Noll_57

I identified a few IMAscore tracks playing at the entrance the other day. They definitely add so much to the atmosphere and are far better than the generic top 40 music that used to play in the area. I’m so glad Dreamworld is starting to move towards using proper themed audio instead of just relying on typical pop music. I know I talk a lot about music at parks, but it’s such a vital part of the whole experience and I feel as though our major theme parks have never really been great at utilizing themed audio in an effective way (apart from old school Movie World back in the day, but they have turned a lot of their background music off in most areas of the park now). At least DW is making an effort and doing a great job. It would be fantastic if they could gradually replace the remaining pop/dance music in the park with more thematically appropriate soundtracks though, as that would really help to elevate the overall guest experience IMHO. That would be fantastic, thanks (and thanks for creating the terrific in-park playlist too)! BTW, do you know if Dreamworld has ever considered commissioning IMAscore to produce an original composition for the park? They have composed so many iconic soundtracks for a number of European parks and it would be amazing to have specially composed theme music of that quality to compliment one of our attractions here in Australia!

I agree. For me, Movie World still had some magic left in it in 2019, well after many of the thrill ride additions and the transition away from the behind the scenes “movie magic” theme. I just saw it as a shift in focus, rather than a downfall. MW was still fairly well run and maintained for the most part in my opinion (or at least the public facing side of things were). The park’s decline is a more recent phenomenon and didn’t really start until BGH took over and staff like Greg left. In my view, it was a sudden, sharp decline that really became noticeable in late 2021. Many of the big problems the park faces today started popping up around that time. I do agree with several points made in the video and I too do miss old school Movie World. But to suggest the downfall started all the way back in 2005 is quite ridiculous IMHO. I also wouldn’t say the park is ruined, it’s just going through a rough time at the moment. All the foundations of a good park are still there, it just needs better staff and management to turn it around. It can easily be done with the right people.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary have announced they’re opening a new permanent nighttime experience called “Astra Lumina”. It’s essentially a walkthrough multimedia show with various lighting installations and projections around the property. It will open on Wednesday the 5th of March and run every Wednesday to Saturday night from 6pm. https://astra.currumbinsanctuary.com.au/?_gl=1*pr2cj1*_gcl_au*MTk1NTE4OTQwMy4xNzQwNzIxNzc3*_ga*MTIyODQ0MDI0MS4xNzQwNzIxNzc3*_ga_K4ZMNQNL77*MTc0MDcyMTc3Ny4xLjAuMTc0MDcyMTc3Ny42MC4wLjA.*_ga_0BG99XZ1LD*MTc0MDcyMTc3Ny4xLjAuMTc0MDcyMTc3Ny42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.134048008.744302085.1740721777-1228440241.1740721777 I was at the park today and noticed them testing some of the new installations.

I really hope so. It would definitely be a positive thing if they are. Though most of the AV techs/electricians the park currently employ seem to mostly just focus on shows and events rather than maintaining the smaller systems around the park such as those within rides, the background music systems etc. The park used to make an effort to maintain those things, but again, not since BGH started running the show unfortunately. Anyway, getting back to the topic, VRTP put up ads for attraction maintenance technicians fairly often. There’s actually a couple of positions for “Mechanical Fitters” at Sea World and Movie World listed at the moment. Both roles involve ride maintenance and the ad states that all potential candidates require a Cert III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade, while also mentioning that someone with hydraulics qualifications would be very desirable. https://careers.villageroadshow.com.au/en/job/501694/mechanical-fitter-sea-world https://careers.villageroadshow.com.au/en/job/502246/mechanical-fitter-day-shift

I’m pleased to hear the park is interested in bringing back the animatronic Bunyip. It was an iconic part of the Big Banana and I’ve seen quite a lot of interest and discussion about it online. I do wonder if the original Bunyip is still sitting in that lake? Last time I was there, I noticed what appeared to be the old control hut for it still standing beside the lake, along with a bunch of pipes and wires running into the water.

I’m pretty sure those audio visual systems haven’t been touched at all since BGH took over, considering how many don’t currently work (and haven’t for years).

I noticed the old Claw feet are currently sitting behind WWW, so I’m guessing they might be reused as part of King Claw’s theming.

Dreamworld have just sent out an email explaining the lore and backstory for Rivertown in detail.

I heard from a staff member (working on the Dreamworld Express) the other day that they’re hoping to have the full circuit reopened by May.

I visited Movie World today and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” has already stopped playing along the entrance to OZ. Now there’s just dead silence. Same in the FOTWW queue, no audio or atmosphere whatsoever. The majority of the greenery that was in the Emerald City plaza on opening day has been ripped out and the fake flowers in the water feature have decayed even more. Although the park was relatively busy, OZ was absolutely dead with very few people in the plaza area the entire time I was there. Despite this however, FOTWW still managed to get a 50min queue. This was mainly due to the ridiculously slow operations (the time between dispatches passed 10 minutes while I was timing it)! Speaking of terrible operations, Green Lantern was dispatching one train roughly every 7 minutes! I thought it was closed at first due to the lack of trains going around. What a disaster this park has become. I know I tend to criticise Movie World and VRTP quite a lot and I really don’t want to be overly negative, but it truly is unbelievable how far this park I loved so much has fallen. Remember, this is a park that offered the same level of quality as Universal back in the day and it truly was world class. Now all the magic it once had is long gone. All my criticism comes from my long held respect for the park. It still has so much potential and could be turned around with just a little more effort and care.

I love all the custom themed oil cans hidden around the Murrissippi Motors station with references to Kenny and Belinda as well as other Dreamworld attractions.

That’s brilliant! It looks as though they’ve painted some of the interior walls too.

When I was at the park a few days ago, I noticed what looked to be additional theming for Rivertown/Jungle Rush sitting in the former Rocky Hollow area, including what appeared to be themed rubbish bins.

Some photos from today…

That’s already been gone for a while. They removed it about a year ago.