GoGoBoy

This is becoming another case of huge over-development care of Frank Sartor. Luna Park is stepping further and further away from its origins. I really feel that a large part of the heritage value of the site is finally being stripped away with these new buildings. Unfortunately when developers look at the site all they see is $$$ and it's starting to become clear that the current owners are no different. I think the only way they could redeem themselves is by putting some money back into the fun park. They should reinstate one of the popular old time rides like the River Caves or something similar. And as was suggested they should also refurb Maloney's Corner and increase artwork and theming around the park. What do you think the chances of this happening are? I'd say very slim

I'm surprised no one has posted this article yet - Bid to make bigger Luna Park sue-proof It would be nice if this decision would bring about a serious upgrade of the current ride/attraction line-up or even a new ride altogether. But instead we're getting 1 less ride (removal of the UFO for cinemas) and 2 new office blocks. The amusement park seems to be the last thing on their minds

Yeah if anyone can get any pics of the new Wet n Wild attractions that'd be great. The park is doing some fantastic things this year and it would be a shame if we didn't get any coverage of it

Thanks for the photos Adam, nice to finally see what this attraction looks like from the front. The theming/signage seems fine (very basic and not as good as Marvin) but appears to do the job. From what someone else said, I had the impression that there was no signage at the front whatsoever. It's certainly better than nothing. I also noticed they patched up the themed 'crack' that was put in the Roxy's awning for Marvin seemlessly

I'm so glad we have a park in Australia that puts so much effort into their theming. It really is of a very high standard. I hope they keep it up... under the current ownership I'm sure they always will (fingers crossed a cheap and nasty Malaysian company doesn't take over Warner Village one day)

All I was hoping to see was something similar to the Marvin signage and artwork. I don't think they should make any major modifications to the Roxy facade (because it's great as it is) but even just a 3D version of the Shrek Adventure logo coming out of the 'Now showing' display at the entry would be better than nothing. And again - why was this attraction rushed so heavily? If time is the problem then why didn't they allow more time for construction?

Hey scott - how about heading over to Movie World next time which just happens to have a brand new attraction which has received rave reviews in the States. Then come back here and give us a TR on that! I am really keen to find out what it's like but no one seems to have been on it yet

I'm sad to hear that the Roxy facade has not been re-themed for Shrek. They had a great facade when Marvin 3D was playing in there... why not do something even more special for Shrek?

I would be very interested to know just how much excess land is available for future expansion now that DW has sold off a lot of the excess for the retail/residential development. There is obviously still some space left within the park. There is the old Thunderbolt site and the area around the river and Avis vintage cars (assuming they want to build on this site... I'm thinking COASTER supports partly over/in the river might be nice). But it seems like if they have sold off the excess land, then any room for expansion outside the park might be very limited

I agree kennykoala. I have always been a big fan of Movie World but this year they have outdone themselves and would certainly be deserving of the title Australia's best theme park. The only thing that DW ever had over MW was the number of rides. However, Movie World is catching up at a very fast rate. DW certainly can't compete on ride quality - MW wins this category. By the way - Movie World actually has 4 coasters. 3 of them are excellent and the 4th is a kids ride but still fun

I'm desperate to see some photos of this new attraction - at least the front facade. Or even a TR would be great. Has anyone been on it yet? Anyone got any photos?

Dreamworld is promoted as Australia's premier thrill park - but this is a real stretch when you consider their very average coaster situation. The Cyclone was a pretty poor ride to start with (was better at Luna Park) but it sounds like DW has let it become a lot worse. I would say the one MAJOR gap in Dreamworld's current line up (besides maybe a decent waterpark) is a good roller coaster. In reality, I think a park like DW should really have a number of various high quality coasters. Movie World is certainly showing them up this year

Yeah I do agree with you to an extent kennykoala. The black asphalt does make it look very strange. Why they didn't use a coloured path like they did so well with Ocean Parade is a mystery to me. In fact, the whole Wiggles World area seems like a bit of a rushed concept/job overall

Sounds like a really bizarre 'ride'. I guess what more could you expect from the Wiggles. The technology however is really interesting. I've always loved trains and tracks so I'd be sad in one way if this technology started to take over. And couldn't it spread to real trains one day? I mean if there's no tracks then you can't have any derailments

One thing I have to congratulate Dreamworld on is the attention to colour and presentation they have displayed over the last few years. The entry sign to Wiggles World and all the colourful 3D wiggly structures around help to create a nice themed atmosphere. Without these the place would end up looking like the area behind Coney Island at Luna Park Sydney (Maloney's Corner)... a mass of asphalt with some kids rides chucked around the place. And in regards to the Big Red Car ride, can someone please explain to me how it works? I was just looking at photos of it on Ozcoaster. It has no tracks!! I have never heard of a self guiding system like this before. Also, is the ride showroom building actually the old country jamboree building? Or did they build a whole new structure for the ride? Richard - would love to hear some technical explanations for this one. Is it likely that this will be a new technology used in theme parks or is it fairly limiting?

Excuse me - while we're all claiming undeserved credit for things might I remind you that way back in May 2004 I was the first to suggest a SUPERMAN COASTER for Movie World. Here is the post - http://www.parkz.com.au/forums/in...p?showtopic=804 I agree with joz and Rich. Even when I heard that Superman was going to be built I never once thought that Movie World had taken my idea. As the others have said, based on Movie World's theme it was a pretty obvious choice. However, if it turns out that Movie World are actually taking fans ideas then that's great! A park that actually listens! Hooray!

Does anyone else think Dreamworld's layout is becoming really poor? The Tower of Terror is now more out of place than ever before. Then there's the Cyclone which sits outside the park perimeter in the car park. Tiger Island is another area randomly placed in a corner of the park. And the location of Wiggles World is just bizarre, all squashed in along the front of the river. On top of this, you have a Wiggles World attraction (Farmyard Friends) which is in a completely separate area. I think there are a number of things Dreamworld could do to improve the layout and ensure it all connects a bit better. I was pleased to see they've created a new park map finally (available on the website). I just pity the poor designer who had to put it all together and try and make some sort of connection and continuity with all the different areas

Yes Gazza, I think you're right. Luna Park Melbourne would have purchased those 2 rides for a very, very low price at Sega World's auction. I actually went down to Darling Harbour the other day and noticed the old Sega World main gates were open. The majority of the park is currently being used as a temporary furniture showroom, open to the public. I was pretty excited about this as the park has been boarded up for about 5 years and I haven't seen inside the place since it closed. While all the rides are ofcourse gone, much of the theming and structures are still in place. They have hung curtains up everywhere and placed carpet tiles down to try and hide the remnants of the park but you can still see quite a lot. I would strongly recommend anyone who is interested heading down and having a look. Would be great if someone could get some 'defunct park' photos before the showroom closes

The 'exciting new attraction' was the planned Ice World ice skating rink. Just before Sega World closed they removed the Mad Bazooka dodgems and VR-1 virtual reality rides (which is why they are not listed on the site) in preparation for a themed ice rink. The rink was going to be located where these rides used to sit in the Future zone of the park. They took the rides out but the park closed soon after so construction on the rink never commenced

I found a Sega fan site which houses the complete Sega World Sydney (ex indoor theme park at Darling Harbour) website as it was just prior to the park closing in 2000. Kinda sad to see but very interesting, especially for those that never got a chance to visit the park. There's a full listing of the rides with pictures. Go to http://gaming.chronomagister.com/fanums/sw...orld/index.html

LunaParkFanatic - here is what I don't understand. You are a person who thinks Luna Park in Sydney is amazing and can do no wrong. This is despite the fact that Luna Park's main focus is functions and events and the only rides it has are a limited number of old portable models randomly placed around the asphalt. On the other hand we have a world class theme park (Movie World) which is just about to invest in another brilliant multi-million dollar attraction and it isn't good enough?Where is the sense in that? I think I am getting deja vu here

Why is it that so many companies seem to have a serious problem when it comes to updating their websites? It's crazy as it's one of the first places people can go to actually interact with the park and get the information they need. They just seem to leave the updating of sites until the last second or forget about it all together. I think one of the big problems is that most marketing managers don't know a lot about them. I find it a bit strange that Shrek 4D is being released now and not coinciding with any movie release. But I suppose in relation to DW's opening (the very poor/average) Wiggles World it does make sense from a competitive point of view

So does anyone know how the roll out of these new attractions is going to work? I have heard Superman is opening in December but what about Shrek? And in the commercial is Shrek the only attraction being advertised? Anything about Superman? As with Wet 'n' Wild, Movie World is all of a sudden getting a range of great new rides in one hit and yet they've gone for quite a few years with nothing. Shrek would have enough pulling power to be an announced addition all on its own without needing another ride opening a few months later. I am just very curious (not complaining!) as to why Warner Village have gone about it this way

This is absolutely awesome news. I am so excited to hear that Warner Village is really getting their stuff together and upping the stakes. I have always been a fan of Movie World but now with Shrek 4D AND Superman - they are showing us what a real theme park is all about. Australian park standards are hitting a new level and it's about time. Let's hope some of the lesser parks out there are given a run for their money

This is some really exciting news from Wet 'n' Wild - it certainly does seem like a lot of our wishes have been granted. I am also very surprised by the way WnW has gone about the announcement and addition of these new attractions. In the past, they have only added 1 new attraction per year (or even per couple of years) with plenty of hype. To all of a sudden go all out with these new additions in one hit seems very strange. The fact that they have even announced what is coming next year makes it even weirder. Why the change of tact? As I think another user suggested, I would like to have seen some of these attractions rolled out progressively over the last couple of years when they weren't doing much at all with the park. But besides all that I am really thrilled that the park is making such a substantial investment. Well done WnW!