Richard

What do you mean by "messy, horribly set out and junky", you'll have to elaborate a little more I think, because those words don't mean much in describing a coaster. Personally, I found the helix on both Goliath and Titan to be perhaps the most intense experience I've ever had on a coaster. I've split this off into its own new topic. If you've got something like this you wish to start discussing (which clearly had little to do with the thread it was in, and was some time after), don't hesitate to create a new thread in the appropriate forum.

I don't think even in America that any lawsuit against the park would get anywhere. A wild bird hit the guy. There's no way the park could be seen as at all negligent. It happened at the official opening for the ride too, so it sort of sucks, but it's one of those things that just happens. I'm sure if he didn't look alright afterwoods, his plastic surgeon was able to beat it back into shape (and he was probably due for some replacements anyway) .

I've updated several of the Dreamworld galleries to include around 25 new photographs. This brings the total photographs currently available on Roller-Coaster.com.au to over 350. Cyclone Gallery Giant Drop Gallery Tower of Terror Gallery Wipeout Gallery There are definitely more to come as I get through them all.

The transformer is fixed where it currently sits, outside the building.

Tried the Giant Drop gallery here? http://www.roller-coaster.com.au/gallery.php?gid=3 I've been meaning to do some updates to the Dreamworld galleries just to make it more complete - stay tuned.

The best explanation I can come up with for the seemingly oversized control room is that perhaps this is smarter than your average flat ride. They may well be doing things that are becoming more common on coasters such as weigh the gondola and adjust the power for the motors as necessary. I'm not willing to pass judgement on the gondola until it's at least completed, or in motion. It does look odd at this stage, but I'm willing to bet that once it's all done and going it'll be a little more pleasant to look at. Maybe an aquired taste if nothing else.

To add to kennykoala's update, follow the link below for the latest Roller-Coaster.com.au construction gallery. http://www.roller-coaster.com.au/gallery.php?gid=95 Enjoy!

The ride cross the path of rides below. Given the lack of handrails, lack of structural components and the odd locations (which do coincide with the cross-overs), I'd say they're definitely a loose items "net" - you don't want the change out of people's pockets landing on people below.

Right now, he's in England filming his 2005 movie, co-starring Brian Cox. t's the first time he's filmed entirely outside of the United States. Other than that, he's been replaced with a blurry road. Change is always good, which is why Dreamworld's new ride will be such a hit - it'll be different. (That's my attempt at a segue to bring it back on topic.)

Fabricated steel costs around USD$2/kg. For The Claw, that makes it $140,000 in steel costs. A large coaster may weigh 1,000 tonnes or more. That's $2 million in steel costs. We will assume the costs for other components (motors and electronics etc.) is the same for the two. Strangely enough, the margin left to pay for engineering and other costs is getting closer and closer for the two. Add to this construction costs and we're getting. Then throw in the additional tidbit that the Gyro Swing is a ride designed to be sold multiple times, hence R&D costs would be average costs in the world of microeconomics and factored out over as many units are sold. A coaster is often a once-off design and consequently margins for each unit sold must cover its R&D. You know, once upon a time we were discussing the announcement of some ride. It would be nice to get back to that.

I don't think anyone will argue that a site which goes by the name of "The Monorail Society" is anything but biased. Having said that, for the most part the information is fairly plausible. I don't think anyone could deny that Melbourne's trams work - I'd say Melbourne has an transport system unparalelled in Australia. That's not to say it can't be done better, which is where monorails and then PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) systems come in. They are undeniably more efficient and economic than railway systems.

What do you mean now? People have been using those stairs since the day the ride opened. Personally, I'll go the way which was intended. I'll also often close the gate as I go past it.

Definitely the way to go. Light rails should be a thing of the past. I really don't know why cities around the world continue to develop and invest in them when induction powered people movers and to a lesser extent monorails are far more attractive in many ways. Cost alone should do it, but they are hugely more efficient, both in terms of power usage and as a way to get around, certainly more so than light rail systems. I know I'd rather look at a sleek elevated concrete track that weaves its way up the coast rather than a pair of rusty rails, complete with overhead cables. There are a few things about the Gold Coast's current transport system I really don't like - that's the congestion of having more or less one main road right down the coast. It just doesn't move so much of the time. Secondly is their public transport system, which must rate as the absolute worst I've ever experienced (around the world I might have experienced public transport in a dozen or so different cities). You'd be hitting two birds with one stone here. Take a look at http://www.austrans.com - they're the ones who the article suggest will build it. Of the number of different companies around the world developing such systems, this one doesn't seem as well developed as some of the European systems, and I'd suspect that would be why it's such a cheap alternative to the light rail project.

Nor do I. My use of the word "programming" was more in the sense of setting a ride programme rather than in an electronic sense. You don't think that as much thought by Intamin's engineers is put into the setting of ride programmes, as is into say the design of a coaster's track? It certainly wouldn't be as time-intensive, but that doesn't mean much - that shows in the resulting price differences (USD$10s of millions for coasters, compared to AUD$6 million for The Claw). In regards to the design changes that have occured since Drayton Manor's ride, you'll find they're structural changes, not anything different about the specifications of the actual ride. In other words, nothing really to particularly think or care about. I think that Dreamworld's use of construction photographs is great. Though it's an old idea in American parks, Dreamworld are the first here to do it. It's one sure way to stir considerable interest - see Cedar Point for proof of that.

If you're interested in taking a short survey (maybe 5-10 minutes at the most) for Roller-Coaster.com.au, namely concerning the site and your comments, suggestions or general thoughts on it, please find the link below. http://www.roller-coaster.com.au/survey/in...index.php?sid=1 If you take it, please answer honestly and take the time to elaborate as much as possible (on the final page). It can also be accessed from the main site through a link in the left menu. You do not need to be a forum member to participate.

Dreamorld's website has now been updated to include details on the attraction, seen here. It's good to see that they've taken a more low-key approach to it. It still makes it out to be exciting, yet doesn't bend the story to make it sound like more than it is. This is how it should have been done in the press release.

Yes, obviously it's true that you can't change the cycle time of a coaster, without changing things like the trim brakes or lift hill speed. At no point did I suggest anything contrary to this. More or less the programming of a coaster occurs in the track design period where they design every precise movement of the track. Obviously this cannot be changed. Obviously if the ride settings are adjustable, any changed might not be problematic, such as slowing it down, but anything else (speeding up the rotation, increasing cycle time etc.) would likely start to cause problems. This is all largely beside my point that the Gyro Swings have relative speeds etc., and consequently forces and intensity will be consistent for all three. On the Mondial version (which it is useful to note, is not the Intamin Gyro Swing), I'd assume that the setting controls are only able to be changed by technicians or maintenance guys, and are otherwise locked up. If this wasn't the case in Canada, then I'd be quite sure it will be at Dreamworld. Now, onto the name, an area of discussion that I never really got in on. I posted this news on CoasterBuzz, and of the comments alterted me to something I didn't previously know. Hersheypark installed a Chance Revolution last year using the name "The Claw" (seen here). One thing I have no respect for is copying (stealing, if you will) of ride concepts. I doubt in researching this ride, Dreamworld weren't aware of Hersheypark's ride. One more "stolen" concept to the list I suppose.

Just out of curiosity, where'd you operate a Gyro Swing? The speeds may well be adjustable, as they are an most rides as you suggested, but Intamin will have predefined settings for the ride. Why would programming a flat ride be any different from a coaster, where a slight change in anything, say the pullout from a drop or the banking of a turn? Intamin will have predefined programmes for the ideal ride cycle that has a precise swing speed, rotation speed and cycle time for optimal ride effect, and minimal nausea or stress to riders. Changing these settings would potentially have serious repercussions for the park, and consequently Intamin would suggest not deviating from the set programmes.

Seriously Obstructure, I'm drawing blanks with most of the criticisms of us you've brought up. I have nothing but high praise regarding this ride selection. If you don't wont to read what has previously been said, then don't bother contributing here, because it's meaningless dribble otherwise. You made up a quote with "smaller, tamer model..." - if you bother to read, you'll see that I stated above that in terms of general thrill (if one were to say close their eyes - obviously the added height will alter this), the size of the Gyro Swing plays no part. You said "unjustifiable requests for enormous rides". All that was stated that perhaps this isn't characteristic of Dreamworld. Even so (assuming anyone here is somehow demanding more of Dreamworld than what they have put up here), how are they unjustifiable? There's a 40 storey tower right there in the park which hosts two "enormous" rides that broke many world records when they opened, and still hold some today. Dreamworld is in Australia, therefore they can't offer good theming (I have no particular qualms with Dreamworld and theming, especially given how they've been shaping up since Nick Central) or good (no one has said or hinted at unrealistic) dispatch times? That's news to me, especially seeing as Warner Bros. Movie World just down the road seems to get a near perfect 300 on both counts here. I have nothing but the highest respect for Dreamworld as an Australian entertainment venue. It's the park that began my love for theme parks, and it's the park that continues to foster my interest. I doubt without Dreamworld there, Roller-Coaster.com.au would even exist today. If I pay $56 to enter, or $155 for a yearly pass, don't you think it's my right to expect the highest possible level of services? Don't you want the same out of a day at Dreamworld?

Dreamworld purchased the smallest version. To explain the forces, let's use the analogy of rounding a corner in your car. Take a nice wide highway turn at 100km/hr. All fine and dandy. Now try and do a turn in your home street at 100km/hr. Not gonna work, is it? The Intamin Gyro Swings feature the same basic stats in terms of maximum angle of swing, G-forces etc. To maintain these forces and angles in the bigger models, physics tells us you need to spin faster, swing faster etc. As a result, the time from point to point (say, from vertical to maximum height, to other maximum height back to vertical) won't be different between the smaller and larger models. This is simple harmonic motion in action. Same goes with the time taken to complete one revolution of the gondola (which is 5rpm on all). Naturally, if they're bigger, to do it in the same time, they have to be going faster, right? Intensity concerns forces, more correctly the length of time which these forces are sustained for, and the amount at which they rapidly change. This follows directly on from above. You're asking the wrong question. Try telling people that Dreamworld is getting a ride called The Claw. I don't know - I didn't bring this up, nor do I follow the traveling ride sector, but based on what GoBoi said, a lot of people immediately think of the traveling ride. Makes sense to me.

The images on Total Thrills are even causing troubles? What screen resolution are you running with? Total Thrills was designed for 800x600 minimum, Roller-Coaster.com.au for 1024x768. If your screen is set to a resolution lower than these, then the full-sized images will be too big for your screen, in which case the best you can do is the thumbnails. That's not all bad - here for instance, the thumbnails are 300x225, which is enough to see most detail in any given shot. I do have plans to eventually add something to Roller-Coaster.com.au that will automatically resize the full sized images to accommodate smaller screen resolutions. Probably not any time soon though.

You called us "the most cynical group of people I have ever come across" and then say the reason is we're "whinging" about the "name, size, colour, theming, placement." Apparently you can't discuss aspects of this new ride, that's whinging. It has been mentioned that some aren't clear about how they will theme it to fit in with Ocean Parade, and also that people may confuse it for the traveling ride of the same name. In regards to theming, how it fits in will be revealed at a later date. It is disappointing that Dreamworld didn't opt for a larger version of the ride, especially given Dreamworld's history with thrill rides. I'd hardly call that whinging. It's also useful to add that in terms of forces, intensity etc., the size of the model doesn't matter - it's all the same. The only difference with the larger ones is they spin faster, swing faster and go higher. That's the first I've heard about the colour. My personal opinion on the colour is it probably isn't the way I'd have gone, but it is bright and it will definitely fit in nicely with the surroundings. Theming hasn't really been discussed, nor has there been much in the way of "whinging" - not too odd given that they're yet to start on theming or release even what it'll consist of.

wonderbus, look over it again. No one has said anything at all about the ride itself being bad. I've said several times that this will be a highly enjoyable ride and will become one of Dreamworld's most popular. My point was that Dreamworld are making this ride out to be something that it's not - an intense thrill ride. It is possible to sell a ride to the public without making it out to be the biggest and best. It reads to me like Dreamworld were so insecure about this ride that they had to slip a superlative into every phrase. Read the Giant Drop, Cyclone or Tower of Terror press releases - they are by all respects far more "thrilling" thrill rides, yet even those ones don't emphasise the "thrillingness" in every phrase like this one did. Just because it's not sinking in, my point here isn't to do with the ride, or even the "obligation" that parks have to hype attractions through super-positive press releases. It's just that I think that they've taken the marketing of this ride in a direction that perhaps isn't most effective for this ride, even if it fits in with Dreamworld's own plans. In doing so it seems they took it a bit too far. I agree that people will see an ad for the ride, make their way to Dreamworld and give it a spin. They'll come off the ride having thoroughly enjoyed the experience, though probably feel it didn't quite live up to the hype. Of course, no harm is done by the end of the day when they've ridden Giant Drop, Tower of Terror and Wipeout, which give anyone the adrenalin or thrills they need. The same thing happened with Cyclone - people came, they rode and perhaps even came off feeling underwhelmed by it, but it's all good by the end of the day.

I've added Las Vegas (parks, nightlife and Grand Canyon) photos, in case anyone's interested. I might get to Texas and then Florida some time today if I have the time.

willsy, I know it's a press release, and by nature they can push the limit in the name of marketing. This is why I don't post press releases as articles, opting instead to stick to more straight facts than buzz words. The issue is (and it's not a problem, just a point I brought up), I don't believe that Dreamworld have pushed the envelope this far before. Read the previous releases from Dreamworld for proof of that. However, I think the problem is that the ride itself doesn't by nature have big numbers tacked to it like previous rides have. It's not the biggest or fastest anything. Dreamworld, having set themselves up as the thrill theme park of Australia look to me like tried to push an otherwise plain ride as a "biggest and best" through twisting enough words together one after another. If people go to the park after seeing an ad for the ride, expecting some amazing new extreme thrill ride, I feel that they may end up disappointed by The Claw. It's not really a problem, until of course they start advertising the next big thing, which unlike this, is everything they make it out to be. I feel that there is a chance that it could lead to a "Boy Who Cried Wolf" type situation. Again, I'm totally behind this ride. I couldn't think of a modern thrill ride that is more appropriate to balance Dreamworld's lineup. We'll have to see how it pans out, but it's definitely going to become one of the most popular thrill rides in the park. It's a very accessible ride because it's not insanely tall, fast, loud or twisted. People who might otherwise sit out of the big rides at Dreamworld will give it a shot, and there's no denying they'll have a blast.