Original

Okay, this is something that has been bugging me on the forums, people bagging out VRTP closing Batman with no replacement. What do you mean by no replacement? The park closed it back in November and by Spring their will be a new ride in their, thats a turn around of less than a year. I know a replacement will eventually come to BT and LT, but they have been closed down longer with no replacement. I don't know the reason for their closure and I'm not going to speculate why they closed down so long before their replacement and left SBNO; and who know what Ardent are doing with Eureka. But please don't bring Batman into, I really don't think that ride applies. I agree with Joz, the park does need to find itself a new direction; I still mind it keeping the Australian theme, although Madagascar and Tiger Island don't fit. I would start with the entrance and that includes both inside and outside the the ticket gates, it would only be cosmetic but I think thats where you need to start as that what sets you up before you've even entered and gotten on a ride. Yes I would return the Fountain and make it something really spectacular, maybe even put something like the Universal sign outside their parks in the fountain but with DW obviously. Next, before I even add new rides I would revisit the lands that are fine and the rides and give them a refresh, much like Disney did to DCA, return theming to rides that left it, mining uniforms back on GD, water back in Wipeout, if feasible, work out some theme with Cyclone and add a second train, those sorts of things. On the topic of uniforms, I know people may not like this, and know QLD summers can be horrible, but I'd really like to see new uniforms for the park, especially ride operators, other than blacks shorts and a polo top; although something like beach type, lifesaver uniforms would work well in Ocean Parade. Mick Doohan, I think is okay as a family ride and thats what they need to market it as, get rid of it from the Big 7 list and give it a massive makeover, although if money was limitless, I would demolish, find another location in the park and build another family roller coaster. Wiggles, personally I couldn't care less if they were there or not, but I still would like to see a second kiddies area, maybe bring back the Kenny the Koala area, put it out near AWE. Gold Rush, with Eureka, something like Gazza once drew up, I just thought that was phenomenal. Keeping on going with the area around the back develop Blue lagoon as either part of Eureka, which I would make Rocky Hollow part of the Gold Rush area as well. Get rid of the old skyway poles and then as we move out that back some new, big exciting coaster added to the park. I'd also like to see another water ride, because in summer, forget about cooling off on their current 2 water rides, the lines are the longest in the park and a water ride that is a real people eater, they've got rapids, log ride, maybe one with a large drop on it to give it a real thrill, if by some magical way it was possible I would love to bring DW's rapid ride into the 21st century by extending it and making it bigger with a drop on it. I would also expand WWW to it full size and then add a hotel and entertainment precinct to DW attaching to the shopping centre, when it eventually gets built , and have something like a city walk at Universal, that way making it a place that when the day finishes at the park you still money with Ardent. You would also have a jump on VR, as they will eventually also do the same with MW, WnW and Outback. I would also extend both DW and WWW trading hours in summer, create a world class parade for the park running during the day and again at night, and have huge show to end the night like the Disney and Universal parks do maybe around the Rivertown area. I would also love to something like a tram/trolley or the like making it way from the entrance plaza to other areas of the park like Ocean Parade. Sigh, if only I was Gina Rinehart and money was no object!!

Is that what we really want though? Another one trick pony? All Kingda Ka is go really fast straight up and come back down. They already have ToT and GD is only a tiny bit shorter than it. Look at the coaster polls out there, the ride isn't number one. People want rides with a bit of substantiality, pull some G's, give some airtime, maybe go upside down a couple of times (although even then rides that go upside down heaps also don't rate as number one). I would much rather have SE over Kingda Ka any day (although I haven't ridden the latter). Doesn't everyone complain DW is full of one trick pony rides, how will this fix it? I'm not even going to the point that 15 million dollars will nowhere near close enough to build it either. Also, no more movie licenses for parks, we already have one themed movie park in Australia and that is enough, considering we only have a few parks that are all grouped together. DW needs to be an alternative with a point of difference, which for them is Australia, lets just keep it that way; or hope management do. Its actually interesting to read back before all the other points that people remember about DW, and the extra charm and touches it used to have that are now gone that even I had completely forgot about. My point I guess, is that people do notice, and it does impact on peoples experience, even if they can't put their finger on it. It then creates bad word of mouth; my suggestion to the park is go back to old days, or find a new direction, give it everything you've got and stick to it. I just remembered a few more as well: I remember when the park had a show filled with singing animatronic Australian animals. I remember the roar the Thunderbolt used to make as it went through the loops and could be heard all the way across the M1 from my school. I remember watching my family on Thunderbolt and not being able to wait till I was tall enough to do and watching in fascination as it went around and around. I remember standing outside the park on boxing day morning and looking up as the GD would slowly make its way to the top, looking how tall it was and going "NO WAY", then watching someone from the family do it and coming off looking like a ghost. I remember when the mountain that housed Angry Beavers Spooty Spin actually had a working waterfall. I do also remember the Votex, but that has some bad memories attached , so I thought I might leave it off!

I was just about to come back and add the water from Wipeout and the shark, but I completely forgot about the wizard.

I remember a time when the park had a real "magical" feel to it, it was something you couldn't put a finger on but it was there. I remember when mainstreet had working fountain and used it as a centrepiece and all the surrounding building were painted in appropriate colours. I remember when the park had iconic entertainment roving the park, Goldie the clown, a singing quartet, Kenny the Koala and the wizard. I remember going to the park with friends and having them run to other side of the park crying because they saw a clown. I remember riding the Captain Sturt when it wasn't painted bright colours and you would get to watch a really cool (what I thought at the time was a) bushranger show. I remember going to Blue Lagoon to cool down in the afternoon, and going down the slide in tandem with family members. I remember hearing the roar of ToT and when it first began testing causing blackouts at our school and giving us melted ice-creams every lunch. I remember when the park had an iMax theatre, vintage cars and while I may not remember but a mosaic floor which apparently still exists but has been recovered with a laminate floor. I remember when I was kid riding the octopus ride next to the Wipeout. I remember when the park didn't have random attractions such as the AVPX, and V8 race cars, or a motorcycle roller coaster in Rivertown that is a pretty dull ride, but has been made up for it with colours that was used on it and the restaurant next to it (where we would eat lunch every year). I remember the GD back when it first opened and it had a themed uniform. I remember standing on my toes to pass the height on the mine ride. I remember when it was actually operating. I remember going on the skyride and going past the GD and ToT as they roared past. I remember going to the lolly shop and having someone from the family buy me smarties even after my mum had specifically said I wasn't to have them. (Although that shop still exists). I remember when the Wipeout actually had the water underneath it, as well as the circling shark. I remember we used to go to DW once a year, on boxing day, as it was the only day everyone in my family would have off. I would always go on the plane ride in the kids area and watch other family members go on ToT as I was too short, do the rapids with everyone, watch with fascination the helicopters take off and land. I remember a day when Dreamworld really was a place that felt like dream, like it was a place where our whole family could take a trip away from the everyday, forget everything outside and just have fun! Now when I visit, I feel like it was a lifetime ago, I don't even feel like I'm visiting the same place. Don't get me wrong they have made some good decisions, ToTII, The Claw, Dreamworks; some executed well, others not so much. Dreamworld just does not have that same "magical" feel to it anymore, we as a family went there a few years ago, the end feeling everyone had when they walked through the exit gates was "I think we can leave that again for a few years". I hope someone from Dreamworld actually has some passion in the place, and they have decision making powers, that they can actually turn Dreamworld into that place again that I couldn't wait to get to every year and would have the best day of my life. Did I leave anything out that people remember from back in the day about the park.

^ Well I for one can't wait for this ride! I'm coming up soon and I'm going to the parks; however, now with this ride I'm planning on coming up again soon after it has opened for both the new ride and Halloween.

Sounds good, good to hear from you as well Richard, feels like I haven't heard from you around the forums for some time!

The Bulletin article, while the newspaper may not be the most reliable, the article on the new ride did state that Sally Corp. would be building it!

Looks like as many people guessed from the IAPAA interview with Sally Corp. that they were going to be building a dark ride. Including me My question now with those stats realised what will capacity be? Has it been realeased? Regards to track I could see it running on some sort of single rail.

^ The Wiggles ride at DW, while it isn't a shooter and if memory serves me right has no track?? I think from that photo it is part of the ride and I can see where in those rectangular sort of slots there would be projection screens for you to shoot at.

They manage to do this during Halloween, Christmas and WnW summer night time trading hours and DW's Sreamworld. My guess is, not sure, but wouldn't there be buses running after Outback Spectacular as well?

^ that's just what I was saying our parks should do! I was saying I think MW could really pull something like the Mad T Party that just opened at Disney California Adventure. Put a bar in All Stars and have shows/bands/DJs in mainstreet with entertainment and the rest of the park has the rides going! SW have the whole lake to play with and not really have to worry about neighbours. WnW already open late in summer and DW have their front entry plaza to do some sort of late night offering. Also if you something like Mad T Party theme you'll get food and drink sales plus the sales from The bar at All Stars and then offer merchandise themed for the event, plus all the normal merchandise and create a profit off that!!

^ Which I've always thought our parks should do some sort of late trading hours, especially in summer. MW could always work something like DCA's Mad T Party, you can then get ticket sales late at night, people will buy food and drink for the night time as well as merchandise for the event especially if they are all having a good time by the entertainment provided.

Moving a little off topic, my guess is, the LT area will get some love from MW next, especially now with DreamWorks down the road. Then move onto the Wild West area to try and spread people out more and so WWF isn't on its own! Back on topic, my comment about the aliens from BT was a joke, but now djrappa mentions it, just one of them added in there could be a cool little touch or throwback to one of Australia's best dark rides and some nice memorabilia for people who do remember BT and let a small piece of it continue to live on. My next question is, will there be facade change? Or will it continue to be Wayne Manor and will the queue still be outside or moved inside? I guess time will tell.

I think once upon a time a 3D and now 4D movie could shown in the park for a lengthy period. Nowadays though 3D technology is becoming more prominent, nearly every film has it and you can now buy TV's with it. I think today the novelty of going to watch these type of shows at theme parks are wearing off and therefore parks are less inclined to spend a lot of money on these movies for fear people are just going to get bored really quick. Instead they are opting for movie that can be changed out and refreshed every 2 years to keep it interesting for guests. I for one am all for something different every time I visit as well.

Great! Can't wait! Can't say I'm surprised though... like most people on here we already guessed this. I've always wanted to try one of these things out and now I finally can, its also a great addition for families to the park as well. When I read about this ride and the whole alien invasion, I can't help think.... recycling of the BT aliens?!?!?! Have the volcanos in the Bermuda Triangle finally flooded and they have found their new home in a MW shed and decided to go from helping people from danger to getting angry and wanting to take over Earth

Haha yes, I am person that tends to talk a lot and fortunately/unfortunately, depending on the way you look at it!! It tends to translate with what I write as well!!

Cool video, however, my experience on Cyclone was never a short line, even when the park is dead, due to awful operations, a short line has equated to a massive wait time. A better loading/unloading procedure and second train for peak times wouldn't go astray and may even attract more people to the ride for the fact they can a re-ride quicker!

Wyncenuros really, come on, if it was going forever, maybe yes I could agree. However, it will only be for less than a month, while a brand new movie will take its spot. Because after all, they can't just swap it over for a new movie, they will have to change the pre-show area. You are getting something new, you couldn't just keep replaying Journey forever, be thankful they going back again and spending the money to freshen up your experience, instead of seeing the same old thing every time! I know you do praise things in the parks where you see it, and as much as I hate saying this cause it always spark some petty argument that annoys me. But this time it really does appear that you whinging about something for the sake of whinging! We don't even know what the movie is going to be on yet In less than 1 month your wife will have a new attraction that she hasn't seen before, be thankful the park is investing in the Roxy Theatre specifically for people like your wife who can't do things like SE at the moment. At least wait until you've seen what the new offering is until you pass judgement.

Thanks Internet for posting what I wrote :angry2: Anyway, what I said was, in no way do I want LW back, every time I rode that thing I came off with a thumping headache and ears that felt like they were bleeding, that could sometimes last a whole day. This was not matter what I did, brace or not brace, didn't matter, each experience was the same, pain! I think Wyncenuros, you just had a bad day riding it. I've had them before; I've been on ToT2 10 times in a row when it first opened before I started to feel a bit under the weather and then went a week later, did one go on it and feeling not very good at all. I know with the The Claw, as much as I love it twice in a row in my limit, a third go in a row and it is not a pleasant experience. However, one day I did at least 10 rides on Cyclone, ate breakfast then did Wipeout twice with fairy floss and Krispy kreme in between the 2 and then a go straight after on The Claw, I was fine up until my ride on The Claw, needless to say I needed some time out after that Hell I even blacked out once on the Corkscrew (back before it was SV), I blacked out just after the first loop and came to when it hit the brakes. I've done SE once at least 10 time in a row, the park was empty and raining, yet SE had 2 trains going and even chalked up a few rides on batwing straight after and didn't feel a thing. So Wyn, I may not be a doctor, or have any idea about your ride; but from the sound of things I would just chalk it up as a bad day/experience and have another go later and report back again

If memory serves me right, wasn't there three stations, one outside the Sea Lion Theatre, one for the water park and another one for the resort?? I always thought, if there was enough room, for a station where the coaster are. Would also give a point of difference to the monorail, if the train line was ever brought back.

Well am I imagining things, or was there talk of a second train when the ride opened, however this never eventuated??

I think I remember for the Dinosaurs it was stated it was going to hang around for something like 15 months?? My point with the monorail is for years until recently it ran with 3 trains, 2 on the track one in maintenance, now imagine in the peak period they find something wrong with the second train and its taken out of action, not good. My point with these things as I've said before these parks aren't seeing declining numbers, they are a lot stronger when what they were when they had; so why now do they think they can get by on 2? Some air-con I agree wouldn't also go astray.

Liked the review, so BT is finally getting gutted, which good, maybe some new construction soon! I still think would it be possible to open a new ride in there by Christmas? Or would be too much work? SW was always my favourite park, but it did drop the ball. But they seem to have made some good decisions as of late; the news jet ski show, Penguin Encounter, the parade and I think anything to get people over to the lighthouse that has been dead for years is a good idea. Plus maybe its just me, or I'm not as picky but the dinosaurs appear to look fine and I'm sure its target market of 5 year old boys are going to be that picky about how the dinosaurs look and therefore will be hit with the park as a family attraction. I like to hear that the Skyway is running good again, I was worried about that ride for a little while; SW also can't help whats happened with SV but at least they aren't letting it sit there and rot, they are attempting to fix it and offering free peddle boats and SkyClimb as compensation is a good idea. Now all thats needed in my eye is something to be done with the train, fix up the empty spot in the kids area for the helicopter ride and put a new ride into where the Pirate Ship ride was, order a new monorail train so it goes back to how it was with 3 along with a BT replacement which appears to be on the way and the park will be on its way to being my favourite GC park to relax in. Also, the games area in the courtyard where the food and gift shops are, does it still look cheap and temporary? Because, my other gripe would be if it wants to stay there; which from all accounts it makes money, so its not going anywhere, give it a proper looking home that ties in with the rest of that area and with SW as a beach side theme and not what it is now. Anyway, good review, because it sounds like management are now turning their focus to SW and are slowly improving it back to the standard it used to be and with it hopefully the charm of the park returns!

I think no matter what you build, people will always find something to complain. I remember when SE first opened I heard people complain the pre-show (earthquake) part was boring and wish it was just the ride. You can't please everyone and now we live in a world with the Internet peoples opinions get heard a lot more. If a park could build a ride that EVERYONE was happy with and loved I think it would have to be a first for a theme park globally!

I've always found Westcoaster and its humour to it all in perspective. Back on topic of 2012 addition Verbolten is currently running some soft opens and from the reviews people are really loving the ride. One new fact about the ride now is that the dark ride consists of 3 different "stories" 'Spirit of the Forest' 'Thunderstorm' and one that pays homage to 'The Big Bad Wolf' the ride that Verbolten replaced!