Believe it or not, Ardent Leisure may be finally doing something good at Dreamworld!

We know a Whitewater World expansion is on the cards which will include, at a minimum, a lazy river with a wave machine - something only seen in Australia at Jamberoo Action Park with their Rapid River. A dark ride is hinted at, possibly to be located next to the future i-Ride. Now...

Someone on Facebook commented on Dreamworld's i-Ride artist impression, which was posted to Dreamworld's Facebook page on Sunday:

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Bring back the proper jamboree and the paddle steamer with the bush ranger show.

Dreamworld responded:

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...we my be bringing one of those back in the near future.. keep your eyes peeled!

For those who don't know:

• "the proper jamboree" refers to Country Jamboree, a computerised animatronic show. The show was simply a 15 minute concert of Australian music hosted and performed by Australian fauna. Formerly called Koala Country (Music) Show, it was held in Gum Tree Gully Hall, located in the Gum Tree Gully area. This building now houses Wiggles World's Big Red Car Ride. Opening in 1982 (though originally planned to be an opening day attraction in 1981), it was at some point renamed, possibly after 1983 when a new area called Koala Country (now Dreamworld Corroboree) was opened in the north-eastern corner of Dreamworld. Given the show had a couple of versions until it closed around 2001, it can't be certain which version the Facebook commentator (or potentially DW) was referring to (but for the Facebook commentator, they were likely referring to the original 1982 version).
• "the paddle steamer" refers to Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler, a former ride located on the Murrisippi River, an artificial river inside Dreamworld. The ride's main entrance was located in the Rivertown area. The ride's main entrance has since been replaced by ABC Kids World's Bananas In Pjyamas Fun Maze & Play School Wheel. It operated for about 31 years from opening day in 1981 until 2012. The ride was a 30-45 minute trip, held at set times during the day, on a 250-person capacity paddlewheeler along the Murrisippi River (in a clockwise direction), which surrounds Castaway Island (the main artificial island). The river and paddlewheeler were themed as a hybrid Mississippi/Murray River paddlewheeler/river. After leaving Rivertown, the Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler went past Settler's Cottage then 2 smaller islands east of Castaway Island. The 1st small island had a wooden wharf (which I'm unsure if it was ever (designed to be) used). This wharf led to a Fort and a bridge that connected to the 2nd small island. A bridge from the 2nd small island to Castaway Island then led to a Lookout Tower. Originally, the eastern half of the river was themed to the Wild West of the USA. However, this only lasted less than a year. Opposite to the 2 smaller islands, to the east, originally was an Indian Camp. After 1982, this was replaced by Australian structures themed to the 1850's era. More of these structures were added over time. They were all removed in the early 2000's for new entrances to the Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler which were added opposite the 2 smaller islands for access to/from the expanded Koala Country area, which was renamed as the Australian Wildlife Experience (now Dreamworld Corroboree). After those 2 smaller islands, the Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler travelled past a Waterfall, which was turned off and demolished in recent years. The water from a pool above the Waterfall also travelled down an aqueduct to Harper's Oat Mill. This element was removed in 1994 to be replaced by the current-day Billabong Buffet Restaurant and a new railway station for the Dreamworld Express. The ride then finished back at Rivertown.
• "the bush ranger show" refers to The Dreamworld Bushrangers Show, a stunt show element of the Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler ride. The Settler's Cottage and the Australian structures of the 1850's era opposite the 2 smaller islands were the sets of the stunt show themed around bushrangers (called the Dreamworld Bushrangers). There were, at least, 2 versions of the show. The show was removed in the early 2000's due to the expansion of the Koala Country area, which was renamed as the Australian Wildlife Experience (now Dreamworld Corroboree).

So which one is Dreamworld thinking of re-introducing?

• The Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler is very possible given the Murrisippi River is still there. The entrance could be near the Woolshed where the last entrance of the ride was built. Using this location will provide more reason for visitors to head towards Dreamworld Corroboree. All they need is a new paddlewheeler that can run along the track hidden in the Murrisippi River (assuming the track hasn't been removed or doesn't need replacing). Also, they need to add something that you can only see from or during the ride.
• The Dreamworld Bushrangers Show could be re-introduced as a stand-alone show - maybe incorporating the former Big Brother Studios? A well-produced show with amazing special effects, even if it only operated after-hours as a night show, could become a 'must-see' attraction on the Gold Coast that increases much-needed revenue. The vacant land north of Dreamworld surrounding the former Big Brother Studios could easily be utilised as theming for little to no cost. A brilliant show could easily end up rivalling MW's Hollywood Stunt Driver 2 as the main stunt show of the Gold Coast. However, a simple twice-a-day daytime show held in a small new venue inside Dreamworld could work if the effort on theming & special effects makes it just worthy of seeing.
• Country Jamboree could be re-introduced in a small building (maybe in the former Big Brother Cafe or somewhere in Dreamworld Corroboree?). Technological changes have allowed animatronics to become interactive and utilise artificial intelligence but whether musical animatronic shows (even to include the technological upgrades) will increase attendance nowadays is up for debate. This attraction may have limited target markets nowadays such as the international tourist market. It could be updated to include more modern iconic Australian music such as AC/DC.

Or will the future dark ride incorporate one of those past attractions?

Another Facebook commentator wrote (referring to the i-Ride artist impression):

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Will you guys be updating the rest of Main Street to make it match?

Dreamworld gave a very cryptic and vague response in return:

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...keep an eye on our FB page for future park updates...

Dreamworld gave a similar response when someone else asked on Facebook "What else is in the pipeline".

Well it seems we got so far:

1. i-Ride (late December 2018)
2. Whitewater World expansion including, at a minimum, a lazy river with a wave machine
3. Dark ride and/or Country Jamboree or Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler and/or The Dreamworld Bushrangers Show
4. Main Street update

Dreamworld also confirmed on Facebook that they will be posting "sneak previews" of the i-Ride "Closer to the launch":

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Closer to the launch we will be posting sneak previews so be sure to keep your eyes out for them!

I feel pretty confident that despite us feeling Ardent has no firm plans for Dreamworld, they actually do have plans and they will reveal them over the next year. This financial year may be interesting in regards to Dreamworld's future. However, whether these future plans are up to a theme park standard, is another question altogether.

Edited September 4, 20188 yr by Jamberoo Fan

Pretty sure this is all just standard social media management 101.  "Keep an eye out for updates" literally just means that, not that anything is going to be done.  There is zero reason for them to say that it will not be done in the future when someone is being positive about the park.

Anything more negative they give the "Thanks for your feedback" response.

I believe that the woolshed is on the way out seeing dreamworld is not looking to keep investing in this and will not be replacing animals as they leave.

Edited September 5, 20188 yr by Ben H

4 minutes ago, Ben H said:

I believe that the woolshed is on the way out seeing dreamworld is not looking to keep investing in this and will not be replacing animals as they leave.

Hardly seems likely. It's insanely popular with their key target customers, and due to its rustic nature it needs very little maintenance or investment. It's very basic, but it's supposed to be! 

1 hour ago, Ben H said:

I believe that the woolshed is on the way out seeing dreamworld is not looking to keep investing in this and will not be replacing animals as they leave.

What a bizarre and ridiculous post. 

It’s the only multi-lingual show in the park that caters to the Asian tourism market - it’s a must watch for bus loads of tourists everyday. 

Will not replace animals as they leave? Where are they leaving to? It’s not like they go out for dinner and a movie and don’t return home! They don’t get pass outs or day release.... They are sheering sheep... i don’t think a couple a sheep are keeping the DW bean counters awake at night...

Edited September 5, 20188 yr by Brad2912

2 hours ago, Brad2912 said:

Will not replace animals as they leave? Where are they leaving to? 

To the 'farm' of course.

Times are tough, have to source lamb from somewhere 😂 

Dreamworld don’t own the sheep, they just shear them. Take into account it takes about a year for a sheep to grow it’s wool, they would need 1,095 sheep give or take a few based on 3 shows a day, just to be able to keep the show running. Not feasible. 

The park has agreements with farms in the region to facilitate this, the same as they do for the koala gum tree plantations. 

On 05/09/2018 at 10:04 AM, RossL said:

Pretty sure this is all just standard social media management 101.  "Keep an eye out for updates" literally just means that, not that anything is going to be done.  There is zero reason for them to say that it will not be done in the future when someone is being positive about the park.

The "What else is in the pipeline" response is likely to be an standard social media response and that questioner definitely wasn't being positive about DW. I thought I'd just post about it as DW might have been indicating that lots of new attractions will be revealed, via social media, over the next year. After all, the dark ride and the Whitewater World expansion have been confirmed as future attractions yet DW didn't tell them that.

The 'possible Main Street update'-response though, to me, stood out as they didn't rule it out completely for the near future despite the question easily being one that they could have responded 'No' to. If they answered 'No', in the short term, it should have prevented any update to Main Street to match the i-Ride. The question didn't even indicate whether the questioner was writing with a positive or negative tone. To me, the answer they decided to give sounded like "Yes, that's right. However, we can't announce this yet. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the official announcement when we're ready to make it".  It may be a standard social media response for all I know but given an update of Main Street to match the i-Ride (and/or the Lego Store) will likely be controversial, they may have decided to give a vague response in the meantime particularly as the i-Ride artist impression has already really divided opinion.

DW, in September 2016, also ruled out on social media a new rollercoaster as one of their future plans at the time.

On 05/09/2018 at 11:35 AM, Brad2912 said:

Will not replace animals as they leave? Where are they leaving to?

I think they meant if the Woolshed is being replaced, it won't be replaced by another animal exhibit or show.

Edited September 6, 20188 yr by Jamberoo Fan

So a Dreamworld press release has been issued talking about the holidays, and it appears the Bushranger Show is returning, and will be part of the train ride.

 

 

All Kinds of Happy at Dreamworld - MEDIA RELEASE final.pdf

From tpsn

BUSHRANGER SHOW RETURNING TO DREAMWORLD
The infamous Bushranger show which used to be experienced while riding the Captain Sturt paddle steamer will be making a return to Dreamworld. The show is likely to have some differences and this time the Bushrangers will wreak havoc on the Dreamworld Express. This will be an ongoing addition to the park and will be commencing soon. 

13 minutes ago, Gold Coast Amusement Force said:

From tpsn

BUSHRANGER SHOW RETURNING TO DREAMWORLD
The infamous Bushranger show which used to be experienced while riding the Captain Sturt paddle steamer will be making a return to Dreamworld. The show is likely to have some differences and this time the Bushrangers will wreak havoc on the Dreamworld Express. This will be an ongoing addition to the park and will be commencing soon. 

Hmmm..

'and this time the Bushrangers will wreak havoc on the Dreamworld Express'

The peeps at TPSN once again showing their age and lack of knowledge. Maybe they should consider a career at the Gold Coast Bulletin?

In case you were wondering, the Bushrangers along with Ned Kelly once Hijacked the Cannonball Express daily.  The Bushranger show from the banks of the Murrisippi on Captain Sturt also ran for many years after the train heist ceased way back in the 80's

Edited September 12, 20188 yr by MickeyD

 

Edited September 14, 20188 yr by themagician

How shit are those props?   History lesson for Ardent, this is not a point of difference because the train hold up was once a thing.

2 hours ago, Skeeta said:

How shit are those props?   History lesson for Ardent, this is not a point of difference because the train hold up was once a thing.

I hope their is a hut...

Perhaps this is testing the waters to see whether it has a positive guest impact, and perhaps, if positive feedback is received, they might see to invest in not only a better version of this show, but also in other entertainment offerings of a similar nature.

1 minute ago, Gold Coast Amusement Force said:

I hope their is a hut...

there* is.

but their isn't.

8 minutes ago, Gold Coast Amusement Force said:

I hope their is a hut...

Did your parents kick you out of home and you need a place to sleep?

21 minutes ago, Skeeta said:

Did your parents kick you out of home and you need a place to sleep?

The hut from the original show they were using in the news segment. But yes I was.

30 minutes ago, AlexB said:

Perhaps this is testing the waters to see whether it has a positive guest impact, and perhaps, if positive feedback is received, they might see to invest in not only a better version of this show, but also in other entertainment offerings of a similar nature.

 

7 posted the article on facebook and it has got a lot of attention and positive feedback.

Edited September 14, 20188 yr by Gold Coast Amusement Force

yeah. thats the problem with the social media generation. Just like drought, or breast cancer, or any other cause - lots of people will 'like and share' it but when it comes to the crunch, how many put their money where their mouth is?

How many of those likes and shares and reacts will convert to actual attendance as a result (and not just because 'we were going anyway')

People have to put the phone down, and get off their asses to attend - THAT is how you measure a positive guest impact, not how many kids posted a smiley emoji.

3 minutes ago, AlexB said:

yeah. thats the problem with the social media generation. Just like drought, or breast cancer, or any other cause - lots of people will 'like and share' it but when it comes to the crunch, how many put their money where their mouth is?

How many of those likes and shares and reacts will convert to actual attendance as a result (and not just because 'we were going anyway')

People have to put the phone down, and get off their asses to attend - THAT is how you measure a positive guest impact, not how many kids posted a smiley emoji.

I mean if they continue small things like these, eventually Dreamworld will have a better collective park in terms of experience and atmosphere at least..

I like how on the 7 news piece it says you won’t find the location of the bushranger show on the map as it’s a surprise, except anyone who has even been on DE knows there is probably only one location where it could possibly be located along the track...

Not necessarily, for all we know, DW could have demolished the Blue Lagoon area and built a massive bushranger complex, and there is a 5 minute stunt show where they takeover the train, etc, etc. 

I mean, that definitely isn’t the case, but imagine 

I wouldn’t put it past them to have painted the Blue Lagoon fence with a bushranger mural, the train stops and speakers play an audio track of a hold up, and then the train leaves. No actors required. 

#pureimagination 

15 minutes ago, Brad2912 said:

I wouldn’t put it past them to have painted the Blue Lagoon fence with a bushranger mural, the train stops and speakers play an audio track of a hold up, and then the train leaves. No actors required. 

#pureimagination 

They can just paint over that logo on the right hand side! 

Edited September 14, 20188 yr by pushbutton

But won't you see the location by going on the train and seeing where the props have been placed ?

Not if you close your eyes while on the train.