joz

If I were you, I'd be sending an official complaint to the park, calmly explaining your situation, and you should be able to get a much more positive result that way then you would complaining to staff member in question at the time or posting about it online. Clearly this is an issue that prevented you enjoying your day, and you should get a positive response from the park. In any case let us know the response.

Wow, tough crowd... Not quite getting the anger, I mean we knew they weren't getting a new major attraction, so why the anger for a minor one? By the nature of it I'd assume its temporary, and I don't blame them for adding something given the competition they're going to face this year. In any case, the blog sounds interesting

I've split this one off into its own topic, and I'm interested in other people's opinion about this. I think what Wyncenuros was getting at isn't "They should not build new stuff and keep everything old" but rather, "The park should be about making Movies not random theme park rides”. Personally, I like the direction MW is heading in. I don't really care to spend a whole day learning how movies are made, the idea of walking around a pretend working studio learning doesn't really appeal to me, not for $70 per person anyway. I've said this before, and I'll say it again, I much prefer the current theory where you go to Movieworld and "Ride the Movies", where the movie comes alive and you're in the middle of the action. I'll give you an idea about what I mean: Imagine there's a new park called "Magic World" an entire park was based around magic and illusions. Wouldn't it be much better to encounter "Real magic" rather then being told repeatedly how the tricks worked? (Its all fake everyone!!!) Well that’s basically the way I feel about Movieworld, I find it much more fun to "Enter the Movies" as it were, rather then simply learn about them. While I must admit I’d love for the Studio Tour to come back so there could be one very well done, token attraction based on making movies, though Hollywood Stunt-driver may end up taking that role. I also disagree with some of the bad opinions people have about the new stuff, particularly the roof. I don't believe the roof will improve retail sales, if anything, I think it will hurt retail sales. Before the roof went all the way over Main Street, as soon as it started raining, everyone went into the shops. Now, they'll stay out on Main Street, maybe see Sherek or take a seat and watch the Big Screen. Sure some will go into the shops as well, but not in the same numbers they used too. They'll make that money back on the extra functions, but I don't think it’s a money making move that’s to the detriment of the rest of the park, and IMHO greatly improves the park. On the whole, I think they're getting better, I mean look at their two major coasters, Lethal and Superman. Lethal is the old style, where there was some very weak Stunt driver tie-in to justify it in a 'behind the scenes' park, where Superman: Escape is the "Ride the movie" style. Look at the other rides, Wild West Falls takes you on a journey through a western movie, Scooby Doo takes you to the Ghost ride from Scooby Doo, and it could even be argued that Roadrunner puts you into a Road Runner Cartoon. It wouldn't surprise me if the only reason Batman Adventure is still in the park is because it is a ride through the Batman universe. Having said all that, sure they could do some these things better. Batwing Space shot doesn't really fit the mould of the park, and while I don't think every ride has to be indoors and be a full on "Experience" I think Batwing does stretch it a bit far. It would be nice if we could have more characters out and about in the park. Some attempt at proper "themed lands" would be great along with staying true to that (If there's going to be another Looney Tunes show made from scratch, and its going into the Western Area why can't it Star Yosemite Sam and be a western?). And will someone please tell DreamWorks / Universal that your pre-show should be themed to fit with the actual 4D Movie. You'll be happy to know that problem was fixed in MW Germany, which is shame really since that MW is the one that really lost the plot.

This thread fails.

Being permitted to take photos is different from being permitted to post them online. Check please The spider webs and spiders look really cool, not realistic, but they do the job, and there are heaps of them up and down Main Street, and its not like the orange Hessian that they use at Disney in case you’re wondering.

^Ask if you can post them first!

Ah, love it that there's someone on staff with the youthful enthusiasm to edit stuff. Hope the N00bs don't defeat you too

^ What I'm getting at that last year their attendance was up, which I'd put down to more awareness of the place. This year, I'd expect more of the same, a huge increase in attendance on last year, riding off that better awareness, which anecdotely from yourself, could well be the case.

I think we can look forward to a cut in spending, at least until the situation becomes more clear. I think this year will be pretty healthy despite the economy, and I'd expect to see a lift in attendance on last year, particularly for the Village parks, with all having some pretty cool new toys to market, and I think the Gold Coast may end up a cheaper alternative for people with overseas being out of the question with the recent slide in the Aussie dollar, which at the time of writing is worth US64c. (Just on Village and the AU$, bet they're happy they bought the US water parks when the exchange rate was so favorable, since now our dollar is down the crapper they'll be getting a much better return) I'll put it all on the line and give my prediction for the year ahead (pulled out of the backside in case you're wondering):* MW: Slight lift in attendance (between 1 and 4%) driven in part by the new show and a slow year last year SW: A 4-8% lift in attendance lift in attendance, due to new attractions being released WnW: Big increase this year. Of the established parks on the Coast, its the cheapest to visit, and with the weather being so bad last year, I can imagine there being many people who haven't been for a couple of years now. 4-8%+ increase. DW: Moderate decrease in attendance of around 2%. Tough competition, coupled with lack of new attractions, offset by an unexplained 8% jump in spending. WWW: They still haven't hit their stride yet, and as people become more aware of the place, attendance will continue to improve. * Guesses assume weather is improved on last year and economic conditions don't get *much* worse. For entertainment purposes only, no responsibility taken.

Well yes, but Mac. is dropping further then Villiage.

One thing worth noting is Mac Leisure is very closely related to a bank, and now is not a good time to be a bank.

^ Oh no, not that bloddy DJRAPPA again

Going to the theme park isn't a weekly activity, for most its a yearly, every 2/3 years treat, so to say what part of weekly wage is a bit silly. It is expensive, but so is Gold Class cinema, a nice meal or a night at the theatre. Its a one off special treat, and besides, what self respecting local pays full price anyway? skeetafly touched on this, but the parks over there are cheap, and not only that, but every thing is cheap. You know why? No one makes any bloody money! If you're making $6 over there as a waiter, you're lucky! Most make $2.13 an hour, yes they get tips, but only if there's customers. If the place you work is dead and you've got a big bill coming up, tough luck. Ride Ops who here make $17/$18 an hour over there are on about $7 an hour. Yes the $ amount is lower then our parks, but its not really the full story. But since we are comparing our price structure to theirs, well most kids hit 48 inches around the age of 8 or 9, so 8 year olds often pay adult price. Food for thought

As the parkz.com.au representative, I demand more bottled water and better breakfast platter! The cake platter can only go so far. Special props must go to WnW for getting rid of said cakes before the 30 blonde bombshells got there. While they may need to eat, they don't need cake. Perhaps a small side salad without the dressing and a glass of water? Truthfully though, the slide was much, much better then I thought it would be. The first drop into the slide is insane, and as normally is the case, it looks heaps steaper once you're up the top looking down. Also unlike Tornado, the build up of water at the bottom of the slide does little if anything to slow you down, and you get a very long way up the sides. Plus even the small kids seemed to get a long way up the slide as well, so everyone should get a real thrill out of it. I guess if I had to sum it up in a word, I'd say its "fun". Its not the biggest thing or scariest thing at WnW, its not the most advanced ride there by a long shot, but its a scream out loud, laugh your head off, go again, sort of good time. As for lines, well I'd suggest they'll be able to put through 200 - 250pph, so the queue should be moving a little bit quicker then Cyclone, but still not overly quickly. Get there early, get there first would be my advice.

The latest can be found from here: http://www.parkz.com.au/photo/AU/Gold_Coas...er_24_2008.html Enjoy!

^ Win

Here's how it boils down for me: With lunch, it'd be a great idea. The food at PC is great, plus to escape the chaos of MW to Paradise Country for an hour for lunch and the Farm Tour (I figure they could offer an abridged version) I think would be a great option for many. Without lunch, not doing much for me. Still, if they're going to start offering a shuttle to PC, hopefully it won't be long before we see something between MW and WnW. Hell, on a Dive in Movie night in the middle of summer I reckon they'd be able to flog off a quite a few $24.50 afternoon rate tickets.

^ Come on Gazza, Australia doesn't have enough Intamin Launch Coasters. I'm sure Jamberoo and Scenic World will each have one in the next couple of years. I'm still not convinced that one won't pop up in the warehouses where Wonderland used to be

^ Well normally I laugh at people with the old quote of the month thing, but for this one I can assure you I'm laughing with you. Cracked me right up that did.

Haha, yeah, funny enough he's a good mate of mine. Really good bloke, but doesn't ask you to do something just for the sake of talking. Glad he didn't cave

Gazza - You just saved me having to spend a good portion of tomorrow taking photos Good work.

Only 2 new photos, but they do show vertical construction underway. Enjoy!

^ Agreed. Say what you will about the operations of the ride, but for it was an amazing buy at the $7million mark it ended up being. Also remember, it was pretty smooth when it opened, and back in the day, there was talk of a second train for the ride, which unfortunately fell by the wayside. The thing that sucks about it is the operation of the ride, which can pretty much be summed up as poor station/ queue house design and 1 train, and (arguably) the maintenance. Other then that, great addition.

DEAP - Where did you work as a lifeguard?

I'd like to see them get someone from outside of Dreamworld, but who has a theme park industry background. Anyone from Dreamworld isn't going to look at the park with a fresh set of eyes, which I think is what it needs atm.