liz.wis

I think no, just as another point of difference from the GC parks.

I went down to Dreamworld yesterday, for the first time without kids in a long time - last time I did that, Thunderbolt was still going, and The Claw and anything subsequent wasn't yet in existence. Everything was a walk on. The MDMC/Wiggles World portion of the lake was MUCH cleaner than it was when I went down a couple of weeks ago. Last time it was just totally green with scum, yesterday it seemed predominantly clear. There was a huge stack of bent up metal/concrete in the former Reef Diver site. Nothing new that hasn't already been said about Wipeout. They were doing a fair bit of work there still, there was jackhammering going during the morning. Magic mushrooms and superfluous theming have all seemed to be removed from the log ride. I hadn't been on any of these rides ever, or if not for years: I was the first rider of the day on Giant Drop - myself and my husband had it to ourselves which was quite fun. The operator seemed to leave us up the top for a bit longer than usual, if I recall. Cyclone was HUGELY disappointing. Last time I went on it, it was really smooth, I thought you lot were exaggerating when you said how rough it's gotten, but, I agree, it was completely not enjoyable anymore. I'm not sure if there's a way to deal with that, but it was once a good coaster IMO. Shockwave - Not hugely thrilling, but I still thought it was fun. I'll totally let my 5 year old go on it when she gets to the right height. The cycle after the one we went on broke down. Pandamonium - I don't really like spinning, so went in the 'less thrills' option, and it was a bit lame. Again, quite happy for my 5 year old to ride it in on that setting. I didn't bother going on it on the faster/spinnning option, but my husband did, and he enjoyed it (he rated it well above Buzzsaw). Buzzsaw - I absolutely hate the feeling of going on a ride back-down, but my husband again went on it, and thought it was okay, but wouldn't be in a hurry to go on it again. The Claw - I did give this one a go, and it's probably the most thrilling I've ever found a ride. I was pretty shaky when I got off, hence not going on the above 2. MDMC - I've been on this one often, I still think it's a good ride as it caters for younger riders. Zombie Evolution - this was probably the most surprising attraction of the day, I went in with low expectations, and actually found it really fun, and a great way to break up going on rides all day. We did it a couple of times. Edited for bad grammar.

I've been to: MW SW DW W&W Lunar Park Melbourne Disneyland Knotts Berry Farm. Not extensive at all. Does Grundy's and Tops count? Gazza: Seriously envious of that list.

Back to the original topic, I went to Dreamworld yesterday, and it's the most packed I've seen it this year. Spoke to a random in the car park when we got there mid-morning, and they had just left Movie World as it was too busy, and hoping DW wouldn't be so bad.

I'm heading there on Sunday, I'll see if there's anything new.

My absolute favourite theme park experience as a kid was waiting in the Wayne manor for them to pull that book out and open the secret door to the Batcave. I once went on it 6 times straight just for that part.

As the resident person with small kids here, I think that ride will get a big yawn from my 5 year old, but perhaps not be suitable for my 2 year old either, if adults can't partake as well. I'm quite interested in the W&W idea though, that looks like it has potential to be quite fun.

If we're going by the photos included, apparently they're going to drop movie world somewhere on the spit too.

If the new ride is the Power Surge, and the height restriction is over 120cm, we'll have no choice but to skip it for now. A bit of background, my daughter is only 5, but somewhat of a thrill seeker, and pretty tall for her age - she's coming in just under 120cm, likely she'll hit it before our passes expire at the end of the year though, opening up a good number more rides by height - she's absolutely hanging out for shockwave, Cyclone (as it loops, and she hasn't been tall enough for any others), and maybe Giant Drop (I question the suitability for her age). She did get a couple of goes on Reef Diver before it closed down. We had VIP passes the previous 4 years (mostly going just to MW as it's a much quicker trip), but not a lot to do there other than WWF (usually with a long queue), and Rocket Rollercoaster (n.b. was technically 18 months ago when she was under 110cm, so no Scooby either). If we were to go back to MW, she's still not tall enough for Arkham, Space Shot, Superman Escape, Green Lantern. In another couple of years, we'll absolutely go back, as they're much better rides IMO. We also have a 2 year old, who is content with Wiggles World, plus gets to go on the family ones like River Rapids and Log Ride, plus a couple of the younger Dreamworks Rides. I agree the capacity is a bit of an issue, while I'm not a spin and spew person myself, things like Reef Diver where good fill-in rides, not a lot of queueing involved.

Despite popular opinion, I think I'm going to stick to Dreamworld for another 12 months, while they have more rides suitable for my kids ages/heights.

Wow, if they put a Power Surge next to a Shock Wave, it's like they're almost trying for a theme

I'd like to hope all of it, if we were to get something decent.

I agree with this, having kids a similar age. However, I don't really hold any sentimental value for Speedy as I was already a little old for it when it opened, and my daughter did it once or twice when she was around 3 or 4, and never asked to try it again. At 2, my younger daughter isn't quite old enough, so the window of enjoyment for that ride is fairly small IMO. Even some really basic rides with a smaller footprint could appeal to a wider audience - again, my older daughter (and husband) are quite keen on the one in the kids area at Sea World where you pull up to the top of the tower with the rope, then drop back down (forgot what this one is called) - very basic ride, but a bit more entertaining to a wider audience.

I agree with your first part about the number of 'big thrill rides' seeming less intimidating the more they add, however I actually think the range of family rides at Dreamworld is a bit more exciting, for kids past most of the WB Kids offerings, but not tall enough for Giant Drop. My 2 year old (under 100cm) still likes the MW kids rides, but absolutely loves being able to go on TRRR and the log ride, and my 5 year old (just shy of 120cm) only really likes the road runner coaster and WWF at MW (we haven't been for a year, so she wasn't yet tall enough for Scooby, and uninterested in JL). AT MW she can get onto everything in Dreamworks (except Pandamonium), Log Ride, TRRR, Motorcoaster (this one is her favourite, as at her age, she sees it as a 'big kids/adults' ride) - we can last all day at Dreamworld, but can barely put in a morning at MW.

I like this quote from the Wiki

Ah, ok, thought the ride was called Rainbow's End. Nice looking ride.

Which park?

Maybe they should rebrand as Turbine World.

That looks like a great ride - would help the issue MW have with not a great number of offerings for kids older than WB, but not tall enough for GL/SE/AA.

I also think it'd be a great idea - even when the movie is forgotten, Lego is still pretty timeless. My 2 year old loves it, my school kid loves it, my late-30s husband loves it.

I've had better chips at Dreamworld than SeaWorld, but better burger buns at Movie World than the others. Other than that, I find it all fairly interchangeable. I'd typically go to Gotham at MW, mostly because of its location. I also once had a really helpful staff member there help me find a table quickly when I had my daughter in a pram and the rain started bucketing down.

For me, Arkham doesn't meet the 'if you want off before it's over' factor. I just find it uncomfortable, and unpleasant to ride, and every time I get on it, I regret it. I enjoy the ride experience of Green Lantern, but not the theming. Can't really fault Superman Escape. WWF is a great ride of its kind, as was Scooby, in its prime (and could easily be fixed up a with a few minor fix ups).

Did anyone catch Dreamworld on Getaway this afternoon? They had the guy that won (? i assume as I didn't watch) Big Brother go on a number of Dreamworld and White Water World rides, they also looked briefly at Coroboree.

Great pictures. The old character costumes were a bit terrifying!

You just totally made my evening by illustrating a point with The Simpsons.