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read moreGold Coast theme park Warner Bros. Movie World has started testing its new Wizard of Oz-themed rollercoaster, Kansas Twister.
Scheduled to open for the peak summer season in Movie World’s new Wizard of Oz themed land, the new ride, supplied by Dutch roller coaster specialist, Vekoma has two racing tracks of 225 and 220 metres long, a top speed of 58 km/h, and a top height of 22 metres.
In addition to Kansas Twister, the new $50 million precinct - the first world’s first Wizard of Oz themed land - includes a suspended coaster called ‘Flight of the Wicked Witch’ with a maximum speed of 67 km/h, a top height of 19 metres, and a 454-metre-long track.
The land also features immersive theming, including a recreation of the 1939 film’s Yellow Brick Road.
Following the opening of the Flash Speed Force ride at Easter, the new land marks Village Roadshow Theme Parks’ (VRTP) latest investment in its Gold Coast properties.
Speaking to the Gold Coast Bulletin in July, VRTP Chief Operating Officer Bikash Randhawa advised that the new land would be able to accommodate more than 2000 people every hour, advising “this is something that has never been done before, so the beauty of this attraction is that everything has had to be built from scratch.
“There were numerous people from Warner Brothers Discovery, our thematic team and our internal teams who had to create every square inch of this area from nothing.
“What we’ve achieved here, especially with all the talent and the skill set coming out of Gold Coast, and to be able to do something that has not been done anywhere in the entire world is a big tick for tourism, and a big tick for the city of Gold Coast.
“Theme parks drive visitation and I believe this will be something that is so iconic that, for years and years to come, we’ll have families come here with mums, dads and kids, who will one day bring their own children, making it a generational piece.”
The Wizard of Oz precinct is being built on the former location of the Arkham Asylum roller coaster, which was originally known as the Lethal Weapon ride.
In September, Warner Bros. Discovery - from whom VRTP licences Warner Bros. intellectual property - announced a new division for all of its location-based experiences, including theme parks, touring exhibitions, retail destinations and studio tours.
Image: Concept artwork for the Movie World's new Wizard of Oz-themed land. Credit: Village Roadshow.
6th September 2024 - Warner Bros. establishes new theme parks and global attractions division
16th August 2024 - Latest TEA/AECOM global attractions report shows theme parks, waterparks and museums as having ‘closed the chapter’ on recovery
16th August 2024 - Village Roadshow to retire Sea World’s monorail after 38 years
10th March 2024 - ROLLER delivers insights into visitor segmentation for attractions and theme parks
25th March 2024 - Pico Play theming set to bring The Wizard of Oz to life at Warner Bros. Movie World
13th February 2024 - Warner Bros. Movie World reveals details of new Wizard of Oz-themed rides
27th December 2023 - Gold coast storms prompts Boxing Day closure of Dreamworld and Movie World
3rd October 2023 - Warner Bros. Movie World transforms for Gold Coast’s best Halloween event
23rd August 2023 - Gold Coast Council gives approval for new 600-room hotel at Warner Bros. Movie World
5th July 2023 - Warner Bros. Movie World reveals new rollercoaster with planned 2024 opening
1st June 2023 - Village Roadshow Theme Parks introduces Reconciliation Action Plan
7th March 2023 - Village Roadshow moves forward with Movie World hotel plans
27th January 2023 - Warner Bros. Movie World’s Scooby Doo ride to shut for $4 million upgrade
19th January 2023 - Guest action contributes to ride closures at Warner Bros. Movie World
15th December 2022 - Village Roadshow Theme Parks look to successful summer season
27th October 2022 - Village Roadshow submit plans for $333 million hotel and function centre next to Warner Bros. Movie World
20th July 2022 - New Wizard of Oz precinct concept unveiled for Warner Bros. Movie World
4th June 2021 - Warner Bros. Movie World commences festivities to mark 30th Anniversary
17th July 2020 - Village Roadshow reopens Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast
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Known as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd
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