Australian theme parks approach anniversary milestones

Major Australian attractions Luna Park Melbourne, Sea World, Dreamworld and Warner Bros. Movie World are approaching major anniversaries in the coming weeks.

Luna Park Melbourne is set to celebrate the 99th anniversary of its opening along with the launch of its current summer season on Tuesday 13th September with a day of celebrations. The day will also see the launch of its new summer ride, the Power Surge.

On the Gold Coast, Village Roadshow Theme Parks will see their Sea World park reach its 40th anniversary and its Warner Bros. Movie World reach 20. While both parks will be launching new rides and experiences, it is not known at this time if Village plan any high profile celebrations, perhaps as a result of the recent death of Sea World founder and industry pioneer Keith Williams.

By contrast, as Dreamworld approaches the 30th anniversary of its opening it speaks volumes that it has not only opened a major new ride but has also announced a groundbreaking entertainment alliance with the innovative global media brand, DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.

Having parted ways with Nickelodeon, Dreamworld's new DreamWorks Animation-themed lands will soon welcome guests inside the fantasy of some of the most popular animated characters of recent years including Shrek, Puss in Boots, Po from Kung Fu Panda, Alex the Lion from Madagascar - each inspired by the iconic DreamWorks Animation franchises.

Newly appointed Chief Executive Todd Coates explains that "we are really excited to have formed a long term strategic alliance with one of the most visionary entertainment companies in the world. The DreamWorks Animation brand is a household name, and we have no doubt that featuring the characters and worlds from their movies will be a great draw for our park."

The addition of the DreamWorks Animation brand tops off a huge year for Dreamworld. An impressive line-up of new attractions, including new exotic animal enclosure, The Lair; the family adventure ride, ShockWave; and a new thrill ride, BuzzSaw, account for the largest capital investment in the park in a number of years.

Image: Dreamworld's new BuzzSaw ride.

Dreamworld's 30th anniversary is the cover story in the November/December 2011 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

11th November 2011 - DREAMWORLD UNVEILS ENTERTAINMENT ALLIANCE WITH DREAMWORKS ANIMATIONS 

27th September 2011 - LUNA PARK MELBOURNE REOPENS FOR THE SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

21st August 2011 - WILL AUSTRALIA EVER BUILD ANOTHER THEME PARK? 

18th August 2011 - TODD COATES TO HEAD ARDENT LEISURE THEME PARKS DIVISION

16th August 2011 - WILD LIFE SYDNEY TO LAUNCH AT SYDNEY’S DARLING HARBOUR

20th June 2011 - ASIAN ATTRACTIONS BOUNCE BACK AMID MIXED GLOBAL THEME PARKS PERFORMANCE

19th November 2010 - FORGET LEISURE: FOCUS ON THE EXPERIENCE INDUSTRY 

13th September 2010 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW TO BUILD WET’N'WILD SYDNEY

29th April 2010 - GLOBAL STUDY SHOWS RESILIENCE IN THE THEME PARK INDUSTRY 

18th March 2008 - DISNEY CONSIDERS SYDNEY DEVELOPMENT

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