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Everything posted by StingRay
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Has luna park sydney pulled the plug on 2 classic rides
StingRay replied to Coasterlife's topic in Theme Park Discussion
I understand the whole bad image of travelling rides in a park. Trident 1.0 did not suit Seaworld and we all know this. Thanks to the details SW goes into that ride just looked hideous. So I agree on that. Luna Park has never really stated those/former rides are park models tho. People know they are travelling (Volare, Tango Train 2.0, Rotor excluded) rides and they don't seem to have a massive issue about it. Sure you see some ugliness like with the wild mouse sitting on wooden chocks but you really need to be paying a lot of attention to notice. Most don't notice. It is hard to theme a travelling ride I can't and won't lie about that. Then again they know this also. -
Has luna park sydney pulled the plug on 2 classic rides
StingRay replied to Coasterlife's topic in Theme Park Discussion
I get it. 20-year-old ride (actually older than 20 years) that is a carnival ride is shit. Maybe you haven't seen the history of the park tho. Luna Park has always had carnival rides or rides that closely resembled them. That's the character of the park. This ain't a theme park. Its an amusement park. Completely different beast. Sure having the almost same ride lineup for almost 10-12 years was annoying but heck the park existed. These rides removals and future ones come down to age. I'll agree with you on that. But they also come down to the fact the park is tiny. You can't just slam in the world latest and greatest euro fighter coaster. It would not be a great fit honestly. The park is family-friendly, the first date friendly. It is not a thrill ride destination. It's a fun destination. So while many look at this park and go "what the hell are they doing they got the best views of Sydney harbour" it ain't about that. Go through home movies on youtube of LPS, from the '70-'80s if you search hard enough. Youll sees what I mean. I take my hat off to LPS. Its pure survival is amazing. You say "tired travelling rides sitting on chocks for 20 years!". I say well done. Well done LPS. You have made these ones of a kind rides last much longer than most parks around the world. UFO, Ranger & Trokia (Tumble Bug) where indeed very rare rides to have within Australia. Who knows what rides we will get. You know what tho. That's the fun part. Not knowing. HUSS flying saucer left the park and its former place sat dormant for what felt an eternity until Volare turned up. It wasn't what anyone was expecting but its worked wonders. It also suits the park really well. So I've got faith the management team will make the right calls. -
Early lunch. They'll be back.
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The forgotten child.
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100% I should have worded myself a lot better. I was meaning within the recent 20 years. I should have pointed out the period I was referring too. Most definitely when the park opened it was about the Ski Show and those basic sea animal interactions. But over time they have added to that more with the animal experiences including the animals they have now.
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I was not having a debate. But thanks.
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@Flynn_Smith pretty just said what I would. If you look back at history Seaworld Australia was set up as a marine park. Yes, there have added rides and attractions and I support that. But at the core of the business its not all about rides and slides. It is about animal conservation. Self-explanatory really.
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Has luna park sydney pulled the plug on 2 classic rides
StingRay replied to Coasterlife's topic in Theme Park Discussion
While it looked easy it wasn't the case. When reinstalled back in 2004 they actually had had former carnival workers come in and show how to properly operate it. Including looking out for maintenance issues etc. The hardest part was in the heat. Hydraulics don't like running in excessive heat. So the summer was fun. Parking the gondola in the load/unload platform was manual also. Sometimes it wouldn't want to play ball. So if you ever kept seeing a ride Op trying to park the ride over and over this gives you an idea also. -
I know many want it to be a theme park. But technically its a marine park but with rides. Many tourists mainly for the Dolphins a polar bears etc. I know some people just go for the rides tho. This is just a personal view that's all.
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I can't wait to hear it racing around. A woodie has that unique sounds as it thunders around the track. Definitely looks like it'll be a decent coaster. Good to see so much progress on it. After all many cheques have been signed from different parties to make this one a reality.
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Theme Parks Reopening Post COVID-19
StingRay replied to themagician's topic in Theme Park Discussion
I heard maybe two years ago when the concept came out it could be a possibility. You can't get many "first: in the aquatic industry. Its one of those wait and see moments. But I think they would get a custom tantrum alley slide before a wheel slide. -
Theme Parks Reopening Post COVID-19
StingRay replied to themagician's topic in Theme Park Discussion
Let's hope those Water wheel slide rumours come true then. Seems with the recent demolishment works they are planning on something big. -
Has luna park sydney pulled the plug on 2 classic rides
StingRay replied to Coasterlife's topic in Theme Park Discussion
In the world of automation, this ride was actually manually driven (apart from the initial swinging). A skilled operator could balance the boat in a particular way judge the speed and either make it creep over the top (causing drive direction change to occur as a lower than preferred angle) or manage to stop it at around the 11 o'clock position or 1 o'clock position allowing for a nice direction change and now major stress on running gear. stopping it in the inverted position was possible but not nothing they'd purposely want an operator to do. -
Has luna park sydney pulled the plug on 2 classic rides
StingRay replied to Coasterlife's topic in Theme Park Discussion
The rides removal has not come as a shock. Power Surge temporarily replacing it tho. That's a shock. Joyland's (Carnival ride company) are also trying to make a buck. So I understand why they have leased out another ride to LPS. Given they don't have many carnival rides and this one can easily be set up within the confines of the park means it would going to be picked. As for what goes in moving forward. Who knows. One other ride is currently hidden behind a fence. I've said it before and ill say it again. Troika's days are numbered. It is old and even tho a fan favourite is really annoying to load and unload given its usually only got a ride op and during peak times gets one attendant. I do wonder tho is the HUSS breakdance will survive much longer. This ride as a modification many years ago to allow guest under 130cm to chance to ride while being accompanied by an adult. But looking at the future. Yes, they need to spend money to make money. But with COVID its ruined many things, Those function centres won't be getting used for some time I imagine. So it might be a while before we see anything special come into the park. SO the Joyland's rotating ride roster is the best deal we are going to get for some time. I just see a bad side to this all. So many old rides being retired and not enough replacements. We can only hope ideas are already in motion for new attractions. It is not good for the park. But thankfully Sydney siders are semi-used to this. Unlike QLD people who do get a large number of parks to choose from. -
Good to see these slides getting removed. But what will occur? Will the rumours of a slide wheel come to fruition?. Or will get a grassed area with more seating. I would hope they would get a great slide that's a family attraction honestly. A water coaster would be epic or something like a custom tantrum alley would be good.
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Has luna park sydney pulled the plug on 2 classic rides
StingRay replied to Coasterlife's topic in Theme Park Discussion
So from what I have heard the ride is going to be used for spare parts for another HUSS ride of this style. Some parts won't be salvaged tho. As the sea air has gotten to some and some parts that normally get serviced have not been in way over a decade. -
Has luna park sydney pulled the plug on 2 classic rides
StingRay replied to Coasterlife's topic in Theme Park Discussion
The only way to move the ranger is to have the trailers recertified fit for purpose. So that process should not take a long time but the trailers have had modifications over the years. So stacking the platform won't be easy etc. Also, the main boom arm has not been lowered since the ride was back on-site in February 2004. So a lot of work is going to be required. Once they swing the gondola and set it onto the main trailer things should be fine. Then off it goes onto its new life. replacement wise I don't know. Lavender bay is set to undergo a few changes with a new walking track etc. Could the kids' rides be eventually moved onto the current site of the tumble bug?. Always been a possibility. Could see another multi-purpos. marquee installed in Maloneys corner much like they did back in 2004/05. -
100%. Our parks struggle to even break even. I am all for this method. I hear people mention sometimes things like extending the pass for two years etc. That does not benefit the company tho. Only the pass holder. Different companies go about this differently. VRTP could easily do this seeing they have multiple sites across the GC. This could also include accommodation and even cheaper movie tickets. Consumers want benefits. You don't get them with a cheap pass. A company sells a cheap ticket knowing they've just lost a lot of money. They have then inadvertently ensured you don't spend a whole lot of cash within their property (potentially) because they passed on a cheap ticket. So having these different levels of memberships is a great idea. It shows exactly what benefits one would get and why. Dreamworld I feel do this slightly better as you get the F&B cheaper discounts along with merchandise. That's a small win for any company. Why VRTP has not followed that in recent years I don't understand. The biggest issue is we saturated the market with lower prices and people get the shits even when the price goes up by a small amount. If you live on the GC great. You get locals pass. Being interstate I get slugged with the expensive version but I don't mind it honestly. Because I know the true value of the ticket. I don't also visit regularly so maybe that's why I appreciate my pass a little more. I think two simple tiers would work well. Unlimited entry to standard operating days and events with a small discount (10%) on f&b and merchandise. Second is unlimited entry to all standard operating days and events and five special events with (25/30%) f&b and merchandise. These two tiers have a massive price chance tho. The first option stays around the $200 range and the second would be around $400/450 given you get the specials events included. Sounds a lot yes. You need to look at the big picture tho. Obviously, I don't see parks wanting o up the prices for at least another year at this stage. All the parks need all the ticket sales they can get currently.
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What coasters should come to a new Wonderland Sydney
StingRay replied to A.H's topic in Theme Park Discussion
Ah, this old chestnut. Wonderland was great. It was indeed a cool park. Maybe slightly dated in the end but it was like our MW or DW. It died. The revival talks have occurred for years. While it would be great to have it back it would not be the same. Why use a popular name and potentially ruin fond memories. Sure make a new park eventually (plus with what land) and the people will come. But I can't be Wonderland 2.0 as it was literally being called. The funding was a joke. The website for that company was childish and had a few flaws in it. I am all for a new park but I only see it being done pretty much the way @AlexB mentioned it. It will be a large scale operator with patience and vast experience. Give what Rona has done tho I see anything for the future now being permanently delayed. I think Merlin has got cold feet and prefer to run the attractions they currently do as they are not weather dependant. So I don't see them changing business tactics now. Palace is still new and no one has an idea about what they are doing. It is a nice thought to bring it back. I walked out those exit gates at around 6:15 pm on the last day knowing it would never come back. That's the way I'd like to keep the wonderland memory. -
The group that runs the Wonderland history site do an amazing job. Pretty much most of the content they have is what was available. Digital cameras started to come out but cost so bloody much also. Wonderland left us in time just as technology started to really take off. Wonderbuzz if I am correct was an admin of the group. I believe they also used to exist on this site when Parkz used to be known as Rollercoaster.com.au.
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Hot Wheels Sidewinder Refurbishment
StingRay replied to Tin Foil Hat's topic in Theme Park Discussion
Won't lie the coaster is looking amazing from pictures I've seen within WWW. -
Has luna park sydney pulled the plug on 2 classic rides
StingRay replied to Coasterlife's topic in Theme Park Discussion
Not for another Ranger. As far as I know not many exist around the world anymore. Parts can be used for other things tho.