DaptoFunlandGuy

Some will recall Wonderland had a blacksmith working in Goldrush. From what I recall, he was a professional blacksmith, who made and sold his creations directly from an outlet. I'm not sure if he was on the payroll, or whether he was an external contractor - but if the park can produce and sell it's own unique creations to guests, rather than merchandisa-generica, I think it's a winner... like something you can only get at the park... if theres a bit of a market for it (i know people who visited Wonderland just to see Tim's "showroom" and make custom orders for handmade product) it would be self sustaining...

Even a small filler attraction could be worked into the area - the old blazing saddles area would be perfectly suitable for such an attraction. I'd love to see a western themed coaster or similar back in behind showstage (that has been talked about to death) but the reality of that proposal is they'd lose a lot of storage space - not to mention the park is getting pretty heavy on coasters without a lot of alternative amusement.

You don't really need to have a 'clint' or 'john wayne' - generic western characters - in character - would do just as well to liven the area up. Just as Dreamworld are turning their minds to a refresh of an existing area (ocean parade, and now it seems - goldrush) - so too should Movie World be considering a refresh of the Western area. a new minor attraction, or a revamped western stage show, a little more pizazz in that area would help alleviate some of the congestion felt around the fountain of the stars and main street. They've revamped WB Kids, 'superhero corner' has been totally redone... it's time Western area got some love. 2014 was the year of the kids in VRTP - WnW Jr and the introduction of JDS. We've had some blockbusters - now is the time for a filler to slot into the western area.

Dreamworld PR answered a question on Facebook ages ago, and it was something to the effect that the attraction required a massive overhaul that was deemed too expensive. The ride would have remained operable, but hampered by whatever improvements or overhaul were identified as being needed. Given the ride was simply shuttered, it is (apart from a little TLC) probably in the same condition it was back then - nothing has changed - except that it would appear that they now have some money to throw at the problem.

There's a good Australian remedy for that...

The site actually has the vibe that the WnWS site had when they first opened - all the big blocky tiles that didn't look at all good on a mobile site.

Are you just winding everyone up? like - persistently? You seriously come out with some of the most boneheaded statements and i'm still trying to figure out whether you're just winding people up or whether you really are that.... obtuse?

Make sure it doesn't expire on you!

^You've set a precedent now, and it is our expectation that you will continue to provide daily updates on Dreamworld maintenance and ride uptime...

I'm pretty sure, so long as the purchase is processed through the MyFun website, that it'd be fine.

Holy crap. Will someone please get the VRTP CEOs on here. Mark - your commitment and connection to your fans and your guests is amazing. They speak - you hear AND acknowledge. I mean yeah theres clearly profit in there for you to do something like that... but still... just wow.

It does make sense, and it is the most likely place - i guess Reanimated's point is just there's nothing CONCRETE saying thats DEFINITELY where it's going...

^he frequently does.

Since they've announced they're building a water slide... and it's pretty pointless building two of the same damn ride in the same park.... i think your info is a little off.

If you're staying in or around Anaheim, Disney is doable - but it depends on what you're after. Most people will tell you that Disneyland and DCA need at least 3 days (with park hop) to see and do most of what you want to do. Knott's isn't far, so if you're local to Disney, you might consider just taking a taxi, or working something out with the ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) shuttle buses. Most resorts and hotels in and around Anaheim have an ART bus arrangement, so this also works for Disney. Universal is another one - but a bit of a hike from Anaheim - and Magic Mountain is MUCH further. To really get a full day out of SFMM, you probably want to drive there, so you can get there early and stay until close (you still won't get everything in in a day though...). I did SFMM in 2013 with a platinum flash pass which is quite expensive, and can safely say I still missed out on several key attractions. Many bus-tour deals with SFMM arrive on, or after opening time, and usually depart several hours before the park closes. If I had only 5 days, although SFMM does have the most coasters, I'd probably spend three days with Disney and 1 at Knott's. If I was still raring to go after 4 days straight at the parks (you will have a jetlag-crash day 1-2 days after arrival) then Universal would be my fifth day. SFMM is a great park for it's attractions, but it's capacity, queue management - and the overall "feel" of the park (slightly different demographic based on location) knock it down the list IMO. If you stick with Disney and Knotts, you won't need a car, but SFMM would definitely require it.

This IS getting very interesting - did you manage any photos Luke? This might get the record for the longest 'maintenance' downtime at an Aus park (Orphan Rocker doesn't count as it never opened)

That's a very interesting theory OceanGirl... there may be some merit to that...

It is good news, but at the expense of such a 'full size attraction' sized space, it is a bit disappointing.

Of course - where it's feasible. Parks around the world take many efforts to maintain the theme, and hide their 'backstage' areas from guests visiting at ground level. But to be asking for them to somehow hide a backstage area visible from a high point on a ride is much tougher. It's just not reasonable to ask that - otherwise every theme park in the world with a free fall tower will need to build a wall similar to the one the luna park sydney residents want built around Hair Raiser... In my view where it's unreasonable or not feasible for them to hide such areas from the view of a ride (where you can only see it for a few moments if you look in that direction, instead of the drop - which is where most would be focussed). We either need a wall similar to the scream shield built around every lift hill and drop (result: ruins the ride) or we need them to raise the backstage fence by the smoking area up there by about 100 feet... The cost vs benefit of either of those moves makes it ridiculous to even suggest.

Absolutely they did - at Walt's insistence... but there are other ways around that... but that is in a park where the costumes vary based on land, attraction, and role. When cast members wear pretty much the same thing no matter what part of the park in - its not that important.

...and the thousands of guests who ride it every day probably don't even notice. EVERY ride out there has things that will 'ruin the magic' if you care to look - the point is to not look... to see past it, and live the experience that it is.

A similar view would be had off Arkham Asylum and Batwing. Disneyland was originally designed so that you could not see anything outside of the park whilst you were there - but even they struggle to keep the rest of LA invisible these days. It's like many things - take a movie like Harry Potter. We know magic doesn't exist - but if you suspend reality and just focus on the story - what does it matter if you're watching it on an iPad on a packed train in peak hour... Small World is well known for it's bare ceiling tiled roof. Ariel's Grotto has been critiqued for the poor theming on the roofline... you just need to look past it and not let something so small detract from what is a great attraction. Sounds like you're just having a whinge for the sake of picking on something.

I'd suggest most rubbish in the river hasn't been deliberately thrown - most likely blown rolled in from various vantage points. it doesn't make it better, but ol' Walt's concept of a trash can within reach at all times certainly rings true.

Awwwwwwwww....

Rappa - you say Golden Seal to Fish Detectives is 'all new' - but don't the animals continue to do similar behaviors in Fish Detectives? Didn't they just change the script, set, storyline and theme? Wouldn't that make it on level with Affinity? Agree with you - it is personal opinion... I just feel that if you don't think what they've done with Affinity meets the criteria to say it's a 'new' show, then nothing they do will ever meet that criteria. Hell they could spend millions creating an entirely new habitat, dredging the broadwater and creating a new arena twice the size of dolphin beach - the animals would still exhibit the same behaviors, so would everyone still be saying "it's not new - its just the same old stuff" ?