DaptoFunlandGuy

I didn't suggest it was a legal thing as I couldn't be sure without doing any research where the particular requirement lay, however since you mention it - it's number one on the code of ethics held by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance... "Do your utmost to give a fair opportunity for reply"; of which most media outlets and journalists belong. That said, the ACMA administers the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice, and handles complaints in line with the Broadcasting Services Act of 1992. Section 4 in particular of the CoP refers to news and current affairs, and ensures news and current affair programs are presented accurately, fairly, and impartially. It would not be a difficult argument to make that the program was not fair or impartial if they make no effort to allow the 'other party' the right of reply... The CoP also requires that the network 'broadcast factual material accurately and represent viewpoints fairly" Although not law, the CoP are developed under the direction of Sec123 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. Sec128 gives parliament the power to amend the codes of practice developed under Sec123. It may not be law... but I doubt many broadcasters would flout the codes of practice as it would seem there is a lot of regulatory and government backing behind those codes that it wouldn't end prettily.

Unfortunately, as of last night - all Nearmaps are still stuck in April somewhere - so no new aerial shots available to compare. Given the shot of the frog hopper earlier in this discussion though, it looks like it's taking up a fair chunk of rivertown, so i don't think there'd be any room for the V8 attraction, and even if there was, i doubt they'd fit much. As for the area around Cyclone - to be honest, the 'under ride' area of Cyclone is perfect - the elevated nature of the custom ride leaves heaps of 'back of house' space they could definitely utilise for other things...

"oxymoron" The ride experience is the same, with the exception of the riding position. "get in, sit down, spin around until centrifugal force ensures you're firmly held in place, elevate to near-vertical angle, return to horizontal position, stop spinning." "get in, remain standing, spin around until centrifugal force ensures you're firmly held in place, elevate to near-vertical angle, return to horizontal position, stop spinning." So, in a sense, they're completely different rides, and in a sense, they're completely identical rides. #makessense

I couldn't cite you the specifics, but media outlets are required to contact the 'other party' involved in pieces like this. It's why you'll always see at the end of a news.com article where it says "News.com.au contacted XXXX for comment, but no calls were returned this afternoon" or something like that. Essentially they have to give the target of the story the right of reply. Some organisations just keep their mouth shut and weather the storm as media bluster, and others will come out all guns blazing. Unfortunately any comment given to the media can be then used out of context - which is why many won't comment without a prepared statement. Storm is in the gold coast bulletin every few days because the ride system stalls - probably just a dicky sensor that keeps getting wet or something, but apparently this is 'dangerous' because people have to get evacuated.

Yeah I believe the March 2010 date was due to the seat breaking off, which was apparently due to a weld that received too much vibration during operation and failed. the new trains dont have that weld - it's a solid piece. I believe it technically opened, ran for about a week, then closed due to the seat issue.

^^ that latest artwork is making the monster eye appear more cartoonish and less scary... it's starting to look like it's oscar the friendly alligator* rather than any monster... the earlier teaser art was much 'darker' in it's tone... (*does not actually exist)

Isn't most of that being taken up by ABC Kids World?

See... here in Australia - as soon as it's warm enough to take your jacket off, and walk around in singlet and shorts - we're cooking outside. we're eating outside. Stuffed if i know why because we all know thats where the flies are... but we've developed ingenous inventions to assist with this. We put on a marvellous spread of food - salads, charred and burned cow, sheep and chook, lay it out on the table, and then cover it with a fine mesh - so the flies can only reach the topmost part of the food (and everyone scoops the potato salad from the bottom)We attach corks to broad brim hats by a string and sell them to tourists, laughingly promising that they'll keep the flies off.The poorly planned outdoor BBQ - without nets - involves making a sacrifice to the fly-gods - you must place the juciest, fattiest bit of meat in the middle of the table - where it will attract flies and act as a decoy for what is on your plate.We use sayings like 'avagoodweekend' - because it's the 1970's slogan for insect repellent.Our kids learn to close the door when coming into the house - usually because every adult within sight of the door will scream out "CLOSETHEDOORYOU'RELETTINGALLTHEFLIESIN!!!" whilst watching the boxing day test in air conditioned comfort.My point is - Australia = Flies. Especially when it's hot, even more especially when it's dry. You don't think for one moment that a tourist destination website is going to tell you about all the things they have that will annoy you or kill you do you? Did the hotel's website inform you of the various snakes present in the red centre that could kill you? Probably not - because that is bad for business. Instead they talk about the towering ghost gums and flowering native shrubs... Granted - selling fly nets in the hotel lobby would be GOOD for business... but hey - they're operating a tourist spot in one of the most remote places in the world... they obviously aren't that bright.

Yes you're the only one. Considering the article posted by Jobe actually points out that the UFO previously in LPS was a sucessor to the enterprise... i don't think the park wants to be going backwards in time. And LPS should NEVER get a Zacspin. that is all.

Yeah - that's what happens when Journo's 'update' their stories without "re-proofing" them: I'm betting pre-existing condition - probably heart or head. Park is not at fault. 'L.A. Times analysis of theme park injuries is ground breaking stuff.... who would have thought dizzyness and nausea would be the number one complaint, followed by neck and back pain? Whilst i'm sure Revolution is not 'responsible' for this child's death, I envisage SFMM may look to remove or refurb it soon... it's pushing 40 years old... It may not be the oldest steel coaster in the world... but it is starting to feel like it!

Well... ​ ​ Considering that was all the vibe at the start of May (original announcement looks to have been 19th April), i'd say we're sticking with a September holidays opening - doesn't appear to have been any further news or changes to that in the past 6 weeks... It's been around 2 months since the announcement, but we are still around 3 months away from the 'deadline'... I'd say any delay or change to circumstances will come much closer to the 'September' date, and probably only if weather or other adverse effects occur to delay it.

Skeet - I think Santa's point is a refurb of Cyclone to include the museum wouldn't really be a 'new' attraction... it'd just be a really elaborately themed queueline for Cyclone..

In total? 34 months... 12 months from March 2010 after opening, and another 22 months after closing for redesign in 2013.

There's a motorsport AREA now? wait.... found it:

I understand where Reanimated is coming from, but I don't think it's as simple as 'defending it because its in your backyard'. I HAVE read every word of the report, and I found it extremely well written, conveyed the writer's point of view clearly but still allowed for the fact that it was OPINION and even though they had had enough (I stop short of saying a 'horrible time' because whilst there were many downsides it was still by all accounts a good trip - just a good trip that cost way too much to still be considered good). Yes it seems like there may have been a lack of planning in some respects - but it's very hard to plan things like that from across the globe, unless you book a very overpriced underwhelming tour that keeps you occupied. A DIY tour - which Richard and Megan obviously do a lot of - can be very good because you can run at your own pace, and not waste time or not have enough time at places you want to be at... but it does have it's downsides because you're planning it yourself and not using the local knowledge to guide you. My recent trip to HK had all the park days planned out, including how to get to where we had to be, but everything non-park that we did wasn't planned until the night before, or the morning of... which meant some things cost us more, took longer, or didn't work out as well as if we'd planned it ahead of time and prebooked... but that turned out to be a blessing as we could wake up, and decide 'yeah I don't really want to do the 21km walk through the hills of hong kong island after 3 successive days walking theme parks - let's have a lazy day... I guess my point is - Reanimated has clearly been there too, and had a different experience, and felt compelled to offer his alternate point of view to show that there is more than one side to the experience. My grandparents have literally just left Uluru and Kata Tjuta national park this morning, and they described it as magical. They are caravanning - so fully self contained - and this likely led to a very different experience. Reanimated made one point that I had thought to make after reading Megan's report, but I decided not to - now that he has said it I feel compelled to back him up - The criticisms of the traditional owners being contradicting - saying 'don't climb' and 'use care if you climb' - he's absolutely right. Climbing tours of the Rock had existed for a long time - before the park was 'handed back' to the traditional owners. The previous operators installed the handrailings, and 'cut' the walking track to the top. It's been done for decades. It is a very unique experience - especially as there is very little surrounding it - the view allows you to see for miles. It is (as megan rightly points out) a very important income generator... And I think that their passive "you can, but we'd rather you didn't" keeps the harmony... those that absolutely insist on climbing despite the wishes of the tribal owners may do so under certain conditions, but others who may read and understand it is preferred that you don't climb... won't... and I think that's much better for them to do\say than for them simply to close the climb - which would probably lead to other people making their own path elsewhere and damaging the rock further than it is already... It reminds me of a cruise I went on to Lifou island in the south pacific - we went snorkelling in an open lagoon, but spaces were limited to 50 people per session to minimise damage to the corals. Previous to this, it used to be open slather - and the damage and degradation to the corals from that previous use was clear to see - however if they banned usage entirely - it would only send tourists to other spots, or tempt them to do it anyway.

Only issue is the DA process for future construction does get opened up to resident submissions prior to approval... so they have that to look forward to...

I mean this with good humour, and I hope you do not take offence... but i wish you both well, and hope for your sake he isn't Nigerian Royalty...

It's about what I expected to read when I clicked on the link. Good to hear he praises Alton for their care of him and his family... a bit crass to say 'they said i don't have to sue to get a settlement from them' though... Clearly he's not in that much pain to be making those sorts of comments (although the Media probably probed in that direction anyway)... That said - he's obviously very angry that they 'didn't know there was a car stuck on the track'... his question ironically placed below this photo "how could they not have spotted a great big train painted yellow and black..." - yes - how could they miss a yellow and black train - amongst all that yellow and black?

*big middle finger to the residents* Hopefully, they expend a lot of money fighting in court, and lose... and have to move. *dare to dream*

That's not really that uncommon. testing and investigation on things like metal fatigue and testing all other parts can take time. Of course it's totally different - but have a look at how long it took the forensic labs to release Daniel Morcombe's remains...

I think we all would agree with you Razza - but WHEN did you last see it...? I think if you saw it in it's last few weeks, you'd feel the same as many of us - that it was time to go...

​This sounds like a great idea. What they need is a continuous load system - but they will need room for the wheelhouse AND storage for all the gondolas when it is not operating. Ocean Park's skyway was truly an effort in efficiency... But where to put it? Looking at an overhead, unless they put the rear stationhouse somewhere around the old Viper site (which would then rule out anything large on that site in the future) - i can't see where it could fit?!?!

​Ahem...

^Precisely. Obviously, that photo - with 3 major attractions pretty well filling the board, it's a hard ask - but clearly they're doing their best to bring things online - judging by the comments that Scooby was opened later and ran for the second half of the day... Arkham is scheduled, Green Lantern is unavoidable - so scooby is the only issue here, and clearly they worked hard on bringing it back online as soon as they could. These sorts of unplanned outages occur from time to time - something just decides one day it's not going to work - it fails it's morning inspection, so the park doesn't open it. Clearly what the general public wants is for us to ignore the morning inspection results, and open everything. Perhaps those people complaining on the news article would like to be the first people to test ride Green Lantern tomorrow in a special premiere test live on Sunrise?

As you say - if you carry most of it around your tummy, you may be ok. I've visited parks with friends who carried most around the midsection, and were able to 'lift' up, lock the bar in and then relax over the top on rides with lapbars like Scooby. Every ride is going to be different - and depend on where you're carrying it. Silver Bullet at Knott's for example is unforgiving to those with a wide backside, but perfectly ok for those with a big tummy... I say - go on a quieter day when an operator is more inclined to spend a little extra time trying to see if they can make it work, and give everything a go... you never know...