Original

So finally onto my trip to SW, sorry it took so long I've been flat out lately! One thing that took me by surprise was was how busy the carpark and entry was with it even being a non-peak period and wondered how long the lines would be. However, the greatest thing about this park is it is a people eater, from the Dolphin Cove Stadium, the Seal Stadium, Ski Lake with Nickelodeon and Jet Ski show, the playground, 3D theatre and monorail. That's not mentioning all the animal exhibits, makes lines for rides not all that long. So starting with the entry, they take photos of people entering with their VIP Pass which in annoying because it makes the line to get in slower than it should, plus not everyone wants their photo. But I still love that whole entry building and for its age its still looking great, it could maybe do with some TLC here and there, but it looks pretty good to me and there's something about that view when you walk through the gate and look our over the park. The exit shop that has been done all up looks great as well, but they only 3 registers open when that many people are leaving all should be open, the line up was ridiculous and no doubt put some people buying not wanting to stand in that line, also made it difficult to get out due to the line stretching out in front of the exit door. Below I'll go through the observations I made and exhibits I didn't get to experience yet, then at the bottom what I'd do to change the park if I were in charge. Feel free to write down what you'd change at both SW and MW Penguin Point: I thought this place was great, really great learning area, and great viewing decks to watch the penguins. However, a plea to parents, if it says stay behind the barrier, make your kids stay behind the barrier, don't let them climb behind it and put your hands all over the glass. Just on parents controlling your kids, I also witnessed at MW a kid climb up and sit in the circle on the GL logo and entrance, while another put his phone down his pants than got in line for SE! Monorail: I think its time the skins for Nickelodeon was torn down, and yes head to a company like Intamin and get some new trains and bring the count back up to 3, add some air-con to them would be a nice addition. Flume: I like the channel, its short, you only need so much slow travelling around nothing, and I love going underneath all that track of Storm Coaster. The ride got some new metal fans, but being near saltwater they've all rusted. I'd like to see them maybe install some nicer looking ceiling fans. Its hard to explain but the older fashion looking ones with the 5 blades. The ride op also has 2 new LCD panels above their control panel to watch the cameras and they no longer let you stand next to water while you wait for your boat, they only let you go to your boat once the ride has stopped. VRTP's seem to have gone all out on safety, again signs everywhere, telling you not to sit or swing on queue rails, raising the fence and queue rails around some parts of the ride, keeping people away from loading platforms until your ride is there, extra LCD panels to see more security cameras. Dino Island: Didn't go into it, so can't really comment on it, but it looks like a nice new addition, and I saw lots of people over there, so its brought new life to that area, that had gone dead, and I'm all for that! Skyway: Great to see it operating back to full capacity! I love how relaxing it is to take a trip over SW. Again though they don't let you into the loading area and stand before the barrier and number like you use to, you know have to wait till the carriages arrive and everyone has exited. Seal Harbour: Another great new exhibit and place to take time out of your day to watch the seals do their thing, we saw them during feeding time so they were active. Jet Rescue: Still a great ride, it was only running with one train, which since the opening day that's all I've ever seen it run with, does anyone know if they still run 2 at any stage? My problem again here is loading, staff should be working as efficiently as they can when there's a ride that has a load/unload station and only one ride on. Because then you have to wait for it to come in and stop, unlock harnesses, wait for everyone to exit that gate and go into the gift shop, dispatch it to the loading area, and then open the airgates to let people on! However, what I witnessed and although they were quick at checking harnesses the people operating the ride wanted to always chat to each other when the ride was running. After dispatch they would frequently all jump on the phones and chat to each other, then eventually one of them would go to unload area while the other person walked up who was suppose to load the next lot of guests behind the air gates but would more frequently open the ride op's booth to talk to them, before finally coming up and loading everyone up, with the train generally already arriving in the load section. Alternatively they would load everyone up, then go into the ride op's booth to chat and would continue chatting after the train had turned up instead of opening the air gates. The noise from the seal in second launch tunnel also wasn't working. Sea Viper: Again walking over the track the fence has been raised. Still prefer this when the track was all white and it was called Corkscrew, I personally just thought it had more charm, I can't remember what it is like to ride in the old trains anymore, but I did enjoy my numerous rides. Loading was actually pretty good here, but what takes time is the second ride op having push all the harnesses to the top while the other ride op is pushing the unlock button. I'd much prefer it if they didn't have to do and as people are exiting letting the next train load in. Jet Ski: Thought this new show was awesome and it got a big crowd to watch it, but there is still something missing when I don't see that Pyramid of skiers at the end of the show holding the SW flag, it also looks really weird to see the lake slowly becoming smaller and smaller. One other thing when the park closed they deflated the Spongebob scene, I really would keep this going until everyone has left the park, to see something like that being packed up at the end of the day just didn't really look professional to me. Overall, again a really fun day, yes again not everything was perfect, but hey nothing can always be and most of the stuff I pointed out I didn't like was really just nit picking. What I would change: (remember most of this will never and can never happen... But I can dream if I was in charge and could do whatever) [*]Go over the entrance building with a fine tooth comb to get it looking 100% [*]Put entertainment out the front to get guests excited, maybe some sort of tropical band [*]Get 3 brand new monorails with all the mod cons, including air-con [*]Enclose the top part of the flume ride (around the castle, with animatronics) [*]Return SeaViper back to Corkscrew [*]Return the Seal's voice to Jet Rescue [*]Spruce up the JetRescue queue and loading/unloading area, some netting, utensils, maybe a boat hanging from the rood, photos hanging of the animals they have saved... Just make it look a little more like an animal research and rescue base. [*]Put new loading proceeders in place to get more guests through per hour [*]All the fans they have placed on rides, remove them and put ceiling fans in that fit the theme of the ride [*]Put a family spinning roller coaster in, similar to Gazza's design many years back [*]An S&S Screamin' Swing, one the really big versions like seen at Cedar Point [*]A drop ride, but change it up so its not like GD or BW. Something like what we are seeing at Busch Gardens, one that drops face first. Have it rotating so people can a view of Surfers Paradise, the Broadwater and out to the ocean, then when it gets to the top it tilts facing down and then drops, the view and facing first will give a whole new experience IMO [*]A Ferris Wheel or some sort of observation tower, The park has great views and it should really capitalise on it [*]If the train line is gone forever, then rip up all the track the public can see, like on the bridge and open up more walkways making easier for guests to access parts of the park [*]Spruce up the games area, I have no problem with it being there, I do have a problem with faded signs and building that looks like it was thrown up overnight. Theme it to a seaside town like the rest of the building in the area [*]Replace the 3D theatre with a Soarin' Over California type attraction, if it won't fit, put a simulator ride in that space and find somewhere where that type of attraction would fit, going over the Gold Coast and the ocean I think would really fit SW [*]All that land across from SW become SW allowing them to expand [*]A suspended shuttle launch coaster, similar to Wicked Twister at Cedar Point, even put right next to the beach or water [*]Give the kids area new theme [*]Put a kids Vekoma water coaster over the splash battle area, just to add to people getting a little more wet there [*]Mini Hyper Intamin coaster [*]Children's coaster [*]Whatever B&M coaster MW goes for, put different one in SW that Australia hasn't before [*]Get rid of these people at Ray Reef trying to sell people things [*]Of course keep adding the great animal attractions while keeping the others up to scratch [*]Make sure all buildings look their best and staff go out of their way to help guests I think that's everything, so what would you like to change if you could manage SW and MW, I realise I probably should have split the thread in 2 SW changes for one and MW changes in another, but I've put them in both now, so go crazy! Yes but since then technology has come a long way and you can do all sorts of different things with rapids that IMO would make them both completely separate rides, plus they would have different themes. Its like saying MW shouldn't have built WWF because SW and DW already have flume rides. Both parks have areas that both perfectly suit the addition of a wooden coaster, and the way the parks are going, I think your far more likely to see one of these pop up at MW before DW, but hey prove me wrong DW! Yes SW have a resort and it works a treat for them, so why not replicate this at MW and WnW, unlike SW you have 2 parks to connect to, a third for international guests and a night time show. DW only have the 2 parks, so IMO VRTP are already ahead if they ever did decide to go through with a plan like this! Again, between the 2 companies I can see VRTP doing this type of attraction before Ardent do, unless something dramatically changes. Well this would explain it, thanks for clearing it up, I just thought they were leaving them up because it was too hard to take down, noticed what looked like some the Christmas lights still up around some buildings, or my eyes are just deceiving me. Yea, I get that, and your right, hence why I don't see management ever doing it, money can be spent better elsewhere, but if I could run the park with unlimited money and do whatever I wanted, sure why not, maybe give it a slight re-theme with a backstory as to why you're getting on the Spaceshot!

Well I finally got back to the parks after wayy too long! I have to say I am very impressed, I had a great time, yes not everything is perfect, nor will it always be, although its something I want to save for the end. In the meantime, just wanted to share, my experience. MW: Green Lantern: Finally got on Green Lantern and I loved it! Starting with the entrance I was impressed with the first part of the queue, I thought it was presented really nice and really loved the entry with the GL logo. The station, well was underwhelmed with that, just a roof with comics on the top, cobwebs growing in all the corners, I felt they maybe could have added a little more here. I'm not expecting a full on in-depth theme, I get what its going for and I like it, I think its finished off really well, but the station just left wanting something a little more. The trains, some of them all the LED's were working, others not many were on, something I guess they're still trying to work on. The station now uses boxes to store your stuff, not just lockers like SE. Loading, again something that I still room for improvement, they were running 4 trains, but I just feel if they push it, they could run more, or at least get trains loaded faster. I noticed it seems pretty normal for the chain to stop, which the ride then has to cycle all the way through empty before guests get back on. The ride it self, I got 3 rides, all 3 with audio, although one ride one of the speakers in my chair didn't work, loved how fast the lift hill is, really builds up suspense, the drop was amazing not seeing the tracking. sitting in the far right seat when it does the outward banked turn was crazy and I loved the hang time, the lap bar adds another thrill. Arkham: The new theming I thought was great, I get people's problem with thinking stuff was just stuck on, but I look at it as this is much better than what it used to be, breathe new life into an old attraction and suits the theme they were going for, this isn't a park with a Disney or Universal budget. The ride is great, love the new uniforms, the loading announcement by the Joker and the look of the trains. Again my gripe is with loading, it could really be sped up, and this was winter with an attraction that is just over a year old and still had a long queue, faster loading and a second train wouldn't go astray for the busy summer period. Did the ride twice and am yet to hear audio on here, the new ride experience was great, its a new enjoyable experience and that magnetic break run is magic! The courtyard looks great, but a little quite, something there bring some life would be great, but ideas such as this, I want to touch on at the end. SE: I forgot how intense the launch was, but loved still! Still the greatest ride on the coast! I noticed however a lot of people were taking loose items into the loading area, before an attendant was bringing in a shopping basket and taking the items to the unloading area, which pissed me off since I hired a locker. I was going to ask was this now normal until a new attendant came on and was kicking at least one person each time with loose items and making them line up again and making numerous announcements over the PA and one time kicked 4 people off. Something else I noticed in the lines of ALL VRTP ride lines was signs everywhere I turned asking people not to swing or sit on the queue rails... Is this something new? Scooby: Still a great ride, however things that needed fixing. Also noticed some of the safety fences have raised with plastic installed in the middle and the exit now features a gate that the attendant closes before dispatching the cars to the load section HSD: Still really love the show, it keeps growing on me, I was watching at one point when the rally car went round the back of the building facades and heard a bang before the car came back out with a huge ding it, gave me a huge smile. Really like the idea of the Pit Pass and getting to ride in the cars, I'd definitely like to have a go in that. WWF: All the old TV's have been replaced by LCD's, the ops desk now seems to have more LCD panels just above his head to watch the cameras and still see the load area China Town Alleyway: Without this open now Main Street gets really clogged up during a show Justice League: Love this ride, only did it twice and regretted I didn't get to do it more, I think there's still 5 year old still somewhere still inside me. I got 69 and then 70 thousand and I just everything about this ride, the first 3D screen when I see it still gets me and the robots look great. I actually had to convince the younger relative I was with that Cyborg at the loading zone was actually a robot and not a person dressed up. Loading here was quick and the queue moved rather fast. I heard a lot of older people complaining about how boring it was, I say good, don't get back in line and give me more chances to ride it. Not everything can go fast or upside down, you need rides for the little ones and families and this ride hits that on the head perfectly. Great job MW and Sally Corp, this is a perfect replacement for Batman. Overall not everything was perfect, but I had a blast and at the end of the day, that's what matters. As a side note, someone told me and don't even remember now that Ice Age was being replaced be The Great Gatsby, anyone else hear this? Now I didn't want to make this just about a trip report for you to read, we've all had a say about DW and what we would like to fix if we could manage the park. MW doesn't need the same kind of work, but if we could, what would we do? Improvements: [*]Train staff to load ALL rides at the parks faster, it can be done [*]Fix the Green Lantern, it doesn't need much and I can't out my finger on it, but it needs SOMETHING [*]Fix GL LED's and audio, some people still seem to have trouble on it [*]Digital boards outside of all rides with wait times [*]Second Batwing tower, help capacity in Summer and one can always be open while the other is in rehab [*]Return steam to SE and Batwing [*]Buy third train for SE that way when one is getting rebuilt in Winter they can still run 2 during the school holidays [*]Beautify the area outside SE, make it like a park in Metropolis, if it can be done fit another ride in the area, I'm thinking a Wind Seeker model by Mondial [*]A new ride over at Arkham in the old cinema, like a Vekoma Madhouse [*]A new eatery over in the LW gift shop with the courtyard as the dining area [*]Redo the bathrooms at MW, I noticed the ones at SW have been done, MW's are looking very tired and dirty [*]Spruce up some parts of SE queue, just make it little more like a Subway, most of it is fine, I'd just like to see a little more added and the entrance done up like a Subway entrance. [*]Whatever is happening/planned for the China Town alleyway to happen [*]Fix the fountain in Scooby [*]Fix the lightning window on Scooby in the loading zone and doors, weren't working [*]Fix the Scooby animatronics they are looking a little worse for wear and in need of some TLC [*]Fix all the red lights in the Scooby cars, most weren't working [*]Lift the volume in the main room it sounded really turned down and lift the smoke [*]Fix the lasers and rope lights, most weren't working or appeared to be struggling [*]Fix the final drop, return the green laser, smoke and again Scooby, sometimes he worked, other times not so much [*]Return WWF lift hill to what it used to be [*]Clean the chewing gum off the bridge to the ride op room, some people are disgusting [*]Fix some animatronics in the Ghost Town, not all were working such as the tombstone and some of the screens, such as the one before the backwards drop was out [*]Reopen the Stars Cafe make it a full on eatery [*]Put a new full on show at the Stage Show [*]Don't leave the icicle lights over Main Street for the entire year [*]Replace the LTRR [*]Build a state of the art rapids ride [*]Build a Wooden coaster [*]Build Australia's B&M coaster, looking at either a flying, dive or wing coaster... Something Australia hasn't seen [*]Give a full on makeover to the LT area, maintaining the LT theme [*]Give some parts a refresh with a paint and replace some signs, i.e. the ones around Intencity they appear to have faded badly [*]Include drinks into the meal prices and not everyone wants a double burger, just make a simple single burger [*]High pressure clean some of the white sheds, some like the SE building have got some green stuff growing on them [*]Build a hotel and City Walk style attraction connecting MW and WnW together I know there's a lot there, but its really just picky, and I realise some of this will never happen and logistically can't happen, but its my dream. So share what you would like to fix at MW and I'll get around to my trip report of SW later, another great day! I think I've written enough for now though

I'd like to see wait times included into the phone and in the park as well, on boards and the ride entrance. To be fair the parks now use a system to work out ride times and use an A-Frame sign at the entrance but I'm talking a better system with an electronic sign. Would make life much easier, I often find the sign wrong and don't really know how long the wait time is until I actually get into the queue. Having it also on your phone would be even better. MW is still a large park, imagine being at HSD and checking your phone to see ride times you can work whether you want to walk to the front of the park, or over to the back. Or SW everything there is stretched out, knowing wait times when your at Dolphin Cove would definitely come in handy. A notification to tell you if a ride is broken down or reopen would be great! I haven't used the app so I don't what it can do maybe set a reminder to see a show and 15mins or so before it tells you. On free wifi at the parks, one day I'd like to see it, we've used this argument before, but while they won't make money off it, and used Disney as an example, it does improve a guests day, which in turn creates good word of mouth. Try and get people to jump on Facebook to check-in maybe an incentive if they do it. But if people have free wifi they may be more inclined to be on social media sharing photos and thoughts about their day on it. A lot of cameras now come with Instagram and Facebook apps built in with wifi to just upload photos and on the subject of social media, VRTP are good with Facebook, but they really need to get into Twitter and Instagram, its free advertising, you'd be mad not to. A lot of people also vent their frustration at companies on Twitter, if VRTP they could catch and fix it, a lot of companies do that and all of sudden a negative experience turns into a positive one. Anyway, way off topic there, I'm really happy to see parks going the extra mile to improve guest satisfaction and no doubt their hoping it'll cut down their costs on park maps/

I find it interesting that while these properties were once owned by VRTP, Merlin still have them on VRTP's MyFun website. Always made me wonder if they could maybe team up and go 50/50 in a park, but I doubt it. Please, again if we get another park, give me a different theme, not another movie park, there's so many different ways a park could go without having to be attached to movie franchises. If it it is a movie park, I really don't want to see themes that are now years old i.e. The Matrix. Most people have forgotten about it, or younger people won't even remember it. How can you maximise profits on that? Considering Merlin have a strong presence here and they own the theme park franchise for the Lego brand, I doubt it.

According to the opening line of this article yes there have talks held with VRTP. I too think Merlin and their Lego brand is a up there as a probable idea of a new park in Australia, at the same time VRTP have shown parks are their main business. They probably understand Lego could make an appearance in the future, get a park in Victoria, Merlin would then have competition in all three eastern states if they were to make an appearance. VRTP would then have a monopoly of visitors in the eastern states. However, I think first their focused on getting WnWS off the ground, maybe even their international expeditions first. Personally I want to be greedy and really want to see a fully fledged park join alongside WnWS so I then have a waterpark and theme park not to far away

So finally got to the park, 2 and a half years later, the new ride looks great, from across the broadwater, to outside the park, to once you get into the park and look at from across the ski lake. Once you get under it, yes there are poles everywhere, but it truly is impressive, especially when on the flume ride, my only worry is with how big it looks it may out some families off, but I hope not. We've already seen the boats are on site in the, as well as what looks to some theming with the boats, in the car park, and on site. However, from Jet Rescue, to the flume ride it appears as if some of the larger theming is going up inside the building, looks to be before the walls go up and the larger pieces are too difficult to get in. Looked to archways over the flume sections, looked to be the words "Do not enter" or "caution" can't remember now! Looks like the outline for the entrance path and into the ride appears to be outlined, but seeing as I'm not an expert can't be sure. I do know one thing for sure, I can't wait for this ride to be open and I can't to get back there to ride it!

Well any news is good news. You've got to remember these are only preliminary talks, by the times agreements are made, plans are made, submitted, construction breaks ground to opening, it will be well over 5 years. I agree no movie parks, we're a tiny country, don't give us the same, give us something different! It's interesting I find the article says talks were held with VRTP but we don't know how they went, no word from VRTP and no word from the others on how the meeting went, positive/negative.

But essentially what they're doing is maintenance to the ride, improving guest experience. When ToT went down for its overhaul should they not have advised it because it would mean guests would not come and wait till it was down, or GD shouldn't advise when it goes down for maintenance and its refresh because again guests wouldn't come. If the parks is overhauling these rides, like the train preparing the track for the new locomotive, than that in my eyes is maintenance, and should be posted with some idea of when it will be done (unlike now), and explain its getting an overhaul for continued guest experience, not just closed weekdays with no end date.

Then why don't they just state this in their website, the public would be much more understanding then as to why rides are closing early, to better their overall experience for the future.... but that would mean using logic.

I hope something is done with the Stage Show/Western Area soonish (with a major show taking up residence), but I think and am glad WB Kids is getting some TLC. I'm all for Speedy's Taxi's gone, I don't know how much room the Mini Driving School is taking up of the show building, but I would like to see 1or 2 great themed dark rides (who wouldn't). Then outside maybe 1 or 2 new rides again and have a new purpose built stage for a purpose built Looney Tunes show, the only problem there is fitting all that in... but go on MW prove to me there is enough

Stranger things have happened, ColesMyer completely folded with Myer being sold off and Coles going to Wesfarmers, the company wasn't broke financially, just broke operationally. But their answer was to just sell it. The further it (DW) goes down hill, the more money will be needed to bring it up to scratch, especially VRTP scratch. They may get to a point (if they did ever look at buying it) and go "nah too much money needed, costs outweighs the benefits we would gain", then who knows, Clive Palmer? Mack? In terms of ride operating hours being reduced the way they are is deplorable along with everything else that parks has been doing for so many years I've lost count. NOT counting Dreamworks; however, I get the feeling if Dreamworks weren't so strict who knows how that could have turned out

Well if its going to take up the entire building, then its going to be a big ride. Just as a side note, if it will be in the show building and will in some way involve cars, could Sally be involved again with a dark ride, get a discount to buy two rides in a row from them? Just thought, since they already have experience with that plot of land and LTRR!

I think it really adds to the aesthetics of SW, so I hope they never get rid of it.

That would now mean VRTP have replaced all their SBNO rides

I'd like to point out I didn't have a pass I paid general admission and was from interstate. I also took in a lot very negative comments about the system from the general population in the park about the system and it being unfair, this wasn't just a few. In terms of coming back to the park for these people, they might think twice if they viewed their last visit as negative. Also isn't Disney's system free? You've got to remember Disney opened their first park over 50 years ago, time change, could you imagine them trying to do that today? If you can charge a high price for it where the general riding population won't notice, then hey go for it, but my experience when the fast Track Line is nearly full and the standard line is overflowing, then hey some tweaking is needed. How Fast Track been rolled out to any other VRTP's yet?

I'll just add the park also had staff at the front of line directing the one for one traffic, they also seemed to be taking in how many people were using it and the wait times of the FT lines.

Moving from the WnW Review there's Fast Track. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't this the same name MW used at their park as a trial some time ago? Well it now has found a home at WnW, don't know if it has resurfaced back at MW, or if they plan to, or if they plan to introduce it at SW too. So WnW Fast Track is pay $20 to skip Tornado, Constrictor, AquaLoop, Kamikaze and (correct me if I'm wrong) Black Hole, only once. Its 20 bucks a ride and boy is it popular. Tip: In the morning if the lines are already full don't do these rides because everyone buys Fast Track in the morning and the line will move painfully slow. So once you have Fast Track, Constrictor and AquaLoop have separate queues. AquaLoop uses the old line for the little AquaLoop slide that used to be there (forget the name) and Constrictor uses the old TC2 entry/line. Black Hole has the Fast Track entry next to the normal entry. As for Kamikaze and Tornado, I can't comment as I didn't ride them. As people turn up with their Fast Track band (much like Splash Cash) the rides logo is crossed out, preventing them from coming back. The system works as a one for one, one lot from the normal queue, one lot for Fast Track queue. Rides like Constrictor which don't have the same through put as others, forces a line that starts at the slides entry to easily become a 90min wait as Fast Track people poor through the line. In fact Constrictor's Fast Track line at one point in the morning was nearly at the entry itself, that's how popular the FT Pass became as people who could afford it snapped it up desperate to skip lines that were moving slow due to FT. People would line up see how slow it was going, leave come back with FT which was only making the solution worse and making for a lot of irate people. Now I could, if I wanted to afford this, but I choose not to, because I hate THIS system. Other systems may work, but from what I saw not this one and it left a sour taste in my mouth after what was a good day. As I pointed out the other day, a lot of people were angry at this "line skipping" and I don't blame them, I was getting very frustrated as well. for families of that's $100, and its $100 most people don't have! After finally seeing a system like this in place, haven't yet properly looked at one in a theme park, I will now say I am leaning towards the side of completely disliking them. I felt for the families who couldn't afford a pass like FT have to stand in a long and slow moving queue. We accepted the park would be busy and we would have to wait, but not have to wait extra long for people to skip the queues! I believe in park, especially when riding rides, everyone should be on an equal footing, not to those who have more money, putting others at a disadvantage of having 30secs of fun down a slide. Just get the operations moving quicker! What is everyone else's opinion and will it be rolled out across other VRTP's???

Just wanted to give a quick review of my day at WnW. I only went to WnW while I was up there, would have liked to have done others parks as well, but hey beggars can't be chooser and I still had a great day. Got the park and got in just after 10, I will say staff at the entry were very efficient and helpful all with a smile, couldn't have asked for more from people working in tourism. They also a lot of staff processing tickets to keep lines moving fast and they had a lot staff just walking the lines to make sure everyone was where they needed to be for quick entry (e.g. groups where they needed to be, what lines for people buying and what lines for people with pre-purchased tickets.) Got in the gate got a locker (again great staff) and made our way through an already packed park. All in all it was a really great day and I accomplished everything I wanted to. Granted I missed out on some slides, but the group I was with didn't want to do them and as 2 or more people slides, didn't really like lining up for them, nor would I have got to them anyway with time. I went in the middle of school holidays, so I knew what I was in for, not one of these people who complain about overcrowding blah blah blah. Most people in the park seemed to realise the same... its the price you pay when going at peak periods. I also really like the up-charge attractions, I think it suits the park and gives it a heap more atmosphere, seeing people fly across the park on zipline, or a whole queue from the other side of the park turn to watch how long it takes the person at the top to pull the cord. My only criticism with the park is it would need some tlc in places, fencing that's had people graffiti it, roofs looking a little worse for wear, the Domino Pizza one comes to mind, BAD with the huts thatching falling off, and the Mammoth Falls roof. The Kamakazi sign, some speakers stopped working, some missing their case and seeing the speakers. Bit of paint and a bit of scrub, I'm sure will do the trick. I will also say that the guy who served me at Domino's couldn't have moved slower in serving guests and I think smiling could have quiet possibly killed him. All other staff in the park were fantastic though Then there's Fast Track but I think that's best left for an entirely different thread.....

I actually not long went to WnW and I would suggest a different strategy... rides that were slow moving like WWM and Constrictor got REALLY busy REALLY quick, and we got in just as the park was opening, headed to Constrictor first, the line was already huge and it took as 90minutes to get on, WWM was out of the queue house and down the mountain side. I found do the high capacity rides first with the park crowded and as the afternoon goes on and people start to leave for the day the lines get shorter and then do the low capacity rides... that is if when you get in the lines are already full! But hey, everyone has their own opinion on how to get the rides done. Next I want to touch on Fast Track as that thing was rubbing A LOT and when I say a lot I mean whole queues of people accepting the park was busy and having a good time, saying "Wow this line moves slow" to then realising people were paying to skip lines and becoming really angry, many comments I heard "This is ridiculous!" and "its not fair, we don't have that kind of money, why should the well off get to skip?" and "I'm doing the right thing, why can't they?". Doesn't look good for the park, upsets a lot of customers and creates this line in the park for people who can afford and those who can't, which parks shouldn't be about. But that isn't for this topic but I want to touch on it again when I have more time.

What I like about Cyclone is works well as step up for people getting into coasters and those sorts of rides... for people who feel ToT2 is too thrilling, but the Reptar, (or Madagascar I believe its now themed?) is too boring. Plus it works well now with WWW, I agree with Joz IMO it needs a refresh and second train for better operation. I'm firm believer and I don't think its a secret in really focusing on a parks operations and having lines moving as quick as possibly, with staff working a ride efficiently. I also disagree with putting a coaster around Thunderbolt. 1. The station now works as the entry to WW from DW. 2. The land is mostly taken up by WWW where Thunderbolt once was. 3. The small area left we are hoping will be used for a WWW expansion. I'd like to see DW's next coaster be something like a spinning coaster, Euro Fighter, or Mini Hyper. For MW, I think LT needs some work before they look at another coaster, and I would like to see the park also add a second water ride for the hot months... But when it come time for a coaster, I would love to see a wooden coaster.

Can I just ask, we have 2 discussions going on about locker fees and SE lockers. I think its a valid topic, but its doing my head going from one thread to the next where we are essentially discussing the same thing, is there anyway we can just talk about it in one topic?

I think SW have already answered this question for you. . .

I've said it before, IMO if we see anything Disney in the near future your looking at maybe a cruise ship or a resort similar to the one they just opened in Hawaii

I hope when they re-paint the main entrance buildings they get a coat of paint that reflects their theme and era... not overly bright colours that fade quickly... sigh. However, I am greatly impressed to see them addressing a lot of the areas in the park that needed work done.

Speaking, not sarcastically, when Mack stated they were working on a water coaster here in Australia, we all pretty much just assumed, yep, SW, since they had plans a while ago for one. . . . . SW, realising not long after stating that a new ride would replace BT and would have a storm theme, that just fuelled it!