WalleyWorld

Yeah it does look like you're losing some great rides for the PRS this year....@iwerks & @Tim Dasco. Do the PRS/RMS organisers have a say as to what rides they get :/ ? Or is it up to the carnival ride operators like Chants and Goldenway Amusements? On a side note, when you think about it, Australia has a great travelling ride selection. And it keeps growing, with new rides being bought regularly in recent years. Since 2013, from KMG alone, Aus has received The Beast (KMG XXL), Avenger (KMG Discovery 2.0), Rebel (KMG Inversion), Speed 2 (KMG Speed), Freak Out (KMG Freakout).

Looks like Python Loop, The Beast (new KMG XXL) and Megadrop are all confirmed for the Melbourne Show this year! Really looking forward to trying out the new Beast! Although a bit hesitant towards the python loop; aren't looping pinfari coasters really rough? https://royalshow.com.au/attractions/rides/coca-cola-thrillseekers-carnival/

When it was announced that Doomsday would be an Intamin Twin Hammer ride, I was really hoping they would add this rotating seat feature. It would have added something extra/innovative to an otherwise fairly old ride type that is a staple at fairgrounds/shows. It's a ride that most people have ridden. Having that seat rotation would have made it very unique; performing loops whilst facing perpendicular to the movement direction. I don't think this has been done before?

Absolutely loving the new look of the refurbed Incredible Hulk Coaster at IOA. The lighting is so cool. It was a bit rough in the back cars when I rode in 2012. So now that the track has been replaced, and new trains, it should offer a much better overall ride experience. One of the most photogenic rollercoasters around. Another vid with some good daytime shots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=274&v=iBWp0_yYw6o

Thanks for the in-depth review @Theme Park Girl! Sounds like a great tour; you can feel the excitement in your writing. Did anybody ask if the tour will continue to run past September?

is this official concept art? Where did you find that @Gazza ?

I'm a massive fan of California's version of ToT; one of my favourite darkrides. I love how the hollywood tower looks just like another hotel amongst the Anaheim skyline (albeit really run-down). It just fits geographically with the real Hollywood just down the road as well. I'm in my early twenties and I understand the theme, even if i've never watched a Twillight Zone episode in my life. I wish they didn't have to do this, but just like WVTPs, Disney knows superheroes sell more merch. and appeal more to a younger audience. Disney will do a good job with the re-theme....and superhero fans will love it. I think Disney's long term plan is to transform the whole hollywood blvrd area into sort of a marvel land. Looks like they are starting with this re-theme.

I know this isn't Tiger Island related.....but just found this on DW's ticketing page! https://www.dreamworld.com.au/whats-on/pokemon-go

@Slick's photography skills are being put to good use again Looks like there will be a gaming element to this VR experience.

There could be both pay per play, and a pay per day options. Perhaps $10 for 1 ride, or $15 for an unlimited, all-day option? Because Arkham has loose item boxes, they could pay for the VR in the queue; i think there's enough room in there to put a small maned shop. Or Just outside the ride, or at the main photobooth near the MW entrance. Payment would be easily proven with a ticket, or a wristband.

@AlexB I'm pretty sure the camera can be used on the phone to see where they are going. It won't be perfect, but apparently it can be done. The idea of putting it on before boarding may be necessary if the strap system is a bunch of fiddly adjustable buckles, plus adjusting the focus of the VR headset. It would be ideal to get that all setup before boarding. Then when it's your time to ride, you sit down, quickly put on the headset and then lower your harness.

Really cool news! I'll be interested if they can pull this off. I wonder if they are working with Mack media/VR Coaster (both owned by Mack Rides) to produce the VR media, and overall experience. Enthusiasts (@aaronm's comment above) rave about the VR experiences they have created for the coasters at Europa Park. I hope they organise the queue line into 3 lanes: Front Row (no VR), VR Queue, Normal Queue. That way you can still choose to ride without the VR. Also, if they run an alternating dispatch cycle (e.g. VR Train, Normal, VR Train, ect.) it gives the ride ops a whole ride cycle of time to help a whole train of passengers to adjust the VR headset straps and make sure everything is working. So that when the train parks, the VR passengers load, put on the headsets and go. Doing it this way may help the capacity problem that is inevitable with these VR headset experiences. Not even once?

WOO! The tour looks amazing. Being an interstate visitor, and a student, the price is a little expensive. I wonder if they could offer a lower priced, shorter, morning only tour; cutting out the lunch, Fast Track and VIP parade seating. That I would be booking right now! I hope they continue the tour past the 24th of Sept and into the Summer. I guess if they book out every tour, then they'll keep it going. Superman is back! MW kicking all the goals atm. The new coaster announcement will be the cherry on top.

I'm confused. Are you implying that Mack's current lead time discredits the plausibility of an Intamin Wing coaster for MW in 2017?

Good point. If the new coaster has a launch, it will most likely be a magnetic launch.....and a very fast one at that. Especially if it's going to be a hypercoaster. And yeah then it makes sense to theme it to The Flash. I wonder if the GP will think of it as 'just another superman', because of the launch and similar track style (given the rumours that it's either a Mack or Intamin become true). Hmm i wonder if it's going to be a semi-shuttle...e.g.

That's something somebody who knows exactly what's going on would say

If MW was to get a hypercoaster next year, what do you think the theme will be? I'm hoping it's not another superhero themed ride. But there's a good chance it will be, as both Wonder Woman and Justice League movies are being released late next year. I understand it makes perfect business sense.....but it's just superhero overload. I know superheroes are all the rage atm people, but as a themepark there needs to be balance! I'm hoping for something unique. I'd love a Mad Max theme with a well themed surrounding area. I think Mad Max suits a hypercoaster's extreme thrills and grandeur. Or perhaps an original theme, that's not IP based. Like how Wild Wild West Falls is just themed after the western movie genre.

I agree! It's looking very impressive, can't wait to see it finished. Would that person/persons be an enthusiast themselves and contribute to these forums? If so, that's great to hear that WVTPs is employing local talent with a true passion for the industry.

Does anybody know the firm responsible for the design/themeing of this new area? Do WVTP's have an internal themepark design and development team (similar to WDI, but on a smaller scale)? Or is it outsourced to a themepark design firm such as Thinkwell, Falcon's Treehouse, Goddard Group, ect. ?

FJF Amusement's is getting a brand new portable KMG XXL this year! It's a massive gyro swing ride (like the claw at DW). This one stands 40 metres tall, swings to 120 degrees and holds 20 people. It looks amazing, can't wait to give this beast a ride! Love the name and jungle type themeing. It's being commissioned at the moment at the KMG factory in the Netherlands, and should be in Aus for EKKA this year. https://www.facebook.com/KMG-Europe-BV-355142571240840/?fref=ts

Thanks for the updates @JaggedJanine & @Clayton ! The way they are constructing the area around the ride is really cool. I think they are trying to create a secluded area with a small designated entry/exit, which is what Janine was describing as the 'brick wall' on the left of the last picture. Having this area cornered off will probably lend itself to less effort needed to blend it into the wild west themeing, and make the area overall more immersive when your inside. Thanks to @Theme Park Girl, we have a great video showing, I imagine, full speed testing of the extreme Doomsday Destroyer ride cycle:

@Smeg How soon??? The anticipation is killing me!

This is looking like a really promising addition to the park. I'm becoming super excited for this area. It's great to see money spent on themeing again, as well as a quality ride. @themagician I think they will leave it open and you'll be able to enter/exit from both sides of the slab/new building.

I'm currently completing an honors thesis and engineering design project on this exact topic; disability access on amusement rides. I started at the beginning of this year, even before the log ride accident....funny how things coincide. And now some great discussion is happening on the forums about this topic. The reason why Disney spends lots of time and money to create specialty seating, or transfer devices, or special loading areas, and a whole disability policy system, is to benefit the disabled customer and their party; to make them feel incredibly welcome and keep them coming back. Disney, and somewhat Universal, are currently the best at catering to disabled guests. They own the 'disabled themepark-goer' market. And it's a big one in America, with approximately 30.6 million people who suffer from a physical disability. And yes, one of Disney's design goals is to make sure that the disability accessible ride hardware is efficient - so as to not impact upon normal guest experience in terms of waiting in line. Yes, in America they have stated in their Disability Discrimination Act that as of 2010, “many newly designed or newly constructed amusement rides must be accessible and located on an accessible route to the ride. However, amusement rides designed primarily for children, amusement rides that are controlled or operated by the rider (e.g., bumper cars), and amusement rides without seats, are not required to provide wheelchair spaces, transfer seats, or transfer systems, and need not meet signage requirements. That said, these rides must be on an accessible route and must provide appropriate clear space". - https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/factsheets/2010_Standards_factsheet.html In Australia there is no specific amusement ride law in our Discrimination Act. Yes in Australia the parks have to make all pathways, toilets, building access DDA compliant, but there is nothing specific to amusement ride systems and hardware. So as @Levithian and @AlexB mentioned, in AUS, it comes down to what the manufacturer recommends. Then it's up to the park if they want to make all their rides ultra accessible like disney or not.

Has anybody flown interstate for a weekend to experience Fright Nights? Would you say it's worth it? And is one night enough?I'm seriously considering to make a trip up to the GC this year just for fright nights. I've never been to one, and from past years photos and reviews, it seems to be a really great event.I know the dates aren't set yet, but can anybody recall the dates it occurred last year?