Australian Amusement Fanatics

I made it up to the Easter Show on the weekend of the 14th and 15th. The grounds seemed to be quite full on both days, especially Sunday. My rides were limited, due in part to a nauseating experience on Powersurge - it had some randomness in it - continual spinning from side to side - nothing quite ...

It has had some minor maintenance done, and is now back up and operating, just for you Princess.

(did you think you had gotten out of it?)

Princess, you'll find it much more real when you are holding on.

You'll see.

Good to hear Kiwi. I for one would love to see your Zipper photos.

no that wasn't OzShowKid, it was Keith Urban next to Nicole Kidman

Save Dreamland website, April 5th The Runaway Coaster at the former Rotunda Amusement Park, Folkestone, was demolished today. Built in 1922, it was a side-friction figure eight coaster, of the type that was popular (and relatively common) in the UK before the Second World War. Save Dreamland Campaig...

No screaming allowed on 'Screamer' ride Associated Press Apr. 6, 2007 SACRAMENTO, Calif. A suburban amusement park has gotten so many complaints from neighbors about bloodcurdling screams that it has instituted a no-shrieking rule for its scary new thrill ride, the Scandia Screamer, a gigantic, win...

Darewing, great videos! Many thanks for sharing them here. It is an interesting ride given that it is an original design unlike anything else on the market (I'm sure there will soon be an Italian clone or two) Can you tell me, are there motors which help flip the rows of seats or is it purely the ma...

Excellent review Ben - well covered! You did a lot in the time you were there. You (and especially your dad) have a great tolerance for thrill rides. I'm not so sure I could've done everything that you managed to cover in that time.

Crazyboi, you state a good point.

To clarify my comment, what I was saying is that rotating some portable rides in the park is better than NO portable rides, and the same permanent ones.

You have to give LPS some credit for a rotating line-up of rides, it is more than what un-named other park(s) are doing. LPS has established closer links to the Australian Show industry than any other park - IMO this is a win-win relationship

Good stuff - you've done a good job there, seems to match the paintwork perfectly. Now, if you could also capture the sound of it, you'd really out-do yourself. I've noticed it has quite a distinctive sound compared to Watkin's Kamikaze - they must have different drive systems.

(after she rides the Zipper though)

Ben if any one of those 3 were there, my expectations would be exceeded (particularly if one of those things were there, no need to mention which) Unfortunately I don't think the Turbo will be making its debut just yet, but I hope I'm wrong. Interesting about Taipan. I agree Princess - its not the m...

I've seen the ride you are referring to. I think it would've been early 1990's Melbourne Show. (I had no idea it was that old, as it seemed like quite a modern concept) - am interested to know more. Speaking of the Skyhooks, have you seen their 1974 'Horror Movie' film clip? (filmed at Melbourne's L...

a revenge thing for white water world?

I think that probably has a lot to do with it - this is one sure way to differentiate to Dreamworld's recent offering, and bring W&W back into the spotlight as an up-to-date waterpark.

Probably a standard 30 metre Intamin Half Pipe, like this one built mid-2004 at Six Flags Elitch Gardens: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d3/HalfPipeSFEG.jpg/800px-HalfPipeSFEG.jpg "Riders are placed in one of two cars on the train which is made to resemble a giant snow / surf ...

Would the wheels present be Durkins Skymaster and Verfurth's Big Wheel ?

Ben, from what I saw on the SBF Visa site, it is basically a gravity powered mini-coaster - similar to a Whacky-Worm you might've ridden in USA - i.e. a larger version of the common Ferarri built Sooperjet. The train looks like it could comfortably hold both adults and children - I think it should b...

If opening night 2006 is anything to go by, I strongly suggest you go then (day / night)

OzShowKid, very promising indeed.

Yes Ben, the NZ Exlporer has the same carrage and lap restraint design as the ones you've ridden here. I agree, the lap restraint is probably a lot tighter than it needs to be, and this does make it limiting to larger men, and anyone with a bit of 'padding' on their stomach. (there is no adjustment ...

Ride Freak, I'd say it's probably the other way around, that Sobema have based their design off Reverchon's.

I am very impressed with the way that decelerates and speeds up backwards so fast - I am very familiar with this ride and I'd have to say that is the fastest stop and acceleration to full speed I've ever seen on an Explorer. I am guessing the hydraulic drives got a good going-over too, during winter...

Here you go, taken about 2005