DaptoFunlandGuy

And i'd say that that would be the plan if that is the way they went - the "entertainment precinct"

Although now that Jet Rescue is where it is, that space between the new stairs and the old "access stairs" for staff is perfect to install a ramp - nothing stopping them from doing that to clear out the old ramps, so its always possible. Has the pirate ship gone yet? I haven't been in a while - if so, that would leave some significant space to install something decent - particularly if they did divert the cork queue stairs \ (ramps) to face Jet Rescue, as the whole walkway area could be utilised also. If the existing ramps were removed, the footprint available would be about half of the current corkscrew footprint, which isn't too bad - see below: (And as an aside, the latest google maps satellite image was taken in the early days of Jet Rescue construction - looks like a few of the first pillars for the footers have been set

Well I'll be buggered - it wasn't last time round. It had the feel of a dingy "kiosk" in a run down caravan park where they chucked a few arcade machines and skill testers to milk the pocket money of kids. It looked nothing like the intencity at MW, and last time I was there (which was admittedly 3 or so months ago) it wasn't branded as intencity. I certainly hope there has been a change to the theming. If it's still got the dingy kiosk look, then the branding is really inappropriate.

Well Mickey, since you didn't take your obvious pill today - the rants about BT lately have been consistent - poor theming, theming not working, lacklustre experience that was nothing compared to the BT of even just a few years ago. The comment was that Spencer hadn't been on it in 10 years, and considered it a classic that they really enjoyed, and hoped to get on it again soon. I simply said prepare to be shocked, because in its current condition, it isn't a classic, it won't be something you will really enjoy, and you won't look forward to getting on it again after you have ridden it in it's rpesent state. Clear enough?

Ok fine, fair point, but still, when a typical visitor is wanting to contact them, they log onto the website, and the first number they see is 133fun. I'm not saying give them every scrap of info, but since, for the most part, show times don't change (the maps are mostly pre-printed) why can't the call centre have a copy? And since annual maintenance schedules don't change, why can't they have a copy? And how hard is it for the parks, when morning maintenance determines a ride isn't going to open today, to provide that info to the call centre? Having dozens of trained phone operators with the info readily at hand would make it much easier than the 2 or 3 guest relations staff in reception fielding the calls. And as a separate point, if the call centres are NOT supposed to have this info, why does their IVR (interactive voice response - the "press 1 now" menu) give you the option for that kind of information? I mean seriously - its a multi million dollar operation - all we're talking about is running off 30 photocopies of info? Thats what - $6 at the local library? They need to make the 133 Fun call centre a one-stop-Warner-Village-shop. It's the only PROMINENT phone number on any marketing material - so why not take advantage of it and have all your info under the one roof? And if you want to have reception fielding the calls about specific park info, then the IVR should be diverting those particular enquiries to reception.

I like the way they used to do it in the U.S. (don't know if they still do) but they used a waterproof UV stamp. The stamp itself was barely visible against the skin, except under a UV light, which they had in little dark boxes near the park gates. They would change the stamp frequently so each day was different too. It was funny though because at one stage we were on mr toads wild ride (which like most disney rides uses an excess of UV lighting) and we had about 5 or 6 stamps on various parts of our arms under varying stages of degradation from the various parks we had visited over the past week.

Perhaps time to edit the title of this thread to more accurately represent the new ride experience? That imagery is almost spot on the images posted earlier on in this thread of the sea viper. The fish hook tail at the bottom is a nice touch. It's going to have to be a hell of a change for them to market it as a new ride experience. Obviously a stand-up is not going to happen, suspended and inverted are out, what's left - backwards facing seats? Lying down? Although one thing strikes me that they did recently build a new entrance to the cork station, which leads me to think that the old walkway running over in front of the station may be able to be removed now....?

I mentioned it, and it's not an intencity- its just a games arcade.

prepare to be shocked.

Yes! A fantastic idea! Why didn't I think of it? Now, bear in mind this was, i think, some time in January, but there was only one phone number on the website (133fun) and a quick call to Sensis or Directory Assistance only provided the same number - direct numbers for reception at the parks could not be located. Now, since I am sure they would get those sorts of calls (and their IVR menu shows that they do, because there are options for them) why not provide the call centre staff with the basics of ride closures, weather, show times etc? Instead of them having to place you on hold, and go off and make a phone call, they would have the info and hand, provide it, and hang up! I've managed call centres - I won't discuss the particular topic or company, but needless to say, we got a lot of enquiries from customers asking questions about products we didn't "directly" support. Now, while we had no obligation to do it, we would frequently provide the phone number for these other companies, and offer to transfer them through, because they would be thankful, and allow us to do it, rather than the alternative, which was to tell them we couldn't help them, and then have them rant and rave at us about why we couldn't help them (company policy was we were not allowed to hang up until they did). I'm sure if VR look at the enquiries and tally up how many aren't just to purchase tickets, they would be well invested to either have their call staff transfer the call immediately without screwing around, or otherwise, provide the staff with the basics of closures, weather, showtimes, basic costs of major upcharge attractions (like helicopters and animal adventures, and operating hours would save them time and money - two things VR appears to be doing a lot of lately.

Well, they couldn't think of a different code for emoticon, but i'm sure that they presumed people would use the feature built into the software so that list-makers would do this and this or this Or otherwise, they could do this followed by this and then this! It even adds an indent! (Of course, you do need to go to "add reply" rather than "quick reply" Or just type it like this: (list=1) (*)insert text here (*)insert text here (*)and so on, replacing the ( ) with [ ]

Well despite the fact that you generally have to walk down a pathway of about 100 - 150 metres to get to the 4D cinema, if they were using existing infrastructure and just fitting it out differently (say by non-load bearing walls, new electrical cabling etc) I doubt theyw ould need to submit a DA, so I don't see it replacing the 4D cinema. I'm thinking substitute for the current arcade taking up space under the licensed restaurant near cartoon beach. Where? haven't a clue.

Yes, It is just so unfair that american parks have ten times the rollercoasters per park that we do, completely ignoring the point that they also get ten times the PEOPLE that we do. Excuse me while I chuck a tanty.

Mate, Have you ever tried CALLING myfun? They know absolutely nothing. Plus - you're spending a bunch of time wading through IVR menus, and then on hold before they actually pick up, and the simple questions like "what time is such-and-such show?" or "will such-and-such be operating today?" and they DON'T KNOW and it takes them FIVE MINUTES to get the answer. The website works well, but the call centre just sucks.

We used to ski and wakeboard down there at least 3 times a week. We knew some of the staff so generally got in anytime they were open. It was good to practise on a controlled circuit before competitions, but the problem was there wasn't a "wake". The place was a little behind the times, but really, there isn't a better way for them to do what they do- you need the matting and rubber, althoughthe buildings could do with being spruced up I suppose. I only hope they bring in a different pricing system. Used to have to pay by the hour, and if the place was busy, you'd be lucky to hook on 4 times in the hour.

Its so funny so see that something in AOS has money thrown at it to make it perfect, and yet the same standards don't apply down the road. I mean - who'd have thought that the profits would be so obviously higher out of AOS?

Yes. good on ya gazza - but the labelling isn't quite clear - can you scale the pylon and get a close-up?

I'm inclined to say that gutting Bermuda is pure fantasy and nothing but a rumor.

Bottom line is it really achieves nothing. Those who don't want to pay exhorbitant F&B prices in the park will leave the park for lunch. Those who don't care, will continue as they have always done. Its an intelligent idea from the plebs in middle management who were asked the question "how do we increase revenue". If it's such an industry standard - why doesn't Wet N Wild have the same policy? I would just like to see the front gate "bag search" people try and tell me I can't bring in what I want to bring in. In my opinion, everything will be for "dietary needs". I don't drink any coke products, but detest water. I tend to drink pepsi max, and will bring in a bottle or two for dietary needs. My chicken salad wraps are specially prepared to ensure they are gluten free, and do not contain nuts, for my nut allergy. What - are they going to phone my doctor before they let me bring it in? The policy achieves nothing other than - as Clint said - to P off a lot of their guests.

I do love the gallery link in there though - Australia's Best Rollercoaster Rides #1 - Giant Drop (I thought this was Australia's best rollercoasters? #2 - Tower of Terror (well ok, but I don't see how it ranks #2) #3 - The Claw Rolle.... WTF? #4 - Corkscrew... hmmmmm #5 - Superman Escape (which obviously isn't better than TOT or The Claw....) #6 - Mick Doohan MotoCoaster (For 55 seconds you can fantasize about winning a Moto GP. - Yeah Right) #7 - Cyclone (Extreme factor: Height + speed + loop = rush. Rush - Poor waiting and load time = Let Down) #8 - Lethal Weapon (thats about right) #9 - Wild West Falls (here we go with those roller coasters again - even though they call it a log boat ride?) #10 - Batwing rollerc... (oh - right) #11 - LPS Wildmouse (huh?) Ok - so the gallery writer had no idea what he was talking about, came up with a name and then realised it was going to be a stretch to get that many "rollercoasters", and promptly filled it out with flats. What was more interesting to me, is News Limited, the host of the new article, who are viciously protective of their own copyright, posted a youtube video next to the news article, which has since been removed by YouTube due to copyright infringement claims made by dirk auer!

Tony, I think the best answer is that many have tried, and failed, to prove Sir Isaac Newton wrong, but what goes up, must come down. Simply by having people in the gondola is enough to prevent a perfect balance. (Although Bussy could share some stories about bounty that are pretty cool)

I'm not familiar with the mechanics of the ranger, but logic would suggest to me (along with a thinking of always wanting things to fail 'safe') that no matter what position ranger was in when the power was cut, it would always return to ground...?

bump much?

If you're looking for the hint of knowing when it will drop, then sit on the outside of the gondola. When you think you've stopped going upwards, look up and back at the tower rigging. You will see you're still edging up the side. Keep watching it - and when it looks like you've stopped going up, you've got about half a second before you drop. No - breathing isn't a problem, though for some people, the initial drop sensation is unexpected (because they've been hanging for so long) and their stomach does kind of get left behind. It's a sensation I think a lot of us seasoned "drop" riders are too used to to be able to describe well enough, as its not really noticeable anymore. You will be able to breathe all the way down, you just won't think you are able to the first few times. Try it - you will see you can breathe. And at the end of the day, even if you can't get over the gut-swooping drop and you cannot breathe - it only takes a few seconds, and you're in the brake run - I bet you can hold your breath the whole time, without a problem - stand outside the queue and watch it, and hold your breath while you watch it drop! As for the overall "what to expect" - a nice view on the way up, and plenty of wind. A reasonable wait time near the top while the gondola crawls up those last few feet, and then a blink-and-you'll-miss-it adrenalin charged less-than-4-second finale before you're undoing your harness and wishing it had of lasted a bit longer...

Hmmm.... There are a few valid points to what you're saying - I mean - you don't have to whack people over the head - (but some people need it.)