Slick

All that remains of the Thunderbolt is the station. Basically its the queue, exit and both areas with a very big area at the rear of the station, and seeming the whole thing is shaded and virtually unknown to the gp, its a great place for storage, even if it does only have about four things from nick central etc. in there.

I didn't directly say that now did I? What I was really trying to say was that by upgrading the GD's technology (sensory, computers etc.) the relay to the engine telling it how fast to go pending on where the cable car is will be alot more precise therefore making things alot more efficient. Noticed that even though you're all buckled in ready to go but the cable car hasn't clicked in on the gondola yet. It's because the cable car has to slow down within the last 10 or so metres so the computers can safely track and relay the position of the car to the engine.

Currently it has three-four cars on the track (to my knowledge) and a spair train is in storage down inside the Thunderbolt station.

Better yet I could just talk to the engineers in the park. They would definitely know afterall. From what I've seen in terms of the computer room etc. for GD I'm betting it would be changeable but I think that there is a reason, possibly the sensory system for the drop being so high and that the engines are that high up. Most of you have probably noticed the amount of time taken for the cable car winch (thingy-ma-bob) to connect back to the main gondola is exceedingly painful, especially when it comes back into the station and it takes a good 30 seconds to hook on within the last 4-5 metres. I'd say the easiest way to fix this problem without having any hassles or accidents with the sensory system for that matter is to update the technology in regards to the computer systems etc. Moore's law of computers (particularly the speed) states that amount of transistors inside the main processor will double every two years. Therefore, if the tower's technology for GD was created sometime around 1996 (the planning of the design), its technology is about 4 generations behind our "athlon xp" chipsets and our "Pentium fours". Infact, when I actually looked into the little room where the computers are held, I noticed an old desktop computer with a 14" monitor and a little Pentium MMX tower. Okay, so in other words, I really am starting to babble on, but basically what I am trying to reach is, rather than use the current technology and try to modify it and possibly running the risk of the entire thing becoming unstable, why not purchase a new, faster system that will handle the GD with ease?

Hmmm.... someone here is a part pooper! Yes, Liam is correct, but there will be a further release into design, content etc. later on next month.

It has also gone under some pretty big renovations recently, there are several new effects and the computer systems are all new. While still not the highest capacity ride in the park, it still is a nice ride at that.

Three words friend : wait & see. There will be a release of what will be happening very soon though so you can get in on the hype.

It reminds me of that 5c virgin to virgin advertisement currently on tv. That ad sucks though, but your signature is still cool though.

Because mr.dentist, it won't be coming till November 15.

Now lets think on how Disney do rides and on which point we actually want to acheive, to get better capacity or improve the area. I personally think that I'd spend the money (currently) on updating the queue area as one thing that slows time down is the lack of entertainment (like when you're in a boring science lesson). Right now I'm really not overly interested in GD's themeing or lack of, rather I think the bigger problem is TOT. Its been discussed, and I think I'll do another post, but here's just a video of the highest it was going the other weekend. [Edit] Something is wrong at the moment and the video gives me an "this thing has stuffed up" message. Will post it later.

Hmm...... ideas for the drop hey? Well let's think out the requirements for redevelopment. -It would have to accommodate a high amount of people moving through that area if the ride is going to hold alot more. -It would definitely have to be on two levels due to the Gold Rush entry -contain wheelchair access between the areas -look attractive -follow some kind of theme Put all that together and see what ideas you can come up with. As for me, i'll get some ideas up soon, just working on alot of other stuff at the moment to fully split up brain power.

Just a quick note, that's pretty much exactly what they do with ride-ops on GD during the holidays. Also, as for going underground, you have to remember that there is a giant concrete footer for the tower that isn't moving anytime soon.

...Spin 360 degrees, get crushed and then twirl as you watch the clothes fly everywhere.... Its not your mum's washing machine, its when Rove Live does the claw nude! ...Wait three hours, watch the trashy lights on the wall light up in terror as you board one of the most grubby looking, slow moving... ahem, I meant, hugest freefall, very super duper ultra mega wally dancing bigger ride in thr worllllld! It's not from Disney, it's at.... D R E A M W O R L D!

Well, to keep the peace, I'd thought I'd start a new thread about ideas for GD and its ongoing journey to improve capacity.:cool: I'd say something personally, but I'm just way too tired tonight after too many long days. So everyone else can go slap some ideas together while I go to bed.

No, in terms of getting into the park, there is zero rush. Its not worth getting to Dreamworld at 9:30am when the rides open about 10:15am. Basically it means that you'll be waiting somewhere in the park until the rides open. You can't get to GD early because there are ropes in Gold Rush and near the train station that don't come down until 10:00, and there are the Tiger gates and a bunch of chairs which also don't move until 10:00am, usually later for that area actually). As for food, first try my good mates down at Market Place. You can't go wrong with their chips (the best I've ever had, and yes, i've been to Disney parks before) and alot of their chicken is fairly good. If you're a fish person, the fat fish at Blue Lagoon is the best fish and chips I've had in a while now and are worth the 5.90, also a steal as chicken and chips will set you back 8.90. CatDog snack shack at Nick Central is your best bet for Hotdogs, but they're good only if you're planning to pay for it. A hotdog with the works will set you back about 7.90 without coke or fries, and there's always a wait, so unless you've got cravings, I'd skip this one. The B-Buffet is great little stop that offers some of the best all you can eat food you'll ever find. The desserts are just amazing, and their asian dishes are just... mmmm....... It'll set you back though, about $14 per person (adult) to get in. By the way, these prices are without a season pass.

What the...? All mine our updated, so don't gimme this load of crap. On a lighter note, a new pack will be up tonight with updated tracks.

Nice. It's a great idea Richo. I'll be definitely be purchasing one this year.

Come on guys, very slack effort in replying here.

All the top posters get moderating accounts! Wootah! Well I cetainly think this has come across before, so Richo, would you like any help?

How is it a stupid idea? The tower's inside part has plenty of capacity to fit several pistons. And plus one of the reasons (I think from memory) why its not good for both of them to freefall at once (which they don't do unless the ride-ops have good timing) is because a)the amount of weight hitting the tower at once. b)the engine always working both sides at once even though from memory it's designed to handle a drop at a time. c)the hydraulics or air compressors at the bottom. d) the computer systems (look at tot, computer systems? Get it? I'm tired.)

Ahh yes, never thought about Skylink but it does go almost directly across the GD building. This can be over come though, but at a cost....... (hahaha, Dreamworld....) If you've seen some of the discovery channel's thrill ride documenteries last year you would know about thrill shot at SFMM. Built by S&S, basically its three towers all connected to a central gondola and depending on how much "thrill" you want, the seats move at different times. Now that would be cool. Now let's put some air compression launches in with modified everything, so there's better capacity..... (Dreamworld says: or not.....)

Okay as for what you said for Cyclone, this is what happens now on holidays, and as for last weekend, take the 2nd and 3rd person and mush them together and then you get two ride-ops for sort-of off-peak times. And as for GD. From what I have been told if both GD sides hit the brakes at the same time issues come into question with the engines with the top of the tower. Ideas that have been issued by Richo etc. would be to place a third track on the north side of the tower, give a 3/4 ring around the tower, and adjusting engines etc. for all this to take place. More capacity, and because its done in one big lot (like the Claw) it gets done quicker. Maybe instead of even using the engines to winch you up they could just use air compression to launch it up the tower then leave you up the top for about 5 seconds and release the pressure again. All combined with the 3/4 ring idea. That would be cool, BUT I WANT MORE THEMEING!

Okay, as for maintenance photos, here are some taken from last Saturday. It is quite literally in lots of pieces. You'd be surprised how many parts or "stages" the WipeOut the wipeout contains. Oh plus a really cool tiger photo i took. There is a whole series of them.

Go to themeparkreview.com and check out Rob and Elissa's Japan trip. There is quite a bit about Steel Dragon 2000. And by the way, not the world's tallest, it's actually the world's longest at 2,479 metres. I wish it was an Intamin hyper, it would've been so awesome, and it would look absolutely stunning, given anything intamin looks stunning.

Saturdays are renowned to be much better in queue times. Unless you haven't bought pre-paid tickets, get to the park by about 9:30am. This will give you enough time to grab your tickets and get into the park by 10:00am when the rides start. As for me, I always do Cyclone first, it is one of the worst capacity rides in the park, and by this stage you'll only have to wait for about five minutes before getting on. When Cyclone's done, i'd go to TOT, then GD. From then on its pretty much choose and go. The Claw is best in the afternoons because for some reason the people just disappate from The Claw. Yesterday for me was really packed (because with the whole INDY package people got a free ticket to Dreamworld) but by the afternoon they were running a straight line in into the claw. And best suggestions for GD queue lines are: -go about lunhtime (noon-ish). By this stage everyone has settled down some where for lunch (Including all the families) which means that rides will be alot less full, especailly our ride capacity deficient drop ride. - About 1:00-ish, I usuall grab lunch then and head to either Market Place, Billabong Buffet (excellent by the way), Shark Attack (near Cyclone), or the Fat Fish (in Blue Lagoon, excellent fish there).