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Really nice idea themeparkaddict and I love your enthusiasm. Sadly I don't agree with your assertion that it is realistic. It takes the financial backing of a major international corporation to have a realistic chance at building and running a theme park successfully. Sorry to be negative, but really I think you'd be wasting your time. I would love to be proven wrong on this though! Maybe crowdfunding (on something like gofundme for example) would have some chance if you could put together a persuasive campaign for it.

Unfortunately scapegoating is a normal part of the corporate world. I don't feel sorry for her. She was on a very good salary, and she'll be ok with her $730k payout!

Well there you go. I must have missed that somehow! Still. I like the new addition anyway.

I could say your opinions are even weirder djrappa, but I see no reason to stoop so low. You like rollercoasters. I do too but not as much as you do. Both are perfectly ok.

Had my first look at Tiger Island stage 2 this morning. Definitely a whole new experience being able to get so close to the tigers. Love it!

I would have to say that overall Dreamworld is lightyears ahead of the Village parks when it comes to dining options, and that includes several healthier ones. I've seen better though (at Alton Towers) so even Dreamworld still has a lot of room to improve.

Well said Slick.

I agree getting the balance right on healthier food and drink in a theme park environment is a challenge. However it's a challenge I would like to see taken on board by the parks. Installing yet another place to top up those ridiculously oversized plastic bottles they sell is not a good start. It can be done! Don't want to make the whole thread about this. I was merely expressing my view on it as an aside since it was brought up that another drink refill station is being installed.

Glad they've got rid of those brick planters. They were not very nice to look at, and definitely not nice to sit and relax on (always had to search for a patch not that wasn't white due to bird droppings!) Good to see additional sheltered seating, ideally placed next to main street so you can now grab something to eat / drink and relax and watch the entertainment while you do so. I am not so pleased to hear of yet another soft drink refill station. It's cheap for Movie World to implement I know, but it's encouraging people (mainly kids) to drink far too much soft drink. Terrible for their health. Would be great to see some better alternatives offered, although it is nice to know there are free water fountains around the park. Just not presented in the same enticing way though.

Anyone know what the latest is on the hotel? Is it still understood that it will be on the grassed area at the back of the Movie World carpark, and does anyone know when construction is likely to begin?

Thanks for the support Gazza, although I don't actually want "classic" attractions really (unless they happen to also be great modern ones)!

Did you know Movie World Madrid also has the same ride!

Ardent / Main event is a major international company. They cannot afford to be cheap in the way they manage Dreamworld. As I said above, they need to either cough up some serious investment, or get out of the way and let someone else do so.

Another possibility for Dreamworld would perhaps be something similar to "Oblivion" at Alton Towers. The "hanging over the edge" type of seating, and the rush into what appears to be an underground tunnel, plus the fact you get wet in the process, all make it very different to anything at Movie World (although admittedly Sea World has the getting wet part with "Storm". Yet another possibility would be if they could create something like "Hex" at Alton Towers. It's not a rollercoaster at all, but an incredible experience. I have been on it twice. It has a great story to it, and I honestly couldn't tell whether I was moving, or the room was, or both! That is of course the intention of the ride. It is certainly very dreamlike.

For what it's worth, I actually do agree that Dreamworld could do with a decent coaster as well as (not instead of) other new attractions. However it would need to be something significantly different to the hypercoaster at Movie World. It's highly unlikely a new coaster at Dreamworld would be better than, or even as good as DC Rivals, and I don't think they should even try for it to be. However a large coaster that offers a different kind of experience, or indeed something that's not a coaster but a major non-flat ride nevertheless, could pull the crowds. I'm thinking maybe a wooden "runaway train" type of coaster. Something like the "Soarin" attraction at Disney World Epcot centre would also be something I think could be a great addition to Dreamworld, and very different to anything at the Village parks.

Agreed. I understand the financial position they must be in, but without a doubt they must make a firm decision that either they are committed to the future of Dreamworld long term, or they're not. If they are, they absolutely must invest fairly heavily, and soon, to remove all traces of Thunder River Rapids, and replace it with something really exciting and fresh. If they're not, they should be actively seeking a buyer for the park. If at all possible that should be a major theme park operator who is likely to make the above investments.

In regard to the number of comments and "hits" on social media as a measure of how much appeal forthcoming attractions hold, I believe a lot of it comes down to how things are marketed. I am certain that if Dreamworld (or any park) were to launch a really great new ride / walk-through experience and market it in a way that makes it sound exciting then that would get just as much interest on social media as the Hypercoaster is.

I think it's good that each park focuses on different types of attractions. I wouldn't want Dreamworld to be basically a copy of Movie World. I think the recent statement by Dreamworld that they intend to focus on offering "experiences that stay with you" rather than thrills, is potentially on the right path. Just depends on them making sure those new experiences are of high enough quality to impress their target customers enough that they'll go to Dreamworld in preference to Movie World. In other words, not everyone thinks a rollercoaster is the best type of theme park attraction, and if Dreamworld creates new rides and other attractions that appeal to those people who don't, then they should be able to secure those people as long-term customers. I keep saying this, but Dreamworld should focus their investments on creating Dream-like experiences (which can include rides, but also other attractions too).

I had that issue with the headset the first couple of times, but I found if you tighten it as much as it can be that doesn't happen. My only complaint would be it's uncomfortable against my nose! A bit of soft rubber padding would no doubt solve that.

DC Rivals will reach speeds of up to 115 km/h, plus you can ride it backwards!!! Ride preview video http://themeparks.com.au/hypercoaster/

From Movie World Facebook page today. A teaser?

Announcement is at 12pm today! http://ourworlds.co/2017/theme-parks/australias-best-roller-coaster-announced-today/

Oh that's sad. It's my favourite attraction at Dreamworld.

No it's not. It's just about adequate (only just due to the poor food choices) for a park entry fast food bar. Nowhere near good enough for a downtown Dreamworld experience, especially when you consider it would be up against a pretty good array of dining options we have elsewhere in the Gold Coast. However if they were to open such a concept, I think it would need to be much more than just restaurants. Bars, and real entertainment (very good entertainment) would also be needed, as well as tourism and leisure experiences.

Billabong is in the middle of the park. It can't be opened to the public!