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I know it's not a priority for DW right now, but god damn that Sky Voyager building is an abomination. It was a mistake endlessly complained about on parkz at the time, and the concept art absolutely did not translate into reality. That building wouldn't be out of place at the industrial park across the highway. Here's hoping that the Main St facades (particularly Sky Voyager) get re-done with a consistent, classic and timeless theme after the new attractions are built.

This entire thread is kind of moot. WB will not be cutting ties with VRTP, unless VRTP chooses to drop them. If that ever happened WB would start slashing licensing fees to keep VRTP attached. Why? WB is broke. They just got bought by Discovery and still have $40 Billion in debt. They've had a number of flops and are doing a hard re-boot of the DCEU, returning to more Harry Potter and LOTR movies over the long term. HBO Max is bleeding money so they're merging it with Discovery+ to help cauterize the wound. For at least a decade, WB has had grossly incompetent management who made some of the following decisions: Removing Henry Cavill as Superman Casting Amber Heard as a lead in Aquaman 2 (they're trying to recut the film to limit her involvement). Attempting to build an entire DCU around The Flash with Ezra Miller as the lead (they're not even sure how they will release that movie now). Making a Batgirl movie as an HBO Max exclusive. Making a purely lesbian-focused batwoman tv show for CW which had no broad appeal to comic fans or CW viewers (typically teenage girls) Rushing a Justice League movie without giving the heroes their own introduction films first. Hiring Joss Whedon to take over Justice League from Zack Snyder Cancelling Harry Potter films because the execs didn't like JK Rowling's trans-exclusive feminism Attempting a Matrix sequel decades after the original film - and releasing it in theatres (expensive) with a simultaneous streaming release on HBO max. Asking the company that cut the trailer to re-edit David Ayer's Suicide Squad. This is just a snapshot of the bad decisions that have been made. WB is an absolute dumpster fire of a company and Discovery have got an uphill battle trying to pay down the debt and get them back to profitability. Right now, WB cannot afford to lose a single dollar of revenue, so there is zero chance of VRTP losing the WB branding, if anything they're likely to want VRTP to use non-DC IP and might be willing to discount the prices (like Wizard of Oz) to make that happen.

This would not happen. Sony don't own the theme-park rights to Spiderman, just the film rights. Marvel still owns the theme-park rights. Marvel is owned by Disney and Disney is already using Spiderman in their own parks. Also, Universal already have the Marvel theme-park rights for the comic book versions of the characters - including Spiderman. You're more likely to see them partner with Paramount and access all of the Paramount IP - including Star Trek, Top Gun, Mission Impossible, Transformers and Paranormal Activity. This would be a stronger suite of possible IP to license than Sony which really only has The Karate Kid, Ghostbusters, Jumanji, Men in Black and Underworld - all of which are effectively dead with no theatrical releases or only box-office failures for many years. They'd be more likely to leverage some of the IP from their own VREG (co)productions - like The Matrix, Happy Feet, Sherlock Holmes, Mad Max and Gatsby, than to work with Sony.

Ride-only photo passes are no longer available for any time period. All photo passes now include ride and candid (character) photos, with the price of the 12 month option doubling from $40 for ride photos only to $80 for rides + candid. Generally I'm supportive of offering bundles, but I do think that the ride-only pass should be offered to One Pass holders - a $40 add-on is a pretty easy sell and doesn't induce demand for character photos among visitors that otherwise wouldn't bother.

Grammar Nazi here. This reads like it was written by either AI or someone who uses English as a second language. I can understand churning out garbage fluff articles for free websites to drive traffic and ad revenue, but this is behind a paywall and the standard should be higher. I guess we at least can make some bad poetry out of the mistakes. Best-remember thrill ride. Was famous for giant double loop. Paves... will herald some exciting developments - Gold Coast Bulletin, 2022

I'm no engineer, but can't they just get Superman to push it around the rest of the track? He does it all the time with the other coaster.

VRTP are finally giving Sea World some love after many years of neglect. They're finally building some rides instead of more animal shows and they've committed to a major coaster build from a leading manufacturer even during two years of almost zero interstate and international travel. Cutting back on some theming isn't the end of the world given the circumstances, but let's also remember that the Hall of Justice, and Spooky Castle at MW are both Colorbond sheds with fibreglass theming applied to the outside. Theming can change, and they may even do it further down the track when the financial position is stronger. What is being built now may not be the final product, and even if it is, who cares? We're getting a brand new, custom, world-class wooden coaster and two additional flat rides at a time when it would have been easy to justify pulling the pin on the entire investment. Be Patient. Stop complaining. Enjoy the rides when they finally open regardless of how the theming turns out.

" - Morgan from Village Roadshow Theme Parks." Morgan Hypercoaster Confirmed!!!😉

The Showtime shows are terrible and VRTP have gone for the cheapest executions possible... BUT... It's worth remembering that VRTP have to make shows that can be understood by both adults and children, as well as international tourists that can barely speak English (if at all). That is a very difficult thing to do well on a reasonable budget. I think the biggest missed opportunity currently, is Village not using IP that they actually own - specifically MadMax. The Fury Road film was released in 2015, had very little dialogue and was a massive success in Asia. Some heavily themed cars and costumes could reduce the need for as many stunts and some basic car 'stunts' combined with some circus acrobatics could result in a visually spectacular show with a very simplistic 'stop the bad guy' story set in the MadMax universe. I doubt it will happen though. The cost of transforming the arena and building the new cars is money that they will likely spend on a new ride to replace Arkham.

Just to clarify what this award actually is... It is NOT an architectural award. It is NOT a design award. It is a 'construction award'. It was NOT won by Dreamworld. It was won by Alder Constructions. It is NOT national. It is given by Master Builders Queensland. It is NOT state-wide. It was only for the Gold Coast. The very specific category that it won was 'Tourism and Leisure facilities (on the GC) up to $10M.' In 2019 this category had no winner because it had no entries for the GC region. In 2018 it was won for the Woodroffe Hotel (Southport) In 2017 it was won for the Doomsday Ride at MovieWorld (who even knew?) The category did not exist prior to 2017. It is highly probable that this was the only entry for this category in the awards for the GC region, or that it beat out a surf club redevelopment (like the Sunshine coast region winner) or a Hotel Lobby redevelopment (like the Brisbane winner - Ovolo). This is not a prestigious award. This is a small, local award for construction companies to help promote themselves locally. I am sure the construction was challenging and they were likely given the award just for solving all of the technical difficulties with the retro-fit. But, as was discussed at the time and as @Slick said, the final result of the lumpy bulbous mess of a building is not at all like the promised renders, and the design of the building destroyed what was left of the park's entry statement aesthetic.

I don't get why everyone is complaining about Intamin doing their take on what are effectively flat-rides. The Ultra Splash/Power Splash is a flat ride using coaster track. Intamin's version looks a lot better than Mack's with the unsupported single-rail track. No one complained when Dreamworld got an Intamin Gyro Swing instead of a Zamperla Frisbee. Or an Intamin drop tower instead of an S&S one. In fact, some of the people complaining were suggesting that DW should have replaced the Wipeout - a Vekoma Waikiki Wave Super-flip with the Zamperla knock-off. If Intamin can put a fun and unique take on a vertical coaster format like Maurer and Premier did, that's a good thing. If they can find ways to improve the single rail concept, that's great. If they want to do their own version of a PowerSplash, awesome. Maybe they'll adapt that single-rail track into other things when it is tried and tested. As long as the ride experience is good, I don't care who built the ride. And most other people don't either.

Dreamworld's unique take would be an Inverted Power Splash Coaster.

To be honest, it was a fairly boring and unappealing ride once the canopy was added and the caves were removed. It looks like Dreamworld are actually planning for the future though. The government is imposing pretty tough conditions on all ride operators after TRRR - and they're being particularly strict on Dreamworld. RHLR would likely have needed some major changes to bring it up to modern safety standards. Simply adding a lap bar or seat belt would have increased load times and reduced capacity. With the current seat layout, a log would only hold 2 people, with redesigned logs, they might hold 3. You would also need additional load staff to ensure that the bar/belt was secure before allowing a vehicle to depart the station. Wider or longer ride vehicles would require redesigning the entire flume - especially the transitions into the lift hills and possibly the incline of the drop before the splashdown. The ride was also likely increasing insurance costs simply because the age and design of the ride does significantly increase the risk of injury - even if it comes from riders not following instructions to remain seated. All of this costs money - possibly millions of dollars - all to save a fairly average log flume ride. That money would be better spend on a brand new water ride, built by a reputable manufacturer, with tried and tested vehicles and safety systems. I think the current decision makers at Dreamworld know this and are actually planning for the future. I think Dreamworld is in a great position to build a new log flume that isn't just long stretches of boring floating before a drop. I'd love to see them incorporate a story like the Looney Tunes River Ride or Bermuda Triangle had, but that might be outside their budget. There are some great flume designs out there now. Some have drop tracks, some have double downs on the final drop giving floater airtime, some have LSM launches... With a bit of imagination, and all of that space, Dreamworld could build something world-class to replace RHLR.

Oh man, I hope they get the shaded seating area up and running again soon. Dreamworld management must be devastated that one of their key attractions is fenced off like that.

Looks a lot like the 1936 'Zooming Shield' WB logo - especially the shaded version on the water tower.

And here is the first official POV video for anyone that is interested. The ride is now officially open. World's tallest inversion (197 feet) 220 ft lift hill (are we calling this one a Hyper?) 9 inversions - the most in North America Top Speed of 75mph (120kph) S&S have purchased Vekoma. Steel Curtain and Maxx Force are the first two major custom designs they've introduced. Should an Australian park look at getting a new S&S design?

Steel Curtain has just had its first test run at Kennywood. I don't care if it looks like someone's first Roller Coaster Tycoon design, it looks like a lot of fun and I can't wait to ride it.

ELECTRICITY.

I'm going to assume these renderings are fairly accurate to the layouts and models that they want to have, since they've already started land clearing. Based on these animations, the Top Spin looks to be a HUSS 'TOP SPIN SUSPENDED' model with the back-to-back seats. Which is a great choice. Based on the supports and the Timberliner train in the video, the wooden coaster will be a Gravity Group model. Any coaster nerd will tell you that means lots of ejector airtime and great transitions between turns. If you haven't ridden one of these, and you're turning your nose up at the term 'family coaster', you're in for a pleasant surprise. Gravity Group build roller coasters that are half this height and still pack a punch in terms of thrills. This will be a great addition to Sea World and is something that Dreamworld could learn from.

I hope you don't mind me throwing a non-Disney/Universal curve ball, but for young kids I can recommend going to Seoul, South Korea. This is a good (cheaper) trip suggestion for everyone that isn't AlexB as well. First, the country: It's much cheaper than Japan, Singapore, or HK. Seoul is very English Friendly (subways and buses all have English announcements) Korean Air have direct flights from Brisbane, Asiana have direct flights from Sydney. Cathay have really cheap flights if you don't mind stopping in HK for a few hours. There are 3 theme parks in Seoul. Lotte World - http://adventure.lotteworld.com/eng/main/index.do The world's largest indoor amusement park. Dozens of rides, (mostly moderate thrills), but there is a lot for small kids as well as adults, and some good family attractions They do 2 Parades each day (lunch time and evening). The evening parade is pretty incredible (Disney-level good). It is literally in the middle of Seoul (Jamsil) and attached to Lotte World Mall, so there is plenty of cheap food and accommodation nearby. Discounts for Foreigners (a bit of research to find the right deal and you can get in for as cheap as $15-20) Has an Ice skating rink in the middle of it (with free skate hire for foreigners). Everland - http://www.everland.com/mobile/english/ Samsung's Theme park. About 1-2 hours just outside of Seoul Is a resort, so you can stay on-premises if you want or stay closer to Seoul and get the bus. Has a water park called Caribbean Bay Is also a zoo with safari-style attractions The park is massive with great theming and really good attractions (including T-Express an Intamin Woody) Very family friendly Beautiful scenery in the Spring/Autumn if you can go then. Tax Free shopping for tourists Seoul Land - http://eng.seoulland.co.kr/eng/index.asp A much older park (built for the Seoul Olympics) Very family friendly (really cheap food, great rides for kids and families) Only a short 15-20 min train ride from Central Seoul In the middle of Seoul Grand Park (which itself is really nice) Really cheap entry - and some websites give discounts if you enter after 12. Not as English friendly as the other two parks (really made for locals), but still easy enough to navigate. To be honest, you could take the kids to Korea when they are any age and you'd still be able to get a lot of value out of it. You could also do all three of these parks in Seoul and still have a cheaper trip than going to Japan. It's not Disney or Universal, but it's a great holiday option that a lot of people don't think about.

Wicker Man - Alton Towers.

Dreamworld don't need to hit a home-run right now. They need to just hit singles and doubles. Get to first base, then to second base, until all the bases are loaded and you can start getting back to home base and get some runs on the board. Everyone here wants them to invest heavily in a major attraction - and they definitely need to do that eventually, but they need to make some smaller, significant plays to get back in the game. The trick is to buy off-the-shelf rides that fit into the family/thrill category. This means mild to wild thrills. An ABC Tourbillon to replace Wipeout, an RMC Raptor or Gravity Group Woody to replace HWSW, leading up to a falcons-fury style revamp of GD to replace TOT2/GD. (I know the tourbillon is a 'meh' ride, but the visual experience will have everyone talking about it - which is the point!) Slowly, build an aviation-themed area of the park to replace Gold Rush that highlights some of the major Queensland contributions to Aviation (Charles Kingsford Smith, Qantas, etc.), and then invest in a major new ride - the new Vekoma Flying Coaster - as the centre piece, work in the new GD rebuild, and Sky Voyager into the area, and suddenly you've got a park that is kicking some major goals, with a range of unique attractions that other GC parks don't have. They need to dream big, but act sensibly. Ardent can absolutely turn this around if they just commit to a proper vision for the park and really sweat the details. As a priority, hire a Creative Director to oversee that creative vision and do what that person advises. If they can just hold back from turning the former GoldRush site into a Caravan Park, I remain hopeful (but not optimistic).

I managed to get a visit in yesterday and finally got to ride this after the re-fit. To be honest, I didn't think it was great, but I also don't think it is quite as bad as some here have made it out to be. MickeyD's review was fairly accurate, although for my ride everything seemed to be timed and synchronised as intended. The green-screen effect was technically working well, but it just missed the mark for immersion that I think they were hoping for. There was also smoke in the Disco Room with some lighting effects that put beams of light directly in front of us on the track. It looked like there was a white pole in the middle of the track we were about to hit, so that was kinda fun. (To be fair, I think it was a mis-aligned light, but I hope they keep it this way). Generally though, the ride is far too bright - both the projection and the lighting. All of the hidden dips and turns in the track are now clearly visible, so there are no surprises in the physical sensation of the ride. This means that the ride relies 100% on the effects and projections to create surprise and suspense, and for this reason the ride largely fails to deliver. One thing I will say though, is that I rode with a first-time rider. While he wasn't that impressed with the TV screens in the elevator, they did succeed in preventing him from realising that it was an elevator, which made the backward drop more of a surprise. So, there's a small consolation. The final room with the projections seemed kind of pointless, and you can see the frozen image waiting to animate before you enter. To be honest, I don't think anyone is going to understand the scrappy-doo/monsters/spooky island story enough to know what the hell this is supposed to be. I've seen the film and I don't even get it. Why introduce new story elements in the elevator with Scrappy that never get paid off at the end of the ride? Did I miss something? The queue is also kind of disappointing. The fountain was working, but the removal of the walls and gargoyle statues means there isn't much to look at. The knights no longer turn their heads (although it's been that way for a while), but it is those kinds of spooky surprises that should make this ride great. Keeping the castle walls and using projection mapping to introduce ghosts/monsters scratching at windows or climbing across the stones would have been a great addition here. Projectors work well in JL because the ride is interactive and respond to you shooting at them. The 3D glasses also dim the brightness and saturation. They don't really work well on SDSC though, and some well crafted, basic animatronics with strobe lighting would have probably been more fitting. This ride was definitely better suited to low-tech, rather than high-tech effects. I think there is room for improvement, but I'm not really convinced that VRTP will make any additional changes. Everything seemed like it was working exactly as they intended during my ride yesterday. Maybe with time, the brightness of the lights and projector bulbs will naturally dim to better level. Generally everything is just so heavy-handed and trying too hard to impress with high-tech effects. Hopefully as the current effects start to wear out, they will just replace them with some good old-fashioned practical props and mirrors. While the ride isn't a complete disaster, I do agree with the general consensus here that the ride has lost most of it's charm and mystery. Sometimes, less is more.

@pushbutton@themagician Wh... What if they just hung a sign that said 'Entry' above the entry?

These aren't exactly the same angle, but they're close enough. Ardent are slowly turning Dreamworld into a soulless wasteland. These buildings wouldn't look out of place in an industrial park.