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I come back after a day being away and there is currently a thread celebrating Sea World for once again delaying their $50 million dollar precinct and attractions as a good business decision, and another berating Luna Park Sydney for sticking to budget, schedule and concepts as bad business decisions. People told us not to get our expectation too high for something with 6 less rides and $20 million dollars more to work with? What did you except? Yeah it's not crash hot and could do better but I doubt anybody is going to get off Big Dipper and complain that it was a bad ride cause they had to step on metal for a bit. Luna Park Sydney has one of the best on-site art teams in the industry. Give them a year or two with this and I reckon it'll be a lot different.

I think its safe to say that what we are ending up with for the expansion insofar as theming can at best be described as barely adequate. What must be remembered here is that the main person for planning this expansion, Brad Loxely, left 12 months before the actual announcement and the final plans. I know for a fact that several designs that he chose , including names for rides had been changed after he left the business. This includes the selection of the Intamin Hot Racer, which i think we can all agree , is not a bad thing, considering that the option chosen was a custom layout Eurofighter. However, having been privy to some of the designs and names that were originally planned, it is frustrating to see a lack of sympathetic theming and nods to the past in what we have ended up with. I am willing to reserve judgment on the Big Dipper, queue, station and wall as it is obviously still being constructed and could well recieve painting or murals more sympathetic to the moorish theming of the entrance. I can add though, that the original planner Brad has expressed frustrations with the final execution and the loss of some of his thematic elements that had planned for each and every ride. The first lost opportunity for mine has been the generic naming for the majority of the rides - some of them are simply uninspiring! and the lack of bridges that hopefully can be added in the near future. We do have to celebrate the fine additions that have been added and the sense of joy and excitement for when they finally open. Fingers crossed that better thematic elements and better assimilation of queues into the Luna Park aesthetic can still occur.

Good to see they finally removed that wall to the right that was in front of the exit, now they just need to get rid of the one right under the sea world sign

That train is sexy as hell. I really like the Dreamworld logo on the front. Thinking about how I feel about the landscaping and execution of the theme, it really comes down to what is it being compared to? What's the benchmark? If it's being compared to Thunderbolt, it's a massive step up in presentation of a major coaster. We went from a station that was themed to a furniture store to something that really carries an identity the whole way through. Compared to the park's previous coasters? It looks to be a far more pleasant space to stand in for a while (both Tower of Terror and Cyclone were scorchingly hot in the summer-time) but it doesn't build hype and excitement in the queue, which might be a real missed opportunity. Compared to Rivals? It's much of muchness, and I think that's probably a good thing. It's the same fundamental building blocks that you can really compare ad neaseum and still not come out with a clear winner. Do you prefer pleasant fauna or cool DC comic-book style billboards? Snake-themed trains or Batman trains? Station walls painted snake-ish or Gotham-ish? etc. etc. etc. Compared to what was on the site before? The gamble is that Dreamworld is trading an entire themed land (that over its history had two coasters, two rides and seven attractions) for one major coaster. That's ballsy, but not without merit. I'll be glad for Dreamworld to finally have a really solid, really good coaster. But it definitely sucks how deep we are in replacing facades and lands for walls and further land sales. But that's history, baby. Compared to what else was possible, thematically? Realistically, that's subject to opinion. It's presented nicely - it's exactly what I expected Buchan, a group that specialises in urban design, to create. And maybe that's the point - maybe the park accepted that trying to tell a huge, far flung story is hopeless? Thunderbolt didn't have a huge, far flung story and it kicked arse. Could it have been more for the same budget? The fact that there's no sense of anticipation being built in the queue is the biggest missing for me, and it's something that perhaps another company with expertise in theme parks might've picked up on. Maybe. Who knows? In any case, i'll be looking forward to having a ride come late 2021 whenever and making some content about it. It definitely photographs well from what i've seen.

Now that I can finally go that extra few kilometers outside the 5km bubble fromy my house to Luna Park Sydney, I popped in today to see the progress on all of the upcoming additions. Big Dipper has both trains on track and was finishing up the part of the queue that will take you over the first launch and into what can only be described as a scare maze looking lead up to the station. The front of the Big Dipper station was getting some thematic touches added too it, though it's a shame these appear to be incredibly flat compared to the building it's trying to continue the style of next door. Elsewhere it seemed to be a big day for testing, with Boomerang, Loopy Lighthouse and Cloud Nine all cycling in the time I was there. Sledgehammer was having the finishing touches placed on its locker system. The Big Dipper was also creating quite a buzz amongst the local wildlife, with a rather large beehive deciding to call the brake run home. The park's set to open next week and I'll be there over that weekend to finally ride at least 8 of the brand new attractions!

Those photos are absolutely beautiful. I remember buying the history book from the gift shop when I was very young, with many of the photos you have so generously shared here included. I love Luna Park as a second home of mine, but I wholeheartedly agree that the 1930’s amusement charm has left. Recently as well, with the final removal of the Tumble Bug and Spider. I hope these names make a comeback sometime in the future. The River Caves, the Goofy House, even the Ghost Train. I miss them, even though I wasn’t even alive to see them. I understand bringing back the Ghost Train would be in poor taste, but the River Caves and Goofy House would be so alluring today! Oh man I felt that one hard :,( Literally always been thinking (and on occasion, speaking) about how Australia is one of the only large countries in the world without massive parks. Movie World is slowly becoming a hot destination for coaster enthusiasts, and hopefully Dreamworld can make a valiant return with ST. I am a very optimistic person, born and raised that way haha. So I usually can see the positive sides to this problem. One thing I find with our parks atm, although some are more than others, it doesn’t go to that ‘level’ seen in other continents. But then I realised, if I was American or even European, I probably would be so used to it that the excitement is harder to achieve. Going to Disney World 3 years ago, I was in absolute AWE. Something you couldn’t see in Australia, so much more unique than what we are used to. Then I watch videos, and everyone is like “Yeh Disney, pre cool, seen that done that a million times”, and I’m like WHAT?! I would never in a million years wish to become “used” to a park like that! The magic is gone That’s the one positive I see with being an Australian Coaster Enthusiast. You’ve got some awesome rides nearby to satisfy enough, but you can save the experiences for those special times when you save up and travel the world, makes the experience 10x more memorable in my opinion Now before anyone gets up my arse, OF COURSE I would love a Disney, a Six Flags, and a Busch Gardens! but the positive side is something I can hold onto in order to stop myself getting frustrated over having pretty mediocre stuff here most of the time. Not saying anyone else should feel the same, but it’s interesting to say the least. We as Aussie enthusiasts don’t take great parks for granted! At least we got that I guess 🙂

The lack of theming and bridges and facades for the new generation of rides is certainly disappointing. Here are a few pictures of scenes from Luna Park highlighting the absolutely brilliant theming that was created circa 1935. No wonder the older generation of visitors always remark on how Luna Park had charm and evoked such strong memories. Below is excellent examples of the Ghost Train facade. If this was built today we would all be marvelling at it!! This provides such an evokative atmosphere and strong impression of the ride before you have even entered the queue area. The Goofy House, an opening day attraction , was transformed over the years into The Hall of Science and .... The Mystic East and was also briefly The Model Electric City before finally settling on its final transformation as Davy Jones Locker. Note that the same building was pretty utilisied for all these attractions over the years, with some additions. A simple windmill as shown here is one of the more remembered and effective pieces of theming to grace Luna Park- this was installed in 1935 and was finally removed in 1981- a testament to its build quality of the time. Several rare shots of the interior of the River Caves scenes!! It highlights the artistry of the day and how effective it was in creating the mood that has given so many people such strong and vivid memories of this ride. Even a simple game stand has been elevated with the use of theming as its backdrop for the Lets Duk Sweetie location. Everything was recycled or reused at Luna Park as the giant fish backdrop from the Lets Duk Sweetie stand also had another life as a photo location and band stop. An elaborate bridge such as this elevates a simple Octopus ride into the fearsome Spider - one of Luna Park's fondly remembered rides. One of my favourite pieces of theming- the original Tumblebug. This was recreated for the 1995 opening and the reimagining of the ride but was sadly removed for the 2004 reopening when the 'Bug was moved onto the Big Dipper site. A rare pic showing the intricate work that went into the Big Dipper and River Caves mountain. What did a giant pelican have to do with a ride called the U drive? Nothing but it sure made it memorable- the beak opened and closed as it sat there daring people to come and drive. And finally here is a picture of @joz and @rappa moaning about the galvanised fence on the new Big Dipper........ In all seriousness though, as can be seen by 6 or so pictures, there is a reason why the Luna Park of yesteryear had so much charm and evoked such strong memories in a generation of people who visited over the years. The park in all likelihood will never have the same level of immersiveness that the original park did, but it must make a far better effort to restore the charm that has been lost. The Volare and the Helter Skelter area are definitely a good start and are wonderful examples of what can be done if mind and method are one and the approach is focused. I am willing to give Luna Park some leeway in allowing them to grow the theming and allow them to finish the job before I pass judgement. Fingers crossed that the execution is far improved from what we have seen so far and that adequate gives way to amazing and brilliant and allows each ride to be remembered for its intial impression and aesthetic in each visitors memorybank. To do so would be the overarching win for the park. I live in hope that this occurs in some way.

I don't know. This subject isn't my forte - its why I asked. For me - the metal tunnel bridge prevents people from dropping objects onto the train or into it's path. I can't see them achieving anything similar in timber without it looking even worse. The only other 'bridge over a coaster track' I can think of in Australia is Storm - and that is a fully enclosed shipping container - which granted, does fit the 'theme' of that particular ride. A very fair statement. Not sure how much they can do with 'stainless tunnel number 1' but if the midway sightlines are done well, the backend is probably less critical. I am sometimes amused at the bipolar nature of this place. Vortex - "well, you could never have expected them to ACTUALLY build all that theming" LPS - "why aren't they making it look better?"

The only reason I can think of is if it were a required exit that needed to be 60 min fire rated. Even so they could have done nicer stuff than chainlink fencing and galvanised stairs. Looks a bit like it belongs at the department of corrections.

Why wouldn't it be?

Ermm... not really. The lights cut quickly between colours and don't fade into one another...

There's so much irony in being critical about everyone being critical. You're on a forum filled with fans about theme parks. Being passionate, engaged and critical is fundamentally why these forums exist and I personally don't besmirch anyone for having an opinion. My point about execution still stands. Some further thoughts i've had: Wait, Luna Park has different lands now? Sounds like a theme park to me. Again, they could've literally put any logo, any paint, any design, anything they wanted here, and we got muted grey and generic logo #3. Basically if you told me a company called Multiplex ran a theme park, this is exactly what i'd expect.

This idea definitely could’ve been played on more, but in some ways the queue does tease this idea of building anticipation. Standing in the queue, you can hear the coasters mechanics working down the launch track. You can hear it launch and you’ll definitely hear the riders. There are stalls gaps in the wall (that allow for the canopy structure) that reveal the train as it launches past. And while the canopy hides the majority of the track circuit, there are moments where you get a real good look for the train travel past and at some moments, real close too. When on the loading platform you don’t get to really see any of the track, but you can certainly hear the train, which I think is a way of building the anticipation as you’re about to board. It really is

Christ everyone's a critic aren't they? I would like to bring back this quote of @Jobe's from last September. And I would also remind people once again what park manager Warwick Doughty himself said on the History of Luna Park Facebook page. And who's to say theming won't be beefed up in the longer term once finances allow it? COVID has hit every business hard and Luna Park is no exception. Finances need to be directed to where it is most needed and if theming has to take a back seat at the expense of general maintenance or running events, then that's the way it is. Theming is something that's still a work in progress anyway; need I remind everyone that theming around the Tango Train, Volare and Wild Mouse base STILL isn't finished 5-4 years after it started. But it will get done in time, as I'm sure plans for extra theming in Maloney's Corner will as well. If that doesn't satisfy people then I wouldn't suggest you take your complaints to Peter Herne and Warwick Doughty. Gurl it's not finished yet. The platform surface hasn't even been completed. Other rides that have this chain fence actually have graphic backdrops wrapped around it; who's to say this won't be the case here? And that bridge is a necessity given the layout of the coaster; how else are people gonna access the loading station from the Big Dipper building? They'd be trying to pass through a lot of twisted steel otherwise. It's not more offensive to the site than the former loading station in the 90's. And that's not even mentioning the coaster itself which in retrospect was way too big. Let's hold our horse here is all I'm saying OK?

I don’t think that MOST people will think that at all. Sure most theme park enthusiasts my think that, but majority of people visiting the park (especially those visiting from interstate) will just see a ride opening soon and be eager to get to come back and ride it. It’s not like these same people have been visiting the park for 2 years and are sick of waiting. I’d also say there will be just as many people desperate for an interstate getaway (many because they can’t afford OS trips) as there will deserting the country on the still expensive and relatively low numbered flights out of it.

Unlike a certain other park, there's no max limits on the new rides. Adults can ride any of the new attractions and the fact all of them are open during Halloscream an event reccomended for 15+ shows they are happy for them to do so.