DaptoFunlandGuy

Wait... the PAINT is fading on Aqualoop? It's a translucent tube - it's not paint, its the colour additive to the plastic. Not much can be done to that except UV stabilisation during manufacture. Hands down it still appears as it should, and not dull faded colours across the road at Coomera... I wasn't aware the trap door was having chronic problems, but if so then it should be fixed up. Other than that, I'd like to see them reinvent the area where the beach volleyball courts are (since it's rarely if ever used). Despite the park sprawling over a large area, they are quickly running out of places to put things. I guess it's too late now with the introduction of the Mini WNW Jr, but i'd have killed the current kids play area, and put up something new inside the ring of Calypso beach, thereby freeing up that area (and all that is behind it) for further expansion. Oh well.

"Let's all complain about a crappy store that sells crappy crystals and stupid hippy shit just because it used to be the HP store and they haven't done anything with it, but at least they've kept it open, and staffed." <park listens and brings the store into line with current park theming> "Let's all complain about them building a new store that stocks the same stuff as elsewhere in the park." <park decides it can't win. Calls every thing 'batman' to save on licensing costs. Batman fanboys criticise the park's choice of 'keaton' batman over 'clooney' batman.>

Dinosaurs have tents now?

For some reason I always walk into the queue at the same 'Jalapeno' moment when Scooby is bashing himself over the head with the metal tray, and leaving an indent of his face in it.

Dammit Pin thats how rumors get started. Would somebody tell those facebook groups that they're building a boat inside show stage? ...and the foreman's name is 'Noah' ?

The bucket funnel, the thomas face - I wonder if they can still mow the school oval while they drive around? Of course - the Checkerplate trailer just screams "train ride" to me. I do like the "grate" descriptions they've got too. Apart from the train, it seems like its a nice mobile carnival effort... just a shame the website wasn't given such attention!

^+1

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Wild! is unsuited to that area. They need to find a large open plain area where they can really do it justice. Now - that spot would be great for a coaster - it has a long footprint suitable for an out-and-back layout - or better. I know they have a height limit, but god damn a good hyper would be amazing on the skyline... run it all around the park... sadly I know the money isn't there, but a good quality coaster, that isn't a one-trick pony and has good re-rideability (and doesn't get you wet) would be a good fit. Yes they've already got two coasters, and as I've said before they could do with some flats... but flats could easily fit underneath a coaster with the right pre-planning. That side of the park would do well to be developed into a whole new land.... rides, an anchor attraction and concessions. maybe opening something on that side would give them the opportunity to redevelop one (or more) of their current food areas, or perhaps actually do something useful with Dockside. Only time will tell.

To be honest - when photos are posted on parkz, I look at them. External sites are generally inaccessible to me thanks to overprotective firewalls. And since I couldn't be bothered to pick up my phone and look it up that way... if they're not on Parkz, i'm not interested in looking. Just what we did need though - a facebook page for posting theme park photos and updates. Thats a niche market right there and you've filled it! Awesome job! On to serious topics - DW TV. Didn't they try that in Buzzsaw? Yep - I can see that lasting.

It doesn't really take up that much room. It depends on how they lay them out - Sea World had them laid out along a long pathway through bushes and trees. It certainly was better for it to be 'natural' as well as spread out so each animatronic had it's own 'space'... Plonking them down on a plot of grass would be quite boring.

^i've said that in the past Flea - I have a lot of faith in where he comes from... i'm just needling for detail...

That's a pretty strong prediction Matt - any sources or more info?

Dinosaur Island eh? that sounds familiar....

I've a feeling that there is more than one Bermuda alien on these boards... some of them in better condition than others...

Cooper - although I don't believe this plan is suggesting any changes to our own park, we have long discussed the need in our Sea World for a better balance on rides than current. Consider the non-animal line-up Sea World has right now: Flume Coaster Water CoasterFlume (Battle) Boat ride Play structures Kiddie Area For these purposes i'm not considering transport rides. Now consider the animal attractions: Shark Bay, incorporating 4 different 'hands on' experiences: Reef Snorkel Touch Pools Shark Encounter Scuba Glass Bottom Boat Polar Bear Shores Polar Bear Pre-School Ray Reef (including ray feeding) Seal Sea Lion enclosure Penguin Enclosure ANOTHER penguin enclosure Fish (feeding near the bridge) Seal Sea Lion Show Dolphin Nursery Dolphin Show Dolphin Encounters (deep water shallow water) Trainer for a day I'm kind of torn in relation to the Cinema... it doesn't have animals, but it's about animals... Sea World San Diego has an attraction in this category (for me) which is a motionbase simulator, that takes you on a journey to the arctic Antarctic, after which you are deposited in the middle of their 'polar' exhibits including bears, penguins etc. SO in my opinion, there are 4 rides an adult is going to ride - 3 of which are water rides... sucks in winter. I could see our Sea World going down the line of broadening the animal exhibits - but they have no more room for a major enclosure (short of the 'wild' space), and any major enclosure is going to require too much back of house filtration equipment for the space they have. They could enter into a partnership like other zoos and take on some of the animals they have in the American Sea World parks - like Otters etc. Orcas are definitely out, no matter how much anyone may want them, Blackfish has put the kybosh on that ever happening anywhere. All that said, I actually found San Diego to have a VERY nice balance between animals and rides... so while I can't speak for Orlando or Texas, I don't think its a fair comment to say they are all too heavy on rides.

^it certainly does look it, but not quite. If in fact it is, Atari's attention to detail has slipped dramatically. That looks like a double-decker carousel, but with teacups. There wouldn't be a counter-rotation inside the ride-base. What an exciting announcement - Suddenly - everyone's interest is piqued once again... I'll just wait and see what Joz can do with it.

Sorry are we talking about the same film - Rollercoaster - 1977 starring George Segal (most known for his portrayal of Jack Gallo in 'Just Shoot Me'), and not starring, featuring or even crediting Steve Guttenberg? (who played an unnamed, unimportant and most of all uncredited messenger?) You're shooting down an entire film (which was actually fantastic for its day) because of an extra who later became someone?

We finished off with the non swinging seats on Mickeys fun wheel. I do wonder why they went to the expense of building it below water level? My first thought was probably a height restriction in OC, but then my brain when 'duh... this is Disney'... my next thought is probably the aesthetics - they wanted the fun wheel, and they wanted screamin, but at level, Cal Screamin would be not even half the height of the wheel. Looking at some of my pics from different angles, the wheel has a nice balance in comparison with the other rides surrounding it - it doesn't dwarf anything nor does it seem too big. Probably not a big consideration but because the loading area is ramped at each end, if they had built it on the same level as the rest of the park, the loading ramps would be a couple metres above that... I'm sure someone else has wondered the reason - time for some googling!

reverse the train backwards and relaunch as a new ride...

Admittedly though, Vekoma SLCs aren't exactly regarded nicely no matter how well maintained they are - although the Arkham train has certainly softened it up a little. Onwards with a different off-topic topic - didn't think we needed another 5 post thread... Jokers Jinx at SFA in Maryland has had a high-sided stall... http://www.news.com.au/world/roller-coaster-the-jokers-jinx-at-six-flags-america-maryland-is-stuck-with-24-people-on-board/story-fndir2ev-1227020036768 Roller coaster The Joker’s Jinx at Six Flags America, Maryland is stuck with 24 people on board 24 minutes ago August 11, 2014 7:52AM Roller coaster Joker's Jinx stuck at Six Flags in Marylands. Photo: Twitter @Fox29philly MyFoxPhilly Source: Supplied AUTHORITIES say a roller coaster carrying 24 people has become stuck near the top of the ride and fire officials are trying to rescue them at Six Flags America in Maryland. Prince George’s County Fire officials were called to The Joker’s Jinx roller coaster at the park just before 2:30pm Sunday. No injuries have been reported. Assistant Fire Chief Paul Gomez says the riders are sitting upright near the top of the ride. He says it will likely take a few hours to get them down. It’s not clear what caused the ride to get stuck. Telephone and email messages left for a Six Flags spokeswoman were not immediately returned. Six Flags’ website says the ride goes 96.5km per hour and turns upside down four times. There are more pictures at the above link.

I wouldn't say bad - for it's day the special effects were incredible.

Wedgie may be a term coined by americans, it also fits with the Australian surf culture (and is apt to the ride). As Richard said, it wasn't 'Aussie' themed, it was 'Aussie Beach' themed, hence the giant thongs, blue ringed octopus, the rip, they're all tied into something to do with the Australian Surf.

But then they'd shortsightedly lose their Q4u revenue! Even if they increased percap across the park, they'd only focus on the fact that they were losing Q4U money. I don't think DW is quite ready for a free fastpass system - the rides they have don't lend well to a limited number of paid jumpers, let alone an every-body free-for-all. I agree the Disney system led me to spend money i wouldn't have if i were queueing. We didn't always get one pass and then re-queue for another - sometimes we shopped while waiting for our ride... so there is merit in the system, but the catch is that Disney's people munching mega-rides - rides that dont stop like the omnimover system are capable of letting an extra 4-8 people in every few minutes. Nobody in the queue notices... can you imagine letting 4-8 people in every few minutes on ToT? Or GD? thats pretty well the entire ride vehicle. They need rides capable of supporting a 4-8 person 'blip' before they could introduce something like that. They don't NEED a transfer track - they could mount a second train on the track and adapt the PLC programming to allow for it fairly easily - but it would mean that for 10 months of the year, they're wearing out two sets of wheels and bearings instead of one. Two trains running doesn't halve your usage, because there are the inevitable 'empty cycles' they would have to run to send one train out so they could unload the other. Many possibilities, many ways to cut corners, but at the end of the day - not going to happen.

Nothing more Aussie than beach surf life savers - Red and Yellow, on a sandy coloured beach... those colours fit... (I don't agree that it is Maroon - it looks a solid red to me). Triple Vortex as a name has me at a loss however. Nobody thought that through.

It will never happen - Dreamworld needs to be able to park the train out of the way so that they only run 1 train during busy periods. Two train operation only occurs when there is a film crew in the park, or a special media event. Without a transfer track, it's a very difficult process to put a train on just for a media day... plus - where would they store it? Seriously though - its a great idea (and anyone who doesn't want to ride kumbak still has the option not to) but from a dreamworld perspective - this would only add to their maintenance costs (two trains instead of one) without any real payoff for them except increased efficiency capacity. not going to happen.