Jobe

Ahh I see GoGoboy..the article I saw was in the Daily Telegraph and wasnt nearly as positive as the SMH. Anyway it has been announced that Powersurge and a brand new ride are going to LPS on Boxing Day for the Xmas Hols. That new ride is a Zamperla Disk'O'!!!! This is awesome news and the ride makes its Australian debut at LPS. I wish it were permanent but at least its appearing there first!! I would much prefer a Disk'O' Coaster but this is the next best thing!!! This should prove to be a very popular ride. I was beginning to think that there would be no seasonal rides this year but this is good news!! Now if only they can add something more permanent.... Cheers Jobe

This is true GoGoboy however the article was written to give the impression that LPS is in full financial difficulty. As per usual journalistic hype. and as I stated Peter Hearne, LPS Managing Director, vigorously denied this. I agree that it would be a fairly inexpensive exercise to lease temporary rides for the holidays , however, the lack of announcement of anything at this point in time is concerning. For the last 6 years the ride line up has been announced long before now and to not get anything big in the parks 75th year is a certainly due to something major. Perhaps there could be some financial difficulty that we are as yet unaware of? I certainly hope not!! Also the fact that the park has not added a single NEW permanent attraction in the 6 years since this incarnation opened could also a be a pointer to more darker overtones.... Just my thoughts.. Cheers Jobe

Doh!!! Thats what you get for replying on an Iphone!! Thanks for pointing that out in your droll way Gazza!! Cheers Jobe

Its sad to see such an iconic ride disappear but we all have to be positive. We dont know Seaworld's plans yet for the site and what replaces it may truly blow our minds away!! However the closure ihas seriously depleted their ride count since the demise of the train and Pirate Shipe with no real replacements on the horizon. Lets hope that this lack of replacment attractions is reversed in 2011!! Cheers Jobe

I think that the Ali Baba, while clearly not as good as The Ali Baba, would be a good addition to LPS for the holidays!! It is interesting and a little disturbing that nothing has been announced yet for the Xmas holiday ride lineup. I was hoping that this being the 75th year we would see an expanded lineup but to me, it is looking more and more like it wont happen!! I just hope that this isnt linked to a report in the Daily Telegraph today that purports that LPS is in financial trouble, something that Managing Director Peter Hearne has strenuously denied in the same article. Surely someone on these forums knows if there are going to be Xmas rides at LPS?? Cheers Jobe

Hi all!! It's getting close to that time of year when LPS announces their ride lineup for the Xmas holidays!! As of yet nothing has been posted on the website so I am asking does anyone have any idea of what will be appearing?? I am hoping for an extended ride lineup this year , as it is the 75th anniversary of LPS opening. I am hoping for some rides that haven't appeared at LPS before such as Crazy Coaster or even Rainbow!! ( that would be most ironic since Rainbow was supposed to go to LPS in the '95 incarnation!). Most probably the flume ride will appear again this year , which is good, but I am hoping for at least 3 or 4 extra rides to make an appearance!! Let's hope they utilize the space next to Tumblebug this year!! Cheers, Jobe

DjRappa I simply meant that the ride has not been what I would call a huge success at Wet'nWild. It has had it's fair share of problems such as the misting sprays being removed as they caused undue corrosion. Yes the ride is popular at Wet'n'Wild but it is an uncomfortable fit for the ride. It has never really belonged at Wet'n'Wild and I believe that it would have a higher profile at a park such as Seaworld. As for costs of removing and reinstalling I do not think that it would be that significant. Remember Mammoth plunge was removed from Wet'N'Wild and reinstalled at Seaworld. Granted this is a whole different ride in regards to complexity however the precedent has been set! Cheers Jobe

Why ever not?? Surfrider has NOT been an outstanding success at Wet'N Wild. The mere fact that the original plans were to install Surfrider at Seaworld would make them more likely to revisit the idea. It just makes much more sense, especially considering the small footprint of the ride, the readily available small parcel of land that Pirate Ship used to occupy also being available. It would make a lot of sense-as I have stated before, Seaworld is short on rides attractions, this would give them 3 coasters and would fill a niche that is lacking in the park( ie genuine thrills which is really only catered to by Jetski and Sea Viper. Having visited Seaworld 2 weeks ago, I found that it is dire need of 2 or 3 ride attractions to lift it back to being a great park!! Couple this with a refurbishment of Bermuda Triangle, and the reintroduction of the SeaWorld train, and this would go a long way to balancing out the park. Cheers Jobe

I agree with all the comments regarding Surfrider!! In it's current state it is a superfluous ride at a water park such as Wet'N'Wild. I totally agree that it would be better served being placed at Seaworld( which is in desperate need of more ride attractions). I have thought this and expressed as such before the ride went into Wet'N'Wild. The place where The Pirate Ship used to stand would be perfect for Surfriders footprint!!Let's hope that someone from management sees the common sense of such a move!! Cheers, Jobe

Surely this will be included in the price of admission!!! If this is an upcharge attraction then it would be a travesty!!! I had assumed that it would be included with the entrance fee , but your question raises concerns. Can anyone confirm or deny?? Cheers Jobe

Well.....I would love a brand spanking fully themed jam packed traditional amusement park that would sit smack bang next to Wet and Wild Sydney...... Seriously though this is a fantastic announcement and one that is long over due for Sydney. Hopefully it will be a major success , the planning and the attractions list look to be extremely top notch. I just hope that it all comes to fruition!! If succesful , this could also lead to more major investment in the area and Village Roadshow may just build a sister theme park adjacent to Wet and Wild, thereby neatly capturing the Sydney and NSW market in one swoop!! Lets hope that this could eventuate!! Fingers crossed!! Great news though!! Cannot wait! Cheers Jobe

I totally agree GoGoBoy. Dreamworld can lift themselves back into premier park status by installing one or two high end flagship rides. Preferably this could include a new coaster( who is thinking woodie?) and a major flat. Then they can concentrate on fleshing out certain areas of the park that is crying out for attention ( Eureka Mine ride removal and Skyway removal being critical, but I would also add a overhaul of Motocoaster, of which has been almost universally panned). Add in a total of 3-5 smaller well themed family orientated rides and the overall Dreamworld experience would be lifted tenfold. The re-invigoration of Tower of Terror is a great starting point.Lets hope that the funds gathered are utilsed correctly and is managed by a person who has a direct vision for the park to follow, and the experience to implement it in the best possible way. Cheers Jobe

T-Rex, Waveswinger is staying at the park until at least March, which is a good thing. What is interesting is that both the "Moon Ranger" and "Waveswinger" do not have a location applied to either of the rides on the website. All the other rides such as Spider and Rotor have either a "Maloneys Corner" or " Midway" label attached to them. This could mean that the park has not finalised the exact location of these rides once the Moon Ranger finally comes back online. As has been stated before, this could mean that any temporary Xmas ride numbers could be curtailed, as the available space is diminishing. Unless of course they utilise the slab next to the Tumblebug, which is really the only decent sized space left in the park, once the space between the Crysatl Palace and the Ice Creamery is used.Still, I hope we get at least 2 more additional rides for the traditional Xmas hols!! This would make LPS that much more attractive for a school holiday visit!! Cheers Jobe

The Ranger has been added back into the ride lineup list on the LPS website. It appears the backdrop is now much more than just scenery as their has been a name change to "Moon Ranger" . Well, it is an attempt at some semblance of themeing!! It appears it will be up and running for the upcoming school holidays. Also the website is running a competion for free tickets to John Farnham at The Big Top for LPS 75th anniversary, and also includes megapass giveaways.Entry is on the site..check it out- it looks very good!! I would really love to see a whole new ride that hearkens back to LPS's heyday be introduced in time for LPS 75th birthday-maybe the park have a few more surprises up their sleeve. Time will tell!!:-) Cheers Jobe.

The backdrop is actually a rendering from a famous French silent movie of 1902 called ironically, "A Trip To the Moon" The director, a George Melies, is considered one of the greatest innovators of early cinema. This movie used never before seen special effects and the movie itself was loosely based on 2 novels,"From the Earth to The Moon, by Jules Verne, and "The First Men In the Moon" by H G Wells. It has the distinction of being the first ever science fiction feature commited to film and was voted number 84th in an official 100 Greatest/influential films of the 20th Century I have attached 2 photos to show where LPS derived its inspiration for the Ranger's new backdrop. One is a still from the film ,while the other is a promotional sheet. LPS's new backdrop is obviously heavily influenced by both. Its about time that LPS put a little bit of effort into giving their rides a little bit of theming, even if its just a backdrop. As has been stated on these forums before, if all the rides had a themed bridge,much like the rides of LPS of yesteryear, it would go along way to restoring a feeling of consistency and would remove that "carnival" look that pervades the park at this time. The use of the motif in the Ranger's baricades as well could suggest that this could be a theme that could well be utilised throughout the park. I have to say that I like it and I think its a step in the right direction, albeit a small one. Cheers Jobe

Thanks for the great pics mate. Its great to see that LPS is at least interested enough to refurbish their existing attractions. And lets face it,Australia's only HUSS Ranger is well worth the effort!! Now if the management at LPS were a little bit broad minded in their approach to the fun park side of things we might actually get some new worthwhile attractions!! Bring on the S&S El Loco coaster and 2 or 3 new flats I say!! (Zamperla Disk 'O Coaster being my preference!!) Cheers Jobe

LOL!!! Oh my!!!!

Hmmm..you think?

I totally agree GoGoboy. The attrctions that are being added really seem random and do not really fit into the general theme of a "water park". I do not like this direction at all. I really feel that Seaworlds' upcoming Splash battle would have been a better fit for Wet"n Wild and Surfrider would have been better served going to Seaworld, as was originally planned. This then would at least be a more cohesive direction for both parks to stay true to their original themeing and planning.Still there is hope. I am sure Surfrider would fit perfectly in The Pirate Ships old footprint with ease!! Cheers Jobe

The Tumblebug (or more commonly know as the HUSS Troika) is a great family ride that is probably one of the most popular rides in the park due to its accessability-for example my 4 year old boy could ride with me-his first big ride!! The Big Dipper entrance was retained for history purposes however I will concede that it is a little confusing. The Tumblebug facade from the '95 incarnation should have been retained for this ride. The name Tumblebug refers to an original LPS ride from the 30's, which used to be quite common around the world. They were built by the Traver company (if you don't know Harry Traver's importance in Rollercoaster history you had better start researching!!)and it remained at LPS until the early 70's. The Disk 'O Coaster selection was not intended to be as another coaster, rather that it would be a great family ride and fun addition. I dont think you could look at these rides as true coasters. I do think that you need to look at what you are supporting more closely. LPS will never gain another coaster the size of Big Dipper. In fact I doubt they will attain a 2nd coaster period. However, if they do, a S & S El Loco would be a perfect solution for them as it has a relatively small footprint, has a drop of greater than 90 degrees and inversions, plus it would be unique in Australia. I am not positive but I reckon that it would almost fit on the slab next to Tumblebug. I agree that the Maurer Sohne would be a better preference, but then where to fit it?? Big Top is going nowhere, in fact it is a major contirbutor to the current park's success. Anything added must be built around it. I am not 100% positive, but I do think that LPS still has naming rights to call an attraction "Big Dipper"?? Anyone confirm this?? Cheers Jobe

Ha!!! Just as I predicted in my earlier post!!! I do believe I was the first to mention the possibility of the new ride being the Waveswinger!! This is quite excellent news!! Do we have a confirmation date on when the ride will debut?? Is it being placed in the spot where the Ranger resided?? If the Waveswinger is indeed to stay on as a permanent ride, this does call into question as to where it or the Ranger will be placed on the return of the Ranger from overhaul. My bet is that the Ranger will become a Midway ride once again and be placed between the ice-creamery and the Crystal Palace, a view which has been shared by an earlier post. The retainment of the Waveswinger,whilst a good move, does seem to indicate a shift in policy for LPS. This could signal the end or reduction of rotational holiday rides for the park, as room for these new rides is at a premium. If LPS do not become a little more creative , then I think this move will max out the full complement of rides for the park. I certainly hope that the ride is not just called "Waveswinger". I think utilisation of a name from the park's rich history would be more approriate, such as " The Whip". This would serve to further move the ride from a generically named travelling ride and give it a bit of character and history to draw upon. Give it a decent bridge and facade and it could even harken back to when rides at LPS had some semblence of themeing!!! Well one can hope!!!! Cheers Jobe

Thanks for the info Ranger Dude!! This is great news!!! Not only is Australia's one and only HUSS Ranger staying in Australia, it is staying at LPS and getting a major overhaul to boot!! Plus the attraction that is replacing the Ranger will also be staying as a permanent ride attraction, giving a much needed boost in ride numbers for the park!! Now we only need to speculate what ride will LPS getting?? Anyone have any ideas?? An ex LPS ride....Hmmm!! I am thinking that the only rides that did'nt stay at the park for the 2004 re-opening were the Big Dipper and The Octopus (Polyp). Since we know exactly where Big Dipper currently resides (Dreamworld) and The Octopus (Aussie World) , then it stands to reason that the ride must be from the 1980's incarnation. There are several possibilities here from this era. Operating in the park at this time were an Enterprise (Another HUSS ride), a Pirate Ship (possibly another example of HUSS), a Waveswinger and a Superloops. Since we know that the Geronimo Coaster went to Adventureworld in Perth as Turbo Mountain and has been scrapped,my money would be on the Waveswinger. I am pretty sure that the LPS Waveswinger was converted to a travelling unit and could now be making a return!! I am also unaware of the fate of the other rides that resided at the park in the 80's , so it could possibly also be one of them, however the Waveswinger to me feels "right" Lets hope what ever it is gets a decent bridge and some semblance of theming!!! Anyone else have any ideas?? Cheers Jobe

Hmmm....I think that Twister and Speedcoaster needed TO BE MOVED but did not need to be removed entirely from the park. Twister is a unique slide that has no twin in Australia. It would have been a better move if WNW had simply moved these 2 popular slides to another area of the park. There is no real evidence to support their full removal at all. Whilst I agree that the Aqua Loops positioning where the Twister once resided is a good decision, I cannot supoort the full removal of these 2 slides. It simply does not make for rational sense. Cheers Jobe

Thanks for the info Joz! So there really wasn't all that much more at Grundy's than there is at the current Timezone now?? Couple of questions though. The waterslides are all at the Beach End of Cavil Avenue whereas the current Timezone footprint really only occupies the area to the right of the top of the escalator. All the rides that disappeared when Grundy's changed hands were, I presume, located on the left hand side?(from memory I think this is where the Bowling alley and the shooting range currently reside?) Can anyone confirm this?? Also I was going to ask how long were the water slides in operation and from what time line? And finally what year did Grundy's cease operating?? I would have loved to have visited this place back in the day....I would have especially loved to ride the Ghost train!! Anyone know the reason for its eventual closure? Cheers Jobe