Dreamworld Days Get Longer With Illuminate Light and Laser Spectacular

Leap into the underwater world of SpongeBob SquarePants this Easter as Dreamworld partners with Laservision to create Illuminate, a multi-media light spectacular that takes guests on an adventure into the life of the planet’s most popular sponge.

Brought to Dreamworld by Laservision, creators of the world’s largest light and sound show - Hong Kong’s Symphony of Lights – Illuminate will be a permanent fixture at Dreamworld with its debut Easter show transforming Main Street into a 3D cartoon adventure.

The show opens when Patchy the Pirate, a bumbling yet loveable Nickelodeon Central character, teams up with SpongeBob SquarePants and spurs the crowd into a celebration of song and dance. Guests are then entertained by high-powered lasers, four-metre high water screens, digital image projection and other special effects as they follow SpongeBob on an adventure that ends in a giant jellyfish rave.

The entertainment climaxes with a second laser show combining powerful soundtracks with fast-paced laser beauty.

Said Dreamworld’s CEO, Noel Dempsey, “This is laser like you’ve never seen before. It takes viewers on a journey into a magical environment of artistry using light and emotional sound effects and it lifts the SpongeBob story from a two dimensional TV cartoon into a 3D world.”
“It also showcases to adults just how beautiful light combined with technology can be.”
Commenting on the technology, Laservision’s CEO and founder, Mr Paul McCloskey said very few people in Australia have seen a multi-media presentation so different from traditional shows.

“With two dimensional shows, you tend to sit in a single place and focus on a single screen. Dreamworld’s Illuminate has multiple focal points, including two aqua screens that provide canvasses to recreate the essence of characters on a large scale.

“Further, there are three high-power laser systems that produce combinations of shapes, images, or the spirit of an image and which allow characters to move around the arena. This is reinforced by deep surround sound, theatrical fog machines, flame throwers and water cannons.”

Illuminate runs from April 2 – 16 at 5pm and is complimentary for all paying day guests. Tickets can be purchased separately at the gate as a standalone evening activity at $15 for adults, $10 for children and $35 for families of four. Each additional child is $5.

Entertainment also includes access to select rides like SpongeBob FlyPants, Bumper Beach Dodgems and AVPX.

Dreamworld’s Illuminate will open exclusively for the Easter holidays. However, the investment in the technology is repeatable, reprogrammable and reliable and the core assets are designed to be re-choreographed to produce alternate shows.

According to Dreamworld’s Mr Dempsey, the theme park is also reviewing options for adapting the technology into corporate events, functions and promotions.

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Stormtroopers invade Dreamworld for a good cause

More than 30 characters from ‘The Galactic Empire’, made famous through the Star Wars film trilogies, will take a break from ‘controlling the galaxy’ to strike Dreamworld on February 27 in a calculated war to raise funds for the families of seriously ill children around Australia.

The member’s of the 501st Legion’s Redback Garrison, known as Vader’s elite troops, will be hanging up their lightsabers and holstering their blasters as they go on a mission to ‘do good’ with the hope to raising $5000 for the Starlight Foundation.

Stormtroopers, Sandtroopers, Biker Scouts, Tusken Raiders, Clonetroopers and even the Sith Lord himself, Darth Vader, will be taking on the high profile operation, posing for photos with in-park guests and fans with one dollar from every purchased photograph going directly to charity.

The mission will also include face painting and the chance for guests to make donations as the troop rattle the Starlight tins around the park.

Spokesperson for the 501st legion, Adam Lochowicz said, “These characters are so realistic, it’s like stepping into one of George Lucas’ movies.”

“Our legion brings the fictional to life and we find that hundreds of fans enjoy coming out to see the troopers altogether. It’s a great way to create interest and use our hobby to give back to the community,” he continued.

Fans can take to the skies with the characters as they flip, spin and soar on some of Dreamworld’s fiercest thrill rides. Children under 12 years are encouraged to dress in their best Star Wars costume for their chance to march with the troopers in the legion’s parade through Dreamworld’s Main Street at 11.30am.

Despite being notorious for their evil ways, the 501st Legion, the only Star Wars costuming group endorsed by George Lucas, have ‘harnessed the force’ on many occasions, assembling for the Starlight Foundation to raise valuable funds and perhaps clear their conscience from all the intergalactic battles fought previously.

“Starlight is the perfect charity for us to support. We aim to bring people’s imaginations to life and Starlight work to bring the dreams of seriously ill kid’s to life. Plus the 501st legion members are all big kids,” said Mr Lochowicz.

Hollywood Stunt Driver

The glamorous world of Hollywood action film making is brought to life right before guests’ very eyes with the multimillion dollar Hollywood Stunt Driver Show.

Hollywood Stunt Driver opened on Boxing Day 2008 and immerses guests in a real-live action ‘working’ movie set.

Incorporating breathtaking stunts, precision driving, incredible scenes of exhilarating action and the performance of a cast and crew with immeasurable talent, Hollywood Stunt Driver is a show filled with action packed extravaganza!

The action packed Hollywood Stunt Driver attraction, is located on the site formerly known as the Police Academy Stunt Show, which closed in 2008, after 18,000 incredible action-packed, fun filled, breathtaking performances over 16 years, to make way for this exciting new chapter.

The brand-new purpose built and designed arena is the backdrop for what can only be described as brilliant blockbusting movie action from start to finish.

For a full twenty minutes guests are taken on an incredible journey that’ll have them enthralled and entertained.

Hollywood Stunt Driver is proudly presented by Castrol EDGE.

Meet Tiger Island’s newest superstars, Sumatran tiger cubs SHANTI, JAYA and NDARI

After three weeks of being identified by the distinctive markings on their tails, our newborn Sumatran tiger cubs finally have names. Chosen from entries to competitions run with the TODAY show and The Sunday Mail, along with an internal competition for Dreamworld staff, the cubs have been named ‘Shanti’, ‘Jaya’ and ‘Ndari’.

Congratulations go to Poehere Boosie from Dreamworld’s Food & Beverage department whose striking suggestion of ‘Jaya’ was picked for one of our little girls last week. Indonesian for ‘victory’ Jaya was chosen by Poehere for its significance to the survival of the species.

Said Poehere, “I think Jaya is a really special name as each cub born at Dreamworld is a victory for the survival of the Sumatran tiger population. I wanted to find something really special and the name is a reflection of what we are trying to achieve with our tiger breeding. Jaya just touched me, I thought it was beautiful.”

Short, simple and easy to call were pre-requisites for making the short list, ‘Ndari’ and ‘Shanti’ topping the bill when Tiger Island voted for their favourites from 4500 public suggestions.

Indonesian for ‘full moon’, ‘Ndari’ was chosen from the national entries submitted to the TODAY show and reflects her big, moon shaped eyes. The name ‘Shanti’, meaning inner peace in an ancient Indian language, was chosen from entries to The Sunday Mail in both Sydney and Brisbane. True to her name, Shanti is the mellower of the tiny tots with sisters Jaya and Ndari the feistier of the bunch.

Head down to the Tiger Island nursery to watch our newest superstars Jaya, Ndari, and Shanti wrestle, play, and grow up before our eyes.

Big Brother House opens for inspection from July 26 with special winner appearance EKKA Wednesday

Refurbished one bedder (sleeps 15 people) featuring open-plan living, sound-proof confession room, extensive surveillance system and outdoor gym is now available for inspection; located just 20 minutes from Surfers Paradise and 40 minutes from Brisbane. Combi van, ninjas and resident deep voice negotiable.

Like it or love to hate it, Big Brother House is the most scrutinized address in Australia and a venue the majority of Australians either know or want to know. With the last of the 2008 residents about to be evicted, the door of the house is set to open for public inspection on July 26 offering Dreamworld guests the chance to see what life was like on the inside.

With thousands of hours of footage beamed into more than a million viewers’ homes each season, the Big Brother house is as much a television personality as its infamous residents.

Said Chief Operating Officer Kevin Bradley, “House tours give guests the opportunity to walk in the housemates’ shoes and imagine what it’s like to be watched 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s a surreal experience if you’ve been watching the house every day for three months.”

Talking guests through their own experience, the winner of Big Brother 2008 will make a special appearance at Dreamworld Studios on EKKA Wednesday, August 13. Truly ‘So many worlds in one’ Dreamworld provides a cost effective alternative to braving the EKKA crowds on show day.

Said General Manager Sales Cathie McBean, “Dreamworld is a carnival, a zoo, a movie theatre and a television studio in one location for one entry price. With over 40 rides included in the general admission ticket, parents don’t have to worry about reaching into their pockets for every single activity.”

For fans who can’t wait until August for their EKKA day Big Brother fix, the 2008 Big Brother runner up will appear at Dreamworld on July 26 to sign autographs and take happy snaps with their adoring public.

Ms McBean added that “As household budgets tighten, RACQ has a fantastic offer for Queensland members with a one day world pass that provides access to both Dreamworld and WhiteWater World for a flat rate of $50. Offering the option to come back for a second day free within 14 days of entry, it’s an affordable alternative to one day at the EKKA.”

The Big Brother house is also opening for corporate functions and Christmas parties to be used as a backdrop for household product launches, sales and marketing planning sessions, breakout sessions and social club gatherings. It has the capacity for 150 guests in addition to the landscaped gardens and a huge outdoor games arena.

House tours are included in Dreamworld’s general admission price while corporate functions and parties can be booked through our Special Events team on (07) 5588 1111.

Big Brother House opens for corporate events and functions on July 26, 2008

Refurbished one bedder (sleeps 15 people) featuring open-plan living, sound-proof confession room, extensive surveillance system and outdoor gym is now available for inspection; located just 20 minutes from Surfers Paradise and 40 minutes from Brisbane. Combi van, ninjas and resident deep voice negotiable.

With the last of the 2008 residents about to be evicted, the door of the Big Brother House is set to open on July 26 for a new type of tenant: event organizers looking to put “wow” into their corporate events and end of year parties.

Over the past seven years, the house has been used as a backdrop for household product launches, sales and marketing planning sessions, breakout sessions and social club gatherings. The indoor area has the capacity for 150 guests in addition to the landscaped gardens and a huge outdoor games arena. Most functions are held from 7.00pm and 11.00pm.

Catering and entertainment options are at the discretion of the event booker and range from themed party nights to Friday Night games and television crews taking footage of the evening for later viewing.

The trump card, however, is the chance to experience life as a housemate, from kicking a footy in the backyard to confessing secrets in the diary room chair.

“We don’t hide anything. Corporate groups and clubs have free range of the facilities and they are welcome to take over. Just don’t upset Big Brother, as he will be watching,” warned Deborah Holland, Dreamworld’s National Sales Manager – Groups & Events.

Events Operations Coordinator Adele Cumerford agreed that everyone loves the voice of Big Brother; an entertainer trained to interact with delegates and single out extroverts for unusual challenges.

“We work with corporations to merge the personality of the two brands and add weight to the function being held in the Big Brother House. A sports company once booked Ninjas in balaclavas to spice up their social function while a supermarket chain primed Big Brother to use paging terminology,” Adele said.

“It was great to hear Big Brother step out of character and demand a price check on the Peking duck pancakes served to the group. At one stage there was a spill in the kitchen and he directed a company’s maintenance team to go to section 2 to clean it,” she said.

The house has also been booked for serious business needs such as product launches and boardroom meetings. In the past, key buyers and media were invited to Big Brother’s notorious bedroom for the launch of a range of mattresses. The backyard has also been used to unveil a new-generation lawn mower.

Ms Holland commented that hiring the house for a social gathering or end of year party is a novel way to reward the younger workforce known for prioritizing culture over corporate loyalty, and the price is about the same as an upmarket restaurant.

“Big Brother has traction with a huge number of Australians between 15 and 25 years. If you want to tap into Generation Y, then this is a good place to grab their attention,” she said.

“Most young people have watched the show, they know what’s happening and they are excited to put themselves in that picture. Telling friends they are booked for a function at the Big Brother House packs more punch than going to a local restaurant.”

Exclusive use of the Big Brother House for up to 150 reception style, including Big Brother character voice and security guard to ‘evict’ the guests is $2200.00. A three hour standard drink package starts from $30.00 per person, and canapés start from $16.00 per person.

It’s a girrl - Feisty boy turns out to be fiery girl

In the wee hours of Monday June 9, three tiny cubs were born at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island; two little girls and their feisty baby brother. But during routine health checks last week, Dreamworld veterinarian Vere Nicholson and Tiger Island Manager Patrick Martin-Vegue stumbled across something very interesting; our feisty little guy is actually a fiery little girl.

“At the time, our main focus was to check the health of the cubs and get them back to Soraya as quickly as possible. Determining the sex was a bonus,” said Vere, before adding that, “It’s a bit difficult to differentiate the sex of tiger cubs when they are small as there is literally a millimetre of difference.”

“The three girls have helped redress an imbalance towards males in the Australasian region. From a genetic management perspective it’s good to have an equal breakdown for regional planning of the captive breeding population.”

Said Martin-Vegue, “At least now that we know there are three confirmed girls, we can have our Dreamworld team give one an appropriate female style name.”

Sharing a birthday with their mother Soraya, the as yet unnamed cubs were born after a gestation period of between 100 to 110 days, the Tiger Island team monitoring mum around the clock through closed circuit television.

It won’t be long before the whole of Australia will go ga-ga over the all girl group as they leave the den and make their public debut on June 26, 2008 at the purpose-built glass fronted Tiger Island nursery.

Four weeks after that the trio are set to cause mischief as they come out from behind the glass to directly interact with the public. From July 24, 20 guests will be able to experience a rare encounter with two Sumatran sisters at Cub Experience sessions. Held in an exclusive area behind Tiger Island, guests of all ages will be able to pat and have their photo taken with the cubs.

Tiger Island Manager Patrick Martin-Vegue said, “During Cub Experiences Dreamworld guests will have one-on-one time with the cubs and learn more about the tigers from our handlers. They will be able to see the cubs play and wrestle and start to develop their own personalities.”

But eager guests don’t have to wait until July for a Cub Experience. Already breaking hearts in Tiger Island’s Cub Display, is Sali, the sole survivor of a litter of four cubs from Perth Zoo. Sali was flown to Dreamworld on Saturday, May 17, 2008 with the aim to be integrated with the new trio once they are vaccinated.

Starting this week, ten guests of all ages have been joining Sali on her own 20 minute Cub Experience sessions.

Cub Experiences cost $80 per person and are not included in the entry price.

Close Encounters of the Cub Kind

It won’t be long before the whole of Australia will be going ga-ga over Dreamworld’s tiger triplets when they leave the den and make their debut on June 26, 2008 at the purpose-built glass fronted Tiger Island nursery. Four weeks after that the trio are set to cause mischief as they come out from behind the glass to directly interact with the public.

From July 24, 20 guests will be able to experience a rare encounter with the Sumatran sisters at the limited Cub Experience sessions. Held in an exclusive area behind Tiger Island, guests of all ages will be able to pat and have their photo taken with the cubs.

Tiger Island Manager Patrick Martin-Vegue said, “During Cub Experience’s Dreamworld guests will have one-on-one time with the cubs and their handlers to ask questions and learn more about the tigers. They will be able to see them play and wrestle and start to develop their own personalities.”

But eager guests don’t have to wait until July for a “Cub Experience”. Already breaking hearts in Tiger Island’s Cub Display, is Sali, the sole survivor of a litter of four cubs from Perth Zoo. Sali was flown to Dreamworld on Saturday, May 17, 2008 with the aim to be integrated with the new triplets once they are vaccinated.

Starting June 21, ten guests of all ages will be able to join Sali on her own 20 minute “Cub Experience” session.

Cub Experiences cost $80 per person and are not included in the entry price. Tickets to the Cub Experience can only be booked on www.dreamworld.com.au. Terms and conditions apply.

Dreamworld’s bouncing baby girls… The as yet unnamed cubs were born on Monday, June 9 following a gestation period of between 100 to 110 days with the Tiger Island team monitoring mum around the clock through closed circuit television.

The triplets are three of a very limited number of Sumatran tiger cubs born in the Australasian region in last 10 years and are part of a globally co-ordinated breeding programme to save the species. With less than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, their importance can not be underestimated.

The cubs will remain under the watchful eyes of Dreamworld’s on-site vet, Vere Nicolson, Tiger Island Manager, Patrick Martin-Vegue and the Tiger Island team which collectively has more than 40 years experience caring for and working with tigers.

“Fortunately, captive bred cubs have a 90 percent chance of survival because of their stable environment. For cubs born in the wild, the survival rate is just 25 to 50 percent due to poor nutrition, rejection by mothers and predators,” Mr Martin-Vegue said.

The cubs’ parents, Raja and Soraya have the purest blood lines in the Australasian region and will make a significant contribution to the conservation of Sumatran Tigers.

“Our aim is to ensure the appropriate genetic management of the remaining captive population of the species and raise conservation funds to support initiatives such as educating residents in areas where tigers are found in their natural habitat. This will hopefully provide a safety valve that will prevent the extinction of the species,” Mr Martin-Vegue said.

Dreamworld’s Tiger Island plays a leading role in tiger conservation world-wide through donations and hands-on involvement with field projects actively saving tigers in the wild.

With the goal of hitting the million dollar mark in July, Dreamworld’s Tiger Fund actively contributes to anti-poaching activity including anti-poaching patrols on the ground in Indonesia, India and Russia.

SpongeBob swaps his Square Pants for FlyPants

Nickelodeon’s number one character, SpongeBob SquarePants will today test launch his own ‘Australian first’ ride at Dreamworld’s Nickelodeon Central, ahead of the official public launch on June 20. Twenty-four test pilots will undergo a “goofy goober” obstacle course which includes mastering the “Scuba Bop” before they take to the skies on the new attraction.

The new ‘SpongeBob FlyPants’ ride plunges guests into an imaginary deep sea world where they can soar and spin through the fantasy ‘Jellyfish Fields’ with the world’s number one cartoon character and his friendly neighbourhood invertebrates.

Modelled on the visuals of the television episode, guests lie flat on their stomachs – a first for Australia - and weightlessly weave around a larger-than-life SpongeBob as he takes flight aboard a giant wild jellyfish.

Perfect for the whole family, SpongeBob FlyPants has the capacity for 24 people, with two guests per carriage taking to the sky at a super fun speed for everyone.

The ride is set in Jellyfish Fields, home to millions of invertebrates whose ‘majestic command of the sky’ captivated SpongeBob SquarePants in the cartoon episode titled, The Sponge Who Could Fly. Desperately wanting to join them, television’s number one sponge invented a series of flying machines including a banana lounge motored by helium balloons; each proved a monumental flop.

It wasn’t until some friendly jellyfish squished beneath SpongeBob SquarePants and lifted him up, that he first took to the watery skies. In SpongeBob’s nasally terms, “If you want to fly, all you need is friendships.”

Dreamworld's innovative introduction of Nick Central in 2002 set the benchmark for what is now a dynamic precinct bursting with 17 rides and attractions targeting the 6-13 year old market devoted to the Nick phenomena. The precinct taps into the popularity of Nickelodeon TV characters that have a global audience exceeding four million people.

Dreamworld Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gregg said the new project is an exciting addition to the Nick Central precinct.

“Every component of Nick Central reflects the much loved madness of Nickelodeon and places the world’s number one brand of kids’ entertainment and characters at kids’ fingertips,” Mr Gregg said. “There is nowhere else in the world that fans can feel such a part of SpongeBob’s big adventures.”

SpongeBob SquarePant’s extra bubbly personality soaks up a massive fan base proven daily by the rock star treatment he receives at Dreamworld and the popularity for photographs. In between ruling his new ride, guests can catch him in a live show extravaganza, Stories From Bikini Bottom, the SpongeBob SquarePants Show on stage at Nick Central’s Slime Bowl, or during his regular meet and greet appearances.

No need to pack your snorkel, just bring your wild imagination when you dive into the colourful whirling world of Jellyfish Fields and the new ‘SpongeBob Flypants’ ride.

Dreamworld’s Sumatran tiger cub triplets get comfy at Tiger Island

It’s day three into the lives of Dreamworld’s as yet unnamed Sumatran tiger cubs and the trio are settling into their new surroundings with ease.

Sharing a birthday with their mother, Sumatran tiger Soraya, the two sisters and their brother were born the morning of June 9 weighing a healthy 1.3kg, 1.28kg and 1.13kg.

Tigers are known for the speed at which they grow and the tiny trio are no exception already gaining an average of 113 grams thanks to Soraya’s natural mothering instincts. At this rate it will be only a fortnight before they make their public debut at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island nursery.

Said Dreamworld Life Sciences General Manager Al Mucci, “We are so lucky that Soraya is such a great Mum. She’s given us two beautiful tigers in Indah and Rahni and now, second time around, she’s blessed us with three more.”

Tiger Island Manager Patrick Martin-Vegue was present for the birth and is as proud as any Dad could be.

“Both Soraya and the cubs are doing really well. Like most newborns they spend most of their day tucked tight into Mum, sleeping and eating.

“The first two came early morning Monday but the third took its time and was born just before 11am. They had their first vet check yesterday and have all been given a clean bill of health.”

Senior Tiger Handler Dan Hodges was the “night watchman” when Soraya began to show signs of labour.

“Soraya entered her den box at around 4.30am and started showing nesting behaviours like excessive grooming. The real contractions began around 6.30am, an hour before the first cub was born.”

All nine Tiger Island staff rushed to Dreamworld in time for the birth.

“It was an amazing experience; about nine handlers crowded into our staff room watching the birth on monitors and letting out cheers as each cub came out.”

Heralding the new litter was Sumatran tiger cub Sali (pronounced “sarli”) who arrived at Dreamworld on Saturday, May 17 after being rejected by her inexperienced first time mother at another zoo. Now almost nine weeks old, Sali will hopefully be integrated with the new litter in the next few weeks.

News of the tiger trio’s arrival has spread as far as China and the USA. It won’t be long before the whole of Australia will be going ga-ga over the cute cubs when they leave the den and make their debut at the glass fronted Tiger Island nursery.

“Sali is already breaking hearts and, pending their health, the new cubs will relocate to Tiger Island’s nursery in time for the Queensland school holidays.

“By the end of July we’ll start offering cub experiences and guests of all ages will be able to play with, pat and have their photos taken with the cubs. Cub experiences are a great chance for the cubs to get out and start interacting with people and to raise much needed funds for conservation projects working tirelessly to save tigers in the wild.”