GoGoBoy

Borrowing the words of our wet blanket of a prime minister, could this be the most exciting time ever to be a Parkz member?

HA HA, such a comedian. Sometimes it just feels like it hasn't dawned on people when we're spending so much time talking about random things like bushfires.

Thank you djrappa! I'm almost tempted to talk about BUSHFIRES so that you will actually carry out that threat. Seriously, I hate it when these forums get sidetracked with some petty argument. I click on a thread seeing something new has been posted only to have my life wasted. Judging by the information that has been released so far and what appears to be going on at the site, we could be about to get the ride that we've all been hoping to see for a very, very long time. I'm just wondering if everyone is aware of the magnitude of this?

Media reports are partly attributing the disappointing result to the lacklustre performance of Wet 'n' Wild Sydney. Attendances were down 100,000 on the previous year. Village executives are blaming wet weather as usual, but those who have visited the park know the real reason - poor design and poor management and operations. Such a pity as it had such potential. Jamberoo keeps powering along, meanwhile. http://www.afr.com/business/media-and-marketing/village-roadshow-eyes-another-strong-year-for-cinema-20160825-gr18t7

Anyone want to buy the Ranger? Yup - it's up for sale! Could this mean a new permanent ride for the Maloney's Corner section of the park? Based on all the good things happening at Luna Park Sydney recently, I wouldn't be surprised. http://www.rides4u.com/view/3128

Yes I agree Alex, I definitely expect to see more. It is obviously just the manufacturer's schematic without any theming or presentation elements. However, the colour will mostly likely be the same -- and it's identical to the Funnel Web. They will definitely need to do a lot to differentiate it. I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

Thanks Jamberoo Fan. I just came across this image of the proposed slide on their website. The only thing I find a bit strange is that, as you hinted at JF, there seems to be almost no differentiation from the Funnel Web. It looks like it's exactly the same colour... and of course it ends with a giant tornado. So, their challenge should be to really try to set it apart (because clearly the experience will be different if it is indeed internally themed and equipped with effects). A different colour might help, or at least a distinctly different shade of grey!

Sounds amazing. Jamberoo is beginning to appeal a lot more than Wet 'n' Wild Sydney. This new attraction would definitely encourage me to visit, while there is not a lot calling me back to WnW. If Jamberoo added a decent master blaster-style slide next (ie. something longer than 'The Breakers'), that'd be the icing on the cake.

I haven't said too much about this because from experience I know that generally when it all comes together it ends up looking good. But I have to say I have been worried about the material used on these facades. It just feels like the whole thing is meant to be an indoor set. But I assume there is more to come in terms of making the vertical and horizontal brick panel join lines invisible. You can see the savings they made if they used a product like this - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/141964622141?lpid=107&chn=ps Or maybe it's this - http://www.durabric.com.au/ Based on what I can see from finished examples using the various fake brick panel products available (such as Durabric above, and others), the join lines should not be visible, at least once it's all fully installed. Maybe the panels are actually going to be painted?

That looks really good! I think the addition of the ring makes the ride look so much better and really just completes the whole thing. It gives it significantly more impact. The fog canons are a perfect touch - let's just hope they work as well as shown here and are maintained properly.

I'm going to say no. And that's the main problem with going with the silly 'mini Movie World' theme for the driving school. It's very unlikely it's going to evolve as the park does. I mean the theming is terrific, but they could have gone with any theme and still executed it well. A timeless one would have made more sense logistically.

I've been raving about WWF's final scene on here for at least the last 13 years, as Richard's post shows. It clearly made an impression on me.

The sparks happened as the boat was going up the lift hill, on the walls on either side. So maybe it wasn't these that caused the fire? Maybe it was the giant animatronic barrel?

The final scene of WWF used to be brilliant. The boat headed straight towards a giant expanding explosives barrel, then turned towards the doors. The barrel would go off with a big explosion sound effect (I think this remains), accompanied by smoke and a strong gust of wind which created the effect of pushing the boat out of the doors. It was so effective. Tragic that it was lost and not replaced.

Very true. And I love that you used a Japanese building from Epcot for comparison, rather than one from Japan. How appropriate for a theme park site! Alex -- why wouldn't they have just fixed it at the time they were constructing the Arkham tower? And are we sure the Arkham tower was a 'wrap' and they didn't construct it from scratch? I remember that burnt out building facade you are referring to, but not sure if it is the same thing. I just find it strange that such a simple, cheap, flimsy tower facade already needs such extensive work carried out to it. Or maybe I just answered my own question.

I'm just hoping the buildings, facades and theming in this area will be more of a Main Street standard and less of an Arkham Asylum standard. I was rather disappointed with Arkham's 2D wallpaper mural and cardboard tower. The 2D wallpaper mural in this new area is a little bit of a worrying start -- but my usual tactic is to judge things far too early, so I am not going to this time. I am sure(ish) the whole area will look great when finished. Speaking of the Arkham tower -- does anybody know why they are working on it when it hasn't even been up there for that long?

THIS. It's just some guy's fantasy. Plus, I also find the proposal itself (ignoring its total, total lack of credibility for a second) really weird. A theme park based on a defunct (and very average/underwhelming) theme park, even reincorporating some of the same themed lands? Just weird.

Because it's not real. Not happening.

'US millionaire property developer, Ammar Khan... Mr Khan worked at Wonderland for nine years'. Give me strength! Why won't this go away?

Totally agree. But this would probably require a major overhaul of the ride and possibly an additional/expanded building. It'd be worth it in my opinion, but I doubt MW would consider it.

This is exactly what Australia needs. A massive lift hill, long ride time, and just all out impressive. It would dominate the skyline. I also have no doubt it would draw the crowds in for a long time to come. Seriously hoping.

I used to love the Lethal Weapon theming. The Chinatown alley was so well done with lots of little details. And the car scrapyard was excellent, with the barking dog and sirens providing that extra 'city' ambience. It's the sort of thing the Justice League city scene needs. I was really disappointed with the Arkham Asylum theming. Looks like they needed a bigger budget - it's all just 2D stickers and plastic columns that wobble when people hang off them in the queue.

I think most of us are pleased to see MW adding a flat ride as it's what the majority of us have said for a long time is most needed, even though many of us are not flat ride fans! Strategically, it makes sense. MW struggles with DW in terms of being considered a full-day park by the punters. This should help a little bit. The choice to go with DC is disappointing; however, the fact that they are claiming it will be immersive is promising. A bad theme choice well done is still OK with me. This new ride/area becomes even more positive in my view if the rumored major coaster does end up materialising. MW would be truly something special then. Fingers crossed.

Out of rides that currently exist -- definitely Justice League followed by Scooby. JL is the only true dark ride we have right now. Great theming and interactivity, only let down by the ride system that has no independent simulated movement. If some sort of movement (apart from just trundling along a track like an old-school ghost train) had been incorporated, the ride would have been way more popular. WWF can't be considered a dark ride. It just has some indoor portions.

Totally agree. WWF is one of those signature attractions that MW needs to treat with love and care. So long as Movie World exists, so should this ride. Like the classic Disney attractions that last forever. Do they still have the fog in the geyser section? I vaguely remember from my last trip that it was gone. The outdoor section also needed attention -- rotting/moudly teepee scene and some ghost town effects not working. But most important of all is the final room at the top of the mountain. It'd be terrific if they would reinstate the expanding barrel and smoke/wind gust that used to create a simulated explosion effect that'd 'push' the boats into the drop. It's always been severely lacking since the fire.