joz

I don't know, after just opening a $20million expansion, plus new attractions with more on the way, I don't think selling up shop is the next part of Village's game plan. Plus the fact that they are talking about making more parks in Asia seems to imply that they are in it for the long haul. Plus they will continue to use the WB characters seems to say something about them being in it for the long term to me, remember that Wonderland ditched its characters before closing. As for the jobs, its my understanding that its probably going to be the street parade that will go, which itself is no biggie. I mean all that thing does is clog up main street and viewing for the parade is not all that great, so that part of it doesn't worry me. The guys loosing the jobs sucks pretty bad though, and I'm really surprised that they weren't offered other jobs in the company, even if it had to be in other departments. Thats the way this sort of thing normally goes, so its sad to see it not happening here. I don't think this will see a complete deprivation of street theatre like a few years back, but just a scaling back of what was on offer. Fair enough call as far as I'm concerned, just very unfortunate and dissapointing for those involved.

Well, to me the words "up and down" sound kinda like what DW is doing. They were down for Feb and March, and back over expected levels in April. In fact, Feb and March were very quiet across the board, which is a change from the recent trend of holiday periods being not as busy as in the past, but being busy for longer periods. I think if MWs attendance is down, then there's either a negative perseption about the park, or marketing isn't doing their job. Seriously, there are not one, but TWO new attractions drawing the crowds, both appeal to different demographics, both are very good, solid attractions (SE sucks? You gotta be kidding me). If the attendance drops with two new attractions and a third on the way then you have to be wondering what's going on. I think Gazza makes a good point when he mentioned the fact that all you see in the posters and whatnot are the MW logo and one coaster car. Half the ads on TV are given to unrelated images of people of people sky diving or whatever, so that could be something worth looking at. Overall though, I want to see the numbers at the end of the year, and more importantly, the numbers for next year when there will be 3 relativly new attractions, and see whats going on then. As for the customer service side of things, well, maybe the lockers ARE causing alot of bad feelinds on the street, or maybe in hindsight a coaster with a 140cm requirement wasn't the best move to make, but we'll find out how things pan out in the next year or so. Don't jump the gun yet when attendances have been "up and down" everywhere, not just MW.

I've wondered this same thing myself Goboi, and really, $56million is a pretty tight budget for an entire new park (paths, lockers, retail and food & bev outlets etc. Heck, even something as mundane as the uniforms will cost a small fortune) but I'm keen to see what they come out with before dismissing it. I agree that Wet 'n' Wild really is a full day out, and if anything is really under valued by many people. H2o Zone may not be the best looking area in the park, though if you look back through the history of the parks, most new areas took a year or three before all the plant life had matured. Again though, its hard to judge a park before you know anything about it. It may suck, it may blow us all away, we'll just have to wait and see.

You know what, I just swiped my card somewhere and it told me my card expired in 1964. Its not even a year old so that was pretty strange, lucky though :)00

Cheers for the heads up Robb, always some pretty good viewing among these contests. Hopefully I'll get sound on the computer working again soon.

Depends, each ride is different. There are inconsistances between parks, and between rides. Genrally speaking, if you ask to bend the ride the rules, an op who can't for safety reasons will tell you exactly that, and suggest that you enquire with guest services. Of course there will always be some who go around said rules, but I would trust the judgement of any of the ops who I've met and dealt with on the Coast.

What you guys are talking about is pretty much worst case scenario. Realisticly, nothing is going to happen. I agree that on some rides you shouldn't be able to bring loose items on, but a blanket rule for all rides based on one? To me thats silly. Scooby has a no hand held items policy, which is a mystery to me, but on Superman that rule makes total sense. In the case of Corkscrew, well put it this way, if you leave a camera in the seat by itself and send the train around the camera will make it back. The only way your going to loose a camera on Cork is if you throw it from the train, any sort of half decent grip is more then sufficient. Again, in the case of Lethal, different story. Each ride should be judged on its merits, and if the operator says no, then no it is. Goliath: In QLD, you must be at least 18 to operate the rides, but genrally speaking, the youngest ops are around the 20-21 age bracket (with a couple of exceptions). I don't think a 15 year old should really be calling a 20 year old a "pimply kid".

Ah, I seriously think you are all crazy, I'm totally with ya Claw, I got what you were on about Nice Pics

You know, as much as I go on about the capicity requirements of DW, I agree that Wipeout is one ride that gets its requirement V demand pretty much spot on. The capacity of Wipeout is about right for its popularity, and if your thinking of investing capital into a ride like Wipeout to increase its capacity, I seriously think you're looking in the wrong area. Wipeout is fine, leave the poor thing alone. BTW, having been on a Topspin, I can safely say that the Vekoma version really has it all over the HUSS version. Having the arms swing different directions makes a huge difference to the ride, and having the ridged version would be a huge dissapointment IMHO

Interesting point, though the opening from Final Destination 3 is hardly the most accurate place to learn about coaster safety.

Answer. Yes. Probably the best place to have a quick browse would be http://capital2.capital.dalthoff/ . Enjoy

Yeah, its sold "As is" and you have to dismantle it yourself if you buy it. Blue Lagoon will probably just be converted into something for some reality TV show.

I think when your going to start selling a park hopper pass, having a water park at DW doesn't make any sense. I can't imagine there will be many families who are cool with the idea of spending up the extra money for a seperate waterpark when theres a smaller one included in the normal admission. Don't get me wrong, I like Blue Lagoon (Krakatoa is both the best and worst slide ever created, pure classic there folks) and will miss it if they do get rid of it, but you'd think it likley that it'll get chopped. BTW, who said it needs to be demolished? The chairlift is still there isn't it?

Hehe, someone put the keep out sign on upside down Thanks heaps for the photos Goliath, was wondering when anything would show up on site.

I thought I made this point, but evidently deleted it, basiclly when food is being served, the pace of the show changes, and slow stuff happens. There isn't dust flying when the food is being served.

Bombora is the name of a slide at WnW, and the burger bar there. I don't think its a good name for the entire park. I agree with Adam on the "Bay" thing instead of the "Rush" thing (Personally think Rush sounds pretty crap as a place name) Whitewater World probably tops my list for a generic water park, which is all we've got to go on, so that gets my vote.

Agreed, pretty much summed up my feelings in the article there. In short, a good show worth seeing, for surprisingly good value. Just wanted to comment on how well done I thought the bar area was, very authentic, and very immersive. Check it out next time your on the coast kiddies, its a really good night out, with dinner, show, and lots of drinks

Fast money has been on an S&S tower for a little bit now, and the location (around SM) is pretty much a given. Wether its inside the ride area or not remains to be seen, but I think you can safely lock in A. Space Shot, without to much concern. Great move as far as I'm concerened, this will be MW's first "flat" ride, which strangly enough is something the park has been lacking for a while. Wether the ride experience matches that of GD is a different story, but no doubt the general public will eat up the whole launch thing. Really, a second new "major" thrill ride in the space of a year should put MW in a good place when it comes to Xmas next year. Its a major change from the old 'add one ride, add another in 4 years later' tactic. Attendance is up since SM, and should continue to rise with the next new ride.

I could be mistaken, but I think you have to be a member to view the photos.

So how did you go?

Ah, I got a dodgey one of you guys on SM (can't see everyone, Adam Rich and Clint are the only ones you can see clearly) but will try and upload that eventually.

I gotta give it to MACK. Love the rides they do, and those ride systems have so much potential its not funny (a really well done water coaster would rock pretty hard). We've seen with Scooby Doo the tip of what can be done, so I'd love to see more of their stuff. Of the others, well love the rides but hate the height requirements involved with those rides. Would rate B&M and Intamin pretty evenly, with Arrow then Vekoma.

Was reading up on Screamscape, and came across Europa Park's new Bumper cars, Kick it. What sets this apart from normal bumper cars (besides being huge) is the cars are made to look like giant boots, and the idea is to score goals. The area around it is to be turned into a sports shop and bar. Basicly its taking bumper cars and making a sport out of it. Coolest thing ever or what? On a side note, check out the other new ride there, the MACK kiddie coaster. That style ride with MACK's love for a custom ride looks like a perfect fit for SW if I don't say so myself

In theory I agree, however the reality is quite different. Basiclly, people are stupid, and need to be protected from their own stupidity. I can't tell you the number I've rejected a child from a ride with the parent knowing full well that the kid was under height, but they were just giving it a go. Same goes for people not being able to spot a prominant sign saying the height requirements and taking their stupidity out on staff. The bottom line, is people hold it against the park that they were unable/willing to read the signs. Add to that the lockers on SM, and you see why the front person is important, and thats not even getting into injuries or anything like that.

Great vid tom, a great online advertisment for the ride. Have been meaning to do something like that and now glad I haven't, cause would've looked pretty crap compared to your vid. Again, well done.