Dreamworld's Newest Ride is on a Mission to Shock

You search for something to grip, somewhere to plant your feet, but there’s nothing, just a single harness pinning you into the seat as you bravely face your ocean bound mission, to feel the surge and ride the wave of Dreamworld’s newest adventure ride, Shockwave.

Dreamworld’s latest addition to more than 30 rides, attractions and shows, Shockwave is a daunting sight along the park’s Ocean Parade. 150 tonnes of steel make up the looming rises and dips of Shockwaves vivid sea green track and are enough to send the weak stomached running for the merry-go-round, and challenge the bravest of action seekers.

Take a journey through an undersea world to reach a hydro-energy plant, the docking station for the huge 24 person deep sea discovery vessel. Grab some seats with your family or friends, lock yourself in and get ready to explore the great deep.

Don’t be fooled as the discovery vessel cranks to life, it only takes a few moments before the initial gentle sways to take a turn for the worse and become 360 degree spins of fury.

At full speed you’ll be propelled at over 50kph down a 63m long wave-like track that plunges and climbs, so one second you feel completely weightless and the next the full load of gravity takes hold, all while circling at 12 revolutions per minute at up to 2.5Gs.

Open to guests this winter holiday period, Shockwave is an electrifying and fun open air adventure that promises to leave you spinning.

Shockwave Ride Facts:
Ride Capacity: 24 riders per cycle
Ride Time: 90 seconds
Composition: 150 tonnes of steel, 400 tonnes of concrete, 9 tonnes of carriage
Cycle Time: 4 minutes
Track Length: 63 metres
Max Speed: 54kph
Acceleration: 0.2G – 2.5G
Disk Rotation: 12 RPM
Restraints: Single Back, Dual Locked Safety Restraint
Manufacturer: Zamperla based in Vicenza, Italy
Commissioned: 2011 (June)
Rider Guidelines: Must be over 120cm

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Incredible High-Tech Enhancements Underway for One of the World’s Most Popular Attractions: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

Universal Orlando Resort today announced that The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, one of the greatest attractions in theme park history, will be completely reanimated in 4K digital high definition – once again redefining the theme park experience.

Already one of the most popular and innovative theme park attractions ever created, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal’s Islands of Adventure continues to raise the bar for theme park entertainment – combining advanced motion-based ride vehicles, 3-D digital film and live special effects to create an unparalleled ride experience. It is widely acknowledged as one of the best theme park experiences in the world – and it’s about to get mind-blowingly better.

The newly reanimated, high-definition experience will unfold within the attraction’s towering visual spaces – taking on even larger than larger-than-life proportions. The new digital animation – combined with the new Infitec system and new set enhancements – will transform what is already one of the most technologically advanced attractions ever created into what will feel like an all-new experience.

Facts about the enhanced ride experience:

• All-new digital animation done in 4K high definition – the highest HD resolution available
• The new HD animation will allow guests to experience details they’ve never been able to before – from the flames spewing from Hobgoblin’s pumpkins to the electricity arching through Electro’s body to the stitching on Spider-Man’s gloves.
• To take advantage of new HD clarity and detail, Universal Orlando is adding entirely new details to the film – and leaving it up to guests to find them.

“Guests will not believe their eyes when they experience the new Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man,” said Thierry Coup, senior vice president of the Universal Creative Studio. “We are talking about a larger-than-life environment and the HD animation will make it even more remarkable than it has been. It will seem brand-new.”

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Blockbuster 3-D-CGI Feature “Despicable Me” to Become Attraction Experience at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort today announced that its newest attraction will be based on Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s blockbuster 3-D-CGI feature “Despicable Me,” bringing minions, mayhem and a whole new level of 3-D family fun to its guests. The “Despicable Me” experience will replace the Jimmy Neutron attraction at Universal Studios Florida.

With a worldwide gross of more than $540 million, 2010’s “Despicable Me,” from directors Chris Renaud & Pierre Coffin, is the sixth most successful film that Universal Pictures has ever distributed. It is now the 10th-biggest animated film in U.S. history. The 3-D animated adventure thrilled audiences across the globe with its outrageous humor, endearing characters and compelling storyline – all of which guests will be able to experience exclusively at Universal Orlando in 2012.

“Despicable Me” will become the first-ever Universal animated film to be transformed into a theme park experience. The Universal Creative team is working closely with producer Chris Meledandri, the founder of Illumination Entertainment, to create all-new animation for an all-new “Despicable Me” adventure that places guests right in the center of the action.

Gru, one of the world’s greatest super-villains, is bringing his high-tech empire – and his three adopted daughters – to Universal Studios, and he is looking for all the help he can get. First, he will transform guests into an army of mischievous, scene-stealing minions. Then he will train them. And that kicks off an unforgettable ride experience that creates a hysterical mix of chaos and family fun.

Guests will:

• laugh as they embark on an entirely-new, high-tech 3-D digital adventure with their favorite characters from the film – Gru, daughters Margo, Edith and Agnes, and of course, Gru’s not-so-bright pit crew, the minions
• marvel as they explore Gru’s lair and descend into his secret lab
• shriek as the entire family is transformed into minions
• celebrate as they are swept into a first-ever, minion-inspired, interactive dance party where they can show off their best moves

“The ‘Despicable Me’ attraction is the latest example of how we tap into pop culture’s most compelling stories and turn them into extraordinary theme park entertainment,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “This is a perfect fit for Universal Orlando, and we can’t wait to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to life.”

“As we write, design and animate our films at Illumination, it is our singular goal to bring to life endearing and, hopefully, enduring characters,” said Chris Meledandri. “With the creation of next year’s ‘Despicable Me’ attraction at Universal Orlando, audiences will be able to immerse themselves in Gru’s world for many years to come.”

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Aussie World purchases yet another attraction!

The dust has hardly settled on new thrill ride Giant Redback that was launched last month, and now there's another two rides being built at Aussie World.

This week the fun park alongside the iconic Ettamogah Pub on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland purchased the Giant Slide where it was a much loved attraction at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The aptly named Giant Slide is 150 feet long, 50 feet high and 30 feet wide.

The third ride is yet to be formally announced but will open in time for the September school holidays and will be the first of its kind on the Sunshine Coast.

These rides take Aussie World's investment into the ever popular facility past the $2 million dollar mark reinforcing Aussie World as a major player in the Sunshine Coast tourism industry.

General Manager David Thompson said the purchase of these new attractions will entice more visitors to come to the Sunshine Coast and to stay for longer.

"Due to our management principles and unique diversity of the complex, such as being the largest off site function venue on the Coast, we are successfully forging ahead and are able to make this significant investment," he said.

"We will also remain an affordable and fun day out by not increasing our gate entrance prices."

The three new rides will enhance the current six function areas and 30 rides and attractions on site, which include the Town Hall, The Shed, Giant Redback, Wild Mouse Rollercoaster, Ferris Wheel, Rock n Roll Rebel Dark Ride, Dodgem Cars and Side Show Alley.

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