joz

I'm sorta torn about the whole 'Nick Central' thing. As far as I'm concerned, Nick Central means a couple of new shows, a playground a new kids roller coaster, and some re-themeing of the parks (really) old rides. I wanna see how it looks, have a go of Reptar, but I'm not to fussed on the place after that. After that I'll do what I've always done at Dreamworld: Walk around aimlessly untill I see a ride I wanna go on. Personally I was quite happy with 'Big Dipper' moving to Dreamworld, and I thought the ride was pretty good. However, it helped that everone said it was total crap My only problem with Cyclone is the queue house and the eniffiency of the loading. Nick Central will be a good kids area, but I'm not all that fussed either way by kids areas, so it won't make me rush out there.

Don't know what the go is, but SW was packed today as well. I hardly got my work done this morning we had that many customers. I'm stumped trying to explain it, the only thing I can think of is that allot of people may have put off visiting on the weekend. At SW last year during the holidays, I noticed that we weren't quite as busy on the weekend, but had a big crowd on Monday every week. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it, but we weren't too busy over the weekend... either way, its ganna be a huge Xmas, and I for one can't wait :twisted:

Ah, Pacific Drive, where the sun meets the surf, and the sharks don't meet the actors nearly enough If I remember correctly, in the queue for the Movie Magic show (used to be studio tour. Apparently they canned it because people used to leave the tram and walk onto the sets) there's a sign indicating which films have been produced at the studios each year since 1989. Lots of 'Straight to video' films up there, and I can't remember a single one

I agree with both Richard and Rabid on the capacity thing. While the examples are going around, I just thought I'd mention that Bermuda Triangle, which has a capacity of 1,200 p/h and is walk on pretty much all year, during summer has a queue time upwards of an hour. During summer, parks need the high capacity, and if its a problem in off peak times, then they'll take a train off the track, and the problem will be solved. Rabid is spot on with what he mentioned before, attendance is up, and that's across the board, with the biggest improver being Movieworld. Since sept. 11, and the Bali Bombings, domestic tourism on the Gold Coast has gone through a slight 'boom', as the ''holiday at home" idea becomes more more and more fashionable. As for which flavor, well, I reckon its a fair bet that its not ganna be an invert, so I'm ganna put a floorless on my wishlist, having said that, I'll be happy with anything.

Rabid, I'm ganna throw a question in your direction, where is this thing going? I've heard 4 different stories about this, one story says south of the car park, another suggests behind Wild West Falls. The other 2 stories I've heard place Outback Adventure in the old Maverick set, and one particularly ambitious story claims that it will be built on land purchased specially for the show. Does anyone know for sure which one it is (or if its somewhere completely different)?

You have to admit though Richard, if they did can Police Academy now, they wouldn't exactly be cutting it off in its prime (Like they did with Western Action show RIP Old friend). I agree that the Warner Village Show department is down the drain. At Seaworld there's Ski Challenge, Reef Discovery which really make you wonder who approves the shows (Although a little birdie told me that even John Menzies doesn't like Reef Discovery. I've also heard that he personally delayed the opening of the show in a last ditched attempt to improve it). As for shows out at Movieworld, all I can say about that is: Super Stars Live in Concert. If you've seen that show then you'll know that the entertainment department of the parks is really performing below par. Although, I say give them a chance, their due for a big success any time now. As for the coaster, I have to ask.... When does construction have to start to get the ride open for the movie realise :?:

Gez, that sucks. I'll still be going out to WNW over summer, but its a real shame whirlpool won't be open. It really sucks when you think how much 'Whirlpool' material has already showed up. Still, its a great example of why its a good idea to open rides during the quiet time of the year. What's this you say Richard? Something Original, are you insane???

Couldn't have put it better myself Despite what I thought, its not one of those wirlpool rides like at Wet 'n' Wild Orlando, but its a huge pool built into the ground. From the stories I'm hearing, during winter the water level will be dropped (or something like that) which will reveal 10 twenty person hot tubs. I think it sounds pretty cool, but I bet its really ganna piss some people off in winter. Any chance of anyone getting photos?

Hows Wet 'n' Wild doing? Well, at a recent adderess to staff, Steve Peet made it very clear that there was an 'attendance problem'. The problem being that so many people are visiting the park that the park is bursting at the seems. (Holiday World Syndrome) Wirlpool and the hot tubs are also coming the same year as a major upgrade to park ammenities, and just 2 years after 2 extra gates were added to the front entrance. Wet 'n' Wild is the best performing park on the coast at the moment, with attendance up nearly 50% in the last few years, with help from the 3 Park Super Pass and increased awareness. As Steve Peet once said, Wet 'n' Wild is now up there as one of the Coast's major parks with Movieworld, Seaworld and Dreamworld. Their soon to be expanding the land which they cover, so WnW still has some growing to do... Also, just back on topic, if you haven't noticed already, there was a typo in my original post, the cost is $60, not $6... enjoy :?

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?