rappa

I think the recent visit from TPR shows that the parks in Australia can and DO stand up against their international counterparts and I for one would like to see the marketing go after that market again. In my opinion they should be turning the parks into a resort, build a hotel and get people staying on property and only going into surfers as an outing, not their base. As for Sydney, perhaps there will eventually be the opportunity to get a waterpark hotel off the ground, they do well in the states. I also think we'll see the parks season extended at some point too.

hahaha 85 members!

You may be surprised Ash how quickly these plans can change and how fluid they often are in such a volatile industry. Before I began working in theme parks it was just as amazing to see how tiny a lead time big special events have on them and how last minute changes are made. This on projects that from the outside would look like they have months to be put together. Same often happens within theme parks as well.

I don't think anyone really has a clue on the manufacturer... well unless they actually know and are being sly. Dreamworld has coasters by both Intamin AND Vekoma. They are locked in to Intamin for the ToT mod so that doesn't really tell us anything, and given Moto was a bust wouldn't be surprised if that put them off Intamin. It's like if MW were building a new ride, they have used Intamin, Vekoma, Mack, Kumbak, so you really can't judge just from past purchases..

Actually from Robb and Elissas own opinions it would seem more like our parks did a great job all on their own at being great. I got the same vibe from talking to other trip participants as well. The Aussie trip I think really highlights that the TPR trips so aren't about the coasters, well not JUST about the coasters. I had a great time with endless rides on Nemesis and Balder but it's all the weird unexpected non coaster stuff that I have the fondest memories of. I'd love to do another trip.

Yeah the ride does look like a pretty class act all round!

I recon the sword thing is an easy one. Parents will usually buy kids one thing, and they nearly ALWAYS give in. So if the kid wants a nice big high profit sword then you'd be a nutter not to sell them over $1 glow sticks. NO idea if that's the reason, but it's what I'd be doing. Funny with the food stuff, everyone knows the high profit item anywhere (cinemas, sports games, theme parks, fast food) is Post Mix soft drink. Second is probably fries. But most people seem only concerned with the price of things like the burgers, which really don't have as much profit sitting there that I believe a lot of people think there is. Add to that every idiot seems to want a bloody Angus patty these days (seriously you take the worst cuts of meat and squash and pound the crap out of them into a burger so why do you want premium meat) and you quickly end up with a $15 burger sadly. What I'd love to see if a proper sit down restaurant with table service. I'd much sooner pay good money for that in a park than anything else. Sell cheap burgers and have your good food offering in a table service restaurant. I think the dirty harry nachos prove there is a market between outlets and Ricks Buffet. My favourite was always when the Broadwater Cafe restaurant was open at Sea World over summer. Hell Disney manage to pull people into the park JUST to eat. That's a great way to go for VIP passes, have them come into the park JUST to spend money on food and then leave again without even going on any rides. That's what you want.

Oh I agree completely! IMO one of the smartest things the parks have done in YEARS is the DC Comics Parade last year, it ticked all the boxes. Firstly, it brought all the VIP pass holders into the park, to check out something new. Secondly by having it almost 'after dark' it was a real point of difference to regular operations/park experience. Similarly by having it at the end of the day it kept guests in the park ALL DAY, it was truly amazing to see main street packed with guests at 5:00pm every day. When you're in the park that long you will buy more food and beverage, even if you've left for lunch, you will most likely have another snack whilst waiting for the parade. Thirdly it was themed and all of the merchandise was branded accordingly so people bought up, not to mention all the cheap flashy toys and stuff guests would buy from on street vendors. Finally it delivered a top notch product! As you said it perfectly, at the end of it all everyone thought "it was worth it." Halloween and Christmas are more good examples of this, frankly I'm surprised we haven't seen anything else so far this year.

I just want to touch on 2 points. One, our parks will never have the brand loyalty of Disney, comparing limited edition collectables us just not realistic. Disney is just one of a kind with regard to customer loyalty and die hard fans that will buy anything they can. Our parks sell souvenirs and that's something tourists, not locals buy. I also think you guys need to get real in that you don't represent the majority of people who aren't dying to buy merch, who buy the pass in order to ride the rides when they want. Secondly the parks can never offer the food maccas sell for the same price. The big chains just have way lower running costs. Now sure I think the parks should offer good quality food, buy it's always gonna cost much more than it would at maccas.

You're also kind of avoiding a whole lot less queing that you are at Dreamworld where I still can't see the point of the the thing really. It would be like if Movieworld added the system, lines would just get longer, creating a need for it where as now lines are always manageable.

I'm not offering an opinion on the subject, just making observations at this point in time. But you make valid points. However I bet you there IS a clause on those passes allowing for a change in operating hours etc. I would also like to say yes I agree the concept is to increase in park spend per head BUT that only works IF people spend. If the passes are being used by kids/teenagers that aren't spending any money then the concept won't work. I do argue though they couldn't return to higher pricing if the climate/market dictates. Disney who you mentioned did just that. Good discussion though. The parks and the VIP model will continue to be an ever evolving business/product.

My post was a joke of course but it does raise an interesting psychological point. The customers are paying a heavily discounted price yet are still expecting the full product... That's a very tricky model to manage. To be fair though, if SW want to change their ride times that is their choice. It is their business and they are allowed to choose what hours they operate it. Especially when IMO the roses are a secondary attraction at that park.

Yeah they should charge $70 and give you unlimited entry for all parks. Call it a VIP pass or something.

Perhaps if a professional group of genuine enthusiasts who are also willing to spend money at the properties rather than EXPECT for free was presented to the parks rather than a bunch of winging on the forum they would happily give ERT. I think this trip proves just what good value and a cut above the rest the TPR coaster trips are. And know whows what plans are in store for the park in the future.

Maybe I couldn't take out more than 5mins of my day in the marketing office to actually read the site before using it as a shameless marketing tool I'm sorry but peeves me when you want to profit from a site without participating in the community of it. ...yep guess I'm THAT guy

And the above has one of the best wave pools I've ever seen!

Seriously is the ride realy 17 years old? That's impressive and makes me feel old! Its not a huge deal anyway, really the most impressive stunt the ride performs is locking the gondola, doing the really slow inversion before wiping the gondola around at the top, that is the most intense ride sensation. The opossing rotation of the arms also looks cool from the ground but is much tamer whilst on the ride. Still definately the number 1 flat ride out there.

It is interesting to see the parks new attractions budgets seemingly shrink by half BEFORE you factor in inflation...

Just touching on the confidentiality thing... I'm pretty sure our aussie parks have always been mega secretive on new rides. Not even announcing once construction has started. So thats nothing new being quiet. Funnily enough the best launch campaign I've know for a ride was from Wonderland which had the same CEO that movieworld now has, so there you go.

The ride has been closed for like a fortnight right? I'm sure due signage will come in time. To be fair it's only a RUMOUR that the ride is closed for good. Before anything is announced by the park, anything posted to parkz can only be considered a rumour.

HIGHLY doubtful...

That being said I think it's one of my favourite coasters out there. It's rough but it's not like painful punch you in the back rough like The Bush Beast was. Its just like terrifying bat out of hell fast rough and I always enjoy taking a first timer on it, scares the shit out of them.

I believe the attraction has now re-opened just fyi.

Oh wow, you're so cool! Of course if you post what you actually saw I will retract my above statement, otherwise there is very little tollerance for 'I know something you don't know' posts around here.

Everytime I've been to Magic Mountain their GIB has been running. It is one of my favourite coasters ever, both to watch the mechanics and to ride. Fron't seat ride on one of those as you pull up the first spike is scary stuff! No hate here