joz

Just before my post, I'd just like to mention that the head of IAAPA was out last year for AALARA, and had something very interesting to say about the parks. When asked what he thought about the parks, without any hesitation, he said that he'd been to some of the biggest parks in the world, but no parks he had been to were of such a high quality. Anyway, I had the pleasure of attending AALARA last year, and I'm really looking forward to the prospect of IAAPA being there. The trade show was really interesting to check out, although none of the major manufactures (Arrow, B&M, Intamin ect.) made an appearance. The only 2 ride companies I found were Zamparela, and I think Mossier (I've long since thrown out the brochure, so don't quote me on that). Hopefully with IAAPA there we may see some major industry players out. Most of the booths were occupied by companies which developed pipping, queue rail systems, ice-cream freezers and the like. The only other booths I remember was a photo company that had on-ride photo technology and were showing how its been installed on Space Probe, and a company (Polar Crush I think) that was offering some beautiful slush drinks. IAAPA being there could make the trade show very interesting, and who knows, one of the parks might buy something.

Shouldn't matter about the sound stages, they're meant to be sound proof, and since its a night time attraction, I think they'll be fine there. It won't be in the way of the parks, it looks pretty close to the studios if the footage is of where they want to build it, and if the long time plan of the parks meeting in the middle is on the cards, then that can still happen. There was a bit of talk (well speculation really) of that a few years ago, but I doubt it would happen. Still, you never know....

Warner Village Theme Parks is about to launch a new show next door to Movieworld: Outback Adventure. It will not be a part of the Movieworld, but is too be built in a new purpose built building, and will be a night time attraction, costing about $6 a night including BBQ dinner. The project was originally slated to be built just south of the Seaworld car park, but that land is now under control of Aborigines. Those who heard about Dolly Parton's failed 'Stampede' project will be familiar with the idea, which is a western themed show indoors, with the exception that this might have more of an Australian theme. It is expected to open by Xmas next year. Also it looks as though it will be placed just south of Movieworld's car park (the side closest to WnW)

Only ever seen Wipeout's cycle change once, and that was for the 'Xtremeworld' that they ran for a couple of years, although the normal version is allot more fun then the 'Xtreme' version. I'm pretty sure that Vekoma made the ride with a few extra sequences, but Dreamworld only uses the one (or is it a combination of 3 for one ride?) for Wipeout. The only other differences I've noticed is on rainy days the gears which control the gondola slip, and the gondola misses being flipped upside down. Quite fun I must say, especially since you expect it to do something else. On a side note, welcome to Total Thrills Joe, hope you had a good day at Dreamworld

Hey, someone's gotta do it... Personally, I take someone else on kiddie rides with me so I can pretend it was someone else's idea to go on 8) Tell ya something though, now its gone vertical, its all of a sudden quite exciting, even we knew pretty much the whole time what they were getting. Can't wait to check it all out

wow.... its bright isn't it Good picture Richard. Just think, in a couple of short months, you'll have a whole new set of kids rides to go on

To me, it sounds like they could be trying to find a replacement for Hanna-Barbara. Even so, a new kids area can't hurt, and since all the Gold Coast parks have had new kids area built in the last 5 or so years, maybe Wonderland is looking at doing a new one for themselves. That is of course a wild guess..... anyone know what exactly it is?

Sorry, under diddlie squat, read: nothing. Also, about when WnW have struggled to get attendance in the past... well think about it, its a water park, when would you expect them to

Sorry to hear about being in Melbourne.... how is Luna Park BTW I tell ya something though, Shaun has said exactly what I've been trying to say (with very little success) for a while now. "Usually when I'm bored at a park I just tend to walk around and look but you soon get sick of that at MW." Couldn't have said it better myself. Dreamworld and Seaworld (and to a lesser extent, WnW) accommodate to those who are just 'walking around' very well. 2/3rds of those parks are just quiet areas where you can just walk around and look. Movieworld does not. What's more, Dreamworld, Seaworld, Wet 'n' Wild and even Wonderland have offer stuff to do when your a bit over the rides. Be it flat rides, or shows (Movieworld only has 3 shows that appeal to a wide audience), a water park, animals and in the case of Wet 'n' Wild; a Wave Pool & Lazy river. Movieworld has nothing in the way of diversions, and the constant back tracking is irritating to say the least. As far as actual operations of the park are concerned, well, I think they're going through a bit of a rough patch. I had a customer who went to the park on Indy Sunday, and the report card from the park was not good. Scooby Doo had down time for most of the day (kinda ok, it is a new ride after all), Batman was running motionless all day, parades were cancelled (due to rain), and then there's the fact that Harry Potter remains closed for re-theming (she then made a small gesture toward her 12(?) year old son). Like I say, I think that the operations of the park may have just had a bit of a hiccup, and will be on top of things soon. But even when they are, they will still be left with the same park, with the same infrastructure problems. Only a new area of the park can relieve that, no matter how well the park is run..

Gotta side with Shaun. While the ride still can be a bit of fun, and I probably would miss it, I think its time is up. Its not just the track. The supports and one of the trains are collectively in hideous condition. Anyone whose been on Cyclone and looked at thunderbolt from the exit ramp knows what I mean when I say that the rust patches on that ride are huge. The layout of the ride is ok at best, but considering how much needs to be replaced, I don't think that they should bother. It'd be like what they did with Enterprise (ripping it out and putting in a new model of the same ride). Don't get me wrong, if Dreamworld do get it to run smooth, you can bet I'll be a happy camper, but from here, I'd say a new ride would be preferable.

Oh the Power mwahahaha! Well, I'll say this much, the rumours of what WnW will get are true (haven't seen the rumours? Go search through Aussie theme park sites to find them . However, what the rumours don't say is that the park will get something else. While not a 'thrill slide' this new attraction will compliment this water park quite, and should attract people at times when WnW have traditionally struggled in the past. Its the second attraction that I will keep tight-lipped about, as I think that Steve Peet (Warner Village Theme Parks Operating Officer) is very much looking forward to being the one to tell the world about it, and since I quite like Steve Peet, I'll leave that to him. Now that everyone knows what Dreamworld is getting (nick central) and what Seaworld and Movieworld are getting (Diddle Squat and Harry Potter respectively), let the final guessing game begin... :arrow:

BTW, there are a few things you should know.... very important things about Surfers Paradise nightclubs that only theme park (and hospitality staff) must know: Sunday - 4 free drinks - Cocktails & Dreams Monday - 2 free drinks - Shooters Monday - 4 free drinks - Bourbon Bar (restarts in about 3 weeks) Monday - free pool - Sugar Shack Thursday - 'Theme Park night' inter park competitions, give aways, karaoke, happy hour drinks all night - Sobar. Happy drinking, and again, welcome to Warner Village

Another marketing push could be something like "Australia's only GOOD wooden Roller Coaster" I reckon there's enough room behind Scooby Doo (Between Lethal Weapon and WWWF), a wooden coaster, custom or WWW clone. Can't see it happening any time soon, but I'll 3rd the notion that dreaming is ok

Rabid: Sounds like you could be in luck Still in the words from one wise man (Jeff from Coasterbuzz): I know what their getting, but I'm not telling anyone! :twisted:

Very cool, nothing to be sneezed at there, the countries second invert, looks like a fun little ride. Any news yet on track peices arriving yet?

I think that they should re-run "Super Stars Live in Concert" :shock: :? I personally feel that that particular corner of the park is already a bit cluttered (Lethal Weapon, Scooby Doo and Wild West falls/Wild Wild West). So perhaps they should just put a new show in, but I don't think Matrix would be the best show for the area. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a Matrix themed stunt show, but since the stage is right in the middle of the western themed area, then I think that the show should be western. I agree with Richard that the original show that was there was there when the park opened was the best show they had, maybe they could do an indoor version of that show. My thinking is that the show shouldn't be themed to any film in particular, but be themed to the western movie genre, so they can just concentrate on making the show entertaining rather then making sure it fits with some movie. Even if they do use it for Functions and TV shows, they should still use it for live shows during the day. Seaworld uses both Dolphin Cove and the Ski Show arena for TV shows and functions, so there's no reason that it can't be done. For me, the arena as it stands is a huge waste of space, (and an eyesore, but I'll save that for another day), and I'm sure that a new show in there might do the park well. If they don't do that, I think they should demolish the arena and build a clone of 'Stunt Fall/Deja 'Vu, or Wild West Wooden Roller Coaster; Afterall, the other parks get all our good rides, its about time we got some of there's

We should see if Meshio wants another go at it Seriously, I think Arrow would do a pretty good job with Thunderbolt, I'd prefer to have arrow do a new version then say Vekoma, Morgan or Kumback. I trust arrow, and I still believe that their rides are not rough. Personally, I wanna see B&M or Intamin have their own full ride rather then doing a half job on Thunder Bolt.

Sounds great, also, if you can make it out before the 3rd of November, I'd be able to get you in for half price due to an industry discount ticket I have in my hot little hand.

Sorry Richo, that would be me, my comp is a bit on the crap side, and doesn't like letting me log-in. Also, just a correction of what I said above, the site is SOUTH of Dreamworld.

Only 2 out of the country, but I think there pretty good: Alton Towers, England once Disneyland, Anaheim twice. Still, I am planning my next holiday, so within the next 2 or 3 years, I'll be able to say Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, California Adventure, Las Vages, Six Flags Astroworld, Six Flags Feista Texas, Six Flags Over Texas, Islands of Adventure, Universial Studios, Seaworld Orlando, Wet 'n' Wild Orlando, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kindgom, Ghoast Town in the Sky, Six Flags Georgia, Six Flags World's of Adventure, Cedar Point, Six Flags Darein lake and Paramount King's Island. We're also looking at checking out Lake Compounce, Holiday World, Six Flags New England and Paramount Great Adventure. But for now, only the 2 above

Being a bit of a skeptic, I'd probably say it ain't a 4D, but if it is, I for one am hoping Dreamworld will pick up the ride second hand when Wonderland go bankrupt j/k Still, if its true then this is very exciting, although you'd have to wonder when they intend to have this thing open by, it seems they've left it a bit late to open by Xmas, looks more like it'll be open just in time for winter.

Welcome to Warner Village Theme Parks Rabid, glad to have you as part of the team! I'll be out at Movieworld for cross-training after the holidays, and I'll keep an eye out for ya. Don't forget to attend Employee of the month nights (there's one coming up soon), John Menzies or Steve Peet always have something to say about what the parks are getting. Best of luck with the new job, cya around the place sometime!

I can confirm, after double checking last night, I can confirm that Thrillseeker is still sitting in the park. The supports in question are NOT that of the old thrillseeker. Unless this has something to do with Runaway Reptar (Dreamworld's new ride) then I'm thinking it all looks very good for Wonderland.

Looks like someone else is ganna have to take the photos, I didn't get any photos turn out even with the flash...... maybe I need a bigger flash :idea: