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This is old news and just because the courier mail was in need of a page 3 gap filler I don't really see it as news worthy. What a waste, they could have written about so many better stories.

Yeah I really don't agree with turning off effects to save money at all, especially just on weekends! I mean Joz is right, if you pay full price you should get the full experience. I would sooner see an entire ride shuttered to save money than all of the rides running with reduced effects. Certainly something like scooby doo fog that adds so much to the ride experience, and it's not like the public don't notice these things either. Great to hear about all the improvements though.

I'll second my vote for this year being touchup. I know just at the show alone we are looking at many upgrades on old equipment and stuff. I really like the idea of sinking money that would usually be used for big new attractions into extensive maintenance of existing facilities!

Yeah when I drove in on Saturday mid afternoon the car park was jam packed!

Our parks ticketing/ proof of ID system is all wrong. The Disney system of photos only for AP holders and fingerprints for multi day tickets is the way to go. Having said that Universal uses fingerprints and their system NEVER works. Where as disney it's rare you have to scan more than once for it to read your print. Our photo taking system takes SOOOO long at the front gate.

I would say it probably is guess comfort and whilst it has the same speed as Cork they've probably just pretty well copied the whole superman procedure over to JR with them being so similar. I've ridden goliath at SFMM and Calif Screamin in the rain and they both hurt BAD

As I said in my last post I think thats a very fair stance for you to take. It would be very hypocritical for me to say we have to listen to everyones thoughts and then say you can't have yours I look forward to seeing the show again soon, it's been a while and Im sure it has come a long way.

I understand where you're coming from Klassen, but what you're saying really reads to me exactly what the official line from the company would be on the show, I know, I work there. Whilst I'm not about to go and bash my employer on a public forum, I'm certainly not about to get on here and defend it against all of these posts. After all, anyone that doesn't work for the park is General Public, simple as that. All of these negative posts have come from the General Public. And the reality is that every day a whole heap of people who are in the know, whether they be in the entertainment industry, theme park industry, people that visit a lot of international tourist attractions, go to the theatre a lot, or just simply long time fans of PASS, come through that front gate. We can't simply discount anyones opinion thats negative simply because they aren't what we consider to be the desired demographic, they're all paying customers. What I don't understand is rather than try and argue against peoples negative comments, the company doesn't take them on board and fix the problems. It's something I'm seeing a lot in the tourism and hospitality industry at the moment, businesses seem to be telling patrons what they should be happy with and want, rather than listening to them. My personal thoughts are invalid because at the end of the day there ARE people out there with negative opinions of the show and that is not acceptable. Our aim should be to remove the cause of these negatives and aim for each and EVERY visitor to be completely satisfied with their experience. Whilst that is an unattainable objective we should be doing everything in our power to get as close as possible, not just simply discounting their opinion because we feel strongly otherwise. Often the employees involved directly, have to much of a personal attachment to the product and thus lack the perspective to take the negative comments on board. The only comment I will personally make is that I believe it inaccurate to suggest every minute possible was spent preparing for the shows opening as I know for a fact no work was taking place on weekends. Nathan I commend your company loyalty and it's clear you are a big fan of the show, sometimes though we have to put our own feelings aside and listen to others opinions, even if they are critical of ourselves.

There won't be another sign going up in that place because not only did they dismantle the steel, they broke up the entire concrete footing as well. I guess it was deemed an unessesary marketing expense which I guess is true. How many people drive past, see the sign and choose to come to the park that otherwise wouldn't?

SPACE MOUNTAIN HAS A STORY? What on earth is it?

I think I'm more interested to read of Steve Peet's involvement than anything else. Great attraction for surfers.

I don't think it's a reliability issue with this technology so much as it takes a while for them to settle down and run in. Once they get the initial bugs out of the system they seem to get a lot more reliable. Whilst it sucks we have to remember that these modern coasters are pretty amazing pieces of machinery, machinery that is really put through the stress ringer day in and day out. Sure they could make them simple and reliable but its us, the enthusiasts who really push the manufacturers to take the technology to the limit.

The launch system continusly monitors forces and speed of the train and adjusts the launch power accordingly. So a number of empty runs in a row will usually lead to a slower launch/less power. This why the big rocket coasters often roll back on a cold day after a few test runs if you load it up with a full train straight after.

It doesn't always break down around lunch, it's pretty reliable these days.

Sorry I didn't mean I didn't believe you, rather that I was surprised he said that.

I was at WnW last friday, the park was packed, but by 4pm (when I arrived, my sister was there all day) most of the waits weren't too bad. You do have to be very smart at our parks to avoid the ques though... The one I couldn't believe is that people were waiting all that time for the one remaining Jet stream, that slide is not worth an hour wait. There is nothing 'flimsy' about Mach 5, I can't believe a staff member would say that. The tower has surface rust, but pretty much and slide in any park will have that in places. So don't be worried about that. As for Terror Canyon, it's been taken off the wait times board, all signage removed and the que rails fenced off. I wouldn't expect to see that ride back EVER, but I have no clue why.

Yes exactly, it's not trial, they are here to stay. They aren't updated acurately and frequently enough and people can just change them. They also don't allow for ride breakdowns or anything like that. Yes electronic displays are a great idea but these cheap looking boards(for example Seaworld now has a badly cut laminated laser print out stuck over the old Eye position for Jet Rescue) are just plain bad.

Yes for sure, I was at the park 2 days ago and it has max crowds, the place was crazy with people. If you are savy you can avoid ques for most of the day. Pay little attention to the wait time boards as they are very rarely correct (which is why I think they are stupid). You could see times of 45+ wait for superman, and then get there and find it's barely a 10min wait, as it was most of the day on Tuesday. Scooby be sure to ride first thing in the morning and then get in another ride very late in the day if you wish. Stunt show line forms like an hour before the show, but if you go get in the line about 15mins before (it will be back to the arcade) you will still get in to see the show. It will be a full day, and you will have some 20 minute waits but don't expect anything worse than that.

Yes that's the sad thing that once again our parks are limited when they were built in the middle of nowhere and residents have chosen to move in on them and then restrict their operation. In Sydney is bad enough, but the parks on the GC are a major draw card for the tourist visitors that support our economy.

Yes I would like to see our parks do night trading, overseas parks do this very well, he'll Disney is open 8am to midnight many nights. It's something we lack her which is a shame because the parks take on an etirely different atmosphere at night with the lights on.

Today was an insane day for parks, I know MW went over 9000, I was there as a guest and it was crazy, I believe Sea World was the same. Wet and Wild had filled its own car park, overflow car park, outback spectacular car park, outback spectacular overflow car park and any road and grass space around also!

I think you'll find it's more of a quick replacement, and hopefully we'll see something better in the future... ...just another example of why outside contractors are bad

Don't stop there Nev, the show may not be finished but anytime it's not running and they are working on getting the effects finished many a big ole black cloud of crap can be seen rising from the area. I recon this one has got to be twice the size of the PA one. That's certainly an interesting and creative answer from the park.

hmmm... photos taken whilst working, I will have to check on where that stands in terms of what's allowed by the park. Richard can you confim our stand on this?

Well the wait is really short, even yesterday with both carparks full, and people are silly to judge the ride just because dreamworld also has a ride that kind of looks like it. Really the fact you sit up to ride and it involves a launch and tyres is all they have in common. You missed out Ocean, because the ride is amazingly thrilling, I think it could almost go as a thrill ride. It is VERY fast.