MickeyD

Not sure when these pics were taken but I definitely took this one last Tuesday. If someone could point it out on the nearmap? Maybe it's just my eyes but I can't seem to find this anywhere? 🤔

Looking at this picture @Jobe forgive me if I am wrong but aren't those Perspex coverings around the carriages?

Wow didn't I just get told hahaha😲 But thanks for the detailed, accurate correction @AlexB .. We can always count on you for delivering the well researched facts. The amount of energy you put into posts is impressive - usually all while working too, so it seems. I can't even do that while NOT working, so well done (seriously!) The mass PPT push started late 1990's. It has been widely believed that you could get a greater level of commitment by offering a seemingly better payment status type. Personally I always thought it was a cop out given the significant difference between rates. Being a 10-5 standard operation, very few frontline staff at the Parks can't possibly accrue a 40 hr week unless they do evening functions, extra shifts or cross department multi-skilling. Not sure if it's practice nowadays but from around 1998 we started training up f&b staff to work some of the more push button roles like kiddie rides, WWF & LW. Before to long those hard working f&b staff no longer wanted to work carrying popcorn trays etc (unsurprisingly), Ops would take them on, however the only option offered to them (and for all future new staff) was ppt. Given all rides today are push button with little to zero performance/ presentation skills required I wouldn't be surprised if many new staff are initially hired as casual f&b or retail with future prospects of PPT positions, if keen to move over to somewhere a little more permanent feeling like ops.

Indeed! of course, this won't be a major cost to the business, since the majority of our stood down staff are employed on a casual basis and have no leave entitlements whatsoever! - Actually @AlexB a huge chunk of VTP staff are PPT. Decades ago Management pushed frontline staff on to PPT otherwise allowing them to stay on as Casuals and 'bank' any extra hrs if worked greater than 38 pw. A lot of ppl opted for Casual rates because they are a few dollars p/h higher, trade off - zero entitlements (sick leave, annual leave etc). Management loved having Casuals on PPT, only having to guarantee 20 hours a week while keeping any entitlements in the payroll account longer, likely until the person would leave. Afterall who can afford to take a break when 1. You get 20 hrs P/W 2. Your hourly rate is the lowest a Company is legally allowed to pay in Australia. Finally, those Staff that have worked greater than 12 months would be entitled to the Jobkeeper allowance but I believe that is only if they have been employed on a FT basis. Doubtful that applies to most Retail & F&B staff who would get more on Jobseeker than they would get working 20 hrs at the Parks. Ops staff on the other hand can earn between 30-38 hrs p/w & might be entitled to Jobkeeper, but because they're status is PPT, they may miss out on that technicality, hence why VTP have offered a neg of up to 10 hrs leave.. (wow, a whole 2 weeks for months closed!). It will likely only be the more back end roles entitled to Jobkeeper. Those in admin/marketing/HR/ senior/supervisor/middle management/clerical rolls etc. Everyone else in the Park (most frontline) are pretty well fucked & better off joining the dole Q. Some key operatives Cleaners, Gardeners, maintenance, electricians, animal keepers etc will continue working I imagine.

Either way that's 1 less bill for me to worry about right now - albeit a tinsy one. 😁 Especially in that I'm not wasting my money on overpriced shit like Foxtel.

Unbelievable. Based on such decisions I guess "Mom" thinks the World of Trump. Personally, I think she needs her batteries changing.

^ I just got that email too. Perhaps a response from a lot of pissed off ppl threatening to cancel memberships unless they were suspended?

Thanks for the update @colonelbmx. I guess we know that at least this part of Atlantis is going ahead - not that anything about it looks Atlantis-ie mind. Nor can I make out any definitive evidence of Fountains being placed. I hope they at least do that. Oh and those curvy walls at the back are looking a lot lower than in the graphic. I know they have a long way to go (possibly now till the end of the year) but hope for something a bit more concealed from the Dolphin pools behind. Here's hoping..

Sorry but yes. I am not 12 and probably a hell of a lot closer to retirement than most of you, so take that as a compliment. I have direct access to a workplace financial advisor who suggested it was best, given my personal circumstances and the way my fund was set up (high risk, high return). My fund would have kept eating away at itself waaay faster than the contributions were going in. I simply moved it over to a conservative (low risk) program to ride out the storm before changing things again. Yeah I thought cheeky bastards, I could just cancel mine anytime, but for $24 a month I'll use at as a forced savings plan to spend on some fun upcharge whenever that next time comes. Dark times all round people. You would be pretty heartless not to feel for everyone suffering out there right now, and it's going to get a hell of a lot worse before it gets better. Directly & indirectly, we are all in this together and up to everyone to do their bit in looking after one another.

Or even 6 mths which will take us just to the end of Winter. I think Aussies will be a hard bunch to conform to the new distance measures. We love our freedom so this will be a big test. Getting out to the great outdoors & wide open Country areas will no doubt become hot Tourist spots for millions over the next 2 Holiday seasons. Seeing that MW is now planning closure I think it will be very soon that all major Parks will close, along with other Tourism operator's. How do you practice social distancing of 4 sq metres in Q's & on the rides themselves? All rides would only be able to seat 1 per row etc and many slides across both waterparks simply couldn't run at all. Here's hoping for a vaccine - even just a treatment for COVID-19 (like Tamiflu in the case of swineflu) soon. Like you said @Brad2912 imagine what this will look like in 3 months time..

Yip I hear you @Brad2912. As someone who has been part of the Flight Centre Travel Group for the last 15 years, I don't need to tell you how south things have gone there these last couple of weeks. It's hard to keep positive in this shit show of a world we live in right now. Even Disney have reportedly suspended projects at this stage. Disney of all business! Oh and a little tip - might be worth checking your Superannuation. Just this week I had lost over 40k in a matter of a few days. If you have a super fund that has been heavily investing in the Stock market (like mine was) you might want to change it over to cash before you lose anymore! I am most certainly not the only person out there who has copped this, just some friendly advice 😀

So while Senior executive salaries & bonuses are to be reduced at VTP, the actual every day Employee's (Gardens, Maintenance, Operations, Retail, F&B etc) are asked to consider taking a break -and in most cases that will be at their own expense? Hmm.. Gee, doesn't it make you feel good to know that the top 1% of Business (like MW) are always looking out for what's best for them? ..and by them I don't mean you!

.. so what if the big Cheese himself, AKA "Rocketman" got COVID-19 A-lexi-B? All jokes aside, the guy is hardly a picture of health, so he likely wouldn't bode too well if he did.

I hardly think North Korea would report a COVID-19 case even if they had one (all jokes aside) For those who have been to the DMZ before, I assume it is closed right now because when you go in that room, all it would take is a cough of someone infected & BOOM! North Korea wiped out by the "Booma Remova"

Serious question; How are they managing indoor Q areas like Scooby-Doo? There will usually be at least 100+ people waiting, are indoors & well inside the 1.5 metre close proximity limit? Wouldn't that contravene the current Govt imposed regulations?

... Really? Well isn't that embarrassing! I stand corrected thanks @Gazza. No matter, the Gold Coast is about the most right wing l part of the Country, I am sure the Parks there will be just fine 😀

While our major Parks remain open right now, I'd expect that will all change within a week. Most likely they are desperate to keep going business as usual, for as long as possible until the Govt can throw them a lifeline.

Tassie, WA & NSW have already announced their own state stimulus packages - unsurprisingly are all LNP. As far as I am aware both QLD & VIC are yet to release major packages. Coincidence? Despite this, I would expect QLD will release a major state stimulus package very soon. The whole country benefits from Tourism -not to mention the incredibly disastrous impact on the sector's fall-out, most of which is in the Sunshine State. I like to think big Tourism business (including our Theme Park's) & their employee's will be getting some big cradling support soon.

For anyone interested, this Blooloop editorial from Lance Hart at Screamscape is worth a read: https://blooloop.com/coronavirus-trouble-in-the-amusement-park-industry/

I updated my post by the time you finished yours AlphaLimaBravo😀 I note that management don't have to pay support to their staff should they have to close, per my point. That doesn't make it right should they receive Govt support as an eligible part of the tourism sector affected; How much support would our Parks get from #Scottyfrommarketing's stimulus package? Even if they do get support, what's to say Operator's don't just pocket the cash & give their staff jack shit?

^ Big & costly move by Disney right there! After reading the latest micechat report only yesterday there was speculation that the Park would close temporarily, now it's happening. A good time to get those refurbs worked on! At least till the end of March at this stage but I am sure that date will likely be extended. Also what about WDW, business as usual? I wonder if other Parks like Universal will follow suit? Also for our Parks here in OZ? Our Gold Coast Parks alone hire thousands of People, most on Casual & PPT low award wages. How much support would our Parks get from #Scottyfrommarketing's stimulus package? Even if they do get support, what's to say Operator's don't just pocket the cash & give their staff jack shit? Spoke too soon, now Universal Hollywood - credit Micechat.. The health and safety of our team members and guests is always our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health, Universal Studios Hollywood will temporarily close beginning Saturday, March 14. The theme park anticipates reopening on March 28 as we continue to monitor the situation. Universal CityWalk will remain open. We will provide timely updates as conditions evolve.

Well done MW! Now please give that facade some love - after decades covered, I can still see the brick slot just above the Planet where Lasers projected for those once epic parade's/light shows. All the same, this is such a great improvement.. Please keep it up!

^ not since the "roof"? Agreed.

If you have a spare $500 to put down, I reckon it would be worth it - surely your odds would be significantly higher than say a night out at the Casino?

Personally I detest the screens at the end of the street. They block the buildings and have absolutely zero thematic cohesion to the rest of the classic 1950's Hollywood Main Street style. Adding more screens only worsens the problem & will draw attention to the ratshit picture quality of the main one in the middle. I do however quite like @AlexB idea to add screens down the front area - I'd prefer between Superman & Batwing so it doesn't affect the aesthetic of the buildings of Main St and again so People down the entry area can see what's going on.