Ranger Dude

An entertaining read http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/luna-park-operator-multiplex-in-court-over-blinding-lights/news-story/898715139da99bd75fbd3eb5e201b80c

For mine: 1. Superman The next I could easily shuffle around, so in no particular order, and based on criteria of ridability, overall experience and historical significance: Wild Mouse Abyss Scooby Doo Scenic Railway (although has seen better days) Then lastly: Jet Rescue Arkham Asylum Tower of Terror I would have also included Hot Wheels if it still were at LPS as Big Dipper, and the Corkscrew at Sea World if it were still around. The Dipper coaster rode much better at LPS than it ever has at Dreamworld. The move killed it. Best Flats: 1. Claw 2. Hair Raiser 3. Speed 4. Freak Out 5. Giant Drop 6. Tango Train (the new one that goes at epic speed) 7. The Huss Pirate (wherever it is now) 8. Tumble Bug (although it's looking a bit shabby nowadays, but a deceivingly enjoyable ride) Contenders for spots 9 and 10: I'd almost be inclined to throw a Wave Swinger in here, but all the traveling ones are looking very shabby. The LPS Ferris Wheel has a killer view. Hate to admit but I don't mind the disko coaster at Dreamworld. I could also be inclined to let a Zipper slip in here too.

Good riddance to another trailer ride! I was there a few weeks back and the Ranger was down. According to LPS website it is still down "until further notice". Let's hope they're replacing it with a proper fixed ride, in keeping with their other recent improvements....

I went down for a little look on the weekend, and can confirm that the "new" Tango Train is a vast improvement on its predecessor. The ride sits further forward than the old one, and the queue line goes around behind the back of the ride. It has two cycle types: "mild" (slower speed for all heights) and "wild". "Wild" is feels significantly faster than the old one, especially in reverse. They appear to have taken care with the aesthetics which is great to see. It's got a nice colour scheme that complements the rest of the park, and it now feels like it belongs. It isn't a trailer ride just plonked down like the old one was. They also appear to be building some type of entrance structure, which is currently two concrete columns with a curtain over them. It will be interesting to see what they have planned here, and also whether they'll be bringing back the zigzag shaped shade structure which used to stand outside the old one. It was kinda cool so it'd be a shame to see it go - especially in the summer and on wet days. It was also good to see some attention to detail in the "tunnel" area and on the roof which was painted as a night sky with stars and strobe lights, which looked good.

I get the whole 'similar to a bowling alley' thing... But $35 million!? That's a serious amount of coin for a glammed up driving range. I can't imagine there are many $35 million bowling alleys around!

Here's a photo of the lights from last weekend. (Not open yet, it was doing test cycles behind the hoarding still). Anyone know when it's due to open?

Got a better look this morning. Looks like a red enterprise type structure up where the Flying Saucer ride was, but looks like it's got some kind of theming wrapped around the outside. The plot thickens indeed! Also appears to be some action down at the Tango site. Could we be getting 2 rides???

We've got some action going on.... Spotted a crane, multiple shipping containers, bright red ride-looking parts and work going on at the Tango site while heading over the bridge on my way to work this morning... I did grab my phone and try and snap a couple of quick photos to share, but they didn't turn out great and you can't really see anything through the dirty train window. Might try and get down there later in the week for a closer look.

I was there the same day and took a pic through the fence. Looks like a new wall and freshly laid bitumen. And damn the rest of the park (including the Big Dipper entrance as you mention) is looking very smart indeed. They are obviously placing an emphasis on the way the park looks, because it is looking fabulous.

One of these would be good: http://www.intaminworldwide.com/amusement/Simulators/Ultra+Tower/tabid/137/ProductNumber/Ultra+Tower/language/de-DE/Default.aspx This would require a foundation of the scale they seem to be digging too.

I just took a look at the Village half year report. Their strategy to deal with the park in Sydney is to "focus on the future" which they go on to say includes further cost cutting (or "expense minimization") and more discounting. I wonder if anyone at Village realises that these two things are what the problem is, rather than the solution?

Have you seen some of the comments on their facebook page? There's A LOT of very bad ones. I mean sure, you're going to get complaints, but they seem to be getting A LOT. Friends of mine went a few weeks ago and had similar comments regarding the dismal state of operations, lack of staff, slides closed, huge lines etc. After reading so many bad reviews, I doubt I'll be heading out there this summer

I was there on the weekend for a couple of hours. I tried Mystery Manor and I agree it is very well done for a small footprint haunted house. The actors are great. Did you see the smoking pig head cooking on the stove? Very cool! The teenage boys in the group with us were hysterical, I think that added to the enjoyment. I would like to see them finish off the side wall of the building as its a bit strange the way it is now, you can see the containers that house it - hopefully they intend to finish this off. Overall a great little addition though. As for the "Please excuse all this kerfuffle" fencing (yes, that's what it says!), this is surrounding some scaffolding work around the Big Dipper entry building. They appear to be doing some refurbishments, I think on the big silver dome on top. Hopefully this is a precursor to a new attraction behind it...

It's the economics of this that makes me extremely doubtful that this is ever going to come close to happening. When you consider the very high land value in the Sydney basin along with Australia's very high construction and labour costs, and lack of population, you don't have fertile ground for a development of this type and scale. Even the scale of the (by comparison) modest Australia's Wonderland, which when it opened in 1985 became a national 'destination' was a financial disaster from start to finish. This park was also designed and planned by a bunch of Americans with no understanding of the market in Australia. I will watch with interest. Good luck, David.

Yep. My thoughts exactly

Most people are not aware that Australia's Wonderland / Wonderland Sydney never made money. The financial failure of the park was not something that came about in it's later years only due to lack of investment in new attractions (although accepted that did make things worse). Surely all the reasons why the original Wonderland failed (and Sega World, and Fox Studios, etc) are still relevant today. I can't see how any comprehensive feasibility study could support a development of the scale and type being described. The numbers would not stack up. It's hard to imagine how it could even come CLOSE to stacking up. The money may be there in principle, but any developer worth their salt would be hanging their hat on a feasibility study before some nice guy's dream of recreating a theme park that closed because it's very model was not feasible. The reasons why the development being described is not feasible and not going to happen is endless. This quite simply is not going to happen.

I'll believe it when I see it!

I agree. The economics for anything over $10m doesn't make any sense. Remember the operating costs in Australia are at least double that of the USA and more than double that of Asia. Throw in the significantly lower population and you have a very difficult environment for a theme park to be successful. Also remember we have a situation where they are effectively selling $33 season passes per park, with no sign of increasing the prices. (This is one thing they do have control over, and they're currently blowing it for short term gain). All of this doesn't bode well for big capital investments. Expect a "cheap and cheerful", and then you may be pleasantly surprised. Otherwise I think you're in for a disappointment.

Some good news about LPS Hair Raiser. http://at.dailytelegraph.com.au/link/a5ced830bed69de5b8768c53c77310f5?domain=dailytelegraph.com.au Common sense has prevailed.

I think you'll find the park themselves are probably very unhappy about the current state of affairs too, but there's not a great deal that can be done about it. The problem they have right now is that the impressive rides aren't diverting attention from the current culture of blatant commercialism, inefficient operations, poor service and in-park price gouging to fund the cheap VIP Passes.

How they've managed to achieve such a poor result in only their second season is a bit of a worry. And I would have thought that the operating period up to end of December would be when they generate most of their revenue. The question is: can they discount their way out of this one? Or is an alternate strategy required?

Is anyone wondering what is going on with WNW Sydney? Not even two seasons in, and they have been discounting both the season passes for both seasons (already excellent value at their usual RRP) and this season they have discounted the one day entry price (not so excellent value), and also offering free or highly discounted admission promotions since the end of January. From the reviews I have read online, it appears that there is a lot of discontent in the market about the park. It seems the overcrowding this discounting is causing is leaving people with a poor impression about the park. It looks like it’s on a downward spiral. Surely for a brand new park in the west Sydney market there is no need for them to be discounting it so heavily at this early stage? In my view they are pursuing a short term strategy for quick $$$ at the expense of the park’s long term future. What are everyone’s thoughts on the matter…?

Given the scale of Dreamworld's ride investments over the last 10 or so years; I doubt we're in for something of the scale being discussed here. $10 maybe $12mil would be the absolute ceiling in my opinion.

Sadly, Luna Park Melbourne is indeed appalling and I agree with Richard. I visited the middle of last year and was shocked by the general state of the rides and the grounds overall.

And it's on! Many (sorry, ALL) of the objections are exaggerated. There is no mechanical noise associated with the ride. There are only 12 (or 14?) seats (all facing different directions) and the screams would last less than 2 or 3 seconds at a time. The lighting is not as bright as the rest of the lights in the park. Visually it matches the structure of the Ferriswheel, Wild Mouse and previous Big Dippers with its white truss work. There is no logical reason why it should not stay, surely?