Wil_i_am_not

Crazy Coaster normally operates at FJF's Summer Carnival in Apollo Bay. Taipan is all but retired from what I've heard. Massive ride and needed a fair bit of work to keep it running. Doubt it will be operating in the foreseeable future.

Trident has now opened.

Ticket pricing should be more or less the same. They're trialling a new contactless-card system for the ride tickets this year which should be interesting. New rides are a Star Flyer type ride called Aviator alongside a new take on the classic Sizzler/Scrambler. I'll be working the Soundwave (or Waltzer) if anyone is dropping by.

Can shed a bit of light on this project. It’s been in the works for many years (probably at least 10 at this stage) and is being undertaken by Coleman and Sons, a travelling amusement operator who have run the trains at the Sydney Easter Show (and I believe Melbourne show) for over 50 years. I think they only got council approval a few years ago but due to covid, everything must have slowed down which is understandable. In terms of rides I know there were a few small machines supposed to go in, including an SBF VISA Powered Mine Train coaster (figure 8, used to travel around the show circuit) but obviously it’s going to be a slow process. I know the owners have big plans for the place but don’t want to give too much away at this stage. But yeah the miniature railway was always going to be the focus at the very start, and then a gradual expansion process will start from there.

Heard a rumour once that the Endeavour could’ve been an SDC make, but can’t for the life of me remember where or from who I heard it from. Would’ve been a couple of years ago now at least. Always wondered where it ended up after Wonderland. Most likely scrapped.

Made it out to Luna Park last night for the first night of public operation since lockdown at Halloscream. Crowds were massive and it was great to see so many people coming down to support the park, and as joz said before, it's looking to be a massive summer for the park. Queues were huge for most rides, with the Hair Raiser line spilling onto the midway, and the Boomerang queue being a consistent half an hour wait for most of the night. Starting with the new area, it looked... meh. Rides were using temporary fencing and the area just looked a bit cheap. Hoping they can fix it in the coming months and I understand it was opening night so things still needed to be tidied up, but in its current state, Luna Land is looking pretty sad. Sledgehammer was definitely the stand-out in the area, however it was a bit disappointing having that down (obviously due to unforeseen circumstances). Boomerang was quite a good little coaster, with some nice forces, so that's definitely a positive of the night. Mazes were fantastic again this year, all of them being hosted under the Big Top. Decaymart was probably my personal favourite, with great sets, props and actors, as well as a solid story, with Outback Slaughterhouse following closely behind. Rain Dead was perhaps the weakest offering - don't know if I just got unlucky, but it felt like there was a lack of sets and actors throughout. Staff were friendly as always, as were operations so that was definitely a positive. Was a shame to see many of the rides down, including 2 out of the 3 coasters for a good chunk of the night (Little Nipper had technical problems but did open later on), as well as Tango Train breaking down for the night, but this isn't the parks fault, and hopefully just all teething problems with the new rides.' I took a few pictures, nothing super amazing but hope everyone enjoys.

I’ll be there tonight. Hopefully I can get some snaps in between rides. Bit of a shame to see Sledgehammer under maintenance still but obviously something going on in the background there. I’ll try and put together a quick TR when I get home.

Space Roller doesn’t have any insurance, heaps of operators struggled to find insurance during COVID. Wild Mouse has been around for about a year now, was supposed to do Sydney last year but obviously was cancelled. It’s just an SBF Cyclone, same layout as a Pindari Zyclon. Nothing special.

Other ride operators from Sydney and beyond have confirmed. From what I’ve heard, Joylands doesn’t think it’s feasible to tour a two trailer machine (that requires a small crane to set up mind you) when there’s already a Breakdance on the circuit.

All the HUSS Rides from the park (including the breakdance) are getting scrapped, so unfortunately everything that can be will be sold off, and the rest sent to the scrap yard.

Most of Joyland's rides will be heading to their annual Christmas carnival at Jervis Bay, so doubt anything of value will be added (unless Pirates Revenge makes a surprise return for the summer). Spider will be returning (hopefully) at a later date, definitely not to the park and not for a few years at least, but there's the chance you could see it around at one point or another.

Joylands has (and will) receive two rides from the park, one of which will for certain return to the travelling circuit. So yeah wouldn’t be suprised if Rockin Tug was included in that transaction.

Strange to see how empty the space looks without the ride, it really dominated that back section of the park. As stated before, the Ranger’s electronic components will be reused to bring another HUSS classic back to life. I believe the shell of the ride including the arm, deck and gondola are being delivered to a local showman, however there are no plans currently in place to refurbish or restore the ride.

Im not saying it’s the ride that’s gotten the best treatment, all the Huss rides have been looked after fantastically from a mechanical standpoint to try and keep them running as long as possible. But just looking at them visually, you can see that the Ferris Wheel has been looked after much better. New paint, lighting, etc whereas all the others have looked tired for years. Plus, a Ferris Wheel from a pretty reputable Australian manufacturer is going to be much easier to maintain than complicated Huss rides, most of which have multiple drives, etc.

The Ferris Wheel is in pretty good mechanical nick, and unlike the Huss rides, was actually built as a permanent installation for the park, so it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb as most of the Huss rides do. I suspect both rides will be hanging around for a while, seeing as Joylands aren’t running any carnivals at the moment. I was told Power Surge was closed due to not being able to follow COVID restrictions, but I assume it’s waiting on a spare part or something until it can operate.

Breakdance looks like it’ll be next on the chopping block, fortunately for us enthusiasts, there seem to be quite a few showmen interested in potentially purchasing and traveling it. Does anyone know if Power Surge has opened yet? It seems like it’s just been sitting there for the last couple of days with no real movement.

I can’t reveal much more than that at the moment, but unless things change drastically, Ranger definitely won’t be returning to the park.

Can confirm Ranger will not be returning in its ‘current form.’ Haven’t heard anything about the Troika, but from how it’s been running the last couple of years, I wouldn’t be surprised...

We actually have a 'Kangaroo' model over here in Aus, technically a travelling model but only appears once a year at the annual Bell's carnival in Batemans bay (around a 4 hour drive from Sydney). It's definitely worth the trek out, they're fantastic rides and a whole lot of fun. I believe it's 1 of 2 original Bartlett's Flying Coaster units left in the world, with the other being the Kennywood Kangaroo.

Fantastic photos! Any word on who owns the new coaster?

Make sure that if you can, visit one of their amazing funfairs (or 'Kirmes') that they have over there. Maybe your not a huge fan of carnival rides in Australia, but honestly the quality of some of those attractions is better than what you'd find at theme parks, and the atmosphere (from what I've seen) is absolutely electric! Definitely something worth checking out. Cranger Kirmes is held in Germany during the August month, and features the likes of Olympia Looping, Wilde Maus XXL and many other notable travelling rides. The other I would have a look at is the Düsseldorf fair on the Rhine which is held in Germany also during July, and also features Olympia Looping, among a range of other awesome travelling rides.

Taipan hasn't been to the Easter Show for 2 or 3 years now... was replaced by Chants Nitro Coaster (Ex-Python Loop).

Might exist but it certainly doesn't do any shows anymore. Not sure if it's still in Australia sitting in someones backyard, sold for scrap or gone overseas.

It's a Fabbri Spinning Mouse, similar to TPA's Crazy Coaster, except slightly different layout and instead of unlocking halfway through the layout, it stays spinning the whole time. Dunno what other shows it's gonna do, as no-one is really sure of the owners, but I assume it'll do more regional shows rather than capitals, as that position has already been filled by the Crazy Coaster. Should do well though and I wish the owners the best of luck! From what I've seen, coasters always do really well at most shows, so definitely a good investment for the long term.

I didn't think Funtime actually manufactured in Australia anymore? I know they have an office over here, but I'm positive that all of their stuff comes from Austria nowadays.