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The 3rd part is now live. Be sure to let me know your thoughts. Selling the Dream - John Longhurst's Dreamworld Stories.

This is quickly becoming the epitome of Ardent's ongoing hubris. Literally the only reason why Ardent chose to retrofit their existing theatre with a flying theatre, just like the Canadians with their IMAX Theatre overseas, is to primarily minimise cost, to also minimise local disturbances to neighbouring attractions and amenities and to speed up delivery time. But that cost-saving specifically comes with some huge drawbacks, too - namely the ability to build a full-scale flying theatre. And like Canada's flying theatre retrofit, ours will be a clever but scaled series of hacks to getting the motion bases inside a smaller than usual space that come with a lot of consequences (reduced capacity, smaller screen etc.) So then here's the thing - if Dreamworld's only going to preserve a forty year old warehouse shell made out of cinderblocks and literally nothing else (not the facades which have far more intrinsic value to the park) you've got to ask - why even bother retrofitting there in the first place? It's not like they're trying to minimise the impact on the guest experience during the retrofit - they've closed another multi-million roller-coaster with not even as much as a word on when it might re-open. And let's not even get started on how a giant un-covered demolition site in the heart of the park would impact every single guest's first, second, third and last impression of the park. At this point they could've built a larger flying theatre for cheaper had they literally put it anywhere else inside the park and they could've had it in the same time-frame since Ardent have continued to push back the open date multiple times over. This whole thing makes me feel as frustrated as reading news about Trump - everyone's watching the world burn but no one's doing anything about it.

Great article. Just a small error with the Dreamco sale date, should be 1989 not 1981.

If only he never sold it.... Such big things were coming

Awesome read @Roachie and great insight into the rest of his story

The one thing you haven't indicated is the amount of time you have over there. If there's space \ time in the schedule, Another Disney day is never going to hurt, especially if it happens to be a busy day\days in the park. I definitely agree with picking the highlights to make sure you get them done, but I also recommend picking your path at Disney and working your way around, rather than hopping your way from one side to another. I can't remember the detail, but a study was done that suggested when everyone reaches the hub they naturally gravitate in one direction - I recommend going the other way (i wish i could remember which way it was, but i'm sure someone here remembers!). There's plenty of planners, guides, hints and tips, so best thing to do is have a google, and see which seems a best fit for you. Understanding your preference for lower thrill attractions, Magic Mountain probably isn't worth the hike, however, don't ignore some of the other parks (Like Knott's for example) if you have the time in your schedule. While you can watch fireworks from many hotels, +1 for catching it on main street \ the hub. +1 Don't miss Fantasmic if it's operating, paint the night is also pretty cool, and world of color if it's back up by then. With an 11 year old, there may the the eye-roll that some things are too childish - especially in fantasyland. By all means ignore the fantasyland flats if a carousel or dumbo is too 'kiddy' for you (they're still good though) but don't walk past the fantasyland dark rides - even if you only do them once. Toontown is still worth a look as well. Everything in Disney is suitable for all (most) ages, so unless you can see the full experience and make a call then, give it a try - at least once if you can. Enjoy!

Sorry to derail, but just a point of interest on your example - The driver of a motor vehicle is responsible for ensuring that it is in a fit condition to operate prior to starting the car. So the reason the steering wheel fell off is more important than the fact that it did. Was it a manufacturing defect he couldn't possibly have detected before driving? or was it lack of inspection and maintenance that lead to the eventual component failure? On scene, if he was the guy who caused the accident, he would still be considered at fault, until forensic examination \ testing proved it was beyond his control (and even then from an insurance standpoint, unless the manufacturer is on the hook, he's still the one considered 'at fault'). Its why Car Wash places tell you to test your brakes when exiting the wash, to ensure that they are working before you pull back onto the road.

Excuse what may be ignorance, but why would the arms need to be removed off DD during maintenance unless there is some sort of major structural issue they have found?

The new building will be the work of pure imagination...?

Beware you sit in the plane for 13hrs to get there.

The Tiger Island shop is brilliant. Truly evokes a jungle atmosphere and is reminiscent of the immersive style of theming of some the big overseas parks. Let it become the standard for DW.

I couldn't give a hoot if DW removed all of Disney style facades. John Longhurst original DW died the day he sold it. When you sell a house and can’t expect the new owners to keep it the way you had it. If you want that to happen, you don’t sell it. 30 years ago, it was fine to rip off Disney designs because nobody travelled to America but now every second person has been to Disney. DW shouldn’t be reminding guest of their trips to Disney when they visit because when you start comparing DW to Disney you realise DW is truly a dump. Unlike 30 years ago DW doesn’t only compete with Australian parks but now competes with parks in Asia, America and Europe. I do have a but- DW don’t have a clear plan/idea on what DW is. For example, MW has lost many of their great original attractions over the years and DC is the “in thing” no matter where you are in the park it still feels and looks like MW. The changes to the buildings over the last 10 years is a disgrace. DW has become the home reno from hell and that is what I give a hoot about. If DW removed every building I wouldn’t jump up and if they replaced it with something better. DW clearly don’t have anything better and for some strange reason only known to DW are intent on degrading what they already have. You don’t buy a Ferrari and put roof rakes on it.

What do u mean? Copyright of the facade? There isn’t such a thing, it’s an architectural design, not branding.

What on Earth is up with the People running our Theme Parks? Here's a start, they have no clue, that's what. Removing facade architecture that was inspired and modelled on Disney - of all People, the World Leaders and Pioneers in Theme Parks. But hey, what would they know huh?

Hypothetically speaking, I think moving forward if Adventure World wanted to continue investing in the teen/adult market, a small Huss Giant Frisbee or Intamin Gyro Swing would pad out their flat-ride line-up perfectly. Alternatively, something like Intamin's family launch coaster (Jet Rescue) would be brilliant. I'm sure some people would make the case of "originality" when you stack those options up against the eastern theme parks, but honestly, when Rainbow's End in Auckland, New Zealand is a closer competitor geographically, I don't think i'd be too worried.

The facade is now gone... 😪

It’s also not wiggles world it is ABC KIDS WORLD