Makes sense to aim for the school holidays, I just think they missed the uplift by not having publicised it to encourage interstate tourists (or started construction 2 weeks earlier so the 'safe' target was always the start of the holidays with potentially to open earlier) 

8 minutes ago, jack.c said:

I saw that. Is that realistic? 

Realistic in the fact that the 15th of September is a date? Yes. 

Realistic in the fact that he's a reliable source of information? No. 

1 minute ago, Brad2912 said:

Makes sense to aim for the school holidays, I just think they missed the uplift by not having publicised it to encourage interstate tourists (or started construction 2 weeks earlier so the 'safe' target was always the start of the holidays with potentially to open earlier) 

Makes sense not tell anybody unless they are 100% sure it's ready.

There's 2 flatbed semi trailers being unloaded atm, both with steel framework, visually different from the ride's supports. I can't make out Joker on either of them. 

Possibly for queue, theming or the bridge ?

Its Logan Steel doing the job here.

FruitPhone only today..

I wonder if Andrew could grab me one of the few dozen empty 'Mack' crates? 😜 I jest, but MW if you're reading this, fans would love these to be given away.

 

[edit - addition]

3 trailer loads and counting. Occasional pieces looked right to affix to the mounting points at the top of the hill. Polite conversation with a guy onsite reveals it is Joker! No other pics will help as it's just grey angular steelwork at this point.

Assembly over the next few days (lighting etc to go in too).

Edited August 23, 20179 yr by Glubbo

The bits of that truck look like the jokers hair 

22 minutes ago, themagician said:

The bits of that truck look like the jokers hair 

Going by the mounting points on it towards the front of the trailer, you're probably right.

Is there any obvious indication a test cycle is imminent? By that I mean Mack staff moving around, other on-site work stoppage etc. Hoping to catch Rivals running today. 

Some better pics of the wavy hair structure:

 

 

How many test cycles so far? There's already wheel marks on the paint:

Queue area proceeding nicely:

(above 2 pics shot thru fence at GL/JL)

Edited August 23, 20179 yr by Glubbo

Grabbed a coffee and went to my car to leave - parked near the fence. Just as I was loading up, I hear a 2 second horn blast. Yep, they cycled Rivals! Got a video but it's just the same as others already in this thread. 

Guess the horn is to warn workers onsite.

 

EDIT / 3rd cycle as I type! 

Edited August 23, 20179 yr by Glubbo

1 hour ago, Glubbo said:

Grabbed a coffee and went to my car to leave - parked near the fence. Just as I was loading up, I hear a 2 second horn blast. Yep, they cycled Rivals! Got a video but it's just the same as others already in this thread. 

Guess the horn is to warn workers onsite.

 

EDIT / 3rd cycle as I type! 

Tbh I'd still like to see the video you have. 

1 hour ago, jack.c said:

Tbh I'd still like to see the video you have. 

Once I get some bandwidth tonight, I'll upload both vids I took.

If the speed stays like that, this coaster will exceed my expectations - which were quite high in the first place! The first camelback looks insane and so many turns seem to provide thrilling snappy forces. I'm finger-crossing for no trim brakes now...

The thing is FLYING around the course. At this rate it may get trimmed, but even if it did it's not going to matter with how fast it is running, plus being magnetic brakes you'll barely even notice.

 

I'd say this one is gonna be a winner lads!

As they've been advertising it as opening this October, I could see there being a soft opening at the end of September, and then the official opening at the beginning of October (In time for FN).

^ Yep, definitely think a soft opening is on the cards here, seems like it'll be a case of how quick they can put the station area and the theming together.

Well I'd say because the ride is already in testing, the station is nearly complete, probably just theming, single and queue rails to go in there. And then landscape, paths, theming and the entrance and exit into the area.

Assuming the weather holds out (storm Thursday, showers on the weekend?), I can't see why a soft opening in the middle of September couldn't happen.

One of my vids of this thing in action is being processed in YouTube atm. Link shortly. I really wished FTTP NBN was on in my suburb!

Edited August 23, 20179 yr by Glubbo

The above photos were from the first run, then my vids are from runs 2 and 4 (out of 5 that I saw).

 

 

 

Edited August 23, 20179 yr by Glubbo

Thanks for the videos Glubbo. The 2nd video is the best I've seen that truly represents the insanity of this thing - I still can't get over how fast it flies over that camelback. This is a serious contender for top 10 IMO

Really extatic at the progress of construction of this beast. I need to book a holiday to GC asap!!  

i really love the loop, though am thinking that they have missed an opportunity here regarding theming. With the big gaping hole, I think it would of been awesome for them to somehow bolt on a big giant jokers head here... maybe one that spins clock and counter-clockwise, emphasizing the craziness of the joker. 

I think this would give it a similar affect as the sun (previously mickeys head) does on California screaming at Disneyland. 

It would enhance photo ops of the coaster.. Imagine seeing that driving by movie world during day or lit up at night!  

I personally think having a good joker head within the loop would've over done it.  The one at the top of the lift hill is perfect, any more than that would make it seem like it was a joker coaster, which it isn't really. And any coasters I've seen with theming throughout the track (particularly the some of the coasters at SixFlags) look tacky. Much prefer just vegetation as they are doing now 

Plus the hill is:

A ) closer to the entrance for photos 

B ) Visible from the highway (like TOT2) 

Edited August 24, 20179 yr by red dragin

10 hours ago, cheski said:

Really extatic at the progress of construction of this beast. I need to book a holiday to GC asap!!  

i really love the loop, though am thinking that they have missed an opportunity here regarding theming. With the big gaping hole, I think it would of been awesome for them to somehow bolt on a big giant jokers head here... maybe one that spins clock and counter-clockwise, emphasizing the craziness of the joker. 

I think this would give it a similar affect as the sun (previously mickeys head) does on California screaming at Disneyland. 

It would enhance photo ops of the coaster.. Imagine seeing that driving by movie world during day or lit up at night!  

Anything that distracts from the enormity and signature element that is the non-inverting loop, is a detraction.

In the latest VIP Pass email it says down in the fine print:

*DC Rivals HyperCoaster first to ride access will allow qualified pass holders special access to ride on selected dates prior to the attractions opening to the public in October 2017

Gotta say the park is looking so great from inside and out with these various coasters towering over things, and it's not even at full height yet. Goes to show that if you invest, great things happen!

@Locke Spoiler alert. The coaster is at its highest point (Unless you are counting the Joker head going on top)