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Just a quick report from the inaugural AWNights. Got there about 5.30pm and was at the head of the queue for entry (they were still chasing day patrons out - apparently it had been quite busy). They opened the gates at 5.50 or so for a rope drop of sorts at 6pm. Yarlotte and her minders even showed up. Headed over to the lockers and then the pool, which had lots of flamingo inflatables on it. Went on the mat slides next and had four runs with no one but me on them. Went over to the racing slides, before deciding to dry off. Got on the chairlift, which was operating, and captured some nice shots as the sun went down. After wandering around the park, I decided to take an early dinner on the upper deck of the Kahuna Cafe. I was tucking into a patented Mark Shaw Chicken Caesar Salad, when the lights on Kahuna Falls went out. Kids kept going on it and they eventually fixed it an hour or so later. At first I thought they had hit the lights on purpose in order to emphasise the DJ, who was playing nearby, but then I saw a guy with a torch. Put my camera away after that and then went on the Grand Prix and Abyss with next to no wait. Abyss was awesome, as I was expecting it to be completely dark when we got out - it wasn't. It was like entering an elaborate show building (kinda like the old ET ride), with the forest on the left and the moon overhead. Once we were over the lift hill, it was a little more intense than normal. Abyss' tracks have this bluish/purple lighting, so you could only see a few meters ahead at a time. Did one last lap around the park. It was 9 o'clock. Checked my photos and the Kahuna Falls lights came back on. Overall, the night kinda reminded me of extra magic hours at a Disney park, where you can ride your favourite rides at night with little wait. The DJ was very chilled and didn't really gather a crowd. It was a very mellow, family friendly crowd, with couples picnicking on the lawns. Got in for free since I'm a Platinum member, so not bad value for me. The weather was so much better than Fright Nights and there were tonnes of people in the pool all night long. Looking forward to next week's event.

OK, I accept 1) commercial realities are just that realities. 2) Weiss and partners a no fools, they are tried, tested and very successful investors. They are also, in the big scheme of things, very recent arrivals on the scene, so they deserve an opportunity to deliver. If Ardent really wants to correct a lot of DW's past errors, it needs to set a 5yr plan to sort the basic theming of the park out, doable stuff, like improving many of the colour schemes on buildings, that seems in part to have happened, so fingers crossed. [I have personally not visited DW in some years, my last trip there was not inspiring]. Some BIG decisions need to be made if Dreamworld is to become "beautiful" again and beauty attracts people. Short-term the attractions outlined are where they headed, longer-term, they know DW needs some serious capital investment. Rationalisation/partnerships in surplus land development presents the opportunity to pull in the coin they will need to seriously grow the park. Ardent will need to ask itself first though, is DW really for them? They don't strike me as a particularly keen theme-park investor....never really have and to blunt, their track record is not exactly glowing - I'm simply talking here in the "ordinary course" of park operation and development!

Guest Services know about as much as the average Parkz Member. According to recent Parkz interview with Mr Kirby, MW are looking at introducing Projection Mapping effects for the Dark Section of the ride but that process is being dragged through the licensing and approval process at WBs in the US. Interesting that the ride continues to Operate in this hollowed-out state with barely an end in sight? Surely this is more damaging to the brands (Scooby-Doo, WB's, MW) and I really hope they get it sorted out soon.

The Adventure World team are extremely excited for the launch of their first AW nights event tomorrow and have been doing many updates of preparation for the night on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. ”Spotted! Flamingling around the park. TOMORROW NIGHT it’s #AWnights showtime! Better be quick and pick up your tix online now for your chance to win a Family Season Pass for the 2018-19 Season.”

Forgot to mention in my RHLR review the other day.. strange occurance.. guy in the group in front of me was wearing a baseball cap, and a go pro with the head strap over the cap. Now I thought “oh for sure they’ll tell him to remove the go pro”. But nope, the ride attendant tells him, once he is already in the boat, “sorry mate, no hats allowed” so he off comes his hat and the go-pro, and then the ride op says “oh you can keep the go pro on your head mate, just not the hat” hmm...