Welshy

Thanks for the vision and memories John that so many have enjoyed. You were a truelly fascinating Aussie character worthy of more fame. @Slick I only came across your article a few weeks ago, and it was such a great read. I was going to reach out to you to ask whether we could petition John for a Biography or something. Alas, too late. It sounded as if there were many more interesting stories to John himself, let alone his creation of Dreamworld, that could fill a book. His fascination with Walt Disney, which I only came to know through your article, struck a similar chord in myself. I found your article after searching for some info on John other than the small details on Wikipedia. I was sparked by learning that my step father installed the original conveyer belts on the Log Ride, and had a few good stories about working there. Thanks for that interview mate, and I hope if you have any further details or insight that you'd make an update to the article!

Hi, new here but the question about nostalgia caught me. I'm a Brisbane local, so have grown up around DW since the mid-80's. I love DW but for goodness sake I wonder what muppets are running this place. I saw the TV ads this season promoting nostalgia, and thought "what nostalgia?". Almost every ride and attraction from the 80s and 90s no longer exists, let alone most original attractions. I was gobbed smacked that the Model T's are still there (and still a hit with every little kid). And let me get right to my latest grudge: the Sky Voyager. Awesome ride, bloody terrible building. Main Street (if that's what it's called?) looks great and well maintained with it old-timey colourful architecture that sets you in different time and world upon entry. Thank goodness they haven't destroyed that. Well...except now that the old IMAX is now a 21st century modern building standing out like some alternate universe has mashed itself into the space. Like, what the hell were they thinking?? Surely it wouldn't taken much thought and imagination to see how it breaks the theming of that space in a major way? I sat enjoying lunch at Kenny's with a beautiful view of Main St, and the festive music playing in the background, taking in the atmosphere....while also wondering if I'm in a Dr Who episode with that bulding being there. It just stumps me that much that they chose that building design. I mean, they didn't even need to create a theme - they just had to stick to the one already there. It also left me wondering whether it's a sign that Main St will also either be changed into some other design (losing even more nostalgia), or whether they're that hopeless at theming a theme park, that it'll end up as another mash-up of nothingness. I'll pay credit to the DreamWorks section and Tiger Island as both being well themed. But my point here is nostalgia, and the lack of it. I desperately wish there was much more of it. I feel like from the 90s, with Gold Rush Country (RIP Log ride and Mine ride), they had a really good canvas to just keep enhancing. Like Disneyland. Am I wrong?