DaptoFunlandGuy

More rumor, but hard to be wrong... if Sea World have said 'Early December' - then the next two weeks would be a given - after that it wouldn't be 'early' december... it'd just be december.

You have admitted you did not attend the presentation, so your statement that it runs for 3-4 hours is second hand from someone else who did. For all you know, they didn't have a watch, and while it 'felt' like 3-4 hours, it was only 90 minutes. Or maybe at 90 minutes they told everyone that that was the end of the spiel, but if they wanted more info, to stick around, and that took another 90 minutes? WHo knows? Not you because you weren't there. You haven't offered up your experience, you've offered up your opinion. there is a big difference. And yet - you still show no evidence of anyone being FORCED to pay money for a product they don't want. You're in sales - have you ever taken someone's credit card out of their wallet and charged a whole bunch of stock to the card without the customer agreeing? No - because they would stop you. You seem to have it in your head that these guys exercise some sort of 'mind control' over these poor unsuspecting park guests, and somehow get them to do things they do not want to do. Several people around here know a guy named Tony Laffan (congrats on the bubba by the way). He's a hypnotist, who does both comedy hypnotism to promote his skills(gets you to walk around like a duck etc) as well as therapy hypnotism for things like quitting smoking. The first thing he will tell you is that he can't make anyone do anything they don't want to do. Even under hypnosis, your subconscious has to be willing to do the things he is suggesting. All contracts are required to have a cooling off clause - a period of time where either party can terminate the agreement without prejudice. I'd like you to point me to someone who: Is a member of holiday club, didn't want to be from the start, never actually wanted to be, doesn't want to continue; but, continues to pay them money. You don't like their sales tactics, and as a salesperson yourself you feel embarassed that a very good sales person convinced you to part with $20 of your own money, but the fact is, you did - and you're angry at yourself that you fell for the sales pitch... but thats all it is - it's a sales pitch. it's not a scam, it's not a lie. It's a legitimately registered business running a legitimate promotion. Theres a reason the nigerian scammers are in nigeria. Theres a reason the 'Windows support team' scammers aren't in Australia. Because anyone running anything from a base IN AUSTRALIA that does not conform with Australian Consumer Law will very quickly be shut down or brought up on charges - especially an organisation as prominent and bold as one that would stand waving fliers in your faces in a theme park, and holding weekly "information sessions" in hotel conference rooms... gee, they'd be hard to track down if they were doing something illegal wouldn't they??? You seem confused that we don't believe you, and can't understand why we're "against" your opinion. You're using inflammatory language to cast dispersions against this apparently legitimate company. You've done so with no proof. You've been asked for proof, and given none - just more stories and explanation. ....now we aren't a court of law, but all you've given me was a story with no backing. It's like me saying: You see? Theres no proof in me telling you that story. What would prove it was a photo of me accepting the keys from an employee of holiday club - this would be actual evidence of the transaction. I have worked in the Banquets Events division of a large hotel. I've seen how much room charges are to hire. I can tell you the hotel function rooms on the gold coast aren't exactly cheap, but more importantly - if you want to know how long they PLAN for these information things to run - look at the events board at the front of the hotel - where it says something like "ballroom 1 - 9am to 10:30am - Holiday Club information session". If they planned for it to run for four hours, then the info board would be displayed by the hotel as "9am to 1pm"... unless you're going to claim that the hotel chains involved in hosting these info sessions are 'in on it' in which case the conspiracy just gets far too big, and it's time for you to put your tin foil hat on because the government organisation knows where you are and what you're thinking and they're coming for you!!! *spooky noises* Conspiracy theorists unite! Dyslexics untie!

I think i'd prefer the Hair Raiser in Gazza's shot to the one presently being installed at LPS - but beggars can't be choosers!

Of course embellishment is the nature of PR people - however Dreamworld had a say in this advertisement too... you don't think the wording wouldn't have been haggled over and agreed to, so that one group didn't get an unfair advantage in the advertisements over the other? 7 December is a good target based on the 'early' or 'very early' statements. the weekend after that is 'mid december'. Of course, nothing says the opening day has to be a weekend, and it may be smart to soft open on a weekday so you have less crowds to manage the ride through it's paces as a rehearsal for the weekend rush - but for some reason, VRTP likes to open it's rides on the busiest day possible (boxing day for some rides in the past), so why not a saturday, rather than a thursday?

Sorry to harp - Brad the best way you can get a feel for 'who's who in the zoo' is to check out both their post count, and how long they've been a member. If they're at 1000 posts and they've been a member for a year - they have too much time on their hands. If they've got 1500 posts and they've been a member since 2003/4, chances are they aren't yanking your chain. If a 13 year old (now) has been a member since 2003... he learned to type very early on in life!!! Onto the model type - the pic of the tower with the ball on top does imply some great lighting opportunities. the ball at the top in itself lends itself to some wonderful 'lightshow' opportunities - searchlights anyone? This will really: make the park more noticeable from across the water other end of the harbour piss off the residents at the top of the cliff who have a court judgment saying LPS can do what LPS wants to do (pretty much) tie in with harbour-based nighttime events (like NYE) where they could use it as part of the show (justsayin)

I'm pretty sure, since Pandamonium doesn't 'free spin' like say - the old pirate ship - that the drive is a geared one - therefore if the drive failed stopped seized, it would hold in position, wouldn't it?

I think if the target demographic is locals, then December is the better late night trade - as most people don't go away until AFTER christmas. January is the time most families etc go away, and who wants to holiday in Eastern Creek? I think thats more the point of the January trading hours. That said they'll probably adjust as demand appears. I will say though - that Fred (like many other passholders) will be getting very upset right now, about a product they purchased in advance, sight unseen, after accepting all the terms and conditions. It's like buying an apartment in a high-rise 'off the plan' before ground has even been broken. You do so at your own risk - you've agreed to the terms and conditions, knowing full well that: a) the park was a seasonal park and would fluctuate it's operating schedule from year to year like ANY park, operating hours (and attraction operating hours inside the park) are subject to change without notice. Potentially, if you're unhappy with this Fred, you can seek a refund for item not as described, and at this stage, they'd probably give it to you. But no doubt, you will choose to accept these terms and hours, and continue to use the pass, in which case you probably aren't THAT unhappy about Western Sydney finally having a source of entertainment for 6 months of the year. Enjoy the park Fred.

It's not the first time a long-standing member on these boards has predicted the future well in advance of when the park would have even made a decision on it - good job Gazza.

I think this is the best way to look at it though - This is Australia's first 'WaterCoaster'. We've all seen flumes, we've all seen Roller-Coasters, but this is the first time Australia has seen a Roller Coaster that is also a Flume! As an Australian First, it's justifiably Australia's Greatest Coaster yet. As has already been said in this very thread, the title is subjective, so different people will have a different view, but it's not unreasonable to apply the title to the ride. It's not like they took a slow-ass totally yawn worthy family coaster and tried to call it a 'big thrill' ride now, is it? Nobody is claiming Storm to be 'most thrilling' or 'highest' or 'fastest' - just 'greatest' and the very nature of the title means you can't say they're wrong. You can disagree with them, but its just opinion, so nobody is right. I guarantee you all of these parks have collaborated on the content of the advertisement. They all chipped in money, they all support it. the wording would have been very carefully chosen and agreed to by all parties, so let's not blame 'the government' for everything. If they weren't all in agreeance with the finished product, it wouldn't be promoted and on-air right now.

RENEW! RENEW!

If you're visiting during either NSW or QLD school holidays, it is likely all the majors will be open, barring unforseen problems that cannot be avoided. Outside those times, it's useful to know what the history of the attractions are - I recall someone pointing out a while ago that VRTP (movie world, sea world and wet n wild) usually have a set calendar for maintainence where the same attraction goes down at the same time every year (again, barring unforseen circumstances)... so maybe if you look at the 2013 calendar, it might help figure out whats likely to be down at that time next year? (Of course, Storm cannot be relied upon yet - new openings may have unforseen problems which take them down almost immediately. In some cases these types of issues can be ongoing for months - ala Universal Singapore's duelling coaster whose name escapes me right now.)

i'd say there was a 'potentially' classified part of the post in that he confirmed it is staying permanently. Thats the only thing I could see being 'restricted' in that everything else is blatantly obvious to the entire bloody harbour... And even then - permanent or temporary, it's good to see LPS is putting in something new, so who cares either way it's something they're actually promoting... which has been a long time coming. Nothing makes Bussy special over anyone else on the site - however he is quite a long standing member of this site, and rarely comes on with 'OMG YOU GUYZ WUNT BLEAV DIS! kinda stuff. Certain people - especially those who are new or have a poor reputation for posting crap1 will always be challenged or questioned. Bussy has always been a wealth of information, and has always observed any relevant 'secrecy' requirements imposed by the parks he has associated with. If Bussy says it, i'm inclined to give his statement the respect and attention he has earned on these boards as I find it extremely unlikely that he would ever steer us wrong. 1(Those who remember 'shifty' or 'nightshifter' would know what i'm talking about. These days it would be the RWC equivalent.)

It is never a ride-op's decision in that regard. The manufacturer imposes restrictions and requirements on 'launch-enable' that are programmed into the ride's computer system. If these restrictions are exceeded or requirements not met, the op doesn't get the correct 'light' on their panel, and any attempt to dispatch the ride whilst not meeting those requirements just simply won't work. I took trip to Sea World in San Diego recently (I also saw some in SFMM) where there were TV screens in the station house facing the loaders, giving a visual Red Green light for EACH and EVERY harness. If one wasn't locked in to the required degree, the loaders knew exactly who needed fitting. Ops will try their very best to fit you in, which may sometimes result in some discomfort as they give your harness a little shove. BuzzSaw is very forgiving in that area. I have family members that carry most weight in the stomach and behind, and are able to load fairly easily. I've ridden BuzzSaw at 120KG and i'm 6 foot, so I don't imagine size wise theres much difference in the extra 10kg. If you're fairly 'moveable' in the stomach, try lifting it a little. The harness needs to lock over your hips so if your stomach comes over the top of that it won't matter. I should add, i've never had a problem loading into BuzzSaw (as a matter of fact never had a problem loading into anything except Eureka Mine Ride), so BuzzSaw should be fine.

For starters, your continued implication that organisations such as Holiday Club are 'scammers' or 'liars' without offering up any evidence or proof that this is true. I can easily go onto a website associated or affiliated with your employer business social group and start saying things that you have said, calling key members of the organisation liars or thieves or scammers and not offering up a shred of proof. And if these claims or statements were found to be untrue, that organisation would be well within their rights to lay charges against me for slander. I'm only holding you to the same civil standard of proof as your 'crusade' to make sure people are 'aware' should contain facts, rather than opinions. One mans scam is another man's opportunity. And for the final time, I re-state to you - i am not affiliated with them in any way. I work for a government organisation that cannot take action without facts to back them up.

I guess the trick with HK is to engage the local authorities and get them to pave the way for you - as Disney did (the HK authorities own around half the park from memory)...

^That's a very RWC'ish thing to say... It's a big assumption to make. It'd be nice if it were a good quality drop tower rather than a traveller - hopefully its a long lasting addition to a park that sorely needs it.

I don't really think so - consider this - a single day ticket is an anonymous purchase, and you're only in the park for the day. Where the parks make their real money is in repeat visit and marketing. If you buy a VIP pass (which you will, because it's better value than a single day ticket), the park gets your name, address, email address etc - which they can then use to add to their marketing base. On top of that, the pass means you can re-enter more than once - and buy more food, merchandise, lockers... etc. It's not weird, it's smart.

I think we should be thankful that Sea World haven't just built a tin shed (Buzzsaw) or pop-up quickshades (MDMC) and left it at that. Considering we don't have the budgets that the big boys do, I think either way we should just appreciate the efforts they have put into this. We also don't know how much effort they've put in inside the shed either.

although expensive, and already with a large competitor, i'd like to see them branch out into Hong Kong and Singapore. Disney and Universal are already the big kids on the block there, but as has been seen, where Disney or Universal build, others are sure to follow to hinge off the already popular 'destination' that the brand brings.

Thats the most intelligent thing i've read from you so far. But that's your problem, isn't it? The print was there, you had every right to say "let me read this before i sign it" but you didn't - for whatever reason, that is your mistake - and doesn't make him a scammer - just makes him good at his job. Have harvey norman actually come back to you and said 'we are not in any way affiliated with this company' ? Frankly I don't see any proof that you've obtained that shows he lied... Do you think Harvey Norman staff don't visit the parks and see this? Don't you think they'd shut it down if there wasn't an agreement? Just because you can't find anyone shouting from the rooftops that they won a harvey norman voucher, does that mean none have? I've never met anyone who won the major prize in a boystown lottery, but I know they do exist. It's just like the 'lucky number' stall at the sideshow of your agricultural show - they have a big number board with all the winning numbers, but they only have to have ONE of those numbers mixed into all the other tickets to be legitimate. Legitimate Scratchies from NSW Lotteries and Golden Casket both say on the back 'some or all cash prizes may have been won before this ticket was purchased' or something like that. Liar? Scammer? I say show us PROOF that this is recognised as a scam... My assurances that it ISN'T is that they continue TO THIS DAY to remain inside our parks. A registered Australian business is only required to quote it's ABN during a business transaction... such as on an invoice. I think you'll find there is an ABN for the organisation - i'm not saying which one it is (because I don't know) but did you try "http://abr.business.gov.au/SearchByName.aspx?SearchText=holiday+club". Also - placing some reliance in an organisation having an ABN proving that they're legitimate is the most retarded thing i've ever heard - A person can go online, answer some questions and get an ABN from a computer in 5 minutes without ever having to prove that what they're doing is legal. I have an ABN and have had it since the year 2000 and i've never even RUN a business. You work in sales, your dad worked in sales, but still you fell for the 'writing things down and circling things to distract you from reading the fine print' ? Mustn't be very good salespeople. Especially if (as per 9) you got taken 'off guard'. I again ask whether you have any confirmation or proof that there is not some sort of commercial relationship or agreement with Harvey Norman. You haven't yet provided any evidence that they are not in some form of working relationship or sponsor. So you got caught off guard, and trusted them. I again reiterate your lacking as a salesperson. I've always believed these guys were clearly marked as not being 'part of WVTP'... and again you refer to these guys as not being legitimate - but make this statement without any proof or evidence, only your own sour grapes that you got convinced by a very good sales guy to part with your cash. In the absence of a gun to your head - these guys are legit, and you are an idiot.

could even be a fly coaster? I don't know why but my mind keeps coming back to the ride proposed to go inside Superman Escape's courtyard (name escapes me at the minute) - that would most likely give the kind of ride experience that the photo of the girl implied, whilst matching the 'fly' advertisement pretty well too....

I've had an e-brake on ToT2 - came back in way too fast, felt a shuddering of what I can only describe as friction tyre drives (but probably weren't) pushing back at the car that was still coming in hot. We overshot the station by about 5-7 metres and then sat there in the dark for 15 minutes before they finally winched us back to the station and unloaded. Best ride i've had on it.

Usually, midweek isn't the best time to get photos - mainly because those who are nice enough to visit the park and take photos aren't always able to do it on a weekday because of work, or study obligations. You can wait until the weekend when more members can get down there and if you ask nicely enough they'll get some, otherwise - you can always go down there and take some yourself and post them for everyone else...

I'm still waiting for a slide manufacturer to come up with some way for riders to board a tube at the bottom, and then be carried up the conveyor belt to the top. This would be more efficient loading, and in my opinion, the conveyor belt would never have to stop... only thing is moving parts and weight management - but i'm sure it could be done... maybe they could use the hydro coaster technology to propel riders up hill???

As an addition - the $20 deposit they take from you is because they put food on for these 90 minute information sessions. The $20 is always returned to you in cash or in kind (and this is always explained to you) once you attend the meeting. It saves them putting on catering for 400 people if only 10 show up. Its just to show you're serious about actually coming... nothing more. If you don't want to part with your $20 on the spot, then you're probably not their target market anyway, so it ensures those with mutual interests are brought together... Thanks Brad for the rest - you beat me to it. Can't say i've ever heard of 'luke from holiday club' - is he the owner? Sounds like he's just one of many of those guys out there that spruik this product. I'm not saying he didn't lie - They all get the same training, but some of them may overstep their boundaries and lie - it happens in many industries. The best you can do is provide feedback through whatever channels are open to you if you feel you were deceived or misled and have it investigated - such as through a consumer affairs channel. If they look into it and don't uphold your complaint, then they didn't lie or deceive, and you simply ignored or failed to exercise your right as a consumer correctly. If you didn't raise it with your consumer affairs body, chances are you obviously didn't feel strongly enough about the issue and your bitterness now is simply a case of sour grapes.