GoGoBoy

Is it my imagination or was the final sequence in the German video not as good as Bermuda? From what I remember of Bermuda Triangle at Sea World there is a lot more noise and effects at the end. Maybe it was just hard to see in the video. At Bermuda I remember a video screen which shows a huge boulder hitting the screen which then cracks and begins the flood. Then all the pillars collapsing and massive flooding. Is there still a large amount of smoke when you enter the top of the volcano before the splashdown or did they remove that too? With enough smoke it could somewhat make up for the lack of fire

I'm so angry that they've let this happen. That ride used to be amazing and something to be really proud of. What's going on lately?

It would seem that Lindsay Fox wasn't interested in restoring the park to its former glory for nostalgias sake after all. He claimed to have a love of the park with lots of fond memories but it turns out he was only seeing dollar signs in his eyes as usual. His company was one of the bidders for the prime real estate adjacent to the park and they obviously thought they had a better chance of nabbing the site if they could convince everyone they would upgrade Luna Park. Isn't it funny that as soon as another company scored the land we never heard another thing from Lindsay Fox regarding the Luna Park upgrade. Very poor form

But in 10 years time waterslide technology will have advanced even further and there will be a whole host of new attractions available. Why would they lock into something 10 years in advance in the sort of industry where it's all about the latest and greatest? The plans look good but it could all be different a few years from now. Most Australian parks don't reveal their newest rides more than a few months before they open so why is Jamberoo laying it all out there?

Agreed. I personally think it's a great ride but the theming/presentation is well below average - as with many of Warner Villages newest attractions

How can anyone suggest rides like Dominator and others as permanent additions? Can't we be more creative than that? You are fantasizing about the park adding new PERMANENT rides... don't you think it would be nice to get away from the old travelling carnival rides? Some of the coaster suggestions have been good. And I've always thought the park could do with a drop ride. In terms of roof tops you could use the slab where the Tumble Bug currently sits on top of the dodgems building. I would also like to see a water ride based on the original River Caves but a more souped up version with an actual flume drop. You guys know that none of this will probably ever happen right? Do you see any sign that the current owners of the park are looking to add new permanent attractions? I don't think so. Their business plan seems to be focused on functions and events with new rides only coming to the park in the form of temporary travelling attractions

I'm so sad to hear all this! I used to LOVE these places as a kid. I also remember when they installed the 'Tomorrow's Harvest Boat Ride' and I think it was around the early 1990's. I believe the Big Pineapple was quite successful as a tourist destination and in an attempt to add more attractions and begin to develop a sort of mini theme park they added this boat ride. I remember thinking it wasn't particularly exciting but I still enjoyed it in a way as I've always liked any kind of water ride. There was a dark section of the ride where you went into a tunnel/building. I remember an animatronic crocodile lunging out at the boat. That was probably the most exciting effect, if you can call it that. I also remember a rotating model of the planet earth. I'm still shocked that it has closed down. Surely the park is still successful with tourists - is the train and macadamia trucks still running? The Big Banana's plantation tour monorail was always a bit strange. I remember a large animatronic bunyip rising out of the billabong as you passed it and then on the hill you passed a man eating flower with a half dead guy hanging out of it. Then there was the space station at the end of the journey. Whoever created this attraction must have been on drugs. Still I was also surprised to hear this closed too, regardless of how odd it was

It seems to be a trend with Warner Village lately unfortunately. Other examples where they have replaced once very decent theming effects with well below standard effects include the final splashdown room in the mountain on Wild West Falls and the volcano fire on Bermuda. I understand there may have been reasons these had to be replaced (the fire on WWF as an example) but by substituting them for effects or theming which are so far below the former standard they essentially destroy a large part of the overall ride experience

My earlier reference regarding 'mish mash of random attractions' refers more to Wet 'n' Wild's H20 zone additions (and Surfrider). Poorly planned, poorly presented and randomly placed. The whole H20 Zone reminds me of Maloney's Corner at Luna Park Sydney. This new park in Phoenix looks really well planned and presented. I can't help but think many of Wet 'n' Wilds latest additions were added just for the sake of plonking in another new attraction ie. Surfrider, Kamikaze

That is one awesome looking waterpark. Thanks for posting the map Gazza. I think I'd prefer this park over our own Wet 'n' Wild. I just love the layout and presentation. It appears to be a true water park too without the mish mash of random attractions our Wet 'n' Wild has. Their lazy river looks good but I especially love the master blaster - it looks huge!

You are spot on with this post Alex. I totally agree that Spooky Coaster used to be such a great immersive experience. I can remember the first few times going on it and we were just laughing out loud in pure joy. The combination of darkness, lasers, fog and that awesome booming music made it 10 times better than a normal roller coaster. The park is currently doing a real dis-service to the very clever and talented people who created this ride

The parks looks good - very colourful and nice designs. Not really like Wet 'n' Wild at all

Anyway back to the topic at hand (Dreamworld's direction)... I was reading some press releases and articles with quotes from the new CEO Noel Dempsey. After reading them I am now worried he has a similar mentality as Stephen Gregg and possibly wants to take the park in the same direction. Here are 2 of the quotes - “Not only have we done this today, (but) this becomes part of a new precinct here at Dreamworld, where we are going to have a range of adrenal-filled actives, from the V8 simulators, to Flowrider and now today opening the biggest and the best, which is Alien vs. Predator”, he added." and "Dreamworld CEO, Noel Dempsey said his team was determined to bring the virtual racing cars to Australia after first experiencing them in the USA". I'm sorry to say but based on the above it sounds like he is just as determined to turn Dreamworld into an 'experience' park building interactive sporting activities and other attractions as opposed to real theme park rides and themed areas. I certainly hope I'm wrong and we see him go in a better direction

Even better become a shareholder of either Macquarie Leisure or Village Roadshow and get multiple 'buy one get one free' vouchers for Dreamworld, WhiteWater World, Sea World, Movie World, Wet 'n' Wild, Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, Greater Union Cinemas etc. etc. Now that's a real saving!

This is really pathetic. Scooby Doo is one of the best rides in Australia - it has a great reputation here and internationally too - and they are letting this happen. Management might think these are small problems but the overall result is a seriously diminished ride experience. Movie World should be doing everything it can to maintain its high quality theming. Afterall that is the main reason people love the park so much. My concern is that is just not a priority for them anymore. You just have to look at Batwing Spaceshot to realise this ie. good ride but virtually non existant theming

I was just looking over the websites of both Disney waterparks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon). The parks are obviously brilliantly presented and I love the consistent theming for each individual slide and pool areas. I find it interesting though that they do not add many new attractions, although Crush 'n Gusher in 2005 was obviously a large (and very fun looking!) addition. I guess Disney is not known for the frequency it adds new rides but rather the quality when it does occur. In some ways I almost wish Wet 'n' Wild would adopt this policy rather than adding a new slide every year which is either not up to standard or is poorly themed. There has to be a balance between the need to add new attractions and the quality and presentation of those attractions. I'm just wondering whether the 2 Disney waterparks have enough on offer from a visitors perspective?

I'm sad to hear that as Sunway Lagoon is owned by the pricks who closed down and sold off Wonderland. I was hoping they would fail. In regards to Typhoon Lagoon - I agree it seems like a great themed waterpark. I particularly love the marooned boat on the top of the mountain which lets off spouts of water. Gazza when was the last time this park introduced a new attraction?

I'm really hoping this will give WhiteWater World a much needed kick up the bum. There is now no more excuse to keep delaying the planned expansion. This new park is going to be bigger than WhiteWater World on opening even before stage 2. The longer WWW delays the more likely it is that these other parks will reveal these new slides and get in first

I must say I was never impressed with the parks direction under Stephen Gregg. But I guess it's hard to say exactly how much control the Dreamworld CEO actually has. A lot of it might come from the Macquarie Leisure board of Directors. I'm glad to hear they are starting to fix up some of the issues around the park and it is being noticed by Dreamworld regulars. I was pleased when the Spongebob Flypants ride was opened as even though it is a kids ride, to me it signalled a return to true theme park rides and attractions. I was also pleased it was presented and themed well and actually matched the themed area it was placed in. We need to see more of this. Hopefully they can apply this same approach to the next big ride

This is becoming a bit of a nasty habit with our theme parks recently - the lack of decent theming and signage for the entry areas or facades of new rides rides/attractions. I personally think a good facade and signage is really important as it helps build excitement and adds a lot to the presentation of the parks. I can think of numerous examples recently where the external presentation/theming and signage has been lacking - Batwing, Jet Rescue, Motocoaster, pretty much every new slide at Wet 'n' Wild (especially H20 Zone) and now AVPX. Not good enough! And as far as I'm concerned a big 2 dimensional painted sign does not cut it. PS Does anyone else think it's awesome that Lynton V. Harris posted on the forums!

Something tells me we can expect a bowling alley in the very near future unfortunately. Someone needs to get the Macquarie Leisure Directors to snap out of it and remind them that Dreamworld is a theme park and not an entertainment centre. It should remain a theme park!

At least 2 years? That's terrible news if it's correct. I'm sorry but as great as the park is it is just too small meanwhile Wet 'n' Wild is adding new attractions all the time. As I have been saying they don't need to go ahead with the full expansion at once but at least add ONE new attraction. The park is in desperate need of a lazy river for example. The park has had higher than expected attendance although it should be noted attendance hardly grew at all over the last year. They are going to need to boost the attraction line up or else it is only going to go down. Not good enough! I for one won't be returning until the park adds something new. I certainly hope this doesn't mean Dreamworld is adding no new rides for 2 years either

Totally agree with you there. White Water Mountain and the Terror Canyon slides were Wet 'n' Wild's first themed attractions. And what a great job they did of it. This was followed up with Calypso Beach - again another well themed and presented attraction. I remember seeing the brochure as a kid and loving the graphics showing 2 guests in an inflatable boat plunging through a waterfall at the exit to the mountain. It made me want to visit the park - the first time I'd ever had that desire. I have been very concerned with the very basic nature of the more recent additions to Wet 'n' Wild (H20 Zone for example). Certainly no theming and very minimal presentation. It takes away from the atmosphere. Here's hoping they either restore the Terror Canyon's to their original states or replace with something of a similar standard

Are you speaking with some insider knowledge on this or is this just your personal opinion?

Here's hoping we see at least part of the expansion happen this year. Even if they just built one of the planned new attractions with the rest to follow in later years. I know that Macquarie Leisure (like most companies right now) is actively trying to reduce their debt levels. I believe they have a reasonable and manageable level of borrowings, but nonetheless want to improve their balance sheet anyway. I'm just wondering whether this will impact on this planned expansion. Or perhaps the cost has already been factored in