Warner Bros. Movie World
Status | Operating |
---|---|
Opened | 3 June 1991 |
Owner | Village Roadshow Theme Parks |
Theme | Warner Bros. and related DC Comics properties |
Slogan | "Hollywood on the Gold Coast" |
Operating season | All year round |
Attendance | ~1.4 million as of 2016 |
Attractions | |
Total | 15[a] |
Roller coasters | 4 |
Water rides | 1 |
Website | movieworld |
Warner Bros. Movie World is a
In the late 1980s, a failed film studio lot and its adjacent land were bought out by Village. They entered a joint venture with Pivot Leisure (part-owners of the nearby Sea World) and Warner to develop the land into a theme park. Designed by C. V. Wood, the layout was inspired by Universal Studios Hollywood and Disney's Hollywood Studios, and opening attractions were designed to educate guests about the processes behind filmmaking. The park has since expanded to include an array of attractions that are based on Warner and related DC Comics properties. It has survived financial hardships and remains among Australia's most popular tourist destinations.
Attractions range from thrill rides such as
History
1986–1991: Set-up and opening
In October 1988, Village acquired a large lot of swampy land adjacent to the studio complex from investment company Ariadne Australia (which had been crippled by the 1987
The opening ceremony held on 2 June 1991[h] was attended by more than 5,000 people, among them celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.[25] To mark the occasion, Premier of Queensland Wayne Goss cut a novelty film reel with Eastwood and Bugs Bunny.[21] The evening prior, 1 June, a special edition episode of Hey Hey It's Saturday ("Hey Hey It's Movie World") shot on-location had host Daryl Somers interview many of the celebrities in attendance, such as Eastwood and Russell.[i][21][28] The park opened to the public on 3 June.[h][21][26] Between 400 and 500 jobs were created upon its opening.[j][19][30] The initial guest admission fee was $29 for adults and $19 for children.[22] With increased international tourism to the Gold Coast since the 1980s,[2] Village had hoped to tap into a market with American and Japanese customers; attractions were subtitled, and tour guides were trained, in Japanese.[k][19] Described as the world's first "movie-based theme park" built outside the United States[31] and the first "American-style" theme park since Tokyo Disneyland,[19] it was expected to draw between one and 1.5 million visitors within its first year.[l][22][32]
1991–1998: Early attractions
Opening attractions at Movie World educated guests about the processes behind filmmaking.[33] Marketing slogans billed it as "Hollywood on the Gold Coast" and its design was intended to capture the aesthetic of American theme parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studios.[34][35] Beyond the Fountain of Fame opening plaza, Main Street featured replicas of buildings and facades from various Warner films, such as Rick's Café Américain from Casablanca, the bank robbed during Bonnie and Clyde and the Daily Planet building from Superman.[32][35] A film studio tour[26] included the Movie Magic Special Effects Show with audience participation on a live set.[22][35] There were two live daily shows: the Western Action Show featured actors performing amusing stunts with live animals[35] and the hour-long Police Academy Stunt Show staged shoot-outs and car chases for an audience of 1,500.[22] The Warner Bros. Classics & Great Gremlins Adventure interactive dark ride had guests escape from a gremlin invasion of a studio set.[22][32] Young Einstein Gravity Homestead, based on the 1988 film Young Einstein, featured sloped floors and optical illusions to simulate the effects of gravity. The Roxy Theatre screened 3D films. The Looney Tunes Land children's area featured several attractions, including the Looney Tunes River Ride dark water ride[32] and the Looney Tunes Musical Revue live show.[36]
2000–2008: Expansion
The Harry Potter attraction closed and was replaced in September 2003 by
Looney Tunes Village was renamed to Kids' WB Fun Zone in 2007, with two new rides added.[77] Police Academy Stunt Show drew its final curtain call on 30 April 2008 after 16 years and 18,000 performances; the enduringly popular attraction was among the world's longest-running stunt shows at the time.[78][79] Its replacement, the $10 million Hollywood Stunt Driver, opened on Boxing Day. A cast of 10 stunt drivers were selected from more than 200 applicants and, in preparation for the show, the venue was renovated to increase its stage area and seating capacity from 1,400 to 2,000 guests.[80] Another new live show, Looney Tunes: What's Up Rock?, replaced The Musical Revue.[81][82] In October, construction of a roof over Main Street was completed.[81] The 4,000 square metre (43,000 sq ft) roof supplied by MakMax Australia was designed to improve guest protection from the elements and provide for a 2,000-person capacity venue for functions and events.[83][84]
2011–2020: Additions and closures
Looney Tunes River Ride
Hollywood Stunt Driver closed and was replaced by its sequel on 20 February 2014, a revamped show that featured Showtime FMX
An Aquaman exhibition opened on 13 December 2018 to feature props and costumes used in the film.[108] Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster closed for maintenance from July to November; it was refurbished with new projection mapping technologies and other special effects,[109] and rebranded as Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster: Next Generation for its re-opening in December.[110] The WB Studio Showcase, opened on 1 November 2019, exhibited props, sets and costumes from numerous Warner films such as Suicide Squad, Mad Max: Fury Road and A Star Is Born.[111] Later that month, Australian students of New York Film Academy (NYFA) began to offer guests a look at the filmmaking process with the NYFA – Hot Sets attraction.[112] Arkham Asylum ceased operations in December.[43] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the park closed on 22 March 2020[113] and reopened on 15 July at 50% guest capacity with social distancing and sanitisation policies in effect.[114][115]
2021–present: Upgrades and new precinct
Batman Legacy, an exhibition themed to the
Park layout
Movie World is located in Oxenford on the Gold Coast, Queensland, approximately 20 km (13 miles) from Surfers Paradise.
The opening plaza encircles its centrepiece, the Fountain of Fame, just beyond the entrance. Main Street continues with guest services, dining, gift shops and other amenities lining the footpaths.
Kids' WB Fun Zone features attractions from car rides and
List of attractions
Name | Section | Type | Manufacturer | Opened | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thrill rides | |||||
Batwing Spaceshot | DC Comics superhero hub | Space Shot | S&S Power | December 2006 | [76] |
DC Rivals HyperCoaster | DC Comics superhero hub | Hypercoaster | Mack Rides | 22 September 2017 | [102] |
Doomsday Destroyer | DC Comics Super-Villains Unleashed | Suspended Twin Hammer | Intamin | September 2016 | [99] |
Green Lantern Coaster | DC Comics superhero hub | El Loco | S&S Worldwide |
23 December 2011 | [89] |
The Flash: Speed Force | DC Comics superhero hub | Half-Pipe coaster | Intamin | April 2024[p] | [121] |
Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster | Main Street | Wild Mouse |
Mack Rides | 2025[q] | [110] |
Superman Escape | DC Comics superhero hub | Accelerator Coaster | Intamin | 26 December 2005 | [74] |
Wild West Falls Adventure Ride | Wild West | Log flume | Hopkins Rides | 26 December 1998 | [52] |
Family rides | |||||
Flight of the Wicked Witch | Wizard of Oz precinct | Suspended Family Coaster | Vekoma | 2024 | [124] |
Junior Driving School | Kids' WB Fun Zone | Mini-cars | Unknown | 12 September 2014 | [97] |
Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D | DC Comics superhero hub | Interactive dark ride |
Sally Corporation | September 2012 | [94] |
Kansas Twister | Wizard of Oz precinct | Family Boomerang |
Vekoma | 2024 | [125] |
Looney Tunes Splash Zone | Kids' WB Fun Zone | Water play area | Unknown | December 2001 | [61] |
Road Runner Roller Coaster | Kids' WB Fun Zone | Vekoma Junior Coaster | Vekoma | 26 December 2000 | [56] |
Children's rides | |||||
Looney Tunes Carousel | Kids' WB Fun Zone | Carousel | Unknown | September 2007 | [77] |
Marvin the Martian: Cosmic Boom | Kids' WB Fun Zone | Drop'N Twist | SBF Visa Group | April 2023 | [119] |
Speedy Gonzales Tijuana Taxis | Kids' WB Fun Zone | Children's car ride | Zamperla | 3 June 1991 | [134] |
Sylvester and Tweety Cages | Kids' WB Fun Zone | Aerial carousel | Zamperla | December 1997 | [49] |
Yosemite Sam's Railroad | Kids' WB Fun Zone | Miniature railway |
Zamperla | December 1997 | [77] |
Shows and entertainment | |||||
Batman Legacy | WB Studio Showcase | Film exhibition | — | 26 December 2021 | [116] |
Hollywood Stunt Driver 2 | Main Street | Stunt show |
— | 26 December 2008[r] | [80] |
JL 52 Batmobile | Main Street | Photo opportunity | — | — | [135] |
New York Film Academy Australia – Hot Sets | Main Street | Film set tour | — | — | [136] |
Roxy Theatre | Main Street | 4D film theatre | — | 3 June 1991 | [32] |
Streets Star Parade | Main Street | Street show | — | — | [137] |
Tom and Jerry Meet and Greet | Main Street | Meet and greet | — | — | [138] |
Events and guest features
Two seasonal events are held annually: Fright Nights during Halloween and White Christmas during the Christmas holidays.[139] Fright Nights features mazes, street parades performed by Halloween characters and night rides on several attractions.[140][141] It is a consistently popular event, with around 7,000 guests attending each Fright Night evening in October 2017.[142] The park offers a paid Fast Track priority pass[143] and free virtual queueing on select attractions,[144] as well as mobile ordering and queueing at certain food outlets.[145] Star Tours began in July 2016 and offer a behind-the-scenes look at several attractions. Included in the experience are Fast Track passes, priority seating for the afternoon parade and other features.[146] A climb up the 282 steps of DC Rivals' lift hill began in September 2018.[147]
To celebrate the park's first anniversary in 1992, a daily parade featuring Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters was held each afternoon from 1 June. Evenings from 20 June onwards played host to Illuminanza[s]—a sound and light show featuring Batman and Catwoman—followed by screenings of Batman Returns at the Roxy Theatre. Celebrations concluded by 19 July.[149][150] Easter 1994 was marked with the $200,000 Bugs Bunny Megga Easter Party from 1 to 10 April. An evening parade starring 140 cast members concluded with a fireworks display.[151] A tenth anniversary celebration hosted by B105 FM was held on 4 August 2001. More than 1,000 attendees were treated to live performances by Human Nature, Invertigo, A Touch of Class and Joanne Accom.[152][153] Halloween Family Fun Night, the first Halloween event, was held on 31 October 2006 and offered guests night rides on several attractions. The sold-out event was immediately popular with more than 7,500 attendees, such that it was extended into the following evening.[154][155] It has since become Fright Nights, an annual tradition.[142]
In 2010, a DC Heroes vs. Villains parade ran during the June–July school holiday period to celebrate DC Comics' 75th anniversary.[156] In partnership with the Gold Coast's newspaper and AFL team, a Christmas charity event was held on 3 December for 3,000 disadvantaged locals.[157] Later that month, the first annual White Christmas events were held for the public. More than one million Christmas lights decorated the park, which hosted festivities such as a Looney Tunes ice-skating show, a Christmas parade and a visit from Santa Claus.[158] The event was immediately popular and reached its maximum 7,500 person capacity on several evenings.[159] Throughout June–July 2014, Carnivale events were held on select evenings and featured music, parades and cuisine inspired by the Brazilian Carnival.[t][163] Festivities and a parade commemorated the park's 25th anniversary on 3 June 2016.[164] In 2020, Fright Nights was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions,[u][166] while White Christmas went ahead.[167][168] To celebrate the park's 30th anniversary, the Hooray for Hollywood event ran from 26 June to 18 July 2021, with guest interactions and a daily parade themed to classic Hollywood cinema.[169][170]
Accommodation
An onsite hotel facility has been in development since at least December 2015, when a planned nine-storey hotel received council approval.
Attendance and performance
1991–2008
During its first year of operation, Movie World received 1.2 million visitors,
There were more than 10 million lifetime visitors by 2001.
2009–present
Various discounting and marketing strategies were devised to offset hardship after the
The fallout from Dreamworld's October 2016
Reception and accolades
Reviewing soon after the park's 1991 opening, The Sydney Morning Herald's Andrew Conway highlighted its emphasis on experiences that captured the "magic world of movies" over thrill rides.[35] He considered Police Academy Stunt Show the standout among several well-themed attractions, but felt the park lacked the scale and grandeur of American influences Disneyland and Universal Studios. He said that "if you've been to the mega-parks of the United States, Movie World may well disappoint" but it nonetheless offered great family entertainment.[35] Guest exit surveys during opening year signalled highly positive public reception, with around 95% of respondents rating their experience as "excellent".[29] In 1993, The Sydney Morning Herald's Robyn Willis praised the breadth of a day's entertainment but cautioned its high cost.[219] At the 1994 Australian Tourism Awards, it won the "Major Tourist Attraction" category.[220] The 1998 awards saw Village win the "Tourism Marketing and Promotional Campaigns" category.[179]
At the 2002 IAAPA Awards, the park received an honourable mention in the "Best Supervisory Training Program" category.[221] Movie World and Sea World received joint awards for "Specialty Meeting Venue" at the 2005 Meetings and Events Australia awards.[222] According to a 2014 Newspoll study, the park was Australia's fourth most popular tourist attraction of all time.[ah][223] In 2020, Finder.com.au's Chris Stead thought the park was laid out well in a compact area but offered minimal shade from the heat and suffered long queue times during peak periods. He thought that children aged six to ten would have a limited experience unless they were tall enough to brave the bigger rides, and that visits were best suited to adult thrill-seekers or families with teenagers.[143]
Incidents
While the park was closed on 5 December 2003, a fire caused more than $1 million in damage to Wild West Falls' upper section;[224][225] the ride was repaired and reopened several weeks later.[226] On 15 March 2015, one of Green Lantern's cars became detached from the rails when a wheel mechanism broke. Although riders were stranded for several hours and had to be rescued by the fire brigade, there were no major injuries.[227][228] An investigation revealed a design flaw in a bolted joint on the wheel assembly.[229] S&S Worldwide redesigned the flawed components, the ride was tested and it reopened in December.[230]
References
- Notes
- ^ a b Total number of rides only. The park's website lists 27 total attractions including shows, parades and other experiences.[1]
- AU$12 million Queensland Government investment for the construction. The Government bought the land outright and leased it back to DEL.[3]
- ^ Following DEL's dissolution, Carolco Pictures picked up Total Recall's production and the film was released to box office success in 1990, directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.[4][5]
- ^ Village entered a film distribution partnership with Warner in 1971.[7]
- ^ As part of the deal, the nearby Cade's County water park (now Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast) was acquired from Ariadne as well.[8][9]
- ^ The Warner licence has since been used for several similar theme parks: Warner Bros. Movie World Germany (now operating as Movie Park Germany without Warner licensing), opened in 1996;[10][11] Warner Bros. Movie World Madrid, opened in 2002,[12] and; Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, opened in 2018.[13]
- ^ In December 1984, property developer Keith Williams sold Sea World to the trust owned by Murphyores, Pivot and Wardley Australia for $35.77 million.[14] By April 1992, a mounting $106 million debt to the failing Tricontinental bank compelled Pivot's chairman Peter Laurance to sell their 66% stake in the Sea World trust to Warner and Village.[15][16][17]
- ^ a b According to contemporaneous sources, the opening ceremony was held on 2 June;[22][24][25] some retrospective sources erroneously cite the public opening on 3 June as the ceremony date as well.[21][26]
- ^ The following year, Hey Hey It's Saturday returned for another special to commemorate the park's first anniversary. A parody segment starring Somers developed into the television film Silence of the Hams (satirising Casablanca), which aired on 15 June 1992.[27]
- ^ By November, the park had about 600 employees.[29]
- ^ Park development had been advertised to Japanese tour operators for at least 15 months before its opening.[22]
- ^ Park attendance in its first year ultimately reached 1.2 million.[14]
- ^ The fifteen live owls used in the show were housed in a $100,000 enclosure.[62]
- ^ The ride seats guests on two mechanical arms that rotate 360°.[99]
- ^ Tower of Terror II, which was taller and faster, closed in 2019.[106]
- ^ A relocation of the Surfrider coaster at Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast.[121]
- ^ Originally opened 17 June 2002, and renovated and rebranded as Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster: Next Generation in December 2018.[110] Closed for refurbishment since January 2023 with a scheduled 2025 reopening.[126][127]
- ^ The revamped show opened on 20 February 2014.[96]
- ^ Illuminanza returned again in 1994.[148]
- ^ The events returned in 2015[160] and 2016[161] but moved to Sea World in subsequent years.[162]
- ^ Fright Nights returned in 2022.[165]
- ^ Another proposal that never materialised was made a decade prior to the December 2015 approval.[171]
- ^ The consultation period ended the next month; the development received support from several local residents, while an objection was lodged by electricity company Energex.[176]
- ^ The pass allowed guests unlimited entry to Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild Water World over a four-day period.[179]
- ^ Prior to the decline, international tourists accounted for about 40% of annual park visits.[182]
- ^ Batman Adventure – The Ride 2, for example, only operated each day from 10–11:15am and from 3-5pm.[182]
- ^ By October, Village took full control of the Sea World Resort as well.[184]
- ^ The highest was Dreamworld with 1.36 million visitors (a 1.3% decrease) and second was Sea World with 1.35 million visitors (a 6.9% increase).[188]
- ^ The pass, exclusive to Queensland residents, gave unlimited discounted entry to Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild during the promotional period.[194]
- ^ The Oxenford precinct received over 2.2 million visitors over the second half of 2009.[196]
- ^ A park spokesperson attributed the MotoMonster Xtreme show among other factors for the day's attendance peak.[200]
- ^ The pass gave residents unlimited park entry over 13 months.[201]
- ^ The land was purchased the following month by LGIAsuper for $100 million.[128]
- Taronga Zoo Sydney, Dreamworld and then Movie World.[223]
- Footnotes
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- ^ ISBN 9780702246395. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ Mitchell, Alex; Stewart, Andrew (14 December 1986). "Cade's County, Dino's Next Hollywood?". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media. pp. 111–112. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2020 – via SMH Archives (subscription required).
- ^ Rose, Frank (1 December 2003). "The Second Coming of Philip K. Dick". Wired. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014.
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- ^ Grant-Taylor, Tony (30 April 1992). "Warner, Village to buy Sea World trust". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 48, 251. Fairfax Media. p. 34. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2020 – via SMH Archives (subscription required).
- ^ Grant-Taylor, Tony (8 October 1992). "Underwater World gets a liquidator". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 48, 391. Fairfax Media. p. 36. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2020 – via SMH Archives (subscription required).
- ^ Knight, Elizabeth; Grant-Taylor, Tony (11 June 1994). "How Laurance wheeled and dealed to the top and back again". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 48, 914. Fairfax Media. pp. 35, 42. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2020 – via SMH Archives (subscription required).
- ^ Syvret, Paul (29 July 1989). "Sea World plans theme park". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 47, 397. Fairfax Media. p. 41. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2020 – via SMH Archives (subscription required).
- ^ a b c d e f Dobbin, Winsor (28 May 1991). "Hollywood 'down under' in new movie theme park". Kentucky New Era. Vol. 104, no. 163. Associated Press. p. 12. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2010 – via Google News.
- ^ a b "Our History: 1991 Construction". Warner Bros. Movie World. Archived from the original on 3 June 2004. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Potts, Andrew (6 October 2016). "Flashback Feature: Warner Bros Movie World celebrates 25 years since star-studded opening". Gold Coast Bulletin. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2020.(subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e f g h Friedlander, Judy (2 June 1991). "Movie theme park woos world". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media. p. 32. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2020 – via SMH Archives (subscription required).
- ^ "In brief: First profit fall in 20 years". The Canberra Times. Vol. 65, no. 20, 594. Australian Community Media. 31 August 1991. p. 13. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Goss opens Movie World". The Canberra Times. Australian Community Media. 3 June 1991. p. 3. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
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- ^ a b c Hong, Tan Bee (26 January 1992). "Australia's Hollywood". New Straits Times. New Straits Times Press. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2010 – via Google News.
- ^ Wallace, Mark (15 June 1992). "The Guide: Silence of the Hams". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 882. Australian Community Media. p. 29. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Oliver, Robin (4 June 1991). "League pushes Nine sky high". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 47, 968. Fairfax Media. p. 4 – via SMH Archives (subscription required).
- ^ a b "Warner's World a smash hit". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 683. Australian Community Media. 28 November 1991. p. 8 (Supplement). Archived from the original on 11 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "History and Development". Warner Bros. Movie World. Archived from the original on 28 January 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ Roberts, Greg (18 August 1990). "$120m movie theme park to open on Gold Coast". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 47, 721. Fairfax Media. p. 9. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2020 – via SMH Archives (subscription required).
- ^ a b c d e f Johanson, Beverley (17 April 1991). "Go ahead, make your day at Movie World". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 47, 972. Fairfax Media. pp. 79–80. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2020 – via SMH Archives (subscription required).
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External links
- Official website
- Warner Bros. Movie World at the Roller Coaster DataBase
- Media related to Warner Bros. Movie World at Wikimedia Commons