GoGoBoy

I think it is worth looking to overseas incidents to get an idea of how things could/should potentially play out. Thinking back to the death on Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, I understand that the park remained open and ultimately the ride itself was re-opened. This is despite the fact that the park was found to be at fault, with poor maintenance procedures cited as the main reason for the derailment and subsequent death. I mean this is Disneyland! Poor maintenance at Disneyland! Years later, and most people wouldn't even remember it. I understand Disney undertook to significantly improve their processes. The ride was refurbished quite substantially recently. With this in mind, Dreamworld should surely be able to continue on, even if they are found to be at fault, so long as they rectify any and all maintenance and/or procedural shortcomings. Re-opening the rapid ride may be a stretch, particularly considering the horrific number of deaths. The only way I could see that happening is after a massive upgrade that makes significant changes to the design and operation of the ride. New rafts - new conveyor belt - new theming etc. But these rides (as much as I love them) have been involved in a number of incidents overseas, so I would remain somewhat nervous about it if I was in charge at DW.

If you had any faith left in the media before this incident, I'm sure it has evaporated now. I have never seen such desperate, click-hungry, irresponsible journalism. They are jumping at anything just to get another story up, clearly because they are attracting eyeballs. Anyone that says anything about anything slightly Dreamworld-related will get quoted in yet another baseless article on the topic. The media is stuffed (generally speaking).

Enough Pop, seriously, we get the idea. Meanwhile, what's happened to the ABC lately? I have always had immense respect for our public broadcaster and believe it plays a very important role in our democracy. But some of their coverage recently, particularly ABC News Online, has been no better than the Daily Mail or Daily Tele. It's all starting to seem like rushed, poorly researched, sensationalised clickbait and churnalism. The latest example is an article that refers to an 'expert' claiming that the DW incident could have been caused by "poor maintenance". But he's literally just pulled that out of the air. To give any weight to such a possibility at this point when the investigation has barely started, and for the ABC to report it, is reprehensible. It is total speculation -- entirely fact and evidence free.

I'd suggest the raft did flip entirely, but was then positioned on its side by rescuers. Entirely speculating of course.

This is very interesting indeed. I wouldn't be surprised if they scrapped the whole 2-independent-parks idea, as it clearly never quite took off like they wanted it to. The fact is, they simply never invested into WWW enough to position it as a true stand-alone water park to draw significant crowds away from WnW. That might have happened if they had proceeded with the original phase 2/3 plans incorporating the major new slide tower and the (much needed) lazy river. As it is they have all this infrastructure and staffing to make it a separate park, but probably isn't necessary. I think the 2 park approach should have been a success, and still could be, but it would require a decent expansion of WWW.

Absolutely right.

I've come across ads for Dreamword's Tiger Island upgrade on The Sydney Morning Herald website but still absolutely nothing down here for Doomsday and Supervillains Unleashed. Movie World's marketing team needs to get off their bums. What a waste!

I was thinking the same thing. This precinct should be getting way more coverage than it has been! Movie World should be marketing it to the hilt! I remember back in the day we used to get tons of GC theme parks ads down here in NSW. Now, virtually nothing. When DW opened the Claw their ads were all over the TV, and pretty much everyone in NSW knew about it!

Perfect, thank you for that. I missed that video originally -- I was thinking it was just a repeat of the opening/launch show (which I had seen through Movie World's Facebook Live), but you gave a great tour of the whole area. I noticed there was smoke rising from a grate next to Destroyer... was this just for the launch night only or does it run during the day? It's a nice effect as it gives the area that New Yorkey feel.

What is the scenario with the Gorilla dude? I think he stands out the front of the burger shop(?) but I don't think anyone has posted any pics or videos of his section yet.

So I had a look at Theme Park Girl's Facebook live video from the launch of Super Villains Unleashed and I have to say I am beyond impressed. The precinct looks particularly amazing at night with all of the facade windows lit up and just a great general atmosphere. While the area is quite small, I think in terms of concept, theming and particularly interactive elements, it is one of the more impressive theme park precincts I have ever seen. While somewhere like the Harry Potter zone at IOA has clearly set a benchmark for this type of experience, I would say that this area certainly rivals it in terms of the interactivity, creativity and functionality of the various elements. I reckon kids are going to go absolutely nuts for this area. Huge congrats to Village Roadshow and the bosses and team at Movie world!

What about the Indian teepee area? From memory that was rotting away

And I respond with...

I agree with this; except for the part suggesting Dreamworld is operated by a bank. Macquarie parted ways with Dreamworld long ago, if that's what you are implying. No bank involved now. But still, I agree with the sentiment. For a long time it has been pretty clear Ardent has tried to get maximum gain out of DW with minimum investment. They are incredibly reluctant to spend any serious capex on the place. Possibly even more so under the new CEO. Not to the extent of the old Sunway/Wonderland of course, but still not good. And with MW's giant coaster around the corner (plus Doomsday, plus the better VR experience, plus everything) and absolutely no sign that DW will be doing anything significant in response, well, it's all looking a little sad. And yes, it is looking like the Dreamworld asset may be the next thing Ardent offloads to focus on overseas arcade interests.

Hey - don't short change the park map! As a kid I was obsessed with them. I remember when the internet first became a thing in the late 90's and the only thing I used it for was looking up overseas theme park websites and pouring over the park maps!

Did they get the GM to update the map because the original artist wasn't available or something? What's with making Doomsday red? It makes no sense!

I agree with the other commenter (too lazy to see who it was) who said that Arkham's VR will potentially make up for the lacklustre theming on that ride. Arkham is such a great theme choice, but it was clearly executed on a very tight budget, hence things like laminated 'pillars' that wobble when you touch them. And no on-ride theming. BUT, full credit to MW for making its VR match the Arkham theme. This means this great IP is no longer going to waste. It makes even more sense as Arkham was such a popular video game. Well done Village Roadshow - can't wait to try it.

Can someone please delete this? I posted in wrong thread. Thanks

How ridiculous. Please tell me Arkham's VR will at least be Arkham themed. 'Cause, you know, that'd make a lot of sense

So just to add on to what Gazza was saying - as well as the population sign falling off, the saloon 'ghost fight' was simulated by a gust of wind blowing a window curtain out, followed by the breaking balcony railing, followed by a big splash of water in the horse water trough below. So apparently the railing still breaks away, but are the curtain and water effects still working? From memory from my last trip the water splash was no longer functioning, which was a shame as you needed all stages of the sequence to be functioning to give the idea of a ghost cowboy being thrown out the window and landing in the trough.

I certainly agree with the sentiment that either way it is a big positive that MW has refreshed the ride and added a number of new theming elements. They deserve big credit for putting such care into what is (and should remain for a long time) one of the park's major blockbuster attractions.

Sounds fairly positive, although I'm disappointed about the final room. Surely they could have at least reinstated the blast of air and smoke to give the drop more impact? In terms of touch ups -- have they fixed up the geyser area? Has it been re-painted and is the mist back? Have the teepee tents been fixed up and re-painted? Hope they get the audio back in this spot. And finally, are all effects working in the ghost town?

I disagree. I reckon it's without doubt the best ride signage in the park. I'm glad to see WVTP haven't given up on decent 3D signage -- I was getting a bit worried after the effort over at Junior Driving School (the flat super basic sign on the side of the shed). Meanwhile, looks like the fog effects aren't happening yet.

Lol!! Such a tragedy that one was. Still good, but the fire would have added such a neat element.

Looks really nice. Sea World has really become a well presented park based on all these pics I am seeing.