AidanDeverly04

This is a long stretch but its just what comes to my mind...Thought I’d have a bit of fun with this. I put together a rough concept sketch of this area of Dreamworld as if I were in the planner’s seat, just to explore how the space could work if it were rethought from the ground up, i really hope my sketch makes sense and isnt a complete mess. This is purely my own concept, based largely on what people here seem to want most: A dark ride A boat ride A water ride A new coaster Overall idea I personally think this part of Dreamworld has a lot of dead or awkward space, so I’ve tried to improve flow while also fitting in the most requested ride types. One thing I feel Rivertown is missing is the actual “town” element, so I’ve leaned heavily into that. Rivertown Village I’ve placed a Rivertown Village on the Motocoaster plot. The idea is something similar to the shops near Disneyland’s riverboat / Jungle Cruise area, sightlines, facades, and atmosphere rather than flat paths. The architecture would lean Australiana: straw roofs, stone, mud and bamboo walls, mixed with rusted corrugated iron to tie into the existing land. I think this would blend well with Rivertown while giving it more identity. In the river, I’ve added a steam boat ride, not a paddle wheeler, but more like Australia’s answer to Disney’s Jungle Cruise (very much in line with Longhurst’s original vision). This area could then link through toward the Wild entrance. Rocky Hollow (revival concept) On the opposite side of the train line, between the train and Steel Taipan, the space is pretty awkward. I’ve treated this as a revival of Rocky Hollow, similar in spirit to Rivertown’s refresh. Steel Taipan could be incorporated into Rocky Hollow if the path beneath it were extended down toward Giant Drop, which would really open the land up. I’m unsure how feasible this is due to the retaining wall under Taipan, but I do wonder if slight regrading or sloping could make it work without affecting the coaster. A new Rocky Hollow sign could go where the old Gold Rush sign was, with the land’s story centred around the snake. The Giant Drop queue could be fully reworked into a rocky environment wrapping the tower, with a cave-like entrance similar to Jungle Rush’s temple. Dreamworld could also incorporate the existing oil well tower and mine shaft tower that still remain from the Gold Rush days, these could be integrated into the rockwork for added theming. Rockwork could extend further: Arching over the train line with rocky bridges and short cave tunnels, from Giant Drop through to Main Street Station Continuing behind Main Street Station to hide the backs of Rivertown Village buildings Added to the wall behind Sky Voyager — I can easily imagine a giant snake statue with a gaping mouth emerging from a cave here, facing Steel Taipan’s first main incline The retaining wall around Steel Taipan could also be re-themed to look rocky. A dark ride could fit within Rocky Hollow where the log ride once was, along with space for another coaster. Alternatively, a coaster could potentially take the space of the Thunderbolt / Gold Coaster plots (especially considering Gold Coaster is approaching 36 years old) that would give more space for a dark ride in rocky hollow anyway. I’m not sure what’s possible near Blue Lagoon given current development proposals for the hotel / hospitality precinct, but it’s an interesting option also a dark ride would be much quieter noise wise considering that in the proposal next door, there are plans for residential high rise... Water ride & island connection I personally don’t feel it’s appropriate to place a water ride near the Steel Taipan site, even on the neighbouring Motocoaster plot...given the site’s history. A log ride there just doesn’t feel right. A river boat ride feels more respectful, but even then it’s borderline for me personally. Instead, on the island, I’ve suggested a water ride — possibly something along the lines of Bermuda at Futuroscope (sizing permitting). I’ve also proposed a continuous path linking from the main entrance through Rivertown, across the island, and through to Wild. This could involve bridges crossing over (or under) the water ride, with the steam boat ride passing beneath both bridges. The outer edges of the island could also be dedicated to river cruise theming to help tie everything together visually. I know this plan is a long stretch and would cost big money, but I think parts of it are realistically achievable over time. I’ll call it now though, I reckon a proper Rivertown town is coming in some form.