That train is sexy as hell. I really like the Dreamworld logo on the front.

Thinking about how I feel about the landscaping and execution of the theme, it really comes down to what is it being compared to? What's the benchmark?

If it's being compared to Thunderbolt, it's a massive step up in presentation of a major coaster. We went from a station that was themed to a furniture store to something that really carries an identity the whole way through.

Compared to the park's previous coasters? It looks to be a far more pleasant space to stand in for a while (both Tower of Terror and Cyclone were scorchingly hot in the summer-time) but it doesn't build hype and excitement in the queue, which might be a real missed opportunity.

Compared to Rivals? It's much of muchness, and I think that's probably a good thing. It's the same fundamental building blocks that you can really compare ad neaseum and still not come out with a clear winner. Do you prefer pleasant fauna or cool DC comic-book style billboards? Snake-themed trains or Batman trains? Station walls painted snake-ish or Gotham-ish? etc. etc. etc.

Compared to what was on the site before? The gamble is that Dreamworld is trading an entire themed land (that over its history had two coasters, two rides and seven attractions) for one major coaster. That's ballsy, but not without merit. I'll be glad for Dreamworld to finally have a really solid, really good coaster. But it definitely sucks how deep we are in replacing facades and lands for walls and further land sales. But that's history, baby.

Compared to what else was possible, thematically? Realistically, that's subject to opinion. It's presented nicely - it's exactly what I expected Buchan, a group that specialises in urban design, to create. And maybe that's the point - maybe the park accepted that trying to tell a huge, far flung story is hopeless? Thunderbolt didn't have a huge, far flung story and it kicked arse. Could it have been more for the same budget? The fact that there's no sense of anticipation being built in the queue is the biggest missing for me, and it's something that perhaps another company with expertise in theme parks might've picked up on. Maybe. Who knows?

In any case, i'll be looking forward to having a ride come late 2021 whenever and making some content about it. It definitely photographs well from what i've seen. 

 

22 minutes ago, Slick said:

The gamble is that Dreamworld is trading an entire themed land (that over its history had two coasters, two rides and seven attractions) for one major coaster. That's ballsy, but not without merit. I'll be glad for Dreamworld to finally have a really solid, really good coaster. But it definitely sucks how deep we are in replacing facades and lands for walls and further land sales. But that's history, baby.

Not defending Dreamworld's decision because I think the Gold Rush theme was excellent and remains pretty timeless, but I'm also okay with just a ride being themed (even if the theme is slight: the roller coaster is a snake amongst rocks, the path is its shed skin, the "bones" are of a slain enemy?) as opposed to an entire area themed to something detailed and specific. When I made theme parks in Roller Coaster Tycoon I'd more often than not have both themed areas and then specifically themed roller coasters that didn't exactly fit into any precinct but were big enough to warrant a theme.

Plus there's always the chance that another ride comes in to fill Buzzsaw's footprint themed after another venomous Australian animal then they can call theme the whole precinct after a zoo (or something).

22 minutes ago, Slick said:

The fact that there's no sense of anticipation being built in the queue is the biggest missing for me

This idea definitely could’ve been played on more, but in some ways the queue does tease this idea of building anticipation. Standing in the queue, you can hear the coasters mechanics working down the launch track. You can hear it launch and you’ll definitely hear the riders. There are stalls gaps in the wall (that allow for the canopy structure) that reveal the train as it launches past. And while the canopy hides the majority of the track circuit, there are moments where you get a real good look for the train travel past and at some moments, real close too. When on the loading platform you don’t get to really see any of the track, but you can certainly hear the train, which I think is a way of building the anticipation as you’re about to board.

35 minutes ago, Slick said:

That train is sexy as hell.

It really is 

 

Agree. The area is presented nicely, you may hate the look, you may like the look.. but at least it’s not bare & boring. 
 

41 minutes ago, Slick said:

The fact that there's no sense of anticipation being built in the queue is the biggest missing for me.

 

Just curious to know what you would have done? Add a view of the launch? 

3 minutes ago, xRazzBerryx said:

Agree. The area is presented nicely, you may hate the look, you may like the look.. but at least it’s not bare & boring. 
 

Just curious to know what you would have done? Add a view of the launch? 

For the pre-ride itself, this is the gold standard:

Realistically there was never any money to do anything that intricate. However, the switch track mechanism is far away enough from the queue that adding in some rock-work to really darken and hide the switch track and the launch track would've really added to the fear factor when the train does the initial stall backwards.

As for the queue itself, i've tortured people enough with my ideas for that and they're in the forums if you go search back far enough. I would've gone more steampunk and less snakey boi. The theme would've centred around a crazy blacksmith's new invention for getting logs from the Buzzsaw down to the Rocky Hollow via the use of a new steam-powered track system. But alas, the two rides that make that idea work are gone now anyway. 🤷🏻‍♂️

33 minutes ago, themagician said:

 

Great pics! I hadn’t realised just how much space there is between the spinning seats and the car in front. Going to be an awesome experience.

Curious to know, I assume two-train testing for high capacity operations have begun?

They were last weekend. At first they were just testing then normal train, then they brought out the spinning train and were sending them out one after another 

7 hours ago, Flea said:

Great pics! I hadn’t realised just how much space there is between the spinning seats and the car in front. Going to be an awesome experience.

It's the nature of the design, and technically the same as rivals - the car base is the same as any other car, with the backwards seat \ spinning seat mounted on the top with sufficient clearances so as not to interfere with the car in front. 

I wish the eyes had lights. Just a little thing that would probably not work after 1 year, but still, with the parks putting on more and more events and (particularly MW) just opening an extra hour or 2 later (in winter this pays off) the parks are dark enough to show off the lighting effects.

Rival's train has a 'brake light' on the rear of the train, perfectly in fit with the 'batmobile' aesthetic they went for. Clearly its something that can be built in (and given a recent video I saw shows it still working several years on, i'd say the longevity isn't too bad) so its completely possible that they do - but perhaps haven't connected it yet while testing is ongoing?

Looking at the eyes closely, they didn’t appear to have any transparency 

Transparent? No. 

Translucent? Quite possible. There's enough space in that front end to accommodate the rig. A little frosted perspex with an eye painted over the front, with an LED behind it would be a very simple effect that would have a really cool impact in the right environment.

Translucent, that’s what I meant. It would definitely be awesome if they have added this

That greeny colour is almost the colour of glow in the dark paint so maybe it'll glow in the dark? If not then that'd be a pretty easy thing to do later.

Jaggs has also been invited to the park to check it all out and his video provides even more of an overview of the area 

 

Path to Giant Drop underneath the coaster is now open.

2 hours ago, themagician said:

Jaggs has also been invited to the park to check it all out and his video provides even more of an overview of the area 

I don't mean to alarm anybody but Steel Taipan has themed bins. THEMED BINS.

4 minutes ago, Dom said:

I don't mean to alarm anybody but Steel Taipan has themed bins. THEMED BINS.

Bonus points if they hiss at you.

18 minutes ago, Dom said:

I don't mean to alarm anybody but Steel Taipan has themed bins. THEMED BINS.

But are they smart bins? 🤔 

1 hour ago, Dom said:

I don't mean to alarm anybody but Steel Taipan has themed bins. THEMED BINS.

PUSH, is that you!

5 hours ago, Park Addict 93 said:

Path to Giant Drop underneath the coaster is now open.

Looks tight through there I must say

1 minute ago, Im Hungry said:

Looks tight through there I must say

That's what he said

1 minute ago, TomiJ said:

That's what he said

Would it be big enough for a large snake to pass through? 🐍

Edited October 16, 20214 yr by Im Hungry

Was nice getting close to ST for a change!