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Construction of Movie World began in 1989, and was designed by C.V Wood, who was responsible for the design of theme parks such as [[Six Flags Over Texas]]. The park was completed within 16 months, converting swampland into a theme park modeled after similar movie-based theme parks overseas such as [[Universal Studios]] or [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]]. The park opened on [[June 3]], [[1991]]. Queensland Premier [[Wayne Goss]] marked the occasion by cutting novelty film reel at an opening attended by celebrities such as [[Clint Eastwood]], [[Mel Gibson]], [[Goldie Hawn]] and [[Kurt Russell]].
Construction of Movie World began in 1989, and was designed by C.V Wood, who was responsible for the design of theme parks such as [[Six Flags Over Texas]]. The park was completed within 16 months, converting swampland into a theme park modeled after similar movie-based theme parks overseas such as [[Universal Studios]] or [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]]. The park opened on [[June 3]], [[1991]]. Queensland Premier [[Wayne Goss]] marked the occasion by cutting novelty film reel at an opening attended by celebrities such as [[Clint Eastwood]], [[Mel Gibson]], [[Goldie Hawn]] and [[Kurt Russell]].


Initial attractions at the park focused on learning about and getting involved in movie related scenes and behind the scenes action. Opening day attractions included a [[Movie studio]] [[Tour]] as well as the parks original show, a western play, the Police Academy Stunt Show as well as the Looney Tunes River Ride.
Initial attractions at the park focused on learning about and getting involved in movie related scenes and behind the scenes action. Opening day attractions included a [[Movie studio]] [[Tour guide|Tour]] as well as the parks original show, a western play, the Police Academy Stunt Show as well as the Looney Tunes River Ride.


In 1992, Movie World's first new ride since its opening, [[Batman Adventure - The Ride]] opened.
In 1992, Movie World's first new ride since its opening, [[Batman Adventure - The Ride]] opened.

Revision as of 23:58, 17 January 2008

27°54′26.17″S 153°18′45.54″E / 27.9072694°S 153.3126500°E / -27.9072694; 153.3126500

Warner Bros. Movie World
LocationOxenford, Queensland
OpenedJune 3, 1991
OwnerWarner Village Theme Parks
SloganHollywood on the Gold Coast
Operating seasonAll year round
Attractions
Total8
Roller coasters4
Water rides2
WebsiteOfficial Site
The park's entrance gate.

Warner Bros. Movie World is a popular movie related theme park on the Gold Coast in Australia. It is owned and operated by Village Roadshow and is the only movie related park in Australia. It opened on June 3, 1991.

The park contains various movie-themed rides and attractions ranging from motion simulators to roller coasters and slow river rides. In addition, costumed character performers also patrol the park, allowing visitors the chance to take photos with them. These include Catwoman, Batman, Austin Powers and various Looney Tunes characters. Minor street shows including skits and singing performances are also present. The All-Star Parade commences at 2.30 PM every day, and also showcases costumed characters alongside vehicles and movie-themed floats.

There are also a number of actual active film studios within the Movie World complex.

History

Construction of Movie World began in 1989, and was designed by C.V Wood, who was responsible for the design of theme parks such as Six Flags Over Texas. The park was completed within 16 months, converting swampland into a theme park modeled after similar movie-based theme parks overseas such as Universal Studios or Disney's Hollywood Studios. The park opened on June 3, 1991. Queensland Premier Wayne Goss marked the occasion by cutting novelty film reel at an opening attended by celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

Initial attractions at the park focused on learning about and getting involved in movie related scenes and behind the scenes action. Opening day attractions included a Movie studio Tour as well as the parks original show, a western play, the Police Academy Stunt Show as well as the Looney Tunes River Ride.

In 1992, Movie World's first new ride since its opening, Batman Adventure - The Ride opened.

In 1995, the park's first Roller Coaster opened, Lethal Weapon. Lethal Weapon - The Ride, a Vekoma SLC themed to the Lethal Weapon series of films.

In 1997, Looney Tunes Village opened. the family-oriented area features colourful and cartoon-like themed children's rides and attractions. Also in 1997, Marvin the Martian in 3D opened in the Roxy Theatre. The movie was the first computer animated movie viewed with 3D glasses to be produced in the world.[1] It mixed the old art of anaglyphic or polarized film (viewed with 3D glasses), and the relatively new art of CGI (the first CGI feature-film (Toy Story) was made only 2 years before).[2] [3]

In 1998, the park opened the Hopkins log flume ride Wild Wild West, based on the film of the same name. It features a backwards drop as well as a 70 k/ph splashdown at the end of the ride. The ride was later renamed Wild West Falls due to a licensing issue.

In 2000, Australia's first junior rollercoaster opened at Movie World in December, the Road Runner Roller Coaster.

The following year saw the park's tenth anniversary with massive celebrations being held which included 1000 invites being given out via B105 in August 2001. Guests were treated to live performances by Human Nature, Invertigo, ATC and Joanne. At the end of 2001 The Batman Adventure Ride was re-themed to become Batman Adventure 2. A new interactive water fountain was also added to the Looney Tunes Village.

2002 saw the arrival of a new indoor Mad Mouse roller coaster, the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster. The opening coincided with the new live action movie incarnation of Scooby-Doo. It features a backwards drop, an elevator as well as many different light and sound effects.

Following the release of the two The Matrix sequels, The Matrix Revolutions and The Matrix Reloaded, the Official Matrix Exhibit opened in 2003. Items on display include some of the actual costumes, props, models, and sets used during the filming of the movies, accompanied with various sound effects and video clips.

In 2005, The Roxy Theatre saw Marvin the Martian in 3D ending its run and being replaced with the Shrek 4D Adventure which includes added real world effects to immerse the viewers into the film such as wind, water and smells. December 26, 2005 saw the opening of Movie World's fourth roller coaster, Superman Escape. The coaster is the only hydraulic launch Accelerator Coaster in Australia, launching from 0-100 km/h in two seconds.

December 20, 2006 saw Movie World's newest attraction, Batwing Spaceshot designed and built by S&S Power. The 16 seat spaceshot sends riders catapulting to the top creating 4.5 g of force up 56 metres. The tower of the Batwing Spaceshot is 61 metres tall and is the first S&S Power ride in Australia.

There will be a new stunt show opening in two years, named the Hot Wheels Stunt Show replacing the old Police Academy Stunt Show. A new roller coaster is also rumored for the park, though little is known about that at this stage.



Attraction history

Superman Escape
File:Roller Coaster-Movie World Australia.jpg
Road Runner Roller Coaster
The All-Star Parade in progress
  • 2009: Hot Wheels Stuntshow
  • TBA: Unknown Rollercoaster
  • Much in the same manner as the Universal Studios Theme Park, the park contains a working studio lot.
  • Some scenes from the Matrix series were filmed on the park's soundstages
  • The park is also a storehouse of movie memorabilia - some of which includes one of the BatBoats used in "Batman Forever", along with at least one of every Batmobile.
  • House of Wax, the live-action Scooby Doo films, the 2003 Peter Pan film, Ghost Ship, The Condemned and Fortress are amongst the many films and television series' produced at Warner Roadshow Studios, adjoining Warner Bros. Movie World.
  • In January 2006 it was announced by Warner Roadshow studio owners Village Theme Park Management and Warner World Australia that they were suing special effects expert David Fletcher and Wax Productions because of a fire on the set during production which destroyed a whole studio.
  • Wild West Falls caught on fire in 2003 and destroyed the top of the artificial mountain.
  • WWE movie The Marine was filmed at Warner Bros. Movie World, yet the movie is set in South Carolina. WWE Films "The Condemned", which starred wrestling superstar "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, was also shot here.
  • When the park first opened the Australian staff were encouraged to speak with American accents to help sell the Hollywood theme. This was abandoned after a few weeks.

See also

References

  1. ^ Our History A Timeline Of Warner Bros. Movie World (Official site)
  2. ^ Directory of 3-D (Stereo) Motion Pictures 1922 - 2001
  3. ^ Toy Story at the Internet Movie Database

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Warner_Bros._Movie_World&oldid=185096841"