pushbutton

Dreamworld has cracked it. Their changing rooms are much better. It's basically just a matter of good drainage.

This is a disgusting thing to even think about, but the toilets at Wet & Wild all stink (obviously I'm referring to the mens ones). Also the main changing room almost always has a wet floor, making it quite hard to get changed whilst keeping your feet dry! Both these issues are related to some sort of problems with the plumbing, and also all the facilities could at least do with a general refurbishment. In the case of the changing room I'd ideally like them to extend it at the same time to just provide more space. These are just "housekeeping" issues perhaps, but as it's the first and last thing most guests see, I think it plays an important part in shaping peoples opinion of the park.

I'm certainly not a golfer, but just for a bit of fun I've often played crazy golf, or had a bit of a go on a driving range. From what I've read about Top Golf though, it will be a very different experience. I think if the food and drink are good quality (which I've read they are), and if the prices are not too high, I may well find myself there several times a year with family or friends, and potentially work colleagues. Overall I'm glad they're building it. I expect it to be a real money spinner for Village, and I hope some of that money will be reinvested to further improve all their theme parks.

This morning at Movie World I noticed Dirty Harrys bar is closed for renovation. There is a temporary bar outside it, and big signs on all the windows saying they are "making a few changes". I could see a couple of guys inside painting the wall inside one of the entry doors. Not sure what else they've got planned. May well be just a refresh, and nothing wrong with that, although the wording of the signs infers something will be different when they finish.

I'd really like to see Sea World get new rides for the next few years. If Movie World doesn't get new rides for a few years as a result that's ok. Sea World is in dire need of major investment.

Thanks. That does make sense but I'm not sure I really understand why things need to stop and restart. I would have thought all the effects could continue to work uninterrupted. The only thing that does need to be restarted is the score for each rider, but I would have thought that could just automatically reset at the station, regardless of how long it takes to get there. I don't remember actually stopping either time. If we did it can't have been for long. At least now I have a better idea what caused it.

I've experienced this twice recently. First was about a month ago. Second today. Everything was pretty good until I was about 30 - 45 seconds before the end of the ride, and then the guns stopped working. Today, the large screens (where you're supposed to see 3d aliens coming out) also turned off. I was especially surprised today because I'm pretty sure Justice League was closed for maintenance very recently? Has anyone else here experienced this?

The DC partially complete Christmas experience?

Well. Th- chr-stm-- t-ree is al-os- up! I've never seen it half complete before.

It's fantastic that Movie World is so busy! Pretty stark contrast to the situation at Dreamworld.

Brocks garage is an excellent attraction which I quite enjoy, and also quite new. I very much doubt it will be closed anytime soon (unless Dreamworld only have a short term lease on the exhibits).

Is that the operator of Sunway Lagoon in Kuala Lumpur? I've been there. The water park is pretty good (although not as good as Wet & Wild Gold Coast). I've been to the dry theme park too but don't remember anything much about it. That probably means it's fairly forgettable!

I've bought up Merlin several times. They would be my preference. They really know how to run a fantastic theme park. Maybe if they bought Dreamworld they could open a Lego section as part of Dreamworld. Possibly to replace the Gold Rush section.

I think Village buying Dreamworld would be almost the worst possible outcome (2nd only to a developer buying it to close down and demolish). Competition in the local theme park market is a very good thing indeed, so ANY experienced theme park operator EXCEPT Village would be far better to buy Dreamworld.

Come on Ardent / Main Event. It really is time to sell to someone who really knows how to manage theme parks! That way Ardent can focus on what they do best (cinemas and bowling centres) and the new owner can (at great risk of sounding like a bit of a Donald) make Dreamworld great again!

As long as they built a replacement Zombie Evilution location first that could be ok, not that there's anything wrong with the current location. For me it's the best attraction at Dreamworld, so would hate to see it closed. Err. Hmm! 10/10 for originality anyway!

For the (admittedly very minor) benefit of guest experience authenticity. I'm not Village management. I'm a guest!

Just noticed they've even put the Christmas lights up on the Main Street buildings.

Seems like they're following the retail trend of making Christmas earlier every year!

No sooner were the Fright Nights signs down.......! For now at least, the fountain is still a fountain and not yet a Christmas tree.

Saw these all over the interior of a train I was travelling on this morning!

Wasn't able to post this yesterday due to poor connection, but this was in the Gold Coast bulletin. I'm impressed. A respectful, yet overwhelmingly positive article.

In addition to all the Gold Coast parks I've been to Disneyland California, and several parks in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In my honest opinion the very best theme park I've ever seen anywhere in the world is Alton Towers. It's more than just a theme park too, so if you were able to stay there a few days (either in one of the 2 impressively themed hotels, or one of the new themed chalets) you could also spend time exploring the waterpark, adventure golf course, and the incredible Alton Towers gardens (not only spectacularly beautiful, but also themed and incredibly good fun too)!

It was almost an exact copy of Topz, as you'd expect (both Myer Centres were under the same management back then). I still remember the announcement on Channel 7 news about the "Permanent, free lego exhibition". It was not all that big, but it was a very good lego exhibition which changed ever few months. Only problem was they introduced a fee for it after a while (so it was no longer free) then people stopped going to it and it closed down (so it was no longer permanent)! I remember they tried keeping Dazzleland open till about 8 or 9pm after the shops had closed, but apart from Friday nights and school holidays hardly anyone went. The prices for all the rides seemed too high to me, and there was no pass that I was aware of which would have given you free access for an extended period like we have at the Gold Coast theme parks. On top of everything else, this all took place in the middle of "The recession we had to have"! Levels 4 and 5 stood vacant except for a gym (where the "Permanent, free lego exhibition had been) for well over a decade until a couple of years ago, and have now been completely gutted. The escalators have even been removed to those levels. Level 5 of Myer has also been closed off. Only positive thing is the remainder of the centre, and Myer has recently been completely refurbished, and I have to say now looks better than it ever did before (and yes, much better than the Myer Centre Brisbane)! Several ideas have been put forward to find alternative uses for the top levels over the years. None have so far come to fruition.

Good news is once they do open they do still serve coffee, and pancakes. I've just had some. A late breakfast, but ah well! Pancakes were not freshly made though, so I won't be having them again. Pancakes must be the cheapest, fastest, and easiest meal to make. There's no excuse to not make them fresh!