Jobe

For what reasons would you remove a ride from LPS?? It has been stated that even when the cinema is built behind the admin building ,the Flying Saucer will be relocated to another area of the park(most likely Maloney's corner). The only justification you would have for removing a ride is to replace said ride with another ,better received attraction. The park couldnt sustain itself as a fun park if it removed any of its current rides from its roster. The management of the park need to add 2 or 3 permenent rides to the lineup and they need to do it very soon IMHO Cheers Jobe

Alex B, When I meant theming ,I didnt mean elaborate theming in the Disney sense. Rather I would like to see a return to the classical old style of having a "Bridge" or elaborate facade for each individual ride. This would give each ride a unique feel to it and would less make it feel like a travelling ride and a more permanent addition. As has been brought up in these forums before, I would definetly like to see a return of the "bridges" to the Spider and the Tumblebug from the '95 incarnation of the park. This tradition of having elaborate facades for each ride goes back to day one for Luna Park and would go a long way to restoring that unique feel and charm that LPS used to have in abundance. I agree with you to some extent about LPS having a rotating roster of rides for different seasons.This is not unprecedented in the parks history and every couple of seasons David Hopkins would introduce a new ride to the park line up in order to keep the park fresh and appealing. If this didnt happen the Wild Mouse and The Rotor would not have been introduced to the park and now these are both considered classics. However LPS still had its core rides of the Big Dipper, Ghost Train and River Caves. I would like to see at least 2 rides that could equal both the Big Dipper and The River Caves in thrills and appeal introduced to the lineup. There is so much that could be added or done to the park now that it seems to be free of any legal impingement from the residents(As long as LPS stays within the set noise guidelines). It would have been interesting if this bill had been introduced 10 years earlier when the Dipper was still around. A case of what could have been eh?? Comments? Cheers Jobe

GoBoi, I dont entirely agree with your earlier post. Whether you like it or not, Maloney's corner is now as much a part of Luna Park as Coney Island is. Your argument that Maloney's Corner was not there first ,the residents were, is flawed as this entire area of land was where the former Big Dipper's helix was located. These plan's go back to the early 90's so there is at least 14 years of a thrill ride in this section of the park. Now of course we know the fate of the Big Dipper and its associated problems. However with 14+ years of this land being associated with the fun park and it having previously been the site of a thrill ride really puts the objections of the residents and your argument in question. Couple with this the fact that the accompanying plans for the re-opening of Luna Park in April 2004 ALWAYS had slated for this area thrill rides.(The plans were released to the public at least 12 months previously) The residents had ample time to object and should have not been surprised at any form of ride being placed there. As the managing director of LPS Peter Hearne stated in respect to the cliff top area, this land is owned by the park and by rights they could put rides anywhere within that boundary. (This definitley applies to Maloney's corner) I am sorry but I most certainly do not believe the residents have ANY right to complain, given the historical precedent of a 75 year old fun park being there long before any high rise towers. Remember, its the residential towers which are encroaching on Luna Park Sydney's 75 year old boundaries, not the other way around. The park has existed on the same footprint and should be allowed to flourish on that same footprint,free of any latter day,come by night residents who have no respect for a valuable piece of Sydney's and Australian history. Now I most certainly agree with your sentiments that Maloney's Corner is under utilised and mis-managed. This area COULD be so much better that it is currently. I feel that this is probably the area where we will see any major rides be placed for LPS but they need to done tastefully and with some semblence of theming. Also there are much better ride options that a little bit of cash injection and planning and foresight could provide. LPS has so much potential but in its current form, falls way short of the greatness that it could be. Cheers Jobe

Completeley agree with comments by Goboi and Dianasaurus. The operators of LPS need to start putting back the profits made directly into the park. The residents noise issue seems to have been put to rest now with the new state Govt laws. If something permanent in the way of new ride additions or improvements doesnt happen soon then this single act alone could validate the article that you presented in an earlier post Goboi. On a similar vein, what is happening with the Brassierie building near the entrance?? Its been completed for ages and yet there is no activity on if it will be opening. Any one have any news?Interesting times we live in!! Also I think the Extreme Speed Machine WILL be an exciting ride addition for the Xmas hols but having to pay 10 BUCKS after an unlimited ride pass is purchased is downright highway robbery IMHO!!! Chris what is the Space Roller?? Cheers, Jobe

Hi all!!! Was reading the local rag when I came upon this very interesting article. Luna Park will be getting a new ride for the Xmas hols.It is the 35 metre Extreme Speed Machine which pulls 3.8g's. It is claimed this is the first of this type of ride for Australia. Does anyone have any other info or pics on this ride?? Its good to see that Luna Park are introducing new rides and are not afraid of the wrath of the local residents.(As long as they comply with the new sound laws they shouldnt be liable to any court cases again!!) Hopefully this isnt the only new ride they will be installing in the park for the hols. Lets hope this leads to something more permanent and spectacular!!! Here is the article. Comments?? Cheers Jobe

Hi all!!! Was reading the local rag when I came upon this very interesting article. Luna Park will be getting a new ride for the Xmas hols.It is the 35 metre Extreme Speed Machine which pulls 3.8g's. It is claimed this is the first of this type of ride for Australia. Does anyone have any other info or pics on this ride?? Its good to see that Luna Park are introducing new rides and are not afraid of the wrath of the local residents.(As long as they comply with the new sound laws they shouldnt be liable to any court cases again!!) Hopefully this isnt the only new ride they will be installing in the park for the hols. Lets hope this leadsto something more permanent and spectacular!!! Here is the article.

Thats fine. I work for Coles Myer as well but in a managment capacity. What have you done to piss people off,if anything??? Mayhap it is time to speculate if the park will add new attractions now that the NSW govt has enacted the bill protecting the park from civil lawsuits. It certainly needs at least 2 major new rides. Another small coaster would be ideal as I have stated before. Preferably a Maurer Sohne custom Spinning Coaster but I would be excited with a Reverchon model as well. Also we may now see some serious travelling units brought into the park for seasonal events. Last Xmas hols the Hard Rock was there and it was a fantastic addition to the ride line up. What else would people like to see?? Cheers Jobe

Paul, What brand of Coles Myer do you work in?? In what capacity?? I had tickets to go to the Funday but I was unable to attend so I gave them away. Good to see that the rain didnt dampen the spirits of the people who turned up from having a good time!! Zamperla you are indeed correct. There was a ceremony for the unveiling of the Ghost Train commenrative plaque that was attended by relatives of the victims and certain memebers of the Friends Of Luna Park last year. It replaced a similar plaque which was located just under the old Big Dipper mountain near the Octopus ride in the '95 incarnation. Will try and post that photo of the Wildcat if anybody is interested?? Cheers Jobe

Paul , the sign on the Tumblebug relates to nearly 12 months ago, when the park had extra rides for the Xmas holidays. Next to the Tumblebug at this time was placed a ride called the Twister( A kiddies ride). Whether the sign is indictative of plans to keep a rotating roster of rides next to the Tumblebug is up for debate but there is definitely room for another major ride there. IMHO they should put a spinning Wild Mouse Coaster up there and move the Tumblebug to a place on top of the carpark entrance which is currently a landscaped grass area. There would be room for 2 rides here I would think!! Interesting to know that the LPS history video is on DVD... will have to update also!!! Great!! The Simulator is the same that has been there since this current incarnation opened in April 04. I visited the park last school holidays when the park was celebrating its 70th anniversary. They had in the brassierie(still vacant!!!) a photo exhibition of over 200 pics of the park from all eras. There were quite a few shots that I have never seen before(especially of the Wildcat and the Calypso ride ,which was only shortlived in the park). These photos are not included in the Sam Marshall book, Just for Fun so they are quite unique. An excellent exhibition. I did take a photo of the Wildcat on my digital camera and it came out fairly well..I will see if I can upload it soon. As an aside the 2nd edition of Just for Fun by Sam Marshall is well worth forking your dollars for and is also different enough from the first edition to warrant getting. Excellent resource and you wont find a better starting point to discover the magic of Luna Park. Cheers Jobe

Very sad but not unexpected eh? Fairly inevitable from the time of announcing Wonderland's closure really. Bussy do you know if the Beastie is still standing and when this will be scheduled for demolition?? It would be a fine idea to attempt to document this demolition since The Bush Beast's slipped underneath the radar. Cheers Jobe

I agree Huss. The rides are definitely not junk!! They are just in need of a little TLC and the addition of each having a succesful bridge being added to them(ie SOME sort of theming!!) Goboi, although I dont agree in essence the spirit of your post I do believe that the current rides at LPS could do with MUCH better positioning in the park. Your comment about them being "scattered randomly" isnt that far off the mark. Huss. Bad boy!! You leave LPS rides alone. They would NOT be better travelling or trailerised. They are quite fine being a part of LPS IMHO!!!. Or the obverse of this argument is for LPS to get a Rainbow!!! Would be MUCH better than having it travel randomly around the country. Put it at LPS with the best backdrop in Australia as its scenery!! Would be MUCH more succesful!!! *smile* Cheers Jobe

Hey Zamperla!!! Where did you get that pic of the model of LPS from ?? What year was it made and was it done for public display?? It looks like it could have been made by the same people that made this model of the '95 incarnation. Would love your info!! Cheers Jobe :cool:

lunaparkfanatic.... sorry but your dad is completely wrong. The Big Dipper from LPS was torn down and DEMOLISHED on the 3rd June 1981. it was never relocated anywhere. The notion that the Beastie from Wonderland Sydney is actually LPS Big Dipper is..well absurd!! The Beastie is a exact copy of a coaster from Paramount's Canada Wonderland and is considered an ACE coaster classic. As Paul suggested, maybe your Dad was thinking about the Steel Big Dipper re-located to Dreamworld?? Zamperla the info I got about both Dippers being the same layout is from Sam Marshall's great history book "Luna Park- Just for Fun" In it ,he states (referring to Luna Park Glenelg) "Much of the mechanics were made in Luna park St Kilda.The Big Dipper and station were identical to St Kilda's" Page 50. The Big Dipper at St Kilda was introduced in August of 1923. The Big Dipper at Glenelg was opened on the 8th October 1930. We all know of course that Luna Park Glenelg was later dismantled and removed lock ,stock to its present site at Milsons Point. Therefore the Dippers were exactly the same both in layout and in the station,with its great Moorish architectual influences. Cheers Jobe

Its a shame that both Big Dipper's have disappeared from our landscape.The Big Dipper's from both LPM and LPS were both from the stable of legendary coaster creator John A Miller's Philadelphia Tobbagan Company and both their station and layout were identical. With the demolition in 1981 of LPS Big Dipper, there should have been a concerted effort to save LPM's surviving example. It was a travesty that such an important heritage item such as this was aloowed to be removed without so much as a fight. I would have loved to ride these coaster's and I would love to chat with anyone who has any experience in doing so. Anyone?? I have ridden the Big Dipper at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in England ,which is around the same vintage as our Dippers. Whilst not of the same layout, it sure packed quite a punch and amongst the coaster scenery at Blackpool, was my favorite riding experience. I would also love to see and collect pictures of either LP from any era so if anyone has any they are willing to share that would be fantastic!! Cheers, Jobe

Madave,how are those photos coming along?? Anyone have anything else to contribute?? I think its a little amazing that there seems to be so little pics from this era in the parks history. As an aside Zamperla, do you have any pics of Luna park Melbourne from the 80's, specifically of the Big Dipper?? It would be great if you could post them in this forum!! Regards Jobe

Well here are a few ideas that i think could be good for Luna Park Sydney. Firstly these ideas revolve around being as cost effective to the park as possible,whilst adding to the current ride roster. Of course the residents might not approve but they are only hypothetical. Of course I sincerely hope that LPS wins the court case and is free to include new additions without fear of litigation,provided they all fall within EPA guidelines. *Firstly I would move the ride with the most controversy, The Ranger to the space in-between the Crystal palace and the Ice cream shop. There it would at least be shielded somewhat from the overlooking apartments instead of the open space of Maloney's corner *Secondly i would move the Tumblebug ,if at all possible to the space on top of the carpark entrance. This would give it a commanding view of the park and harbour and its heightened elevation would make for a more thrilling ride. The space created up here may be enough for one or two future new rides. A walkway or stairway will have to be devised to gain access to this part of the park. * On the space where the Tumblebug resides i would install a Maurer Sohne Spinning Wild Mouse Coaster(maybe custom designed?) and theme it to the old Wildcat of LPS yesteryear *I would place the Dominator oppposite Coney Island at the end of the concrete slab where the Tumblebug now resides. I would extensively re-theme it giving it a new facade and call it The Whip. *I would remove the additional buildings that have been installed behind Coney Island and locate all the childrens rides in their stead. Cover them from the sun with a strategically placed sun sail. I would place the Simulator here as well. *In the space created from the removal of the kids rides I would locate a wooden coaster approx about the size of the Beastie. This would encompass the space from the so called picnic site as well. Call it "Son Of Big Dipper".Would look great at the back of Coney Island!! *I would install The Hard-Rock ride in Maloney's Corner. When it was there for the Xmas Hols it was very popular and would make a great addition to the permanent ride roster.Other rides that could possibly be installed are the Techno Jump(good family ride) or the Chaos(good modern Thrill ride). Of course these would all have extensive facades and theming to try and take away the travelling ride aspect. *Give all rides extensive bridges(re-install the big Spider and Tumblebug facade to their respective rides.) and tey to give each ride uniqueness via a elaborate bridge(facade) There is also the room behind the Tumblebug and old management building,maybe ripe for the re-introduction of a River Caves dark ride. Well there you go. Midnight ramblings and all pie in the sky sort of stuff!!! I have included a aerial shot of the park to give you guys an exact idea of the areas I am talking about. All in all it would be an improvement from what is currently there and you would also have 3 coasters!!! Feel free to comment and dissect....I am sure you guys could come up with much better ideas. Its all food for thought!! Cheers Jobe

Thanks Paul. I think I have managed to work it out. As you can see the newsletter is 4 pages long. The most interesting part is the outline of the different carpark options(both of which didnt eventuate in the final form.) Other interesting things to note *The Tumblebug in its original position *The very different Luna Circus and Luna theatre to the Big Top we have now *The use of the area behind Coney Island as to the current Maloney's Corner Anyway...enjoy,its an interesting little addendum to LPS history. Does anyone else have anything at all to add in the form of pics?? Lets attempt to build a good library of photos of the park from all eras throughout its history Cheers Jobe

Excellent photo Zamperla thanks!! I have a couple of Luna related things that I will attempt to scan. I have a newsletter dated November 1999 that shows the then future plans for the current incarnation of the park, all the different carpark options and a very different layout to what is currently inplace now. However the scans exceed the allowable limit on the website?? Anyone know how I can get around this?? If anyone else has anything interesting to share about either Luna Park please scan as i love anything to do with these unique and historical sites. Its great to see people with the same obvious interest for a place that is very dear to my heart. Cheers Jobe

Hey madave!! I would love to see your pics of Luna Park from the 80's. Pics from this era of the park are scarce and difficult to get hold of. Scan them in as soon as possible!! Cheers jobe

Well there you go!! Thanks for that info Goboi and Zamperla!! I was sure that the Tango was originally from the 1980's era LPS.I was not aware that the Tango was from the Darling Harbour amusements run by Wittingslow. I distinctly remember the Love Express and the Octopus from the early 8o's when I visited as a kid. Sorry Zamperla I am not 100% sure on exactly where it was located although I seem to recall that it was up close near the face entrance and quite possibly next to Cinema 180. I remember the rides at Darling Harbour quite well also Zamperla but unfortunately do not have in my possesion any photos. I do recall quite vividly the Python Loop Rollercoaster at the time,thinking I would love to ride that!! Sadly, I never did. Cheers Jobe

Goboi, The Tango train first appeared at LPS in the 1980 incarnation. Along with the "Octopus"(which has since been moved to Aussie World) it was the only ride from the 1982-88 era to survive to the 1995 re-opening.(Apart from Coney Island ,of course.) You are correct in it being a ex-road model however. I am not sure though where it was sourced from or even the manufacturer of the ride.(Anyone??) If some major re-investment was spent on the LPM it could once again be a very atmospeheric and enjoyable park to visit. Filling the park with 2nd hand ex road model rides however is NOT the answer. They do need a 2nd DECENT coaster,maybe a re-imagining or newly built copy of the old Big Dipper. By looking back to their history, they should find the perfect medium between the past and the future to settle upon the perfect mix,which unfortunately isnt up to standard at the moment. Cheers Jobe

Goboi's information is absolutely 100% correct!!! The Wildcat was indeed made by Anton Schwarzkopf. A great pic of one can be found at RCDB under Cedar Point. Some good pics too!! Mercedes do you know what happened to it once it was relocated to Tasmania?? Lunaparkmad, do you think you could scan those pics you took with your brother all those years ago?? They coud be quite interesting!! Petestrash, since you worked at the park in the 80's, do you have any pics that you could share?? I went there in the early 80's but my memory is a little hazy. I also went in the late 70's where my memory is even hazier so any pics from these 2 era's would be much appreciated!!! Cheers Jobe

Hi Spastro and welcome!! Are you privy to any of these plans and would you be willing to share them with us?? Great to have another member who could provide us with first-hand information!!! Cheers Jobe

Well I have only been to Disnyland Paris and I would have to say that their version of Big Thunder Mountain was awesome! Its a great family ride,yet still gives good thrills.It is also a ride which is, as Scott says, of a fair length. The day I was there the crowds also thought so as well. It was by far and away the most popular ride in the park, and the one in which we experienced the longest queues.It was a very high capacity ride though,with 3 trains running and they kept the queues ticking over rapidly. Alex, I agree with your sentiments. Disneyland Paris version of Space Mountain LOOKS great, the themeing and idea behind it is excellent,however the ride was a tad disappointing. They were experiencing problems with the ride that day however and apparently it has gone into rehab ,so lets hope that this improves the overall ride and elevates it to the same level as the Anaheim version Cheers Jobe

That sounds fantastic!!! Great work!! Do you have any other info ie..how long did it take you to build?? Cost etc?? I echo Adam-some pics would be great!!! Cheers Jobe