strop

It's not Bullen's Animal World, but unfortunately it's name escapes me. From memory it was something generic like 'funnyland' or 'crazyland,' but don't quote me on that. I recall it was on the right hand side as you were driving to the Dam just before you got into the park. It has been rundown / abandoned for as long as I can remember (I'm in my thirties & despite living nearby & traveling to the dam at least once a year, I've never seen it in operation). I haven't been through the area since 2006, but it was still as it appears in the photos then. Edit: LOL, just took a proper look at the photos, and I now believe it may have been called 'Fun Land' (and you can quote me on that!)

There was actually footage of Wonderland on playschool yesterday. It must have been taken fairly late in the park's life as the chairlift could be seen in the background. The place looked deserted. It sure did bring back lots of fond memories, it's such a shame my Son won't ever get to go there.

Looks like this news has finally reached the papers, and that parkz got a mention too... http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0...52-3102,00.html I only bought the paper because the sign outside the newsagent's read "Theme Parks look to cash in" (or something similar) and expected it be about special offers to attract visitors, like the Q150 passes.

So, judging by the thread on emailcash, Oneill's will be reopening in time for Christmas. Has anyone heard anymore or can confirm this news? I hope it is true, and that they do a half decent job of it, as Sydney badly needs another amusement park.

It looks like a lot of fun, but with only 8 people per train, I imagine the capacity would be pretty poor. It doesn't look capable of having more than two trains (one loading and one in motion) as there doesn't appear to be anywhere for blocking brakes. Edit: Having had another look at that last photo, it might be able to have three. There looks like one coming up the lift hill as well.

yeah, but that Ferris Wheel doesn't look nearly as fun. I love how far out the guys swing at the bottom, especially towards the end of the video. I have a feeling the Indian operator probably wasn't that interested in being green and was more likely just cutting costs.

I thought a few people might get a kick out of this story and video I found on treehugger.com: "Southern India has a zero-emissions ride that is equally as good for laughs as it is for the environment. A fun fair operator created a ferris wheel that is human-powered. A team of men take turns hopping on the top of the wheel and riding it down to keep the wheels momentum up and passengers spinning around. See a video of the wheel in action after the jump While it saves a whole lot on emissions, I have to say if this were to be taken up in the states, I see a broken bone or two and the potential for law suits. Still, it’s a blast to watch and I wouldn’t mind going for a spin myself!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI87mH9l610 And I thought the Carnies that used to jump from car to car on the dodgems were game! The original article can be found here: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/th...erris-wheel.php

Ghost Rider was considerably rougher than Lethal Weapon (which I find tolerable) and much worse than the Bush Beast ever was (although I didn't ride it in the last 12 months of operation). I wasn't the only one walking off holding my lower back in pain which may be why it was a walk on all day. In saying that I still rode it twice as I figured I wouldn't be back there for a while. Knott's was pleasant enough, but the staff were slow, loading times were terrible on all rides and this was in the middle of summer break. Next time I will make the effort to get up to Magic Mountain instead.

I have found that I occasionally grey out on coasters as well. It had only happened to me once or twice ever, but recently I noticed it can happen to me a bit. I put it down to getting old (I turned 30 last month), but am not sure. It doesn't seem to have any detrimental effect so I don't intend to stop riding coasters. The last time I greyed out was at Knott's this July. I had a day on my own in Anaheim and with no way of getting to Magic Mountain decided to spend the day there. When I arrived everything was a walk on so I rode coasters non stop for the first few hours, and had no problems, but by the end of the day I had started greying out on a few of the different coasters, all of which I had ridden multiple times without a problem. I decided to call it quits when I greyed out on Xcellerator (which doesn't even have an inversion), and put it down to too much of a good thing at once. At the start of the day I got to stay on both Silver Bullet and Xcellerator for several rides in a row and didn't have a problem at all. The only other instance I've had of this used to be the odd moment on The Demon (I know, sad right), always in the cobra roll, but only when going backwards (again, may have something to do with how frequently we used to ride it). So, I don't know if that means I'm not quite right (there are other, more worrying signs of that ), just old, or should just stick to Disneyland next time (I don't intend to)...

I rode Ghost Rider this July and it was painful! It's a great long, fast ride, but not when you are fearing for your safety. Strangely they now have the option to buy a video of yourself riding this ride (as well as Xcellerator and Silver Bullet), but having seen the 15 second preview they show on the monitors it would just be footage of me swearing and wincing in pain. It's a shame because it would otherwise be a great coaster. The sensation of going into the first drop is terrific, but it is quickly replaced with dread and a terrible case of the shakes. On topic, I voted wooden as I too miss the two Wonderland Coasters and would love to see one in the Wild West area, but would always worry that it would become unridable in the future...

I have to agree with Ninja on this one. Whilst not a motorsports fan myself the number of Australians who are is quite significant. Dreamworld has probably noticed the sheer number of visitors who attend their park decked out in Ford or Holden racing gear, as I certainly did on my last couple of visits. The amount of families all wearing Holden caps or shirts (although somewhat disturbing in my opinion) is a clear indication of the level of obsession many Australians have about motor racing. Granted, most of this relates to the V8 Supercars and I am not sure whether it extends to the MotoGP as well, but I think it has the potential to excite that section of the population. This is something Dreamworld has probably been aware of for some time due to the fact that (if I recall correctly) they have a fair amount of racing memorabilia for sale in the Cyclone shop, despite the very tenuous link. So, I would have to conclude that this a fairly well calculated marketing decision. On the coaster itself, I have to say I am looking forward to experiencing something new and while I doubt it will offer a big thrill I'm hoping we will be surprised by the sensation of speed we will get by traveling at such low heights. As for naming it after Mick Doohan I wonder how many younger people will be familiar with him considering he hasn't raced since 1999, but in saying that he was a fantastic sportsperson and excellent role model, so I'm a bit divided on it, and like most others have already stated, I expect that it will simply be named Motocoaster before too long.

Grundy's had quite a few rides in the late 80's & early 90's. There were the dodgems, a tilt'a'whirl, a small kiddies powered coaster, the ghost train (which was awesome) and the fast spinning ride in the round glass part of the building. I can't remember if there were any others besides I think maybe a simulator.

The ride was definitely around well before the movie, which was based on the ride. Anyone who has the DVD of the first Pirates' movie (2 disc version) may like to know that there are some special features on the ride. It mentions how it was used as inspiration for the movie and includes footage of the ride when it originally opened (in the 60's?) as well as material regarding Walt's inspiration for the ride and it's breakthrough technological features.

I agree Richard, I don't think that the Half Pipe alone would be enough to create any significant boost in numbers. A spinning coaster or even a decent flat (family) ride might do the trick if marketed correctly. On the Half Pipe, it has been said that it might still end up in one of the other parks. Is there any reason it couldn't be WnW? I think it would be a decent addition to the Extreme H2O Zone, as well as providing something extra, something that may help with the local market, especially the teen market who will be deciding between 2 waterparks from now on and may not necessarily be visiting the other 'dry' parks.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the noise that TOT makes (I for one love it), at least not at Dreamworld, but a sound like that echoing through Seaworld would not only harm the wonderful ambience of the park, but would probably disrupt the animals too.

I think the area outside lethal weapon could be used better if they started the queue inside, that way during busy times at least people would have the movie to watch. And, that way the terraced outside area could be used for seating, perhaps an outdoor Asian noodle market style arrangement, or something similar (I reckon an Asian guy selling pirated movies and knock off rolex watches would make the whole Chinatown theme feel far more authentic! ). p.s. Gazza, I couldn't agree more about the Rivers ads, they are driving me insane!! (and they are getting worse and worse)

I would guess that wouldn't happen until after all the slides are in place, as if a crane or other heavy machinery were to drive over a path it would probably crack it.

Has anybody been past or to Dreamworld recently? I'm curious to know how much has been done since the last updates.

This is from the Wet 'N Wild website (www.wetnwild.com.au): "WEATHER WARNING- A TORNADO WILL SOON BE HITTING WET'N'WILD! Wet'n'Wild Water World will soon be opening the awesome and impressive TORNADO- the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere! This giant slide will complete the awesome new Extreme H20 Zone - an enormous new thrill slide area that is sure to get pulses racing, featuring gigantic, king-sized slides offering adrenaline addicts the ultimate extreme aquatic experience. Riders will begin their wild journey on the unique TORNADO super-slide from a 15-metre high platform, then blasting down a 40-metre long tunnel into the middle of a storm. Here they'll spin around the TORNADO's funnel in a four person clover-leaf tube splashing back and forth through the menacing, swirling water. The exciting experience will culminate as riders are sent hurtling through the eye of the storm to the calm waters below. KEEP CHECKING THIS PAGE FOR OPENING DATES & FURTHER DETAILS!

Does anyone know how noisy a halfpipe coaster is? A loud ride could really diminish the whole atmosphere of the park. For example, a ride like tower of terror would really disrupt everything else if it were at Sea World, but if the new ride is quiet it'll fit in fine.

I think it could improve the feeling of the ride, having buildings and superman escape so close might improve the sensation of speed. You'd feel like you were being shot up faster if the coaster tracks blur past.

A thought I had for the wooden poles was that perhaps they may theme the entrance area like a pier, jetty or harbour area. It was the only 'ocean like' instance I could think of the use of treated, unpainted, timber poles/posts being used.

I agree, Sea World should keep the rides to a minimum and focus on marine exhibits, which is what it does best. Of course a new ride is more than welcome, but with the 3 park superpass such a popular method of visiting the parks, I think that adding thrill rides to Seaworld only duplicates what is already on offer at Movie World.

I personally have never understood the mentality of opening new attractions on Boxing Day, when (QLD) school holidays generally begin around the first week of December (I think it was the 9th last year). Surely opening at the commencement of the holidays would further increase attendance for these first few weeks. –Dan.