User:Frickullo/sandbox

= Gold Coast Theme Parks in 2021 =

After coming back from 3 and 6 month closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic Gold Coast Theme Parks are making a come back with a plethora of exciting new attractions across all of the Theme Parks.
==== Steel Taipan was first announced on August 23, 2019, alongside the announcement of the $7,000,000 Fully 6 body slide complex in the adjacent White Water World. Steel Taipan, then unnamed, was confirmed to be a near-clone of Mack's popular Blue Fire launched coaster model, except with a unique backwards portion and swing launch section as well as a spinning cart on the back row. [1] The park had been able to secure the ride's hardware on a reduced timeline, as it was originally meant as a now-cancelled attraction at an unspecified Chinese park. Although a name had been undecided, two possible options had been trademarked during late November of 2019; Hiss-teria and Steel Taipan. [2] ====

==== On March 19, 2020, park owner Ardent Leisure officially announced that they had established new financial measures to combat the then-emerging COVID-19 pandemic, which included freezing all non-essential costs. This included halting construction and thus indefinitely delaying Steel Taipan, removing it from its initial December 2020 target opening.[3] Throughout the spring, supports and track would begin to arrive at the park, although very little groundwork had taken place by that point in time and construction had not yet started.[4] Construction finally broke ground in late September, just after the park reopened from a COVID-induced shutdown.[5] ====

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In late November of 2020, Steel Taipan manufacturer Mack Rides unveiled their brand new HybridTrain spinning coaster car test concept just after the IAAPA annual convention, which was held virtually for 2020.[6] Instead of the standard 4 seater spinning car, it would instead be a more agile 2 passenger car that could be more easily added onto existing and new launch coasters while abiding to tight clearances. The design also allowed for magnets in the seats to control the spinning speed. It was confirmed to debut on Steel Taipan, and a prototype had been tested on the similar Blue Fire launch coaster at Europa Park in Rust, Germany.[7] =====

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In late November, Dreamworld formally announced the coaster's name to be Steel Taipan, as expected. Excavation and groundwork had also started to begin some time prior to that, after the park reopened, and Steel Taipan is currently on track for a late 2021 opening.[8] =====

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The ride begins with a left hand turnaround out of the station and onto the launch track, parallel to the BuzzSaw roller coaster and car park. The train launches up the attraction's signature 124.7 feet (38.0 m) foot tall wave turn, but ultimately does not gain enough speed to crest it, thus rolling back into the launch. The train is blasted backwards into a 128 feet (39 m) curved spike overtop the Dreamworld Express train ride; it's one distinguishing feature from the standard Blue Fire layout. Rolling forwards once again, the train hits the launch track for the third and final time, where it reaches speeds of approximately 65.2 mph (104.9 km/h) and tops the wave turn, leading into the first of four inversions on the ride; a 105 feet (32 m) vertical loop. Exiting such, it twists around and up into a mid-course brake run, which then leads into a pair of back-to-back twisted horseshoe rolls and an airtime hill through the center of the loop. Riders enter another slow turnaround and ride through the final inversion on the ride, a heartline roll, before making a final right-hand turn into the brake run. ======

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Steel Taipan was officially announced on August 23rd 2019 as part of Dreamworld and White Water World's $50,000,000 expansion to the the parks. The Steel Taipan, at time of announcement was unnamed. The ride was confirmed to be a near clone of the pre-existing Blue Fire launched coaster model, made by Mack. Steel Taipan was designed with an additional spinning cart in the back row for those looking for a bigger thrill. The ride was originally meant for an unknown Chinese Theme Park. In late November 2019, Dreamworld trademarked two possible names for their upcoming rollercoaster; Hiss-Terria and Steel Taipan. ======

=== The name 'Steel Taipan' came from the large, fast moving, highly venomous snakes native to Australia; The Taipan. The coaster will capable of reaching speeds of 105km/h. The coaster has a very long twisty snake like design, being the reason behind the name 'Steel Taipan'. ===

=== In March 2020, park owner Ardent Leisure had announced new financial measures to combat the ever growing Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, all non-essential costs were halted and the construction of the coaster was delayed from its original December 2020 opening date to an unconfirmed date. At this point no one is sure of when the coaster will be open to the public but Dreamworld is scheduled for the coaster to open in Late 2021. Throughout the Parks down-period during the Covid-19 pandemic track pieces and support beams began showing up in the car park. Very little groundwork had begun when the park was closed due to restrictions, however in September 2020 official construction had began. ===

=== In November 2020 Mack Rides had unveiled their Hybrid train spinning coaster car test concept. Instead of the usual 4 seat spinning car, Mack rides had plans for a more agile 2 passenger car that could be easily be added to New and pre-existing Launch coasters. ===

Finally in November 2020, Dreamworld announced that their new coaster would officially be named Steel Taipan. Prior to the parks grand-reopening in September excavation and groundwork had began.
==== The ride begins with a left hand turnaround out of the station and onto the launch track, parallel to the BuzzSaw roller coaster and car park. The train launches up the attraction's signature 124.7 feet (38.0 m) foot tall wave turn, but ultimately does not gain enough speed to crest it, thus rolling back into the launch. The train is blasted backwards into a 128 feet (39 m) curved spike overtop the Dreamworld Express train ride; it's one distinguishing feature from the standard Blue Fire layout. Rolling forwards once again, the train hits the launch track for the third and final time, where it reaches speeds of approximately 65.2 mph (104.9 km/h) and tops the wave turn, leading into the first of four inversions on the ride; a 105 feet (32 m) vertical loop. Exiting such, it twists around and up into a mid-course brake run, which then leads into a pair of back-to-back twisted horseshoe rolls and an airtime hill through the center of the loop. Riders enter another slow turnaround and ride through the final inversion on the ride, a heartline roll, before making a final right-hand turn into the brake run. ====

==== The coaster is being constructed in Dreamworld's gold rush section, above the site of the Thunder River Rapids Ride which closed permanently in October 2016 following a tragic incident in which 4 people lost their lives due to a preventable ride malfunction. When the Tower of Terror II was announced to closed in November 2019, it was said to be to make way for the new coaster, but it is unsure if it is that or also the ever increasing cost for maintenance as the ride was over 20 years old. Dreamworlds popular transportation ride; The Dreamworld Express will be closed while construction finishes. ====

==== This $50,000,000 expansion to Dreamworld and White Water World, including the Fully 6 waterslides opened in Summer 2019, The refurbishment of ABC Kids World and Sky Voyager Ride, along with the closure of the Wiggles Big Red Car Dark Ride and the $30,000,000 Steel Taipan coaster may just be what Dreamworld needs to boost income and compete with Village Roadshow Theme Parks; Warner Brothers Movie World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast, Sea World, Paradise Country, Top Golf and Australian Outback Spectacular. With the closure of Popular Tower of Terror II and Wipeout Top Spin ride. Along with the downtime of the now Goldcoaster due to a track repaint and overall ride Refurbishment the expansion is much needed. ====

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Dreamworld has been fighting with economic struggles ever since the accident in October 2016 and has since dropped prices of annual passes to $99 for locals, Adults for the price of Kids and the current $119 local annuals pass. Along with the Happy Halloween, Winterfest and Park after Dark events. =====

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In 2019, Village Roadshow Theme Parks released their plan for the brand new Atlantis Precinct with the Opening of Three new attractions including a Top Spin, Wooden Rollercoaster and 50m tall chair swing ride promising great views of Southport and Surfers Paradise. However even with this new precinct announced and the opening of the Top Spin ride called the Vortex, Village Roadshow Theme Parks have been keeping many things private, leaving many to wonder if Dreamworld will come out on top. As Wet'n'Wild hasn't had a new attraction since the Aqua loop opened in 2011. Warner Brothers Movie World Arkham Asylum Suspended Looping Coaster has been closed since December 2019 and was advertised as annual maintenance for over a year until the attraction mysteriously disappeared from the website, along with much theming coming down leaves people to wonder whether the ride is being scrapped or receiving a refurbishment similar to how it did when it went from The Lethal Weapon to The Arkham Asylum, however the attraction was running for 24 years before its closure, one of the parks oldest attractions. Along side the mysterious closure of The Arkham Asylum, The Doomsday Destroyer has been under maintenance for nearly 8 months going under maintenance following the parks reopening in July 2020 with the ride still being advertised as under maintenance until April 2021 nearly a full 12 months, this leaves few to wonder whether its popularity being low amongst thrill seekers who visit the park could justify it closing. =====

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Everything going on with Gold Coast Theme Parks is going well but Dreamworld may finally be able to shine once more as it is shifting from being advertised as a home for thrill seekers too a more family friendly theme park. This expansion to Dreamworld and White Water World is much needed especially in a time of uncertainty for Village Roadshow Theme Parks. =====