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DreamWorks Experience

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Coordinates: 27°51′51″S 153°19′00″E / 27.864100°S 153.316752°E / -27.864100; 153.316752
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DreamWorks Experience
ThemeDreamWorks Animation
Attractions
Total15
Roller coasters1
Other rides7
Shows1
Dreamworld
Coordinates27°51′51″S 153°19′00″E / 27.864100°S 153.316752°E / -27.864100; 153.316752
StatusDefunct
Opened31 March 2012; 12 years ago (2012-03-31) (as DreamWorks Experience)
Closed2023
ReplacedKid's World (2011–2012)
Nickelodeon Central (2002–2011)
Kennyland (1999–2002)
Replaced byKenny and Belinda's Dreamland

DreamWorks Experience was a themed land at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It contained attractions themed to DreamWorks Animation films. The land was formerly themed to Nickelodeon properties.

History

Early History

The area which DreamWorks Experience occupied was originally known as Village Green when it opened in 1983.[1] In 1998, the area was renamed to Village Oval.[2] In 1999, the northern end of Village Oval was redesigned to become Kennyland.[3]

Nickelodeon Central

In early 2002, Kennyland was removed and most of Village Oval was fenced off. Some of the children's rides were moved to Rivertown to allow for the construction of Nickelodeon Central.[4] During that year the leftover rides were rethemed and relocated to their current positions as part of Nickelodeon Central.[5] Nickelodeon Central opened on 26 December 2002 as the largest children's area in an Australian theme park.[6] In 2008, SpongeBob FlyPants (now Gingy's Glider) opened to expand Nickelodeon Central's offerings.[7]

On 27 April 2010, the Dora the Explorer Seaplanes closed for maintenance and has not operated since.[8] The ride was removed in late 2010 from its position in the park in addition to it being removed from the attraction listing and park map.[9][10][11]

DreamWorks Experience

Towards the middle of 2011, elements of Nickelodeon theming started to be removed leading to speculation that the contract with the television network was being terminated.[12] By the start of the winter holidays on 25 June 2011, all of the rides were renamed to a generic interim kids theme: Kid's World.[citation needed] In October 2011, the former Nick Pics building and the Remota Boats area were demolished with work beginning on a replacement building on the Nick Pics site.[13]

Earlier in 2011, the outgoing CEO of Dreamworld, Noel Dempsey,[14] leaked Dreamworld's plans to team up with DreamWorks Animation on his LinkedIn profile page.[15] On 10 November 2011, Dreamworld officially announced a three-stage plan to incorporate DreamWorks Animation films and characters into its theme park. The first phase, set to open 19 December 2011, was the DreamWorks Holiday Shrektacular Show which featured 8 DreamWorks Animation characters live on stage. The second phase will include the retheming of Dreamworld's kids area, Kid's World, into a 8,400-square-metre (90,000 sq ft) DreamWorks Experience precinct. This phase is set to open in Easter 2012. The final phase will be the development of an eating and meet-and-greet area called Kung Fu garden.[16] The three phases are expected to cost $10 million to complete.[17]

In late 2011, construction of the DreamWorks Experience precinct began with the removal of the photo shop and the adjacent Remota Boats in Main Street.[18] On 1 February 2012, following the peak season, Dreamworld closed most of the rides in Kid's World.[19] Swinger Zinger, Mighty-Go-Round, Sky Rocket, Rainforest Rampage and Kite Flyer were all closed pending their retheme into DreamWorks Animation.[19] During this time, two temporary rides named Mini-Swingers (SBF Visa Group Circus Swing) and Choppers (SBF Visa Group Chopper Train) operated in Ocean Parade near The Claw and AVPX, respectively.[20][21][22][23] In February 2012, Dreamworld announced that the DreamWorks Experience precinct would originally consist of two areas (Madagascar Madness and Shrek’s Faire Faire Away) with a third area (Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness[24]) to be added later. Names for the rethemed rides were also announced.[25] On 31 March 2012, the DreamWorks Experience officially opened to the public.[26]

On 15 July 2012, the Avalanche was closed to make way for a new attraction at the end of the year.[27] The replacement attraction was part of Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness and its opening marked the final stage of the DreamWorks Experience.[16]

Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland

Main article: Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland

In November 2022, Dreamworld announced that as part of their new multi-million dollar expansion, the DreamWorks Experience would be replaced with Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, bringing back the initial Kenny Koala theme that the area once had.[28] Most of the attractions will make it over, however the attractions in the "Kung Fu Panda - Land of Awesomeness" area will instead be moved to the Ocean Parade section.

Attraction history

The area has seen many different name changes and re-themes over the years to fit in with the licenses and brands.

County Fair Village Green/Oval Nickelodeon Central Kid's World DreamWorks Experience
1982 1983 2000 2002 2003 2008 2010 2011 2012
Red Baron Dora the Explorer Sea Planes
Zumer Swinger Zinger Puss in Boots Sword Swing
Avalanche Angry Beavers Spooty Spin Avalanche
Bumper Bowl Rocket Power Bumper Beach Bumper Beach Skadoosh
Carousel Nick-O-Round Backyardigans Mighty-Go-Round Mighty-Go-Round Shrek's Ogre-Go-Round
Dream Copters Blue's Skidoo Dronkey Flyers
Rugrats Runaway Reptar Sky Rocket Escape from Madagascar
Slime Bowl Dreambowl King Julien's Theatre in the Wild
Wild Thornberry's Rainforest Rampage Rainforest Rampage MAD Jungle Jam
SpongeBob FlyPants Kite Flyer Gingy's Glider
Pandamonium

Attractions at the time of closure

Kenny's Forest Flyer roller coaster (when it was Rugrats Runaway Reptar)
Avalanche (when it was Angry Beavers Spooty Spin)

Shrek’s Faire Faire Away

Name Opened Manufacturer Description Previous names
Dronkey's Flyers 2000 SBF Visa Group A fixed-arm, rotating plane ride (ride cars depended on the ride's then-name) which originally opened with Kennyland. During the ride's "Blue's Skidoo" era, it was the only ride in Kid's World that did not gain a generic re-theme. The ride was refurbished and rebuilt for Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, and reopened in Mid-2023 as the Wiggles-themed "Big Red Planes Ride". Dream Copters (2000-2002)[3][4]
Blue's Skidoo (2003-2012)[29][30]
Gingy's Glider 2008 Zamperla A Kite Flyer ride. It was the only new attraction added to the then-named Nickelodeon Central area throughout its tenure, being placed near the merchandise show and play area,[31][32] before being moved during the DreamWorks Experience re-theme adjacent to the Roller Coaster. For Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, the ride initially the temporary name and theme of "Candy Flyer" until it closed for refurbishment in August 2023 and reopened in September as the Play School-themed "Humpty-Go-Round". SpongeBob FlyPants (2008-2011)[7][33]
Kite Flyer (2011-2012)[34][35]
Puss in Boots Sword Swing 1982 Chance Industries A swinger ride and one of Dreamworld's opening day attractions. For Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, The ride gained the temporary name of "Soaring Swing" until closing at the end of May 2023, being dismantled to make way for the Wiggles-themed Big Red Boat roller coaster. Zoomer (1982-2002)[36]
Swinger Zinger (2002-2012)[37][38][34][35]
Shrek's Ogre-Go-Round 1983 Ferrari Standard Carousel ride that has had many themes since 2002. The ride was kept for Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, and reopened in 2023 as the "Bananas in Pyjamas Carousel". Carousel (1983-2002)[1]
Nick-O-Round (2002-2008)[39]
Backyardigans Mighty-Go-Round (2008-2011)[38]
Mighty-Go-Round (2011-2012)[34][35]

Madagascar Madness

Name Opened Manufacturer Description Previous names
Escape from Madagascar 2002 Vekoma A suspended family roller coaster which opened with Nickelodeon Central in 2002, being the third of its type in the world, and the first one located in the Southern Hemisphere. During the Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland transition period, the attraction was temporarily named "Escape Coaster" before closing for refurbishment in April 2023 and reopening as "Kenny's Forest Flyer" in August, now being themed to Kenny Koala, Dreamworld's mascot.[40][38] Rugrats Runaway Reptar (2002-2011)
Sky Rocket (2011-2012)[34][35]
MAD Jungle Jam 2002 Dreamworld A ball play area that allows kids to fire foam balls throughout the enclosure at targets and each other. The ride was kept for Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, and later reopened as "Belinda's Treehouse" in 2023, themed to Dreamworld's secondary mascot Belinda Brown. Wild Thornberry's Rainforest Rampage (2002-2011)[41][35][42]
Rainforest Rampage (2011-2012)[34]
King Julien's Theatre in the Wild 2002 Dreamworld A show stage that showcases various live shows. During the Nickelodeon Central era, shows included "Slime Time Live", "SpongeBob SquarePants: Stories from Bikini Bottom" or "Blue's Clues Live".[43][44][45] During the Kid's World era, the shows were "The Kenny Koala Show" and "The Goldie the Clown Show".[46][47] During the DreamWorks Experience era, it showed "Madagascar Live – Prepare to Party". The stage was kept for Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, and renamed to the "Dreamworld Theater", and is now showing a Wiggles-themed show. Slime Bowl (2002-2011)
Dreambowl (2011-2012)

Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness

Name Opened Manufacturer Description Previous names
Kung Fu Academy 2012 Dreamworld Asmall outdoor kids' gym area consisting of small poles for kids to stretch. It was removed shortly after the closure of the DreamWorks Experience area. N/A
Pandamonium 2012 Zamperla An Air race ride themed to Kung Fu Panda. It opened in 2012 and replaced the former Avalanche ride. In 2023, the attraction, alongside the other Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness attractions was relocated to the expanded Ocean Parade area, and the attraction reopened as "Serpent Slayer" later on in the year. N/A
Skadoosh 1983 SBF Visa Group A themed bumper cars attraction. In 2023, the attraction, alongside the other Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness attractions was relocated to the expanded Ocean Parade area, initially under the temporary name of the Dreamworld Dodgems until it closed for refurbishment in Mid-July 2023 and reopened as the "Deep Sea Dodgems" at the end of August. Throughout its lifetime, the ride's entrance and exit gates have been modified several times although the actual ride has not been moved. Bumper Bowl (1983-2002)[48]
Rocket Power Bumper Beach (2002-2011)[49]
Bumper Beach (2011-2012)[34][35]

Former attractions prior to closure

Name Opened Closure Manufacturer Description Previous names
Avalanche 1982 2012 Bertazzon Rides A matterhorn ride which opened as one of Dreamworld's launch attractions in 1982.[1] The Kid's World retheming reverted the ride to its former name.[34][35] The ride closed on 15 July 2012[27] to make way for Pandamonium as part of the DreamWorks Experience re-theme. Angry Beavers Spooty Spin (2002-2011)[50]
Dora the Explorer's Sea Planes 1982 2010 TBC Also known as "Dora's Soaring Seaplanes" on the ride sign, this was a fixed arm, rotating plane ride themed to the show of the same name.[51] Prior to the Dora re-theme, the ride had been relocated to at least three different locations until staying in a specific spot.[52][39] On 27 April 2010, the attraction was closed for maintenance.[53] However, the attraction never reopened and by Late-2010 the attraction was removed entirely, including on the attraction listing and park map.[9][10][54] Red Baron (1982-2002)[36][55]
SpongeBob SquarePants Water Play 2002 2006 Dreamworld A themed water play area for children. The attraction was removed in 2006 following the start of local water restrictions. N/A
Trolls Village 2018 2019 Dreamworld A temporary walk-through attraction that existed from 2018 to 2019 based on Trolls that contained a show stage, play area, and food outlet. Meet and greets and character shows would be held daily featuring the characters Poppy, Branch and DJ Suki. N/A

Shopping and dining

Madagascar Cargo Hold

Madagascar Cargo Hold is a merchandise shop which sells Madagascar merchandise. It backs onto the Forever After's and was on the site of the former Nick Pics/Fun Snapz photo shop.

Forever After's

Forever After's is a merchandise shop which sells Shrek merchandise. It backs onto the Madagascar Cargo Hold and was on the site of the former Nick Pics/Fun Snapz photo shop.

Shrek's Treats

Shrek's Treats is a small food outlet located in the centre of the DreamWorks Experience precinct.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Dreamworld 1983 Map". Scottware. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  2. ^ "Dreamworld 1998 Map". Scottware. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Dreamworld 2000 Map". Scottware. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Dreamworld". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 25 October 2002. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Nickelodeon Central (Dreamworld)". Parkz. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Dreamworld History" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  7. ^ a b "SpongeBob FlyPants (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  8. ^ "Maintenance". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  9. ^ a b Sinkowski, Luke. "Dora the Explorer Seaplanes". Facebook. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  10. ^ a b "Kids Rides". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  11. ^ "Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  12. ^ "No more Nickelodeon at Dreamworld". Parkz. 7 June 2011. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  13. ^ Wilson, Richard (22 October 2011). "Dreamworld, October 22, 2011". The Parkz Update. Parkz. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  14. ^ Ardern, Lucy (7 July 2011). "Dreamworld CEO calls it quits". Gold Coast Bulletin. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  15. ^ Wilson, Richard (7 July 2011). "Buzzsaw ride, Dreamworks coming to Dreamworld as CEO departs". Parkz. Archived from the original on 17 August 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  16. ^ a b Meers, Daniel (11 November 2011). "$10m deal brings Shrek to Dreamworld". Gold Coast Bulletin. Archived from the original on 14 December 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  17. ^ Scott, Tessa (10 November 2011), DreamWorks at Dreamworld, Nine Gold Coast News
  18. ^ Wilson, Richard (2 November 2011). "Dreamworld, October 22, 2011". The Parkz Update. Parkz. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  19. ^ a b "Maintenance". Dreamworld. 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  20. ^ "Kids Rides". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  21. ^ "Chopper Train". SBF Visa Group. Retrieved 12 February 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  22. ^ "Circus Swing". SBF Visa Group. Retrieved 12 February 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  23. ^ Smulders, Russell (6 February 2012). "Dreamworks at Dreamworks". Photos. Parkz. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  24. ^ "Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  25. ^ Ardern, Lucy (11 March 2012). "Superhero 'hub' coming to Coast". Gold Coast Bulletin. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  26. ^ "Dreamworld launches the DreamWorks Experience". Press Release. Dreamworld. 31 March 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  27. ^ a b In-park signage
  28. ^ Mitchell, Bea (25 November 2023). "Australia's Dreamworld theme park to open new land and coaster". blooloop. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  29. ^ Dreamworld 2003 Map
  30. ^ Dreamworld 2004 Map
  31. ^ Dreamworld 2007 Map
  32. ^ Dreamworld 2008 Map
  33. ^ "SpongeBob FlyPants". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 25 December 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g "Dreamworld & WhiteWater World Park Map" (PDF). Park Map. Dreamworld. 25 June 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g "Kids Rides". Dreamworld. June 2011. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  36. ^ a b "Dreamworld 1982 Map". Scottware. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  37. ^ "Swinger Zinger". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  38. ^ a b c "Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  39. ^ a b "Dreamworld 2005 Map". Scottware. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  40. ^ Roller Coaster Search Results - Model = Suspended Family Coaster. Retrieved 1 May 2010 from the Roller Coaster DataBase Archived 12 May 2024 at the Wayback Machine.
  41. ^ "Wild Thronberry's Rainforest Rampage". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  42. ^ Zoltak, James (1 September 2003). "Dreamworld Renews Efforts To Attract Families". Amusement Business. 115 (35): 3, 8.
  43. ^ Dreamworld Showtimes (2002).
  44. ^ Dreamworld Showtimes (2005).
  45. ^ "Slime Bowl Theatre". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  46. ^ "The Kenny Koala Show". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  47. ^ "The Goldie Show". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  48. ^ Dreamworld 2001 Map
  49. ^ "Rocket Power Bumper Beach". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  50. ^ Wilson, Richard. "Nickelodeon Central construction". Photo. Parkz. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  51. ^ "Dora the Explorer's Sea Planes". Dreamworld. Retrieved 20 July 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  52. ^ "Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  53. ^ "Maintenance". Dreamworld. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  54. ^ "Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  55. ^ "Dreamworld 1994 Map". Scottware. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
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