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Key points from the report have been highlighted: FY2018 was an important and necessary transition and reset year for Village Roadshow Theme Parks (“VRTP”) with a new ticketing strategy implemented in December 2017, shifting VRTP from a discounted volume based business to a higher yielding value based operation. VRTP delivered an FY2018 EBITDA result of $38.3 million, compared to $55.9 million in the prior year. With the removal of the discount resellers from the market effective 30 June 2018, overall ticket sales revenue is expected to continue to increase. There is a strong indication that the Gold Coast Theme Parks have returned to a positive trajectory, as evidenced by the best month of July on record in terms of ticket sales, followed by strong trading in August. This recovery is expected to gain further momentum in the year ending 30 June 2019 (“FY2019”) assisted by Topgolf, which launched successfully in June 2018, a new creative marketing campaign and the addition of lower cost new attractions to enhance guest appeal. A number of projects were completed during the current year, enhancing the guest experience. These included the birth and arrival of the new Polar Bear Cub Mishka, the new splash zone, Castaway Bay – The Reef, a new seal show and new Nickelodeon product, Paw Patrol. In September 2017 the Southern Hemisphere’s largest HyperCoaster opened at Warner Bros. Movie World. The DC Rivals HyperCoaster is the LONGEST, FASTEST and HIGHEST in the Southern Hemisphere and has been a strong drawcard to driving ticket sales. Sea World Resort had a strong year and performed well above the prior year, with its conference centre continuing to outperform expectations. VRTP’s special events performed strongly in FY2018 with Carnivale at Sea World outperforming expectations with its new Light Laser Show, and Fright Nights and White Christmas at Warner Bros. Movie World delivering record results. Supporting the Gold Coast parks was the ongoing strong performance by Paradise Country, which delivered a result in line with the prior year and Village Roadshow Studios, which continued its successful run with the completion of Aquaman, its usage during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and the commencement of filming of Dora the Explorer. A new TV marketing campaign featuring Sally Pearson launched in June 2018, aimed at engaging the core Gold Coast market and showcasing the enhanced customer value to VRTP guests and annual pass holders as part of VRTP’s customer-led focus. Full report here: http://villageroadshow.com.au/-/media/VRL-Corporate-Media-Library/Documents/Annual Reports/2018/Annual Report 2018 Printable.pdf

I was at Aussie world today and I grabbed a few photos of some of various parts to the new inverting pendulum ride they are building. What looks to be the control booth. Parts of the gondola in some wrapping. Some unknown parts. Part of a sign and more unknown parts. The main arm laying on the construction site.

I've had three trips to the park this season. Tim has brought you up to date on most things. Here's a few things I've learnt. They've really screwed up the membership system, this season. I bought my Platinum pass pretty early on - got my print out - that was it. First time I went, they said 'there's been a few hiccups, my number's wrong and you should hear something soon.' Nothing. Next visit: they took my photo and typed in my email address and said I would hear from them soon. Nothing. Third visit, I'm stuck behind a few people getting their photo taken and getting cards printed out with the hopeful message: 'I should be getting a care package soon.' Tim purchased his platinum pass after me and has had his stuff for about a month. I look forward to the next part of the saga. Surf Shack and the animal area have been closed since the start of the season. There doesn't appear to be any obvious work on either and today I found out that this is the Aussie Wildlife Experience's last season. I have no idea if it will reopen. Apparently, the area you view the koalas from experienced some trouble during one of winter's storms. I know the keeper's are still about, as Tim and I saw Amie on one of our last visits, where she went and saved a long necked tortoise that we had discovered. As much as I'll regret the closin of this area, it is heavily underutilised and would be expensive to run. If they're goping to use it along with the land next door for a new land, then good for them. There's been no concrete news about Fright Nights except that they're expecting to hold this event later in the season. Currently, the weather is pretty rubbish (as it was for last year's Fright Nights), so maybe this isn't a bad decision. There has been very little word about Fright Nights, allowing other places (King Carnival's Screamfest and its haunt attraction) to get a bit of a jump on the competition. Adventure World will be holding its junior event, Halloween Spooctacular next weekend. A few minor changes - the viewing area around Skull Rock looks great. There's more signage around the Grand Prix go-karts. The Black Widow has had some TLC. There's now a machine for Abyss' photos. Inferno has been working this season! The Tiki Bar area looks great, although it has been closed. The upper balcony has also has been blocked off. It was very quiet, today, raining quite heavily for some of the time I was there. There were a few people swimming, regardless.

The location of the lockers/exit store on SE has always bugged me - they don't let you bring any loose items on the ride yet when you disembark, you exit through the store but aren't able to buy anything anyway until you get to the locker. By which time, the euphoria of riding SE has probably worn off or you're distracted by something else to even want to return back to the store. Even if you wanted to get your picture, you go to the locker, get your wallet/Photo Fast Pass then return to the store only to wait in line because another group is purchasing something/checking photos. By which time you say, screw this, lets go and check something else out. Not a smart way of making money methinks.

One of the ride ops said they are planing on opening it before Christmas. They are also getting a few more decent looking flats along with a spinning mouse coaster. https://m.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/revealed-7-thrilling-new-rides-coming-aussie-world/3144739/

Haha I completely forgot about this addition. Does anyone know when they are planning to open it?

Well credit where credits due; the 80's incarnation did give us the current ferris wheel, which still goes strong to this day after 30+ years of operation (excluding that 7 year period where it didn't run).

What a load of junk that SBF Matterhorn is... honestly, they should have spent money keeping the Mack ride running! Interesting to see what will happen with bringing in temporary rides. A major travelling ride was supposed to go in for a while, but with all the drama going on, Luna Park put a stop to that. Kinda glad to be honest.

God that slide is in desperate need of a paint job. If that's too expensive at the moment, they can just wait for Trump to visit the country and just rub him on the orange sections.