For some reason the Gen 1 version of the ride operated minus those two cars in the years leading up to decommissioning. It ran with all cars attached until the late 90's. My guess is they removed two cars to balance the weight of the wheel.

I just spent the last 15 minutes searching Google for old pics of it with no luck. Ugh maybe I need another coffee..

Edited March 22, 20179 yr by MickeyD

This was my 1st ride photo from the late 80's on the Thunderbolt -a guy used to stand next to the loops to take the photo

A guy stood in the ride envelope taking photos??

Which one are you @Lightning?

I swear I've got a similar photo like this from the early 90's, it'll be hiding somewhere in the folks' house.

6 hours ago, Brad2912 said:

A guy stood in the ride envelope taking photos??

A platform, complete with safety rails, and a ladder, i believe. Never in any danger, and quite safe where he was, if i recall correctly...

Found this classic video from Dreamworld in 1994. They had some dinosaur displays around the park.

 

Great to see videos like this and how the parks used to be. One thing I didn't realise they had was water pouring off the top of the wave of Wipeout. I remember the pool of water and fluffy in there, but never remember that feature, when was that turned off?

On 08/02/2017 at 9:34 AM, MickeyD said:

The umbrella ride you are referring to is the 'Supertrooper' - one of my all time fave flats. Alas thus never made it to DW. The ride you are referring to on the map is the Zumer - as known formally -  the chair swing ride that today resides with Puss in boots and os one of the very few remaining original attractions.

I have done a bit of digging and I can confirm that there was indeed a Paratrooper ride that was at the park for opening. The unit in question is owned by Trindall's amusements (Brisbane based) and travels around SEQ. A close friend of mine was talking to him about it a few days ago and he informed me that it was there. Direct from the owner of the ride too. 

Surprised me as well, but there you have it.

On 07/04/2017 at 7:21 AM, AlexB said:

A platform, complete with safety rails, and a ladder, i believe. Never in any danger, and quite safe where he was, if i recall correctly...

Yep, remember the photographer on a platform at Thunderbolt. [Edit: look at the right side of the bottom of the loop.]

Later on they had a photographer in a structure like a covered lifeguard stand, on the both sides of Giant Drop. West side one is visible in this 2011 video, and East side in this 2010 video.

Edited April 15, 20179 yr by Glubbo

On 06/04/2017 at 10:38 PM, Lightning said:

 

Just out of curiosity, are those Arrow trains that were on Thunderbolt? The shape screams Arrow to me. Did Meishio have an agreement with Arrow to make rides in Asia like Vekoma did with Arrow for Europe?

Edited April 16, 20179 yr by XxMrYoshixX

Quote

The shape screams Arrow 1980s steel coaster to me

Fascinating Flickr gallery of the Gold Coast in the late 80s. Curated by the Qld State Archives - including pics of Sea World and Wet n Wild.

1 hour ago, Glubbo said:

Fascinating Flickr gallery of the Gold Coast in the late 80s. Curated by the Qld State Archives - including pics of Sea World and Wet n Wild.

I'm guessing that's Lassiter's Mine Ride next to the Vikings Revenge in the SeaWorld photo? I've never seen a picture of it before!

Just now, Jessicajealousy said:

I'm guessing that's Lassiter's Mine Ride next to the Vikings Revenge in the SeaWorld photo? I've never seen a picture of it before!

Yes - although Bermuda Triangle used the same loading/unloading station. From memory.

Just now, Glubbo said:

Yes - although Bermuda Triangle used the same loading/unloading station. From memory.

Yep, definitely did. I never rode Lassiter's, but Bermuda was always a favourite. Just looks different without the Bermuda theming!

Mate awesome post/find. Some great shots there!

Notice the lack of exit stairs which were added for Bermuda allowing for the preshow room.  Seconded how great that post was Glubbo

Community. It's what we have here.

Lassiters was my fave ride as a kid. Will never forget that memory of the Donkey hanging from the roof in a bucket 😁

ETA: loved that flying fox in the kids area of WNW back in the day as well ☺️

Not sure if this has been shared, but found a video on YouTube of a Seaworld promotional video that you could purchase at the park, in 1990. Before I was even born!

Shows Corkscrew, pirate ship, Lassiter's etc. 

 

16 hours ago, Theme Park Girl said:

Lassiters was my fave ride as a kid. Will never forget that memory of the Donkey hanging from the roof in a bucket 😁

ETA: loved that flying fox in the kids area of WNW back in the day as well ☺️

It even has your donkey, @Theme Park Girl

That's an amazing video... the VHS of this is actually sitting in my apartment. 

You've gotta see this awesome 90s Sea World video. Member when Sea World had lots of great rides.

 

Said it before and said it again. The 2017 world needs more jingles!

16 hours ago, Gary86 said:

You've gotta see this awesome 90s Sea World video. Member when Sea World had lots of great rides.

 

Does that video have Lassiter's and Bermuda shots in it? #supernerd

6 hours ago, Slick said:

Does that video have Lassiter's and Bermuda shots in it? #supernerd

Was about to post the exact same thing! Yes, it does! #impossiblesituation

Seems somebody went digging a little too far through the archives when they made that commercial (and apparently that same someone didn't visit the park often enough to have realised that one actually replaced the other)