[Dreamworlds Direction]

It could easily cost upwards of 1 million dollars if it was done decently. Also it doesn't have to be an upcharge attraction when you do think about it. It could just be something that you have to book like Flowrider and they give you a wristband with your game time on it.

Hmm somehow I doubt it will cost $1m and I very much doubt it won't be an upcharge attraction. Isn't flowrider an upcharge attraction?

[Is Dreamworld's Q4U queue jumping?]

Sorry but Richard's example shows it really is queue jumping. While it's true that Q4U users wait the same amount of time at these attractions, they are highly likely to use that time to ride other rides and therefore use more of the park's capacity. During peak periods when the park reaches capacity it really is a simple equation. If a Q4U user gets to go on say 5 more rides in a day because he has paid for the device those 5 rides will have come at the expense of other non paying guests. The more Q4U are sold the more extra capacity is eaten up and the less rides other guests will be able to experience. This should be seen transparently for what it is; an effort to increase expenditure per guest. Now DW already do plenty of things to increase expenditure like installing upcharge attractions and having paid early admission. I don't have any particular problem with those. The difference is because those things don't directly detract from other guests experience of the park. This does.

[Dreamworlds Direction]

"I hope they have something in store for us this year because if that is all they can give the public then they are just asking for a drop in attendance."

I think regrettably that is the only thing that will see MLT invest in decent new attractions. To be honest I am surprised how well attendance has held up. I would have thought people would be more willing to vote with their feet!

[Warning Warning Warning]

I think this shows that the planned expansion is much needed though. Hopefully they will go ahead with it soon and give the park some extra capacity

Wouldn't hold my breath regrettably. A look at MLT's annual general meeting commentary strongly suggests we won't be seeing an expansion any time soon.

[Jet Rescue Reviews + Opening]

Goldcoast.com.au has a story on Jet Rescue. Pretty complimentary as you would expect. Most interesting though is the point of view video from the front of the train. Very good resolution and gives some indication of the sense of speed the ride provides: http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/1...-top-story.html

[MW's Next coaster Design]

Apparently the specs released by flamingo land for their El Loco call for a 700 people per hour capacity (although they also state it will be a larger version than Steel Hawg): http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fulls...Jumbo!.html If 700 is indeed the number I think it would easily put through more people than MDMC (supposedly c750) given it would be operated by MW staff and not DW.

[MW's Next coaster Design]

I talk to many park guests all the time and i get the same response my ears hurt. Countless times iv seen both men and women both crying because of the pain it causes...

I think WVTP would be best off to first spend some money getting some new Vekoma restraints and trains for LW. While my ears don't particularly hurt after riding LW I do get headaches afterwards which isn't much fun. Seems pointless to have such an expensive ride significantly underutilised because of discomfort when a solution is available and relatively cost effective. I think this is in a way similar to SDSC; i.e. the ride experience can be vastly improved by spending a relatively small amount of $$$. In terms of a new coaster I would love to see a large woodie built in the Wild West area but am not holding my breath given the financial crisis at the moment and the cash WVTP already has allocated to other parks like their Phoenix waterpark and the Sunshine coast waterpark. Something that might be more affordable and still interesting would be an S & S El Loco like Steel Hawg (http://www.rcdb.com/ig2722.htm?picture=11) but themed to a mine ride layout (i.e. built around and partially inside a mountain). These rides look reasonably fun given the ability for inversions, > 90 degree drops and negatively banked turns. The reviews I have read have been fairly complimentary and I would think the cost for the ride itself would be relatively modest thus allowing for a fairly large budget for construction of the theming elements.

[Jet Rescue Reviews + Opening]

Sounds like the ride was worth the $10m. I'm especially happy that it has decent capacity following the MDMC fiasco. Must say am not really a fan of the locker concept but I suppose with separate load/unload stations(which seem to increase capacity) it isn't easy to just use baskets for personal belongings. Glad to hear that two of the main negatives you picked out are easily solvable. Hopefully WVTP management take you advice on the theming and locker capacity. BTW did you find out when the Reef Ray display would open?

[Sea World Resort to get Water Park from Sea World]

Its $10 for Seaworld Guest to enter the waterpark

Looks like they have decided to start at a lower price. Website says $5 for adults. Kids are free. http://seaworld.myfun.com.au/Tickets-and-S.../Water-Park.htm

[Replacement for Dugong Discovery?]

Just noticed WVTP have moved Pig and Wuru to a new warm water exhibit in Sydney Aquarium. http://news.smh.com.au/national/mermaid-ma...81219-7290.html You can see photos of them enjoying their new home here: http://www.aapimage.com.au/search.aspx?sea...YDNEY+AQUARIUM+ From the look of it this is a larger exhibit (definitely seems to offer better viewing for the public) so hopefully they enjoy themselves in Sydney. This does leave open the question however of whether Sea World are going to replace them with another exhibit. Has anybody heard anything?

[Great xmas present]

But qldtaw we aren't really effected by the economic crisis yet? My job at the mine has been moved back till January now because of the crisis but they haven't sacked anyone yet? Nor have they stated they have any plans to.

The impact of the financial crisis is already starting to impact Australia and Qld in particular. The credit crisis has already seen weakly capitalised companies (particularly in the property space) collapse or be put on life support (Octaviar, Allco, ABC Learning, Centro, Babcock and Brown, City Pacific...the list is as long as my arm). Moreover due to the synchronised slow down in economic growth in the world's major economies (U.S. most of Europe, U.K and Japan are all in recession and Chinese growth has slowed dramatically) demand for Australia's resource exports has collapsed. Their steady rise over the past couple of years has been responsible for a significant proportion of Australia's economic progress (especially in WA and Qld). Commodity prices not benchmarked to contract prices (i.e. basically everything but coal and iron ore) have all fallen precipitously since the middle of the year. This is already impacting on resource companies (just look at practically any mining company's share price chart). Some are already closing unprofitable mines and laying off workers. More importantly all indications are that iron ore, thermal and coking coal will all see massive price cuts at the next round of negotiations in early 2009. These are by far our largest exports and this will massively negatively impact our terms of trade and is why the Australian dollar has collapsed from US$0.98 to c$0.65 in a matter of months. Qld and WA will be particularly hard hit by this given their significant bulk commodity exports (WA - iron ore, Qld - coal). Weakness in resources and the tightening in the availability of credit is already seeing Australian companies slash capital investment and this will directly impact on economic growth. This and the slowdown in consumer expenditure caused by the shock to consumer confidence that the share market collapse and weakening housing markets has caused is seeing companies across the board start to lay off existing staff and put off hiring new staff. This will see unemployment rise dramatically early next year further impacting on consumer expenditure. Fact is Australia will be lucky if it avoids a recession and at best (if monetary and fiscal policy are successful) will see a couple quarters of very weak growth that will see unemployment rise and consumer spending stay well below trend. Village is merely acting in its shareholders best interests by looking to reduce their cost base where appropriate so as not to see their profitability collapse (very important given the debt burden they need to support). While nobody likes to hear about job losses (particularly around Xmas) I think it is unfair to single out Village considering there has been and will soon be much more egregious examples of wholesale staff cuts to see companies support their profits through what will be a very tough couple of quarters in 2009.

[Sea World Resort to get Water Park from Sea World]

Just noticed on the myfun website that after boxing day Sea World Water park will become part of the Resort: http://seaworldresort.myfun.com.au/Resort-...s/Waterpark.htm "Sea World Resort today revealed plans to incorporate Sea World's Water Park - making it the only resort in Australia to offer its very own Water Park. From 26 December, guests staying at Sea World Resort will be able to enjoy free unlimited use of the expansive 1.6 hectare Water Park. Sea World Resort General Manager, Ernst Pfister said that the new Water Park would cement the resort's place at the forefront of the family leisure market. "In January we opened a $1million WaterPlay aqua playground for hotel guests which totally exceeded our expectations. The new Water Park will have enormous appeal to families wanting a complete holiday experience." Sea World Chief Executive Officer, John Menzies said that after the success of the WaterPlay playground it made sense for the Water Park to become a feature of Sea World Resort. Mr Menzies also said that current Sea World Annual Pass holders would be able to access the Water Park under the term of their existing pass. Sea World guests will have the option to upgrade their day pass to include use of the resort's Water Park facilities for a small fee. Currently the Water Park features two large lagoon style pools, two full sized flumes, a mammoth plunge and a kids' water zone. Mr Pfister said that the resort was planning exciting upgrades to the Water Park including private cabanas, additional shaded areas, increased seating and relaxation areas plus a licensed bar and dining area. This summer Sea World will also launch a new family thrill ride, Jet Rescue, and a brand new interactive animal exhibit, Ray Reef, offering families even more reasons to visit the iconic theme park and resort." While I think this will not be too well received by park guests I guess it isn't all negative news for park visitors (vs. Resort guests where it's all upside): 1) Sounds like they will be spending some money to improve the experience in the Water Park. 2) Annual Pass holders still get access (although assume this will only be until the end of the current pass). 3) Park guests will still be able to access the Water Park for a small fee (Suppose it's better than what Dreamworld did where they basically forced you to pay for a whole new park entry (at WWW) if you wanted a water experience post ripping out their Water Park).

[DW PR: New V8 Supercars Attraction & Behind the Scenes BLOG]

Hate to be the skeptic here guys, but if I didn't know any better, i'd say we'd gone back to March 31st here, and being set up for a well thought out, but poorly executed April Fools Day prank. Where's the media releases? Wheres the front page Web Ad? wheres the article in the local newspaper? Does Dreamworld only want the core membership of parkz to find out about it? Or is it a bunch of absolute CRAP? Of course, I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

Yes you are wrong. http://www.v8supercars.com.au/news/latestn...mp;gid=32685383 Website is the real deal. Regrettably MLE have chosen to reply to WVTP's addition of 3 major rides across their parks with a carnival ride in Spongebob Squarepants and a paid V8 Supercars attraction.

[DW PR: New V8 Supercars Attraction & Behind the Scenes BLOG]

I can't wait to see the 50 minute lines for this baby...

I think it is almost certain that this will be a paid attraction like Flowrider.

[African Safari World: New Village Theme Park]

IIRC even movieworld opened at 400 million, with just then the gremlins adventure, batman, police academy, studio tour etc, none of the big thrill rides we have there now.

Warner Bros Movie World didn't cost $400m. It was more like $120m (see pg 4 in the document below): http://movieworld.myfun.com.au/upload/Docu...20Trail%201.pdf If you inflation adjust the construction cost for today's cost of living (bearing in mind the park opened in June 1991), then you get a cost of c$180m. Thus a cost of c$220m for a park opening in 2010 is not completely unreasonable, particularly as you would expect that a certain portion of the necessary infrastructure would already be in place at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

[Hot Wheels stunt show discussion]

Since the other topic is closed I'll put this in here. I'm not normally one to speculate on when parks are going to do stuff, but I'm actually going to say now I think a coaster could be on the cards by the end of 2008. Edit: Nobody likes a spammer ↓

I think you'll find that WVTP are planning to deliver the Hippos (SW) and the Stunt Show (MW) at the beginning of fiscal 2009 (1 July 08 - 30 June 09) and not calendar 2009 (i.e. they will be up and running before Xmas 2008). Given this I think it is unlikely you'll see a new roller coaster put in during the 2008 calendar year. I suspect the next major ride attraction at MW will probably come pre Xmas 2009.