I was lucky enough to attend the VIP launch event tonight and was able to ride Steel Taipan 3 times in varying seats (back, front middle). Firstly, wow that’s an awesome coaster. Everyone is in for a real treat, especially if you haven’t ridden this model of coaster before. It’s fast paced, exciting and thrilling. I love the triple launch. Everyone might not like it and would prefer a single launch, but I personally love it. The first launch eases you into it, but the second and third launches pack a punch. There is so much more airtime throughout the coaster than I was expecting. Other than the mid course brake run, there isn’t a moment for you to relax, as there are so many components to this coaster. I’m going to ride it a few more times before making this verdict, but I think I might prefer it over Rivals. The coaster was very smooth and comfortable, especially towards the back (which was my preferred seat).
 

The whole area has come together really well. There are a few little details throughout that are a nice tough. But overall, I think it’s well laid out, offers so many vantage points of the ride and is definitely the parks landmark attraction. 

That's great you got to ride it.  Were they running the spinning car train?

They were running the spinning train all night. It was very popular. At the start of the night they had both trains running. I didn’t do the spinning seats because it probably would’ve made me sick, but I spoke to a few people and they all loved it. The experience will really come down to who you’re on it with, or if you are doing it on your own. Speaking to the ride ops, they said one staff member went on it yesterday by themselves and they were constantly spinning like crazy the entire time. 

A few photos from the night that captures the queue setup and station

Info and queue wait time sign

This sign is at the very start of the queue

The queue then splits into 4 half way up

Where the queue splits to 4 (you can see the orange chain in the bottom of the picture above, is where the general queue returns back down the ramp and back up again (this is the extended queue when it’s busy)

These storage lockers are actually the old ones from Wipeout, that has been refurbished

The station looks fantastic, especially at night 

Edited December 10, 20214 yr by themagician

What is the point of theming a ride when you can't be bothered to theme the ride attendant?

5 minutes ago, New display name said:

What is the point of theming a ride when you can't be bothered to theme the ride attendant?

Agree. All staff should be wearing this 

Managed to make it to dreamworld this morning for the soft opening, bit of a delay at the start but running smoothly now. 

Got the second ride of the day in the front seat and wow, I love it. The reverse launch packs a nice punch and the pacing through the ride is fantastic.

Second ride was second row from the back and you feel the reverse twist a heap more and I can see myself enjoying the back more.

They are cycling both trains and the output is pretty impressive, if you're close by its pretty much a walk on. They are checking annual passes at the ride entrance.

 

Love it.

Spinning seat was absolutely insane, I am fine chain running DC rivals backwards but I dont think I can do more than 1 spinning in a day. 100% worth doing but trying to figure out where you are is disorienting and left my head spinning for quite a while after.

One second you are facing forward, next second you are upside down facing backwards.

I feel we are lucky to have this opportunity to ride something so intense. What a day!

For those that have ridden.. What is your favourite element? 

Main stand outs are the backwards launch. Really surprised me! 

The heart line roll is insane. Especially in spinny seats. 

 

Solid 8/10 spinning is 10/10 if you can get it going

After being one of two riders to be the first ever spinning seat riders for the day/soft opening, I was quite pleasantly surprised with the entire ride experience. First launch is nice and delicate, gently rolling our way up and back down that first element. Only to be interrupted by a killer second launch. Literally everyone on our cycle had our hands up (including us on the spinner) and was immediately jerked forward during the second launch. Once we reached that tail spike, we were immediately awkwardly jerked forward and sideways out of the seats, only to be pinned back by the third and final launch.

After snapping the ride photos and gracefully soaring up the wave turn (I think it's called), we made it to the loop. Great hangtime there! The exit of the loop was insane, immediately thrown sidewards yet again as we sped towards the mcbr (mind you, our riders were only tossed within their seats coz our hands were up). Us on the spinner weren't spinning too much (but trust me, as soon as I went on Tailwhip ALONE - the whole experience changed drastically). There are times when you feel the brakes initiate and there are other times when it doesn't. It's very noticable.

On exit out of the mcbr, we were treated to a slight thrill of air time, only to be greeted by yet another throw-out-of-your-seat experience with the first of the two inversions on the horseshoe. The second wasn't as bad, but still pretty damn sick! The small tingle of airtime greatly complemented the ride experience, a sort of juxtaposition to what was to come next - calm before the storm sort of thing.

That heartline roll is violent but in a great way. Every single rider (no matter what seat - including the spinner) is thrown out of their seats yet again one last time. The major thing that I expected, but very much caught me by surprise. That roll is  I N T E N S E.

Overall, a great investment for the park. Despite not too many Annual Passholders present, this ride is sure to be a major hit at Dreamworld. Looking forward to a bright future at Dreamworld and great crowd numbers return. Highly recommend this ride. A perfect 10/10.

Yes it's a triple launch, but that's what makes this AMAZING.

Edited December 11, 20214 yr by Im Hungry

5 minutes ago, Im Hungry said:

Yes it's a triple launch, but that's what makes this AMAZING.

You know I was actually expecting this to be the worst part. It turned out to be the best! Holy dooly that backwards launch is bonkers!

If superman is a 5, where do we put the launch intensity?

Launch 1, 2

Launch 2, 4

Launch 3, 3

 

I also visited the park this morning briefly for another ride. The atmosphere was fantastic. The area was very busy and felt good. The staff had such good attitudes and were getting in on the fun with guests. I went single rider and the queue was fairly quick. The staffs loading procedures I thought were very good and efficient. I know the GC parks aren’t known for very good loading procedures normally, but I think ST is the best we’ve seen in a long time. 
 

Having ridden it for my 4th time today, I have come to the conclusion that it is my favourite coaster on the GC

Rode it twice, once on the front and back. Was pretty much what I expected: a fun, smooth experience with a couple of intense elements but overall "tamer" than both DCR and SE.

Wasn't expecting much from the launches, but 2 & 3 were a lot more fun than expected. Spiral was much better on the back and gave a little bit of airtime.

I was expecting the final heartline roll to be intense from hearing about Blue Fire, but it still surprised me: it was crazy!

Looking forward to many more rides on it, and hopefully trying Tailwhip next time!

 

58 minutes ago, jjuttp said:

If superman is a 5, where do we put the launch intensity?

For me, maybe 3.5ish for the second and third launches, with the first definitely being a 1 lol.

 

6 hours ago, xRazzBerryx said:

For those that have ridden.. What is your favourite element? 

Either the backwards launch or the Heartline Roll at the end!

On the topic of the efficient loading procedures, worth to mention, there is a new device used whilst checking seatbelts.

A small red device with the purpose of which follows somewhere along the lines to

"used to verify to the control booth/system that the rider's seatbelt has been checked" - eliminating the check rider as one who may have accidentally done up there own seatbelt before the ride attendants got to them.

Also, notice the little green lights in the location they place the red whistle-like object that turn green once checked.

A lot of disappointed people turning up to DW today only to be told ST won't be opening today.   Some people posting they were told at the gate ride will now not be opening again to Wednesday.

Edited December 12, 20213 yr by New display name

7 minutes ago, New display name said:

A lot of disappointed people turning up to DW today only to be told ST won't be opening today.   Some people posting they were told at the gate ride will now not be opening again to Wednesday.

apparently the ride will be opening sometime today as all ride attendants were recently told this, they’re for some reason just telling people it will not be open. 

How not to soft open...

Hope we see it open later today so angry passholders don't leave Dreamworld for nothing.

Edited December 12, 20213 yr by Im Hungry

That was a poor choice of wording then if it isn’t opening again until Wednesday. They should have just said it was open yesterday for a preview and that’s it 

What's written in the emails is mentions of passholders receiving the exclusive opportunity to ride before open day on multiple days. So given Steel Taipan might not be opening again till Wednesday, perhaps it was a corporate decision or there's bugs that need rectifying and ironing out before it officially opens. I mean, Tailwhip had a few issues with returning to the home position after solo rides spun like crazy and would delay operations while they reset the train.

it seems like they are still going forward, perhaps just closed today?

I'm about to board.

Just curious, how does one get invited to these VIP events for the rides! Also I've got major FOMO because i need a pass and I only have a VRTP one AHH

No POVs yet from boofheads on FB or YT. Dunno about TT or Insta as I'm not on those.

We know they'll come. Good thing DW has released enough media in advance to curb the demand for dodgy POVs.