Day 2 - Movieworld

We’d already decided that we’d do Movieworld and Seaworld (again) on this trip, but it was not long before we left NZ that we found out that it was school holiday time in Australia as well as in NZ, though with Marilyn being a teacher, getting time off is limited to school holidays anyway.

I suppose the fact that the car park was about 75% full before 11am (and  no markings again…) shouldn’t have been too much of  a surprise, but apparently, it was even busier than normal.  Once again, we brandished Gold Cards, Entertainment Cards, grovelled and ended up with a three day pass for $5 more than a 1 day pass.  The timing was perfect as we headed straight for the Stunt Show (version 2) which was due to start at 11am and we got there with 5 minutes to spare.

As usual, we enjoyed the show, but we thought that maybe the first show we saw, Police Academy, was a better show overall, with a better story and a lot more humour, especially when they picked someone out of the audience and he became the butt of a fair bit of slapstick humour.

Dave and I were keen to go to the ‘Scooby Do’ indoor, in the dark, roller coaster, but the queue time was upped from 60 minutes to 75 minutes.  Not for the first time we later found out that the notice was misleading as it was positioned on the front steps.

We wandered around for a while then grabbed a burger and chips, before Dave and I opted to go for the coaster ride anyway.  We stood on the front steps  which was (only) the Fast Pass entrance – but we didn’t know that!  It was only when we saw the wristbands on the few in front of us, that we twigged that we were in the wrong queue.    The general entrance was to the side and the 75 minutes was presumably after you reached the same front door from the side queue.  We passed that point quite quickly and once inside the building, joined the real queue and although it was 50m past the front door, it was still 75 minutes!   Watching the Fast Pass people go through is always a pain, but up to that point, we hadn’t even seen where they were on sale.  Subsequently, we found out they were $20 - but only valid for 4 rides and 90 minutes, or $60 all day.

Anyway, we cracked that one, had another wander around then headed for the "Wild West Falls" log ride.  Note the notice (pic) where it says the queue time from this point is….   Nothing.

We got a bit damp of course.  Dave and Marilyn managed another rollercoaster.

The kiddy driving area looked to be quite good, but a very short ride – and several adults were with their kids and there were other adults, mainly Asian I might add, on their own.

We left about 4:45pm, but not before we all piled onto a Gotham City laser shooting ride and Paula found another Joker near the scary roller coaster.
Good fun!

Back to the Meriton OK and Paula’s choice was Valentino’s Italian restaurant for food.  We have eaten at this family run establishment several times before.  Service was impeccable, inasmuch as we were seated with a menu,  glass of water and the order taken very promptly – and the water glasses topped up again.  Although the place was very busy – with a load of families, the staff rush around, always with a smile and the food comes out continuously.  A reasonable wait but excellent food – and cider with a glass of ice this time.

Another stroll around and Marilyn was magnetically attracted to the Chocolate shop and bought some drinking chocolate.

The time difference was still having its effect, so it was another theoretically early night.

Seaworld to look forward to tomorrow with theme Park number 2 – Paula’s favourite.