DaptoFunlandGuy

Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh You were talking about the VIP passes... that makes a lot more sense. Since the entire discussion (bar one line where someone said 'vip passes are still sold at $xx') has been about the 'new' pass structures, it really wasn't clear what you were referring to.

As has been mentioned elsewhere, in the past where you've exceeded your time they unlock using an admin key and then you either pay or they escort you to the shop to pay. You can't access your locker after the timelimit. In addition, where queue times have exceeded the locker times, they've generally extended the locker hire time free of charge.

Maybe this is why they've said they're removing the tunnels?

Pretty soon, the cages will be getting on in years.

The more generic signage lends credence to the suggestion that the stage will be multi-purpose...

Yeah - getting an idea of the kind of things you enjoy will help guide the advice you get. If you've been to other parks overseas, what did\do you like\enjoy and what aren't you a fan of? If you haven't been OS before, what do you like \ not like about our local parks? Beverly Hills isn't really super ideal for the LA run, but I guess if you've got decent access to transport - your own car etc, then not a big deal. Without exploring any of the other factors, for me, I would suggest Disneyland is still worth the visit even if you are going to WDW too. Disneyland is the original, and there are many little touches there that aren't present in the later versions. There's a sense of history there - walking the streets that Walt walked. There are also attractions that are unique to both sides of the US - and of course DCA has its uniqueness as well. Sadly Star Wars Land is slated for a 2019 opening Depending on what appeals to you, don't pass up an opportunity to visit a Six Flags park. Magic Mountain is usually the first suggestion for an LA based trip. Typically for the coaster junkie, given the park has the record for the most coasters in a park, and there's truly an offering there for everyone (except maybe Pushbutton). San Diego can also be worth the trip for Sea World if that appeals to you (noting that SeaWorld definitely has more rides and attractions than Sea World. Since you'll be so close though, don't pass up Knott's. It's how I wish Dreamworld could be (within budget constraints), and it truly has some very unique aspects that make it well worth the trip. Don't Miss \ Must See \ Do (my opinion only): I can't help you with Florida - its still on my wish list, but for LA: Knotts - catch Mystery Lodge. Ride the steam train and horse stagecoach. Ghostrider, Silver Bullet, Xcelerator, Montezooma - well, all the coasters really - while some aren't the newest technology, each has it's own little place. Sadly you've missed out on Boomerang which closed this year (bucket of shit though they may be, the V. Boomerang is special for me). Universal - Jurassic and Mummy, don't miss Animal Actors or the Special Effects show, and of course the backlot tour. Disney - Space, Splash, Mansion, Pirates, Big Thunder and Indy - for me, in that order (if they're open). Aim to catch Fantasmic, and the fireworks if you can. DCA - Not sure whats happening with the park at the moment - haven't kept up to date but I know theres a huge reno going on. Again, if open - Cal Screamin', Midway Mania, Soarin' and of course World of Color. SFMM - Revolution for me is a classic, but i think more because its one of the most featured coasters in film rather than for any ride quality. Still a classic though. X2 is completely unmissable, and with the array of coaster styles in the park, you've got to try each one - Tatsu is my number one there, and Riddler's for the unique stand up position, and of course the classic twist on Colossus.

Which is precisely the way it should be, and therefore, completely not a surprise.

^thats how a fast track should be... unless it's free for all the way Disney manages it - it should be sufficiently priced that only those who REALLY want to use it will. i dropped over $300 on platinum flash passes at SFMM because we went on a saturday, and it was our only day there. That's how these sorts of products should be managed.

I bet you're wrong. Whilst they've done this in the past, the passes that were discounted always expired on June 30. These passes are 12 months from purchase, so the value of the pass is not diminished by the season or period in which it is purchased.

As they do now for people that exceed the wait time, they permit them to open the locker and escort them to the nearest shop to pay for it. But that said, if the queue exceeds an hour, I would assume (and i think it's been the case in the past) that they override the locker time.

I think you've missed the naming intention Push. Think about how there are 'many rings' but only http://feoamante.com/Movies/LOTR/images/Fellow_ship/LOTRFrodo300_01.jpg

That's the whole point though, isn't it? We've screamed for years (pretty much since the year after the 2008 Q150 Pass) that the passes were too cheap. We've also bitched about superman locker prices, and that Rivals wasn't included in the fast track. These are a whole heap of enthusiast level complaints all resolved in one fell swoop. They shouldn't need to offer more inclusions to increase the price. The price hasn't gone up (more or less) in 10 years - since the $99 Q150 pass. It was high time they upped the pricing, without offering more - and in fact, offering less, by not including FN, but still offering freebies to the lesser-attended nights serves to keep crowds controlled on busy ones, whilst encouraging more in park spend on the quieter events. Locals aren't likely to visit regularly if passes are too expensive. In your off season, a family stopping by after school for a few quick rides and a slushee is more dollars in your pocket than if you excluded them with higher pricing. No way you could enforce the 'costing more' option - you'd simply get people buying the regular priced one if that was the case - to get the discount, locals have to show proof of residence - it doesn't work the other way around. Locals need another reason to visit often. By pricing their local level passes at a price where a few visits 'pays it off' the psychology there is that it's a free day out for the family on a regular basis - and that often leads to increased per cap spend in-park by those who psycologically feel like it's free entry. I'm trying to, but the glare is just too much.

I love that they've increased, but I do hope they recognise the loyalty of those who took out the memberships, and allow them to continue.

True, but how many of them are open?

technically, all seats on Rivals are ejector.

Ahhh, but some DO have ejector seats... (1:24 for the video)

Sea World themselves posted Paw Patrol the other day on facebook. I think there was a suggestion the stage would be multipurpose...

This got me thinking of the Edge cinema at Katoomba. Seems they've rebranded as 'united' cinemas, and they still have their IMAX screen, but doesn't appear they do any larger format movies - it's just a run of the mill cinema that happens to have a huge screen (they refer to it as their large 'Imax style' screen. It was the first IMAX movie I saw - part of a school excursion to Katoomba, where they were showing 'Wild Australia - The Edge'

^You seem to have upped your game on critiquing certain park elements lately. I wonder why... I'll answer it though - yes, i think that they need to start looking at improving it. At present its a static display, and whilst 'wow' to first timers, it gets old quickly. Ideally i'd see it upgraded to intelligent RGB pixel lighting, and have it sequenced programmed - particular sequencing for parade songs, and at other times, general mood lighting that alters and changes. I saw a company the other day post about their christmas tree in Melbourne. it was a knockout. Imagine what MW could do with that sort of technology...

So based on your extensive research and observations at one high school about golf. That's all I needed to know.

I'm going to call bullshit without source. I can't imagine you'd have that deep a contact with Dreamworks... but i'm open to being wrong. As for RHLR - a mesh cage fence on top of each log? There's a sure fire way to drown people in case of incident. I call 0% chance of this being true.

I didn't say 'what is stigma' i said 'what "stigma"'. You suggested there is a stigma around golf and driving ranges. I'm asking what that stigma is. For example - theme parks in Australia are unlikely to construct river rapids rides after the stigma left by the TRRR accident... Has there been a series of deaths linked to playing golf (outside of Caddyshack) ? Whats the actual issue with golf \ driving ranges?

What 'stigma'?

^That was in 1990s dollars. Given the current price ranges of annual passes, having a late night entry pass for much more than $5 would be hard to argue, but it would be necessary to stay open for the additional hours. If they could offer street food vans, some atmosphere \ music, and add some skill games (appropriately themed and priced) and i think they'd be on a winner... free for those who spend the day in the park (pay per use consumption for f&b and other special activities) but charge ~$20 for those who enter after 4 (including passholders?) and you'd do alright.

Interesting. I wonder how many people will try to ride Wipeout on Christmas day? I think you'll find the dates shown on the Dreamworld website are closure 'inclusive' dates - meaning the end date shown is the last date it is planned to be closed, not the first day it reopens.