joz

Well by international standards SM:E is well themed. It's just that its not up to standard compared to the other MW rides. Thankfully its a really good ride which kinda makes up for what the themeing lacks. Like I've said in the past, if the extent of Batwing is a bare loading area with a few batman logos around I really won't mind so long as its painless to get on and ride.

Not wanting to make a huge thing, but I'm pretty sure that not following the rules is against work place health and safety laws.

See, you either "get" SW or you don't. Obviously the place isn't for you, but thats ok, your not going to like everypark you go to. Still, don't judge a ride before you go on it. As for the ride, well it doesn't appear like much, but most of the reviews of SFEG's halfpipe call it a "surprise" and a pretty fun ride. For a park that needs to up its thrills, has a height restriction and is landlocked, its a pretty good investment.

You do realise that by adding a coaster that'll bring it back to a total of two, which is the same as it was for 20 or so years? Besides that, saying SW shouldn't have thrill rides is like saying DW shouldn't have family attractions. Exactly why shouldn't SW have new thrill rides? The fact is that there are no *new* customers that another animal attraction will bring to the park. Pretty much everyone who wants to see animals already comes to SW, so adding another animal attraction isn't going to do anything to increase attendance. The $13million Shark Bay did bring ‘em in, but not quite as much as hoped (though per-capita spending went through the roof). A new ride however? Now there's a hole in the parks current lineup, and I think its not a moment too soon (a couple of years overdue perhaps). Guests DO come to the park for the rides, as well as the animals, shows, and waterpark. A new ride will attract more people, but I don't think it will effect SW's main demographic too much. I say 300 as probably being a high enough capacity for a half-pipe. "But Joz", you say, "why is 300 good enough for Halfpipe but too low for Cyclone?” Because DW attracts mainly people who want to go on Cyclone. SW still will attract mostly families; Half pipe won't be enough to really change the type of guests SW attracts. Corkscrew can operate at a bit over 500 an hour, but generally operates at around 250-300, and you know what? It rarely has a queue. Halfpipe will probably stay busier then Cork, but for the most part will have a fairly minimal queue. Plus there’s 9months for the locals to check it out, so by Xmas the demand may well have dropped off a bit. Anyways, for those who want to hear it from Rich, Ian, or myself, yes, it’s a halfpipe, and it’s going in-between Cork and Bermuda. April has been given as an opening date (probably due to all the half price annual passes expiring around then). Honestly don't know the model we're getting. Expect another surprise or two next year which aren't of the thrill ride genre for those who don't like thrill rides at SW. Thrillseeker's site should see some action in the next year or two, and it’s not Seal Rocks.

Two cars of 6 for 12 per 'train', expect around 300 to 350. Thats reasonably low compared to Corkscrew's 400-500pph, though should probably *just* be enough.

You do realise that he's from Spain? Thats not the worst effort I've ever seen, and for someone who (I'm guessing) speaks English as a second language, its not too bad at all.

Well supposedly there are a few companies sniffing around that were interested in the paramount properties, which would seem to indicate that at least some potential buyers want to operate it as a park. As a side, Six Flags may bundle the parks together, or sell them separately, but I guess only time will tell.

According to the parks website: The Cyclone, Ocean Parade Date closed: 20th - 31st August 2006

Source: www.gcbulletin.com.au Three questions come to mind, where did Hokojitsugyo come from? What are they developing and is it meant to be different from Citywalk? Finally, where is the council land that both companies are looking to use?

I win!

Ok, these announcements have been popping up occasionally for the last couple of years, and now I really need to know, what is the relevance of the parks value? Is it borrowing power, security to the share holders or what? I really don't understand what the parks value has to do with *anything*, and there should be at least one financially savy person on these boards.

Just touching on the carpark story: With the cruise ship terminal the QLD government is looking at selling an area about twice the size of Wild West Falls south of the SW carpark (actually more likley to be just south of the Monorail track, since SW doesn't own the carpark from there back), but that apparently also includes the feild which is used as an overflow carpark over summer. The story is that supposedly the carpark will be pushed back and a water ride will take over the area where HR and Dugong Discovery are currently and extend into what is currently carpark. How much credit to this there is I'm not sure, but the fact that the land is for sale is pretty much confirmed and on the public record. Any more bets on the location?

Well all this may explain why the themeing/dark ride segment didn't get much (ok, any) airplay in the ads.

I agree to some degree, but the shift in the parks has been going on for 30 odd years now, and it seems only very recently that the parks have even acknowledged that they have heritage significance. Also, even back in the early days there were side shows, spin and spews and whatnot, the only difference is the care that has gone into the presentation, and the thing about that is that that’s kind of an everywhere thing. No where really does the ornate intricate presentation (be it theme parks or just in general architecture), and I don’t think modern audiences really care enough for it to be an issue. Not saying I'm a huge fan of lack of attention to detail, but it does seem to be pretty much a fact of life now. Another point I can’t help but agree on though is the lack of a dark ride these days (and for this I am purposly ignoring LPM's haunted house). Something along the lines of the River Caves would be brilliant for either park, and I’m sure it’s possible to design a show building that you can put rides on top of. Having said that, even though neither park is anything like what it started as I still think they’re not as bad as they’re made out to be. The Luna Park’s have kind of “evolved” into what they are today, which I think is perfectly acceptable. If our parks didn’t evolve SW would look more like the (now closed) Cable Ski World, DW would still be a cheap Disneyland rip-off, and MW still wouldn’t have any decent thrill rides. True, perhaps in Luna Park’s case it possibly has gone in the “wrong” direction, but I’m not sure if the whole “escape to another world” thing has the same legs it used too. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to try out the old Luna Parks (as in 1950's or earlier) but I don't think as they are now is that bad.

That, or there is an effort for it not to be late (it is an Intamin ride after all). Besides, marking out a ride is quite different to vertical construction, and I don't think we can expect that to get underway in any dedicated fashion for a few months yet.

goliath: Anyone who wants to know where the ride will go can go to SW and see ground markings

The thing I can't stand about these Luna Park convo's is how much negativity in it. I think you have to accept these parks for what they are, which is small, carnival style parks. These aren't theme parks, these are small parks, with rides packed in more or less where ever they'll fit. Its more like a year round Easter show then a theme park, and I think you need to view the park as that when you go. I think Aussie World is much the same except with a bush setting, and I really like that place, even if it hasn't got the themeing and whatever. Personally I have only been to LPS, and while I'll take a Gold Coast park anyday, I did find it to be a pleasent park with a nice view and more rides then I expected. From what I see of LPM, its more of the same, with a bit less in the scenery department. As for the $7 a ticket thing, well its $34 for an unlimited pass, which isn't quite 5 tickets, and also cheaper then Sydney ($39).

The thing to remember is that SW has a height limit of around 100 feet, so the idea of an impulse is pretty much gone. While there are rumours of a water ride, I think part of that story is somewhat dependent on buying the land out the front of the carpark, which hasn't happened yet, so one of those ultra cool looking Aquatrax rides ain't ganna happen this time around.

I think when you look at what the park has been doing, you'd be hard pushed not to see Rivertown be the next area to get re-done. I mean, in order, its been: Country Fair into Ocean Parade Village Oval/Green into Nick Central Gum Tree Gully into Wiggles World In all honesty, while I hate to see the Rivertown area get re-done, I think after Wiggles World, it now sticks out like a sore thumb, and there's not really much benifit keeping it as is. Its a shame for me at least, the Gum Tree Gully/ Rivertown areas were once my favorite in the park, even without any major attractions. I think the Vintage Cars are on borrowed time (for reasons Richard mentioned above) and even the Captain Sturt must be towards the end of its working life. If it looks a bit more tasteful then Wiggles World, and doesn't make Giant Drop stand out, then its all good by me.

See, I only really have one hope for the new ride, and that is quick painless queueing (Ie, no story, no pre-show, and the 12 or so people for the next ride counted out before the end of the previous). Just make it a painless process, and it'll be a winner as far as I'm concerned. Besides, whats the point of a full story if as soon as it blasts off its irrelevant anyway? Just make it easy to get on and off, theme the surrounding area, and thats about perfect for me.

I think a Waterpark at AussieWorld is a great idea. I really like that place, and I hope that its a great success for them. I'm not sure what sort of scale you'd expect to see there, but unless they've got much busier since I was there last I struggle to see how they're going to pay for it though.

I think the comment that DW is more like a carnival then a theme park has been around for a while, and I don't think Flowrider is something thats going to change that reputation. The question is if that reputation is damaging, personally I don't think it is. Attendance is going good, attractions like the Flowrider can only increase per capita spending, Big Brother was an excellant tie-in no matter how crap the show is. People seem to like those tacky side-show games and they're bringing in the bucks. I don't think we've seen the end of the mega thrill rides at DW (a three pronged attack at the thrill market will motivate Macquarie if nothing else does) but there does seem to be some diversifying going on. As for the experiences, I think there's a place for it. Like Gazza mentioned, SW has had Helicopter Flights, Water Sports & Interactive Animal programs for as long as I can remember, and Movieworld has its "Make your own Hi-5 videos" and the like. I think even though DW is on something of a Per Capita mission, there will be new "Mega rides" in the future. I think we can kiss the "Immersive Themed lands" goodbye, but it will always be a theme park at heart.

Its in the building where Maverick used to be. Been playing since not long after they started work on Superman, and a good move too. Sure its not the best show ever, but it DOES hold onto the crowds better then Superstars: Live in Concert! and it does fill a void in the "young kid entertainment" lineup.

I wouldn't be to harsh on Sanderson. A look here details the work they've done, and really, its quite impressive. A quick look through reveals: Bermuda Triangle (Volcano, props, caverns, UFO sequence, dump scene) Surpent Slayers (Pryo, Surpent, FX) Gremlins (load/unload, "disaster themes" Batman (Inside and Out) Police Acedemy / Western Action show (set) Looney Tunes Village (Whole heap of stuff) White Water Mountain at Wet 'n' Wild So really, they have done a heap of good stuff, just it would seem, not at DW. But in their defense, ToT's queue and GD's queue were quite decent when they were new, its just that they got trashed over time. As for Cyclone itself, well I personally think its a bit rough, but I can still ride it and enjoy it, its not at the thunderbolt stage yet. However, I know a few others who won't ride it again for the roughness.

See, for me the themeing of Cyclone even when it was still "good" to me seemed kinda crap. Spending money to restore that themeing to me would be a waste of money. With Cyclone, talk to S&S arrow, and see if they'll throw another train together for them, and get that queue wait down, as well as a redesign of the exit area. As for themeing the queue, well, I'd just like to seem make it pleasant. None of this loud noises and flashing lights and fog and what ever else people dream up occasionally, since that stuff gets annoying quick (Space Probe queue anyone?). I don't think the whole ride should be replaced, the water park going in around it make it a prime candidate to stay exactly where it is IMHO. Also since I'm on a wish list topic with Cyclone, can we do anything about the roughness?