DaptoFunlandGuy

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.

^^ What themeparkgc said. Batwing has the compressed air 'thump' at each change of direction - the low frequency sound can be heard a lot further away than a scream. The freefall attraction is more likely to be quieter operation, and whilst you will get screams, they're only for about 3-4 seconds on the way down, whereas a spaceshot bounces a few times, prolonging the noise...

Good idea - somebody call Schlitterbahn and tell them not to build the worlds tallest water slide, as it will make their other slides look small...

I'm thinking the 'black stripes' are similar to what we see on hydrocoaster, and act to aid propulsion. Naturally the tube will probably make it most of the way uphill, but water doesn't flow uphill so they'll need water injection also. And if the tube will make it up the hill on it's own, then perhaps the intention of these devices is to slow it down? - moreover to 'regulate' the speed to ensure it goes over the hill 'no faster than x speed' I've always wanted to visit Schlitterbahn... hopefully one of our resident WnW parks will install something similar so I don't have to...

I think this certainly does tell us more than the opening date - the picture implies what i believe has already been suggested around the traps as a significant drop tower style attraction. Naturally we'll have to wait and see what develops to work out what kind of tower (freefall space shot other), but i'm glad to see they're expanding their permanent repertoire.

Agree - the December -April (and next year probably October-April) season would be something to look forward to each year... people would count down the days until it opened. it'd allow a good solid 6 months for maintenance, and would allow them to reduce staffing to skeleton crews in winter for essential maintenance and admin. If they commit to opening in Winter - then they've just killed the pricepoint they started with for the season passes - offering the park for a longer period without charging more. They priced this thing based on 6 months of operation only - people whinged and complained about the price, so they cheapened it by offering buy 3 get one free - people still whinged about it, so, before they even open the park and see what kind of visitation they get - the outcry from the noisy minority has got them scared and they're slashing prices before they even start. Waterparks in California - the pinnacle of sunny theme-park going weather don't open all year round - Knott's Soak City didn't open until MAY (our November). The only thing that WnWS has going for it to run a winter season is the fact that it's the ONLY large-scale entertainment in the west of Sydney... it won't attract families, it'll attract teens who don't care about feeling cold... And they may choose to open for the demand, but they might have the demand there at the end of april because of easter holidays, so then they go "we're open in MAY!", so they staff everyone on, keep the pumps running - but everyone disappears because it's too cold - and there goes all that summer revenue you just made... but you can't close on May 7 because nobody's there - because you've just advertised 'OPEN IN MAY!'