MickeyD

I doubt it's going to be a woodie.. I seem too recall from my old Theme park days, the trees used for wooden coasters are not generally grown here in Australia, so the parts would have to be shipped all the way from North America or Europe. The shipping costs required for one could be 5, maybe 10 times that of a steel one. Not to mention that with steel coasters erected here in Australia, often have a lot of key parts (like supports) that are built here in Australia. That was the case for Lethal, some of it (trains, track) were imprted and other larger parts built here. I have wanted to see a Windseeker at one of our Aussie Parks for some time but the last thing DW needs is another low capacity ride. I would like to see one of these fitted into MW. With such a small footprint, it could go just about anywhere but perhaps over where Boot Hill currently sits would be a perfect 'Weenie' to drag guests to that often deserted end of the Park

Here's an interesting thought! I just read this on Screamscape (2/16/11) Vekoma’s official blog mentions that they have successfully installed and opened their first I-RIDE attraction system at EDA Park in Taiwan. The ride system appears to be intended to give a similar experience to Disney’s Soarin’ ride system, though with a different set of hardware. The new ride film is even called Flying of Taiwan. What may be more exciting is the fact that that Vekoma also mentions that an announcement will be coming soon about two more installations of the I-RIDE Flight Simulator systems. For some time the rumour mill has suggested that the River Ride's replacement would perhaps not 'fit' the Theme of the area but would nonetheless be an exciting addition to the Park. A family attraction, like Soarin would be pretty sweet and perhaps not surprisingly, this idea has been tossed around by MW Park management for years. Could it be back on the table? Someone tell me I'm wrong!

Great news DW!! I'm guessing the Coaster will be the big thing and perhaps the 2nd ride will be something smaller, like another spinner or a family flat ride that has less than a few million dollar price tag

^another reason why the Looney Tune characters really should play a role in the Park's next new ride.. hmm we shall see On topic, sorry you can't just fill in that Lake. I can tell you for a fact; Way back before land broke on what we know today as the WBMW site, the lake (as it is today) once was a swamp plane that spanded from the Studios, all the way over where the current Theme Park stands to the south perimeter. Today, it is a purpose built diverted system that over time, has developed into it's own little eco system. If this Lake became an area of the Park it would somehow need to fuse with it's landscape.. Far too costly in my opinion, thank fuck for that too

Thanks for your update Damo. I knew it was coming but that's still some sad news to me and i'm sure for so many others out there too. Ironic that the Park's 20th birthday chimes with the removal of it's last original major attraction. Now, onward and upward I guess as we anxiously await the announcement of a replacement. I don't expect the site will remain dormant for too long, perhaps once Easter is done and dusted we wil start to see some big movement? No doubt word will escape soon as to what the future holds for the Park's big thing for 2011.. I know I will be doing my best to see what I can dig up;)

I don't so much care what they put in but just hope the Looney Tune characters are still involved.. Unlike most fly-by-night themes, the fuzzy lil critters are timeless and have been enjoyed for decades.. IMO they are right up there with Disney characters and in many cases even more widly recognised. The attraction site as it currently stands has an enormous footprint - big enough to perhaps house more than one future attraction? It could serve as a unique indoor section of the park like Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo Disney Sea. Some ride types I would happily like to see in it's place: - Indoor/outdoor White water Rapids ride Always popular family attraction offering mild thrills this could benefit with the added touch of some indoor magic - Watercoaster Australia doesn't currently have one and perhaps this and Bermuda could very well be the locations for our first one? STill MW has Wild West so maybe they are too similar - Buzz lightyear/toy story style shoot em up dark ride Fun family attractions that have good re-rideability. Still, this idea excites me least - Another dark ride coaster like Scooby. I think this will be the hot contender bringing the Park coaster count to 5. If done right this would be great. Maybe a Mack spinner is on the cards? I will be more than happy if it comes down to a choice of these 4 types of systems and done right

Shame to hear the Park is needing some tlc.. I think you will find the cosmetic matters will be addressed and the place spruced up nicely in time for June 3rd.. I sincerely hope someone is listening to these concerns and I'm sure that you speak for most that care about being proven wrong. As a positive, they have done a stella job on delivering some top rate events (halloween, xmas) of late. If that's any indication of what the future holds, we have nothing to worry about. I guess we will just have to wait and see but I think you will find a decision has already been made. Will the Tune ride site be replaced with another new ride? Guaranteed. Will it utilise the same dark/boat ride format and character themes? doubtful.

^Don't act surprised people! There have been plenty of warning signs out there for ages that the River ride is beyond it's prime, atleast in the eye of VTP management anyway. Truth is, things have changed around the place and MW is very much a different place to what it used to be. The Operations department has gone from being a starting block for young aspiring performers with today's attraction staffers simply requiring a smile and some enthusiasm to get the job done. Don't expect the Batride will hang around much longer either for this very reason Like I said in another post, management aren't so keen on complicated dark rides with too many moving parts, I guess partly because research has told them this is not what today's general public want and largely due to ongoing cost. A rather misguided view in my opinion. The general public are hardly experts on the subject and simply pay for entertainment and the whole WOW factor. I am a little worried that the substitutes for both Bermuda and Tunes will not have this. The Looney tunes characters are Core to MW and they most certainly need their own feature attraction to play in. I do not object to the replacement of the Looney Tunes River Ride but only on the condition that it's succeeder is the "Looney Tunes Adventure" - an exciting fast paced indoor/outdoor water ride adventure that features ground breaking surprises and engineering innovation. For the Park's 20th anniversary, something like this would be the perfect tribute

My bet's going with a Water Coaster a la "Atlantis" in the SW Parks in the USA.. It's a great ride, is fast paced, would be an Aussie first, is family friendly with great capacity.. For those that may recall, VTP have already looked into one of these proposed for the front of the park but was scrapped in favour of Jet Rescue. As much as I would love to see a replacement dark ride for the area (perhaps an Atlantis theme?) I know VTP management are moving away from attractions that have high ongoing upkeep costs. Too many moving parts, details and features require so much on going attention and expense long after the attraction is the 'main reason' for people to visit. Both Bermuda & Looney tunes are the last of these and whilst one has already landed on the scrap heap, the other's future is also soon to come to an end, you can be sure of that.

^best you get those tissues ready and hope for a silver lining

55 hectares rings a bell.. that's the park, studios and land space across and including wnw

If the reason for the closure is not to make way for a future attraction then ''until further notice'' would suggest something pretty major like problems with the boat lift or pumps - something that is preventing the ride for an unforeseeable amount of time.. The boat lift was fully replaced back in late 90's/2000, not sure if it's been done again since but if it's too greater cost to repair perhaps it will remain shuttered and plans to push ahead for it's replacement fast tracked.. anyone know any more?

^Agreed. The old Pirate Ship site is a perfect new location for it

with a little prompting I could just about recite this show word for word - having seen/worked the venue during the early days many times over. The preshow videa was siimply done by the late great Ernest Borgnine talking about 3D movies and their relevance during the 50s and 60's.. Today at the Roxy we were going to explore the '4th' dimension - which is Time. You then head into the theatre and using technology to splice current actors with old film footage a story is told of how two kids walk off a tour on the WB's lot and meddle with a 'movie' time machine developed by a mad professor.. A pretty dreadful story but not a bad effort for MW's 1st 3D adventure (that was shot and made specifically for the park BTW). It was just a film with no in theatre effects other than really good sound and the screen back then was a much smaller square box shape - at least half the size of the current monster that was installed for Marvin. These screens were imported from the USA at a pretty big cost. BTW 3D screens are Silver - not white.. It helps reduce the glare and bring out the colour and picture with better clarity:)

I love the 'laser man' effect twirling the light like a couple of fire sticks.. very cool

The Rainbow was one of the better sideshow alley offerings in it's day. Half of the thrill was sharing the fun with the other passengers aboard. I certainly don't lose sleep over it's disappearance and as much as I loved my time enjoying the dusty carni rides when young they just don't do it for me anymore. Still, if I do go to the Ekka I can't resist a few turns on the latest spin and spew offerings. I would love to see a jumbo version of the classic Wave Swinger developed - one of my all time favourite midways

I think it would make sense to keep the Tune Ride as a water dark ride but I have a feeling WVTP's have quite radically different plans for this space. Personally I believe they should re-imagine it as the "Looney Tunes Adventure" keeping a major attraction for the all important Cartoon character franchise but with a whole new ride system and experience.. Surely they can see the logic in doing this? I am a little concerned that Bugs and Pals are gunna get the boot in favour of something that doesn't have the same kind of ongoing upkeep expenses that the LTRR does. Trouble is NO other Theme will have the same staying power as these iconic legends My bet is that whatever the new ride system is that goes in there it will most certainly be more thrilling but perhaps less immersive and maybe not very fitting for the area, atleast as it currently stands anyway

I'm loving the theming and landscaping! Overall this is a great complement to the Park's previously under-utilised back corner and together with the Penguins these new additions should help balance the flow of crowds

^nicely put Joz. I am sure the reality of what will be is bound to underwhealm given some of the spectacular expectations being thrown around out there.. Can I just say this whole topic has been launched by 1 person saying that ''they can tell you'' about not one but 2 big Intamin attractions are coming DW's way for it's 30th. surely history has shown you should never believe everything you hear, maybe just some of it

I hope to love what they have in store for the area - it has its heart and soul embedded at the root (-haha he said 'root') and with a theme that has played so much quiet success over the years.. The Looney Tunes river ride was Woody's sentimental favourite of the Park's original design and I sincerely hope it is treated with the same respect in helping sculpt it's future

the only 2 things I am mildly excited about from the list so far are the looping slides and the Penguins.. I really do hope that what will be added to the list will be something truly big.. MW IMO is overdue but clearly they are holding off for the Park's big 20 next year. Areas of MW to keep an eye on over the next 18 months: - Batman simulator - Looney Tunes River Ride - Western corner/old show stage area - Lethal Weapon An educated guess but I reckon I am at least 50% on the money here:)

I think it's a shame that the only thing people seem to be suggesting as a worthy replacement to the show is a clone of some other 3d show from far away. Not to mention ridiculous suggestions of Disney shows that will never appear anywhere other than in the hands of the Mouse Shrek4d is the 1st copy 3d attraction to come to MW (granted a dam good one) - the 2 before it were made specifically for MW parks, Marvin had it's debut at MW Germany and with it's show FX it was a superior show for the time. I'm really not keen to see another off the shelf 3D show come to MW if it means something inferior will replace what we already have. From what I've heard we can not only expect 1 but 3 of these.. awesome

im guessing option 1

flouro tubes hey? wow! Still, it should be a nice change for the ride and breathe new life into something that has been such a big drawcard for the Park for so long. I wonder if MW will try and hit back with those rumoured Lethal Weapon train replacements?

Well in Theme Park speak, yes 4D refers to an immersive 3D experience that involves Theatre goers with elements such as motion, light, touch, smoke etc.. But in reality; - The 1st dimension is Height - The 2nd dimension is Width - The 3rd dimension is Depth - The 4th dimension is Time - The 5th dimension is the space between Depth and Time otherwise known as the Twilight Zone Some of you may remember the original Roxy Theatre presentation? It was a film about 4D, but (by today's understanding) with no 4D features.. Gee I hope that's not the standard that lies ahead for this attraction? Joz, your post has got me mildly worried