MickeyD

@KyleShepherd thanks very much for sharing your insightful opinion. If I didn't know any better, I would say that you (or someone very close to you) is an influential Employee of WBMW?? Hmmm... Be that as it may, Kyle you have raised some very valid and important details here regarding the Park taking all precautions to ensure Guest safety. What I am so confused about is the reported fact that the Park passed it's Safety audit quickly and with flying colours? The foam walls in the themed area of the ride were coated in a fire retardant chemical with all necessary smoke detectors and other safety equipment dotted along the track. If there was any risk of fire, it would be from collection of dust throughout the back of house areas over time, effectively masking the flame retardant coat - Surely after months of closure a thorough clean of the area would have sufficed in which to reopen the ride in time for the busy Xmas Season? After that, sure, shut the ride down at the end of January for a full strip and rebuild If all this is not possible, keep the damn thing shut and offer guests something else in way of extra street entertainment, shows etc or God forbid, lower the admission price. I fear as @djrappa has eluded this may be the beginning of the end for SDSC as we know it. Why spend millions re-doing the 'show' of a ride only to bring it back the same? Would that return anything on their investment?

I just messaged MW via Facebook: I'm shocked and horrified with what's been done with the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster. This was a ride that sat at the top of Theme Park goers favourite Aussie Theme Park attraction ever, today after months of closure it reopened as nothing short of a total embarrassment. Rather than deal with an ongoing fallout of deserved complaints I strongly suggest that MW close the doors of this great ride immediately and reopen it only with dignity once it is back to scratch again.

^Indeed!!! Look, at the end of the day the Park is named Wet'n'Wild - it's been plenty 'Wet' for years, maybe it's time for a little more 'Wild'?

Today the World was shocked by the loss of another Musical Legend. Early tonight I find two minutes to relax, only to find Australia's favourite Dark ride Rollercoaster has been Raped and left to live on in a pathetic shadow of it's former self.? Right now I could fill paragraphs with frustration on the matter, what will that do? Sadly, about as much as pissed off Park goers I guess. Nonetheless I am still in shock from this. Presently MW is on top with no competition. What really fucks me off is the way they are responding to that fact.

Tomorrow, December 26 will mark the first of the 'Really busy' days for the GC Parks. Historically a time for wild success and letting the good times roll. Well, at least until this year... Attendance at our Parks would typically exceed 3 to 5 times the norm when gates reopen tomorrow and remain consistently extreme through the first week into the new year. Such a time where it can also be expected a brand new multi million dollar attraction would officially open, perhaps together along with another major Holiday event to help draw in Punters. It's typically a very exciting time for the Coast and our Parks. But sadly not this year. Every Park has it's challenges to face this Summer of 2016, a side effect of the terrible tragedies faced by DW, no doubt. Still, I cannot help but feel utter disappointment in the way that our other Parks (namely MW and SW) have managed and prepared themselves with offering fewer attractions and the most lacklustre Holiday effort I have ever seen. It's like they are not even bothering to try. At least DW are offering heavily reduced admission, extended trading and a kick arse night show right? I look forward to hearing the opinions of others and if you think our Parks are doing everything possible to win back the trust or if this year they're merely sailing by on the wings of apathy, hoping to bury it with the rest of 2016 Thoughts?

^ that's just it.. The synic in me says that's not exactly the reason, think about it..

Well this is unexpected.. I don't want to sound too synical but given the current state of DW and SW, sadly MW doesn't appear to feel the need to put their best foot forward this Holiday season either? I feel very sorry for the thousands of Holidaymakers about to hit the Coast that will get a pretty ho-hum experience from our Parks this Season? Let's face it, DD could be better but honestly, is right now the time to keep it shut? I think not. Poor form MW. They have had months already to get this Carnival ride going. There really should be no excuses not to have it operating by Boxing Day. I sincerely hope this is an error with the website? The ride has been testing afterall the past week? It all just seems so awfully inconvenient to have it return to Operation once the Holidays have finished. What. The. Fuck..

Ok.. so can we assume the Floats are stationary for SW Carnivale? Hmmm... Right. Trying to accept that idea as now. . .. . ... ........ OK fine!! Cough, cough and... Pill swallowed,,, check! And then what.. ? Will the Floats/ Scenes come alive as the night progresses? ? ? So.. instead of a typical Parade where the Audience watches everything roll by, can we expect the Audience to essentially be the 'Parade' to keep this Carnivale going??? Ummmmmm ?

Merry Christmas @totta3 , it's just so lovely to see you and your other pals @POP and @SunshineTom sharing the love and cheer this time of year!! I sincerely hope that 2017 brings you much Love and Happiness to you and all your own in 2017.. Bless..

Thanks for letting me know @MaxxTheMonster - when you see so many people standing around the entrance I am sure the Lamen would not even know to ask. If the exit wasn't guarded the way it is and a simple sign pointing toward 'Observation deck, Caution you may get wet!' I am sure a lot of people would rush to get out of the Sun and take a closer look. The pathways are perfectly safe I am honestly unsure what the big deal is?

I would like to see the exit walkway opened up to the general public, allowing people to go inside and stand by the splash down for a bit of fun. It's a wasted opportunity as it is

There was the "Serpent Slayers" event in the early 90's. It was largely a Laser Light and Pyrotechnics Extravaganza that also featured a Giant puppet fire breathing Serpent and a lot of water and jetski stunts. - EXTREMELY reminiscent of Disneyland's Fantasmic! and no doubt inspired by it. The show was held after nightfall over the Ski Lake the Summer before Bermuda opened I recall (BT opened Easter the following year) I just tried to search Google for more on this one with no luck.. @joz perhaps you have memories of it? It was a great show for it's day and was extremely well received by the Crowds who seem to happily wait behind an extra hour or so after the rides had closed for the day. -No doubt they spent truckloads of moula on Popcorn and Postmix whilst waiting for the night to fall..

During a recent Xmas Party visit I noticed the roadwork outside the Superman entry between Arkham that leads toward the, well, let's face it; 'former' Studio Administration Building Entrance, now heavily marked.. Looks to me like we may be seeing the start of a successful MW Theme Park boundary extension across toward Studio foreign land! ..and yes... I expect the new Coaster is at least planned to unload around here. If not the former

^ count on it.

I wonder, could the colouring of the sign be a clue to the Theme?

Just bought season passes for my partner and I for Xmas.. CAN'T WAIT to spend more time back at DW over the next year and show my support and gratitude for the years of happy memories?

I appreciate your insight too, thanks for sharing @mba2012. Having attended High School on the GC myself I recall learning about this phenomenon in the History of the area. Something that always perplexed me why so many Environmental Activists have jumped up and down so much about developing the area.. Clearly a lack of knowledge of History perhaps? All said and done, much of it was underwater barely a Century ago!

Thanks @AlexB that's a pretty interesting read!! I stand happily corrected? It's interesting how this body of land compares similarily to the massive sand islands to the North (the Straddies, Morton, Bribie and Fraser) and how over time they formed, breaking away from the Mainland. I was always of the understanding that the Spit was extended and changed to stabilise the Wild waters of the Bar between Stradbroke and the Mainland?

The 'Spit' is entirely reclaimed land.. just saying

Hahahahahahahahaha WoW @joz can you please go back to SW and take the place over? ?

I think this is a great move on part of Village - making extra use out of an existing investment for very little cost. Carnivale is a great fit for SW, so long as the Millionaire Bacon is back, I will be happy?

It feels too controlled and gives no swinging or free falling experience, at least not how it has been experienced so far. I have spoken about this already in previous reviews.. The unique Villian's area as a whole is a vast improvement, easily enough. I believe the ride experience of DD itself has somewhat missed the mark for what it was meant to offer - Villians themselves should be surprising and chaotic characters and the ride is controlled, anything but. The ride itself is capable of producing more power so during it's downtime I hope they explore it's capabilities to offer a more 'Dynamic' experience this Holiday period.

Fingers crossed for an improved DD ride experience when it reopens

Thunderbolt had 4 blocks.. 1. Boarding / disembark 2. Lift hill 3. Ride itself and first brake run (covered with a tunnel around late 80's) 4. Second trim brake set. The ride could run with 3 trains. Not sure if someone on here could verify, it may indeed have been the case ( that DW owned 3 trains)

The Thunderbolt had 2 trains which like MW, ran both on busier days