Linus1995

Well if a B&M invert is too similar in marketability terms because of Arkham, then in theory an Intamin is out of the picture too... Although I am certain that if Dreamworld bought a Mega-Lite it would be an awesome move, even if there are comparisons to Superman Escape. I just think that Arkham is known for being rough as F****, even though they have new trains most of the GP doesn't realize and will still think it's rough because of the horrid transitions, so then when the GP go on a B&M invert which is much more forceful (from my experience) and smoother, they'll be like yeah that kicks ass compared to Arkham! I understand what everyone is saying about the similarities, but the parks can't keep building different coasters to each other forever. Why not build something similar that kicks ass, and one ups MW?

Have been thinking and researching a little about Batman clones (for any of you who don't know what I am talking about read: http://en.wikipedia....atman:_The_Ride) and although I know Dreamworlds recent actions have indicated that they are not interested in being a market leader I am always one for thoughtful discussion of what could be or would be a good move. Before anyone comments that this is stupid and unrealistic because Dreamworld does not want to spend any substantial amount of money on any one rollercoaster, I completely understand that! Just thought I'd put an idea out there for some discussion. From what I've found Batman clones cost around about $7-$10 million, so in Australia I would assume between $12-$20 million, not sure about the exact cost because of inflation and other variables, but I assume it will be cheaper than any other B&M as it is a 'mass produced' ride. Sort of like Vekoma SLC's (Arkham). Buzzsaw was around $7-$8 million, and it is already boring. The ride has absolutely no lasting value. Even to the GP I believe. Yeah sure it is a great advertising gimmick, but to me personally, after once or twice it has no re-ride value. It is not something that makes me want to RETURN to Dreamworld. Really, nothing does. Everything is aged, and has lost the re-ride value (other than the Giant Drop and TOT, both from before 2000). My point being, Buzzsaw will not be beneficial to Dreamworld in the long run. It will not bring in any return customers (or very few) where as Superman Escape is something that enthusiasts and the GP return to MovieWorld for consistently. Because it has an excellent re-ride and return value (much goes the same for Scooby). Now while Buzzsaw was cheap and a great little gimmick, it is definitely not a lasting investment as it will, and is, getting boring fast. Instead of Buzzsaw, or hopefully still (unlikely), I believe Dreamworld could have bought a Batman clone. Of course it would mean spending around twice as much money, but with a Batman Clone you have very little maintenance worries (proven to be reliable), an unbelievable coaster experience (everyone will like it more than Arkham, one upping MW), a marketing gimmick in that it is a suspended coaster, and because of the quality of the coaster there will be PLENTY of re-ride value meaning return customers. It will be a staple of the park for years to come, and it will be talked about for a long time. It won't be boring or forgotten, unlike Buzzsaw... Anyway, that's my take on why I believe it would be worthwhile for DW to invest in a Batman clone. Yes it's not realistic given DW's recent spending, but I think it would certainly be a worthwhile investment. Call me an idiot or tell me it's a good idea, I'd like to hear your thoughts.

I recently visited USH in LA and took some photos of my trip there. I would be happy to post the photos in a bit of a trip report if anyone is interested? Let me know if you'd like me to do a TR. If not I won't wast my time :)/>

Yeah not sure why anyone would be complaining about the length of the lines, they looked long but simply weren't, as others have said the ride queues are very long but if you are seriously going to Fright Night for the rides then you are going for the wrong reasons...

Went last night as well, I have been every year since its inception and this year MW has outdone itself again! Atmosphere - As AlexB said, the park had a different feel to it this year... Much more sinister and creepy. The lighting was done better and there was much more smoke around most areas of the park, but the big thing that did it for me this year was the music. Instead of playing the 'theme' song of popular horror movies, MW used really creepy and weird songs and noises and sound effects which scared the shit out of me. Actors - I found all the scare actors (in the maze and around the park) amazing! Everyone stayed in character and did an excellent job. I want to give a little mention to two scare actors in particular. Leatherface on main street did an excellent job in getting people to come close for photo opportunities, and then at the last second ripping his chainsaw on and scaring the shit out of everyone! Very well done. The second mention I'll talk about in my maze review. Psycho 3D - Same as last year, cool idea and a fun time waster, but not really that scary anymore compared to the other top notch mazes. The Walking Dead - My first run through was crap, we must of gone through on the reset and I felt that our group was way too big! We had barely any scares. The second time was absolutely amazing. Our group was the front three of our line, and the rest behind us slowed down and disconnected. This didn't bother me as I knew we would get the scares because the actors would enjoy picking on a group of three. The theming was top notch, and EVERY room we walked through, we had every scare actor ready to scare us. The group in front of us had gone through very quickly so it was just us three, with all the scare actors waiting. This allowed them to set up really nicely and meant we were in for some scary times. It almost felt like a private tour of the maze just for us! Really great, and my second favourite maze of the night. FIlm Vault - They did well to build on the smokey/chain maze of last year and I liked the idea of using famous horror movie characters. I also liked that at the end they added extra sections to last year, instead of having fences for the whole maze. I felt that there was a lack of scare actors in this maze, but nonetheless it was a fun and disorientating experience. Hillybilly Slasher - By far the standout maze for me, as it was the best themed and I felt the most realistic and just downright 'creepy'. There weren't as many scares in this maze as the others, but the actors did a really great job, and I was just so impressed by the theming. In particular the little 'house' they built! The second special mention goes to the actor who was a guy, dressed as a hillbilly girl. As we entered the house he came around the corner and asked us to play hide and seek. He/she then disappeared off while counting to 10, and at random intervals scaring us from all different places! This game of hide and seek continued through the rest of the house section, I thought it was amazing and SUCH a good scare tactic. I was so impressed! Fright Night was amazing this year, and as always I walk away SO impressed and a very happy customer! My favourite time of the year at the parks by far. Kudos MW, job well done!

I'm heading to Fright Nights on Friday, and for some reason cannot remember what the rules were last year about entering the park. I'll be arriving at about 4:30 because I'm driving straight there after school, can I enter the park at 4:30 and then chill until 6 or will I have to wait outside the park until 6 to enter? Last year I remember entering the park at around 5 and we just had to wait in a sectioned off area around the fountain. I do have a VIP pass but I am using just a regular fright nights ticket to get in. Thanks for the help!

Exactly this. The fact that the prices WERE advertised at 29.99 and THEN changed without notice to 39.99 is appalling. Had they always changed the prices for the nights that were more in demand, or advertised it.... No problem?

MW has come leaps and bounds since the first night of Fright Nights. As you are someone who has previously made it clear that you enjoy the entertainment value parks have to offer other than rollercoasters, I can't overstate how much you would (hopefully) enjoy Fright Nights now! The level of theming and execution of scares and general all round acting has improved year by year. The event is really starting to thresh out and reach it's potential. While I've never been to an American Halloween event (I can only wish) I am so impressed by Fright Nights and it is by far my favourite time of the year at the theme parks!

My mistake for getting everyones hopes up, made sure I put the word 'apparently' on my post. I knew it was too good to be true...

Photo from Thrill Zone InternationalApparently this is a photo of what looks like Intamin track pictured today at Dreamworld by 'Josh D.'Holy Crap!?!?!?!?!?!? I definitely did not see this coming whatsoever. Also it looks as if the colour scheme would be in line with Kung Fu Panda or something, with the red and yellow. Any ideas where these could have been taken?Edit: Something interesting to note is the double spine on some of the track pieces, indicating a high force/load section of the ride (more extreme). This was first introduced on Giga coasters but not sure if using the double spin has carried over to newer Intamin Blitz or Mega-Lite type rides?

This is awesome! Very surprised J.K Rowling gave consent to this though...

I believe it won't be a rollercoaster, I think they would gain more of an advantage building a simulator type attraction. Now that's not saying building another simulator, but for example a laser tag attraction, you are Justice League members versing DC Comic Villians. That's just a quick suggestion I got off the top of my head but I'm sure they can be creative to build something with a great theme that isn't necessarily a rollercoaster. I think it would serve MW better building an 'attraction' here, and then building another rollercoaster type ride in the LTRR building, because they really do not have all that much catering for the non rider type people.

Awesome! Thanks for showing me that reanimated35. Just curious where did you happen to find that? I really did think I looked everywhere to find some info.

In a black box with white lettering mine says SUM, maybe for Summer? kujotess what does it say on the back of yours?

I bought a season pass last year (just before Green Lantern was finished being built, we were there when it was testing) and cannot for the life of me remember until when the pass lasts... If it was December 31st or until June 30th 2012. It does not say on the pass itself and on the website they only have the Super Pass and VIP Pass. It says 'Season Pass - The big year of fun!' on it Would anyone happen to know until when it lasts?

Wyncenuros I may be confusing you with another forum member, and if so I apologise in advance, but I swear I remember you repeatedly complaining about the fact that MW has lost its 'movie magic' and is getting rid of all of their shows and quality attractions and just throwing roller coasters into the park?

I don't see too much of a reason for concern over the speakers not working immediately after opening, it's not like MW gave an opening date for Arkham and for everything to be ready. Yeah it may be a little bit unprofessional not to truly have everything finished before the ride officially opens, but the amount of things they have done with LW to turn it into Arkham I am thoroughly impressed. Still haven't had the chance to get down there and see it myself. Off topic: Can't wait to get my license so I can finally drive down whenever I want and check out the parks, I'm sick of the train!

Makes me happy he was found! Penguins are cute

After finally seeing a proper in depth update (the parkz one, much better than all the FB pages) of the two and a half new areas at Dreamworld, I am very pleased to say I am VERY impressed. I honestly think there cannot be any negative attitude towards this area re theme. Of course anyone can find a few little things here and there to criticize but compared to Dreamworlds recent standards the area looks absolutely fantastic. In recent years I have been more of a MW fan with the introduction of a poorly rethemed TOT2 and a good gimmick, but bad rollercoaster (Buzzsaw). Yet the level of detail and standard of theming that has gone into this is absolutely fantastic. That area of the park went from being a generic nickelodeon themed area to a high standard LAND. I believe the most important part of the theming is to immerse the parkgo-er, something which this does well. Yes there may not be any new attractions (for now) but who cares? No one is complaining about the fact that with the new Lethal Weapon retheme to Arkham Asylum about why they haven't added a new rollercoaster, much like they don't need to add new rides or flats. Just like someone said earlier, this isn't Universal or Disneyland and if you want that standard of theme parks, go to Universal or Disneyland.... Or send a very angry letter to our parks, I'm sure that'll work!! Anyway end of rant, I am not a DW fanboy as I have MUCH preferred MW in recent years, yet I believe the current criticism of the parks isn't warranted, as we have just been given a world class themed area from DW and a number of things from MW. Congrats DW on winning back another customer

The signs around the place aren't supposed to say Shock Treatment, because the theming of the actual ride is of Joker taking over the Asylum and wreaking havoc, Intensive Treatment is supposed to be a sector of the Asylum where patients get treated, and funhouse is just a spin on the asylum belonging to Joker. It would make no sense to put up signs saying "Arkham Asylum - Shock Therapy"... why would the Joker or his crew do that? The most sensible place to put any reference to Shock Therapy is in the ride station itself, something like "welcome to Jokers Shock Therapy" and maybe a reference to it in the queue audio.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.255159364577188.57346.101696389923487&type=1 Looking very good... I'm excited!! I like how they even have the "Hitchhikers may be escaping patients". It's good to see the attention to detail for an Arkham Asylum/City lover like me

Don't we all have those!

Not really, because what they have done with that wall is theme it as if its the "back entrance" or "back fence" to Arkham (theoretically that makes sense, because that is the edge of the Asylum area) I don't think it would've of made much sense to just throw up a Superman themed wall. TBH it's not even that visible from any area of Superman other than on the ride, and no one will care whilst being on the ride.

The 2nd and 3rd photo I'm thinking is obviously the exit, which makes me think they have flipped the station around, so the side where you used to hop onto the trains is now the exit and vice versa. Part of me believed they would keep the same station design for cost cutting measures, but I guess internally MW are doing more to it than I thought...

Good to see the theme is officially confirmed now, but I still believe it will be Mad Max. If you still disagree with me after this announcement about Arkham Asylum, then you are an IDIOT! It will obviously be Mad Max...