Brad2912

Parade at 5:30 each night celebrating Batman’s 80th Birthday Joker’s Funhouse Party from 6-8pm each night with food trucks, music/djs and rides open late. Fantastic!

For those wanting to avoid squinting and oil stains... Ann Wason Moore Opinion: Gold Coast theme parks need government support to bring back the fun ANN WASON MOOREGOLD COAST BULLETIN MAY 27, 2019 Our theme parks have endured a bumpy ride over the past three years, so the announcement that Sea World is set to open a new $50 million ride precinct, along with the imminent opening of Dreamworld’s $17 million Sky Voyager attraction, is welcome news. In fact, the Village Roadshow renovation was inspired by the Queensland Government and city council’s $90 million investment in The Spit Masterplan, which will transform it into Gold Coast Ocean Park. And while this quasi-private/public partnership is great news, with the potential to create thousands of jobs, an interesting point was raised by one of the Bulletin’s readers. “Jackson” commented that while he believes the push for a world-class theme park is a far better idea than a second casino as originally proposed for The Spit, he wondered whether there was any free public land being offered to theme park operators — such as has been suggested for a potential second casino? Nailed it, Jackson. It’s not that our theme parks necessarily need free land, but a cash injection from the government would certainly come in handy if we are serious about building world-class attractions. Sure, our theme parks are owned and operated by private corporations — but so are plenty of other businesses and entities which receive government investment. Why shouldn’t our theme parks — which, along with our beaches, are the backbone of our tourism industry (and the backbone of our economy) — receive a hand-up from the government? Yes, there is a small amount already received by our parks, such as the $2.7 million the Queensland Government has spent in partnership with Dreamworld to expand the park’s Corroboree and wildlife area to create a world-class Future Lab, which would be the state’s first native animal genome research facility. That’s great news for animals, scientists and students … but is it going to inspire a stampede of tourists? Knowing my kids, the answer is no. The truth is that nothing puts bums on rides like, well, rides. And the bigger and better our theme parks become, the bigger and better becomes our tourism industry … and, by extension, our economy. Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw says he believes ramping up our theme parks is critical for the future of the region’s tourism industry. He says the Gold Coast could one day rival Florida, home of The Walt Disney World Resort, with its four theme parks and one of the most visited holiday destinations in the world. Interestingly, as Sea World unveiled its planned $50 million Atlantis precinct, Disneyland itself was preparing to open the doors to its new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge expansion — a 14-acre, $1 billion development. Lord (Vader) knows Village Roadshow and Ardent Leisure could never compete with the sort of budget that Disney commands — but the truth is that their rides are expected to. Sure, in Australia we’re happy to settle for our GC theme parks, and Americans don’t come here for our thrill rides … but what about potential tourists in Asia? Which land’s World are they going to choose? Disney or Dream? The population of Australia means we never reach the critical mass of visitor numbers necessary to fund such huge theme park developments. Which is why we need to do it differently. We need to build those rides to bring the numbers. If we build it, they will come. What we need from our Tourism Minister is a focus on in-fun-structure. By all means, let’s beautify the lands surrounding our theme parks … but it’s what’s inside those gates that really counts. As for the risk to the public purse, spending on Gold Coast tourism seems like a pretty solid investment. In fact, China’s government is already taking the plunge. Their Ministry of Culture has listed a planned Gold Coast theme park as a “key cultural trade and investment project” that is linked to the country’s ambitious Belt and Road investment plan. The proposed Australian Legend World at Nerang, to be developed by Chinese theme park giant Songcheng at a cost of more than $400 million, has been listed among other government projects as a top priority for the ministry. And you know what they say — nothing draws a crowd like a crowd. So city, state and federal governments, my advice is to pull out your pocketbooks … and get in line.

May as well post this here given Greg’s move has already been discussed in this thread DREAMWORLD MAKES KEY EXECUTIVE CHANGES TO DRIVE FUTURE OPERATIONS MAY 27, 2019 ATTRACTIONS / SAFETY / TOURISM /WATERPARKS As part of a move to implement global best practice in all aspects of theme park and attractions operations, Dreamworld has announced significant changes in its executive team. The changes see the Gold Coast theme park’s Chief Operating Officer Paul Callander move into a newly created role as Chief Strategy Officer for Ardent Leisure Theme Park & Attractions. Callander has held various roles within Ardent Leisure over a long period of time and with his knowledge and understanding of the business, he will lead the development of a new masterplan for Dreamworld. The role will also include overseeing the implementation of a number of strategic growth projects and continue to have executive responsibility of SkyPoint and the Sales and Marketing function for theme parks and attractions. Taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer for Dreamworld & WhiteWater will be experienced theme park professional, Greg Yong. Yong has been described as “an asset to Dreamworld with an extensive background in the theme park and entertainment industry”. Yong, a board member of the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) was previously Chief Operating Officer - Asia & Executive General Manager - Theme Parks for Village Roadshow Theme Parks and Australia’s first Topgolf. In his new role, Yong will oversee all theme park operations, food and beverage, retail, security, cleaning and grounds and Life Sciences. Announcing the appointments, Dreamworld Chief Executive, John Osborne stated “these recent executive changes have been designed to allow us to focus on future planning, managing key strategic projects and bringing new initiatives and attractions to the park. “They will also bring key guest facing roles together under one reporting line and will ensure a more integrated approach to the overall guest experience.”

It was strange the article said all DW needed to do was submit paperwork, but hasn’t. So what is so wrong with it that it can’t be certified? The fact that the CEO has openly stated that staff and himself have ridden it often, says it’s not a physical safety issue with the ride itself. So it has to be the building - be it emergency exit access, structure or the like. What I don’t understand is why they just don’t fix it? Is it too costly or major ? They know their reputation is taking a hit because of the delayed opening and they no every day it is delayed is another day lost in their recovery.

Nope... only thing to my right was the crate with the little smoke machine that used to go off after every turn. If I missed it then everyone else in a packed park did too, as I was in the area for a good 20mins and not once did anyone find or use it if so.

Sad that obvious misuse and a lack of a better option has seen the joker interactive element removed from the Supervillains area. The original mallets were removed quite a while back and replaced by a simple push down detonator function, but now all is gone.

Wow that’s quite incredible. Grew up near there but when I left Sydney it was still just a plain old council leisure centre with an indoor & outdoor pool

Can’t have DC taking over another VTP park.... i mean it’s not like Aquaman is set in Atlantis or anything... 🤣

I’d prefer them if they were on the island so at least something was happening there..

You’re very critical without giving any suggestions or improvements outside of “it should be good” and “I hope it’s themed”. What would you want to see different? Other than the cringey dance at the end, I thought it was solid

What makes me think that they will make announcements for the year ahead in their investor presentations along with the 18-19 financial results? Because that’s usually when things are uncovered or announced?

Think I can safely say that Winterfest was not created in response to SW’s $50m cash injection... DW will have their right of reply... likely in the next 6 weeks or so with EOFY results and forecasts for 19-20.

For those playing at home & reminiscing of the good old Wonderland Days Leviathan will be 5m taller and about 25m longer than Bush Beast. Given BB remains in my top 5 rides (probably out of virtue of have never having ridden another woodie since), it makes me super excited for Dec 2020. Also very interested in watching the ride come together having not seen a woodie constructed before. Anyone know the construction timeframe for a woodie of this size?

Doesn’t appear to be Aquaman themed specifically but it’s a nice generic tie in anyway

This is fantastic for SW, VTP and the GC on whole. DW really needs to get its act together and fast, be interested to see what their 2 big name attractions are, and the timeframe. If they don’t have something major before Summer 2020 with all that is coming to SW they will fine themselves even further down the tourist list.

No, as he was quoting me saying his Xmas presents were crap My childhood was not negatively impacted by me having the word “crap” in my vernacular

I wouldn’t call not knowing the word “crap” as being angelic, i’d call it being illiterate

Yeah seen no mention of carpark.. I don’t think it’s going there at all

Could you be any more negative or pessimistic? i bet when you looked under the Christmas tree as a kid you were the type of kid that said “I’m sure these are probably all crap presents but maybe I’ll be surprised and I’ll like one of them”

I’m hoping for a water ride of some sort

With no air con.. that’s the thrill component..

Permanent replacement for SkyFlyer, the largest woodie in the Southern Hemisphere and hmm...

Apparently this announcement is Sea World related

TPSN has posted the VTP is making a major announcement on Saturday. I’m not sure where this info is from.. so take it with a grain and a tonne of salt until Saturday I guess

Oh I bet it was!