permanent rides for a park that is 102 years old (almost continuously operating). Given the issues with LPS - residents, restrictions, court cases, infrastructure development... and the fact that it has had several closedowns that have hampered both it's popularity and it's infrastructure... the fact that they've just installed one ride and are already planning their next one - i don't think there is any deficiency... so i'm curious what you're saying???

Not all of them Yoshi.

I found the rest of it. This attraction is going to be MASSIVE!

If only the east coast paid such attention to these pages!!! (they'd probably go broke from all the 'little fixes' we'd be asking for!!!)

The height limit concerns are valid ones. I'd not researched the specific requirements, and the midway height limit is something that may put a spanner in the works - a relaxation is going to be required if in fact the residents are correct in their assessment that the ride in fact does reside IN the midway. Overall, I can't see their complaints having much force as far as 'blocking the view' given the size of the tower, and that it is not solid. A radio antennae would have similar appearance and generally not require approval up to certain (aircraft) heights. The light suite isn't a trivial issue however - It has merit. By the sounds of things they have installed a smart-led lighting suite (most likely RGB) which of course looks fantastic, and is very modern. The issue the residents raise over it not fitting with the heritage nature of the park (everything else is static white lighting) is quite valid, and further - the 'pulsating and strobing' effects don't fit with the park either. It's also of concern that one submission raises the issue that the lighting suite was left on and running for up to 8 hours after the park had closed. They seem to suggest the park operators did this on purpose to annoy the residents (i'm thinking it was more of a case of the operator forgetting to shut it down when required). I still stand by my assertion that it is extremely unlikely they will need to remove the attraction, however the light suite is a "quick win" that they may be forced to alter or remove - sort of "meet them halfway" to appease the residents. One submission suggests the ride (if allowed to remain) should only display lighting that is necessary to the safe operation of the ride - and this is a very reasonable request... especially if allowed to remain outside the existing building envelope (if in fact it is within it)

What happened to those spastic surfboards you had to strap to your back?

The only assumption I made was that it was on the later side of 3pm... which is a fair call given the park opens at 10, and most service based occupations work on a 4-5hour minimum shift. I did state I was curious why you waited 15 minutes. You didn't state anything about your son in your first post. But curiosity isn't making assumptions - it's enquiring further detail. You stated 3 staff were laughing and chatting. It came off as though you disapproved. You didn't state anything about having to wait for them to finish their conversation, while you stood there watching them goofing off... so i'll make another assumption and presume that that didn't happen, and you weren't inconvenienced by their idle social chatter. Clearly based on previous posts, I'm not one of the 'Dough Bros' - nor should I have to be to point out you were being deliberately negative regarding the experience. It would seem the only person in this situation deserving of your ire would be the guy who clocked off at 2pm and didn't do a handover with the remaining staff. Was their laughter or chatter impeding you completing your transaction? Did it make any difference? No? (you didn't suggest that it did) Then why mention it? You say "at the expense of customer service" but at no time have you suggested that there was such an expense... except that you didn't get your food when it was promised, which was clearly not the fault of those "laughing and chatting" cast members, because the guy you dealt with didn't pass the info on... 6 sentences is hardly in depth... simply a response to the situation you described... and you SHOULDN'T have to chase up your order... but if told 5 minutes, I wouldn't wait FIFTEEN before checking on it. Clearly someone had forgotten about you... these things happen... I don't work for any of the theme parks. As i've made quite plain I DID work for a theme park many years ago. I'm sick of cast members getting verbally bashed on here because somebody had a mildly inconvenient experience and they want to make it sound much worse than it was. I have friends who work at the parks. I visit them sometimes whilst they are on shift. We chat, have a laugh - but the guest always comes first. On here we've had everything from cast members ignoring guests whilst chatting to each other, to cast members playing on their phones whilst operating a ride (major safety issue if true)... but it always seems to be blown out of proportion.

I'm glad the staff are allowed to be friendly and social when things are quiet. I'm curious why you waited 15 minutes when they told you 5 - i'd have been back there 5 minutes later to check. I'm not having a go at you, or anyone who has a bad experience at a park, but whenever people are being inconvenienced or provided with poor customer service, the story is always that the staff were laughing or chatting or on their phones. It conjures images like this one: Again - i'm not saying it isn't true - I wasn't there... However your post suggests the staff were doing something wrong by "laughing and chatting", but I can't say i've ever witnessed staff at any outlet carrying on unprofessionally or outside acceptable limits, for one - goofing off tends to be frowned upon by supervisors - who may or may not be lurking around the corner... believe me they do try and catch staff out, and it isn't worth their job. By all accounts it was a quiet day - and given that the guy that served you finished for the day, my guess is on the later side of 3pm. When things quiet down, and there isn't much to keep the staff occupied - i'm much happier that they'd be laughing and smiling than standing at the counter like this:

Yeah - for both of them - the worst part is the capsule. If you've been on the wedgie - you don't have anything to worry about on Aqualoop. It is a much better experience - you don't really notice you're going through the loop - it's just high speed, and water in your face - a lot like Wedgie.

Yep - I'm with Kev on this one - waiting in the launch capsule is the worst part - after you're locked in but before the trapdoor falls. It certainly gets your heart racing! After the drop, you get a few seconds of water in the face and a feeling of motion, and then splashdown. Best advice I can give is to control your breathing - in and out strongly but not deep... then when you hear 3, prepare to breathe in, in on 2, half out on 1, then in as hard as you can - theres a 1 second gap after 1 until the trap door drops, so you've got time for a full breath...

^probably copied it from a press release.

...no. it has a new name... didn't you read?

...or maybe they're trying to showcase some of the other rides and didn't have room for it. Maybe Tango Train shot JFK?

Fair enough - figuratively, the park had them all on a pallet with a sign that said 'make an offer'... and he did.

^I don't disagree with you, but what is natural about a 12ft moat?

More than any other bidder, clearly. Seriously though - i don't think thats a fair question. What does it matter? He has the only ones left. You're not getting them anywhere else, so supply and demand means he can pretty much charge whatever he wants.