BNErider

Carpark looks nice - lots of trees etc. But it'll be hard for pedestrians (no dedicated paths) and a confusing layout with one exit/entry point. Might work for a shopping centre with staggered peak times, but not a theme park. It would be fine for any entertainment/hotel precinct, and perhaps overflow. But I definitely don't like the idea of it for usual trade.

I LOVE the updates - regardless of how overdone certain angles are if not much has changed. In saying that, I love the idea @reanimated35 had about separate topics. Perhaps we could have a sub-category for TP updates and link to them in this master thread?

Oh, lol. Yeah, I was wondering why you were talking about weight issues with that bit of PVC pipe...

Are you talking about this? I believe it's to ensure there are clearances around the ride carriage.

That's what I've been thinking for a while too. It hasn't really been testing except for slow speeds and they did do something to the counterweights quite a bit after it was first running... It still looks like some theming will go on the arms. I wonder if I'm wrong, or they're waiting for the performance issues (if any) to be fixed.

All good. I think that area is where we might be seeing the lakeside area, with Top Golf really close. But that's just my speculation.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but how do you *know* for certain that is where Top Golf is going? My money's on an area very close to that, but have we received any solid proof yet?

A Mack launched spinning giga suspended coaster would be nice!

I think it's a great idea. Reminds me of something you'd see at Universal Citywalk. Let's hope it can one day become part of a larger entertainment precinct. Also don't forget that Ardent Leisure (Dreamworld) is heavily involved in a similar end of the leisure market.

Are we going to see a bit more Halloween stuff going on this year? For example, mazes and scare zones? Last year seemed more similar to a Screamworld event than anything else.

Welcome to the forums. I read in a recent annual report (I believe it was anyway?) about a second gate linking to the proposed Westfield development. Is this something that is still on the table, and will it be a more low-key entrance or something with a more pronounced Main St/similar vibe?

I think the immersive theming will play a significant part in driving sales from (themed) merchandise and food and bev. Plus, the interactive elements will be another great revenue raiser if done well. I'm a strong believer that people will spend more when they don't feel like they are at a shopping mall but on an "adventure". In terms of that new building, I reckon a shop. I hope they do add a sort of exterior wall/facades around the new DC land. It won't be a choke point if they don't slim down the pathways.

I wonder how they are going to "divide" the two themed areas of the Wild West and villains precinct. I'm surprised they aren't pulling the fences back to the other side of the games area and doing some works there.

It does seem like it is being built to allow for some sort of flat backing, most likely with a western theme. Of course, the (city) side walls will not be western themed unless they add something extra to them.

I do agree it won't happen, but it could net some great effects. I do hope the ghost town gets a bit more "wow" added to it. Perhaps even some animatronics up the final lift hill could be cool.

Hey, if I had my way we'd have a lot more indoor dark ride sections on rides But honestly it would vastly improve the ride and make the whole thing a lot more immersive for probably not a huge amount of money (I could be wrong on that, though).

To be honest, I'd love to see the entire section out back converted to a dark ride section. Lots of opportunities to add something really awesome, especially with lighting effects and fog/haze.

Great pictures @Theme Park Girl! I'm glad steel frames for more facades are starting to appear in the blank areas. Honestly, they've done such an amazing job with great level of detail. I really hope they finish it off well and add some interactive elements to the city buildings. Perhaps down the track they could remove the Gotham City Cafe and add something else there, because we've got such a great DC Comics area now and a bit of variety can only help the park.

There are a lot of blank spaces around the showstage. Do you think they're just keeping those areas free for access while they do something to the SS, or are we likely to just get some plants/fences in those areas?

I reckon it would be cool if they continued the mountain of Wild West Falls and had some sort of mine train/dark ride combo. That would be cool. It wouldn't be a huge thrill ride but would be a great addition with some great theming possibilities.

^ Must be some sort of up-charge express dining/meal plan option. Interesting that it's very Village-heavy on the branding.

I'm worried. That facade seems like it should be an impressive courthouse or something. If that's the scale they're working on, then the rest of the facades won't be much.

See, I think the problem with overworked DC tie-ins is that people are getting a bit used it to. It's no longer exciting - IMHO. For example, Superman and Batman are strong brands and they were the first of the DC rides. But now there's Green Lantern, Doomsday, Arkham, JL, Green Landern, Batman, Superman... I just think it is going to start being less and less exciting and 'new'. I don't see Doomsday being a strong pull to the park. Definitely agree that Mad Max was a lost opportunity for something great.

Any photos of the repainted Main Street Emporium?

Thanks @reanimated35. Yes, silly me - they looked HUGE in the first photo but obviously just from the angle of the camera.