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And they want to spend over $300 million on a fancy hotel and events centre, but the theme park isn't even operating to the standard it should be. They don't really seem to have their priorities right or maybe we don't have our priorities right?!

Bit of attention is putting it lightly. Havent been on West in years but a solid three quarters of the effects aren’t working in recent POV’s. I’d have a hard time finding anything that did work beyond the water spitting out of the bucket. It’s genuinely in a horrible state. It’s the same story as superman - I’m too tall to ride it now but when “The tremors are getting worse continue to metropolis station as quickly as you can” plays twice and the pre launch audio doesn’t play “Tunnel collapse is imminent 15 seconds to cave in” anymore (as noted in all recent POV’s), something’s up. Should have been given a bit more of a looking at when they installed the new boats I reckon.

Visited Rivertown today. (Dreamworld was heaving) we went to Jane’s restaurant for lunch and were really impressed with the theming and effort. The food was great. Took about 15mins, Good value, fresh, tasty. A table of 7 and everyone enjoyed their food and the atmosphere. Was awesome to see Michelle the operations director cleaning tables and helping the staff clean up and run meals. There is a reason the culture amongst the staff at dreamworld is so noticeably different to the other parks, and its stuff like this! After lunch we went straight to Jungle rush. Advertised 45min wait (we didn’t see it any longer all day despite the park being so busy) we waited 18mins and were on the train. Efficiencies in the station were the best I have seen on any coaster in Australia, ever. The second the lap bars came up for one load to exit the ride, the gates were open and the next lot were moving in, lap bars checked and dispatched unbelievably fast. After about 2pm we never saw the advertised wait more than 15mins, and we didn’t wait in line more than 7mins each time. It’s already been said but the queue is impressive. Hot, but impressive. not sure if this has been said but if you look down to the ground while your in the switch track room, there is an absolutely massive snake with its head aimed towards the track. It’s in the darkest section of the coaster, you can’t really see it when you go past as there is no light on it. I assume this is a work in progress? When it’s lit up I’m guessing it will be like their version of the yeti flypast on expedition Everest. It appears to be positioned right as you make a quick turn inside the temple, should make an awesome effect when light up. I think dreamworld knocked it out of the park with this ride, just as advertised there were little kids and grandparents on this one and everyone seemed to finish the coaster with a big smile on their face. It’s just a really fun ride. MMotors was advertised as 60mins most of the day so we left it till last, joined the queue at 4pm when advertised at 45mins, but waited only 20. Still slow moving compared to other rides but they have at least improved operations since the last version of this ride. Theming is epic, similar to jungle rush, everyone seemed to love it. we were talking to one of the ride ops while waiting for our turn and asked why dreamworld kept the ramp down to the waters edge rather than clear it during construction, it’s got new handrails, new floorboards. Our response was a smile and a ‘watch this space’ … I won’t read into it as it could be nothing, but if that means a future river/boat/raft ride, this would make a lot of people pretty happy! also some new merch in the Rivertown shop that didn’t seem to be available on opening. the park was alive today, atmosphere amazing, wait times really good considering the crowds, and staff were awesome! I gotta say it, movie worlds addition doesn’t come close in either execution, or operation. Lastly, the park is still feeling a little incomplete with the half train track, and long empty walks in both directions to the animals. The train will apparently be complete again in the coming few months. Can’t wait to see Rivertown with even more kinetic energy once the train is back in action.

Probably will open 2 days after King Claw soft opens…

Doomsday was a pile of crap from day one. It wasnt forced upon them. Very big difference. They also spent almost zero money (and time) in maintaining the precinct which was a shame. Its what you get when an upper level management culture doesnt seem to care how bad things look. Trees growing out of buildings anyone? They did. It got a whole new site/sound control system and audio upgrade with a qsys core. Very good quality, everything can be managed remotely. Problem? You have to put money into everything else too. There are some tallented people working behind the scenes who actually give a damn, but they are up against it getting budgets approved. Not just talking cap ex stuff, but the manpower required to repair and maintain things too. Eventually the system grinds them into submission and they either give up, or give up and quit. Want a great example of this? Look at justice league. Multiple system upgrades over the years so the technology actually running everything experienced forced upgrades, but little spent elsewhere to correct or update the sound and lighting. All the money they spent to only do half of the works. When it comes to visuals, theming and effects, they always seem to be the first things cut from the budget even though the ride was fully costed and the spend approved. Its like having an F1 engine sitting in your grandmas old 1978 toyota crown. Completely under utilised and in desperate need of a transplant. It drives, steers and brakes, so thats all that matters. Only gets attention when it cant do the weekly shopping trip. Then its like the world is ending because its unreliable and finally broken down for good. No shit? Youve neglected repairs and upgrades for years. The tyres are shot, only one headlight works, theres no seatbelts and it only has 2 gears working in the transmission. Are you really surprised when you get a bill to overhaul and restore everything that makes you consider buying a new car, even though the engine under the bonnet is worth an average house in the suburbs? Why did you spend all that money on a new engine if you were only going to do half the job? Ohh, just spend the absolute minimum to get it physically driving again? we promise to look at everything else "next financial year"? Speak to us then as we may just scrap the whole thing or shutter it and pretend it doesnt exist when we change our minds next week.

Is the Teal Twirler a new political party? 😉

Yeah right, and doomsday was neutered 'due to guest feedback' too.

Some more photos… (spoilers ahead) Flight of the Wicked Witch queue: As you can see, the first section of the queue is very well themed. Unfortunately though, all of the immersion disappears as soon as you walk through the haunted forest and are presented with a bland hallway and a direct view of the studio’s BOH areas. The rest of the area is nicely presented, but definitely not “immersive” as the BOH areas are visible at pretty much all times and no effort has been made to block them out (or at least make them less noticeable). One thing to note is that there is a lot of permanent lighting all through the land, so I’m betting it should look pretty spectacular at night (though I do wish some of the lighting fixtures were more “themed” into the land. Modern suburban street lights do not belong in OZ). Kansas Twister queue: At one point in the queue, you walk through Dorothy’s house. There are a number of effects (such as video screens in the windows showing debris flying past and lights that swing back and forth from the ceiling) that help support the idea that the twister is approaching. You then make your way out to the barn and the ride itself. Overall, I think the rides themselves are good additions to the park and definitely help boost the park’s family attraction lineup. However, the OZ precinct is far from the immersive experience that was promised. Though it’s very nicely presented and there are elements that are quite well done, the overall product sadly feels a little cheap and tacky IMHO.