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Village Roadshow Theme Parks has today opened its new $100 million The Wizard of Oz precinct at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast.

Featuring two ground-breaking rollercoasters, high-tech holograms and unique theming, the precinct, the world’s first Wizard of Oz attraction, has been opened in time for the busy summer season.

In advance of the opening of what is Australia’s biggest theme park development in years, Village Roadshow Chief Executive Clark Kirby yesterday toured the precinct.

Kirby told The Gold Coast Bulletin “the Wizard of Oz precinct is like nothing we have ever done at Movie World where incredible theming and technology complements the physical ride elements to provide a unique and immersive guest experience.

“We have worked closely with our partners at Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences to make this one of the most immersive and beautifully themed precincts in any Australian theme park and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it.”

More than 2000 people are expected to pass through the precinct every hour, with two rides themed around events from the classic 1939 film.

The family friendly rides, both of which are southern-hemisphere firsts, include:

Flight of the Wicked Witch, a multi-type suspended coaster - 454m long, 19m high and flies at a top speed of 67km/h.

The Kansas Twister, a steel racing coaster with two duelling tracks of 225m and 220m respectively, which sit 22m above ground and reaches speeds of 58km/h.

The attraction was first announced in July 2022 after a long negotiation and is the world’s first theme park attraction based on both the film and the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum.

Clips from the 1939 film will be seen by guests as they line up at rides, while there is also a recreation of Dorothy Gale’s Kansas farmhouse.

The precinct also features recreations of the Wizard and his emerald chambers in the Land of Oz, the rainbow, the famous yellow brick road and Munchkinland, as well as statues of the cast from the 1939 film.

Characters in full costume as Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion will also walk around the precinct meeting with guests.

The opening of the Wizard of Oz precinct follows the unveiling of The Flash Speed Force ride at the park at Easter.

The Wizard of Oz precinct was built on the former location of the Arkham Asylum roller coaster, which was originally known as the Lethal Weapon ride.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks Chief Operating Officer Bikash Randhawa said the Gold Coast tourism industry was bouncing back strongly after five years of struggles following the pandemic.

Randhawa noted “our team have worked diligently on this, and we are excited to officially open The Wizard of Oz precinct today which we know will become a major drawcard for the Gold Coast and showcases Village Roadshow Theme Parks’ commitment to the tourism industry.

“The Wizard of Oz precinct beautifully complements our existing attractions and creates even more joy and memories for our guests at Movie World.”

Images: The Wizard of Oz precinct at Warner Bros. Movie World. Credit: Luke Sciacchitano

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