DaptoFunlandGuy

Hasn't the prayer room been relocated over the years? I'm certain i've seen it located both to the rear of Rick's, as well as in the former blazing saddles arcade...

I don't think there is any harm in SeaWorld parks emphasizing the work that they do in their attractions. In the past, they haven't put as strong a message behind them as our Sea World does. I guess it doesn't help when their branding \ logo on the image says SeaWorld Entertainment but hey - its a step forward.

You're right - it is off topic... i'm pretty sure there is a topic that discussed Mystery Manor somewhere... if only there was a search function...

when you consider the price of a burger, chips and a drink, if you're expecting charcoal grilled chicken and a beer for less than $30 - you're gonna have a bad time.

Gold Coast Highway: two lanes across the bridge prior to Waterways Dr.Northbound, 2 lanes between marine parade and smith st (and further north)Southbound, 2 lanes between smith street and queen st (right before the bridge) for about 300 metres onlySmith Street: 2 lanes both directions between GC HWY and Scarborough StreetThere are various '2 lane pockets' where lanes are closing, become turning lanes, reopening a few hundred metres down the road.Smith Street still sucks - most Mexicans will tell you that QLD'ers can't merge - and here we have a "motorway" arterial road that constantly merges into and out of 2 lanes. This info taken directly from nearmap sat maps updated 1 September. I doubt the lanes have changed too much since then, given the speed of roadworks... especially since there is a distinct absence of roadworks going on in the photos.

I'm sure we've all had enough GC experiences to help out anyone inexperienced. As far as getting to MW, DW, WnW and WWW - you don't need to be closer to them necessarily - just not in the choke point that is the Smith Street Motorway, gold coast highway (from smith st towards Sea World) and down to Cavill Ave. I have previously gone from Turtle Beach Resort to Wet N Wild in summer holidays, during rush hour faster than i've gotten from Sea World Resort to Movie World in September holidays. Check them out on a map and you see why thats impressive. There are many resorts that are close to the beach, great amenities etc on the south side of the strip. Look for anywhere where the best route to the other parks doesn't pass through Smith Street, or has an alternative that doesn't use that section of the GC Highway. If you're hiring a car, and looking to stay in nice accommodation - check out Turtle Beach Resort. The kids will love the pools and games areas, and they have an AWESOME woodfire pizza restaurant on site - plus plenty of food options nearby. (Plus the south end is generally a bit quieter). I've stayed there during Schoolies Week and you'd never have known it was on.

The best thing with Jetstar is you can choose your inclusions - so if you're happy to bring along a book and a snack for what is less than 2 hours flight, you can save on things like on board entertainment and meals... and if you're only going for a few days, you can condense your baggage into a few smaller ones to save baggage costs - beware though - know what you'll carry, and stay under it - if you go over, the fees for excess baggage at the terminal are far more than they are pre-paid. Tiger isn't bad if you're only after the best price, but you MUST make sure you read all the fine print, and follow all the rules. Arrive WAYYYYYYY early for flights and stick strictly to the baggage limits. If price is the motivator - Tiger will always win, you just have to follow their rules!

turbine had a cow on top of itfans within the queue ramps all blew air in the same direction - supposedly the cycloneshaking floor still exists on the internal queue line area - just a floor mounted on springs - similar to the one in the ToT queue - which I think was the circular room you refer to.That's all i can remember - i'm sure others can offer more.

^that's the spirit! Be sure to look at all the airlines, but also consider all their policies... Tiger will generally be the cheapest, but their policies are strict, and if you are late to check in (even if it's their fault) you'll forfeit your fare. Jetstar is a little better, followed by Virgin, and then Qantas. The service, the inclusions and the perks improve as you go up the chain - but if you just want to get from A-B, Jetstar is probably a happy medium.

Sea World Resort shares a border, and has it's own gate into the Sea World theme park. If you visited California Adventure - it's sort of like the Grand Californian Hotel - it opens right into the park. Staying at SWR also comes with a few little perks depending on your package - including an early morning dolphin talk \ demonstration \ display before park hours. There's also less people entering the park from the resort side, so it's quicker to get in if you're headed straight for the rides. The pools and water play areas might be enough for the kids to keep them occupied - and don't forget the resort's water park. I find the resort to be very convenient for a beachside\parkside getaway, but it really is INconvenient to get to the other four - Dreamworld, WhiteWaterWorld, Movie World and Wet n Wild and on the highway towards Brisbane - at least a 20 minute drive, and usually much worse than that, especially with traffic. The park does have a travel desk though, where you can book bus\coaches that take that hassle out of the equation. Be mindful that dining at the resort can be costly - especially on seafood nights, so dinner is sometimes better planned down on the surfer's strip (so long as you can get a carpark when you return - or take a taxi!) There are some really good points about staying at SWR - especially with families, but there are also a few bad points too... it just depends on what you consider to be important.

I live in Brisbane. 100kms isn't a long distance. I drive 140kms just to go to Costco... I guess the point is it is far easier, much quicker, and probably cheaper to fly to your preferred spot on the reef, than spend two days driving up there. Bundy would offer a good all-round spot, whilst not being absurdly far away - but its still far quicker to fly there.

Where a park has a permanent, full time parking attendant crew, who are trained for, and do their job every day - no. Where a park uses staff trained in making hotdogs, selling flashy crap and operating rides to stand in front of moving vehicles at night with no prior training - then I should think so. If a staff member directs a car in any way, and that car has a collision as a result - that employee is liable for the damage. We train traffic control in the SES and believe me there is a lot more to it than people think.

Nah - i'm boycotting AussieWorld, because they're similar to Six Flags Magic Mountain - which was in a movie I saw, and didn't like.

TBH the ride for me was a bit of a white elephant. it lacked the capacity for it to be considered a transport ride, so it therefore ended up being just a vantage point you had to wait a long time for. I'm sad to see them leave the skyline for my own sentimental reasons, but really - it was the right decision all round. For a park that is so hampered by it's own geography - they need to cut the fat wherever they can. Sure - they've lost a lot of solid attractions in a short space of time - but I don't think anyone can fault their maintenance crew for that - it was just getting on in years all round. The park is due for a refresh, and I think NL is going to be the start of that. The park now needs to start planning it's next blockbuster - and given there is no longer any need to consider the cable car envelope slicing straight through the centre of the park, they may well be able to get more creative with any layouts they come up with...

Considering the price of food at every other major food outlet in every park on the GC, i think $20 is perfectly reasonable for a sit-down dining area, with the location and views it offers, not to mention the brand new fit out. Gosh, who'd have thought - another discussion where Push gets it wrong. Im going to make what will probably be viewed as a very unpopular opinion - but personally I feel like anyone who says 'blah blah price blah blah that's why I don't eat at the parks' is an asshole - especially if that asshole has an annual pass. You get in for next to nothing per day, and you can't spring a little extra to actually enjoy what the park is made to do? Suspend everyday? Ok fine - if you're park hopping, or just dropping in - thats different. But if you're there for the day - eat there. Don't pass out halfway through to go across the road to McDonalds... geezus... and people wonder why the parks aren't building new attractions! Of course - if that statement is 'blah blah quality blah blah' - thats a different story - but i think all of the parks have been upping their game in that department of late.... THIS is what is wrong with the current pricing structure for the parks - they've conditioned everybody to expect so much for so little.

Strop is right on the money - the drive times seem a bit ambitious. You're covering in excess of 1800kms - something that would take almost 20 hours non stop - and thats not counting lone pine, wheel, and any further trips down to the GC. Somethings to ask: Are there specific reasons you want to go to Bundaberg, Airlie Beach, Rockhampton? The reason I ask is you seem to be spending almost zero time in Bundaberg and Rockhampton, and they appear to be waypoints on your way to Airlie. What's the attraction there, as there may be alternatives that are far closer. You may also want to fly domestic - as you'll save loads of time and have more time for the fun activities. What are your 'must do' activities? So far i see a reef cruise, lone pine, the wheel, and presumably - parks. Is there anything else you want to do? Perhaps have a chance to rest?

Not that simple. Although the carpark is not a public road, MW would be lynched for throwing hi-vis onto some staff members to direct traffic. Professionally qualified traffic controllers are whats needed - and they are not cheap.

surviving an incident is being hit by a bus and rushed to hospital, intensive care for 6 months and walking again. surviving an incident is surfing at main beach and being yanked under by a great white, a great slash down your leg, punching it in the nose and swimming to shore. surviving an incident is riding a rollercoaster car that derails, tumbles two storeys onto the ground, fracturing your cervical spine and spending 8 weeks in traction Yes - the event could have been MUCH worse. We ALL appreciate just how close to tragedy this incident came - but it didn't - and at worst - these people survived a little sunburn, dehydration and stress. Surviving the incident? please.

Rubber probably isn't a good idea for people who have just gotten out of a water ride. Rubber tends not to grip so well when wet. If the reason for the concrete path is vehicle usage, then AW needs to consider the comfort of their guests a bit more closely and build an alternative. Probably can't put shade structures over it if it is used by maintenance vehicles - height limits would cause problems. WnW has the astro-turf\carpeting around the wave pool. everywhere else does tend to sear your feet medium rare. Some areas are paved (throw back to the 80's) and the paved areas can be cooler than bare concrete - but mostly the "busy-ness" of the park means you can usually just walk in the puddles left by others. WWW uses light coloured concrete, and it still can burn on hot days, although for some reason my recollection of the park suggests this wasn't as bad of an issue as WnW was.

I can.

...like thousands of other bolts that somehow miraculously hold every day. I think 'surviving the incident' is inflammatory. she did... but then i survived the trip to work this morning. What part of 'the state government cleared the park to rebuild the ride' didn't she understand? So that answers a few questions: there will be a written reportthe cause was a bolted joint - which has been redesigned (which suggests there may not be much fault in the hands of the park)The park is not simply trusting the manufacturer, but having the new design thoroughly independently tested.How anyone can whine that the park is planning to reopen a multi million dollar attraction that hasn't killed anyone, hasn't injured anyone, after a thorough investigation, independent testing and verification (and as has been said before - the lawyers and insurance companies for VRTP, S&S would clearly be satisfied) is beyond me. Wonderful cutting edge journalism from the GC Bullet-in-the-head.

I had my doubts about the new resurfacing, but on Mark's reports, it was better than what was there previously. Realistically the only surface that won't be hot in full sun is what WnW have around the wave pool - astro-turf\green carpet. Concrete is a stone based material. restaurants use stone to cook meat... so any type of conrete path isn't going to be pleasant.

if they return to the interior, they need to enclose the top, and air condition it. fans aren't enough in a brutal QLD summer with no external airflow. I doubt they have time to do anything with it though, and given it's age, probably isn't worth it (look at Viper). I do hope they do something with it to change the look though.