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This should be what the news headlines should say.

After years of seeing theme park industry observers questioning Ardent's ability to operate theme parks (a major component of Ariadne's argument for board representation), it was interesting on Monday to hear a bowling industry expert criticising that arm of the business too. It's clear that Noel Ambler takes a traditionalist view of tenpin bowling; the business model he espouses is one that probably just can't compete when Strike Bowling and Ardent's own Kingpin capture the youth and corporate crowd. Certainly these two businesses are all the proof you need that bowling is a popular activity and a viable business. The real question would be why haven't Ardent been remodelling the decrepit AMF chain and offering something more akin to Main Event that can compete with other modern family entertainment offerings people can choose -- everything from modern cinemas to escape rooms to trampoline centres like Bounce Inc. The answer is familiar of course... they're starving their Australian businesses and throwing everything at Main Event in the USA.

VRTP have released a stand alone SW app available on iOS devices. The app includes all the information needed about rides, attractions, shows and animals. Has collectable cards, an up to date map, ticket purchasing, offers and much more. At first glance it is a good app and much better than the parks last attempt at an app (And for those who didn't know about it, it was the Theme Parks Pocket Guide). App available for download here: https://goo.gl/xvzHRh

Maybe Ardent should create or invest in something like Timezone as for example in Surfers Paradise there is Bowling, laser tag and dodgems along with the arcade games, VR could also be added as I've seen VR stuff in Japanese arcades and they look insane

What this should all tell folks, inclusive of those at Ardent, is that the way forward is to just take the risk and invest appropriately on locations where people want to spend time at and they will come. Suffice to say, this isn't at all rocket science - consumer tastes are evolving and entertainment & leisure is a booming industry right now - if major shopping centres all have quality, diverse multi-million dollar food & bev precincts, then simply not matching that product (which is now the standard) is why an entertainment business won't succeed today, and nothing else. TLDR: Don't be cheap and look at your customers as dollar figures, people see it for it is. Spend the money, invest in your customers and they'll come.

Work on the new show (credit to TPSN)

Fixed.

That’s what my house looks like AFTER I’m finished decorating

DW simply doesn't have the budget to execute Jurassic to Universals standards. Even if they did can you imagine how bad all the Dinosaurs would be looking in no time? They had a temporary Dinosaurs attraction at DW years ago that was similar to creatures of the deep only in true DW style, they just plonked them randomly all over the Park. Despite being around for 1, 2 seasons tops, the animatronics were in pretty shit shape by the time the event was over.. Time to come back to Earth Push. Ain't gunna happen.

Next you'll be saying the latest Fast and Furious movies were good. Jurassic World wasn't that bad. There's certainly worse movies than it.

If you think Jurassic World was a bad movie then you need to see more movies. I thought it was quite decent.

This is the same Ardent spin that hasn't changed since Ardent purchased DW. "We are going to squeeze every cent out of DW and give very little back” I feel sorry for Craig because I believe if he was given the cash he could turn DW into something great but currently Ardent expect him to perform miracles. I wish Ardent would sell DW to somebody who was interested in theme parks and stop treating it as a cash cow.

That would be what I call the 'egg air' phenomenon. They say smell is as important as taste when eating - and the eggs are packaged with a hollow (obviously) inside a chocolate factory smelling like chocolate. So when you bite in, you release the air inside, and the aroma of the chocolate factory hits your nose - making it taste better. Seriously... thats my theory anyway.

Don't let workcover see that photo - guy's not in a harness and doesn't have fall protection erected on the edge.