Australia's biggest theme park ride is set to make a huge splash at Warner Bros. Movie World when it opens on December 26 1998.
The $18 million dollar Wild Wild West adventure ride spans a massive 2.8 hectares at Warner Bros. Movie World's themed Western Town area, increasing the size of the park by 20%.
Wild Wild West will take riders on an action-packed six minute adventure into the wild west with more than a few surprises and thrills along the way!
Definitely a ride for cowboys not cowards, Wild Wild West will use state-of-the-art lifts, drops and a never before seen reversing element to create a thrilling experience the whole family can enjoy.
Over a million litres of water will propel riders past ghost towns, geysers, wagon trains and an 'exploding' bridge to put you right in the middle of a western movie set.
The journey leads into a massive man-made mountain, 35 metres high and 420 metres around the base.
Wild Wild West saves the biggest surprise for last - a 70 km per hour, no brakes, 20 metre heart-stopping drop to the final splashdown!
Warner Bros. Movie World General Manager Peter Burrows says creating Wild Wild West is a massive undertaking, involving more than 300 people in the construction project over a period of six months.
"This is the biggest, single investment in a theme park ride Australia has seen to date and a multi-million dollar boost to the tourism industry on the Gold Coast," Mr Burrows said.
"We're very conscious of the need to give visitors new reasons to holiday on the Gold Coast and we're confident that Wild Wild West will draw tourists from throughout Australia and overseas to the region," he said.
Wild Wild West will be the second major attraction constructed at Warner Bros. Movie World in as many years following the launch of Looney Tunes Village in December 1997.
Mr Burrows says the strategy to create new family-based attractions has been a successful one for the theme park.
"Looney Tunes Village continues to deliver new visitors to the park due to the universal allure of the Looney Tunes characters and the broad appeal of the rides and shows in the village," Mr Burrows said.
"We've had nothing but glowing reports about the attraction from our guests, particularly from those with young children.
"At the same time, we also launched the 3D adventure, Marvin the Martian in the 3rd Dimension, which has proved an enormous draw card for guests of all ages as well," he said.
Tuesday, 15 December 1998
Monday, 14 December 1998
Dreamworld and Michael Edgley's All New Moscow Circus
An added Christmas bonus for guests (included in the normal price of admission) will be ‘Dreamworld and Michael Edgley’s All New Moscow Circus’ featured four times daily from 26 December to 24 January 1999. Presented under the “Big Top”, there will be 16 of the world’s most spectacular circus artists performing inspiring acts, fearless feats and traditional family favourites - clowns, jugglers, trapeze and high-wire artists. Headline acts will include “The Phoenix Flyers” on the flying trapeze, “The Great Fattini” displaying his agility and balance atop the sway pole, the Alegria brothers and their “Giant Wheel”, the daredevil motorcyclists in their “All New Globe of Death” and “The Man in the Bottle”, Hugo Zamoratte.
Dreamworld's New Thrill Ride Claims Three World Firsts
The Queensland Premier, Mr Peter Beattie today witnessed the biggest fall in his political career after launching the tallest free fall ride in the world at Dreamworld.
The Giant Drop, Dreamworld's new $12 million high-tech thrill ride created three world firsts on its maiden despatch.
Aside from being the tallest free fall ride in the world, The Giant Drop has created structural design and construction history for rides of this type, sharing the physical tower that supports the fastest, tallest rollercoaster in the world - the Tower of Terror. The dual 8-seater gondolas are being used for the first time on a ride of this height and design.
Peaking at 119 metres high, passengers experience the exhilaration of falling from 39 storeys at the speed of gravity (up to 135 kilometres per hour) aboard one of two 8-seater gondolas. Until now the tallest ride of this type was the Blue Fall in Hakeijima, Japan which is 107 metres high.
Mr Beattie joined Mr Lawrie Stapleton General Manager of Dreamworld’s listed owner, LeisureWide Property Trust, Dreamworld Chief Executive Officer Mr Fred Maybury and invited guests for the official launch and ride preview experiences.
Commenting on the world first coups, Dreamworld CEO Fred Maybury said new state-of-the-art rides and attractions such as The Giant Drop benefit Dreamworld, the Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia as a tourist destination.
"Tourism, the local economy and theme park visitors are the winners - being able to experience the world’s most technologically advanced rides and attractions in Australia".
Mr Maybury said the Tower of Terror which opened in January 1997 and set the world speed record for rollercoasters was engineered with the opportunity to develop a second ride from the Dreamworld Tower.
"This Christmas guests will be able to experience the best of both worlds - being blasted skyward on the Tower of Terror at speeds of up to 160 kph and free falling downward from 0 to up to 135 kph."
The commissioning process on The Giant Drop will continue up until Boxing Day but the ride will be operational at intervals leading up to December 26 - the start of the Christmas holiday promotion period.
The Giant Drop will add to Dreamworld’s Triple Thrill Christmas line-up which includes four shows daily of Michael Edgley’s All New Moscow Circus (26 December until 24 January 1999. Extended hours 9am to 6.30pm) and the arrival of Tiger Island’s first Bengal tiger cubs.
The Giant Drop, Dreamworld's new $12 million high-tech thrill ride created three world firsts on its maiden despatch.
Aside from being the tallest free fall ride in the world, The Giant Drop has created structural design and construction history for rides of this type, sharing the physical tower that supports the fastest, tallest rollercoaster in the world - the Tower of Terror. The dual 8-seater gondolas are being used for the first time on a ride of this height and design.
Peaking at 119 metres high, passengers experience the exhilaration of falling from 39 storeys at the speed of gravity (up to 135 kilometres per hour) aboard one of two 8-seater gondolas. Until now the tallest ride of this type was the Blue Fall in Hakeijima, Japan which is 107 metres high.
Mr Beattie joined Mr Lawrie Stapleton General Manager of Dreamworld’s listed owner, LeisureWide Property Trust, Dreamworld Chief Executive Officer Mr Fred Maybury and invited guests for the official launch and ride preview experiences.
Commenting on the world first coups, Dreamworld CEO Fred Maybury said new state-of-the-art rides and attractions such as The Giant Drop benefit Dreamworld, the Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia as a tourist destination.
"Tourism, the local economy and theme park visitors are the winners - being able to experience the world’s most technologically advanced rides and attractions in Australia".
Mr Maybury said the Tower of Terror which opened in January 1997 and set the world speed record for rollercoasters was engineered with the opportunity to develop a second ride from the Dreamworld Tower.
"This Christmas guests will be able to experience the best of both worlds - being blasted skyward on the Tower of Terror at speeds of up to 160 kph and free falling downward from 0 to up to 135 kph."
The commissioning process on The Giant Drop will continue up until Boxing Day but the ride will be operational at intervals leading up to December 26 - the start of the Christmas holiday promotion period.
The Giant Drop will add to Dreamworld’s Triple Thrill Christmas line-up which includes four shows daily of Michael Edgley’s All New Moscow Circus (26 December until 24 January 1999. Extended hours 9am to 6.30pm) and the arrival of Tiger Island’s first Bengal tiger cubs.
Monday, 2 November 1998
New High-Tech Thrill Ride for Christmas
The Queensland Premier, Mr Peter Beattie today witnessed the biggest fall in his political career after launching the tallest free fall ride in the world at Dreamworld.
The Giant Drop, Dreamworld's new $12 million high-tech thrill ride created three world firsts on its maiden despatch.
Aside from being the tallest free fall ride in the world, The Giant Drop has created structural design and construction history for rides of this type, sharing the physical tower that supports the fastest, tallest rollercoaster in the world - the Tower of Terror. The dual 8-seater gondolas are being used for the first time on a ride of this height and design.
Peaking at 119 metres high, passengers experience the exhilaration of falling from 39 storeys at the speed of gravity (up to 135 kilometres per hour) aboard one of two 8-seater gondolas. Until now the tallest ride of this type was the Blue Fall in Hakeijima, Japan which is 107 metres high.
Mr Beattie joined Mr Lawrie Stapleton General Manager of Dreamworld’s listed owner, LeisureWide Property Trust, Dreamworld Chief Executive Officer Mr Fred Maybury and invited guests for the official launch and ride preview experiences.
Commenting on the world first coups, Dreamworld CEO Fred Maybury said new state-of-the-art rides and attractions such as The Giant Drop benefit Dreamworld, the Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia as a tourist destination.
"Tourism, the local economy and theme park visitors are the winners - being able to experience the world’s most technologically advanced rides and attractions in Australia".
Mr Maybury said the Tower of Terror which opened in January 1997 and set the world speed record for rollercoasters was engineered with the opportunity to develop a second ride from the Dreamworld Tower.
"This Christmas guests will be able to experience the best of both worlds - being blasted skyward on the Tower of Terror at speeds of up to 160 kph and free falling downward from 0 to up to 135 kph."
The commissioning process on The Giant Drop will continue up until Boxing Day but the ride will be operational at intervals leading up to December 26 - the start of the Christmas holiday promotion period.
The Giant Drop will add to Dreamworld’s Triple Thrill Christmas line-up which includes four shows daily of Michael Edgley’s All New Moscow Circus (26 December until 24 January 1999. Extended hours 9am to 6.30pm) and the arrival of Tiger Island’s first Bengal tiger cubs.
The Giant Drop, Dreamworld's new $12 million high-tech thrill ride created three world firsts on its maiden despatch.
Aside from being the tallest free fall ride in the world, The Giant Drop has created structural design and construction history for rides of this type, sharing the physical tower that supports the fastest, tallest rollercoaster in the world - the Tower of Terror. The dual 8-seater gondolas are being used for the first time on a ride of this height and design.
Peaking at 119 metres high, passengers experience the exhilaration of falling from 39 storeys at the speed of gravity (up to 135 kilometres per hour) aboard one of two 8-seater gondolas. Until now the tallest ride of this type was the Blue Fall in Hakeijima, Japan which is 107 metres high.
Mr Beattie joined Mr Lawrie Stapleton General Manager of Dreamworld’s listed owner, LeisureWide Property Trust, Dreamworld Chief Executive Officer Mr Fred Maybury and invited guests for the official launch and ride preview experiences.
Commenting on the world first coups, Dreamworld CEO Fred Maybury said new state-of-the-art rides and attractions such as The Giant Drop benefit Dreamworld, the Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia as a tourist destination.
"Tourism, the local economy and theme park visitors are the winners - being able to experience the world’s most technologically advanced rides and attractions in Australia".
Mr Maybury said the Tower of Terror which opened in January 1997 and set the world speed record for rollercoasters was engineered with the opportunity to develop a second ride from the Dreamworld Tower.
"This Christmas guests will be able to experience the best of both worlds - being blasted skyward on the Tower of Terror at speeds of up to 160 kph and free falling downward from 0 to up to 135 kph."
The commissioning process on The Giant Drop will continue up until Boxing Day but the ride will be operational at intervals leading up to December 26 - the start of the Christmas holiday promotion period.
The Giant Drop will add to Dreamworld’s Triple Thrill Christmas line-up which includes four shows daily of Michael Edgley’s All New Moscow Circus (26 December until 24 January 1999. Extended hours 9am to 6.30pm) and the arrival of Tiger Island’s first Bengal tiger cubs.
Wednesday, 15 July 1998
1997/98 Dreamworld Attendance Figures Most Successful on Record
Attendance numbers for year ended June 30, 1998 for Australia’s favourite family theme park, Dreamworld were 1,119,918, the highest in the Park’s history and 2.2% above those achieved in 1996/97.
Commenting on the result, Chief Executive Officer, Fred Maybury said "In the current tourism market growth in attendance is an achievement. The 2.2% growth is reflective of strategic planning implemented more than 18 months ago when tourism trends initially indicated change."
"To surpass the previous years record attendance reinforces the strength of our core market, which is domestic and the appeal of the Gold Coast as a destination. In a tourism market acknowledged as soft, prior to and following the Asian market currency crash, the re-focusing of our marketing strategies in line with these trends has contributed to the result achieved, " he said.
"In this economic climate and relative to other operators, the attendance achieved is a solid result."
Commenting on the result, Chief Executive Officer, Fred Maybury said "In the current tourism market growth in attendance is an achievement. The 2.2% growth is reflective of strategic planning implemented more than 18 months ago when tourism trends initially indicated change."
"To surpass the previous years record attendance reinforces the strength of our core market, which is domestic and the appeal of the Gold Coast as a destination. In a tourism market acknowledged as soft, prior to and following the Asian market currency crash, the re-focusing of our marketing strategies in line with these trends has contributed to the result achieved, " he said.
"In this economic climate and relative to other operators, the attendance achieved is a solid result."
Wednesday, 17 June 1998
Experience a Volcanic Island Adventure at Dreamworld
Island Adventure, Dreamworld’s new IMAX film will make an Australian premiere this week at Dreamworld’s Coca-Cola IMAX Theatre.
The film, shown on a screen six-storeys high, takes audiences on a journey to the mysterious volcanic island of La Reunion in the Indian Ocean. An island shaped by intensive erosion. Hurricanes and strong tropical storms have left a rugged coastline, razor blade formations and gigantic holes.
Visitors will experience a breathtaking adventure across impenetrable jungles, climb huge rock formations, witness spectacular volcanic eruptions up close and embark on the first exploration of Hell Hole’s waterfall - where wild streams and waterfalls find their way through a huge formation 3,500 feet high.
In this humid and warm world reigns a primitive forest. There, giant mosses and wild orchids grow abundantly, mixed with fern trees and tamarinds tormented by the years.
The 40 minute film follows the story line of Kelly, a university professor who has a great passion for high mountains. Some time later, newspapers announced Jade’s disappearance. With the aid of two mountain climber friends he decides to look for her. From that moment on, Kelly and his friends embark on a breathtaking adventure which takes them to places they had never dreamed of.
The search is long and hard but they explore a fantastic world, lose themselves in strange primitive rainforests, dive into unexplored and endless canyons, discover an active volcano - where there is an eruption starting.
Island Adventure was directed by Alain Gerente, a professor at the University of La Reunion who dedicated the film to friends, Katia and Maurice Krafft, who disappeared in June 1991 while filming the eruption of Mount Unzen is Japan.
Dreamworld’s Coca-Cola IMAX Theatre is one of only two of its kind in Australia and when built in 1981 was the first in the southern hemisphere. The theatre provides a larger than life cinema experience for Dreamworld’s guests, has a projection distance of 32 metres and a capacity for 400 people seated at a 25 degree angle to the screen.
IMAX uses the largest film frame in motion picture history (ten times the size of conventional 35mm and three times the size of standard 70mm), together with state-of-the-art sound system and the most advanced projector ever built.
Island Adventure will screen daily at Dreamworld for six months and will alternate with "Antarctica" an IMAX film which takes audiences on a fascinating journey to the coldest, highest, driest, windiest, emptiest most continent on earth. Entry to both films is included in Dreamworld’s admission price.
"Island Adventure" production team:
Director: Alain Gerente
Producer: Jean-Pierre Chardon
Composer: Farid Russlan
The film, shown on a screen six-storeys high, takes audiences on a journey to the mysterious volcanic island of La Reunion in the Indian Ocean. An island shaped by intensive erosion. Hurricanes and strong tropical storms have left a rugged coastline, razor blade formations and gigantic holes.
Visitors will experience a breathtaking adventure across impenetrable jungles, climb huge rock formations, witness spectacular volcanic eruptions up close and embark on the first exploration of Hell Hole’s waterfall - where wild streams and waterfalls find their way through a huge formation 3,500 feet high.
In this humid and warm world reigns a primitive forest. There, giant mosses and wild orchids grow abundantly, mixed with fern trees and tamarinds tormented by the years.
The 40 minute film follows the story line of Kelly, a university professor who has a great passion for high mountains. Some time later, newspapers announced Jade’s disappearance. With the aid of two mountain climber friends he decides to look for her. From that moment on, Kelly and his friends embark on a breathtaking adventure which takes them to places they had never dreamed of.
The search is long and hard but they explore a fantastic world, lose themselves in strange primitive rainforests, dive into unexplored and endless canyons, discover an active volcano - where there is an eruption starting.
Island Adventure was directed by Alain Gerente, a professor at the University of La Reunion who dedicated the film to friends, Katia and Maurice Krafft, who disappeared in June 1991 while filming the eruption of Mount Unzen is Japan.
Dreamworld’s Coca-Cola IMAX Theatre is one of only two of its kind in Australia and when built in 1981 was the first in the southern hemisphere. The theatre provides a larger than life cinema experience for Dreamworld’s guests, has a projection distance of 32 metres and a capacity for 400 people seated at a 25 degree angle to the screen.
IMAX uses the largest film frame in motion picture history (ten times the size of conventional 35mm and three times the size of standard 70mm), together with state-of-the-art sound system and the most advanced projector ever built.
Island Adventure will screen daily at Dreamworld for six months and will alternate with "Antarctica" an IMAX film which takes audiences on a fascinating journey to the coldest, highest, driest, windiest, emptiest most continent on earth. Entry to both films is included in Dreamworld’s admission price.
"Island Adventure" production team:
Director: Alain Gerente
Producer: Jean-Pierre Chardon
Composer: Farid Russlan
Thursday, 4 June 1998
Visit again for just $5.00!
From June 15 to July 31, 1998, the $5.00 Return Visit Pass will be available, offering even more fun for your money when you visit Dreamworld. The $5.00 RVP will offer visitors, on top of the regular rides, shows and attractions, side splitting magical comedy featuring the 22 guest artists in Park for Comedy Capers. The $5.00 Return Visit Pass has to be purchased before a guests departs Dreamworld. They will be valid for up to seven from the date of purchase, until Friday July 31st, 1998, the closing date of the offer.
Hocus Pocus - It's Comedy Capers at Dreamworld
For 16 days, experience the fun and magical side of life at Dreamworld as Comedy Capers returns for the school holidays from 20 June to 5 July 1998, with an added dash of magic and illusion.
With more fun than you can have in one day, from 9.30am to 5.00pm daily, Dreamworld's streets will come alive with 22 guest artists, comedians and magicians. Magical moments, comedy and laughter will be what guests experience as street corners resound with chuckles and roving performers spread merriment and mirth.
Featured daily in Park will be madcap Keystone Cops - SPLAT, choral conquerors of comical chorus ‘The Singing Chefs,’ a trio of fruit flavored goddesses ‘The Flying Esmeraldas’ performing fruitloop forms of musical comedy and wickedly fun antics from Lorna Bowls, her alter ego Carmen Miranda and a jocular Court Jester.
Your hand won’t be a hand when Peter May’s sleight of hand magical talents are presented daily. Paddy the Leprechaun will remedy any blues casting a spell of laughter, warding off Count Dracula and his bungling jokes. The Kundelini Bros and their amigos Charlie Chaplin, WC Fields, Basil and Manuel from Faulty Towers and the Wanderers Trio will rove up close, singing and amusing guests on the streets, on rides and in restaurants.
Daringly different escapologist and magician Harry Lavander will stop crowds in the street and have them gasping and cheering as he executes his escapes and creates mystical moments of magic.
Dreamworld’s own madcap characters Goldi the Clown and the Wizz will add to the laugh-all-you-can fun of Comedy Capers. At the Qantas Magic Theatre, guests can join the on-stage antics and sing-along with the Kenny Koala Show or experience the Magic of Tony and Juleen, including the only Queensland performances of ‘Interlude’ and ‘Compressor,’ both breathtaking illusions!
With more fun than you can have in one day, from 9.30am to 5.00pm daily, Dreamworld's streets will come alive with 22 guest artists, comedians and magicians. Magical moments, comedy and laughter will be what guests experience as street corners resound with chuckles and roving performers spread merriment and mirth.
Featured daily in Park will be madcap Keystone Cops - SPLAT, choral conquerors of comical chorus ‘The Singing Chefs,’ a trio of fruit flavored goddesses ‘The Flying Esmeraldas’ performing fruitloop forms of musical comedy and wickedly fun antics from Lorna Bowls, her alter ego Carmen Miranda and a jocular Court Jester.
Your hand won’t be a hand when Peter May’s sleight of hand magical talents are presented daily. Paddy the Leprechaun will remedy any blues casting a spell of laughter, warding off Count Dracula and his bungling jokes. The Kundelini Bros and their amigos Charlie Chaplin, WC Fields, Basil and Manuel from Faulty Towers and the Wanderers Trio will rove up close, singing and amusing guests on the streets, on rides and in restaurants.
Daringly different escapologist and magician Harry Lavander will stop crowds in the street and have them gasping and cheering as he executes his escapes and creates mystical moments of magic.
Dreamworld’s own madcap characters Goldi the Clown and the Wizz will add to the laugh-all-you-can fun of Comedy Capers. At the Qantas Magic Theatre, guests can join the on-stage antics and sing-along with the Kenny Koala Show or experience the Magic of Tony and Juleen, including the only Queensland performances of ‘Interlude’ and ‘Compressor,’ both breathtaking illusions!
Saturday, 28 March 1998
Dreamworld Introduces the 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass to Australia
Dreamworld, just too much fun for just one day, has announced the introduction from April 1st, 1998 of the 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass.
The 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass, will be available to wholesalers in Australia and New Zealand, for sale to customers. The pass, offering two days entry and valid for fourteen [14] days, or until March 31st, 1999, is wholesaler driven.
The 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass will not be sold direct to consumers by Dreamworld as it is designed to cater for customers who wish to pre-purchase tickets to Dreamworld from their travel agent, prior to departing for their holiday on the Gold Coast, or as part of a dedicated holiday package.
Priced from* $44.00 Adults and $24.00 Child/Pensioner, the pass has been introduced into the market in response to visitor research. * Minimum retail rate applied to date.
Guest survey’s, undertaken as part of the Park’s regular customer service and quality control monitoring, showed a trend in guest preference of dedicating two days towards visiting the Park for repeat ride experiences. This follows the introduction of the Tower of Terror and the Creature Cruise in January 1997, as well high profile value-added holiday promotional programmes.
Commenting on the introduction of the pass, the first wholesale ticket to be introduced to the market in Dreamworld’s sixteen year history, Chief Executive Officer Fred Maybury said ‘Dreamworld have long acknowledged that the park’s core market is the domestic traveller. The introduction of the 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass demonstrates Dreamworld’s support of the wholesale and industry network in Australia and New Zealand.’
‘With the softening of domestic tourism in general, it is hoped the 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass will stimulate all sectors of the market and contribute to bolstering interest in visiting the Gold Coast and Queensland as a destination,’ he said.
The introduction of the 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass in April will be marketed progressively by Dreamworld’s Domestic Sales Team through; industry functions, educational, visiting trade programmes and the provision of a range point of sale materials. In New Zealand, the 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass will be introduced to the market through Auckland based Hogan and Associates, Dreamworld’s general sales agents.
The 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass, will be available to wholesalers in Australia and New Zealand, for sale to customers. The pass, offering two days entry and valid for fourteen [14] days, or until March 31st, 1999, is wholesaler driven.
The 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass will not be sold direct to consumers by Dreamworld as it is designed to cater for customers who wish to pre-purchase tickets to Dreamworld from their travel agent, prior to departing for their holiday on the Gold Coast, or as part of a dedicated holiday package.
Priced from* $44.00 Adults and $24.00 Child/Pensioner, the pass has been introduced into the market in response to visitor research. * Minimum retail rate applied to date.
Guest survey’s, undertaken as part of the Park’s regular customer service and quality control monitoring, showed a trend in guest preference of dedicating two days towards visiting the Park for repeat ride experiences. This follows the introduction of the Tower of Terror and the Creature Cruise in January 1997, as well high profile value-added holiday promotional programmes.
Commenting on the introduction of the pass, the first wholesale ticket to be introduced to the market in Dreamworld’s sixteen year history, Chief Executive Officer Fred Maybury said ‘Dreamworld have long acknowledged that the park’s core market is the domestic traveller. The introduction of the 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass demonstrates Dreamworld’s support of the wholesale and industry network in Australia and New Zealand.’
‘With the softening of domestic tourism in general, it is hoped the 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass will stimulate all sectors of the market and contribute to bolstering interest in visiting the Gold Coast and Queensland as a destination,’ he said.
The introduction of the 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass in April will be marketed progressively by Dreamworld’s Domestic Sales Team through; industry functions, educational, visiting trade programmes and the provision of a range point of sale materials. In New Zealand, the 2 Day Ultimate Park Pass will be introduced to the market through Auckland based Hogan and Associates, Dreamworld’s general sales agents.
Thursday, 12 February 1998
Proposed Sale of Dreamworld theme park
Dreamworld's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Fred Maybury, today announced the proposed sale of the Gold Coast theme park and Hobarts Antarctic, science and info-tainment centre, Antarctic Adventure, to the Macquarie Bank's Property Investment Banking Division.
The sale agreement, which is subject to the successful listing of a leisure trust by the Macquarie Bank, was today signed by Dreamworld and the Macquarie Bank.
Dreamworld was purchased by Mr. P.L Kua's Singaporean based company, Euro Asia Realty, in 1996 for $84 million.
Over the past two years Mr Kua has invested substantially in Australian tourism. In addition to the purchase of Dreamworld, and a subsequent substantial upgrade of the theme park and the opening of Antarctic Adventure in Hobart, sister company Euro Asia Leisure Management purchased hotel assets. The Rex Hotel (Sydney), the Heritage Hotel (Melbourne) and the Legends Hotel (Gold Coast).
Mr Kua has also received approval from the Gold Coast City Council for a 400 room resort style hotel adjacent to Dreamworld.
The sale agreement, which is subject to the successful listing of a leisure trust by the Macquarie Bank, was today signed by Dreamworld and the Macquarie Bank.
Dreamworld was purchased by Mr. P.L Kua's Singaporean based company, Euro Asia Realty, in 1996 for $84 million.
Over the past two years Mr Kua has invested substantially in Australian tourism. In addition to the purchase of Dreamworld, and a subsequent substantial upgrade of the theme park and the opening of Antarctic Adventure in Hobart, sister company Euro Asia Leisure Management purchased hotel assets. The Rex Hotel (Sydney), the Heritage Hotel (Melbourne) and the Legends Hotel (Gold Coast).
Mr Kua has also received approval from the Gold Coast City Council for a 400 room resort style hotel adjacent to Dreamworld.
27.11% increase in attendances for Dreamworld over Easter holiday period
Following total visitor increases of 7.85% for the 1997 year, Dreamworld has lifted growth figures with a 27.11% increase in attendances, over the ten day Easter Holiday promotional period. This is in comparison to the same ten day period in 1997.
Acknowledging the softening of the Asian sector, Dreamworld re-focused marketing strategies toward the Park’s core market, the domestic sector, throughout 1997. With the Asian sector slowing over the ten day period, Dreamworld’s lift in attendances is attributed to the Intra, Inter-state and non Asian markets.
The New Zealand market remained strong, a result of co-operative television campaigns undertaken in New Zealand with the QTTC last year, while all other international markets also experienced growth results.
Commenting on the positive indicators that have emanated from the lift in attendances experienced over the Easter holiday period, Chief Executive Officer Fred Maybury said "While the tourism market in general indicated a softening twelve months ago, Dreamworld identified that the core market to be nurtured and protected, was the domestic sector. Having identified that, Dreamworld responded to those market indicators, protecting our core market. It is pleasing to now see this translate into growth."
"The domestic sector is critical not only to Dreamworld and Gold Coast Tourism, but to Queensland, and while the increase Dreamworld has experienced over this period is positive, it does not mean the tourism crisis has passed," said Mr. Maybury.
"It merely reinforces the need to protect the existing domestic market and the need to respond to any emerging trends, domestic or international. This I believe will be achieved through individual as well as co-operative marketing efforts, such as those currently being activated with the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau, Brisbane Tourism and the Queensland Travel and Tourism Corporation.".
Acknowledging the softening of the Asian sector, Dreamworld re-focused marketing strategies toward the Park’s core market, the domestic sector, throughout 1997. With the Asian sector slowing over the ten day period, Dreamworld’s lift in attendances is attributed to the Intra, Inter-state and non Asian markets.
The New Zealand market remained strong, a result of co-operative television campaigns undertaken in New Zealand with the QTTC last year, while all other international markets also experienced growth results.
Commenting on the positive indicators that have emanated from the lift in attendances experienced over the Easter holiday period, Chief Executive Officer Fred Maybury said "While the tourism market in general indicated a softening twelve months ago, Dreamworld identified that the core market to be nurtured and protected, was the domestic sector. Having identified that, Dreamworld responded to those market indicators, protecting our core market. It is pleasing to now see this translate into growth."
"The domestic sector is critical not only to Dreamworld and Gold Coast Tourism, but to Queensland, and while the increase Dreamworld has experienced over this period is positive, it does not mean the tourism crisis has passed," said Mr. Maybury.
"It merely reinforces the need to protect the existing domestic market and the need to respond to any emerging trends, domestic or international. This I believe will be achieved through individual as well as co-operative marketing efforts, such as those currently being activated with the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau, Brisbane Tourism and the Queensland Travel and Tourism Corporation.".
Thursday, 1 January 1998
"Antarctica" IMAX at Dreamworld
The magnificent Australian produced Imax film Antarctica returns to Dreamworld, after being premiered at the park by the then Prime Minister, Bob Hawke six years earlier.
Dreamworld's Chief Executive Fred Maybury said "Antarctica" had been the most breathtaking and well received film shown in the park's 400 seater Coca Cola Imax Theatre.
The screening of "Antarctica" co-incides with the opening of Dreamworld's first tourism venture in Tasmania "Antarctic Adventure". Located in Salamanca Place, in Hobart, "Antarctic Adventure" features over 50 exhibits in an entertaining, educational and interactive attraction.
"The content of the film reflects that of "Antarctic Adventure" covering the biological aspects of the continent, human presence and planetary forces," Mr Maybury said.
"Antarctica was produced by an Australian team, Heliograph Productions, headed by leading Sydney-based film producer, John Weiley. Funding was provided by the Australian Film Finance Corporation and the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago.
Major logistical support was provided by the Australian Antarctica Division and the US National Science Foundation, with additional assistance from the Italian, Russian and Chinese Antarctic expeditions.
The Imax/Omnimax concept is considered the ultimate in cinematic technology. It is based on a 70 mm film size which produces the image ten times larger than the standard 35 mm image area. As a result, the Imax image yields the largest, clearest and most life-like of all modern picture images.
The production of "Antarctica" was two years in the making and was instigated by John Weiley's life-long fascination with the continent. Filming was conducted by a six member crew in two eight week seasons commencing in early 1990.
"During the first season - as guests of the Australian Antarctic Division - we travelled thousands of miles along Antarctica's eastern coastline by ship, filming the work of scientists at Australian, Chinese and Russian bases," Mr Weiley said.
"Hosted by the US National Science Foundation, the second season took the crew to McMurdo - Antarctica's largest science research centre, the iceless Dry Valleys, the Amundsen-Scott South Pole station, and one of the world's largest Emperor Penguin rookeries near Terra Nova Bay."
"We wanted to give the world a close insight into Antarctica, as most people will never get the opportunity to visit this great and very important continent," said Mr Weiley.
"We focused on the work of scientists and research stations, the diverse landscapes and seascapes, and the range of fauna to inhabit the region.
"We also traced the challenges that confronted the early explorers and have included actual black and white footage of Sir Ernest Shakleton's 1914 expedition, as well as a powerful re-enactment of Robert Falcon Scott's trek to the South Pole," he said.
To illustrate the many fascinations of Antarctica, Mr Weiley was supported by advanced film and cinematic technology, some of which was specifically developed for the unique conditions.
"To fully capture the scope and grandeur of the landscape, for example, we used a special wide angle lens which had never before been used in an IMAX/Omnimax film," he said.
Developed by leading aurora researcher, Dr Robert Eather - an Australian living in the USA - the design of the lens combined a Zeiss 250mm telephoto and a Nikon 6mm fisheye connected by special optics. The resulting hybrid lens captured a 220 degree field of view - 40 degrees wider than lenses previously available.
"Antarctica" opened to the public from December 20 and will run in conjunction with "Destiny in Space". Entry to the film is covered by standard admission prices into Dreamworld.
"Antarctica" Production team
John Weiley -Director, producer and co-writer
Malcolm Ludgate - Underwater Cinematographer and Co-director of Photography
Nick Holmes -Editor
David Flatman - Co-producer
Tom Cowan -Director of Photography
Michael Parfit - Co-writer
Nigel Westlake - Composer
Dreamworld's Chief Executive Fred Maybury said "Antarctica" had been the most breathtaking and well received film shown in the park's 400 seater Coca Cola Imax Theatre.
The screening of "Antarctica" co-incides with the opening of Dreamworld's first tourism venture in Tasmania "Antarctic Adventure". Located in Salamanca Place, in Hobart, "Antarctic Adventure" features over 50 exhibits in an entertaining, educational and interactive attraction.
"The content of the film reflects that of "Antarctic Adventure" covering the biological aspects of the continent, human presence and planetary forces," Mr Maybury said.
"Antarctica was produced by an Australian team, Heliograph Productions, headed by leading Sydney-based film producer, John Weiley. Funding was provided by the Australian Film Finance Corporation and the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago.
Major logistical support was provided by the Australian Antarctica Division and the US National Science Foundation, with additional assistance from the Italian, Russian and Chinese Antarctic expeditions.
The Imax/Omnimax concept is considered the ultimate in cinematic technology. It is based on a 70 mm film size which produces the image ten times larger than the standard 35 mm image area. As a result, the Imax image yields the largest, clearest and most life-like of all modern picture images.
The production of "Antarctica" was two years in the making and was instigated by John Weiley's life-long fascination with the continent. Filming was conducted by a six member crew in two eight week seasons commencing in early 1990.
"During the first season - as guests of the Australian Antarctic Division - we travelled thousands of miles along Antarctica's eastern coastline by ship, filming the work of scientists at Australian, Chinese and Russian bases," Mr Weiley said.
"Hosted by the US National Science Foundation, the second season took the crew to McMurdo - Antarctica's largest science research centre, the iceless Dry Valleys, the Amundsen-Scott South Pole station, and one of the world's largest Emperor Penguin rookeries near Terra Nova Bay."
"We wanted to give the world a close insight into Antarctica, as most people will never get the opportunity to visit this great and very important continent," said Mr Weiley.
"We focused on the work of scientists and research stations, the diverse landscapes and seascapes, and the range of fauna to inhabit the region.
"We also traced the challenges that confronted the early explorers and have included actual black and white footage of Sir Ernest Shakleton's 1914 expedition, as well as a powerful re-enactment of Robert Falcon Scott's trek to the South Pole," he said.
To illustrate the many fascinations of Antarctica, Mr Weiley was supported by advanced film and cinematic technology, some of which was specifically developed for the unique conditions.
"To fully capture the scope and grandeur of the landscape, for example, we used a special wide angle lens which had never before been used in an IMAX/Omnimax film," he said.
Developed by leading aurora researcher, Dr Robert Eather - an Australian living in the USA - the design of the lens combined a Zeiss 250mm telephoto and a Nikon 6mm fisheye connected by special optics. The resulting hybrid lens captured a 220 degree field of view - 40 degrees wider than lenses previously available.
"Antarctica" opened to the public from December 20 and will run in conjunction with "Destiny in Space". Entry to the film is covered by standard admission prices into Dreamworld.
"Antarctica" Production team
John Weiley -Director, producer and co-writer
Malcolm Ludgate - Underwater Cinematographer and Co-director of Photography
Nick Holmes -Editor
David Flatman - Co-producer
Tom Cowan -Director of Photography
Michael Parfit - Co-writer
Nigel Westlake - Composer
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