A new ride replacing LPS Ranger?

[Gazza]

I mean, I'm cool with them having random rides every holidays and all, but changing the landscaping and theming each time doesn't sound like a good idea.

I don't think he means the actual rides would have new theming and gardens every time. Rather, the idea is that Maloneys corner should be more than a plot of ashphalt it is now. There is no reason the guest circulation areas shouldn't be made to be more pleasant, since these never change. The way you could configure it is to have a loop of pathway that is well finished, with permanent street furniture, bits of theming that fit the style of the park etc. Then around this you would have a bunch of 'parking spaces' for the rides that would just be flat ground adjacent to the paths.

With a few more permanent attractions, LPS won't feel the need to have extra rides during the holidays

I think the point is though, even if the park were filled out with all these extra rides, it means there is then no room left to move. You could have the biggest theme park in the world, but if there isn't new stuff regularly added it visitation would gradually drop off. That said, I think there are better choices for the 'permanent' part of the park, but because of the fact they cant just keep building and building it probably is effective to have a portion of the park that can be easily changed.

[GoGoBoy]

That said, I think there are better choices for the 'permanent' part of the park, but because of the fact they cant just keep building and building it probably is effective to have a portion of the park that can be easily changed.

I don't believe there is any excuse for any permanent amusement park to bring in hired rides. The only reason Luna Park brings in temporary travelling rides for the holidays is because they are too cheap to actually build new permanent rides. Most other theme and amusement parks around the world, regardless of size, build NEW PERMANENT attractions. Even if they have to replace an older ride to bring in a new one, that is what they do. Just look at Luna Park from the 1930's through to the 1970's. All of their rides were unique and very well themed and presented. They still brought in new rides and attractions every couple of years - they'd just remove a ride that was losing popularity and build the new one in its place

[T-Rex]

Rather, the idea is that Maloneys corner should be more than a plot of ashphalt it is now. There is no reason the guest circulation areas shouldn't be made to be more pleasant, since these never change.

I agree to that. LPS could improve the theming of Maloney's Corner a bit. It does look dull being just a plot of asphalt with rides. I did mention LPS bringing back those fancy decorations like the Lego blocks and giant spider, which could spice up the atmosphere of Maloney's Corner. Better yet, they could make the area look more than just a plot of asphalt. Maybe they could build some more decorations for the park to make it more appealing. I had a funny thought of what LPS would describe future rides, particularly the ones I've mentioned. Rainbow - Soar up high in the clouds and feel the breeze with sensational air time as you descend at breathtaking speed. KMG ride (Experience, maybe) - This new-age generation ride will send you spinning topsy-turvy! Hold on tight! To make the latter ride sound a bit more historical, LPS could name the KMG Experience, if they ever get one, as "The Spinner". It sounds pretty old-school. I couldn't think up of a good name for a possible second rollercoaster. It would have to be a bit bigger and thrilling than Wild Mouse, but "Big Dipper" wouldn't sound great, considering the the two dead Big Dipper coasters (1st one burned and the 2nd sold to Dreamworld, now under the name Cyclone).

[Gazza]

they'd just remove a ride that was losing popularity and build the new one in its place

I think then the issue these days becomes the balance between being able to renew often enough versus them actually having long enough in the park to get a return on investment.

I don't believe there is any excuse for any permanent amusement park to bring in hired rides. The only reason Luna Park brings in temporary travelling rides for the holidays is because they are too cheap to actually build new permanent rides.

I pretty much do agree with you there...as I said above, their permanent lineup could be better, but LPS is literally one of the smallest parks in the world in terms of area, so there isn't a lot of space to play with in terms of swapping stuff in and out (Once you factor in the historical attractions that can't be replaced) I'd say a good balance could be a maximum of two 'parking spaces' for flat rides (Since an amount of space that low couldn't be used for much else anyway, and two is plenty if you're talking something that is only temporary), but the rest of the park could be well and truly given over to better permanent attractions....I'm interested in the feasibility of even putting a couple of rides on platforms over the water, Grona Lund in Stockholm has done this.

[T-Rex]

I was looking forward for the Wave Swinger to stay at LPS, but I checked out the AAF forums and read that it is there only for this year until the 2011 RES. Disappointing really, since I felt Luna Park needed at least a couple more good rides. In fact, I don't think it's necessary for the Wave Swinger to go back as a travelling ride because we have about two Wave Swingers.

[Spotty]

Well... March's WaveSwinger is really the only one that travels on the Eastern Coast of Australia. O'neils only does a few shows each year (Royal shows) and Bob Lawurence's only does South Australian shows. March's Wave Swinger does alot of Queensland and New South Wales shows and would honestly be a shame to loose it of our show circuit permanently.

[T-Rex]

I guess so, but every RES we get two Wave Swingers: one for the kiddy carnival, and the other for the Coca-Cola Carnival where all the big rides are. True that we need more rides for Australia's show circuits, but there must be plenty to boot, and LPS doesn't have enough good rides as opposed to the number of mediocre/shit rides in the park. For example: many of the rides are either kiddy or don't offer that much thrills - except for Flying Saucer and Ranger. LPS used have more thrill rides in the past, but there aren't as many since its reopening back in 2004. I'm not trying to say that LPS is bad because of that, I'm just trying to prove a point that the park must have something for everyone: rides for kids, intermediate rides, and rides for thrillseekers, and that could be accomplished if there's a balance between the ratio of rides from their respected categories. Wave Swinger and Rainbow (if LPS ever gets one) fall into the intermediate category along with Tango, Wild Mouse and Spider, and the Flying Saucer and Ranger are pretty much in the thrillseeker category. Still it's problematic since the ratio between good and shit rides (excluding the Ferris Wheel and Coney Island) is unbalanced. If LPS adds about two more thrillseeker type rides (KMG Experience and a bigger rollercoaster), then the ratio would be pretty fair. Honestly, I wouldn't consider the Wave Swinger staying in LPS for several months a problem, but it still sucks that it means LPS will remain unchanged.

Edited June 1, 2010 by T-Rex

[Spotty]

I rode the Tango Train in March, and I would consider that ride a Thrill ride just based on the speed and G Forces that ride pulls. I am aware that the Sydney Show gets 2 Wave Swingers, but thats not the only show that would affect from March's Wave Swinger being sent to LPS permanently.

[T-Rex]

I rode the Tango Train in March, and I would consider that ride a Thrill ride just based on the speed and G Forces that ride pulls.

Oops, my bad. Tango would be in the thrill ride category because of its speed and G force like you said. I kinda rushed it when writing my last post. It would be even more of a thrill ride if LPS converts it to a Matterhorn. Still, it won't make much difference in the number of good rides.

[Gazza]

Still, it won't make much difference in the number of good rides.

For the park to be truly good, they need to replace everything with stuff made by KMG. Even the toilets should be made by KMG. Edited June 2, 2010 by Gazza

[Spotty]

Yeah, Personally some of KMG's rides have been very hit and miss. I personally was not a fan of the KMG Inversion, the major difference between the Inversion and the AfterBurner is the fact the seats flip. But during the part of the ride where it would be the best, they don't flip. If we were to renovate Maloney's Corner and remove all the current rides that we have this is what I would do: Remove the Spider OR get it running to the speed a BreakDance should. If the ride is to be removed it should be replaced with another flat ride that offers a similar sensation. Possibly a Mondial Shake as it is similar but more thrilling. As far as the Ranger goes, I would keep the ride there provided it comes back. However I would change the positioning of the angle so that it is parallel with the New Ride so that it takes up less room in the midway. In the Far left corner of Maloney's (Near the Rail Tracks) I would put in another thrill ride along the lines of a Top Scan. I was thinking of a KMG Tango but the location of that ride would obstruct the residents view's and just be a cause of drama due to the height of the ride. Really that only leaves room for one more smallish ride unless we remove the kiddie coasters at the front near the water.

Edited June 2, 2010 by Spotty

[T-Rex]

Remove the Spider? I dunno. It's manufactured by HUSS, so it's a quality ride. Being a fan of both HUSS and KMG, maybe if they remove the Spider, they could have a newly constructed KMG Fun Factory to replace it. Similar to the Breakdance, but faster. Still, Spider is a pretty good ride. They just need to make it go a bit faster. LPS needs some HUSS and KMG rides. We still need some neat rides like Wave Swinger, Ranger, and Flying Saucer. Rainbow and KMG Experience would make perfect additions. Maybe they could replace Tango Train with a Sobema/Chance Matterhorn. I find that ride more thrilling than a Musik Express/Rauphen Bahn due to the cars being able to swing when it is running at top speed. Tumblebug should probably be removed, and replaced with a bigger rollercoaster - if only the Big Top didn't take too much space. Mondial rides don't cut it for me, so I wouldn't agree on having one in LPS. They don't look bad, but I don't care much about them. I find KMG to be the more innovative Dutch ride manufacturer.

Edited June 2, 2010 by T-Rex

[Spotty]

Okay, yes the HUSS Breakdance is a quality ride. But the way Luna Park Sydney runs it is NOT a quality ride. The reason I went the Mondial Shake over the KMG Fun Factory is because the ride inverts so it is more thrilling and Luna Park needs some more thrill rides as we have agreed. Also HUSS rides are not made the same way they used to be made. Trust me on that one. And you can honestly say you would not like to see a Top Scan at Luna Park? It's one of the most popular rides at the capital shows constantly and would fit really well within Luna Park. It's quiet, tall but not tall enough to obstruct any views. Also if you don't mind me asking, what is it you find more innovative about KMG VS Mondial? KMG made the standard booster (Speed) Whereas Mondial went slightly more Innovative and we have one of the most intense rides on the showgrounds, the Capriolo (No Limit) As far as the Debate on the Tango / Matterhorn I lean both ways with this. The Matterhorn type ride is more thrilling in the way that the cars swing outwards, but the Tango produces insane lateral G forces. I have also ridden a Chance Matterhorn and they are quite weak compared to say the Thunderbolt that travels (sobema made) And Sobema is now bankrupt. If we were to go a Matterhorn I would say go a Bertazzon Rock n Roll type ride. Or perhaps even a Reverchon Explorer (Tasmanian Devil or Flash Dance) ROCK N ROLL FLASH DANCE And to back up my arguement I have linked 2 youtube videos and I want Parkz.com.au Members to decide what they think is the most innovative of the 2 rides. This is not a dig, but I am just curious as to what other members think. NO LIMIT

EXTREME SPEED MACHINE

[T-Rex]

Okay, I'll take back what I said about Mondial. Both Extreme Speed and No Limit are unique booster rides in their own way, but LPS won't have low-capacity rides as permanent. I believe Mondial does make good rides no doubt about that, but I know which rides I dig most, and I prefer HUSS and KMG rides. Not bashing Mondial or anything, but that's just my preference, much like how you prefer Mondial rides, Spotty. If you think KMG is not as innovative as Mondial, can you explain how they have improved the concept of the Tivoli Spin Out? This proves that KMG knows how to make thrilling rides with top notch quality. HUSS and KMG may not have many innovative rides in comparison to Mondial, but there are some among the rest. I agree that LPS needs more thrill rides, as long as they are tolerable. About the Spider, it's not that the quality has been toned down, it's just that LPS makes it run slower to avoid making too much noise so that the residents won't complain. Now that I think about it, the HUSS Booster is a lot like the Mondial Shake in terms of being a Breakdance that inverts. I hope Australia would get its first KMG Fun Factory though. Would make a good showground ride. Here are some new rides from different manufacturers which I believe would make LPS even better. HUSS: Rainbow, Booster (possible replacement for Spider) KMG: Experience, Freak Out, Move It 24 Mondial: Shake (possible replacement for Spider if not the Booster) Other: Chaos, Bertazzon Rock n Roll (possible Tango replacement), rollercoaster replacing Tumblebug Current rides: Wave Swinger, Ranger, Flying Saucer, Wild Mouse Kiddy rides: Carousel and kids ride section That's pretty much I could think of, but I made my opinions fair by adding ONE possible Mondial ride. BTW, I thought Rock n Roll was a Chance Matterhorn. Didn't know it was by Bertazzon.

Edited June 3, 2010 by T-Rex

[Gazza]

^I kind of think the No Limit looks cooler, it acts like a huge top spin.

Maybe they could replace Tango Train with a Sobema/Chance Matterhorn. I find that ride more thrilling than a Musik Express/Rauphen Bahn due to the cars being able to swing when it is running at top speed.

Whats the point? How would you be able to market it as a new ride? Remember, the general public aren't going to be able to spot these minuscule difference that only carnival ride nerds can. As far as the public are concerned its still a spinny ride with a wavy shaped track. To me, it just seems like a lot of this conversation is driven by peoples 'pet' manufacturers rather than any sense of reality:

Remove the Spider? I dunno. It's manufactured by HUSS, so it's a quality ride.

Mondial rides don't cut it for me, so I wouldn't agree on having one in LPS.

Being made by a particular manufacturer isn't some silver bullet that automatically makes it a good ride or not. ....Being a good ride makes it a good ride. Besides, you haven't even ridden half this stuff anyway, so how can you judge:

Dunno about Space Roller or No Limit. I'm not much of a Mondial fan.

Surley you should just ride stuff to see what it's like, not because you like the manufacturer? And how did you come to dislike them in the first place if you've never ridden one PS Spotty, that Magnum ride you posted looks wierd...Why is the control booth a giant can of coke wearing headphones. Why does the backdrop have a picture of a homeless person? Edited June 3, 2010 by Gazza

[T-Rex]

As far as the public are concerned its still a spinny ride with a wavy shaped track.

Well, the cars spin, right?

Being made by a particular manufacturer isn't some silver bullet that automatically makes it a good ride or not. ....Being a good ride makes it a good ride.

I agree to that. There's no such thing as bad ride manufacturers. Every one of them make decent ones, but there are certain manufacturers that do produce such excellent rides.

Besides, you haven't even ridden half this stuff anyway, so how can you judge:

Personally, I haven't ridden one Mondial ride, so I can't make any true criticisms about them. I would go Space Roller, but I'm not sure about No Limit. I have to try Speed first, but even that ride is a bit too scary for me. They both look awesome, but I'm not up to riding the mega intense rides yet.

And how did you come to dislike them in the first place if you've never ridden one

I never said anything about disliking rides. I only said that I'm not much of a Mondial fan. If I were to ride one, or other rides I may not fancy, regardless of who manufactured them, I might ride them only once. Anyways, even my personal favourite ride manufacturers made some rides that suck, like HUSS's Tumblebug. Edited June 3, 2010 by T-Rex

[Gazza]

I never said anything about disliking rides. I only said that I'm not much of a Mondial fan. If I were to ride one, or other rides I may not fancy, regardless of who manufactured them, I might ride them only once. Anyways, even my personal favourite ride manufacturers made some rides that suck, like HUSS's Tumblebug.

So, the gist of your argument for picking particular rides over others for LPS is..........?

Well, the cars spin, right?

Yeah, but the differences aren't enough to motivate a layperson to make a specific visit to the park, which is the whole point of building new rides, to get more people to visit. Edited June 3, 2010 by Gazza

[T-Rex]

So, the gist of your argument for picking particular rides over others for LPS is..........?

The gist of this discussion is having good rides made by some of the finest ride manufacturers of all time. There are so many, but HUSS, KMG, Mondial, and Technical Park are the legends of flat rides, much like how Intamin and B&M produce high-quality rollercoasters. I guess this discussion has digressed since we've covered that Wave Swinger will be at LPS for this year only, and we ended up discussing what rides should be at LPS. Some people like Spotty made criticisms against HUSS and KMG rides, and these types of comments are untrue, because so many of the rides manufactured by them are pretty good if not as thrilling as Mondial rides. If your opinion regarding a Matterhorn replacing the Tango is true, then maybe there's no point in replacing Spider with a HUSS Booster/Mondial Shake, because both rides look and behave identical to it, even if they flip upsidedown. Edited June 3, 2010 by T-Rex

[Gazza]

e. There are so many, but HUSS, KMG, Mondial, and Technical Park are the legends of flat rides,

Ah, so if Mondial are a legend, then I guess having one at LPS won't be a problem After all, you said yourself you can't make any true criticisms of them.

If your opinion regarding a Matterhorn replacing the Tango is true, then maybe there's no point in replacing Spider with a HUSS Booster/Mondial Shake, because both rides look and behave identical to it, even if they flip upsidedown.

Thats pretty much it...It'd be like Dreamworld replacing wipeout with a Topsin, or the Claw with a Frisbee. Yeah, there are differences, but they aren't compelling enough for the average visitor. Edited June 3, 2010 by Gazza

[T-Rex]

Ah, so if Mondial are a legend, then I guess having one at LPS won't be a problem

Yep, pretty much. LPS only has two good HUSS rides (Flying Saucer and Spider) since the Ranger is under a temporary hiatus, and adding one more HUSS ride like the Rainbow wouldn't be a problem. LPS needs a bit more assortment like a Mondial ride, a KMG ride, a bigger rolleroaster, and stuff along those lines. I could only think of some names to give them the old-school vibe like "The Spinner" for a KMG Experience, and uh... oh, wait, not a good name for a Mondial Topscan in LPS. There has to be a good name. Now I know I'm not much into Mondial rides, but I know that other riders would like to see a Mondial ride in LPS, just like how I would like to see a KMG ride there. I find KMG innovative in some rides and in the way how they decorate them with excellent colour schemes and eye-catching backdrops. Mondial is also innovative in their thrill rides, and both Mondial and KMG produced their own set of awesome rides over the years. Edited June 3, 2010 by T-Rex

[Spotty]

Calling my comments untrue is a very big call T-Rex. You are speaking to someone who has worked in the Carnival Industry for the last 3 years. I never said that HUSS rides are not quality, they are indeed very high quality rides. But some of the newer rides that they have made (Topple Tower, King Kong etc.) just do not get the rave reviews that some of the older rides that HUSS made do (Breakdance, Rainbow etc) None of my comments are saying what is and isn't true, it is just my personal opinion. I was just backing my arguement as to why I belive this is the case. Also with the Tivoli Spin Out, it is the exact same ride as the KMG Move It 24. But I belive that Tivoli was the reseller for America and the UK at the time, as KMG was not as big of a company as it is now. Many ride companies use brokers to sell there rides in other countries, heck Superman Escape's track was built locally at Nerang but designed by Intamin in Switzerland. I never at any point said I don't like HUSS rides, in fact some of there rides like the Enterprise and Break Dance are my favorite flat rides. I just think that unless LPS can get it running to what it should be, or at least decent enough to be thrilling it is taking up valuable space. And the same thing with KMG, I never said that I didn't like there designs at all. Some of the rides they build (Tango etc) really are amazing rides, but some of the others are hit and miss.

[T-Rex]

But some of the newer rides that they have made (Topple Tower, King Kong etc.) just do not get the rave reviews that some of the older rides that HUSS made do (Breakdance, Rainbow etc)

I agree to that. I saw some videos of the new HUSS rides on YouTube, and they hardly look or have that same thrill impact the classics like Breakdance, Enterprise, UFO, Rainbow, and Ranger have.

And the same thing with KMG, I never said that I didn't like there designs at all. Some of the rides they build (Tango etc) really are amazing rides, but some of the others are hit and miss.

In your last couple of posts, you sounded a bit biased towards KMG rides. Then again, I might have sounded a bit biased towards Mondial rides as well. I think some of the Mondial rides like Topscan, Booster (Capriolo), and JetForce look pretty amazing, but not every Mondial ride is automatically great, the same thing for any company out there, whether its HUSS, KMG, Technical Park, etc. I think some rides from KMG like Afterburner, Move It, Speed, Tango, Inversion, and Experience look pretty good and can be amazing if they are operated to their full potential. Anyway, KMG's rides are high-quality as Mondial and HUSS. Edited June 3, 2010 by T-Rex

[Spotty]

Good, I think we are on the same level now.

[T-Rex]

Hey, it's cool. I think LPS could do having one KMG ride and one Mondial ride. I've always suggested a KMG Experience as a new addition, but I don't know what Mondial ride they could have. We only have Topscan (Space Roller), Booster (No Limit), and Giant Wheel (Sky Wheel). Maybe a ride that Australia doesn't have yet - like Heartbreaker, or Swinger, perhaps. Probably Swinger since you can theme it in an old-school style. I found two videos of it. It looks pretty fun for a Mondial ride. Onride video -

Offride video -

Rainbow, Wave Swinger, and another rollercoaster are all ideal additions in my opinion. One thing LPS should do is keep the old rides people enjoy and replace the ones people ride less with these suggestions above. Plus, they should categorise each ride, much like what Dreamworld does, like this... Kiddy rides U-Drive Magic Castle Whirly Wheel Space Shuttle Family rides Wild Mouse Rollercoaster Ferris Wheel Wave Swinger** Rainbow* Carousel Flying Circus (Mondial Swinger)* Spider Rotor (does anyone ride Rotor?) Dodgem Cars Thrill rides Flying Saucer Ranger Spinner (KMG Experience)* Tango Train Future rollercoaster (Big Dipper 3?)* *Possible new ride **Currently at LPS, but a possible permanent ride That's about it, I guess. I left out Coney Island cause it's a funhouse, not a ride. It should make LPS a full-fledged amusement park in no time. I know Big Dipper is a bad name for a coaster nowadays, but the name itself is heritage listed. Any thoughts? Edited June 3, 2010 by T-Rex

[Gazza]

Nah forget space roller, sky roller is where it's at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJbs7z0FIck 1:20 is where you really get to see the ride at its best.

Edited June 3, 2010 by Gazza