I'm not going to go into my backround and history, but in my opinion, Dreamworld has turned into an utter joke of a park and MacLes are simply destroying what was once a wonderful place to visit.
Plain and simply, Dreamworld started to go downhill when John Longhurst sold out. Maybe he just got out at the right time, and the park would have fallen into financial trouble even with him at the helm, but the facts are there to see.
After Mr Longhurst left, we have seen a complete lack of thought as far as theming is concerned. Think back to when DW first opened and it's first eight or so years of operation. It was perfect in every way. Such a magical place with so much charm. How much charm and magic is at DW these days?? None. It's a multi coloured eyesore.
Since 1993, rides and attractions - as great and fantastic as they may be - have been slapped willy nilly all over the park with no thought of what the outcome of those moves might be. I know that this is the fault of different ownership groups and not just Macquarie Leisure, but it just goes to show that when corporations take over a theme park, more often than not the warm, fuzzy feelings mean little - profits rule and they don't care how they come or at what cost.
Wipeout - Completely out of place in what was Country Fair.
TOT - Utterly out of place roaring through Rivertown and Gum Tree Gully.
Wiggles World - Destroyed one of the most beautiful areas of Dreamworld.
While these rides and attractions have been of an incredible service to DW, they have forced all of the charm out of those areas, to the point where it looks like Rivertown may as well be closed forever. The other thing that is dragging the park down is the decision to paint the buildings - which once gave DW so much character - bright colours which just looks so out of place. Bright paint fades, and without regular recoats, will look hideous in a couple of years time. Just look at the Claw and different areas of Nick Central.
My conclusion to this rant is this - John Longhurst built DW with his heart and soul. It wasn't all about profits. He truely wanted to create something special. And he succeeded. All those that have come and gone since his departure have not shared this passion. If they did, Dreamworld wouldn't be in the mess it's in today.
It makes me wonder where the park would be if John Longhurst was still involved.