Brad2912

Nice little competitive rival to VTP who are sponsors of the titans yet do nothing to this extent to solidify the relationship between fans/members and the park

Mike was VTP thru and thru. No-one was more about the magic and guest experience than Mike. He was also a wonderland man prior to being a VTP man. this isn’t a retirement, he’s been pushed out in a restructure, and VTP invariably will be worse for it.

A Chinese tourist is suing theme park giant Village Roadshow for more than $2m after she was allegedly trapped in a water slide at Wet ‘n’ Wild on the Gold Coast and slammed by another rider, fracturing her spine. Yanfei Xu, 32, has launched a Supreme Court lawsuit over the accident on the AquaLoop slide at the Oxenford water park in September 2023 which saw her taken away by ambulance. The AquaLoop, a famed trapdoor slide where riders dropped 18m at up to 60km/h down four separate intertwined chutes, was dismantled in 2024 to make way for new slides. In her claim, which Village Roadshow Theme Parks is defending, lawyers for Ms Xu said she was at the theme park with her partner Leon Zhou when the accident happened. The claim says both intended to ride the slide, with Ms Xu going first. However, she did not clear the tube and instead slid backwards into the slide near the “escape hatch”, the claim states. It alleges that two slide operators failed to identify that Ms Xu was still “trapped”, with one dismissing Mr Zhou’s concerns that his partner had not exited the slide. That operator then launched another rider onto the slide, who hit Ms Xu at “high velocity”, the claim alleges. The claim alleges the AquaLoop had “an inherent design fault” because riders became stuck, creating the risk of collision. It alleges both water slide operators acted contrary to the park’s written policy and clearing process by failing to identify that Ms Xu was stuck in the slide and by releasing another rider when she was still inside the tube. Optical sensors on the slide also failed or were overridden, the claim alleges. It also alleges that Village Roadshow misled Ms Xu via an audio message and evacuation procedure sign that represented the slide would stop automatically in the event a rider was not ejected. The claim alleges riders not being “catapulted through the loop” was a common occurrence on the AquaLoop, with about 728 such incidents in the month leading up to the accident. There had also been a number of similar incidents or “near misses” on the slide, including one in 2017 when two riders collided. The claim alleges that following the incident involving Ms Xu, one water slide operator was sacked and Village Roadshow was issued with an improvement notice by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland over inadequate risk management for the AquaLoop. It states that following the accident, Ms Xu was taken by ambulance to Gold Coast University Hospital where a CT scan revealed fractured vertebrae and other injuries. According to the claim, Ms Xu developed “escalating psychological symptoms” and endured “pain, suffering, inconvenience and loss of amenities of life”. The claim states she worked as a reactive marketing manager for games developer giant FunPlus but lost her job in March 2024 after being bedridden for weeks and taking sick leave. She had since moved to Australia and found work in a duty free outlet at Melbourne Airport. Ms Xu is seeking a total of $2,341,551.78 in damages. In its defence, Village Roadshow admits Ms Xu suffered injuries in the incident but says their nature and extent are disputed and must be determined based on medical evidence at a trial. Village denies the AquaLoop had an inherent design defect because any water slide designed to propel riders upwards “carries with it an inherent risk”. The theme park operator says it had mitigated the risk of collision by ensuring the slide had an escape hatch and implementing and training staff in a written policy and clearing process. It says the incident was solely caused by the two water slide operators’ “momentary inattention and inadvertent noncompliance” with procedures and this did not breach the company’s care guarantee to patrons. Court filings reveal mediation between the two parties has failed. https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/queensland/village-roadshow-sued-for-2m-after-tourist-allegedly-trapped-hit-on-slide/news-story/a70764519c2b6082afd395fd223dc714

Only an hour into Christmas in July and it’s the best night program DW has put on. The park is alive, buzzing, immersive, festive. TBH I prefer this to the last few white Christmas’s and I’ll prefer a fireworks finale than a repeat of the same parade for the 5th year in a row. If they build on this is will overtake WC and the best Christmas program, and won’t even be at Xmas…

A former Village Roadshow staffer allegedly stole and sold a truck used in the movie Aquaman, while he and a colleague colluded with a contractor to funnel company funds into private mansion renovations and traded thousands of Sea World tickets for personal luxury cars, according to blockbuster embezzlement accusations detailed in Supreme Court documents. One of the former staff members hosted a lavish event at Sea World Resort, according to the court filing, giving away more than 50 nights’ accommodation as well as catering. Village claims one of the workers told a colleague “we can do anything we like”, when working out how to cover up their alleged fraud. Details of the $1m-plus embezzlement allegations by the theme parks and film studio operator against its former CFO and another ex staff member have been revealed in a statement of claim, obtained by News Corp Australia late on Thursday. Village alleges a long-running fraud scheme worth upwards of $1m by the group’s trusted former chief financial officer Dean Humphreys, 56, and a second man, whose name has been suppressed by the court. Hundreds of thousands in company funds were allegedly used by both men to renovate their private mansions and $337,000 in Sea World tickets were traded for luxury cars, according to the 104-page claim. The company alleges the unnamed man stole 1983 Chevy Silverado truck used in the Aquaman movie and later sold it. Village is seeking the return of a substantial redundancy payout received by the unnamed ex-staffer. Mr Humphreys, who the claim said was on a salary of $432,600 plus super, had his assets frozen earlier this month, with his wife Tracey also named on the freezing orders. Ms Humphreys is not accused of wrongdoing. The second man and a woman are also subject to the orders, but successfully argued to have their identities suppressed and are identified on the redacted statement of claim as “ABC” and “DEF”. Village Roadshow operates Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild, Top Golf, Australian Outback Spectacular and Paradise Country on the Gold Coast as well as its national cinema chains, marketing consultancy Opia and its film and TV production and distribution businesses. The court heard Ms Humphrey, unlike her husband, was not accused of “deceit or dishonesty”. No charges have been laid in relation to the court action, which Justice Morrison described during the initial hearing as “in an embryonic state”. According to the claim, Mr Humphreys and the other man had building and plumbing companies complete work on their private homes and had invoices for the work made out to Village. According to Village’s claim, the unnamed man took possession of a 1983 Chevrolet Silverado, used during filming of Aquaman on the Gold Coast, “without authorisation” in 2019. He allegedly sold it for “at least $15,000” in November 2021 – but Village alleges it was insured for $44,000. The unnamed former staffer allegedly hosted a lavish Sea World party, with resort catering and the equivalent of more than 50 nights’ accommodation being paid for by his employer. The man also arranged for his guests to have breakfast and lunch at the resort – which was allegedly never reimbursed. The claim said a $120,000 kitchen reno at the unnamed man’s home was ultimately paid for by Village, including an oven, dishwasher, microwave, fridge and $15,845 set of bi-fold doors. According to the claim, a former regular contractor to Village paid the supplier invoices and in turn claimed $133,000 from Village using “false invoices”. The contractor allegedly received a $10,000 kickback from the scheme, which was “paid for directly by (the unnamed man)”. Almost $300,000 of work was then completed on the second man’s outdoor entertainment area – with Village footing the bill for that too. According to the claim, Village was invoiced and paid for more than $60,000 in work on Mr Humphreys’ home, including an outdoor entertainment area, bar and pool table. According to the document, Mr Humphreys emailed another colleague telling them he’d had lunch with the builder who worked on the second man’s house and that he’d complained they were “owed a shit load for private work done for some senior execs (you know who)”. He later emailed them saying Village would cover the payments and he’d “prefer this remaining confidential so thinking we could cover some of this ($140k) through P & L (profit and loss) over seven months and hide some of it (160k) through variations in capex (capital expenditure)”. He then emailed again saying he could as the builder to invoice the work under a Sea World Admin fund to further cover his tracks. In January this year, according to the claim, the builder sent Village an invoice for $359,831 that was marked “SeaWorld administration rectification works”. The company alleges the invoice was actually for work done on the homes of the two former employees. According to the claim, Mr Humphreys and the second man brokered a deal with unrelated tourism company Sea World Cruises to supply 3000 Sea World tickets, worth $337,00 over three years, in exchange for two new Audis, each worth more than $60,000. Under the agreement, the cars were supposed to be “pool” vehicles for the use of Village staff, but were allegedly instead taken and exclusively used by Mr Humphreys, the second man and their families. Under the same deal, Mr Humphreys subsequently obtained a Tesla Model Y, which Village claims was exclusively used by him and his family. Ownership of one of the Audi was later transferred to the unnamed man, while the other Audi and the Tesla were transferred to Mr Humphreys and his wife, according to the court filing. Village is seeking ownership of a BMW allegedly held by Humphreys, which was purchased for $75,536 with Village funds in 2023. According to the claim, Village had unsuccessfully asked for the vehicle to be returned earlier this month. Both Humphreys and the second man are also alleged to have retained ownership of vehicles purchased via novated leases by Village. Company fuel cards are also alleged to have been misused by both men -who allegedly racked up more than $30,000 in charges for cars being used by family members. Confidentiality orders made for the case, that restrict its public listing, mean it is not known if any of those defendants have filed a defence. Village Roadshow has requested a four-day trial later this year. https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/business/village-roadshow-exec-allegedly-took-aquaman-truck-traded-tickets-for-cars-in-alleged-fraud-scheme/news-story/619505afd0be4efda110b8d70c608d0f?fbclid=IwdGRjcASrBxtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeNIM4KuWetYYo-bfyhtlLZLL9tFIidRE9MCvbm7ISJAIblT7d0sIM0BspmKU_aem_qBjI02CYc7l7YS65Pn35CA

Appears GL opened up yesterday long enough to need to be evacuated…

Courtesy of Theme Park Girl https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HPy1BRcYw/ It appears all nearly all DC references have been stripped from the supervillians area, aside from the remaining Joker and Harley statues. Statues and all branding/logos gone

Group CFO Dean Humphries named and has had assets frozen. 2 other people allegedly involved have argued to have their names suppressed. https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/business/gold-coast/assets-of-exvillage-roadshow-executive-and-his-wife-frozen-in-embezzlement-probe/news-story/bd6f2d8696b5abf2db5aa80682847355?utm_source=GoldCoastBulletin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Editorial&utm_content=GCB_PREM_BREAKING_02&net_sub_id=285371427&type=curated_collection&position=1

Think this is a fantastic offering and great value!

Park is open today, Mary is still missing. Overnight search party and heat sensing cameras could find her. At least theft as been ruled out, as their is cctv of her running around the main park at 4am yesterday.

The executive chairman whose family founded Village Roadshow theme parks more than 70 years ago has moved aside, and his CEO son will have to job-share, while the company battles an embezzlement scandal worth more than $1m. Village executive chairman Robert Kirby, whose late father Roc Kirby founded the group in 1954, will be replaced as executive chairman by Peter West, who joined the group’s majority owner BGH Capital last month. Mr Kirby will continue as co-chairman, while his son, CEO Clark Kirby, is now a co-CEO, having also been joined by Mr West, a former Coca-Cola executive. Both Kirbys remain directors of parent company VRG Holdco, along with representatives of BGH, and neither is accused of any wrongdoing. Village Roadshow operates Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild, Top Golf, Australian Outback Spectacular and Paradise Country on the Gold Coast as well as it national cinema chains, marketing consultancy Opia and its film and TV production and distribution businesses. Clark Kirby emailed staff of Village Roadshow last week, describing the changes as “an exciting new chapter”. “Peter is one of Australia’s most accomplished business leaders, with decades of experience successfully transforming complex organisations,” he said. “His leadership, energy, and deep operational expertise will be invaluable as we sharpen our focus and elevate performance across the group. “As Co-CEOs, Peter and I will work in close partnership over this 12-month period. “Within Theme Parks, Peter will take a hands-on leadership role in Management and Operations, while my focus will be on broader strategic growth opportunities and strengthening critical State and Local Government relationships. “Across Village Cinemas, Roadshow, and Opia, Peter and I will share responsibilities, however I will be taking a more active, frontline role to drive continued momentum and performance.” The Courier-Mail understands multiple employees have now been dismissed by Village as investigators probe allegations well over $1m was fraudulently obtained from the company. It is understood the allegations involve cash and other benefits obtained over a long period of time – potentially more than five years. Among those facing the allegations, which are still under investigation and unproven, is a very high level executive who had been there for 15-20 years and left the company earlier this year. He can’t be named for legal reasons. Village Roadshow told The Courier-Mail Mr West would “lead a bold and comprehensive transformation of Village Roadshow’s operations and leadership, designed to reinvigorate every part of the business and position the company strongly for the decades ahead”. Clark Kirby said he was “delighted to welcome Peter to the executive team”. “The founding Kirby and Burke families together with BGH, see the coming year as a pivotal moment to refresh, re-energise, and elevate Village Roadshow to new heights and Peter’s leadership, energy, and deep operational expertise will be invaluable as we sharpen our focus and elevate performance across the Group,” he said. Mr West has previously held roles at roles at Lion Dairy & Drinks, Mars Confectionery, and Arnott’s and is a non-executive director at Dominos Pizza. In a statement via Village Roadshow, he said he looked forward to elevating the company “to new heights”. “For more than 70 years, Village Roadshow has been Australia’s leading theme park and entertainment company, and I am invigorated to join Clark, Robert and the BGH team to write the next chapter together,” he said. “A key priority will be strengthening our market-leading Theme Parks division, an iconic asset with enormous potential, while also looking at opportunities to drive continued momentum and performance across Cinemas, Roadshow and Opia businesses.” https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/new-south-wales/village-roadshow-ceo-clark-kirby-and-chairman-robert-kirby-to-share-roles-amid-1m-employee-embezzlement-probe/news-story/ec11dfb70f72506ddeeec13620670806

Well at least Gold Coaster won’t be shut down for 6 weeks this year…

Went back to clip them and realised I misquoted/mistook who said what. the comment Magician clipped was part of it but the other part was merely conjecture/assumption by the photographer that it was structural and reinforcement. Apologies for the bum steer

Whoops wrong thread

Some bloke in the comments that portrayed himself as having some knowledge of the project said the works are to do with the structural integrity of the ride, and cracks have been found during the track inspection process which require resolving.