themagician

The arcade officially opened today Photos: Jaggs Journeys

I’m sure they want to make the whole park look like Rivertown, but Rivertown is the newest land so of course they’re going to make it as good as possible. Disney’s Animal Kingdom built Dinoland USA, but that doesn’t mean they should’ve cheaped out on Pandora so there was ‘consistency’

There is the argument less is more, but DW are consistently putting on additional events every school holidays (that are free with admission), while across the road only do it in Summer and Easter. While I would agree the quality of these events might not be the same as MW's, at least they are offering something 'extra' for locals and tourists. If these overlays weren't on, would we miss them? Probably not, but I'd rather have something than nothing. That's providing it doesn't detract from the everyday park experience, which I don't think they do. Most of these overlay events have been happening for a couple of years now, so there will come a time when they will need to mix it/refresh them, but that applies to every event at all the parks (looking at you Carnivale & all Halloween events)!

Not with that kind of attitude!

Parts of the track have been wrapped up to protect it from the construction of the vintage cars circuit. And I don’t think the train was installed onto the track until after the track had been wrapped. I’m sure DW will be posting content of the train completing its first circuit when it happens, so I think it’s safe to assume it hasn’t happened yet.

Tonight Oct 11 has sold out

Unlikely. If there were issues they would’ve likely been resolved sooner. Because of the scale of the plane, they were likely removed to prevent them being damaged or to provide greater access for the plane’s installation. It wouldn’t surprise me if this track has already been reinstalled.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/qyqerX9rFEG2W8Ex/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The plane is being installed today!

All very true! But I can’t imagine Jungle Rush will need that amount of testing as it won’t be reaching speeds or forces anywhere near that level. Big Red Boat Coaster opened a couple of weeks after testing began. Obviously a different scale of coasters, but you get my point.

Not at all the case. Jungle Rush is already testing and the temple still isn’t even closed up yet. It might not be doing full circuit testing, but it’s doing station and maintenance transfer testing, which is all a critical part of the process. Kansas Twister has started testing at Movie World and that’s certainly not done.

Steel Taipan did about 40,000 cycles in its first year. So by your logic of a few thousand cycles, Jungle Rush won’t be opening until Easter. The actually number I believe varies between manufacturers and ride type, but I’d only expect Jungle Rush to do a hundred or so test cycles.

It seems they struggle to get the right balance because for a few years a lot of us on here have been seeing there aren’t enough actors in the mazes, but a good amount in the precincts. And then a few years before that it was the other way round (which seems to be the case again this year). Around 2016 and prior years they almost always had a great balance of actors in mazes and around the park.

No need to worry anymore, they’ve started installing the roof structure for the station 📸 @Ogre

Hopefully they have the same realisation for Carnivale and Spooky Nights. White Christmas is probably their only consistent sell out event now and the major refresh a couple years ago would’ve definitely helped with that.

I just watched a POV of the ride and based off the slanted walls with the skeleton, these doors are indeed after the swinging axes

If I remember correctly, they stopped giving free tickets with those passes around 2015 and the event would still sell out pretty easily up until 2019. And since the event returned in 2022 and saw the drastic price increase, the event hasn’t sold out ‘easily’. It’s great the event isn’t overcrowded anymore and I guess if the increased price but lower crowds means Village still make the same profit from the event, then they’ll have no issue with it.

Taronga Zoo Files Plans to Bring Cable Car Back Sydneysiders may be able to again get an eagle-eye view of Taronga Zoo as a revitalised attraction goes back to the future The Taronga Conservation Society of Australia has filed plans to bring back its cable car, dubbed Sky Safari, that would travel 1.5km across its 28ha site at Bradleys Head Road, Mosman. The zoo was established in 1916 on Crown Land and was drawing 1.7 million guests annually before the pandemic. About 20 million guests rode on the cable car ride that operated from 1987 until January of last year. It was estimated it would cost $77 million to replace. Several cable car plans were investigated and a route from ferry terminal to the main entrance was deemed the most feasible. The Sky Safari will follow a similar route to its predecessor—from the ferry terminal to the main gate. The accessible (the previous cable car could not accommodate wheelchairs or prams) Sky Safari plans include two new stations, amenities, mechanical points and landscaping designed by Studio SC architects. Urbis has prepared a planning report for the Taronga Zoo attraction that also details future projects for the site. In 2023, the society gained approval from the state’s Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for the construction of a new wildlife hospital. Work on it is expected to begin this quarter ahead of completiong in the new year. A nutrition centre was also approved in 2022, however, design changes are being made to those plans. Several animal precincts were also approved during the pandemic and they have opened to visitors. Taronga’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025 is reaching its end after a challenging period, including lockdowns during Covid. “[The Sky Safari would] support the overall economic growth of the zoo to assist in facilitating the expansion of the zoo’s current conservation work and remit which extends beyond the care of animals within its zoos,” the Urbis report said. “The proposal positively contributes to the zoo’s vision to help secure a shared future for wildlife and people with activities that span the fields of animal care, recovery, education, community engagement, guest experience and science.”

Considering last year didn’t ‘sell out’ until the day of each night, I’d expect to see a similar trend again this year. I’d honestly be surprised if any night actually sell out this year considering it’s the same offering as last.

@DaptoFunlandGuy @Narraif the station is going to turn out like the concept art at the top of this image, there's definitely a lot more detail (and effort) going into it than the current vintage cars. @New display nameWhile it obviously won't take a day, I can't imagine it'll take too long considering the foundations are already there. The station/queue for DW Flyer didn't take that long to build either considering its detailing. 93 days... plenty of time.

Carnival only went for three weekends this year, so I doubt it’ll got for two months. I think the dates scheduled are purely just so they can have it open on the busier days (not necessarily Carnivale related).

And I know a lot of families pick WnW over WWW because they have a lazy river to have that relaxing day while their kids/teens are on the larger slides

I suspect with all of the recent activity around the ride, they’ll start extensively testing it soon (and hopefully in various weather conditions), with the plan to reopen in time for Summer.

Sea World have already posted the first few months of maintenance for 2025. And despite Trident having not yet reopened, it’s already got a handful of maintenance already scheduled

Since its debut in 2002, the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster at Warner Bros. Movie World has been a fan favourite for thrill-seekers and Scooby-Doo enthusiasts alike. With its unique combination of dark ride elements, immersive Scooby-Doo theming, and wild twists, the ride has provided a spooky yet exhilarating experience for over two decades. Following its temporary closure in 2023, our team have been undertaking a major retrofit of the beloved coaster, ensuring it continues to thrill fans for years to come. Let’s dive into the scope of these exciting changes and what it means for our guests. Scooby Doo animatronic. Internal queue of Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster. The Retrofit: Preparing for the Future The current retrofit is an ambitious project that builds on the original design to improve capacity, and the overall ride experience. Improved Capacity and Operation Prior to the refurbishment, the ride operated with 14 vehicles, but the retrofit will increase this to 16. By optimizing vehicle dispatch and removing a train stopper at the final brake zone, the operation will run more efficiently, reducing wait times and ensuring more guests can experience the ride each day. Refurbished Demon to be installed in a new location. Demon hiding within the rock walls. Station Enhancements Guests will notice new higher entrance gates, raised to 1.2 metres which, paired with upgraded handrails, provide a more streamlined loading process. The attraction will also feature a tester seat at the queue’s entrance—similar to the DC Rivals HyperCoaster—allowing guests to check if they meet the rider's requirements before boarding. Concept of the new and improved load gates. The new load gates arrived on site. The Ride Experience: Keeping the Magic Alive While much of the mechanical and structural upgrades won’t be visible to guests, they play a crucial role in ensuring the ride operates smoother and more reliably. Mechanical brakes are being replaced with advanced switchable magnetic brakes, offering better control and a smoother ride. The show doors, which separate sections of the dark ride, will be integrated into the ride’s new control system to enhance the theming and storytelling elements. The reinstallation of the showdoors into the dark ride section. New showdoors within the dark ride section. Ride Vehicle Upgrades Mack Rides has designed entirely new vehicles for the coaster, with reinforced frames and updated safety features. The new seat frames and chassis parts, including axles and wheels, are designed to improve ride quality and durability. Additionally, new restraint systems will feature handle grips on the lap bar to enhance guest experience. The iconic Spooky Jester will remain as the main feature on the ride vehicle. The new vehicles will also feature an RFID system to track cycles, providing more precise monitoring and ensuring that the ride continues to operate safely and efficiently. Mack Rides crates with Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster components. Mack Rides logo and concept of new ride vehicle frame. The Track and Structural Upgrades Key parts of the track will receive upgrades, including new support structures and reinforced sections for the iconic backward dip. The use of larger bolts and additional support structures will extend the life of the ride, reducing vibrations and wear over time. Tech Services working on the Highzone area of Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster. Turntable stripped back to orginal look with new features to be installed. A New Control System Perhaps one of the most significant upgrades is the complete overhaul of the ride’s control system. The new system integrates the latest safety and operational technologies, from magnetic brakes to sensor-based monitoring. Not only will the ride function more efficiently, but it will also trigger show elements more precisely, enhancing the storytelling and immersion throughout the dark ride section. Crate of new magentic brakes to be installed. Magnetic brakes to provide a smoother ride experience. What’s Next? As the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster undergoes its transformation, fans can look forward to a ride that feels familiar yet new. The spooky mystery-solving theme will remain intact, but with smoother operations, and updated theming elements, this classic will be retrofitted for a new generation of riders. Plus, several new spooks that will await you around the corners! Warner Bros. Movie World’s commitment to preserving the magic while enhancing guest experience ensures that the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster will continue to delight fans for years to come.