joz

Not sure what Seaworld's numbers were, but we were also quite busy all day. Tell ya something, I'm quite glad to see the end of Harry Potter. Maybe I'm not in the correct demographic or something, but it really did nothing for me. Bring on the matrix, I think Movieworld have learnt allot from Harry Potter, and I'm sure it will be a case of '3rd time lucky'

Since I'll wait for Wayne to get back to us with regard to Wonderland (no disrespect Boycotta), I'd just like to suggest a re-theme: Space Probe - Premature E-Jack (Since the rides over before it starts) New live shows wouldn't have to be very imaginative, just start with say, Spiderman going for a job interview, and let the show write itself.

Now there's a park I'd always remember....

I seem to recall someone telling me the prices to keep the effects running, sadly that was a few years back and the exact figures escape me for the moment. But indeed, the Pirates film is rented from Iwerks, as is the projector, and soundtrack. About 25% of costs are paid for by the films sponser; Pauls Dairyfeild. Just a thought, when this new film opens its going to be the 5th year exactly since Pirates was brought into the park. Maybe it could have something to do with the lease agreement expiring? Quite a few of the other parks playing Pirates have replaced their films recently (with mostly Haunted Lighthouse which as you'll read, isn't particularly well rated), and those parks which have replaced Pirates must have been playing Pirates for a similar sort of timeline. Just a thought anyway. I haven't heard about any extra sensory effects in the new film, but I dare say it won't have half the effects that are in Pirates, which will probably save around $10,000 over the space of a year. One promising thing I haven't yet mentioned, is that it is apparently the soon to be new film has been playing at a park in Europe, and has is now the highest rating attraction in the parks 100year history (9/10 for those playing along at home).

From what I can tell, the film follows the story of a Panda who meets other types of animals. The film is billed as being educational, increasing environmental awareness, and also being very 'cute'. Personally, I'm not sure about this one. I'm under the impression that this was somewhat one of those last minute "impulse" buys, after all, Steve Peet did just come back from a holiday in Europe. I dare say this will be a replacement to Seaworld's current 3D film, Pirates, which opened in 1997, and I'll hold out before passing judgement on this, but personally, I think that if something isn't broken, don't fix it, and I'm yet to hear a park guest say bad things about Pirates. I'd prefer something was done about Ski Challenge or Reef Discovery before 'fixing' the 3D movie.

Curious Bettlecoaster, how do the original rides (Gremlins, Bermuda, Batman & Looney Tunes River Ride) compare to the rides you've been on? It'd be interesting to get an international perspective on clones of the rides we've got here.

I don't blame Dreamworld for having a little swipe, but unfortunattly..... Yet on another page...... Oh well, good to hear that the ride rotations are over, not that it would have affected my trip to the park since I don't do either Batman or Harry Potter.

Well, from you and me both Rabid, here's to hope that it works

Didn't someone say something about a new Superman film being made in the next few years?

Best I can tell, after Shark Bay, the next attractions will be Seal Rocks (On old thrillseeker site), then a new attraction for cartoon beach. I know the park is keen on building a new ride (Scooby Doo is rumoured to have originally been intended for Seaworld) near the corkscrew. I'm also aware that on park surveys, the option of a Roller Coaster is included as one of preferred future attractions. As for the two locations, well, along that far road is somewhat doubtful, since there is currently a new emergency generator (In case of blackouts) next to the Pirate Ship. Besides that, there is a park service road, and Monorail track to contend with. They could build over the lake, but I'm honestly not sure if that would leave enough room for the ski show boats to turn around. As for out the front of the park, well there were rumours years ago about the park expanding out around the back of the carpark. For some reason (probably because someone just made it up) that rumour vanished, and the plan was to build an outback themed theatre restaurant on the land, however that plan was scraped due to a native title claim. From what I can gather, it doesn't look likley, but it does sound like a good idea

In an attempt to attract more crowds during this quiet time, the popular 3 Park Super Pass now allows unlimited entry to all 3 WVTPs, for 14 days after use of the first pass. This is an excellent deal, easily the best theme park deal in Australia. Check out the details here

While its true that all the parks on the Gold Coast have been affected, it's probably fair to say that no park has reacted in such a drastic way as Movieworld has. I think that Movieworld have been very brave making such a risky move. Personally, I think if cuts have to be made, I'd rather ride rotations rather then taking the "Dreamworld approach" and just having one person operating each ride with huge wait times (Imagine 1 person working on Lethal Weapon).

Wow, that does look kinda sad, I see what you mean... Just curious, hows the food at Movieworld Germany? The food over here is some of the best theme park food around, and I was wondering if that is the case in Germany? Also, have you been to Madrid yet and if so, how does it compare to Germany?

Me and a mate worked out that to do a Coast to Coast US tour (Cali to NY via Orlando and Ohio) costs between AU$8,000 & $10,000, if done in around 6- 8weeks. Highlights of the trip include 14 days unlimited entry to Seaworld Orlando, Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, Wet 'n' Wild Orlando, and Busch Gardens Tampa, and a few days in Las Vegas.

Well, for the chain, I dare say Richard is onto something. Still, its not exactly on a level such as Dreamworld where its 1 good staff member to about 4 or 5 bad ones. Just that Movieworld is more about interaction between staff and guests then say, Dreamworld, where staff use speakers to give instructions to guests who are often little more then 20 feet away. Its all relative, you'd be hard pushed to say Movieworld staff are bad, and I'm sure Richard would agree. But its also fair to say that some of the staff need to relearn the ancient are of smiling. It just depends on what mix of staff you see, I personally am under the impression that allot of staff out at MW are very... mechanical (although it always strikes me as odd that there seems to be 2 or 3 people chatting in the control room to Lethal Weapon when there is only one person actually checking restraints). Its kinda unfair to say that the staff are bad, I just don't think they are as good as the other 3 parks in the chain (SW, WnW & Paradise Country), the park still does have a few stand outs though, and so long as they hang onto them, they should be fine. As far as positive and negative things about the park, well, I'll put it this way, it has some really great stuff, just not quite enough of it. Movieworld Australia once ranked number 3 in the world (repeat, in the world!) on Theme Park Insider which is calculated on average rating per attraction. With all the ratings in the park averaging out to be about 7.65 (or there abouts), there clearly isn't anything wrong with the park, but there simply isn't enough to warrant it being rated above the likes of Disneyland, Cedar Point, and the Magic Kingdom, and because of that the park was pulled from the list. Also most of the rides at Movieworld Germany are clones of Australian rides, like Gremlins, Bermuda Triangle, Batman, Looney Tunes River Ride (themed to Germany in Germany and Australia over here, but other wise the same ride) and the shows like Police Academy are from over here as well. The real attention to themeing is now the only thing that keeps Germany and Australia apart Movieworld wise. Just look at the difference between Tom & Jerry and Scooby Doo.

Some good news for the Movieworld guys hurt in an explosion at the park in February, I can confirm that both Heath and Alby are both out of hospital. All three will continue to have 'in home' treatment and attend physiotherapy at hospital. The burns suffered by the guys were horrendous (Their injuries can easily be compared to those sustained in the Bali Bombings). To give you some idea how badly they were injured, they are still in pain some 3 months later. Thought they have come along way since February, and hopefully this can be another big step on the road to recovery.

Yippie for updates! A few features of the new "Shark Bay" have been made more readily avalible, and I thought I'd share some of the 'Key Elements' * Touch pool with water overflowing into 'inter-tidal' zone, home to smaller (sting)ray species, which in turn flows into the 'Reef Lagoon' * The ability to walk around the top of both the 'Reef Lagoon' and main Large shark pool (60meters long). * The two pools (Reef Lagoon, large shark pool) will be seperated by acrylic. This will greatly enhance planned Interactive programs, as divers in the "Reef Lagoon" will feel like they are in the same tank as the large sharks. In other news from the park, Seaworld has welcomed yet another baby dolphin into the world on March 10 with Kiama (Pronounced 'Kee-arr-ma'). Both baby and mother (Stormy) are doig well, and Kiama is expected to begin training in around 3 years.

Sorry, my bad, that was the operating side with the car out of the station :oops: Best I can tell they aren't actually doing anything, but I could be wrong. Yeah, waiting times are through the roof, even with both sides its got a pretty small PPH. With one side down it makes waiting for it a little bit on the slow side.

Yeah, thunderbolt is now the only ride that doesn't match the "Ocean Parade" theme. I can't help but get the impression that the park couldn't really be bothered re-thememing (or painting) the ride. With the exception of Thunderbolt, the whole new area looks really good, I was presently surprised with how well the Vortex theme came off. Thunderbolt just continues to attract rust. I can't believe how long Dreamworld have let the ride go for. Wonderland looks after Bush Beast better then Dreamworld looks after Thunderbolt, and with the slow down in international tourism, I can't see anything positive happening to Thunderbolt soon, and I dare say Dreamworld will just operate it in its current condition for another few years.

Have I got a special treat for you boys & girls! Just before the holidays I had the pleasure of heading out to Dreamworld, and have taken some photos to show the latest from what's going on in the park. Enjoy! Also, be sure to vote in the 'Worst Ride name in the World poll', in which Dreamworld's Angry Beaver's Spooty Spin is equal favourite with 'Thunder Dolphin'.

This conversation has been brought to you by the "Wonderland is closing on Feb 1st crew" - Where its doomsday everyday!

Well thats always true, opening a new shop can't be a bad sign as far as jobs go, and with the massive down turn in international tourists, anything to make the parks more profitable can only be a good thing.

On-ride photos on Scooby Doo? Sounds really cool, when do they intend to have that done by?

What I've have heard from management is that the park intends to continue having rides on one side of the park and animal attractions on the other, and that the park was looking at 'various options' for the site next to Corkscrew. No idea at all what it'll be yet, and I'm not ganna make a fool of myself by taking a guess 8) .