Theme Park Girl

Did the VR again today, this time made sure the headset was tight. Maybe a bit too tight even, as it left slight imprints under my eyes after I took it off ? But I didn't want to experience any issues with it this time round. Definitely a mind blowing experience ?

I never got a phone call. Just a text message the evening before.

Haha, sure did! You should have come and said hello! I don't bite ?? I also absolutely loved the VR experience, it blew my mind. I totally agree with the other comments about it. The experience is extremely immersive, the headsets block out all light from the outside, so all you see is what's happening inside. It also reacts to your movements, for example in the VR program you start off as a prisoner bound in an Asylum room, and if you turn your head to look in different directions, the same happens in the program. So you can look around at goings on around you at any time. If it weren't for recognising the routine of my favourite Coaster throughout the program (keeping in mind I have ridden it quite literally over 100x lol) then I would have forgotten I was on it. The program is very absorbing. My one and only issue is that after the first Corkscrew, the turbulence of AA made my headset feel like it had become a bit loose, so that distracted me away from the experience whilst I impulsively reached up to fix and tighten it. Whilst filling out the feedback forms afterwards, I heard a couple of other people mention they had the same issue. So next time I will have to make sure my headset is on extra tight, so it doesn't distract me away from the experience at all. Other than that, I absolutely loved it. It's a totally new experience, and I definitely think it's worth the $5 upcost it's rumoured to have soon. Cant recommend it enough ??

Haha yeah, as soon as I walked in, they were like "hey theme park girl!" ? My days of anonymity at that park are well and truly over now ? Although funnily enough, nobody recognises me at the other parks. Only happens at Movie World ? Yeah, they are an awesome bunch of people hey. No request is ever too much for them to handle ??

Just thought I'd post a follow up on regards to the whole policy on taking photos inside theme park shops. I dropped into guest services earlier today at MW for a bit of a chat about it. I mentioned the incident last weekend when I was scolded by one particular staff member whilst filming a live stream inside the new DC store. A phone call was made to the head retail managers, and it was confirmed from up above that it's actually 100% allowed, so long as not photos of on-ride preview screens. I received an apology on their behalf for the incident on Saturday, and was informed that they are now sending out memos to all the retail outlets to inform staff that it's fine for guests to photograph inside outlets. I was also told to let them know if it happens again, so they can follow up accordingly with certain staff members who giving out incorrect information. They said that whilst they did once have rules in place years ago against photos and video for such things, they have long since relaxed them, given that times have changed in the way of social media and modern technology, and everyone is essentially carrying a camera with them everywhere these days. So there you go, for future reference. Debate over ?

I paid MW a brief visit today, too.

I doubt it's anyone here. The star tour has been running for a couple of months now with randoms.

And funny you mention that @Brad2912, as a while back I brought the subject up with a staffie there, and they mentioned something similar - that it was allegedly started by a thrown cigarette butt. I dismissed it as speculation. Interesting to hear it come up again. Don't really know what to believe now, hahaha Although worth mentioning that the fire apparently happened outside of park operating hours, so surely they wouldn't have had the ride turned off - at least the effects, including the sparks? Which would surely dismiss the rumour that the sparks were the cause of the fire? Gosh, I have a feeling we will never know the answer to this one. All we can do is keep speculating, really @Jamberoo Fan the wall effects on that ride are incredible!!! Wow

Cheers @iwerks I've considered options regarding expanding to a site just to continue posting articles on. Maybe one day....

@iwerks it was on a voluntary basis, so no. I was initially told that one of the advantages of such a role would be being added to a media database for MW so that I get to attend media and VIP events on their behalf, however they were unsuccessful last week with their first attempt to have me attend the DC Super-Villains launch this Sat night. To be honest I was fairly skeptical from the beginning that it would even be an option for me, but I continued doing articles for them anyway as I was enjoying being a correspondent for a US website (essentially helping to promote our parks to overseas audience). They seemed ok with me posting my photos on my own page... believe me, I would have kicked up a massive stink otherwise! But they were unhappy with them being published on other sites, which I'm generally ok with, so long as credit is given. Using my watermarked photos in my articles was also frowned apon, they preferred that I used raw ones Meh. I think I'll just stick to my FB blog for now, it does a good enough job I think

@Levithian Interesting. I've tried googling for old articles and info on the incident a couple of times recently, but there's nothing really online about it. First I've heard of a possible conclusion, so thanks for that Might explain why they removed the sparks effect as well (along with why they will probably never bring them back).

Pretty sure it wasn't the effects that were responsible for that incident. From memory the cause of the fire was treated as suspicious, however there was never a follow-up as to who or what was identified in the end. ETA: Here's a link to the original Parkz topic when the fire happened in 2004, if anyone is interested in reading it.

Just thought I'd put it out there that I'll no longer be doing articles for Planet Six. Seems there has been a bit of a miscommunication somewhere and they were expecting exclusive use of my photos, thus there has been some discontent over them being recently used in articles featured on other sites such as Parkz and Ausparks. As I'm not prepared to offer that and would prefer to retain 100% exclusiveness and control over my own content, we have mutually agreed to part ways. A bit if a shame, but I guess these things happen. I'd like to be able to keep sharing my pics for sites like this to utilise.

Yeah, it is ?

I'm very much over it and happy to move on ?

Make what you want of it, @webslave, but I clarified my stance in my last post. It's not about expecting anyone to do anything special or exceptional for me. I don't expect anything in return for my efforts, no more than me posting content whilst following the rules on here. I don't get anything out of participating on Parkz other than personal enjoyment, but I still do the right thing. It's all about mutual respect. Feel free to take a look at other circumstances when people have chosen to do otherwise and you'll see what I mean. AndrewH has a swell story to tell after trespassing through Dreamworld restricted areas to get photos to share online ?

@AlexB It's not about being 'best mates' with anyone. I run an online theme park blog I happen to care a lot about, and subsequently because of my public image with that, I am recognised when I am out and about. I wish to stay respectful and, in turn, retain a good reputation. Not just with Movie World but across all the theme parks and with my blog followers as well. In this case I had seen numerous people asked not to do something, as @reanimated35s video demonstrated, which is why I chose to speak up about it when my initial motive was questioned. Despite the inconsistency, the majority of staff there have made it clear that it's not allowed. How that is considered a bad thing is beyond me, and I'm sorry if you don't understand that. Honestly it doesn't phase me whether you've chosen to spare me the graciousness of another reply on your behalf or not. As I said, I'm agreeing to disagree. But you may want to keep in mind that others here are probably sick of reading about it, especially when it's completely derailing the Doomsday topic.

Exactly. If I choose to respect what the park wishes, whether or not it's considered a "free for all" to others, then it's my personal choice. I'm choosing to respect what has been asked of the GM, whether or not it was at a private event or not. MY choice. I initially didn't tell others off for posting pics, I simply stated that I'd prefer to withhold mine for what I consider good reason. It only turned into a can of worms when others questioned and debated it. I'm not changing my stance on it, if others want to blatantly post up photos of everything and (as I see it) potentially risk ruining their reputation with management at the theme parks, even if it's considered "fair game" to them, then that's their choice entirely. But I'm not. I'd rather wait a whole week (heaven forbid) for the area to be finished off and, as it happens, leave a few final surprises for the peeps following my blog. I agree with @reanimated35, it would be wise to agree to disagree on this one because I am not changing my opinion. PS. If you read my last post @AlexB, you'll find that I did in fact seek permission and get approval prior to taking photos inside the shop. I simply choose to seek a second opinion on the matter first.

Not sure if it's considered "all" the effects, but a tombstone comes up out of the ground, saloon doors swing, and a verandah 'breaks' from someone falling off of it. More or less the same as before, although I don't really remember the tombstone bit from before the maintenance. OK, now I'm home I can elaborate a bit more on my experience ? Overall, I really like what has been done to beef up the ride as well. I confess I initially was a little disappointed to still see the absence of some of the original effects previously discussed, especially before the final drop. I don't remember the old TNT barrel with sparks that everyone keeps reminiscing about ? But it sounded awesome, and I was hoping it would make a comeback. That hasn't been the case. However I blame myself for any disappointment on my part, I think I just built my expectations a bit too high throughout the duration the ride was down. That aside, I think the train scene (love what they have done to the track!) and the abundance of TNT on the walls throughout the mountain are definitely the biggest improvements made. I also liked what they did in the first turntable room, one of the walls features a well lit mine shaft of fair depth. From memory it was there before, but all in the dark. It's good to be able to see everything now ?? As @joz mentioned there is still some bugs they need to iron out, the biggest one I could see was the dry final drop (they had the water effects turned off for it) which made it essentially just like a coaster track. I did also notice the lack of usual audio commentary before the backward drop. Either way, it's good to have our good ol' WWF back and I know these issues will undoubtedly get ironed out in the next few days. It's fantastic overall to see it in the best condition it's been in a long time (13 years?) ?❤️

I did follow directions... from a different, younger staff member who was behind the counter an hour later. She didn't have any issue with either me or anyone else taking pics (and yes, I asked first!). Otherwise how do you think I got pics if the other woman wouldn't allow me? I'm all for following park rules and policies, but not just an isolated opinion from one particularly grumpy staff member. If its because she didn't want to feature in any of my photos, I would have been more than happy to oblige.

WWF is now up, was on the first boat lol. Lots of dynamite now added inside the mountain areas, as well as a train to the tracks. Storyline makes a bit more sense now at least lol?

There's actually no ETA. At the ride entrance right now with staff. It could be literally any time ?

Thanks so much for posting that, @reanimated35. MW staff have made it pretty clear over the past 48 hours that in this particular circumstance, they aren't ok with currently concealed theming being seen or shared - and there's the proof. As I said earlier, waiting one more week isn't gonna hurt anyone if it means respecting the parks wishes. Let's not do any more AndrewH's and play by the rules ? PS. @Richard I hope you also take a moment to check out the vid as well, so you can see I wasn't overreacting earlier!

I can only assume so! Either way I'm sure it's definitely something to look forward to ??

Not to mention it's a place entirely unrestricted, open and accessible to the public, as opposed to having barricades up and being intentionally off-limits to guests. Highly debatable issue, and also a completely different one if you ask me ?