DaptoFunlandGuy

Myth: "the ride sits there for months on end with nothing being done to it" Reality: Many 'coaster style' rides have the ride vehicle removed, and taken to a maintenance workshop for maintenance. This would explain the lack of visual activity, whilst still being more than 'nothing' Extended downtime is usually an indication of an unexpected delay or issue - for example, a fault found during routine testing that was not anticipated requires further investigation or rectification. It can also be because a specific part needs to be replaced that wasn't anticipated, and has to be manufactured \ ordered from overseas. Some maintenance work is carried out outside of hours, due to workloads, or the impact such works would have on guests during the day - such as noise, or dust, or the need for large plant and machinery to move around the park's guest access areas But GD hardly makes any discernible noise if you aren't close by. Roachie said remove TOT, and use the tower for GD upgrades, which would still free up the space without getting rid of the tower. I couldn't say whether it has or hasn't. Fact is that the tower was built by intamin, so in theory they could supply suitably modified upgrades to suit. In theory the rolling stock could remain, and just a new seating arrangement could be attached with minimal modifications.

^ yeah - instead of indicating your thoughts on an ipad, now, if you didn't like the show, you're required to chuck the whole stand into the tank. By having only one stand, this cuts down the amount of negative feedback they get.

TL:DR

If you're hopping to Malaysia, and planning to spend more than a day - although a long journey - id look at the feasibility of a trek to Sunway Lagoon... which is about 3.5 hours up the road... I realise its a long trek - i guess it depends on how much affinity you have for Wonderland - given there are several rides still operating over there from the park

Oh my god would you just shut up??? Everything you are saying is a theory, a guess, or a presumption, but you present them as fact. You say 'No' You say 'they would've known' But unless you work for the park, you have no proof, unless you can produce something else that confirms or endorses what you are saying. So instead of just trying to blindly defend your position, accept the possibility that you could be wrong, or, the person replying to you could be wrong, and leave it at that? You've had several opportunities now to clarify your position, but you just keep presenting more and more opinion as fact without substance.

thanks @iwerks yes that is what I meant - although in checking it, I found that the museum is actually closed for refurb as of 1 April, and the chapel itself will close in January. No reopening date is scheduled.

For the zoo (and the night safari) we did arranged coach tours - the zoo included the breakfast, admission and a half day at the zoo, as well as coach transfers from multiple locations throughout the city. Night safari was general admission but included the coach transfers as well. the cost of the coach transfers on top of the normal GA ticket price was comparable with a bus trip to local zones. it wasn't a huge increase, and they took care of door to door for us, without worrying that we'd miss a start time or run late (plus we knew exactly how much it would cost). I've just gone and looked over the Crane show, and whilst it looks like a great technology show, Its a little disappointing to see this is what it has become, considering what songs of the sea used to be (corny, but the live actors, singing etc IMO made it better) - this is also telling that the show is now free, whereas you used to need to purchase your tickets early for SotS just to get a seat!

Can someone give me a TL:DR?

Can't reiterate the total lack of worth that is Orchard road. Plenty of other places without the premium price tag - and that goes for shopping as well as accommodation. To repeat others - wherever you stay, make sure you're near the MRT. Accomm on Sentosa is 'resorty' but you pay a premium for staying on what is essentially a private island - and you pay again as all the major transport options to and from will cost extra (Monorail and Cablecar are both options). Whilst you can walk, it isn't a short walk - and there's nothing like starting the day in a hot, humid environment than with a brisk walk! (not). Remember that - hot, humid, rainy, humid & hot. These are the only weather experiences. We found most nights we slept with the air con set to the lowest temp, and the highest setting - left on 24 hours a day. We'd then sleep on top of the covers!!! As for the rain, we found on our trip (around this time of year as a matter of fact) that it would rain almost every day, around 9-11am, for about an hour in that window. Find some cheap, lightweight ponchos you can carry without much effort, and pack an extra pair of dry socks in your bag. Worst case if you get caught, you can bin the poncho and change your socks and be good to go. *do not try walking in wet socks for the rest of the day - it sucks!* Take the option to not walk (for travel) where possible - but there are plenty of places that are great to stroll leisurely around - including Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa, and its also worth the detour to check out Merlion (the original anyway - there are plenty of copies around as well). I disagree with those who say Universal in a day. It *CAN* be done in a day, but its better to plan for a little more. I found a full day in the park, and then a planned half day combined with other Sentosa attractions meant you had 'mop up' time to catch anything in the park you missed (shows for example) or to do some re-rides. The Luge is pretty good for what it is. Not sure if they still do the zipline, but it is a really awesome experience (although, you'll want to take your walking shoes!). Any war or history buffs may want to take the tour of the fort on sentosa, and take the trip out to Changi prison. Not something i'd do again, but i'm glad I did both at least once. There are plenty of tours organised that you can do for many of the other attractions. The zoo itself can be done in about a half day (especially if you book the Orangutan breakfast which was a unique experience), and you have the other half of the day to do something else (Jurong is nearby so the tours may offer the double header). I personally enjoyed and recommend the night safari. They have lots of dinner options but that part does get extremely crowded. The animal presentation is theatrically lit, and done very well, and the night tram tour was interesting - although bear in mind that because it is dark, it does of course mean theres a reasonable chance you won't get to see some things. I haven't checked, but Sentosa also used to do a night show on southern coastline that was very Fantasmic\World of Colour -esque. I heard they changed the show since the last I saw it, and i'm not sure if it's still running - but if it is - check it out.

Can honestly say i've never once seen (or heard about) a stoppage on Splash. I'm sure it does happen, but I can't imagine the in-show exits would differ much from Pirates though.

your* Thanks - i'd missed the detail that it detatched (you did say ripped off, but i assumed that was as a result of striking the shed, rather than the cause of it striking the shed). the detail about the hinges, as well as it striking the wall, rather than the roof makes perfect sense. thanks, i couldn't get it the right way around in my mind.

Fact or Lore? Assuming the gravitron was a standard 'starship 3000' style pod - and my memory suggests it was - the door swung up and inwards. The structure had support beams overhead, which would be the upper envelope - and the door did not rise as high as the support beams (remember of course that riders would stand with backs to the wall, and at speed, those walls would slide up - so the roof itself was already quite high - i can't see the door exceeding the roof framework - especially since many travelling models had a vinyl roof spread over those support beams. Hope i've explained that well enough... https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiPg-XbtoTdAhUYAogKHQ1cCSkQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.funlandrehoboth.com%2Fgmedia-album%2Ftesting%2F%3Fgm9[album__in]%3D1&psig=AOvVaw1pDzaEk-ew_2pn-XUGQGTz&ust=1535156628553296 in the pic above, the door isn't fully opened as yet - but the additional height above the visible frame, which permitted the walls to slide upwards, would give the door quite a large clearance when open. I can't see the door physically exceeding the bounds of the ride frame

Look, it's obviously a risk, but i think the risk of physical and mechanical effects over computer based effects is the difference here. big red car has physical effects and screen based effects that are all supposed to sync together. On a midway style attraction, only the ride vehicle itself is physical - so everything else can be fixed by a programmer in hong kong, or canada, or zimbabwe. As for the IP, I agree an IP is needed, but the gameplay is still replayable even with a generic theme (*cough*alien*cough*predator*cough*kevil hill). And when the theme is largely programmed and digital, it's quick and easy to change, provided the programming has been future proofed in that way. You say if you strip the IP of the best attractions they're still good - but you've missed my point on that issue - the best attractions DIDN'T HAVE an IP. Space, Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean. However - if PoTC was sold (no chance) and disney had to rip out the pirates, the ride wouldn't stand up without a new theme being put in (and what else could you do with that style of ride?).

It's plausible, but they literally commenced this work precisely 1 year after it's first ever test run. I can't imagine that this level of maintenance is cost effective - especially if it is required after only 12 months.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but in my opinion, MM was far more enjoyable than JL3D. I note that your response is more geared to what you'd like, rather than what would work or would appeal to most people (hence your understanding that it is popular) - so given you've already agreed it is popular, it makes sense that it's the better thing to install. Firstly - minimal animatronics means minimal maintenance on moving parts and complex figures. Computers can just be rebooted, and in a screens based attraction, it's really not something you can get away with going 'oh we just won't turn that broken projector on today' which would force the maintenance to keep up with the maintenance requirements (gladly though, projector bulbs aren't super expensive, and theyre usually available off the supplier's shelf in a hurry). Secondly, it allows for a retheme with minimal reworking. The computer system can be reprogrammed with different imagery relatively easily, whilst keeping the gameplay relatively the same. All youd need is to paint some murals over, and perhaps retheme the ride vehicle (but a smart man would pick a generic ride vehicle form, with perhaps a flat, round circle for a themed decal to be applied (easily replaced with something else later) - then all you'd have to do is paint them. Thirdly, remember, this is Dreamworld. We've seen their ongoing maintenance. We know they're pressed for cash. They don't have the money to build a state of the art animatronic shooter, and they certainly don't have the money to maintain them long term. I took my son on Big Red Car on the weekend, which - let's face it - is a dark ride shooter if you bring your own gun (and many parents wish they did). The attraction was built with sliding doors between each scene to preserve some of the magic \ surprise from room to room - these days, none of those doors operate. The animatronics aren't synced to the soundtrack, and are dirty. Every physically moving object missed its cue by at least 2 seconds - we thought they were broken until later they leapt to life trying to play catch up. Also - the onboard music in the car (which is supposed to keep the momentum going from room to room) starts too late, and then finishes too late, so that the next scene audio is drowned out by the vehicle audio. Finally - moving animatronics - such as the teapot in dorothy's room (last room) has its clearance envelope set too close for the mechanism, which has resulted in the spout of the teapot taking a constantly repeated bash to the lip of the teacup multiple times per car, resulting in a large white foam gash in the purple teapot that my two year old pointed out to me as 'broken'. Large Screens, with a basic game and a basic track suits dreamworld to a tee. Its all well and good to have your opinion on what you'd want to see put in, but it's important not to lose track of the big picture of what Dreamworld has proven to us time and time again on what they SHOULD put in that will be money well spent.

I was going to go to the effort of quoting you in the other thread, but i'm sure if a mod cares (they probably don't) they can move them all at once... i think first we need to work out where it's going. I know having one theme in an area has never stopped them (motorsport, tigers and trolls all in Ocean Parade), but let's try and get them back onboard... the obvious choice is to put something into Brock's garage. Totally suitable cross promotion to retheme the food outlet out the front, and really integrate it into ocean parade.. although - what's really ocean about it anymore... wipeout? shockwave and claw are tenuous links, and HWSW obviously has nothing to do with it anymore. So what do we theme it to then? I'm reminded of the organic development of the original soarin, where imagineers said 'we need to make people fly through the air' and then they set about designing a mechanism (literally with a meccano set) to make that concept work. I realise Dreamworld isn't going to be able to build something from scratch themselves (yes, i realise, no comment), but I guess rather than saying 'put in a sally corp motion base' and then going 'now what do we theme it to' - i'm saying come up with the theme, or the story first, and then see what available attraction systems there are that could fit that concept. There has long been discussion over whether you need IP or not. Some of Disney's biggest attractions stood on their own without an actual IP because they were just so well done (pirates, mansion) - that they themselves developed into movies. I think they could try to do something original, but their track record stinks... so I do think that they need to attach an IP, but it needs to be something flexible (think terminator \ apocalypse at SFMM) that can be changed out without destroying the attraction experience. They have a partnership of some description with Dreamworks. Despite the separation, I honestly think their best bet would be to put something into Brock's garage from the Dreamworks universe. Probably best to be hinged off a sequel to an existing successful franchise - don't bet the farm on an original story yet to prove itself - pick something already popular that is about to release another sequel (i'm thinking in the vein of Madagascar, but please not madagascar). There's opportunity to do similar to the Penguins \ Boat ride at USS - think LTRR within the scale of the brocks building. This however makes it incredibly hard to retheme should the Dreamworks contract lapse. Otherwise a shooter style attraction - ala Midway Mania rather than JL3D. not many answers, plenty more questions... but these are the guidelines i'd be keeping in mind, if i were calling the shots.

at the risk of being accused of backseat moderating this is quickly becoming an 'everything dreamworld megathread'. Wouldn't this be better off here?

The one thing you haven't indicated is the amount of time you have over there. If there's space \ time in the schedule, Another Disney day is never going to hurt, especially if it happens to be a busy day\days in the park. I definitely agree with picking the highlights to make sure you get them done, but I also recommend picking your path at Disney and working your way around, rather than hopping your way from one side to another. I can't remember the detail, but a study was done that suggested when everyone reaches the hub they naturally gravitate in one direction - I recommend going the other way (i wish i could remember which way it was, but i'm sure someone here remembers!). There's plenty of planners, guides, hints and tips, so best thing to do is have a google, and see which seems a best fit for you. Understanding your preference for lower thrill attractions, Magic Mountain probably isn't worth the hike, however, don't ignore some of the other parks (Like Knott's for example) if you have the time in your schedule. While you can watch fireworks from many hotels, +1 for catching it on main street \ the hub. +1 Don't miss Fantasmic if it's operating, paint the night is also pretty cool, and world of color if it's back up by then. With an 11 year old, there may the the eye-roll that some things are too childish - especially in fantasyland. By all means ignore the fantasyland flats if a carousel or dumbo is too 'kiddy' for you (they're still good though) but don't walk past the fantasyland dark rides - even if you only do them once. Toontown is still worth a look as well. Everything in Disney is suitable for all (most) ages, so unless you can see the full experience and make a call then, give it a try - at least once if you can. Enjoy!

It kinda makes sense for them to do the maintenance there. Back of house access to the ride is limited, so the driveway ( "observation area" ) access to the station leads to the carpark. It may be easier to do it right in front of the ride, than to transport the trains to the machine shop. Given the height of the ride, and the space it takes up, they are going to need some large machines just to do an inspection. My FB memories popped up yesterday that yesterday was the first ever test run of the train (thanks Parkz on FB!) so it does seem perfectly in line with 'every twelve months' It's quite plausible.

Sorry to derail, but just a point of interest on your example - The driver of a motor vehicle is responsible for ensuring that it is in a fit condition to operate prior to starting the car. So the reason the steering wheel fell off is more important than the fact that it did. Was it a manufacturing defect he couldn't possibly have detected before driving? or was it lack of inspection and maintenance that lead to the eventual component failure? On scene, if he was the guy who caused the accident, he would still be considered at fault, until forensic examination \ testing proved it was beyond his control (and even then from an insurance standpoint, unless the manufacturer is on the hook, he's still the one considered 'at fault'). Its why Car Wash places tell you to test your brakes when exiting the wash, to ensure that they are working before you pull back onto the road.

I wasn't suggesting it was possible to do both at the same time, I realise the space for FN would monopolise the available space beside the ride - i'm just saying - THERE'S SPACE BESIDE THE DAMN RIDE! I know they build those sheds and such out there, and really it was a smart move, but i'd have tried to work around it - see if i could fit it, or schedule the works to take place outside of FN period... Again, assuming this IS for scooby... Because i had a boring ten minutes, i thought i'd draw it up. *Disclaimer - i've never seen the sheds in use for FN. I don't know the amount of space that is required (obviously some for queueing). Given the amount of space sometimes had for queueing in the studios, i've left a buffer around the sheds, but i'm sure it COULD happen if necessary. Yellow is guest access areas. Green is 'available space' for works, construction and shipping containers. Beside this, in red, is an image (in the same scale) showing Rival's works area. Bear in mind that most of that space was part storage, so i've included the 'workshop' and assembly areas which include several shipping containers, site offices and facilities, plus some general worker parking spaces and a little extra 'open' storage space. The red isn't MUCH bigger than the green. That doesn't mean its the most practical, or that they should have done it my way, or any other argument in favour of doing it this way - all i'm trying to demonstrate is that IF it is for Scooby, they probably COULD have had most of it up beside the ride. They also have plenty of other land around, with back of house access to the ride, that they could store 'extra' stuff they're not using.

Yeah, but you wouldn't want a general operator to be able to do that. If the train wasn't parking regularly, then it's an issue that needs to be fixed. If we can just IGNORE a critical safety feature of the ride - the problem goes unreported, the workaround becomes commonplace, and the reasons for having the safety system in the first place become forgotten. If the ride required maintenance staff to override it every time, it'd quickly become and irritant they'd want to consider fixing.

Seems ridiculous. I know they've got fright nights coming up, but really, if that's for Scooby, its totally ass about considering all the space they have right beside the damn ride. quick check of PDonline reveals GCCC has upgraded their PDO system, and browsing is now a lot more difficult without knowing certain specifics. The change only occurred in June, so only affects lodged applications from that date onwards. Anyone interested in having a poke around - its Lot 6, SP118653

Not quite a contradiction IIRC... the memberships had three tiers, and only the top two had FN tickets. I'm assuming they're referencing the base tier when they say 'unlimited' memberships - which would be correct, and then of course premier and elite being the second two tiers that include it, they are listed separately. In later periods I don't think they sold the base level anymore, but when it was first released, they certainly did.

Even the old school Vekoma trains, which had manual foot levers at the rear of each carriage (think corkscrew, demon) had a sensor to check all the foot levers were in the right spot - a simple reflector mounted on the foot lever would bounce an IR beam back to a sensor. The PLC would count each sensor off as it left the station, and would e-stop the ride if one didn't appear within the time limit allowed. If no sensors appeared within a certain time limit of despatch it would also e-stop. Trains would simply halt on the lift hill. It is possible, in manual mode, for the train the despatch without the levers in the correct position, however with the old ratchet OTSRs (rather than hydraulic) there was no position sensor to detect whether the harness was down, and I have seen Demon despatch with all the levers up, and all the harnesses up too. (Due to the ratchet nature of the harness, when locked, they could still tighten, so a harness left all the way up could be pulled all the way down at any time during the ride although I guess this is the case with hydraulic locks too - just that they'd also have position sensors to report if they were up or down). Given the forces on demon, ejection was impossible anyway, and I have heard tell tales of maintenance workers playing chicken - to see who would be the last person to pull their harness down after despatch... and if the stories are true, one made it all the way...