Leaderboard

From the Daily Telegraph: Dreamworld is in its renaissance with the operator of the popular Gold Coast theme park posting record visitor numbers, up 44 per cent and breaking decade-old records. Visitor numbers have surged by 44 per cent for the operator of Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld in the first half of the 2026 financial year, driven by strong annual pass sales, supported by targeted promotional activities. The increase in visitors saw ticket sales increase by 46.6 per cent for Coast Entertainment Holdings’ Dreamworld, WhiteWater World, and SkyPoint attractions in the first 27 weeks of FY26. In a statement to the ASX, Coast Entertainment – which was rebranded in 2023 from Ardent Leisure Group – said operating revenue jumped to $62.2m, up 30.2 per cent, compared to the same six-month period last year. It also exceeded the previous record of almost a decade ago. Actual visitor number were not released but the Group said ticket sales for the six months to December 30 also broke 2016 records. In the latest period, Dreamworld recorded is highest ever daily attendance with new attractions like Kenny & Belinda’s Dreamland and the Dreamworld Flyer, drawing visitors. The six months also saw increased annual pass sales, supported by targeted promotional activities during the period including successful ‘End-of-Financial-Year’, ‘Kings Birthday’ and ‘Black Friday’ campaigns. The international market continued its gradual recovery during the period, although it remains below historical levels but is expected to continue to recover. “On 12 December 2025, the Group successfully opened its new King Claw attraction, the fastest Gyro Swing ride in the Southern Hemisphere.” Coast Entertainment said. “The new attraction significantly improves on its predecessor The Claw in scale and experience and is proving to be another strong drawcard for Dreamworld following the opening of Rivertown just over one year ago. “With this addition, Dreamworld’s ride and attraction portfolio is well positioned to support continued visitation growth and engagement across a broad audience, from families to thrill seekers.” Coast Entertainment said SkyPoint also delivered a robust performance during the period, once again achieving record revenues, notwithstanding low international visitation. The company said ticket sales and visitation to its attractions in the first three weeks of January 2026 continued to show growth. The Group said the state government was still assessing the Dreamworld masterplan which potentially will transform the theme park’s excess land into a mixed-use hub including a resort/hotel, residential areas, dining/retail (Gateway Precinct), and nature-based tourism zones. As at 30 December 2025, the Group had a cash balance of $37.6m, an increase of $3.7m compared to 24 June 2025. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/new-south-wales/coast-entertainment-reports-record-revenue-as-new-rides-drive-dreamworld-visitor-boom/news-story/3f37c11c62b11ba401b6878bc68b0f57

I agree. But I think the plan is to finish Rivertown first - get one section of the park done and then move on. Both rides need replacing so the order doesn't matter. Extending Rivertown is likely the cheaper option. Also, if they've found a buyer for the ride, better to take the money now - even if you haven't finalised plans for its replacement. Otherwise that sales opportunity might go away and you end up having to scrap it.

Better trains, lower to the ground and some tunnels and good theming and the coaster would do well for families in a regional park.

This should be at number 1 @DaptoFunlandGuy

I’m pretty sure the park has had that sort of attraction in the past (late 90s). I believe it was called Creature Cruise and was a very similar type of ride to Jungle Cruise, but I don’t think it had the comedy aspect like Disney’s version. I also don’t think it was on the main river, but I smaller river in the area that Dreamland is today.

In the short timeframe MW has turned out an ok show but now MW needs to polish it into a great show. (I do agree with @MickeyD leaving the set was a mistake as the show doesn't make much use of it) Skeet's top tips to make the show sing. Stop fist pumping the guest, the show isn't a FMX event. Barry's introduction to the show requires a rewrite. The second I laid eyes on Barry (before the attention was drawn towards him), I already knew he was part of the show. Barry, nobody is walking around MW on a hot day wearing protective clothing (not even Barry). Barry you put the gloves & helmet on like you're a professional stunt rider. Barry choose a motorbike, (aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) it's not the 80's anymore MW, we see the the small motorbike we know he is going to pick it. The fix. a. Loose the protective flannel to needed. b. Have cast member dress Barry. ACT like Barry doesn't know what he is doing. c. Let the cast member choose the bike for Barry to ride. d. Give Barry either a pushbike or a motorbike with training wheels. The choreography requires work for the chases. It feels like everybody is doing there own thing. You miss moments like Barry got the case over there because I was watching the bike on the jump over here. Build scaffold to the front of the building (blue) and have the fight scene on it. Tucked away in the corner is weird. I see you. Stage crew shouldn't be seen and it gives it away that Barry is about to fall. Remind me again, who is chasing who, you already have the case. . Add effects to the gun. (It looks like they are trying to shake the last bit of sauce out of the bottle). I can't even work out how spraying the aeroguard, won the day. The fire effects need a rethink to tie them into better with the show. The show is still overly centered on cars and bikes which gets old quickly. I want to see less cars and more STUNTS. Throw Barry off buildings. Set Barry on fire. Let Barry take a bullet or 2. Why all of a sudden is Barry is in this car? The story works MW, so with a few changes, you can make it a must see show.

My notes from the video: Why do the baddies spend their entire first appearance soliciting applause? Was the flame projector effect that looked cheap and wholly separate from the practical fight scene worth having to put it at practically the furthest point away from the audience? The car v car scenes were very strange; who was meant to be chasing who? Very strange choreography near the start of the scene pre battle-rig; noticeable sections of time where there's nothing happening on the "stage". That battle rig looked impressive for around three seconds, but every second it spent on stage after that it looked worse and worse. The effects overall just didn't work for me. Came off as cheap and nasty. This for me is a minor improvement over the most recent HSD, but only barely. Not nearly funny enough, still mostly basic jumps, monos and circle work.

See the old Claw used to make me feel sick, this new one, I’ve had no issues at all.

Seeing Greg serve drinks and food when Rivertown opened last year was refreshing too see, he and the team have definitely turned this park around and now with the theming on “just a flat ride” is second to none once again.