Gold Coast Theme Parks - What To See And Do
99% of visitors to the Gold Coast end up in one of the fabulous theme parks. It's probably one of the key reasons that the Gold Coast is in fact one of the top holiday destinations in Australia.
Are you like me and LOVE those Adrenalin rides? Perhaps you have kids and are looking for a place that you can keep them entertained? The Gold Coast Theme parks are definitely the right place to come.
To get the most out of the theme parks, you need to plan your trip. This article is here to help you do just that.
Which theme park is right for you?
There are 4 main Theme parks and it depends what you are into as to which one you choose to go to.
Sea World. Perfect for the younger kids and adults who love Polar Bears, Whales and Dolphins
Movie World. If you are into movies, film stunts and super heroes then this is the place. They also have some adrenalin rich rides here too.
DreamWorld This is for the adrenalin junkies and is where all the thrill seekers rides are.
Wet N Wild A classic water park with all the slides and flumes you can imagine.
Two more theme parks exist
White Water World is a new park opened right next to Dreamworld, to take on Wet N Wild.
Outback Spectacular. A show and Aussie Barbeque depicting life in the Outback. Only open in the evenings.
Dream World and White Water World are best if you have teenage kids or are an adult looking for fun.
If you are a younger family, then go for Sea World, Movie World and Wet n Wild.
Get the Right Ticket
The parks are owned by two companies so you need to work out which parks you want to visit.
You can do Dreamworld and the White Water World together or
You can choose a package that takes in Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild.
Consider how long you want to spend in the parks as part of your overall holiday to the Gold Coast. Don't presume you can quickly get round all 2 or all 3 in a day either. It can be just too much trying to do everything, what with the shows at certain times and of course the queues. Then if you add the likelihood of everyone wanting to do and see different things.....you get the picture?
Before you even leave for your trip, book your tickets on line It will save you lots of time as there is no queuing when you get to the park entrance. You can just use the e-ticket express gates.
These are the ticket types that you buy:
Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild
Super pass. Entry to all 3 parks for 14 days. This pass is valid for a year so if you think you might come back in the space of a year, this is the ticket for you. ($189 for adults; $129 for kids) (Kids are classed as being between 4-13 years old)
Fun Pass. Access to 3 parks over 5 days but you only get one day at each park ($149 for adults; $95.95 for kids)
Escape Pass. Gives you access to 2 parks over 5 days (one day per park) ($119 for adults; $75.95 for kids)
Dream World and White Water World
Two Day World Pass $102 for adults and $68 for kids
Two day Family and Friends World Pass (2 adults and 2 kids) $306
One Day World Pass $79 and $57 for kids
With the exception of DreamWorld and White Water World, the parks are not close together. It's therefore only feasible to do two parks in one day if you want to do these two parks. I wouldn't necessarily advice it though. You will feel rushed. Instead, go for a two day pass. If you want to do the three parks, go for a 2 or better still, 3 day pass.
If you intend to go to Dream World, I'd strongly recommend getting the following ad ons to your ticket
Early Entry. For an extra $10 you can get into the park at 9am which is an hour before the park actually opens. (Tickets are limited so you need to book in advance)
Q4U. Whilst you will have to pay an extra $30 for a family of 4, this will be worth it. You get the freedom to walk around the park until it's time for you to ride the ride. No standing in line getting bored and weary. You get a buzzer, a bit like the ones you get in a restaurant that tells you when your food is ready.
To book your tickets for the big 3 theme parks go to www.myfun.com.au. Once you've booked, the tickets are valid for up to one year. Go to www.dreamworld.com.au for the other two parks.
Traveling between Parks
You don't need to hire a car to get around the Theme Parks. Surfside Shuttle Buses have buses that go past the theme parks. Pick up one of their "Get around Guides" from any surfside bus, the Gold Coast airport or tourist desk.
Theme Parks Main Attractions
Don't run out of time. Plan your trip carefully by looking at the online Theme Park Maps. Work out which of the attractions you really want to do and find out the times of the shows. That way, you are less likely to run out of time.
Sea World
This park is mainly about seeing the fish although there are a few good rides here too. The "Must See" items are
The Imagine Show at Dolphin Cove, The Polar Bear exhibition and the Water Ski Wipe Out Show.
Why not book one of the Animal Adventures. You can scuba dive with a shark or swim with a dolphin. Book well in advance for these.
The Jet Rescue is the newest ride here and the Corkscrew Rollercoaster is an old classic. Both have height restrictions
Movie World
Hit the streets and look out for your favourite movie characters. You are bound to bump into your favourite cartoon characters, Bat Man, Wonder Woman, Cat Woman and maybe even Shrek.
The big attractions are
The Shrek Adventure is a 3D cinema experience where you get to adorn those silly glasses and even your seat moves. The 20 minute Hollywood Stunt Driver show is loud and fun with lots of great car stunts. For the younger ones, the Looney Tunes Musical, which is every day at 11.30am, is good fun. Expect to be dancing in the aisles to some rock n roll tunes.
The two best rides are The Superman Escape - a classic roller coaster ride and The Batwing Space Shot - A rapid 4.5g vertical launch followed by a 60 meter tower drop....only for the brave!
Wet n Wild
The park isn't too big so you adults can relax in the sun and still keep an eye on the kids. There's plenty of flumes and slides.
Kamikaze - With speeds up to 50km/h this is a fast ride for 2 people.
Tornado - ride on a dingy like tube down a huge flume
Black Hole - added excitement by sliding down in the dark
Mach 5 - Enjoy the twists and turns as you zoom through the open air
Dreamworld
Looking for the best adrenalin rides?
Cyclone is more of a classic roller coaster;
Cyclone is more of a classic roller coaster;
Wipe Out is the giant boat that tips you up and over and side to side;
Tower of Terror is a very fast roller coaster;
And Giant Drop is another vertical drop leaving your stomach far behind.
These rides are very popular so expect to queue for well over an hour. These are the rides you want to use your Q4U buzzer or rush to if you do the early entry.
There are other things to see here though. The more family friendly rides such as the Log Flume and Rapids are very popular. For the animal lover, there is Tiger Island where you get to see white and gold Bengal Sumatran Tigers.
The Nickelodean area is also popular and in particular the Slime Time Live is amusing.
Don't forget to bring your swimmers and have a go at the Flowrider. A machine that helps you surf. You'll get a real feel for what it's like to surf your own wave.
White Water World
This park has lots of slides and flumes, offering something for all ages.
Towering 20m above the ground, The Green Room is one of the more well known slides.
The Hydro Coaster is for up to three. You sit behind each other on a special Rocket raft before being blasted from the 18 meter tower
The Cave of Waves is a wave pool so much safer than swimming in the sea - no rips or sand banks to worry about. You can take a surf lesson here too. Lessons are 8-10am, three days a week, costing $115.
Other tips for getting the most out of the theme parks
With the exception of Dream World and White Water World, you can take your own pack lunch and drinks.
Use the lockers to store your belongings but pick a good central location if you will need to keep going back and forth.
Mobile phones are a great way of keeping in touch with others if you intend to split up and meet later. It's hard to judge how long the queues will take you. It can leave the other half of your party frustrated as they wait for you.
There's so much more to the Gold Coast than the Theme Parks. Make sure your holiday to the Gold Coast takes in some of the other attractions including the Hinterland (The Green behind the Gold.) - 23815
Are you like me and LOVE those Adrenalin rides? Perhaps you have kids and are looking for a place that you can keep them entertained? The Gold Coast Theme parks are definitely the right place to come.
To get the most out of the theme parks, you need to plan your trip. This article is here to help you do just that.
Which theme park is right for you?
There are 4 main Theme parks and it depends what you are into as to which one you choose to go to.
Sea World. Perfect for the younger kids and adults who love Polar Bears, Whales and Dolphins
Movie World. If you are into movies, film stunts and super heroes then this is the place. They also have some adrenalin rich rides here too.
DreamWorld This is for the adrenalin junkies and is where all the thrill seekers rides are.
Wet N Wild A classic water park with all the slides and flumes you can imagine.
Two more theme parks exist
White Water World is a new park opened right next to Dreamworld, to take on Wet N Wild.
Outback Spectacular. A show and Aussie Barbeque depicting life in the Outback. Only open in the evenings.
Dream World and White Water World are best if you have teenage kids or are an adult looking for fun.
If you are a younger family, then go for Sea World, Movie World and Wet n Wild.
Get the Right Ticket
The parks are owned by two companies so you need to work out which parks you want to visit.
You can do Dreamworld and the White Water World together or
You can choose a package that takes in Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild.
Consider how long you want to spend in the parks as part of your overall holiday to the Gold Coast. Don't presume you can quickly get round all 2 or all 3 in a day either. It can be just too much trying to do everything, what with the shows at certain times and of course the queues. Then if you add the likelihood of everyone wanting to do and see different things.....you get the picture?
Before you even leave for your trip, book your tickets on line It will save you lots of time as there is no queuing when you get to the park entrance. You can just use the e-ticket express gates.
These are the ticket types that you buy:
Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild
Super pass. Entry to all 3 parks for 14 days. This pass is valid for a year so if you think you might come back in the space of a year, this is the ticket for you. ($189 for adults; $129 for kids) (Kids are classed as being between 4-13 years old)
Fun Pass. Access to 3 parks over 5 days but you only get one day at each park ($149 for adults; $95.95 for kids)
Escape Pass. Gives you access to 2 parks over 5 days (one day per park) ($119 for adults; $75.95 for kids)
Dream World and White Water World
Two Day World Pass $102 for adults and $68 for kids
Two day Family and Friends World Pass (2 adults and 2 kids) $306
One Day World Pass $79 and $57 for kids
With the exception of DreamWorld and White Water World, the parks are not close together. It's therefore only feasible to do two parks in one day if you want to do these two parks. I wouldn't necessarily advice it though. You will feel rushed. Instead, go for a two day pass. If you want to do the three parks, go for a 2 or better still, 3 day pass.
If you intend to go to Dream World, I'd strongly recommend getting the following ad ons to your ticket
Early Entry. For an extra $10 you can get into the park at 9am which is an hour before the park actually opens. (Tickets are limited so you need to book in advance)
Q4U. Whilst you will have to pay an extra $30 for a family of 4, this will be worth it. You get the freedom to walk around the park until it's time for you to ride the ride. No standing in line getting bored and weary. You get a buzzer, a bit like the ones you get in a restaurant that tells you when your food is ready.
To book your tickets for the big 3 theme parks go to www.myfun.com.au. Once you've booked, the tickets are valid for up to one year. Go to www.dreamworld.com.au for the other two parks.
Traveling between Parks
You don't need to hire a car to get around the Theme Parks. Surfside Shuttle Buses have buses that go past the theme parks. Pick up one of their "Get around Guides" from any surfside bus, the Gold Coast airport or tourist desk.
Theme Parks Main Attractions
Don't run out of time. Plan your trip carefully by looking at the online Theme Park Maps. Work out which of the attractions you really want to do and find out the times of the shows. That way, you are less likely to run out of time.
Sea World
This park is mainly about seeing the fish although there are a few good rides here too. The "Must See" items are
The Imagine Show at Dolphin Cove, The Polar Bear exhibition and the Water Ski Wipe Out Show.
Why not book one of the Animal Adventures. You can scuba dive with a shark or swim with a dolphin. Book well in advance for these.
The Jet Rescue is the newest ride here and the Corkscrew Rollercoaster is an old classic. Both have height restrictions
Movie World
Hit the streets and look out for your favourite movie characters. You are bound to bump into your favourite cartoon characters, Bat Man, Wonder Woman, Cat Woman and maybe even Shrek.
The big attractions are
The Shrek Adventure is a 3D cinema experience where you get to adorn those silly glasses and even your seat moves. The 20 minute Hollywood Stunt Driver show is loud and fun with lots of great car stunts. For the younger ones, the Looney Tunes Musical, which is every day at 11.30am, is good fun. Expect to be dancing in the aisles to some rock n roll tunes.
The two best rides are The Superman Escape - a classic roller coaster ride and The Batwing Space Shot - A rapid 4.5g vertical launch followed by a 60 meter tower drop....only for the brave!
Wet n Wild
The park isn't too big so you adults can relax in the sun and still keep an eye on the kids. There's plenty of flumes and slides.
Kamikaze - With speeds up to 50km/h this is a fast ride for 2 people.
Tornado - ride on a dingy like tube down a huge flume
Black Hole - added excitement by sliding down in the dark
Mach 5 - Enjoy the twists and turns as you zoom through the open air
Dreamworld
Looking for the best adrenalin rides?
Cyclone is more of a classic roller coaster;
Cyclone is more of a classic roller coaster;
Wipe Out is the giant boat that tips you up and over and side to side;
Tower of Terror is a very fast roller coaster;
And Giant Drop is another vertical drop leaving your stomach far behind.
These rides are very popular so expect to queue for well over an hour. These are the rides you want to use your Q4U buzzer or rush to if you do the early entry.
There are other things to see here though. The more family friendly rides such as the Log Flume and Rapids are very popular. For the animal lover, there is Tiger Island where you get to see white and gold Bengal Sumatran Tigers.
The Nickelodean area is also popular and in particular the Slime Time Live is amusing.
Don't forget to bring your swimmers and have a go at the Flowrider. A machine that helps you surf. You'll get a real feel for what it's like to surf your own wave.
White Water World
This park has lots of slides and flumes, offering something for all ages.
Towering 20m above the ground, The Green Room is one of the more well known slides.
The Hydro Coaster is for up to three. You sit behind each other on a special Rocket raft before being blasted from the 18 meter tower
The Cave of Waves is a wave pool so much safer than swimming in the sea - no rips or sand banks to worry about. You can take a surf lesson here too. Lessons are 8-10am, three days a week, costing $115.
Other tips for getting the most out of the theme parks
With the exception of Dream World and White Water World, you can take your own pack lunch and drinks.
Use the lockers to store your belongings but pick a good central location if you will need to keep going back and forth.
Mobile phones are a great way of keeping in touch with others if you intend to split up and meet later. It's hard to judge how long the queues will take you. It can leave the other half of your party frustrated as they wait for you.
There's so much more to the Gold Coast than the Theme Parks. Make sure your holiday to the Gold Coast takes in some of the other attractions including the Hinterland (The Green behind the Gold.) - 23815
About the Author:
Jennifer Schellington has nearly 5 years of experience in travelling Australia. Her website, www.realaustraliatravel.com offers practical information from a local on planning your visit to Australia as well as what to do and where to go. Click here for more information on exploring the The Gold Coast
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