DaptoFunlandGuy

Someone (probably Gazza) posted a youtube video a while ago of a coaster that had a rollover switch for dueling stations... can't find it for the life of me. A quick google brings up many sites that describe how expedition everest works, but to try and put it simply: imagine the one "spine" of the track. On the top is a set of rails (or in the monorail's case - A rail) that goes in one configuration - eg completing the circuit. On the UNDERSIDE of the spine is another set of rails that "starts" in the same place as the one on top (to receive the train), but along the length of the spine, it curves in another direction. When the switch is used, the entire spine rotates 180 degrees to change the direction of the track. does that make sense?

I'd have thought all of the water attractions aren't "drained" - just that the water flows to the bottom (little thing called "gravity" ) ? I know because pirates is multi level, at night the water level does rise in the lower bayou (where the pirate ship is) this is why there is minimal close-range detailed theming, and no animatronics at the tidal level - it would all get water damaged at night when the tanks flood. When the water locks on each ramp fail, water flows down the channels, which basically lifts the gondolas above the level of the guiderail - and guests float freely throughout the theming. (another tidbit fact from David Koenig's Mouse Tales series)

Actually, on most rides - coasters and flats, operators record numbers to work out the throughput. I recall some parks have had competitions in the past to see who could get the best PPH on any given day. It isn't just "small" parks, but on bigger parks (or at least, bigger rides) they usually use a turnstyle or similar - in Hong Kong, Disney had turnstyles on Space Mountain, and Buzz Lightyear to record how many through the door, so i imagine something similar on those other large throughput attractions. I've seen some attractions with a "magic eye" infra red door counter, but those are really inaccurate if people walk past in groups. Ok Joz, here's a few from me - 1. There appears to be two switches on each side of the panel - it's hard to read, but i'm assuming they are the door controls for each side of the monorail (because i can make out OPEN and CLOSE), but why are there TWO switches for each side? 2. Why is there a key switch below the left hand door controls, but not the right? (and what is it for?) 3. Yellow light at the top right of the console - something to do with brakes? 4. Is there a dead-man switch? I'd have thought you'd want to have some sort of dead man on that kind of attraction? 5. There are two key switches on the top left - one is obviously a standard operation switch, whats the one above it for? On another side note while we're talking about PPH and writing down passenger numbers - in the wide angle shot of the console, there is a round chrome object to the right of the console near the microphone - that is known as a "clicker" or counter which you hold in your hand and push a lever with your thumb - oddly enough - to count how many people enter the train.

Well as for the resort patrons, park the additional monorails and just use one as a shuttle service for hotel patrons only? the monorails do have the ability to travel in both directions, and if theres only one monorail on the circuit, theres no issues with traffic...

Because, unlike a disney park, theming is for new attractions only.

I'm with you on that Joz. I'm inclined to think a slightly higher pass fee - say $200 for locals, and $300 for everyone else - with PC included as the fourth gate. The reason being is their current "fully featured" annual pass is $300, for 3 parks. Market it as $200, for 4 parks and you've got your hook - with the discounts included. It's double the price you would have paid this financial year, but the savings are in the f&b \ retail discounts, and a frequent visitor with a 10% discount could make their extra $100 back in the year. For the out of towners, the $300 is the same thing they would have paid anyway (not being eligible for the VIP \ Q150), and now they get the extra entry with PC. Only thing i'd change is the PC name - Paradise Country sounds like a rejected Dreamworld theme land. I've never been, and probably never would, but if it were included in my pass, i'd probably take a trip up there at least once.

I agree with you, Dj, however Wonderland did trade on Anzac day, and didn't open until 1pm (with no extended trade into the night either). I'm sure it was costly, but as I recall from my time there, Anzac day was fairly busy, even for the half day. I think the difference though is that the Wildlife park was where the money came from - The busloads of japanese tourists that would arrive every day regardless of what western holiday it was, would make them their money - but you can't advertise "open every day" if you're not.

Unfortunately Wyn, you are in the minority (like me) and accept responsibility for your own actions. Most people look to hold anyone but themselves responsible. They have a reasonable case - as hyping up the children in a situation where the park knows that excited children will be more lively and inclined to rush and run is a recipe for disaster. Should the kid take responsibility for his own actions? Yes. Should he also be suing the other children who were involved in pushing him over? Yes - but they don't have deep pockets, and warner village does.

Nice find Bussy! Good to have you back on the forums.

Actually in NSW it's 14 & 9 Months. I believe it's the same in QLD.

Besides - as demonstrated - all of the asian disney parks attract a lot more international tourists than locals. Build it, but make it unique to the area so that there is something different to the other parks that makes them want to come....

Truer words have never been spoken. I don't think it is fair to criticise the hong kong experiment... having just come back from there, I can assure you it is NOT anywhere near the original Disneyland, but the budget suits the park, and it has been done very well. The only thing lacking was the true adventures of the original, which will be somewhat repaired with the opening of the new lands - thats another thing that Disney do well - if something isn't working, or needs improvement - they do it. Park doesn't have enough thrills, and too many shows? let's build more thrills... The thing is, if our parkz got together and hired Gazza, Nev, DjRappa and Joz, right there you've got the imagination and designer, the construction and technical \ engineering, the special effects and theming, and the theming and guest flow \ experience taken care of right there. What more do you need?

Even better, we could take names of coasters instead - in the same lines, we could use Zoomerang?

Sorry Tim, I can't see where you mentioned Boomerango?

As usual, when it comes to disney park relating information, I find my best source is always David Koenig's books. he talks at length about people who either do something stupid, and sue disney, or legitimately suffer an injury, and sue disney, or suffer what appears to be an unrelated problem, and because one could draw a line to the park, sue disney. At the end of the day, litigation is always directed at those with the biggest and deepest pockets. The fact is there are a lot of people who are all but happy, healthy and kicking fighting fit - who suddenly drop from a stroke. This may be the case in this situation. They have ONE expert who claims that the attraction would have caused a stroke. I'm sure you could find 50 more experts who would testify that it could not have happened without a pre-existing condition. From my knowledge, a stroke is typically caused by a blood clot entering the brain. Are we to believe a clot developed in 23 days post-ride? No.... so he already had a clot, and therefore any violent action or exertion may have dislodged it - he could have had it while jogging on a treadmill, or diving into a pool... for chrissake the guy was 68 when he had the stroke - he's now 80 so he lived another 12 years after the incident and is still solid enough to pursue a legal case on his own two feet..... "If in doubt, point the finger at the richest guy in the room and sue."

As you said again just above - copying another theme park's ride name has been done before.... Boomerang(o) anyone?

That is something of a worry Dj. It is a scary, scary thought... just like those few seconds before freefall at the top of the tower when the hum stops...

LOL. Just LOL.

Ok, well i wouldn't say it is going to be an issue for you. As I said - try it early to check how your stomach goes, but the ride wouldn't make the rounds as it does if it was only for those truly hardcore riders - unless they chose to up the cost to ride significantly.

It's simple. Don't eat too soon before hand, only drink water. Make it the first ride of the day, and you'll be fine. It's Dreamworld's Claw meets Bounty's revenge (wonderland - looping starship). The effects aren't that bad - and with the exception of the total 360, it's just a mini-gyroswing (Claw). If you handle it ok on the first time- go back towards the end of the day when the environment at the carnival is a bit better, for a better experience (they usually crank the sound up at night too). I don't think it's "too hardcore", i mean - there has to be a decent market for it - or it wouldn't be doing the rounds of so many shows....

Yeah - as to the random-ness of the time of day - it really depends on what else maintenance had to do that morning - the more issues that come up, the later they'll be getting to the next ride and so-on.

not necessarily. Just find a movie theme that ties in with an existing land. It's a bad example, but free willy 4 (feat. Bindi Irwin) has just come out - and would fit into ocean parade. I wouldn't suggest that as a coaster theme, but thats what i mean about tying in.

No offense Justin, but I couldn't follow you. Try a single thought, in a single sentence. Tie each idea together. If it's a different idea, press enter a couple times before you start typing. It flows better and makes it much easier to read. Well, that does sound good, and right up dreamworld's (adrenalin) alley. Perhaps nobody commented, because they had the same issue as above ^^^

Sounds like standard morning opening for a tower. At least that is how it was on Probe... As I recall, they winch the cable up into the head of the tower overnight to prevent the cable whipping around in the wind without a load attached to it. In the morning, they have to lower it manually, which comes down very VERY slowly.

Win? all WnW would have to do is open Calypso over winter - few hours in the middle of the day to advertise the same thing... WWW need to do something to stand out - not imitate. I like the lazy river idea - it will certainly soak up guests and increase capacity - but they need a point of difference right now - i do like the idea of a swim up bar, but i can't see that it is feasible. the logistics would be a nightmare.