DaptoFunlandGuy

Come on - tell me someone else was thinking this...

Ahhhhhhh - all you younguns... The putt putt between Zodiac and Probe was the SECOND putt putt attempt in HBL. The first course was about where they built Fred Flintstone's Splashdown, and can be seen in aerial shots of the park in 85/86.

It's funny to hear someone say that after the number of people who were whinging about the SBNO LTRR, BT, BATR.... In that last photo - there appears to be a white 'carport' style awning near one of the entrances to the mountain... I don't ever recall seeing this before - any ideas on it?

at least they've themed the fencing now so it fits in a little better - much better than the plain white sheeting they had on it before. It's kind of sad to see them demolishing the concrete channels... but i'm glad they're finally doing something with the site...

I'm not disputing it - but this is the first i've heard of 'china alley' being permanently closed. If they were just going to make it back of house, why did they tear down all the facades? Why not just put up a themed hoarding that looks like market stalls (skill games work) and leave the china backdrop? it'd at least look like it belonged then... instead of a fence?

Challenge accepted. I don't have any photographic evidence of course (they kind of prefer you don't have loose items on the ride) But I have seen a VERY small segment of the backyard in one of the previous series.

So the news article links to an On-Ride at WnWP. let me first start off by saying i'm glad we're seeing a new slide in the park. Aqualoop has been around for two seasons now, the 'Aqua Drop' didn't last, so i'm glad they're moving on, replacing a long SBNO slide. That said, the ride looks half the length of terror canyon, and nowhere near as exciting. I think most of the effect you get on that ride is because the alternating colours are twisted throughout the ride, so it looks a little like you're going crazy, when in actual fact it looks a little more sedate on the video. So I got the ride model right (thanks to a 'well educated guess'), and whilst i didn't make a statement, I questioned whether they would stick with the generic name - and it seems they are. Any news on whether there will be one, or two of these? a 3 person slide is obviously great capacity, but when you look back on terror canyon - was that a 2 person slide? (times two slides = 4people?) hopefully the system is more efficient to allow for many pph... time will tell. They probably aren't putting in two if phoenix only has one, but when you look at the little rippers - it works well with two running at a time...

Reckon they'll just sit with the generic 'Constrictor' name? or will they get creative? I mean having uniquely named rides like 'aqualoop' and 'mammoth' and 'flowrider' really sets them apart...

You're finished. I'm not. It might be cheap to buy - but that thing has got more problems than any new attraction ever has. What they'll save on purchase, they'll spend on maintenance. It's like buying a 25 year old pus-box magna instead of a relatively new modelled cheap car (like a Chery). They may both have their problems, but one has manufacturers warranty, available parts and service personnel trained on its maintenance requirements. A 25 year old shitbox that you can't get parts for - and have to custom make them, technology so far out of date you'd need to re-train your maintenance staff, the hardware (track and supports etc) being the same age, having been viciously cut (it was taken down at wonderland by a demolition crew, not a relocation crew - they didn't care what happened to it), and then gingerly pieced together by an engineering crew at the other end who had problems again and again with it, even after they'd opened. Point is - that ride has leprosy. Anyone who takes it on should be made fully aware of its past. I said before - theres a reason its still on the market - and it's not a good reason like the asking price being too high or anything of that nature. I'm not 100% - i think it was Nev involved in the reconstruction - he could attest to these problems (as could Bussy to a lesser extent). At the end of the day - Titan Demon Zoomerang is NOT AN OPTION. I appreciate you want to drop the subject because you're getting called on it, but stop spruiking it as being an option AT ALL. Regardless of the conversion rate, regardless of whether it would fit in the space, or whether it was originally planned to go in there in the first place - it's had its day. its dead and its done.

Well being that Universal have spent a shit load of money to have a HP themed land, I doubt you'll see any more HP than what we already have. Put simply - WB holds the movie licensing, and Universal the theme park licensing - shit - we might as well lobby MW to replace LTRR with Pirates of the Carribbean! Matrix is dead. It was a cult followed franchise, but it's over. it has no lastability in todays market. The matrix exhibit was shit.. and boring. A walk through attraction that isn't worth the re-rideability, and therefore, regulars avoid it like the plague. I saw it once - that was enough. To announce an attraction NOW based on a franchise that had it's day THAT LONG ago, is akin to MW announcing a new Lethal Weapon roller coaster - it's not going to happen. Themes have to be current AT THE TIME OF CONSTRUCTION - unless - UNLESS that theme has long standing. The DC characters have that long standing - so does Scooby Doo, and so do the WB characters. Even the AVPX has a theme that has stood the test of several decades. And police academy - whilst it was getting on in years - had movies that also spanned two decades (or was it three?) Look at Wild Wild West Adventure Ride - themed to capitalise on the movie, and dumped once it lost its relevance. Cartoon network made way for nickelodeon... nickelodeon made way for Dreamworks. I'll bet with the demise of the wiggles that we'll see that disappear with it's lost relevance once the 'new wiggles' die in the arse (which they will). I'm all for the park expanding, and opening a new themed land with some great new attractions - problems include a lack of space to the back of the park due to the backyard neighbours (thereby requiring any expansion that way to be 'indoors' which also loses a key access route around the back of the park too). Expanding to the front has been done about as far as they can, which is why we're seeing replacements instead of new installations (GL excepted). I'd like to see them utilise the land between the sound stage and WWF, and they probably will someday - by which time franchises like the Matrix will long have been forgotten. HP will live on but only because of the fan following, and the kick ass themed lands made by universal - we won't see that install into MW. Dare I say - something still current, recent, and easily themable would be Twilight - but I hope I don't get banned for swearing... not to mention that i'd probably avoid the park like the plague if they did something like that.

[*]It's had 3 previous homes [*]At wonderland, it leaked fluid like no tomorrow [*]The track has been cut, and rewelded - in several places - several times [*]Regardless of refurbishment - you can polish manure - but it's still shit.

I think you're reaching... The WBMW is iconic - changing to DC World would involve the retheming of several attractions that would be extremely expensive - Scooby for one. Why is the park adding nothing but DC attractions? Well probably because out of all the films available to them under license, the DC are more 'long lasting' in terms of a successful comic following, as well as a somewhat successful movie following (which in some cases involves more than one movie - even more than one SERIES of movies (ala Batman). The popularity and recognisability of the characters is what keeps it alive and makes it such a desirable theme. I would think nothing of the staff members comment except to highlight that they know their characters are DC, and you were featuring Marvel. Seems odd for a cast member to randomly drop that comment to you without some form of preceding leading discussion...

Except then DW would have been able to trumpet the 'looping' slide bit a bit more than they could have with WnW getting one at almost the same time...

Any chance on a name change for the thread... given that it's pretty well all but confirmed now? at least call it a snake, and not a crocodile!!!

Scenic railway is the prime attraction at scenic world. Although the SkyWay and the Sceniscender are both fabulous attractions - the skyway underwent a revamp a few years ago - including a new carriage, station and 'disappearing floor'. The sceniscender is 'getting on in years' which is to say - not many, as it's only been in service for about 10 years or so - (the old Skyway was in service for many years, as was the current trains on the railway). i guess the point is that the Skyway and Sceniscender aren't unique - they're the vekoma boomerangs of the 'scenic world' world. The scenic railway on the other hand is unique - it's the 52 degree incline that makes it a one of a kind, and the story and history of the tunnel that it goes through just add to that. There are three ways into the Jamison valley from that point - the giant staircase (ok to go down if you're reasonably fit - but don't try to go up unless you're in top shape), the sceniscender is more expensive, carries less people, and doesn't have that unique 'reveal' of the valley that the railway does as it exits the lower end of the tunnel. The railway is the cheaper option, with far more seats (which is much more suitable to school groups too), doesn't give those with a fear of heights any issues, and is far quicker between points a & b. I would suggest the railway is getting a little more for it's $30m pricetag than just a new track and train... we'll see how much more in December i guess...

is it just me or does that last photo look like the chinese officials that hovered over the road they were 'inspecting' ? Especially the guy on the front right...

I forsee a theme up-grade to the dodgems - something along the lines of the furious 5 po's training room - with all the spinning stabby objects...

TPGC - I think you might be onto something here - anyone see what WnWP got in last year??? I'm just spitballing here - but the theme seems to fit too... http://wetnwildphoenix.com/Rides--and--Attractions/Constrictor.htm Here's the product page... http://www.whitewaterwest.com/constrictor_tubing.html

Which side? One side is newer than the other - being that the old mammoth 'fall' slide got sent to SWRWP a few years back and replaced with another (mirror) river. TLC channel had a 'waterparks' special a few months back - showed a bowl slide fully enclosed with disco lights etc - was very well done. Mammoth would be a bit harder - as riders aren't in the same spot for very long...

The ships won't be parked on the eastern side of Wavebreak - firstly, there isn't enough room for them to turn sideways, and if they were 'poking out into the ocean' they'd be blocking the entire ocean-going channel. If you look at the artist's impressions - they're placing the ships on the northern side of wavebreak, putting them out of the way of normal channel traffic. The ships will enter the ocean-channel, turn to starboard (north right) and dock nose-west along the northern side of the island.

For getting around, it is worth buying a card (like a go-card) for the MRT. This also gives you a half price return trip to sentosa (pay one way, the return is free). The train system is very convenient for getting around. I recommend seeing both the Singapore Day Zoo, as well as the Night Safari. There are tours out of Singapore central that take you out. Don't be put off by the times (I think the day zoo they allow about 4 hours) - you can see the whole zoo in that time - they have a very efficient tram system throughout the park, and they'll drive you around most of the zoo, slow down for each enclosure so you can see the animals without ever getting off the tram. The night zoo safari is very similar and you can see it in the same amount of time. Get the morning trip to the zoo, spend the afternoon in Singapore, and then take the trip back to the night safari. Universal is obviously a must - but there are many other things you can do whilst you're there. Songs of the Sea is a bit 'rofl' but it is still well worth seeing what a non-disney company can do with that kind of show. Naturally - Marina Bay Sands, the casino and shopping are worth your time - but don't expect great bargains - our exchange rate isn't fantastic in singapore, and you don't save much - so save your shopping souvenir purchases to things you wouldn't be able to get in Australia. Sentosa has a number of other experiences which we tried out while we were there - including a parajump (freefall, descender assisted harness jump off a tower), as well as an extremely long zip line that was on a season of amazing race (USA) a few years back. They also have a luge track which in my opinion is worth the ride - a little like a toboggan except the track is a few metres wide - and you can get up some great speed. Seeing the island from the cable car to get to the top of the luge is also well worth it. For those that adrenalin isn't everything - theres always the trek to Merlion - funny photos in strange poses are permitted (and hilarious). Even if you've had one before - in any place (including singapore) you MUST try out Raffles Hotel for the original Singapore Sling. Non-adrenalin junkies may also find a trip to the Changi Prison interesting as well. To be honest i'm of two minds - Singapore is the great, clean tourist mecca of Asia - and Hong Kong is it's dirty cousin - you can get better bargains shopping in hong kong, but cleaner, more sophisticated experiences in singapore. Checking out Marina Bay Sands, SkyGarden (and the pool!), as well as the cultural museums and other things in and around the bay. I'd recommend 4 days to do it nicely, but you can get it done in three if you're efficient. If you have time left over - grab one of the hippo jump-on jump-off bus tours and take a trip around the city - see Little India (from the safety of your upper-deck bus-seat!) but don't get off the bus! Down Orchard Road, there are many Tourist Info centres too - stop by and get some info from them (the privately run centres that do the tours are worth it as well) and give you plenty of ideas on other thigns you could do too. If you stop by the official tourist info desk - they'll also give you a free rain poncho - which (believe me) comes in very handy.

I'm sure the developers will take into account the kind of boat traffic that goes between wavebreak and the mainland - fact is that the channel on the western side of wavebreak is guarded by large sand banks - especially at low tide. When on a missing person search recently, I made many trips from the boat ramp there to Sth Strad and Wavebreak. If a boat can't fit under the bridge, it's going to be big enough to take the eastern side of wavebreak. SES floodboats (built for flatwater, not waves) handled it fine - and they're not large boats. An offshore terminal will cost a lot more. The gold coast needs a cruise terminal badly - this will reinvigorate the area immensely.

Well considering it's not on the master plan for WnWs... I think it's safe to say it's a bermuda replacement.

So the news tonight revealed plans to develop Wavebreak island on the gold coast - a kind of dubai-sand style resort area, connected by road to the mainland - with a shipping terminal etc... The developer stated on the news that the key feature of the island (and the only thing mandatory to make the investment viable) was a casino. for those unfamiliar with Wavebreak, it lies west of the spit, in the gap between the spit and south stradbroke island. Personally, I think it's a brilliant idea - but i'd like to see a sentosa style theme park of sorts in there as well... Of course - the news also featured your run-of-the-mill greenie, complaining about the loss of natural environment. For those who've been on wavebreak - this is no great loss to the environment let me tell you...

What? he doesn't even get a cigarette?