The Gold Coast Bulletin

No time to coast in race for fun

Movie World raises the stakes with $30 million hyper ride

- AMANDA ROBBEMOND amanda.robbemond@news.com.au

MOVIE WORLD has raised the bar for all theme parks across the globe after launching its new DC Rivals HyperCoast­er.

And the operators, Village Roadshow, revealed Sea World could be next in line for a new attraction, with families the likely target.

Movie World will officially begin taking its first customers today for the 1.4km ride, which is 61.6m high and reaches speeds of 115km/h.

Village Roadshow CEO Clark Kirby said the ride, reported to have cost around $30 million, represente­d a significan­t, unique investment.

“It’s a risk, but that’s where the magic is created,” he said.

“We are a strong believer in the theme park industry and the Gold Coast itself.

“This is going to be a landmark for not only us, but the Gold Coast in general.”

Mr Kirby said the ride was sure to tempt other parties to replicate it, but as it currently stood the hypercoast­er was the pinnacle of theme park rides.

It has been touted as the biggest hypercoast­er in the southern hemisphere.

He said the ride added a whole new dimension into the market of thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies, who are expected to come from all over the world.

“The reaction has been phenomenal,” Mr Kirby said, adding the next attraction will be more family-oriented.

“We would look to do a very different type of attraction, possibly something at Seaworld – we spread our investment­s across our properties.”

The theme park worked hand-in-hand for over two years with German coaster manufactur­er Mack Rides in designing the ride.

Gold Coast Tourism executive director Dean Gould said the ride was a welcome attraction to the Coast as a “mature” destinatio­n.

“One of the things the Gold Coast is in desperate need of is new attraction­s,” he said.

“People love the Gold Coast, so different reasons to come is critical to growing the (area). The hypercoast­er is something to tick off.

“We’re very keen to see other people come.”

Mr Gould said statistics showed more than one fifth of tourists visited the theme parks, representi­ng a “significan­t” share of the market.

He said the theme park industry experience­d a challengin­g 12 months but the hypercoast­er showed Movie World’s commitment to the leisure market.

 ?? Picture: GLENN HAMPSON ?? Gold Coast Bulletin journalist­s Kate Donadini and Amanda Robbemond ride the new DC Rivals HyperCoast­er at Movie World ahead of its official opening today.
Picture: GLENN HAMPSON Gold Coast Bulletin journalist­s Kate Donadini and Amanda Robbemond ride the new DC Rivals HyperCoast­er at Movie World ahead of its official opening today.

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