GoGoBoy

It's funny because the Big Dipper entry facade that exists at the park today is from the 1995 incarnation of the park (ie. it's only 15 years old). The design is however based on the original Big Dipper facade that was created in 1935 - although has a number of marked differences. I very much agree they should have kept the 1995 Tumble Bug theming!

Is it just my imagination or do the SuperLoop schematic illustrations all look much higher and steeper than the Wedgie? I also noticed the launch chambers have an angled/pointed roof which gives the SkyBox a better look. The Wedgie's has a cut-off top. Could this have been do with available space? I really think Dreamworld and WhiteWater World need to stop installing rides which are the first of their kind EVER MADE and go with one that has already been developed and improved. Living in Australia practically every ride is new to us anyway - even if they already exist overseas. Motocoaster is a classic example - Sea World got the much better version as all they had to do was wait and see what was wrong with the original. Anyway, back to the Wedgie I guess DW was limited by the height of the tower they were using

WhiteWater World have just installed a new clear window in the initial part of the Wedgie's drop. I think it's a nice idea. Apparently it was supposed to have been done before the ride opened but they ran out of time. I always thought the SkyBox/launch chamber would have a window at the front of it so that people down below can watch the rider getting ready to drop. But not sure if people on the ground would be able to see that high up? Anyway here is a link to a pic of the new window being installed - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4181...;id=41077581574 While we are on the subject of the Wedgie I noticed that ProSlide now has information on their website for this model of ride known as a SuperLoop. It is listed under their 'Plummet' products. It shows various design options including one which I like which actually has 2 of the loop slides next to each other (going in opposite directions). Go to http://www.proslide.com/rides_08_d.php to see for youself

I don't believe there is any excuse for any permanent amusement park to bring in hired rides. The only reason Luna Park brings in temporary travelling rides for the holidays is because they are too cheap to actually build new permanent rides. Most other theme and amusement parks around the world, regardless of size, build NEW PERMANENT attractions. Even if they have to replace an older ride to bring in a new one, that is what they do. Just look at Luna Park from the 1930's through to the 1970's. All of their rides were unique and very well themed and presented. They still brought in new rides and attractions every couple of years - they'd just remove a ride that was losing popularity and build the new one in its place

Is a Wave Swinger really something to get excited about? It's just a chair swing ride right? I'd always welcome a change and new rides to Luna Park but I don't know if this is anything great. There is so much they could do with that park that they just aren't doing and I still find it frustrating. I will admit it is interesting to see a ride come back to the park that was previously housed there over 2 decades ago. I should mention though that the 1980's Luna Park was not really considered to be a GOOD park. It was nothing like the Luna of the 1930's - 1970's according to my history book. It was actually more like it is today - where the owners weren't interested in running the amusement park and had ulterior motives. It was just a big clump of asphalt with a bunch of travelling rides dotted all over the place with little or no facades or theming (hmm... sound familiar?)

I think there's very little chance of that happening. The park has been re-opened for 6 years now and Maloney's Corner still looks like a parking lot while the rest of the rides around the park have basically no bridges, theming or facades at all. I agree with the above post that it's a real shame they didn't bring back the giant insect, spider and other theming elements. In the old days of Luna Park it was like a fantasy land with all of the theming and artwork. Right now it just resembles a blank asphalt expanse of portable rides. It needs some atmosphere!

Seriously - who goes to a theme park to use an internet cafe and do some printing? So random!

Terror Canyon is closed too isn't it? It would be a terrible time to visit the park right now with the Twister, Speed Coaster, both Terror Canyons and Calypso Beach closed. What's the point? I still question why they closed Terror Canyon. I've said it before but I'll say it again - the Kamikaze is such an ugly, ugly ride. Worst colour choice and presentation ever!

I didn't want to start a new thread for this so I hope it's okay that I revived this one again. After creating the thread about the new Luna park at Coney Island, New York - which will have all new Zamperla rides - it got me thinking about Dreamworld. So many people have mentioned how disappointed they are that the mine ride closed and at the same time everyone is desperate for new rides for DW. Rather than spending a few millions dollars on new filler attractions like AVPX and Flowrider (which we now know don't really increase attendance) why don't they spend that money on new but smaller, low-cost rides. As an example why not buy a simple off-the-shelf coaster such as a Zamperla mouse or other coaster with a small footprint to replace Eureka Mine Ride with? They could keep the mine theme but say it is a new and upgraded experience. Either demolish the mountain and use that space or modify the mountain to incorporate the new coaster. Or even build a new but smaller mountain. I would imagine these smaller coaster models would not cost a lot of money. The key would be to make sure the ride provides a great ride experience and also ensure it is well presented and themed. There are a number of other smaller off-the-shelf rides Dreamworld could purchase which would surely be very low cost but still provide lots of fun. This would help Dreamworld retain their title of the park with the most rides while also providing guests with what they want. I still think they'd need a new major ride every few years but these sorts of models would be perfect for those 'filler' years. Anyone else agree?

Amazing how well thought out and planned the park used to look. It was a true theme park. Now you have random ugly out-of-place attractions like AVPX and redline slapped around the place. Not to mention other rides being ripped out and others placed in a themed zone that doesn't match the theme at all

This is great Richard! Really nice to finally get some more photos up including some of the recent changes. Also enjoyed seeing the Wedgie from this different angle - none of the other photos (including official parks shots) have shown this yet

I just found out today that a new amusement park is about to open at Coney Island in New York. I visited Coney Island a couple of years ago when Astroland (the former amusement park) was about to be closed down, it was a real mess and looked to be in quite a state. I was very excited to find out today that the City of New York purchased a large parcel of land and have leased it out to an amusement park operator. The new park will be called Luna Park and will be based on the original Luna Park which operated there back in the early 1900's. Even more interesting is the park is being built and managed by Zamperla. I have had a look at a few of the concept designs and I am very impressed with the fact that Zamperla is theming the park around the old style of Luna Park - incorporating many of the old designs and concepts into the new rides. Zamperla will be building a number of brand new rides (prototypes) for this park and will continue to use it as a sort of testing ground for their new rides - as well as having permanent rides. People in the New York community are very excited that this should help to reinvigorate Coney Island and bring it back to the good old days. I am especially impressed that they are embarking on this project given the state of the economy. The first stage of the park will open in just a few weeks and will feature 19 Zamperla rides including a roller coaster and flume ride. The second stage of the park is due to open next year and will be called the 'Scream Zone' with a bigger rollercoaster and other attractions. I would have loved to have seen Luna Park Sydney do something similar ie. bringing in cutting edge new rides (albeit ones with a small, low impact footprint) such as these Zamperla models and theming them around old Luna Park attractions. A link to a news article regarding the new Luna Park at Coney Island which features a video is here - http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/0..._enjoyment.html A link to a good About.com article showing some of the ride and theme concepts and how they match up with the original park designs is here - http://themeparks.about.com/b/2010/04/22/m...w-luna-park.htm

Just on an interesting side note - have you guys ever noticed that there is a large mural of a rainbow on the backing board behind the base of the Ranger? That is because when the park was originally re-opening back in 1995 they were supposed to be getting a Rainbow (from Whittingslow Amusements who pretty much supplied all the rides for the 1995 park reincarnation - a number of which are still at the park). Something changed however and they ended up with the Ranger but kept the artwork which had already been created in anticipation of the Rainbow

The Rainbow would certainly give you a great view of the harbour as it reaches the top

I just came across an article in the Sydney Morning Herald which suggests that part of the reason Dreamworld revenues are continuing to decline may be because the Village parks are beginning to take market share from DW. Ardent are absolutely crazy for letting this happen. I have always looked at Dreamworld as Australia's 'favourite' theme park. It was such a common thing to hear people say they would prefer to go to Dreamworld because it has MORE RIDES AND BIGGER RIDES. It's such a simple thing but something Ardent would be very foolish to ignore. Instead of going down the path of trying to diversify DW's offerings with Flowriders, V8 simulators and laser alleys they need to stick with what has always made them the most popular park... more rides. Losing this competitive edge would be a big mistake. Here is the link to the article if anyone is interested - http://www.smh.com.au/business/leisure-tru...00514-v4gg.html

joz I think you are absolutely spot on with the above comment! The small capital they are injecting at the moment seems very misguided I couldn't agree more Richard. I live in NSW and I remember back when the commercials for the Claw were on, a number of my friends commented on how amazing the new ride at Dreamworld looked and wanted to visit. I have not heard anyone mention anything about Dreamworld down here since. That is certainly saying something. It's time for DW to get back into the business of delivering REAL theme park rides and marketing them properly

An interesting article regarding this issue from the Gold Coast Bulletin - http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/0...t-business.html The CEO of Ardent is quoted as saying that despite the current economic conditions they continue to invest significant amounts of money into Dreamworld because they believe in the brand. He said they want to make it a good place to visit. I would really question the claim that they have invested a lot in the park recently. A laser arena, a single new waterslide and other additions could not really be considered major. While we will have to wait and see what the rest of this year brings it appears that they are actually very reluctant to make any significant investments in the park - something that is obviously needed. We know that Dreamworld really started to thrive with the opening of Wipeout, ToT/Giant Drop and the Claw. Perhaps this should be telling Ardent something!

Ardent Leisure have just posted their third quarter results - http://www.ardentleisure.com.au/Investor-C...X-Releases.aspx It looks like their theme parks division has continued to decline. DW's January revenues were down around 10% on the prior year but even more surprising was the April result. Even with the benefit of new attractions such as the Wedgie, Illuminate and the inclusion of Q deck, revenue was still down on April last year. I find this really puzzling. I thought that with both the Wedgie and the significant discounts DW was promoting we would have seen an increase. What's happened to people? Has everyone stopped going to theme parks? Australia isn't in a recession and yet Ardent's theme parks appear to be suffering. I'm always disappointed when a new attraction doesn't boost revenue/attendance as it may discourage the parks from continuing to add new rides. Any other thoughts?

I agree! What did they have there before they put the sideshow alley in? Were they food outlets or something? I hate those cheap and tacky carnival games - definitely doesn't suit a park like Sea World. Save them for the easter show. Clearly just another attempt to increase revenue. The signage has also been done really cheaply too - just 2D stickers basically

Oh come on that was one of the best effects! I can't believe they have let it die. The effects were what made this ride! What's going on? Are they planning to replace the ride with something else and therefore letting it deteriorate? I'm so annoyed about this

Interesting move - will be good to see how it plays out over the next little while and give feedback. It feels like these forums have been around for longer than 8 years. What year did Total Thrills start up?

Wow thanks for the pics. I don't remember those waterslides at all - they must have been around in the 70's but perhaps they weren't there when I was visiting Grundy's in the mid to late 80's. Can you imagine how popular waterslides on Cavill would be if they were there now! One thing I find strange is I always remember Grundy's being on the other side of Cavill mall. Did they move locations or am I just getting confused?

That sounds great! Sure it would have been a hit on the Gold Coast if they had built it. I agree with some of the others on here - Grundy's at Surfers Paradise was awesome. We always used to visit it (when I was really young) on family trips to Surfers. I really hold it as one of the fond memories from my childhood. The Ghost Train was top notch - probably the best I've ever been on. I rode it many times every time we were up there. It was well themed with some great automated effects. I can remember it had these doors which looked like solid walls, they had various monsters painted on them (a witch comes to mind) in bright neon colours. Your car would plough through the doors and they had these bumps on the track to make it feel like you were smashing through a wall - very cool effect. Some of the other effects I remember were various animatronics such as Frankenstein popping up from behind a brick wall and a mad scientist or doctor operating on somebody. One of the final effects was a mummy case with big nails on the inside that would open up and reveal the mummy inside along with a really loud and kinda terrifying scream. From what I remember the track had an interesting single tubular rail design and the cars were well themed

This refurb won't be opening until September now. I was reading a presentation given by the Ardent Leisure CEO (you can find it online under their ASX announcements). I wonder what has caused the delay and whether it is intentional? My concern about a September opening would be that they then don't open a major new ride in December - as I was originally hoping - and instead delay it for another year. Here's hoping I'm very wrong!

Thanks very much for the photos. My first guess would be a tunnel extension too. I sure hope they are going to do more than just that though. I'd much rather the car being turned around, the tower painted and theming refurbed and more power added. Hopefully a tunnel extension is one of a number of changes and not the only change!