tipsy_bella

Original - This upgrade includes a brand new car with over the shoulder restraints.

I still doubt you'll be able to see the rider's face. They will simply be a shadow.

I hate to be a kill joy but I'd stay clear of all roller coasters. Even the smoothest of rides could still hurt riders. As far as Busch Gardens goes - I'd stay clear of Gwazi, scorpion, Kumba at times can be rough and Montu although one of the best inverted coasters EVER can be rough at points. I'd watch the rides for a bit and then decide. You don't want to ruin a trip on one coaster just to save face amongst friends.

Lylefart - if this rumor is indeed true about the car going backwards, (I do know but can't say anything), the new car which has already be confirmed would have a new restraint system - over the shoulder restraints - and a new seating configuration. Tahnee do you work at the park?

Oh, well that would make sense. Thanks mate

Is Elmo not a daily character now?

I too would be extremely disappointed if the queue doesn't get some lovin'. As far as the upgrade it is major and the public and us on here will be impressed. I'm fairly excited, I've found the TOT a little boring after riding quite a bit but the upgrade has engaged my interest again.

I can confirm that the re-LAUNCH of Tower of Terror will be September this year and all of the details will be available shortly. Can't reveal what the major difference will be but it has already been mentioned somewhere on this site. Can confirm that the tunnel has been extended (obviously) and a whole new car. Everything else will be revealed soon. Unfortunately no re-paint of the tower and I'm not sure on the queue and lighting effects in the tunnel but will find out this week.

Either way - I doubt you'll be able to see the rider - they are only going to be a shadow. We will have to wait til September to see.

The slide is Translucent - not transparent. It's still only a shadow of a person going down a slide. If they were clear plastic tubing then that would be cool - like the ones used at Aquatica in the dolphin slide (not sure what it's called) and the plunge of death at Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas. If it were clear the slider would only see a blur of the surrounding not a clear picture and the watcher would just get wedgies pretty much and a lot of water. For me, the clear plastic panelling should be in the chute before you drop so you get a view over the park and not what's below you - That would be awesome.

You can see a shadow through the wedgie of the riders if that's any consolation. I think we'll have to wait and see if these new slides will be see through enough so guests watching can tell of boardy colours etc. I'm pretty sure it'll also just be shadows. On a side note - Is there definitely going to be a flowrider? Or does anyone know for sure...

Wowsers, that's rather intense, I can see in the future that the 8th voyage of sin bad show closing and that themed Harry potter show in that theatre. As far as butter beer - have you tried it? It'd be like getting lemonade from a curbside than a schweppes factory.

I have a funny feeling they would not share the recipe for butter beer or cauldron cakes. Universal Orlando have paid squillions of dollars to have the rights to the name, films, things in the world etc. It would be awesome though. MW are better off setting up a Harry Potter show in the theatre.

I'm heading to the park in September, my only hope is that the queues are not as long then.

First of all I'd like to thank AlexB for the kind words. If looney tunes does close - that would be awful, it gives the young families a ride which has a story, decent themeing with a little thrill as well. The idea of a shoot em up style game would work in that area. I think they need to improve the Wild West area of the park and place a show in the theatre related to the area/updated movie. Stunt show - musical - audience participation like fear factor but theme it too something good - Harry potter.

Can't say about Sunday but was there Wednesday and here's what I thought. Headed to Movie World today for the first time since space shot and the new roof. Although the weather was a little dodgy it was still a good day. Arrived a bit after 12 and the park was relatively empty. First of all park operations were good, most were a walk on or 5 minute wait. Rode Batwing, Superman X 2, Scooby, LW and saw Hollywood Stunt Driver. Scooby Doo was good all animatronics were working and lasers as well. The only downfall a lack of fog in the main room but still fun. All effects in Superman were working even the flood scene but when did they stop using mist out of the show building? Hollywood Stunt Driver is a big big big disappointment. It's the same thing over and over and over again. small on comedy, small on fun. The Police Academy Stunt show at least had a story line, was funny and great stunts. Marty barely saved the show - he was the highlight. It's hard not to compare this show with Lights Motor Action at Hollywood studios at DisneyWorld which I've seen - even though it pretty much is a rip off but at least that show is entertaining. I understand about budgets but surely they can do some 'real' jumps or something. Driving is impressive though but after the first scene I was 'meh'. As for the general atmosphere I was surprised at how much the roof detracts from the park. It really does take away a lot of the feel about main street. It use to feel like a backlot movie set walking along now it feels like a shopping mall. A big shame. I also did not see one character in the park except for Marilyn on her way out for her song. Finally paying for drinks in meal deals as well? dagh. Overall I had fun - 3 hours was enough.

Headed to Movie World today for the first time since space shot and the new roof. Although the weather was a little dodgy it was still a good day. Arrived a bit after 12 and the park was relatively empty. First of all park operations were good, most were a walk on or 5 minute wait. Rode Batwing, Superman X 2, Scooby, LW and saw Hollywood Stunt Driver. Scooby Doo was good all animatronics were working and lasers as well. The only downfall a lack of fog in the main room but still fun. All effects in Superman were working even the flood scene but when did they stop using mist out of the show building? Hollywood Stunt Driver is a big big big disappointment. It's the same thing over and over and over again. small on comedy, small on fun. The Police Academy Stunt show at least had a story line, was funny and great stunts. Marty barely saved the show - he was the highlight. It's hard not to compare this show with Lights Motor Action at Hollywood studios at DisneyWorld which I've seen - even though it pretty much is a rip off but at least that show is entertaining. I understand about budgets but surely they can do some 'real' jumps or something. Driving is impressive though but after the first scene I was 'meh'. As for the general atmosphere I was surprised at how much the roof detracts from the park. It really does take away a lot of the feel about main street. It use to feel like a backlot movie set walking along now it feels like a shopping mall. A big shame. I also did not see one character in the park except for Marilyn on her way out for her song. Finally paying for drinks in meal deals as well? dagh. Overall I had fun - 3 hours was enough. Thoughts?

They (universal and Disney) will never build a park here in Australia. We don't have the population for those parks or the money. What you might see from these companies in Australia might be something like DisneyQuest or a hotel or something first of all.

It is the tunnel expansion that is going ahead. One of the main reasons for the extended tunnel is as you know the tower closes when it rains and then the ride ops must go and squigee the track, now there will be no need to squigee and take out that 15 minutes of pointless waiting - as soon as the rain stops the ride will be re-open. As for the car you will see a brand new car but my understanding is it will not be backwards. It will though be lighter and therefore faster.

Sorry Gazza - misread your post. I honestly think we won't be seeing anything like Intimidator 305, Kingda Ka or Top Thrill Dragster in any of our parks. Too expensive and if you look at those rides (with the exception of Intimidator 305 as it's just opened and uses a lift hill) the downtime has been extraordinary. Kraken (Seaworld Orlando, B&M floorless) is one of the smoothest, fastest coasters I've been on. It holds it's pace all the way through the track and has some awesome elements. On the inverted side - even though we have Lethal Weapon - If Dreamworld get a Batman (from Six Flags Magic Mountain) clone would be wicked. It's one of the most intense suspended coasters I've been on. Realistically these parks would only have 10 - 15 million max to spend on any attraction. What about a flyer - Tatsu (SFMM) or Manta (Seaworld Orlando)?? Manta's pretzel loop is intense in the back row.

Gazza - Have you rode SAW? I agree though definitely no substitute for a full sizer but if the park is looking to save money I'd think this could be a way to go. I just really want to see something huge, loppy and fast. It has to be a B&M.

Deja Vu is an average coaster - It's rough and your head bangs quite a bit. Dreamworld needs something tried and tested - not an Australian first or some new technology which is not reliable. I would suggest a B&M Floorless, dive or suspended or a Eurofighter would be awesome (eg Saw at Thorpe Park or Rock bottom plunge at Nick Universe). I can confirm that Dreamworld are 'looking' at coasters at this stage also.

I've been on the ride quite a bit now - a perk of working in the park. I too initially thought the drop was small but it's definitely intense. The rest of the ride holds its pace well and a real rush. You need to go on it a couple of times to realise what has just happened. The looping section is awesome - If you ride on your ankles and shoulder blades with an arched back you get quite a bit of speed and ride above the equator of the slide - really good. As for the water wastage - the cement is actually graded toward the grate and splashdown water rarely goes over the section where it would get wasted and runs into drains. The queue line will still be an interesting aspect though and summer is going to be a full test. Configurations are still being worked out. but currently half of the stairs are painted green for the green room and the other half yellow for the wedgie. I urge you all to get to the park and try it out for yourself. It is what WWW has been missing - a high thrill speed slide.

I have ridden before at the Royal Queensland Show last year. It's like the Claw from dreamworld except XXXL does a full revolution and you spin faster. Also they release your seats at the end (you sit beside another person) and they spin around while the entire arm is swinging. the only bad thing is when they release the seats from a fixed to a rotating position if you swing forward and think your going to go all the way you'll suddenly get flung backwards and I hit my head a little but nothing terrible. I don't do a lot of spin and hurl rides but this one is really fun. The best thing to do is watch it for a bit and then decide.

But you have to realise you need MONEY to do those things - which is something that is not there. A new coaster would be a lot 5-10 million and then phase 2 in the water park is $20 million. As a shareholder of Ardent leisure - not as a coaster enthusiast go go boy - do you want to see returns instantly or over 5 years. Bowling, gyms etc give YOU A SHAREHOLDER a quicker return than a new coaster which would take time. It's all about money mate. Yes they are struggling - motocoaster is sub par - Adrenalin Alley - fail, but AVPX and Flowrider are great attractions and V8 sells out constantly during the day. I do agree that they need a big new coaster something that is reliable - a B&M Floorless or suspended. It takes time