Has luna park sydney pulled the plug on 2 classic rides

[StingRay]

If you knew how much the company behind LPS have thrown at court cost and also out of court settlements you'd be shocked. The park goes alright without a massive coaster. I mean I understand the feeling people from Qld would have because its a whole "go big or go home". But honestly its an amusement park. Not a theme park. Coney island is the parks number one attraction. A simplistic fun park within a park.

LPS has had many coasters over the years. Most noticeable being the Big Dipper 2.0. I don't blame them for dragging their feet on these situations. You have limited space and so many restrictions based on what you cant do. 

Plus the new owners have always known getting new rides in could be a challenge. Even Volare had issues. Even the school holiday rides they draft in have issues.

The park does indeed print money. Not the way you would want to see it tho. It is done via its functions. They make a shit load of cash doing weddings and corporate events. They have tried to keep true to LPS origins. That being a bunch of flat rides knowing they ain't Disney or even any of the parks in Qld. It works well for them.

[Slick]

I dunno man, agree to disagree on that one.

I'm all for preserving history and all that jazz, especially when it's as notable as Luna Park's, but appetites in the leisure industry have changed so significantly in the last five to ten years that it seems everywhere but Australia's amusement industry has risen to the challenge.

Places like Eat Street Markets in Brisbane are great example of the revolution there's been in F&B locally (and how premium, specialty foods print money and drive gate) and every research paper suggests the uptick in consumer drive for new leisure products is in the billions, not millions, year over year. Internationally, many equivalent businesses to Luna Park Sydney have invested in the last 3-odd years with major capex (Hydrus at Casino Pier or Iron Shark at Pleasure Pier come to mind), hell even the "OG" Luna Park built a roller-coaster, though admittedly not on the pier itself (and also, arguably not that great).

I think the point i'm driving home here is that against leisure trends and against global trends (COVID not withstanding) they're definitely, 100% dragging their feet on what could be an amazing opportunity to continue to innovate and add year over year. As you say, they've had major coasters previously, so I can only imagine the local market's appetite for the next "Big Dipper" to arrive, especially when there's zero competition in NSW. Furthermore, these kinds of capex projects always act as a halo for other products in a brand - their events business would thrive by having something well integrated, well executed and well marketed.

Could you imagine if there was a coaster flying around Luna Park with an epic light package like Hangtime at Knott's? At night, it would be iconic.

Edited August 17, 2020 by Slick

[AheadMatthewawsome]

20 hours ago, Slick said:

Can I address the elephant in the room here...

Why aren't they building a crazy-good compact coaster on site, building a few modern thrill rides that leverage the site's position really well (a Sky Roller would go bonza against the water's edge - https://www.gerstlauer-rides.de/produkte/rundfahrgeschaefte/sky-roller/ ) and just going ham with F&B?

I just don't get it, they seem to be dragging their feet on some old, end of service life rides and squandering what would have to be Australia's most well-placed amusement park. It should print money every day of the year.

The Go Gator Coaster is only temporarily on site as part of the temporary rides. They are having these rides during the Wild Weekends, and has replaced the Power Surge for some reason, maybe COVID? I really do not know.

But basically. There were apartments that were built between the closures of Luna Park, as it was seemed that it would be demolished and for more apartments to be built on the site. Once Luna Park reopened with the Big Dipper in 1995, there were serious complaints by the neighbors for the loud noise mainly from the Big Dipper. They sued Luna Park, and as because they were rich, they won! Because of that, Luna Park had to severely reduce their hours of operating the Big Dipper, and also for the rest of the park. Combining that with adverse weather conditions, and competition from Wonderland. Luna Park had to close down 16 months after the park first reopened.

Since then, Luna Park has been extremely cautious to not repeat that again. Even when Volare was put in, it took them over 3 years from the announcement of the 6 new rides, to the installment of only 1 ride. This is because of complaints for every new ride in the park, which is either Park Noise, or obstruction of the view of Sydney Harbour.

In a perfect world, Luna Park would not have closed because of the Ghost Train Fire. Luna Park would have all of Maloney's Corner, North Sydney Sidings, and all of Lavender Green. But that is not the case. I personally think that they only people would have an excuse to complain are the apartments on the cliff edge. As they are distributively close to the park. Like only 2m away from the park. But everyone else does not have a case, but they still win. This is why Luna Park does not add even a Sky Roller into the park. It might happen one day, but the neighbors would have to be kicking and screaming out of their house while it is being demolished for it to happen.

[Slick]

That story of Luna Park Sydney and noise complaints has changed dramatically since February last year.  Granted, there's some hurdles regarding the use of the Lavender Green space and it's not all clear sailing for the park after they really screwed the pooch with their drop ride, but it's really a minor detail in the grand scheme of building a major project and isn't a good enough excuse to scrape in the kind of attractions you'd see at a school fete.

[AheadMatthewawsome]

44 minutes ago, Slick said:

I dunno man, agree to disagree on that one.

I'm all for preserving history and all that jazz, especially when it's as notable as Luna Park's, but appetites in the leisure industry have changed so significantly in the last five to ten years that it seems everywhere but Australia's amusement industry has risen to the challenge.

Places like Eat Street Markets in Brisbane are great example of the revolution there's been in F&B locally (and how premium, specialty foods print money and drive gate) and every research paper suggests the uptick in consumer drive for new leisure products is in the billions, not millions, year over year. Internationally, many equivalent businesses to Luna Park Sydney have invested in the last 3-odd years with major capex (Hydrus at Casino Pier or Iron Shark at Pleasure Pier come to mind), hell even the "OG" Luna Park built a roller-coaster, though admittedly not on the pier itself (and also, arguably not that great).

I think the point i'm driving home here is that against leisure trends and against global trends (COVID not withstanding) they're definitely, 100% dragging their feet on what could be an amazing opportunity to continue to innovate and add year over year. As you say, they've had major coasters previously, so I can only imagine the local market's appetite for the next "Big Dipper" to arrive, especially when there's zero competition in NSW. Furthermore, these kinds of capex projects always act as a halo for other products in a brand - their events business would thrive by having something well integrated, well executed and well marketed.

Could you imagine if there was a coaster flying around Luna Park with an epic light package like Hangtime at Knott's? At night, it would be iconic.

Also, if an light package is on a ride like Hangtime. Well then you will start to have severe complaints about the lights, and they would be right. Nobody in Milsons Point and maybe even all the way in the City and Barangaroo and Pyrmont and Mc Mahons Point would not be able to sleep! And if you have Autism like me, you would defiantly have an sensory overload. It would just repeat 1995-1996 for you! Luna Park have been getting better with some permanent rides, like the Volare is amazing! Same with the Hair Raiser and new Tango Train! It is just you have to play the waiting game if you are Luna Park.

[Slick]

Luna Park Sydney as a whole is brighter than the light package on one coaster on most nights of the year. 

That's also without mentioning Vivid, which dials it up to eleven.

If you didn't click either link, the TLDR here is that a well lit roller-coaster would compliment what's already there.

[StingRay]

I really don't think the market exists here for that "major coaster" that people think. Residing from Sydney I keep my finger on the pulse. Many people know a large or even "over the top coaster" really would not fit into LPS. I know this sounds odd to many. But its the true feelings down here. It is not because we have been underdelivered etc. Its the fact that most people have never been to Wonderland or that. So LPS has the market its got. LPS can't compete against the main water parks as they are seasonal within the Sydney (extended) region.

The other thing is you gotta sit back and see things from a management POV. Under previous management, the big dipper was built and caused a major headache for the company. While they want to keep the guest happy they also do not want to piss off the residents nearby. Over the years many incidents have occurred from ride operators being assaulted and even rides tampered with.

So while those coaster dreams are simply that we've grown a custom to the idea down here that it's not going to happen. We got a wild mouse and trust me that's thrilling enough in its own right. We pretty much run to the same business model at LPM. Bring in some other rides over the busy periods to help with keeping guest happy. Operate to certain government guidelines and that's it.

We still get the place we love to visit operating all be it the way it is. So even tho some rides are having to retire you can't do much until those rides have left the site as the room does not exist in the way many would think.

1 hour ago, AheadMatthewawsome said:

Also, if an light package is on a ride like Hangtime. Well then you will start to have severe complaints about the lights, and they would be right. Nobody in Milsons Point and maybe even all the way in the City and Barangaroo and Pyrmont and Mc Mahons Point would not be able to sleep! And if you have Autism like me, you would defiantly have an sensory overload. It would just repeat 1995-1996 for you! Luna Park have been getting better with some permanent rides, like the Volare is amazing! Same with the Hair Raiser and new Tango Train! It is just you have to play the waiting game if you are Luna Park.

This is the exact reason why the Rangers light pattern was changed and why the spider had the number of lights reduced around 12 years ago.

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

2 hours ago, Slick said:

I can only imagine the local market's appetite for the next "Big Dipper" to arrive

Ok, I don't disagree with you that LPS needs to drop in some larger additions - but pooh-poohing the issues people have cited as to why it taken them so long I think is off the mark.

Yes, they screwed up with Hair Raiser - but it showed (after they went through all the correct motions to have it approved), that there was a lot more leg work to get it ticked off than the standard time we see for GC parks or even the overseas seaside parks you refer to.

Despite the legal rulings, the residents continue to raise concerns and complaints at any and every stage or change. And despite the precedent set by the previous court rulings, new issues bring new arguments that all must be considered against the prior case law. All of this takes time.

If I were the developer, i'd regard all that angst as being 'not worth the effort' of building something more substantial... so I don't blame them, honestly, even though I agree they need a bit of a refresh.

Edited August 18, 2020 by AlexB

[Slick]

Yeah, again, I stand by what I said above.

When building the Florida Project now known as Walt Disney World, Walt Disney bought hectares of land under secret company names as to not tip anyone off as to who was really buying the land.

Walt Disney didn't go "oh, there's some hurdles, let's not bother and just keep making the same stuff over and over" because that's not how remarkable innovators think about remarkable ideas. As such, I've yet to find a remarkable landmark/project/idea that wasn't wrought with difficulty that wasn't then solved by an intelligent pioneer/leader/innovator.

Concerns about residents or folks meddling with rides are problems that need solutions, not excuses for averageness.

If you want to see some great problem-solving, watch Ozarks.

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

And therein lies the difference between Walt Disney and Multiplex.

[StingRay]

LPS is meant to be a multi-use facility. If you truly want to see an engineering marvel the park has then its gotta be the car park. It actually goes under Sydney harbour.

But honestly. I don't see how a small little boardwalk amusement park can even be compared to a multi-billion-dollar empire. 

Like I have said. It covered the market here as well. Sydney has way more tourist attractions than just theme parks. The marketing here covers so many categories it is actually rather amazing. So I don't see the desperate need for such a massive roller-coaster to only make some people happy that they get another coaster credit. The charm of the park is what is the real winner. No its not Disney park but they utilise what they have in a very good way.

[rappa]

There is a huge gap between major coaster and piece of garbage traveling carnival ride. 
 

They could easily (and should) be adding permanent park models of updated but with nod of nostalgia flat rides. 
Ive no doubt in my mind if they had muted classic paint schemes, classy lighting packages and no dodgy distorted trance music blasting out of them everyone would have a lot less complaints. 
 

They should be looking at more Silly Symphony Swings and less Side Show Alley. How the park took so long to have a beautifully presented wave swinger is beyond me. 

Edited August 18, 2020 by rappa

[AheadMatthewawsome]

7 minutes ago, rappa said:

There is a huge gap between major coaster and piece of garbage traveling carnival ride. 
 

They could easily (and should) be adding permanent park models of updated but with nod of nostalgia flat rides. 
Ive no doubt in my mind if they had muted classic paint schemes, classy lighting packages and no dodgy distorted trance music blasting out of them everyone would have a lot less complaints. 
 

They should be looking at more Silly Symphony Swings and less Side Show Alley. How that park doesn’t have a beautifully presented wave swinger is beyond me. 

(I am sorry in advance if I sound bossy or angry, it is just getting annoying this conversation going around an roundabout)

They are already looking more at "Silly Symphony Swings", the 2 most recent rides Tango Train 2.0 and Volare were amazingly made, and there could be some more coming soon. Already a lot of rides in Luna Park have a nod to old Rides, like Tumble Bug. I do not know or that there are any plans. But with the current trend, we could see some more soon. The rest of the country has an dismal theme park industry compared to the Gold Coast. So if you have every been there (I have not) have lower expectations for the rest of the country, and New Zealand and almost all of the Pacific Islands!
Again, and this should be the last time that I need to say this.
IT IS NOT EASY TO ADD IN RIDES AT LUNA PARK!!!!! It took them 3 whole years to add Volare into the park! There were supposed to be another 5 rides with Volare, but couldn't because their neighbors complained to the courts. The park has closed down before after only 16 months because of complaints! Luna Park has to be extremely cautious about adding permanent rides like an Eurofighter. So they have rides from Joylands to come during peak periods. And we, nor they can't do that much about it! Right, FINISHED! 

 

[Baconjack]

56 minutes ago, rappa said:

They should be looking at more Silly Symphony Swings and less Side Show Alley. How that park doesn’t have a beautifully presented wave swinger is beyond me. 

They do. Volare is probably the best presented ride in the park and has a decent set of LED's when compared to the old flats. TBH that doesnt say a lot considering a good chunk of the park screams parking lot coaster.

The renovation of the existing fixtures is something I'm definitely a fan of. The old Flying Saucer lighthouse & cafe repaint and the old Big Dipper entrance look a lot better than they used to be plus the LED packages are a nice touch as well. Pretty sure that's all done now because that aspect of change is a lot easier to get past the residents.

Look gimme a new coaster anyday and LPS have looked at one in the past but it'll be difficult to fit a decent one in given the space they have, let alone constructing one which is practically begging for resident action given the endless battle Multiplex has with the neighbours. A ride on the scale of Sidewinder/GoldCoaster is not going to happen again. 

At the end of the day LPS is hard pressed for space and the space is better spent on an extra flat or hell even an empty space for school holiday rides. I'm definitely not a fan of the 'school holiday rides' strategy as it completely breaks the park's appearance and screams Royal Show rather than a genuine effort at a boardwalk park but I recognise that it is a crucial component of the amusements side of the park. 

A park like Grona Lund would be a good example to hold LPS to account. A very good boardwalk park that is well presented that doesn't need the flashy rides. I think they are halfway there and they are definitely trying but administrative and planning issues has definitely slowed those plans to a halt so they have no choice but to keep their 80's carnival rides running for as long as possible.

Edited August 18, 2020 by Baconjack

[rappa]

I know you have (a very strange) bee in your bonnet @AheadMatthewawsomebut Luna Park is not great. In my opinion it has 5 good attractions done well. 
Coney Island

Ferris Wheel

Wild Mouse

Rotor  

and now Volare

The crystal palace is also a great feature. The rest including all the ones you mention are awful. Even the Tango train belonged in a carnival somewhere. The drop tower also looks cheap and nasty.

Im not saying it’s easy, but if it was easy everyone would have a park. But I’m saying this using of carnival rides is not up to snuff and they should be doing better. And as anyone on here will attest to, my view is that ‘trying isn’t good enough.’

 

[StingRay]

3 minutes ago, rappa said:

Im not saying it’s easy, but if it was easy everyone would have a park. But I’m saying this using of carnival rides is not up to snuff and they should be doing better. And as anyone on here will attest to, my view is that ‘trying isn’t good enough.’

Maybe you are unaware of the park history then?. Its always had carnival rides.

So I don't see the massive issue. They like any other park around the world have to keep people happy. Including the government  (both federal & local) and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. The latter has a massive say ironically.

Also, even tho we once had a custom made coaster within this park its ridership was ironically low a few weeks after it opened. So I don't see why they'd want to invest in a massive ride. Park has as capacity any it must adhere too.

I get you that you think it is essentially "cheap and nasty" and it ain't MW or Dw standard. But they are trying to be true to the parks entire history. The face is based from the 1960s along with Coney island and the outside of the crystal palace. Everything else is kinda retro and represents the 80's. But it literally does us alright.

I mean I suppose if LPS seems this bad I would hate to know what LPM is then.

[T-bone]

Gotta say I agree with @StingRay. Luna Park may not be the champion boardwalk like park in the world, but it’s a miracle the place is alive today still. 
Would a new coaster go in nicely there? Sure ofcourse it would, but I think the enthusiast is holding it to a higher bar than what it actually is trying to be.

I for one am greatful that the park is still open today, and whilst the attraction mix is a little heavy on the flats side, to me the biggest crime was when the carousel was replaced with a fake replica. I understand why it happened, but that’s the kind of stuff that is criminal (a lot like replacing a steam train with a toy train at a theme park). 

[rappa]

Come on. Any notion that the park is plonking in traveling carni rides to ‘be true to the parks history’ is about as kool aid filled as is humanly possible. It’s because they are a cheap easy way to get the ride count up. 
 

A cheap carnival has no place on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour. ‘Back in the day’ it was also a dirty nasty place filled with undesirables, and we’re in no hurry to recreate that authentic atmosphere. 
However a beautifully presented nostalgic rose coloured glasses nod to seaside piers of yesteryear is a charming addition to the area. That’s what they should continue to be doing. 
 

They shouldn’t be compared to, or try to compete with the Gold Coast parks because they will always fail, and Luna Park should be something totally different to that. 
Look to places like Tivoli Gardens for inspiration 

[Baconjack]

32 minutes ago, StingRay said:

I get you that you think it is essentially "cheap and nasty" and it ain't MW or Dw standard. But they are trying to be true to the parks entire history. The face is based from the 1960s along with Coney island and the outside of the crystal palace. Everything else is kinda retro and represents the 80's. But it literally does us alright.

I mean I suppose if LPS seems this bad I would hate to know what LPM is then.

MW or DW standard isnt exactly a high bar to be fair at the minute, especially considering Westfield is an appropriate standard for both companies in terms of presentation.

They are already halfway there in terms of presentation, the historical buildings and aforementioned Flying Saucer/Big Dipper fixtures have been done up and look fantastic. But anywhere else thats where the presentation starts to crumble. Maloney's corner is basically a parking lot with zero scenery whatsoever, something acceptable for the Royal Show, not a boardwalk park. 

Keeping around the 80's rides is not retro. There is a difference between retro and outdated. Tumble Bug, Ranger and Spider are all examples of the latter and in an ideal world should be replaced ASAP but as we know the process to build a new ride is extremely lengthy so it will be a long time till we see all 3 replaced with actual proper 'retro' rides that call back to the 60's. Similarly, suggesting that literal carnival rides are 'true to the park's aesthetic and history' is a pretty bad take, though for reasons I've already said that doesn't bother me too much. 

Perhaps I think too much of LPS but I do see potential for it to be our equivalent of Grona Lund that is well presented. Given what has been done so far its definitely showing some promise but there's still a long way to go to finish up the park's transformation in the buildings. Maloney's Corner needs to be properly integrated into the park rather than what it is now, Tumble Bug/dodgems fixture needs a redo, Big Top needs some paint, and the ticket booth needs a repaint. Plus some new permanent rides that match the presentation of Volare. Not too tall an order to be honest considering what they have been able to achieve so far.

Edited August 18, 2020 by Baconjack

[StingRay]

They do what they can. Some might forget that this park is not open every day also. Everyone's idea of retro will always be different. Maloney's corner was literally a last-minute addition to the parks final planing stage thanks to the office building being smacked into the location its in.

Maloney's corner shouldn't have been used all year round. But as an overflow for extra rides during the peak times. Unfortunately, things changed from what I've been told and the Big Top also got much larger. So from what I understand not as many rides should have been in the park in 2004 when the reopen occurred. But they managed to keep them.

I would like to see some new flat rides. In fact, I think some of the old theming like the bug for tumble bug and the spider for the spider should have been reinstated in new forms when the park reopened. Ashley the park artist does the best he can to try and make the place look somewhat vibrant. He's admitted he is only one person however and management do change their minds a lot.

One thing I love that they did was set a permanent reminder to the big dipper by changing the colours etc on the entrance. The blue and silver were so disgusting. But now it looks great. Along with the special plaques that are placed around the park showing the history etc or particular buildings or attractions.

The one thing is they currently don't have anyone I believe who has their finger on the pulse within the industry. So that's why they wouldn't know what to get for a new attraction also. I could definitely be wrong. But I reckon it might a short time before we see the park actually buy a new ride. Not lease one from a travelling company for an extended period of time. Something they have done before.

[Jobe]

Have to say I see both sides of the coin here in regards to this argument. In the one corner , I am greatful that LPS has survived the many rigours and challenges that has befallen it over the years. The fact that it survives so well to this day is due to the diversification of its revenue streams. As much as I dont like it, it had to do so in order to survive. However there is a balance to these things. The place is still an amusement park and it certainly needs to up its game in these stakes. The rides it currently has are at the end of life and the whle park is in need of a renewal of its attraction base. When they annouced a couple of years ago that they had a 5 year plan of $20 millio dollar renewal, it was music to my ears. Here was an opportunity for the park to get rid of the old and usher in new , quality attractions. So far from these plans, we have only seen Volare surface but we can all agree that it is a well presented and excellent appointed ride.

The coaster question is another matter. Many know on these boards that i firmly believe that LPS needs a 2nd coaster- nothing in the realms of the 2nd Big Dipper- those days are long gone and so is the space for it- but there are definitly a number of options that the park could and should look at. The Maurer SC2000 has long been rumoured to have been looked at and as we know, Pitt and Sherry had stated on their website in having done works on one for the park. What has happened to these plans is anyone's guess. As Slick has pointed out, a coaster similar to Iron Shark at Galveston Pier or even Rage at Adventure Island in the UK would also be ideal. Neither of these options would be out of place for LPS and would certainly satisfy the public's hunger for new attractions and another coaster. LPS themselves recognise the need for a signature coaster as the rumours of the Maurer spinner show. 

Room of course is the issue but here is where they need to get creative. Grona Lund in Sweden has shown that they can have a serious boardwalk park with numerous attractions whilst fitting many into small footprints.

LPS needs a unified plan that uses its available space to the utmost- something that the park currently does not do. This is why the park feels disjointed and with minimal visble effort. A well thought out , new attraction scheme that makes use of every available space well with some attempt at theming is what the park desperately needs.

Playing on nostalgia and its wonderful history is what LPS does best. Updating its attractions to reflect this history is certainly the way to go. New rides should hearken back to what was before , so therefore any new attraction must be chosen carefully. What is ideal is something that is new, unique or even rare in Australia and then theme it to one of the old loved rides from the past. Keep the names of Spider, Tumblebug, Wild Cat, Whirler, Big Dipper, Flying Saucer. New ones like Volare and Hair Raiser have been presented well and fit into the overall "feeling" of the park.

Whatever the park does- it is certainly in the best shape legally to do so. They now have the strong backing of legislation that allows them to make these additions as long as they conform to the parameters set out in said legislation. This would include any new coaster of the size that we have speculated about. If they wanted to , then they certainly could move ahead with these plans. There may be some opposition and grumbling, but as long as it is by the book, thats all that it will remain- grumbling. 

4 hours ago, StingRay said:

In fact, I think some of the old theming like the bug for tumble bug and the spider for the spider should have been reinstated in new forms when the park reopened. Ashley the park artist does the best he can to try and make the place look somewhat vibrant.

Absolutely agree with Ray here. The old theming like this can and SHOULD be reinstated. This would not be beyond the realms of what can be achieved to put into place- either financially or realistically.

I am just glad that LPS is still standing so that I can take my kids to the place. A trip to LPS for them happens every year without fail and they love the place as much as I do. They certainly know the difference between what LPS stands for and parks on the Gold Coast. There is nothing better than looking down the Midway of LPS on a Saturday night looking at the rides and attractions all lit up. The GC parks just cant compete with this atmosphere or aesthetic- nor should they. They are entirely different in range and scope.

LPS , for mine is at a crossroads. The need for renewal is urgent and they have the opportunity to make long lasting improvements to the park that will last for decades. Management need to recognise the importance of the amusement side of the park and act accordingly to enhance the experience. 

Unfortunately COVID  has hit the park plans pretty hard, like throughout the theme park industry. We will just have to wait a little longer to see these plans come to fruition. Fingers crossed that they are desrving of the history that they intend to represent.

[Jdude95]

ITT: People who have no idea about LPS, telling LPS how the park should be run like a GC park. 

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

12 hours ago, AheadMatthewawsome said:

The park has closed down before after only 16 months because of complaints! Luna Park has to be extremely cautious about adding permanent rides like an Eurofighter.

I get your passion, but this point about closing down before because of complaints has been resolved. Each new ride will have to undergo an assessment process to ensure it fits within the criteria set out, but the park is not at risk of closure due to complaints like it was back then. that is not possible due to those court cases, so it needs to be removed from your argument.

The 3 year time period for Volare was disappointing, and sadly - despite what others might say - this is likely to be the case for future attractions as the additional studies and assessments needed to ensure it will fit within the criteria outlined by the case precedents will always take longer than a new flat on the gold coast.

12 hours ago, Baconjack said:

Look gimme a new coaster anyday and LPS have looked at one in the past but it'll be difficult to fit a decent one in given the space they have, let alone constructing one which is practically begging for resident action given the endless battle Multiplex has with the neighbours. A ride on the scale of Sidewinder/GoldCoaster is not going to happen again. 

I'd like to see them stick a compact woody in Maloney's. It is possible to build something that would fit in that space, while still leaving lots of ground space for temporary or permanent flats - so long as the semi trucks can fit through (which is easily enough done). Have a nice space in the middle with some clearance and they can make use of the space for both.

[AheadMatthewawsome]

12 hours ago, rappa said:

I know you have (a very strange) bee in your bonnet @AheadMatthewawsomebut Luna Park is not great. In my opinion it has 5 good attractions done well. 
Coney Island

Ferris Wheel

Wild Mouse

Rotor  

and now Volare

The crystal palace is also a great feature. The rest including all the ones you mention are awful. Even the Tango train belonged in a carnival somewhere. The drop tower also looks cheap and nasty.

Im not saying it’s easy, but if it was easy everyone would have a park. But I’m saying this using of carnival rides is not up to snuff and they should be doing better. And as anyone on here will attest to, my view is that ‘trying isn’t good enough.’

 

Now, I must admit that my only experience of a theme park are only in Sydney. But what I was saying is that Tumble Bug has a nod to an old ride at Luna Park. I was not saying that it is great. Tumble Bug was named after this ride (an image is below) that used to be in the park for over 40 years! How long has it been since you last went to LPS? Because since then, the Tango Train has been closed down, demolished, and rebuilt. Maybe the original Tango Train belongs in an carnival, but the new Tango Train belongs perfectly in LPS! It has an simmilar theme as Volare, it has an Mild and Wild version. Mild version now allows Green Band people to ride with an Adult, and the Wild version goes 2x faster than the orignal. And at the back, it is not all empty and nothing. Now it has a blue wall with stars and these beautiful lights, here is the difference: Old: 

New: 

But that is only my opinion, if you think otherwise, that is fine!

[Slick]

17 hours ago, StingRay said:

If you truly want to see an engineering marvel the park has then its gotta be the car park.

I have a rule in life - if the best thing about something is the car park it's probably shit.