Jobe

Coasterfreak is quite correct. Its only available on VHS at this time in being. Spirits of the Carnival(as the documentary is so named) was commissioned by the NSW Film and Television Office for the re-opening in 1995. I remember it was shown on Channel 10 in that year one Sunday afternoon. It offers a fascinating insight into how Luna Park came into being, the full story of Luna Parks in Australia and around the world and the tireless battle of general manager Ted Hopkins ,who ran the park from day one,untill the early 70's. It is filled with dramatisations of actual events but it is also filled with wonderful historical imges of the park's heyday. What does give a shudder however, are the news reports of the time of the ghost train fire in '79. The images from that time of the flames getting higher and higher are a nightmare that one would not see visited upon any park. Tragic, and signalled the end of an era for the park. Couple this video with the Sam Marshall book "Just for Fun" and you willl have the best known historical resources and reference guide on Luna Park anywhere.(Incidentally, this book is recieving an update to reflect events that have happened since 1996. Hopefully it will be re-printed later this year,according to sources within the park.) :cool: Totally recommended especially if you are like me and have a love for the park and its colourful ,iconic history Comments? Cheers Jobe

LPS only ever had the original wooden Wild Mouse that general manager Ted Hopkins brought back the plans for to build 3 copies. The Steel Mad Mouse from Downunderland is definitely not from Luna Park,Sydney. Gazza, nice looking coaster but The Chipmunk was not that advanced. Remember that it was a travelling coaster. The main features of it were bright blue tracks and as I have stated before, the cars were cylindrical in shape with cones for noses! I really dont think that it was a Vekoma. Anyone else have any memories?? Cheers Jobe

No LPS had a Schwarzkopf Wild Cat in the early 1970's, which replaced the Wild Mouse. Read a few threads down and you will learn all about it Paul. It had to be modified to fit on the concrete slab that the Wild Mouse sat on. The Wild Mouse from the former Sydney Showgrounds IS the one from Luna Park ,Sydney-it was always lent for the Royal Easter show. When the Wild Mouse for Luna Park was built it was decided to build 3 to cut down costs. The other 2 is in Melbourne and Adelaide. The Wild Mouse at Aussie World came from the US. As an aside can anyone remember a travelling Wild Mouse coaster from many years ago called The Chipmunk?? It used to appear at the show here in Newcastle every year but I havent seen it for a long time. Can anyone shed light on what became of it and who was the manufacturer?? I distinctly recall its cone-nosed cars!!! Comments?? Cheers Jobe

Yeah Spinball Whizzer looks like a great ride. However I dont think that a Maurer Sohne of that layout would fit in the elevated position where the Tumblebug currently resides.( I could be wrong-Carolinbee perhaps you could correct me in this instance?). I do agree that it would be a MUCH better addition than a Reverchon,although at the moment I would take a Reverchon addition to LPS with both hands!! Cheers Jobe

G'day Carolinebee!! Pepsi Max was excellent. Being the only Hyper I have been on, I dont have anything to compare it to,however it was the pinnacle of my UK and European visit!! Personally, i loved Blackpool and found it MUCH more enjoyable than Disneyland, Paris. The history and atmosphere of the place was what attracted me and it reminded me in a small way of what Luna Park Sydney was like in its hey day. As for the other coasters, the Grand National was excellent.My first and and only racing coaster!The one that did surprise the hell out of me though was The Big Dipper. This woodie was nothing short of brilliant and came close to being my favorite ride of the whole trip!! I didnt find that Space Mountain was rough..it was a very enjoyable ride, although the day we went it was experincing problems and was down for 3 hours. I would have loved to have gone to Alton Towers but it was not open at the time we went. We visited Blackpool on the first operating weekend of the year-all you can ride for 10 pounds. An absolute bargain!!! Hence the very large crowds...waited an hour and 20 minutes to get on Pepsi Max but that consisted of 15 min of downtime!! Cheers Jobe

Yeah the information that Goboi and Diannasaurus gave you is quite correct. The Wildcat design is a Schwarzkopf generic coaster that was quite popular as a travelling coaster in the late 60's and 70's. If you go to the the Rollercoaster Data base,click to Cedar Point, Ohio and you will see listed an exact copy of this type of ride. There are great pictures of it as well!!! Because of this coaster I feel that LPS should obtain a Reverchon Spinning Coaster(like the Spinning Coaster that currently travels in Australia),place it where the Tumblebug currently resides, retheme and rename it as the Wildcat. I think that would look quite effective, with 2 elevated coasters looking across at each other over the Midway. Comments?? Cheers Jobe

hehehe..as I said,last year was a VERY good year. Unfortunately this year will not be a repeat of last year's adventure of travels. Would have loved to have fit in Alton Towers but didnt get time. Travelled past Thorpe Park and that looked pretty good too. Have to save up again for another 2 years before I venture overseas...very darn expensive!!! Cheers Jobe

Ok heres what i went on last year. Dreamworld: Tower of Terror Cyclone Runaway Reptar Eureka Mine Ride Movieworld: Lethal Weapon Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster RoadRunner Roller Coaster LPS Wild Mouse Royal Easter Show(Sydney) Crazy Mouse Taipan Wild Mouse Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool (UK): Big Dipper Roller Coaster Pepsi Max Big One Irn Bru Revolution Avalanche Grand National Zipper Dipper Steeplechase Disneyland Paris(France): Space Mountain Big Thunder Railroad Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril Last year was a very good year.... Cheers Jobe

Paul, if thats what you meant then please SAY what you mean. Not at any time did you mention that the deal had fallen through. That information came only from Wonderbus. At what point in what you stated would you like us to glean the fact that you knew the deal fell through??? :confused: Neb there is no way that Crazy Mouse could be termed a "loud" ride. it would be much quieter than the Ranger,which is currently at the park. Perhaps the only thing that would raise its decibel level would be the rider's screams but it isnt what I call a major scream ride!! Given that the wieght of opinion is in favour of LPS having a rotating roster of rides,what rides do you feel would be most succesful and a valuable addition to the parks lineup of rides??? Comments? Cheers Jobe

I wholeheartedly agree with you Djrappa.Its good to see that Taz is staying. Perhaps Wonderbus would be so kind as to indicate where in OZ it is heading???(BTW thankyou for all your info Bus,you are a veritable mine and a valuable resource to this site) I do feel a tad sad to see the unique rides from the former Wonderland site disappear from these shores(Such as HMS Endeavour,Balloons, Bounty etc). It is quite disappointing that they couldnt have recieved another lease of life at another park in OZ . I was wondering,since you stated that most of the rides are heading offshore to Malaysia, would the recent disaster with the Tsunami affecting the region have any effect on the sale of former Wonderland rides?? Food for thought perhaps. Could you also indicate Wonderbus, which other ride could be staying in OZ?? Also, have there been any serious offers or expressions of interest in Space Probe( A ride I sincerely hope is relocated to another park in Australia. ) Well i lieu of the fact that Wonderland are now NOT getting ex-Wonderland rides, what do you guys think would be best for LPS?? Is their current trend of leasing rides every school holidays the most effective program or do you think that they should focus on obtaining more permanent rides for the park?? Comments? Cheers Jobe

Paul, If you read this and other threads on the subject fully you will find that LPS were indeed in the FINAL negotiations to buy three former Wonderland rides. Wonderbus reported that LPS were interested in HMS Endeavour,Balloons and Galleons in a former thread. These rides would have fit in very well with the current ride roster that LPS operates. The deal fell through at a late stage in negotioations as Wonderbus has stated. LPS managment intentions were very clear on this point-had the deal been seen through to fruition, we would have been looking forward to 3 former Wonderland rides gracing LPS skyline by mid 2005. Alas the missed opprtunity!! Wonderbus, can you elaborate further on why the deal fell through?? What were the things that both parties wanted but were not willing to give?? Also do you have info on whether a home has been found for Bounty and Space Probe and where have they gone? Finally, which 2 rides are staying in OZ and where are they going? Thanks in advance... Yes you guys are quite correct, The Dominator is a Miami ride which kind of mirrors the same actions as a Huss Rainbow ,but on a much smaller scale. Personally i would like to see LPS lease the Spinning Mad Mouse ride for future school holidays. It would be a great addition to the ride roster and would bring 2 coasters back to Luna Park. Its small footprint would fit perfectly where the Tumblebug currently sits and would look awesome having 2 coasters once again overlooking the main Midway. Comments?? Cheers Jobe

Djrappa, I didnt mean to demean or devalue the Big Top as a function centre as such,in fact I think it is an excellent example of this type of venue. What I wanted to convey is that I felt that the Big Top was being under utilised insofar as being a regular everyday attraction and not just for the odd concert or private function. When the concept of the Big Top was first proposed,it was envisaged that the Big Top would host DAILY human circus shows, and really be a part of the overall regular attractions that LPS would have to offer, which we have yet to see come to fruition. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Wonderbus, do you know why the Wonderland negotiations fell through?/(a very big shame too!!) Also do you know where the rides from Wonderland ended up going??In OZ somewhere? Cheers Jobe

Hey Guys, Just persuing the LPS website and they have now updated to include their summer attractions. Of course as you all know the Hard Rock is now in place and will be there for the duration of the school holidays. :cool: (Does anyone know where they have located it within the park??? It looks like Maloneys corner to me judging from the pic!!). Joining the Hard Rock is The Dominator, which has been to the park before. They have also announced a summer attraction which I believe will be a big winner for the park. Starting from the 7th January, the BIG TOP will host an indoor ice skating rink which will open from 10am to 10pm at night. $10 admission buys you 40 minutes on the ice,although you are free to spectate if you wish. The site also promises new kids rides at Maloney's Corner and also new games kiosks within the park. These attractions will be in the park until the 1st of February 2005. As an aside, it is excellent to see that the Big Top become a regular attraction rather than just being used as a function centre. It is obvious that this venue is an extremely versatile building that can be utilised for any number of uses.Its under utilisation as an attraction was something that bothered me and it is gratifying to see that LPS management use this for something other than concerts or functions. I will be travelling down to Luna Park on the weekend of the 8th and 9th of January so I will be sure to give a full trip report on my return. Does anybody have any updates on the reported purchasing of ex-Wonderland rides to be installed at LPS later in the year??(Wonderbus perhaps?) Comments? Cheers Jobe

Yes Alex B you are to be applauded. A very moving piece indeed..I felt I was almost there with you......great stuff!! Who has purchased Antique Autos??? Do you have any other information on who has purchased the other rides???(Endeavour, Galleons, Balloons,Planes)?? Also to my knowledge Tassie Devil was relocated to Malaysia,so is this true or is it only partial remains left at the Wonderland site..?? Any info on what is happening with Space Probe,Bounty's Revenge SnowyRiver or Bush Beast or Beastie?? Thanks again... Cheers Jobe

I agree Steve. Luna Park does need a drawcard attraction....or at least 2 high quality rides to enter into the mix..The interesting fact about this years incarnation and the '95 version is that there is ONLY 2 rides difference between the two. They are of course,the Big Dipper(gone as we all know, to Dreamworld as Cyclone) and The Octopus( which was sold to Aussieworld as the Polyp.This ride was also in the 1981 re-birth of the park. I dont know why LPS didnt retain this ride with the other flat rides from the '95 version...anyone hazard a guess as to why??It doesnt make a lot of sense to me!!) So with only 2 rides down this opening,it seems like it would have been fairly easy to inject another 2 permanent rides into the mix to equal out, to some extent,the loss of the Dipper and the Octopus. Yet, for all the hoopla and the smokescreen surrounding the opening, nothing NEW in terms of rides has been put back into the park. The much vaunted circus has yet to be realised to its full potential( It was stated that this was to be the venue for a human performing circus ,much like Circe De Soleil,with promises of weekly performances, but this has not yet materialised) While it is very clear that LPS management are NOT going to run it purely as a straight fun park ,it is very clear that the park has much more potential than in its current state. Rumours persist of a conspiracy theory regarding the current management of LPS and its underlying intentions for the park. The Friends of Luna Park are also concerned with the direction that the park seems to be heading and are looking for assurances that the park will still remain a fun park and public domain. Time will tell if any changes or additions will be made to rectify this current imbalance. The idea of a entertaiment precint is a GOOD idea but at the moment the park is still lacking in certain areas(the major one being, of course,high quality rides) Comments?? Cheers Jobe

Goboi,yeah the part in the article where it states that it is a leap back in history is very interesting. Cinema 180 opened on the Tumblebug site in May 1979.After the Ghost train fire,it was one of the few attractions that was kept for the 1981 incarnation of the park. But as you have correctly pointed out,it is quite different from the cinema proposal being put forward now. Wonderbus, it definitely looks like that the admin building behind the Tango ride is the one earmarked for replacement by the cinema proposal. I agree wholeheartedly with your conclusion about becoming an entertaiment precit though.As you said,what better place to have it??. I echo Goboi's statements also, however. I would like to see the UFO retained and at least one or two high standard rides added to the mix. Lets face it. If Luna Park management were 100% committed to keeping LPS as a fun park ,there are a number of options that they could consider implementing which have not been looked at. There are any number of rides available that could be themed or housed in a way so as to dissipate any noise.(This includes any number of rollercoasters which could be enclosed as well.) They just haven't been tried,discussed,investigated or they have been dismissed out of hand as being too difficult. Lets hope that time will bring us something positive and exciting to look forward to, in relation to an addition to the park. I have included here a pic of the original model for the '95 park incarnation. There are a number of differences to notice about the model and the final blueprint the park actually took. Firstly,the inclusion of the Rainbow instead of the Ranger(as has been pointed out a MUCH better option. Why it was changed is anyone's guess!) Secondly, the placement of the Tumblebug and the Spider have been reversed. And thirdly it looks like that the present Tumblebug ride was originally intended to be called the Spider(the big metal spider facade is directly to the side of the Troika/Tumblebug ride). Very interesting!! Comments?? Cheers Jobe

Ok here goes....this is the first time I have attempted this so I hope it turns out all right!!! I have had to split the article into 2 pieces because of size restrictions. Cheers, Jobe

I will try and upload the article for you Goboi so you can read the official report. Its pretty much as I have quoted at the start of the thread. I am interested to know why you think,not having read anything official on the proposal, that you think it is highly likely that LPS will remove the UFO?? I for one think it is probably a fair bet that it could POSSIBLY be removed from its current space because of the cinema proposal,(as I have said before,the pic contained within the article was vague and ultimately inconclusive) ,but I remain unconvinced that LPS would remove it from the park altogether.As you have stated there would be a small outcry especially since its (a) a ride unique to LPS in Australia ( it is a very popular ride and one that would further widen the gap between fun park and function centre. I do fully agree and support your views on the current park conditions though. Looking at the official plans would be the best way to end any debate on the subject,however. Coaster_crazee,the negotiations for former Wonderland rides are still underway and nothing has been finalised. Wonderbus will let us know the outcome of these proceedings when they have finished. Comments?? Cheers, Jobe

Steve, I dont think that they would put the admin building on the site where the Tumblebug currently resides.Surely this space would be retained for permanent ride usage. It is the only space in Luna Park other than the UFO site(which is now called into question with the new proposal) with an elevated commanding postion of the Midway. I feel that this space will be definitely earmarked for ride usage, both for the present and for future projects. Any one agree/disagree?? Comments?? Cheers Jobe

Wonderbus you might be thinking of the wrong building.I always thought that the Luna Park Admin building was further up behind the Tango ride. The staff actually have an entrance at the back of the queue for this ride. You can further see this building as you board the UFO.(From memory it is coloured white with a blue roof with a corrugated iron look??-correct me if I am wrong here!!!) The article definetly does state that the admin building will be replaced by the cinema proposal. I would dearly love to see the plans that are on display. It would put a great many things in context!!! How goes the negotiations for the former Wonderland rides?? Cheers Jobe

Goboi,Mrmoon, the article stated that the cinemas would be BESIDE the cliff-face above the Tango ride and AND the Lighthouse cafe. The most telling information we have here is that the cinemas are to replace the current admin building, which is a fair space in itself.Take into account the space behind the main midway and the cliff-face and I think that this proposal could fit in quite easily without the removal of the UFO.The graphic that accompanied the article does tend to give evidence to this theory(The pic shows the cinema proposal starting near the Tango ride and finishing near the LIghthouse cafe. It appears(in this pic) that room has been made to retain the UFO in its original position. All that seems to go over the Tango and Lighthouse cafe are a stairwell and entrance to a foyer with the bulk of the cinema to the back near the cliff-face in the former admin buildings position. Of course you may be right and and it could indeed necessitate the removal of the UFO from its current position. The only way to solve the dilemma is to look at the official plans, which are currently on display, I presume at the park itself.(if anyone is going there in the next few days have a look?? ) If the cinemas did call for the removal of the UFO, I am sure that the park would retain the ride in another position. However I would feel that this would be a shame as the current position is fantastic and works in well with the over-all ambience of the park. I fully agree with your points on Luna Park's changing focus. However they must have a balance of amusements and functions to entirely succeed 100%. I think that this "mix" is slightly skewed in favour of functions at the moment but as you have pointed out,rides and amusements have done well for the park this year ,so they cannot completely ignore this facet of the business. If they manage to attain 2 or 3 new rides that are of a high standard, then this would return the mix to an even balance. They obviously are looking at new attractions(with the reported interest in certain former Wonderland rides) so they are not fully oblivious to this part of the business or its appeal to the general public. We have to remember that the park has only been re-opened since April. Time will tell if the new operators have any definite plans to rejuvinate the amusement side of the park's business Comments?? Cheers :cool: Jobe

Hey guys!! Don't know if any of you have heard this but in the Daily Telegraph last Friday they ran an article about how Luna Park have unveiled "plans to build a five screen,720-seater boutique cinema complex. The cinemas will sit beside the cliff-face, above the Tango ride and the Lighthouse Cafe,replacing the current admin building.The plans also include a footbridge connecting the cinema roof to Glen street,with access provided by a lift and a stairwell." The cinemas are apparently going to show arthouse and independent films as well as mainstream. The article goes further by stating that for the first time in 10 years a project associated with Luna Park has gained wide local support. Plans have gone on display and will remain for 30 days. What is interesting is that the article does not give a start date for construction nor an estimated time of opening. :confused: What is good is that the proposal doesn't replace any existing rides nor does it take any space that could be used for future rides. I think that if this project goes ahead it can only bode well for the future of the park. My only concern is that I fear that the fun park aspect of the Luna Park is being slowly overshadowed somewhat. However if they manage to get 3 rides from Wonderland and continue to update their rides for the holiday season, then it appears Luna Park is travelling in the right direction. Comments? Cheers Jobe

Thanks Wonderbus, that would be great. Do you or anyone else know if Luna Park are still getting The Mega Drop and the Hard Rock for the Xmas hols? Personally i would love to see them lease the Spinning Coaster and set it up where the Tumblebug currently resides.Move the Tumblebug more to the cliff face and there should be enough room for both rides.This would give Luna 2 coasters again and the only park to have a spinning coaster set up in Australia. Either way this elevated area where the Tumblebug currently resides is heavily under utilised. This would look fairly effective with 2 small coasters facing each other at either side of the midway. Cheers Jobe

Wonderbus, In light of the Demon being sold overseas, do you have any confirmation on whether Luna Park are purchasing the four former Wonderland rides as was reported earlier and which ones are in the final negotiations?? Cheers Jobe

Wonderbus, do you happen to know if the Demon was offered to any park in Australia or if any park actually expressed interest in it before the decision to seel it to Visionland was undertaken??? I wonder if there is any interest in Space Probe...surely a park in Oz would pick it up!!! Cheers Jobe