Jobe

Yes- why wouldn’t it be? It’s not the first coaster to be built locally using manufacturer specifications. Just because it has new trains does not intrinsically change the design and the fact that it was designed by Arrow Dynamics and built to Aussie specifications. This coaster may have got rougher over the years , especially since moving to Dreamworld, but it is actually passing into being a historical example of the ride type- especially in Australia. Let’s enjoy it for what it is. 👍

Once again agree 100%. It’s had a good maintenance period, it’s been repainted, rethemed and it’s had new trains. The mechanics for this ride are fairly simple and parts should never be a problem.There are far older coasters than this still running perfectly well. It should have many good years left in her - that’s the short version.

100%. There is just no room for Buzzsaw in the first place and their $30 Million dollar investment means they are pretty much done with second hand rides. The ride is not even required at LPS- the Intamin Hot racer will be far superior to it in every way - heck I reckon Boomerang is probably bang for buck a better coaster. It just doesn’t fit into either their aesthetic or the type of ride they are looking for. To be honest, there is far more chance of it going to LPM ( and even that is slim to none.) At least they could actually fit the thing in the park , have available space and actually have a urgent need. It makes much more sense being installed at LPM more so than any other park in Australia with the exception of either Funfields or Gumbuaya.

Or a cow that looks like one. Or is that a frog? 😆 Then we will be getting somewhere!!! 🙂

How do you know it doesnt cut it without riding it first?

Hahaha funny..I like it.😏 Although it did take 6 months to formulate that reply.......🙄

Haha 😂 yep “is it Magician source reliable ?“ has now entered Parkz vernacular!! 😂

Yep......I think we are getting somewhere!!

Spot on for me as well. Perfect Storm is probably at the moment the best themed and wel presented slide in Australia for mine. The added elements of the the 2 smaller funnels really builds the anticipation of the main event- having the first funnel open air then the second enclosed and the main funnel also enclosed and with all the audio visual effects makes for a brilliant exciting ride that is very rerideable. There is a reason that the line for The Perfect Storm is always longer than the Funnel Web....

You mean the Eurofighter here Joz? That’s interesting. Most reviews I have seen or heard have always called them solid rides. There are now models that have lap bar only restraints and I think this has made a huge difference in ride experience for the better. There is no denying their popularity with parks across the world- there are 25 examples of the model worldwide. I think the Big Dipper trains , for all their generic aesthetics, do look comfortable and I think this is one area where they will even outshine Raptor trains- which are by all accounts , one of the weakest parts of the ride experience. Disclaimer I have ridden neither a Eurofighter or a Raptor and this damn COVID pandemic is preventing me from the opportunity to do so!!

The Orphan Rocker was the brain child of Phil Hammon and then in the early to mid 2000's the flame was picked up by his daughter, Anthea Hammon. At the time she was coaster obsessed and was actively working towards getting the Rocker open. However, the hurdles were numerous and due to a shift on her and Scenic World's priorities, the Rocker was never completed. They put considerable investment into first building the Scenic Cablecar, which journeyed to the bottom of the Jamieson Valley below, installing brand new "Red Devil" Trains on the Scenic Railway and installing and updating the Scenic Skyway, firstly by having it stop at a station on the other side, allowing you to make the picturesque walk back around to Scenic World and then finally by installing a larger , bigger capacity car that also had frosted glass technology, allowing the riders to view the valley floor below. They were also instrumental in building the walkway on the Valley floor , which gives riders of either the Scenic Cablecar or the Railway something to do- and it is a highlight and a must do. Parkz did an excellent article on Scenicworld and the Orphan Rocker about 8 years ago when several track pieces of the Rocker were removed. https://www.parkz.com.au/article/2017/07/12/522-Orphan_Rocker_roller_coaster_crumbles_at_Katoombas_Scenic_World.html Its such a shame that it did not open- it would have been a unique and awesome ride experience just for the location alone. Enthusiasts from all over the world would have travelled just to have a ride on this thing- it would have been even more infamous than it is now if it had actually opened! I think it is highly unlikely that Scenic World will ever build a proper coaster on the site- their priorities have shifted to more attractions that involve the mountain setting more than thrills. Also, residential opposition would be extremely strong and is also one of the Orphan Rocker's final nails in its coffin, with issues surrounding noise from the ride being cited as quite strong in the community and out of place for the site. At the very most, I could see them installing an Alpine coaster that could certainly be eco friendly, make excellent use of the terrain and would be a thrilling and appropriate installation at the site. However, I do not think that the Hammons would look into this type of attraction anymore. Something like this would be excellent however and is in a similar mountain setting in Switzerland.

Sorry but thats a big call not having seen the layout or the POV. Like I said I havent either but you have to remember that this was a unique layout that was designed with Luna Park's small and unique footprint in mind. I do not think you can confidently say whether it was good or not. However, we do know that Eurofighters are usually solid rides, they can pull off some excellent elements and they can be designed and fit in small or tight spaces just like Luna Park. Would it be as good as the Hot Racer? Unknown as NOONE has ridden an example of one yet nor the Big Dipper. Would the Eurofighter that was designed be just as good, just as iconic and as good a ride? I would argue yes indeed it certainly could have, especially what we have seen of Eurofighter models that have been installed worldwide. I am not sure how you could arrive at the opinion of it being "lame". However, as I have stated in a previous post, my preference is for the Intamin model for exactly the reasons I have laid out. However, I would not have been upset if the park had pushed ahead witht the Gerstlauer coaster. It would certainly not have been lame.

I havent found it. As I said I have not viewed it. I know of its existence as I have a close friend who was involved with the planning of the new rides and concepts. He has told me of the video and its existence ( he has it) and will show it to me in due course. I do not think that it will be for public release and consumption though and I respect that immensely. I was just replying to the post of which coaster would have been selected had it not been the Hot Racer- I can definitively say that it was a custom Gerstlauer Eurofighter.👍

Yeah I have it on good authority that the original plans for the 3rd Big Dipper at Luna Park was going to be a custom designed Gerstlauer Eurofighter. It would have utilised the Tumblebug slab and also ventured out behind Coney and then back again. It would have been , through necessity, a unique layout. There is a POV and animation video of this ride in existence which I have yet to view. The Intamin Hot Racer was selected late in the planning and I guess the reasons for its selection would definitely include noise suppression versus the Eurofighter,which having a chain lift , would be fairly loud. I am sure that a custom Eurofighter at Luna Park would have been a great ride experience but I am pretty chuffed that the park opted for the worlds first and very unique single rail launched coaster. Many of the rides that eventually made selection have also slightly changed , both in name and theming. The original planning for the rides definitely had greater theming aspects tied in with the 9 new rides and dare I say, in my opinion, superior names. The theming involved , whilst not overly extensive, is definitely a step up from what we are actually getting and hearkens back to the 95 incarnation and the use of bridges. I am thinking that money and expense is what has curtailed these elements back from initial planning and we must not forget that LPS has put in a significant $30 million investment for the 9 rides it is adding. What is being added is appropriate for a boardwalk style amusement park but of course, the theming and added bridges to each ride are certainly sorely missed.

At the risk of offending anyone I am assuming you mean the SkyRocket II and not the original Skyrocket model as installed at Kennywood. I think a Skyrocket II would be an excellent addition in that space and would be seen as the obvious upgrade to what Buzzsaw brought to the table. These are more than the one trick pony's that Skyloops provide. Not having ridden one yet, they do look like quite intense rides and they certainly are far superior to the Skyloop and yet it would provide a skyline very similar to the exisiting Buzzsaw structure. Of course these are not the only options which could be a fine direct replacement for Buzzsaw. Zamperla announced earlier this year their take on a similar ride called the Double Heart coaster which visually looks very similar to not only Buzzsaw but the Skyrocket II. There has not been a unit installed yet but they look like a good option for some smaller parks to invest in-the larger model would be great marketing for the park as a cheap 200ft plus hyper coaster- matching the height of DC Rivals down the road. 2 trains gives great capacity. The 70 foot option also looks like a good model and option for a direct replacement. All in all, I dont think it will be long before we see some of these models installed in a park soemwhere. Of course, Intamin have a similar model which would also be an excellent replacement in this space . Their vertical LSM coaster has had one unit to date and that has had much praise put on that one install, Sandy's Blasting Bronco at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America. S & S have been bandied about on this thread with the 4D Freespin ( I hope I get that right 😬) but they also offer something which I think would be a far better direct replacement. Their LSM Triple Launch El Loco has also had good reviews and they look like a decent ride experience as well. Currently there has only been one install of this model at Playland's Castaway Cove. Of course the S & S 4D Freespin has had many installs across the world ( mostly thanks to Six Flags ) and they have been greeted with mostly positive reviews. One of these could easily fit where Buzzsaw sat and would provide excellent kinetic energy to that area and as you enter the carpark. Not my first option as a replacement but one I could definitely see being installed and actually quite marketable to the public. I think that any of these options would be a great direct replacement for the poorly lamented Buzzsaw-my take is that if we had one of these announced it would be met with good enthusiasm from the general public. If Buzzsaw could have survived for another couple of years and one of these was announced immediately as the replacement then I think general approval from general public and enthusiast alike would be aligned. Now of course, we have Dreamworld once again removing attractions seemingly without a plan for replacement. The public perception of poor value abounds in forums and social media posts regarding Dreamworld and their current ride offering. One of these installed would go a long way to regaining some measure of equilibrium- although there is still plenty of work to be done beyond a replacement for Buzzsaw. So out of these options which would one would you choose to replace Buzzsaw? Which would be the better ride and which ride do you think would have the greater impact on the general public ?

Well it has been accurate regarding the layout and the train in every way- I dont see why or how that the queue line represented in the video could not be close to being what we finally get. Yeah as I mused in my post above, given the location of the transfer track, perhaps its conceivable that it will only being used for the entrance with as the concept video has shown, an exit staircase is constructed. I think you could also be right that a footbridge could be used to reach the main queue line- if so would be a great spot for photos!! Yeah Luna Park isnt really built for the handicapped in mind- although i think if you contact guest services then certain arrangements can be made.

Yeah I think that is innacurate. Luna Park is definitely not a theme park but moreover is certainly an old school style boardwalk amusement park- as @MrLukeCarroll as already expounded. A fair is simply a collection of travelling and transportable rides which even though LPS has utilised in the past, the majority of attractions are of a permanent nature. There will definitely be 2 trains- given the capacity of 7 riders per train it is common sense to have 2 trains. Since the initial renderings of the trains have proven to be exactly what we get, it appears the 2nd train will be a red example. Whilst I would have preferred to have something uniquely belonging to Luna Park on the trains as theming, I can live with it. They have not promised anything we are not getting- it is what it is. Given the fact that this is a prototype, I think has influenced the generic train design here. I think you have hit the nail on the head here. The old Tumble Bug entry is essentially the 2nd Big Dipper entrance as it were. The plan is to certainly utilise this fantastic structure again as the entrance to the new Big Dipper. The transfer track covers only half the entrance and the entrance itself has 2 sides- one for exiting and one for gaining entrance. There is plenty of room still to have this as the exit and entrance. Remember from the intial renderings that the queue for the coaster will be in the middle and will be in a spiral design. All the area needs is to ensure that there is room for 2 people to pass each other-one going up and one going down- to facilitate this as the main Dipper entry. It would make no sense to not use this. I guess if this does not occur, an exit stairwell could be located on the other side near Coney Island as a simple exit way but I do not think this will occur. Interestingly I have just gone back and looked at the initial video of the new Big Dipper and it shows a new stairwell which I presume is the exit from the station. This would make sense as it is on the other side of the station meaning you exit to the other side and walk down this newly built platform and stairwell. The transfer track is not shown but this could still fit in here easily behind the transfer track and leaving the main entrance for entry to the ride only. What is not as clear is exactly how riders are meant to get to the inner spiral queue. The intitial launch track is not high enough to walk under until the very edge of the slab so perhaps riders enter the ride from the stairwell and then walk to the very edge, entering underneath the first launch at its highest point and then entering the spiral queue, walking up a short set of stairs to the station, board the ride and exit on the other side , walking down the newly installed platform and stairwell to the midway below.

Yeah you might want to check that claim again that all track is complete. In the above photo there is clearly missing trackwork that still needs to be installed. There is plenty of work that needs completion yet as well- the building of the load/unload station, the completion of the floor near the station and the queue area, the installation of the launch tyres in several locations and other theming aspects. Thats just what we can see. I am sure there are various other systems that are not readily visible that have not yet even been touched. There is ample work yet on the coaster that still needs to come to fruition. Patience is the key- it will happen. However, at this point, the installation of trackwork has not yet been completed.

Assuming that these will be a fairly quiet launch? I am guessing that noise was definitely a major factor in choosing this type of coaster.

To be honest, one of the most positive things that Dreamworld could do right now is bring back the real steam train permanently. Not only is it unique on the Gold Coast, its an opening day attraction and an absolute icon of the park. Run it all day, no timetable, constantly from 10am to 5pm. This would be such an affirmative decision and a huge step in the right direction for the park. Enthusiasts and the general public alike would recognise how good a move this would be. Surely this makes the most sense to the operators of Dreamworld- there are plenty with theme park experience at the place who should know better than the accountants? Surely the good will and the positive vibes this would bring would offset the cost of running?

Not sure why anyone would be surprised RE a projected Boxing Day opening of Big Dipper. The coaster was always slated to open in December and all press material relating to the Dipper has pointed to this date. Its an easy extrapolation to surmise that 26th December Boxing Day would be the likely opening date. Even if they are well ahead of the construction curve, I cannot see them opening any earlier as we have a little thing called COVID to contend with. The park will want to make sure that it can open in confidence and they will want to maximise the publicity of opening such a ride in order to put more people through the turnstiles. Fingers crossed that by the time December rolls around, the park will be in a position to make a positive call on opening Big Dipper by the current time line. If not, and COVID is still a maor issue in the Greater Sydney area , then there is a real possibility that Luna Park will be faced with a Iron Gwazi/Icebreaker situation where we have the new ride complete but not the optimum conditions to open.

Luna Park Melbourne has the space vacated by their former coaster Metropolis. This space could easily fit in the Skyloop model in that footprint- yeah sure they would have to move around a couple of flats- but it is extremely doable. This would be a pretty good acquisition for the park as they certainly need another thrill coaster and given the value on offer with the purchase of Buzzsaw, would be a good fit. Given LPM's crowd levels, throughput would not be a problem and would give LPM a much needed boost and attention focus. Yeah I dont think Aussie World is a serious contender either as they definitely have a master plan that they are working towards. It may only be a serious option given the bargain price investment that the purchase of Buzzsaw could offer the park and the ability to add to their coaster line up in an economical purchase. I actually think that Buzzsaw would look good in Aussie World's skyline but i dont credit the idea with much creedence. True they dont but they have been steadily adding to their portfolio of attractions and an opportunity like this may be too good to pass. It would certainly be a game changer for the park if they did! Adventure World seems like the best fit but it seems very unlikely that this would happen. Although they certainly have a history of purchasing second hand rides such as the Geronimo Schwarzkopf coaster from Luna Park Sydney and their current Huss Drop Tower Inferno..... Gumbuya World is a bit of a dark horse for mine. They have bolted out of the blue in the last 5 years and have a good sized park with good attractions that is just aching for a couple of tier 1 thrill rides. Buzzsaw could definitely fill that need... Funfields could also be seen as a likely contender as they have invested heavily in the past few years in new attractions. They are also known for picking up second hand rides and giving them a new lease on life( see the Stingray from Dreamworld and the Pirate Ship from Seaworld). Adding a ride of this calibre and their first coaster would be a game changer for them certainly........ Rainbows End for mine would be the most logical choice. Buzzsaw would see them add a much needed 4th coaster to their lineup and would be an economical pick up for them. It is a park that doesnt have a huge amount of land for expansion yet could fit Buzzsaw with ease. It would be a good option for them. In saying all that, my bet is also the Asian market, especially in the South East. I reckon a park in Indonesia or Vietnam would be the most likely contender.........time will tell!!

Yeah I knew that I was just having a lark mate!!

These pics yours mate or second hand? 😂😎👍

You haven't been feeding info to @themagician recently by any chance??