Jamberoo Fan

Just for the purposes of the poll: 'Railroads, Main Street Vehicles, Red Car Trolley & Disney Transport' also includes Disneysea Electric Railway,Venetian Gondolas, Disneysea Transit Steamer Line, Chairlift, Cross Country Creek & Castaway Creek. And, noted @DaptoFunlandGuy.

First The Imagineering Story, now Behind The Attraction... I'm surprised that there isn't an episode on Pirates Of The Caribbean!

'7News Spotlight - Ride Of Your Life' was watched by 571,000 viewers in the 5 major capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth & Adelaide) last night. That data is based on a population sample representative of 62% of Australia's population. Taking into account the 38% of regional viewers missing from that data, this should equate to 921,000 viewers of the program nationwide on Sunday night alone (Regional ratings are released on a weekly rather than daily basis so this is just a guess). In the 5 major capital cities, these were where most viewers were from: Brisbane - 114,000 (4.6% of Brisbane's population) Adelaide - 58,000 (4.3% of Adelaide's population) Melbourne - 201,000 (4.0% of Melbourne's population) Total 5 major capital cities - 571,000 (3.6% of combined population of the 5 major capital cities) Perth - 60,000 (2.9% of Perth's population) Sydney - 138,000 (2.8% of Sydney's population) Timeshifted ratings would be released over the next month which would give a better picture but at this stage, only a small percentage of the country would have seen the program so at this stage, the Australian theme park industry shouldn't be affected by the program.

There were more episodes on 9Now, which have since been removed but they were all filmed before the COVID-19 pandemic. The 3rd episode was focused on their Halloween celebrations while the 4th episode was about preparing for a new season. I watched all episodes on 9Now after watching the free-to-air broadcast and yes, they did edit down the double episode, which full length should have went 2 hours with ads (1 hour & 30 minutes without ads). But that wasn't the most surprising thing. What was more surprising was they edited out 2 segments about the park's Vikings' River Splash, a river rapids ride. The first segment was about a e-stop of the ride caused by a guest going into the ride's restricted area. The second segment was about the park replacing one of the ride's rafts' inflatable tyres. I wonder why they edited these 2 segments out for the free to air broadcast but not the 9Now stream? 🤔 The answer is featured in tonight's earlier aired program '7News Spotlight: Ride Of Your Life' on Channel 7 & 7Plus.

My review - Ride Of Your Life was promoted as a behind the scenes look into the theme park industry but turned out, unsurprisingly for theme park enthusiasts who know Channel 7's reputation towards theme park news, as Ride For Your Life. First 15 minutes were great with a brief summary of roller coaster & theme park history but then Action Park (the infamous US amusement park) got a mention & it was all downhill from there. Completely biased towards the negative aspects of the theme park industry. Based on the comments above, it seems Natalie Barr's statement "You sell fear" (with emphasis on each word) is probably the words the general public think summed up the narrative the show is portraying. Ironic - given Channel 7 sold advertising time for & during this show which they told a biased 'fear theme parks' narrative during.

Reminds me of this (Obviously not on this Wednesday at 8:30pm):

Clearly, the "Aussie coaster that's as old as the Titanic" refers to Luna Park Melbourne's Scenic Railway and "Australia's biggest ride disasters" refer to the 1979 Luna Park Sydney Ghost Train fire and the 2016 Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids Ride incident. Looks like a very interesting program which hopefully balances the positives & negatives of the theme park industry! '7News Spotlight - Ride Of Your Life' airs Sunday the 6th of June between 7pm & 8:30pm AEST on Channel 7.

7:30pm tonight on ABC TV.

From the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: The Australian also reports:

Just found out that 9Now has all 4 episodes of the series. They all 45 minutes approximately in duration. Episodes 1 & 2 was the double episode screened last Tuesday night on television. I now expect again that Channel 9 will screen either two 2 hour episodes over 2 weeks or two 1-hour episodes plus the 2-hour 1st episode over 3 weeks. What week(s) these other episode(s) is/are to be screened during I don't know but I assume it will be before Lego Masters finish it's latest season. This is unless the 1st double episode on television rated poorly and Channel 9 decided to just let people watch it on 9Now if they wish instead.

Whilst Jamberoo's 2020-2021 season finished last Sunday, a little bit of news from a week before that - On Jamberoo's Frequently Asked Questions page, they put: The closure on 19 April meant only on the final 2 operating days of the 2020-2021 season (24 & 25 April) the Bobsled Blue Track will not be operating. It should be assumed that the Bobsled Blue Track will be closed until Velocity Falls (and not and/or Koala Kove) opens so it could still be closed when the 2021-2022 season starts. For non-Jamberoo enthusiasts, the Blue Bobsled Track is the fast, experienced riders track. If you head to Jamberoo for the Bobsleds while the Blue Bobsled Track is closed, you risk a very slow, traffic jam-filled bobsled ride due to slow or inexperienced riders. Best to wait until the Blue Bobsled Track reopens for a fast, smooth ride with no or little traffic jams. Remember, if you don't want a slow, traffic-jam filled bobsled ride, you can also still take the Chairlift to admire the views at the top of the mountain and take a rare trip on the Chairlift back down the mountain. Also, here is the Dive-In Movies schedule for the recently finished 2020-2021 season: 26/12/2020 - E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial 02/01/2021 - Ride Like A Girl 09/01/2021 - ¡Three Amigos! 16/01/2021 - The Secret Life Of Pets 2 23/01/2021 - Back To The Future 30/01/2021 - Paddington The 2020-2021 season's Dive-In Movies started an hour earlier at 5pm but still on Saturdays and still at Outback Bay.

It seems Channel 9 decided to have only the sole 2-hour episode, which was screened last Tuesday night. A little review below:

First, Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire & now another theme park documentary series on Australian free-to-air television! ...and a much happier documentary series too... INSIDE LEGOLAND: A WORLD OF WONDER The 1st episode goes for 2 hours (including ad breaks, of course) and I anticipate it will be either two 2 hour episodes over 2 weeks or two 1-hour episodes plus the 2-hour 1st episode over 3 weeks: Hope that has built some anticipation...one piece at a time (Disclaimer: I have no more information on the show's upcoming telecast to provide). Previews of Episode 1 is provided below (Note: As stated above, I expected Australia's Episode 1 to be a double episode in a maximum 3 part series unlike the UK which was a 4 part series hence Episode 1 & 2 previews below): Below is information about the show from a press release on Legoland Windsor's website (I've put it in a spoiler box as it is targeted to UK viewers last year rather than Australian viewers next week): It begins Tuesday 20 April 8:50pm to 10:50pm on Channel 9, immediately after Lego Masters - Episode 2.

It may be 45 days since the article was posted but here is the full article below complete with the new design of Velocity Falls, which was submitted to Kiama Municipal Council as a DA modification last Winter. It also reveals Jamberoo Express is getting an upgrade & expansion (I assume the new 'track' (concrete path) that was proposed in the Kangaroo Island DA that goes from the Funnel Web observation deck to The Taipan via Velocity Falls's bridge is being built as part of this development allowing a full circumnavigation of the main areas of the park). Lastly, it reveals, Platypus River, Kangaroo Island's lazy river, complete with wave machine, is the next development. For those who don't know much about Fitzroy Falls, here is the official website:

Agree. Even though they've considered an alpine coaster, I doubt we'd see a non-water ride until Kangaroo Island is finished being built and that's a while away, pandemic or not. Well that's interesting! They're more serious about it than I initially thought.

The TV Tonight website has done a full review now (contains spoilers):

Ah, Las Vegas. A casino city in the middle of the desert that tries to mimic Giza (though the casino is named after the city of Luxor)... ...Paris... ...New York... ...and maybe more (I can't be bothered checking every casino) but Las Vegas ain't no Cairo, Paris, New York etc. either. I never said the Illawarra is trying to be the Gold Coast - just that their tourism offering is starting to get close to what you can get on the Gold Coast.

The TV Tonight website did a 'mini review' recently saying: Looking forward to this documentary!

In my opinion, they do have potential to expand back into non-water rides. The fact they've considered an alpine coaster shows this. However, they currently have a water park strategy which involves them hitting attendance targets before building a new ride. So once Velocity Falls is built, we won't see a new ride until new attendance targets are reached & given the pandemic, this could be a while. If you take Kiama on it's own, yes, outside summer, the tourist numbers are lower but Kiama is also part of a broader area called the Illawarra, which consists of Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama. Sometimes the Royal National Park & the part of the Shoalhaven north of the Shoalhaven River is considered part of the Illawarra too. Back in November, I wrote "If anyone wants to have a 'Gold Coast' holiday in the Illawarra, I'm happy to provide more tourism suggestions". Well, here is a short list of 'Gold Coast'-like suggestions: Jamberoo Action Park Illawarra Fly (owned by Merlin Entertainment) Symbio Wildlife Park Breakout Precinct at Shellharbour Workers Club There is more to do than just Jamberoo and the Illawarra's tourism future is looking strong. The DA for it was never submitted. I just happened to find it within the DA mainly for the formerly planned Grand Gorge Falls. Me 😜

Too bad that's last season's line-up. Still unconfirmed if going ahead this year particularly with no season passes being issued. 1 hour & 21 minutes? (That's right!) Fixed your quote for you @themagician. Flights from Melbourne & Brisbane have been possible since 30 October 2017 (except between June & November 2018 due to the previous airline suddenly going out of business due to high debt). However, I haven't posted it on here yet as a direct Gold Coast flight has constantly been rumoured since flights restarted to/from Shellharbour & didn't want any misinterpretation of information as to where flights left (Brisbane or Gold Coast). If Gold Coast-Shellharbour flights happen, the fly-in fly-out theme park possibilities... Shellharbour Airport is also home to the famous Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Museum (personally recommended by John Travolta) & Wings Over Illawarra air show (held in May in recent non-COVID-19 times). If anyone wants to have a 'Gold Coast' holiday in the Illawarra, I'm happy to provide more tourism suggestions. Great to see Dive-In Movies return at Wet 'n' Wild Gold Coast though! That seemed to be the missing link in the water park experience there lately.

Please don't brag about how your frequency of theme park trips correlates with possible theme park knowledge. Correlation does not mean causation. Also, you may notice my user name is 'Jamberoo Fan'. I've been to Jamberoo heaps of times as well and am local too. I've also been a forum member of Parkz for nearly 15 years - probably the number 1 unofficial source of Jamberoo news on this forum. I've also not learnt theme park knowledge just by going to theme parks - I've done studies in subjects that are required to operate a theme park too and have done hobby research on the iconic theme parks of the world. I also bolded and underlined certain words to emphasise to everyone, not just you, that it is new information. They have before. It's what held up Kangaroo Island initially as the community didn't think the colours of the newly proposed rides fit well into the landscape. And that isn't the Mayor. That's the New South Wales Member Of Parliament For Kiama & New South Wales Government Minister For Families, Communities & Disability Services. Governments normally don't just give money to theme parks - they are private commercial operations. However, due to the pandemic & recession, things may be more lenient to help the local economy. It would still go through a stringent process though to justify giving $2 million to a water park in a recession & pandemic. The Mayor of Kiama Municipality is Mark Honey (pictured below) (picture from Kiama Municipal Council).

Well, given the pandemic, it wouldn't be surprising if they have tried to go more cost-effective. Like in the story, they need $2 million before construction can begin, bringing the cost to $9 million (though WIN News Illawarra quotes $10 million - not sure where the extra $1 million comes from). Also, on the 24th of July, they submitted a modification to the original DA. It is the same cost but hasn't been approved yet. I don't know if it has been on exhibition yet (it currently isn't) but I assume the exhibition period was months ago. My speculation is that the modification involves the replacing of the 1st bump with a 360 degree turn (like The Wedgie) or a loop (like Aqualoop) to the SkyBox Multi-Bump Speed Slides. This would fit this description from Jim Eddy: Personally, I hope there is a non-loop option as it will make a more universal experience. Weight restrictions prevented me from riding Aqualoop but I could ride The Wedgie. Not being biased as Raging Waters Sydney is a design-flawed water park but Jamberoo overtook it on Raging Waters (formerly Wet 'n' Wild) Sydney's 2nd day of operation, which was 6 seasons ago.

From WIN News Illawarra: Action Park New Ride.mp4

To add to the list in the previous post: Any other tickets that were unused in the 2019 - 20 season and re-issued/re-validated can also be used & they encourage holders of these tickets to use them at their soonest convenience. Offering a refundable booking option for e-ticket purchases this season. The refundable booking option is selected by default as part of the ticket purchase process, so it is up to the purchaser to actively un-select that if they choose not to purchase a refundable booking type ticket. It is completely your choice. If you think you might not be able to come to Jamberoo Action Park for some reason, please check the terms and conditions of choosing a refundable booking & consider if it might be a good option for you before completing your ticket purchase. Please note that without purchasing the refundable booking option, Jamberoo Action Park has a no-refunds, no-exchanges, no-extensions policy as stated in the terms and conditions agreed to by the customer before ticket purchase Correction to previous post: 2019/2020 season passes still valid until 31 October 2020 inclusive.

Jamberoo Action Park started it's 2020/2021 season today. Apart from their 40th anniversary season celebrations, here are the new 2020/2021 season details, which are all COVID-19 related: Delayed construction of Grand Gorge Falls & Koala Kove Splash Out area still remains operational The Jamberoo Express & communal coin-operated barbeques non-operational until further notice. However, sanitised barbeques are available for rent for customers for $50 (up to 24 hours before your visit). Contact Jamberoo Action Park on 4236 0114 to make a booking for a barbeque. Celebrating their 40th anniversary season New Online Food Ordering Service Developed a COVID-19 Response & First Aid Procedure Pre-opening training and certification for employees Internal employee training will be conducted to ensure employees understand and feel confident in managing physical distancing and hygiene role aspects Scheduling employee breaks based on capacity limits of staff rooms Sanitising of shared employee equipment including personal flotation devices and radios upon each staff rotation Limiting employees in a utility vehicle or 2-person buggy to 1 person Employees using gloves when conducting jobs that require interaction with high touch surfaces or objects such us rubbish pick-up & handling toboggans Currently, no season passes for sale this season 2020/2021 season passes still valid until 31 October 2020 inclusive. For Season Pass holders who no longer have their passcards, you must present ID to the Customer Service Officer at The Souvenir Shop & they will process a replacement card for you. The usual card replacement fee of $10 will apply to all cards needing replacement Capacity limit of 5000 guests (1 guest per 8 square metres) Jamberoo Action Park will incentivise the online purchase of tickets through discounts All guests will be required to provide their personal details including their full name and either email address or contact number For guests that purchase tickets together in one transaction, only one contact person will be required Guests will be encouraged to pay via contactless payment methods through the introduction of point of sale signage (plus see the new online food ordering service above) Implementing additional ticket scanners that will be utilised as demand requires Staffing to ensure an earlier than advertised opening is achievable should it be required Pavement signage will be implemented encouraging guests to adhere to social distancing and indicating the appropriate 1.5 metre spacing Additional signage reminding guests to stay home if they are feeling ill, maintain social distancing, avoid touching surfaces where possible, practice good personal hygiene & downloading the COVID-Safe App Hand hygiene units containing sanitiser will be available at bathrooms, attraction entry and exits, accessible building entrances to accessible buildings, food and retail outlets & locker stations All accessible buildings have capacity limits imposed based on 1 person per 4 square metres. This limit will be conveyed on signage at the entrance to each building Sun lounges & tables will be adequately spaced to adhere to & observe social distancing respectively Food & beverage outlet queue lines set-up through barriers with signage requesting that 1 person per order is present in the queue line Each table will have disinfectant wipes for guests to utilise before and after each use A Hygiene Marshall will be on duty at each food & beverage outlet Hand sanitiser will be sold for guest convenience at Surf Shack & The Souvenir Shop Attractions that have pools for recreational swimming (i.e. Billabong Beach, Outback Bay & Rapid River) will put in place capacity restrictions based on the 1 person per 4 square metre rule. This will be displayed at the entry to each attraction and monitored by Ride Attendants and Lifeguards Landscape Golf clubs and balls will be sanitised between use Guests will be asked to sanitise their hands before or after using applicable attractions including the Funnel Web. Perfect Storm, Banjo’s Billabong, Splash Out, Rapid River, Billabong Beach and The Taipan Guests will be provided with disinfectant wipes to sanitise their toboggan prior to use Guests utilising the same raft or vehicle on a ride must do so with members of the same household or a close contact Guests should only touch what they intend to purchase at Surf Shack & The Souvenir Shop and all purchases at those retail outlets are final until further notice The hourly cleaning schedule upgraded to include cleaning of other high touch surface areas including locker screens, chairlift chairs, point of sale counters, change rooms and handles. This will be documented on a cleaning register & will be the responsibility of the contracted cleaning company (except in the case of chairlift chairs, which will be sanitised by ride attendants & point of sale counters, which will be sanitised by food & beverage attendants & retail attendants. The latter will also sanitise change rooms & handles) Daily sanitisation of huts, shelters, fences, railings, queuing barriers and ride personal belonging storage areas Weekly spot audits will be conducted and documented by Jamberoo Action Park Management Further emphasis of Jamberoo Action Park’s pre-existing Employee Assistance Program Review of current procedures to ensure tasks completed can adhere to social distancing Conditions Of Entry updated to state guests & employees are not to enter the facility if they: Have presented with flu-like symptoms (or a related illness) in the last 72 hours including but not limited to cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, loss of sense of taste or smell, or shortness of breath; Have been in contact with someone who tested positive to COVID-19 virus within the past two weeks; Have been directed to self-isolate for a period which includes the day of visit; or Have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results. In the case of employees, this will be confirmed by written acknowledgement at the beginning of each shift. For more information, click these hyperlinks: Jamberoo Action Park COVID-Safe Plan & Frequently Asked Questions Plus this new quote on their website: Coming from the theme park with Banjo's Billabong & Billabong Beach, 2 gray-coloured Tornado ride elements on 2 separate rides (Funnel Web & The Perfect Storm) and possibly in the near future 2 8-lane racers (Surf Hill & Grand Gorge Falls) (but hopefully next season & with a planned closure of Surf Hill with hopeful replacement ride for it planned (hopefully the alpine coaster with an altered finish to finish where Surf Hill finishes)).