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I read the statement from Dreamworld again; 'What were you doing in 1993?' I wonder if anyone remembers what DW was doing in 1993? I'll give you a run down; in the years leading up to 1993 DW was sold to a new owner. The new owner siphoned money away from Dreamworld to fund other things (mostly a lavish lifestyle and fast cars for the owner). By the early 90s the place was on the verge of going under due to lack of investment and mismanagement. In a bid to save the park, a new ambitious ride was installed; Wipeout. That ride captured the public's imagination in a big way, and almost single handedly saved DW from closing. Twenty five years later with Wipeout closing, DW staring down both barrels and DW themselves asking 'what were you doing in 93', wouldn't it be nice if someone at Ardent reflected with 'DW were saving a failing park by adding a bold new ride. Maybe we should do that again'

From this Parkz article at the end of 2017, Craig Davidson said: I'm not going to take Craig's word as gospel - he thought Mine Ride was salvageable despite the Parkz mods team working really hard on founding a history and timeline that showed there was 40+ year old wood holding up the structure. Yikes. What I will note here though is that the perspective change is interesting - in 2017 Craig was about creating a long term vision, in 2019 John's all about ripping the copper out of the walls. As others have said - Dreamworld's long term future ultimately never included WipeOut, and if you want to be seen as a safe park it definitely needed to go. But with that being said, there's two things that bug me. No proper send-off? US/EU parks do it. They love engaging with their enthusiast base with stuff like that because it generates great brand loyalty & equity. I guess I find it strange that the "world leaders in safety who set the benchmark for all theme park safety" had to suddenly decommission an entire ride with no warning. It says two different things to consumers. No-one asked for a chill zone. Are you kidding me? There are shaded areas literally less than a ten second walk from the front of Wipeout's entrance. It's such a contemptuous for your customers if they think that's going stick. Meanwhile - Sky Voyager remains closed due to safety oversights (which puts it at 76 days since it's original opening date) and there's nothing new in the pipeline for 2019. Here's where my head's at - the park has no true, viable plan for Gold Rush or the Thunderbolt site (and no money for either) and clearly got caught out with no plan for Wipeout. If "actions speak louder than words" then we should all be worried of things to come.

Not only should a park know years in advance when each ride will have to close, but with proper planning they should also know years in advance what new ride will be replacing it. When the time comes for a ride to be removed, the park should not only know what will replace it, but have the funding ready and the contracts signed to get work underway immediately. Of course, the exception to this would be when a ride has to close prematurely and unexpectedly. But that's a rare event. What you definitely DON'T want to do is just blindly keep on running a ride until it can't be cost effectively maintained anymore. That would be extremely poor management!

I've had a look at Facebook posts regarding Wipeout closing. The GP are absolutely taking the piss out of DW/Ardent so I'll share a few of the best comments with you: Obviously most of these people don't have the knowledge of us enthusiasts but it shows how this move being criticized isn't restricted to Parkz.

Fair to say Ardent's in denial about how dire Dreamworld's future is because admitting this fundamental truth damages any realistic ability to sell Dreamworld at the price they're chasing (which is 100% the end-game now). "Capex-light" as John Osborne termed simply won't work. If Village build literally anything remotely exciting in the next 24 months, it'll re-affirm to customers that they should only hand their money over to the parks that are going to consistently turn that cash into new and exciting things. For Dreamworld to be resting on their laurels, developing "chill-zones" and not spending the money on what customers are demanding to have (here's a hint, it's a big thrill ride) is going to only hurt the business further. Let's not forget most lead-in times are around 18 months, so even if they dropped 20-million on a ride to save the park, it's already too late.

VRTP are known to do the same thing. Bermuda, Corkscrew, Vikings, Batman 2, and LTRR are examples. In fact, virtually all Australian theme parks adopt this practice. What most parks seem to lack is a long term solution to replace older attractions. They just go about doing it at the spur of the moment if something comes up, then order a replacement that opens 2-3 years after. Stuff like that should be a rare occurrence, not the general rule of thumb. Simple planning that makes a lot of difference to customers. Obviously among our folk we have a reasonably clear idea when some rides are going to meet their end. But normal people don't. VRTP are most certainly capable of having a general idea of what rides should be replaced and when.

Solid bump I know, but seems to the most relevant place to post this article from the Bulletin today... Gold Coast theme parks: 1998 deal for Gold Coast Disneyland dumped over $845m disagreement MARCH 08, 2019 IT took 21 years of work but entertainment giant Disney was finally keen go build its own Disneyworld on the Gold Coast. But it all went wrong and the plan fell apart. The prospect of a Gold Coast Disneyland was back in the news this week on the back of the State Government announcing it would push ahead with creating a global tourism hub. The Gold Coast nearly had its own Disneyland Leading Coast businessman Tony Cochrane, who will be part of a Gold Coast Tourism Advisory Panel, told Toursim Minister Kate Jones the tender process could lead to an entertainment giant like Disneylandpitching a project without a casino component. “I think our view will be let’s bring everything forward. Let’s look at everything. We shouldn’t rule anything out or anything in at this early stage,’’ Mr Cochrane said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the Coast. Let’s see what they’re going to propose and where.” His comments came 21 years after the Coast came close to securing Disney, only to lose the deal in an argument over nearly $1 billion. The push to secure Disneyland for a site at Coomera first began in 1977 when the Southport-based Star Land Company began trying to woo the American company. How Gold Coast Disney would have looked. But it was not until early 1998 that things got serious when the State Government got involved. Gold Coast-based Sport Minister Mr Mick Vievers visited Disneyland in late 1997 with former Expo chairman Sir Llew Edwards, fuelling speculation that the Government was negotiating a deal with Disney Corporation to set up shop in Queensland. Talk initially centred on Bribie Island but attention soon turned to the Gold Coast and the Star land. An early concept image Initially led by the Borbidge Government and continued by Labor after it won that year’s election, taxpayers ultimately stumped up around $2 million. Operating under the working title of ‘Starland’, former premier Wayne Goss was brought in to lead the charge and was sent to the US by the Government to negotiate with the Walt Disney company. There was strong support from the Gold Coast City Council’s Cr Jan Grew. An overview of the Disney site at Coomera. Less than two months after taking office, Premier Peter Beattie wrote to Disney saying he wanted an answer on whether the project would go ahead by September 1998. Disney responded that month saying it would require millions of dollars in support to make the theme park viable. “For a Disney project to be feasible, it would require direct government support including land, infrastructure, tax incentives and capital dollars for construction costs of the theme park of at least $US300 million to $US500 million, most likely toward the upper end of this range,” the company said. Former Premier Wayne Goss Picture: Nathan Richter A month later, Mr Beattie wrote to the Disney organisation seeking a clear indication by the end of September as to whether the Starland project had sufficient support for a full financial feasibility study to proceed. But Disney hit back claiming the “economics” were “difficult”. “At this time, we do not have sufficient confidence that the project will receive enough financial support for it to be feasible, and therefore, do not wish to risk creating false expectations either among the public, government leaders or Star Land Company. Premier Peter Beattie in 1998. “Therefore, unless your government is willing to commit to this type of funding, we don’t believe that probabilities warrant further time and energy being spent …’’ The Premier then wrote to Star Land chairman Dr J. Carmichael that the Government appreciated the substantial effort and commitment by the company to the development of the project. “In the circumstances, I advise that the Queensland Government is not prepared to provide any further funding to the Star Land Company for the Starland project,’’ he said.

I've said it before. Dreamworld are doomed. Wipeout "was" my favourite ride at Dreamworld. Im not saying it wasn't at the end of its life cycle but to replace it with nothing shows what little foresight and iniative the owners have. Skyvoyager continues to be delayed. Housing estate for Dreamworld come 2025.

Do people want Giant Drop & Tower of Terror for only two more years, or decommission Tower of Terror and just have Giant Drop for ten more years?

First day on the job: “this Wipeout thing is a piece of shit. Close it”.

This guy has been waiting out the Sky Voyager for it to open since last December.

Rode today. Still no changes. But as mentioned before, they’re playing the movie in the queue now. It’s about time...

Surveyor, in preparation for the future huge housing development from Beatie Road to Foxwell Road 🤡

Literally, the only thing I'm giving Dreamworld a nod to is actually announcing the ride's closure, rather than going into months/years of maintenance/SBNO. Ironically, the only time I've wanted a shaded structure in that area was to watch people on Wipeout.

During the week, Outback Splash posted that survey markers have gone up for their 2019 expansion. I visited there, this rainy afternoon. They were playing computer simulated POVs of the new waterslides in the cafe. Despite the temperature being in the mid to low 20s people were still taking advantage of the water playground. The park has cleared away the scaffolding that was there during the summer and it looks like ground clearing is well underway. There’s new road access around the back of the hedge maze for construction vehicles.

WEEKLY VOLARE UPDATE: Took a few night time shots of the ride again. It's pretty much complete now although I have some minor complaints. The cityscape facade hasn't been changed to fit theming and the ride's meant to open in a week. I thought this would've been a perfect time to give the area some consistency. Also, why hasn't the decorative roof over the toilet entrance been added yet as seen in the DA?

Whilst I can’t stand the show, I’d imagine Dr Who would have a higher global audience than 50m. “Their show” indicates a couple or group. This is Dreamworld so it’s likely to be something cheap, and no longer relevant in anyway, but currently getting some media attention. If I had to put 2+2 together to get 5, I’d say they are getting a Mr Squiggle show. -60th anniversary in the media a lot lately with Woolies doing merch and mint putting out coins. - space = “the man from the moon”. - 50m whilst I can’t find figures, it was on air for 40 years so I imagine those numbers would be quite possible - completely irrelevant to kids of today which wouldn’t surprise me with DW.

The Griswolds are coming to DW so they can re-enact the scene from National Lampoons Vacation where they turn up to a theme park that is ‘closed’ DW will be soon, the way they are going.

The Jeep is certainly going to get people coming back. 🤡

Maybe they have a customer pre booked for some time next month?

Selling Houses....?

Dreamworld had the option in 2009 to opt-in to the same overhaul Six Flags received at the cost of roughly a million bucks. Dreamworld didn't go for it, which has resulted in massive headaches in the last 24 months. Go figure.

FYI he's been there for a few months now - i'd imagine he's just come off probation recently.

By new assets, he means cages for all of the other rides.

To be fair, BA:TR & LTRR were replaced by rides that were planned to replace them. Whilst the consensus may not be that they were great choices, it was a plan.

TOT is the next to go.

A DW attraction that isn’t closed for more that two weeks a year.

Pretty sure Wipeout was in fact a Vekoma Waikiki Wave, not a Top Spin. Also, sitting areas are supposed to be a selling feature on realestate.com.au right? We’ll have a deck installed soon at this rate. Any thoughts on where you might situate a library? Tiger Island is probably a good tranquil spot for a drawing room...

If I’m disregarding all restrictions and money, then I’m replacing TOT & GD with a Kingda Da/TTD-esque ride that takes the global height record and includes a drop tower down the middle.

An RMC of some form and a Wing Rider or Flyer would make me pretty right in the coaster department. I also want some form of motion base dark ride.

It has now been removed from the website as well as any references to the big 9.😢

@Baconjack I believe there is one more version of the ride in Mexico

I was just looking through all the photos I took in Shanghai Disneyland and I got this of Pooh’s honey pot spin I now it’s not the most complicated ride but I thought it was better than nothing. I also tried to take one Tron but the lighting in there meant I could not get a good picture.

Someone who knows how to run a successful theme park?

So sad to see it go, but we all knew it was coming I agree with @Glubbo, rather than a plain boring area. It would be cool to keep the queue and operations huts, and maybe even add the surfboards somewhere, and if they can, the wave as well

Qld Workplace Health & Safety Officer?

When I posted the above 2 days ago I was questioned about it as if I was making it up.

What were you doing in 1993? It was a big year for Dreamworld as it was the year that one of our much-loved thrill rides WipeOut opened. WipeOut is the oldest of Dreamworld’s collection of thrill rides and after a little over 25 years of service it is time for WipeOut to retire. Although WipeOut will be going into retirement, Dreamworld still has more than 40 rides, slides and attractions including thrill rides Hot Wheels Sidewinder, Tower of Terror II, Giant Drop, Buzzsaw, The Claw, Pandamonium and Tailspin. There are also many new and old family-friendly rides, a water park, LEGO store, one of Australia’s largest collections of native animals, a world-class tiger conservation precinct and a celebration of Indigenous culture and history, making Dreamworld Australia’s largest and most diverse theme park. Following a significant amount of feedback from loyal guests, Dreamworld has decided to convert the area currently occupied by WipeOut into a ‘chill space’ featuring shading and seating. Dreamworld CEO, John Osborne said, “during the long hot summer we received regular feedback from our guests that they would like more shaded areas and comfortable seating in close proximity to our dining areas and major rides. “The retirement of WipeOut presents a great opportunity to provide such an area in a very convenient and central location,” he added. “We continue to look at opportunities for further investment into the park, and have some exciting news to announce next week, as well as the opening of our world-class flying theatre Sky Voyager coming soon.” Thank you to our millions of guests who have taken on the challenge of flipping, spinning, twisting and tumbling on WipeOut since it opened in December 1993. Share your WipeOut memories on Instagram using #wipeoutmemories to farewell this old favourite. Vintage cars is now shit. Log Ride is now shit. Train is now shit. Replacing Wipeout with shaded seating is another slap in the face for DW guest.

No progress on the slides removal, just construction fencing

This wall is now down, just the alleyway to go

Hmm... too early for Santa. What's the odds it's one of the failed Eurovision contenders?

Hang on. DW already said they had the best of the best last year. Now a year latter the best of the best isn't the best of the best so they hire a new best of the best. How many best of the best are out there and why do all the best of the best want to work at DW? How come the best of the best have never worked on a ride in their life?

Only a week to go before Volare is unleashed to the public!! Who is going to be there on opening day? Social media is ramping up!!

Today’s update

Agree on all accounts. Dreamworld as it stands, more or less is much the same size as Movie World - although Movie World does make far better use of the land available. As for an apples vs. apples comparison - i think Dreamworld vs. Movie World, the DW marketing campaign should be 'biggest', because they are (more quality is needed), however if you were to compare PC, WNW and MW with DW\WWW, i think your marketing strategy has to change up at that point - you aren't arguing biggest when there's three different parks - you're arguing an all in one message - maybe something like "so many worlds in one" would work? My main point however still stands - Both parks 'as they stand' are comparable - but for MW to expand, there is little room to the south, due to the studios and other facilities. There is little to the west, because of their neighbours and boundaries. Not much option going north either - so east is their only direction, and that involves a complete realignment of the park entry and carpark. Dreamworld on the other hand has about 4 key areas they can expand without impacting external entry or facilities. Approximately 30,000 sqm of land is occupied by Blue Lagoon and the former Goldrush* Approximately 34,000 sqm of land is occupied by the Island and River Approximately 14,000 sqm of land is occupied by the lazy river construction zone. *I view these as two separate areas, each about half the total, for expansion. The 'blue lagoon' space does include the train sheds and tracks - however this doesn't preclude development of a kick ass coaster in and around the area designed to fit around the sheds and facilities. It also includes BB Studios, which is "inside the berm" so to speak. If Dreamworld master planned these areas, with an 8 year, $100M budget, they could be installing a "maximum impact" attraction every two years. When you consider the park value decline - the money they've lost on that value could have been spent on this master plan, which would absolutely see them back on the map. It's just that they don't have the balls to pull that trigger...

Storm coaster just doesn't do it justice, I for one love a good 5 minute ride. The build up in the opening area when there were 60 people in the room or so on, then onto the deck that spun. Was amazing. Whichever theme park does this again will have my vote, coasters are cool, I was in Japan a year ago, and even jurassic ride was nothing compared to bermuda. Obviously Disneyland is up there. But we need more rides like we used to have. It seems cheap and nasty what we have now even though it's not bit more theming is what I love to see. Interaction is key for me, personal opinion.

Well this is very sad.

Had to happen eventually. Sad to see Wipeout go, one of my favourites at DW (making the Vekoma Top Spin an extinct ride AFAIK), but it was pretty clear the ride had been on its last legs for a while. Replacing it with some seating is also a disgrace but I couldnt expect anything less from Ardent that lack a short term plan, let alone a long term one. As mentioned in previous posts, don't be surprised to see this be the first of many closures. Eventually Dreamworld will get smaller, and the ride count will drop as any costly maintenance issues will be carefully measured against the ticking clock to see if they are financially worth the investment to fix. Instead the park will slowly shrink smaller and smaller, until it gets to the point where it just isn’t cost effective to run it any longer and then poof… it will vanish forever and be replaced by a housing development.

The billboard has been updated again, and the long strip under the main sign now says Coming Soon