Jim
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Posts posted by Jim
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8 minutes ago, Baconjack said:
Alright I’ve ridden this a few times so I thought i might put up a cheeky review.
Big Dipper is a pretty decent and forceful little ride.
The presentation overall is a little weak other than the murals at the tower it’s pretty much just generic construction fencing with photos of the coaster on them, and event barrier fencing in the queue.
On the ride itself the restraints are very comfortable. The first launch and the section between that and the 2nd launch is a little meandering and slow but the 2nd launch definitely has a bit of a kick to it, like the 2nd launch on jet rescue. The non inverting loop is quite forceful as is the sidewinder although there definitely is a bit of a rattle on these elements. The airtime hill is fine, it’s not as good as the last few hills on Rivals but offers some OK ejector. Finally the curve and corkscrew is very forceful, although a bit rattly. It’s definitely a coaster that takes a bit of warming up and is quite fast when fully warmed up - although it’s a bit rough, which I feel is something that you have to expect with coasters in our climate and is fine as long as you ride a bit defensively.
Overall it’s a good coaster but I don’t think it’s better than Rivals. I don’t think it will be better than Taipan either.
Thanks for the review!
I am sure as time goes on the theming will get better. Were there long lines for the coaster today? Like did heaps of people show up?
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Luna Park plans in the 80s with Schwarzkopf model.
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Found this, it was posted yesterday!
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Just now, Baconjack said:
BD is testing with water dummies no full circuit tests yet.
Excellent great to see, keep posting if more happens today? This is really exciting and it's good to have some good news haha.
In regards to the residents complaining about noise from the 8 rides.
What is their goal this time? Is it to restrict hours of operation or try to close all these rides? Or is it to make sure LPS can't build rides again?
Worse comes to worse just put scream shields on Boomerang, Sledgehammer and Big Dipper?
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If you watch from 0:00 - 4:28, they talk about the design process of the new Big Dipper, this came out on November 14th and it provides some more technical information on the new coaster. Enjoy everyone!!!
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Went to have a look yesterday, the old Big Dipper carriage looks like it is getting repainted, some of the track from the Wild Mouse is there as well.
Two questions for everyone?Are they completely re-tracking the Wild Mouse? Or what exactly is going on?
Is there a chance Sledgehammer will go back to 360 mode? It seems a shame if it doesn’t.
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From reading the posts written above, I am not surprised some rides are closed. Which is annoying for now but to me it seems like the park is re-opening slowly; even the operating days and hours are heavily limited. Like in November its only open Friday,Saturday & Sunday, but in December it's open nearly every day. So the park is probably still in a bit of a testing phase and then their probably getting rides ready for later this year? Plus with the long lockdown their probably just glad to be open in some capacity.
But I do agree with the others which is I hope more bridges and signs are added to complete the feel of the park, I think with time that will happen. But their probably really focused on getting the Big Dipper operational as well.
Surely testing for the Big Dipper starts soon? I hope, plus the exit and entrance is still a bit of a guessing game but I am guessing that the entry and exit line may be next to each other? But I am not sure, there's a few possibilities on how that may work.
Anyway as always keen to hear from the others?
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2 minutes ago, MrLukeCarroll said:
Coasters can last for a very long term if politics, maintenance and economics are kind to them. You wouldn't put a coaster unless you expected to be able to spread that expenditure over a good period of years of operation. I can't imagine even internally they would put a use by date on a brand new coaster yet to open. Biggest thing going against it will be it's a first of it's kind model from a manfucaturer that hasn't been without it's maintenance nightmares in the past but it's lifespan should be in the decades if nothing else comes against it.
Yeah well that's the thing about this one, it will be very interesting to see how this coaster goes long term. I hope it is there for more than 20 years at least, but being the first of it's kind, it will be interesting to see how it goes. Plus not to mention all the sea air that it will be exposed too.
I hope the 1995 events don't repeat again and I don't think they will. But it would not surprise me if a few residents try and interfere with the new Big Dipper's operation, but I hope they don't.
Politics, maintenance, economics, will play a role in this coaster's life of course, but yeah I think it will be fine.
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On the subject of long term views. Does anyone know how long the third Big Dipper’s life expectancy will be?
like 30 years? Or longer?
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I think the Lavender Bay Railway Sidings in the future will probably be a walking track from the back of LPS to Waverton Station. I think the residents would be furious if the park got any of the siding land, but some residents might not care either. So it's more likely I think to be some sort of walking track as it would link up Wendy's Secret Garden, the railway tunnel and the views that come with it.
Having said that though, you never know they sold off a bit when the 95 redevelopment got going to make way for the 2nd Big Dipper. So it wouldn't surprise me if they might get a little bit of the land; but it really is just a guess or a dream sort of thing.
But if they were to put rides there I think it could be a great spot for a future River Caves attraction and the entrance could be below the 3rd Big Dipper?
What does everyone think to the land potentially being used for a future River Caves ride?
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The park map is on the website now, it looks fantastic!
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Yeah I hope LPS can just open this year, it must be awful not knowing when the park can open.
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35 minutes ago, MrLukeCarroll said:
The mock up has people under the coaster but the backstage area is still gated off. The stairs from Glen St to Maloney's Corner were meant to reopen around the middle of this year according to the sign on them which would suggest the walking under the coaster part is true (Though the stair reopening won't happen while the park is hard gated like it more than likely will be upon reopening).
While it would be good to make the park more open and connected, I doubt they would want to lose some of the little backstage area they have.Yeah that's true, I think that staircase will be closed for a while, plus with the Covid restrictions I can't seem it opening for ages like you said. It says on the LPS website that the park is due to reopen on the 1st of October. But I can't see that happening until October the 18th at the earliest? When does everyone else think the park will open up again?
Yeah true, they probably want to keep the backstage area space closed.
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18 minutes ago, 19Michael96 said:
That is what I would like to see; it makes the back of the park more connected with the front. Not to mention it's a flat surface so it's easier for prams and wheelchair users.
Yeah I agree, the pram and wheelchair access would be very good then; not to mention the park feeling more connected all together.
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2 hours ago, Jobe said:
Great vid mate thanks for sharing. It still doesnt answer the question of how the entry and exit queues will be installed- more and more it looks like there will need to be a stair and platform leaving over the intitial launch track to the main queue on the other side.
I am guessing the entrance will start in the existing BD building? Then I Imagine there will be a long queue on top of the dodgems, but how the queue line gets over the track seems confusing. Yeah most likely some sort of bridge over the track or maybe around it somehow? The exit I am guessing will be a steel staircase next to the existing BD building? Or the exit will be right next to Coney Island?
Does anyone know when the new Big Dipper opens will you be able to walk under it to Maloneys Corner? Or Luna Land as it is called now? Because in the mock up video it had park guests walking under the coaster. So I am wondering if it will be open to the public or closed off?
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Do you think LPM will respond with Sydney getting the Big Dipper back? Like they torn down the wooden one in 1989 then they thought about replacing it with a boomerang but that fell out at the last minute and it went to Wonderland Sydney.
But I wonder if LPM will respond with a new coaster? Like would they get another single rail coaster just to compete?
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3 hours ago, themeparkman said:
Hey people what if Luna Park bought the Buzzsaw from Dreamworld, would it be possible for Luna Park Sydney to do so. Either all Luna Park needs another thrill ride and I think Luna Park Sydney would have room for it.
Yeah like the others said the height of that ride is the problem, it is too tall. But in terms of room, it could possibly fit where the Silly Sub is located? The sub would have to go somewhere else? But maybe it could fit in that space, but it would be a really tight fit. The other spot which it probably will never happen is on top of the car park, but that's elevated anyway so there is problems with that.
I think its more likely down the track that they may build a ride behind the Ferris Wheel, so in between Crystal Palace and the Ferris Wheel: Where the wide steps, table and chairs are located now. So yeah maybe they may build a thrill ride there, but there will probably be an uproar from the neighbors saying it interferes with the Midway section, but maybe not.
The other possibility is they may move the Silly Sub and place some sort of thrill ride there, but again I am just guessing. Heck they may even put a Davey Jones Locker there. But that's just an idea and I don't think they will. But then who ever thought 10 years again that the Big Dipper will return, so there are possibilities but it is just a wild guess at the moment.
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On 07/09/2021 at 7:31 PM, Jobe said:
The Orphan Rocker was the brain child of Phil Hammon and then in the early to mid 2000's the flame was picked up by his daughter, Anthea Hammon. At the time she was coaster obsessed and was actively working towards getting the Rocker open. However, the hurdles were numerous and due to a shift on her and Scenic World's priorities, the Rocker was never completed. They put considerable investment into first building the Scenic Cablecar, which journeyed to the bottom of the Jamieson Valley below, installing brand new "Red Devil" Trains on the Scenic Railway and installing and updating the Scenic Skyway, firstly by having it stop at a station on the other side, allowing you to make the picturesque walk back around to Scenic World and then finally by installing a larger , bigger capacity car that also had frosted glass technology, allowing the riders to view the valley floor below. They were also instrumental in building the walkway on the Valley floor , which gives riders of either the Scenic Cablecar or the Railway something to do- and it is a highlight and a must do.
Parkz did an excellent article on Scenicworld and the Orphan Rocker about 8 years ago when several track pieces of the Rocker were removed.
Its such a shame that it did not open- it would have been a unique and awesome ride experience just for the location alone. Enthusiasts from all over the world would have travelled just to have a ride on this thing- it would have been even more infamous than it is now if it had actually opened!
I think it is highly unlikely that Scenic World will ever build a proper coaster on the site- their priorities have shifted to more attractions that involve the mountain setting more than thrills. Also, residential opposition would be extremely strong and is also one of the Orphan Rocker's final nails in its coffin, with issues surrounding noise from the ride being cited as quite strong in the community and out of place for the site.
At the very most, I could see them installing an Alpine coaster that could certainly be eco friendly, make excellent use of the terrain and would be a thrilling and appropriate installation at the site. However, I do not think that the Hammons would look into this type of attraction anymore. Something like this would be excellent however and is in a similar mountain setting in Switzerland.
Thanks for replying Jobe and thanks for all the information. I enjoyed reading your response and it was helpful. Yeah it is a shame it never ran its always going to be one of those weird moments where they built it but nothing really happened. It is a shame, oh well maybe one day we will see some sort of mountain coaster attraction or Apline coaster which would be cool.
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Different question for everyone, does anyone know when the light caps on the towers will return? Or are they all going to be taken off? like the 1970s face. I am just curious as to why these have being modified, because they don't look right with the bottom cap on but the top one off.
Keen to hear from anyone who knows why? Or what might happen in the future? Like are they coming back? Or are they all going to be taken off eventually?
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I always thought it would better if the Orphan Rocker was a suspended arrow type coaster, I think that would fit it nicely and it would go well with the scenic railway and the cable cars as it is suspended and has that thrill look to it.
I guess it's unlikely we will see Scenic World build a roller coaster, but in saying that you never know, who would have thought the Big Dipper would have returned to Luna Park in Sydney. There are so many compact type coasters being built and designed that Scenic World might think about potential coasters, heck even a single rail coaster would fit the place. Or even a Big Thunder Railroad sort of coaster would work, but that's probably too expensive and plus locals would be sensitive to the idea of a roller coaster being built, but they could add tunnels to the coaster to reduce the noise or they could add scream shield to it, so who knows?
Any thoughts on this? It would be great to have a discussion on what the future of the Orphan Rocker may or may not look like?
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12 minutes ago, Jobe said:
Yeah I have it on good authority that the original plans for the 3rd Big Dipper at Luna Park was going to be a custom designed Gerstlauer Eurofighter. It would have utilised the Tumblebug slab and also ventured out behind Coney and then back again. It would have been , through necessity, a unique layout. There is a POV and animation video of this ride in existence which I have yet to view. The Intamin Hot Racer was selected late in the planning and I guess the reasons for its selection would definitely include noise suppression versus the Eurofighter,which having a chain lift , would be fairly loud. I am sure that a custom Eurofighter at Luna Park would have been a great ride experience but I am pretty chuffed that the park opted for the worlds first and very unique single rail launched coaster.
Many of the rides that eventually made selection have also slightly changed , both in name and theming. The original planning for the rides definitely had greater theming aspects tied in with the 9 new rides and dare I say, in my opinion, superior names. The theming involved , whilst not overly extensive, is definitely a step up from what we are actually getting and hearkens back to the 95 incarnation and the use of bridges. I am thinking that money and expense is what has curtailed these elements back from initial planning and we must not forget that LPS has put in a significant $30 million investment for the 9 rides it is adding. What is being added is appropriate for a boardwalk style amusement park but of course, the theming and added bridges to each ride are certainly sorely missed.
Thanks for the reply Jobe, I appreciate that. Yeah I am not surprised by the original plan to include a Gerstlauer Eurofighter. But yeah I am glad they choose a single rail coaster with 2 launches it makes the new Big Dipper more special in a way or more unique. I think the single rail Big Dipper compliments the previous 2 Big Dipper's in a way as it goes upside down and then it has the rough element to it - twists, sharp turns and dips a bit like the wooden version. But it is hard to say until I get my first ride what the experience will be like or what the G-force feels like.
Thanks for the theming information and the planned ride names, I had no idea it's not surprising they planned for more of it but it didn't eventuate. But in saying that you never know if down the track they add theming? Just to give it a bit of a fresh look. But yeah all the new rides makes it suit the boardwalk style really well, it has a pier feeling to it now.
On a positive note the future of LPS looks bright and I think these new rides well be very popular. It's hard to predict what will eventuate its always a bit of guess, but hey looking forward to seeing the park when this lockdown comes to an end.
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5 hours ago, Gazza said:
Maybe a free spin? Or that compact "Bucking Bronco" launch coaster seen at Nick Universe in New Jersey.
Or yeah possibly the compact model Eurofighter
Yeah I think those 3 you mentioned above would have been considered or looked at. But they would have had some sort of custom feature added to it or maybe not. But I think as the new Big Dipper has 2 launch systems I imagine the park would have been thinking - look launching is not as noisy and it doesn't take up the footprint of a lift hill, but I don't know I am just guessing. Having said all that I can't wait for the new Big Dipper to open it will be great when lockdown ends to see the new coaster.
4 hours ago, joz said:Some custom Vekoma sit down thing maybe?
Yeah a custom vekoma of some sort could have worked, it would have been interesting.
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I have a question for everyone, suppose the single rail coaster had not been invented. What other types of coasters might the new Big Dipper have been?
E.G. Intamin LSM Launch Coaster?
S&S Worldwide El Loco?
Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster?
The Gravity Group, LLC Wooden Coaster?
Or any other types?
Luna park 9 new rides construction
in Theme Park Discussion
Posted
Why is this the case? Seems odd it’s closed for the first two hours.
Anyone got any ideas?