Jobe

Just got back from a trip to the Blue Mountains and a day visit to Scenic World. I know that their recent addition of the new Scenic Railway train has been reported on Parkz earlier in the year but there hasn't been an update since so here is a short report and some pics on what is happening at the site. Firstly to the Scenic Railway. This is the 6th "Red Devil" train to grace the track. It has been custom built for Scenic World. I have to tell you that this new train looks fantastic. I did think that the fully enclosed doors would take away from the experience somewhat, especially considering that its predecessor only had chain barriers to hold you in, but to my surprise, it didn't. The much hyped "seat regulator" allows you to choose 3 settings-laidback, normal (52 degree angle), or cliffhanger (62 degree angle). Whilst it is great to be able to choose your seat setting, I did find this to be a tad gimmicky and really doesn't add much to an already awesome experience. The front of the train is also fully enclosed with steel mesh similar to what you would find in modern security doors. Whilst being enclosed, it still allowed you to feel the rush of air as it descends onto the Jamison Valley floor. One thing that has changed on my last visit, is that the Scenic Railway no longer accommodates prams or strollers. This was allowed on the previous train but now all prams have to utilise the cableway to reach the valley floor. The station at the top has been completely redone and has been elevated by around 2-3 metres from its original position. This has serious consequences for the Orphan Rocker track, but more on that later. The station on the valley floor has also had a very nice refurbishment. It has been extended from the original to allow for extra patrons and to seamlessly join to the adjacent Skywalk. The Skywalk, follows 3 km of elevated walking platforms in some of the prettiest scenery you will find in Australia. This makes for a fantastic overall experience as my family explored every inch. We had a nice picnic lunch as we traversed our way through the forest floor and we saw plenty of bird life along the way. The track meanders around to the cableway which you can then board for the trip back up to the top. The Scenic Skyway is also very popular and the current car, made in Switzerland, replaced the original car in 2004. The original served from 1958. The biggest difference between the current car and the old car, is that now there is a station on the other side where you can depart and take in the various walking trails to Echo Point and Katoomba Falls. Previously the trip was a one way journey. What has changed however, is that ( on this day at least) the car no longer stops half way. This was to allow the passengers plenty of photo opportunities of the nearby Katoomba Falls. However, this maybe because of the large amounts of tourists and also the fact that it was school holidays and in non peak time this practice may continue. The other biggest change for the park has been the introduction of a family pass that allows you to ride all 3 attractions all day. This gives you a wristband that utilises barcode technology to enter each attraction. It is very well presented and was a VERY popular choice amongst the multitudes of visitors on the day. Of course, as coaster enthusiasts, we all know about Orphan Rocker. I asked several attendants on the day general questions about the coaster and its possible fate. Whilst I do not have much to add to what has already been reported on this very site, there is some bad news but also hopeful news as well. Firstly, let me tell you that the material condition of the track does not appear to be very good. It is in need of a good paint but also in several areas the track has been completely overgrown by trees and bushes. This has been left to just sit and it is obvious that it has not received any attention for a long time. As you can see by the above pics, this coaster will need serious investment and serious work in order to open. That's just taking into account the clean up of the track perimeter. This was fairly typical of the condition along virtually every section of the track. From the vantage point of the cableway, where the coaster traverses the cliff and then comes back round to the hill lift, the track was engulfed by undergrowth. You just could not see it, it was virtually invisible. Secondly, in order to open, the track and coaster is going to need MAJOR structural modifications. As I stated above, the coaster track used to run parallel with the Scenic Railway loading/unloading area. However, with the refurbishment of the Railway and the new station being elevated above the original, this has meant that the track in its existing form , will need to be torn down and re- engineered in order to firstly, build a new load/unload station and secondly, be far enough from the present station for running clearance. The footers from the new station intersect where the current coaster track runs. The below pic illustrates my point fairly graphically. As I stated earlier in my post, I asked virtually every ride attendant/Scenic World employee about the future of the Orphan Rocker. Now I know that ride attendants are not the most reliable source of information but what I did glean was quite informative. Virtually EVERY person I talked to stated that there are definite plans to open the coaster in the near future. However, one supervisor/manager was much more forthcoming. He stated that every ride in the park had an operating life of just over 30 years. The oldest of these rides, The Scenic Cableway, is 12 years old. Now that all 3 attractions, culminating in the recent Scenic Railway refurbishment, have had investment spent on them, the Hammon family can now turn their attention to the opening of the Rocker. During the recent Railway refurbishment, they had the option to remove the Rocker but this was not done for 2 reasons. The first is, that the Katoomba Council will not allow a new construction coaster to be built but will ALLOW the refurbishment of the existing structure. The very fact that it is still standing means that the Hammon family have definite,slowly gestating plans for the structure. Of course, this is not going to happen quickly. There has been serious investment in the site in recent years, including millions spent on the refurbished railway. It is going to take at least 5 years for a return on investment, but the supervisor did say that this return is progressing quicker than originally planned because of the popularity of the attractions. It is not inconceivable that within 5 years, work and plans could begin on stirring the Orphan Rocker to life. Scenic World is a fantastic day out for the whole family. It is uniquely Australian in what it promises, and is a truly international attraction. The staff are fantastic, all local, and obviously love working there. It is a shinning example of what a humble family business can achieve over decades of hard work and dedication. You have to remember that this is a privately owned, family business who have spent MILLIONS bringing to life what Scenic World is today. The introduction and opening of The Orphan Rocker will only enhance a fantastic experience and firmly put this place on the international map. If you have never been, please take my advice and go and visit- it is a fantastic place to visit for the young and old and really utilises the beauty of the Blue Mountains and the Australian landscape to its fullest advantage. A great day!

Either way I find NONE of the names inspired. From what they had to choose from this is a fairly pedestrian name list IMHO.

You are absolutely right T-Bone, I am just not sure RWC will see it that way!!

Yep, given that reaction I would say that what you posted is definitely not a good response AlexB. Especially as he doesnt want to read it. Lol!!

Dare I say it but for once you are actually making sense!! I agree that the "current" name to me is lame sounding and could do with tweaking. Giving it a branded name is a better idea ,especially given its location in the park.

Yeah I was wondering that to GoGoBoy.The coaster element of the ride really isnt all that big and considering that Bermuda Triangle's entire course was contained in the show building, is it possible we may see an extended custom dark ride experience? Perhaps the coaster element is the only thing thats off the shelf? Would this be a possibility??

Hanna Barbera is no longer really relevant in today's environment. There are other more higher profile entities that Movieworld could use.

And what was it about mine or AlexB's post that you did not understand?? Our post's all came to the same conclusion. For someone who purports to be incredibly savvy and knowledgable about all things to do with the amusement park industry, not being able to grasp the simple concept of what constitutes a theme park versus an amusement park,especially when it is eloquently pointed out to you ,really highlights how insipid you can be. At times, your posts can be a blight on this board. I am fairly certain that in some of instances, the stupidity of your posts are deliberate,IMHO.

This isn't the first nor the last time that a journalist has got it wrong. LPM can be most accurately described as a fun park and definitely an amusement park but a "theme park"? Not in the classic sense of Disneyland or even our own Dreamworld/Movieworld does LPM or LPS even come remotely close. LPM has no "overall" theme. It is a collection of rides and amusements brought together in one place-in essence what makes it an amusement park. However the rides are NOT themed, there are no themed lands, there is just the park. Dismissing the other rides in the park by not being themed as not affecting the "theme" of the park is just idiotic. I am sure that other learned board members such as Gazza ,AlexB or Joz would be able to expound further on the virtues of an amusement park versus a theme park- in my mind they are 2 different entities, albeit with some commonalities. I cannot believe you are equating LPM as being the same as Disneyland-they are both amusement parks but Disneyland offers themed experiences. What themed experience does LPM offer????? It is a 100 year old seaside park that houses a collection of rides- some old and some new. It has its own unique atmosphere but that is brought about from its location, its originality and its historical features. These do not make an overall "theme" as the newer rides would contradict that. For a complete example of a "heritage" amusement park- please look at the proposal for Dreamland Margate. Every aspect of this park, every ride is aimed at being for historical and heritage value- and this type of heritage proposal and park is a world first. It is a conscious decision to be engineered this way. LPM is vastly different from what this proposal promises

This is getting waaay of post for this thread but this is not unusual where you are involved RWC. You post as if you believe other people are ignorant on this board. That is your folly. Of course I know that Body Rock is only a holiday attraction. It has been promoted as such. As for the replacement for G-Force, this was on their Facebook page well before Body Rock was announced, so it cannot be confused with that ride. "we have a ride on order... We will launch in the coming months (but we don't think you will be disappointed!)" and this "Don't worry everyone, we have a new exciting ride coming to replace this old favourite!" A new ride on order does NOT sound like a holiday ride to me. Launching in the coming months does not fit the timeframes for a seasonal ride ergo it MUST be a new ride they are alluding to. The answers are there for all to see RWC, if you were not so lazy and shoot your mouth off every time you post, without doing the proper research. You have a predisposition for posting inaccurate information and claiming that you are "in the know" or that it is set in stone. If you acted a little more humble on occasion and actually gave some respect to people on this board who know a lot more than you do and can clearly see through your bullshit, you would probably have a much better time on these boards.

Your argument that Luna Park plays heavily on its heritage is true. Especially in this centenary year. However, you were arguing that the Coney Island Drop Tower was themed to fit in with this overall "heritage theme" This is simply not accurate. LPM does not have nor will it ever be a "heritage theme park" Your words. Firstly it is a fun park which is vastly different from a theme park. Sure it does have heritage and historical sections of the park. The Scenic Railway, The Ghost Train, The Carousel and the face and towers all have significant heritage and historical value. LPM suitably markets these attractions as such. That is their appeal.However, the other rides in the park ( Twin dragon, The Spider, Pharoah's Revenge etc, etc) have NOTHING to do with any perceived heritage theme. Your attempt to say that the Coney Island Drop tower is themed this way because of an overall heritage theme is just blatantly wrong. Once again you argue to the death and hate to be wrong when called on it. You seem to be learning, but oh so slowly...............................

Doesn't take away from the fact that it is a choice Zamperla provides and therefore freely available to anyone or any park. My point is it is not unique to LPM and therefore scotches your overall heritage theming theory.....again.

As they have removed 2 rides recently- The G-Force and Metropolis earlier, and have stated that they ARE putting in a new ride in place of G-Force, one which you know full well about, it really isn't much of a stretch to answer your question in the affirmative. But you already knew that. So pointless statement on your behalf.

I would say this has the same amount of theming as Coney Island Drop which is to say nothing. Coney Island Drop has no theming- it is an off the shelf ride from Zamperla and it's Coney Island "theme" you claim as heritage theming is but one of potential choices ANY customer can make. But you keep telling yourself otherwise. Knock yourself out.

As much as i would love to see Led Zeppelin the coaster in Australia somewhere there are no real indications that Hard Rock Park are selling anything at the moment.

Just thinking that in all my years of travelling and enjoying theme parks across the globe, I have never,ever felt the urge to have alcohol at one. I love beer but I don't go to a theme park to drink. For mine, the two do not mix. Just my opinion- I am sure there are plenty out there who take up the offer.

Actually this could be very possible and would only require the removal of said offices. No punching required. The current staff offices you mention are of the demountable type building and completely temporary. Where they are situated follows the footprint of the original Big Dipper. With the removal of the G-Force, this could open this area up to be utilised by a larger coaster that could snake its way in between the Scenic Railway and the Dodgem Building. This may allow them to utilise a coaster design larger than previously thought. The pic below shows the area I am talking about The offices COULD be easily relocated to another area of the park, if that particular space was definitely required. Food for thought!

Did you ever think that entry is full of shit?? Just saying......

Well at least if you have 6594 Admins everyone will be able to delete anyone's posts- seems fair!! Lol!!

I would have thought that the expansion plans and Stage 2 for Jambaroo would be accelerated due to WNW Sydney's opening at the end of year. Can anyone confirm if they will be opening Stage 2 for this season?? Does anyone have timeframes?

Yeah as pointed out as well, it's material condition was not great. It was a nice rumour but thankfully a false one! Hopefully if LPM do decide to attain another coaster, it's a new build!

I also agree that both parks will survive however i can guarantee that LPS management will be looking closely at their bottom line results in the first 6 months of WNW Sydney's opening. It's a simple business maxim-LPS will go from having a captured market for thrills in the greater Sydney area to having a major competitor. They may decide that they need to up the ante in order to compete with the new boy on the block. What that response will be remains to be seen, however. As for Jamberoo's response I was under the impression that this was already enacted. The Funnel Web and the water play area was Stage one of a wider expansion-surely the timeframes for the remaining stages will be accelerated or given priority now that everyone is aware of the full scope of WNW Sydney's plans for their new park? Does anybody know these timeframes ?

Either way it does indicate that with the removal of both Metropolis and G-Force that something fairly substantial is coming to the park. These plans appear to have been long in gestation. Hopefully we will not be disappointed with the end result! Bring on that new Maurer Sohne spinner I say!!

The park is still quite interested in restoring a Rotor to LPM. This comes from the official centenary book where the Operations Manager states this. I have reported this info in earlier postings. I am confident that we will see The Rotor returned to the park at some point in the near future. It would be extra nice if the park was making room for a new larger coaster or a return of the River Caves in some form.

As long as this policy is pursued with unbiased vigour i have no issues with this . However i have seen some pretty pointless posts by mods on these boards that probably were deserving of deletion. It needs to be policed fairly and apply to all.