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Hopefully they trim the vines around Trident during this extended maintenance period, ‘cause they’re already getting a bit out of hand. Also, don’t know how common it is to see JR with scaffolding around it like this during a maintenance period (I guess every time it’s repainted), but this is the first time I remember seeing it & thought it was interesting.

Small update for the former VR area as a whole: The path up to the castle is once again open to guests… But the castle itself has both entrances boarded up the same way that VR’s entrance & exit cutouts are. Here’s hoping it’s not permanent, and the building/plot will actually have a use (especially considering they’ve just built a BoH shed in prime expansion area), and keeping this as a shell would be very disappointing. Anyway, quick pic of the new pathway after being grown in a bit more. And progress on the fence for what’s very likely to end up as another walkway (former station area). I guess it could be argued this is would open up a more wheelchair accessible way to get from Nickelodeon to Storm, but it still doesn’t sit great with me seeing all this space be seemingly used for nothing more than a path & lawn, especially for a landlocked park that, again, just plonked a shed in their best expansion plot.

The most recent was July 2021 (that was rescheduled a week but did go ahead). I agree the $10 Passholder ticket represents outstanding value, also great they are offering pass holders friends/family tickets at $29.

I just think there is a middle ground for family entertainment between "Going Bowling or to the Movies" or "Going away for a few days to the GC" It's not necessarily about "value" per day, its about cost in absolute terms, and time. For me, 3-4 weeks in Europe or America works out better value per day than flying to Sydney or Melbourne for a long weekend as well, but I'll still do the long weekends because I don't always have weeks spare or several thousand $$$ available for a bigger, but better value trip.

To be fair if an attraction of the size we're talking got built, the PT would materialise.

Ahem: Middle of nowhere No infrastructure an hour away Come on mate, I know you've got a bias for the region, but its a poor choice. Put it 30 minutes from a major international airport with substantial accommodation options next door and several other attractions within a 15 minute drive, or no deal. This isn't Adventure World we're talking about.

Which is funny, given the reaction the locals had to the VRTP proposal, can you imagine their reaction to a bigger player? Truthfully, Disney would never be possible due to the government funding that Disney would ask for. I do think Universal would be willing to partner on a project if there were a local willing to pay for it - ala Resorts World. So if someone like Gina Reinhart lobbied to build a 'precinct' that included a casino, entertainment precinct, hotels and a Universal park, I reckon she'd get the gaming licence and permission to build and boom. but thats a lot of big 'if's Sydney-born here. It's a Harbour. And plenty of people care, but Sydney as it stands is built out. Your options right now are either next to the second airport (and land has become stupidly expensive out there for obvious reasons) or you have to leave the basin - cross the mountains, or head down or up the coast. All of those options are very poor choices. Sydney had the makings. Wonderland was part government owned at one time, but the Taft split ultimately forced the sale and the rest is history. There is no longer an opportunity to build ground-up. that ship has sailed.

I think some people have suggested Merlin buy Dreamworld and do an Elitch Gardens style conversion into "Legoland Australia"? Only problem is Legoland parks aren't very thrill-heavy unlike Dreamworld, but I'm sure they could somehow do it.

I think a Legoland could happen someday, as they seem to be popping up everywhere. Merlin does indeed have a presence down under already with a few attractions. Universal has more of a chance than Disney for sure

Makes sense given that SX-360 was a Technical Park attraction. Probably brought at the same time as a bundle. Looks to be a pretty good fit for the park IMO, and similar to Tailspin but also different at the same time. Curious as to how it will be themed too.