The Gold Coast attracts thousands of visitors every year making it one of the best holiday destinations in Australia. 99% of those visitors don't leave until they've visited at least one of the Gold Coast Theme Parks.
Whether you have kids or are just an adrenalin junky, the Gold Coast theme parks have something for everyone.
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?
There are 4 main Theme parks and it depends what you are into as to which one you choose to go to.
The first is Sea World. Perfect for smaller children and anyone who likes Polar Bears, Whales and dolphins
Movie World. Whilst there are a few rides here, the focus is on action heroes, car stunts and well known cartoon characters.
DreamWorld. Hold onto your stomachs. This is the place for you if you are a thrill seeker. Home to all the big adrenalin rides.
Wet N Wild A classic water park with all the slides and flumes you can imagine.
There are two others
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.
The other parks are better for younger families or anyone mad about movies or marine life.
Getting the Right Ticket
There are two different owners of the parks so it's best to pick between them to get the best value for money.
You can do Dreamworld and the White Water World together or
Choose to visit Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild.
How much time do you want to spend at the parks? Do you want to have time to do other things in the Gold Coast? Be wise. Don't think that you can do all 2 or all 3 parks in just one day. The shows, the queues and the fact that your group might all want to do different things make it quite impossible.
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.
Here are a list of the types of passes you can get:
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. Allow entry to 2 parks over 5 days (one day only per park) ($119 for adults; $75.95 for kids)
White Water World and Dreamworld
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
The parks are not all close together although Dreamworld and White Water World are pretty close. If you want to do more than one park, go for at least a 2 day pass. If you want to do 3 parks, go for a 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. Book in advance for this gem. It gives you access to the park an hour before everyone else. There's usually at least two of the big rides available. You may be lucky and get all 5.
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 go to www.myfun.com.au. This is the site for Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild. Your booking gives you one year to use the tickets.Go to www.dreamworld.com.au for the other two theme parks.
Getting to and from the parks
Surfside shuttle Bus Service will take you to and from the parks so there is no need to hire a car. They have helpful leaflets in most tourist places including the information Center and Airport.
Main Attractions at the Parks
Planning your trip is the key to getting the most out of the Theme Parks. Whilst it's nice to amble round and discover as you go, I guarantee that you will run out of time. Study the Park Map before you go and work out which of the attractions and shows you really want to do.
Sea World
There's lots of animals to see and a few rides too. The "Not to Miss" items are
The Imagine Show at Dolphin Cove, The Polar Bear exhibition and the Water Ski Wipe Out Show.
The Animal Adventures are worth a look but remember to book well in advance. You can swim with a dolphin or scuba dive with a shark.
There are a few rides here too with the Jet Rescue (their newest ride) and Corkscrew rollercoaster probably being the best ones. Both have height restrictions.
Movie World
Your favourite film characters will be wandering the streets so go look for them - Wonder Woman, Bat Man, Shrek and of course some Cartoon Characters
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 most popular rides are the Batwing Space shot - it shoots you 60 meters in the air only to drop you from that height too. Only for the brave. The Superman Escape is a classic roller coaster of a ride so hold on tight.
Wet n Wild
As you'd expect, there's plenty of slides and flumes here to keep you entertained. The park isn't that big so the adults can soak up the sun and still keep an eye on the kids.
Kamikaze - With speeds up to 50km/h this is a fast ride for 2 people.
Tornado - a huge flume that you ride on a dingy like tube
Black Hole - the dark just adds more excitement
Mach 5 - Enjoy the twists and turns as you zoom through the open air
Dreamworld
Looking for the best adrenalin rides?
Claw is like a big ferris wheel whisking you upside down;
Tower of Terror is a very fast roller coaster experience;
The Giant Drop offers a huge verical drop if your stomach can take it it;
Tower of Terror is a very fast roller coaster;
And Giant Drop is another vertical drop leaving your stomach far behind.
Expect to queue well over an hour for these rides. These are the ones to head to first if you have bought the early entry tickets. Or use your Q4U here too.
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.
Flowrider is another top attraction where you get to feel what its like to surf a wave. Bring your swimmers.
White Water World
This park has lots of slides and flumes, offering something for all ages.
The Green Room is set to be one of the biggest attractions on the Gold Coast. A huge flume, towering 20m above the ground.
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
Cave of Waves is a safe wave pool with no rips or sand banks to worry about! You can actually do a learn to surf lesson here. Costs are $115 for a 2 hour lesson but Book well in advance for this. Lessons are 8-10am and are only 3 days a week.
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.
You can put your things in a locker but choose the right location so that you don't have to retrace your steps too far.
If you plan to split up and meet back somewhere, take mobile phones - queueing for different rides will take different lengths of time leaving half the party frustratingly waiting at a meeting point.
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.) - 23812
Whether you have kids or are just an adrenalin junky, the Gold Coast theme parks have something for everyone.
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?
There are 4 main Theme parks and it depends what you are into as to which one you choose to go to.
The first is Sea World. Perfect for smaller children and anyone who likes Polar Bears, Whales and dolphins
Movie World. Whilst there are a few rides here, the focus is on action heroes, car stunts and well known cartoon characters.
DreamWorld. Hold onto your stomachs. This is the place for you if you are a thrill seeker. Home to all the big adrenalin rides.
Wet N Wild A classic water park with all the slides and flumes you can imagine.
There are two others
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.
The other parks are better for younger families or anyone mad about movies or marine life.
Getting the Right Ticket
There are two different owners of the parks so it's best to pick between them to get the best value for money.
You can do Dreamworld and the White Water World together or
Choose to visit Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild.
How much time do you want to spend at the parks? Do you want to have time to do other things in the Gold Coast? Be wise. Don't think that you can do all 2 or all 3 parks in just one day. The shows, the queues and the fact that your group might all want to do different things make it quite impossible.
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.
Here are a list of the types of passes you can get:
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. Allow entry to 2 parks over 5 days (one day only per park) ($119 for adults; $75.95 for kids)
White Water World and Dreamworld
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
The parks are not all close together although Dreamworld and White Water World are pretty close. If you want to do more than one park, go for at least a 2 day pass. If you want to do 3 parks, go for a 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. Book in advance for this gem. It gives you access to the park an hour before everyone else. There's usually at least two of the big rides available. You may be lucky and get all 5.
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 go to www.myfun.com.au. This is the site for Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild. Your booking gives you one year to use the tickets.Go to www.dreamworld.com.au for the other two theme parks.
Getting to and from the parks
Surfside shuttle Bus Service will take you to and from the parks so there is no need to hire a car. They have helpful leaflets in most tourist places including the information Center and Airport.
Main Attractions at the Parks
Planning your trip is the key to getting the most out of the Theme Parks. Whilst it's nice to amble round and discover as you go, I guarantee that you will run out of time. Study the Park Map before you go and work out which of the attractions and shows you really want to do.
Sea World
There's lots of animals to see and a few rides too. The "Not to Miss" items are
The Imagine Show at Dolphin Cove, The Polar Bear exhibition and the Water Ski Wipe Out Show.
The Animal Adventures are worth a look but remember to book well in advance. You can swim with a dolphin or scuba dive with a shark.
There are a few rides here too with the Jet Rescue (their newest ride) and Corkscrew rollercoaster probably being the best ones. Both have height restrictions.
Movie World
Your favourite film characters will be wandering the streets so go look for them - Wonder Woman, Bat Man, Shrek and of course some Cartoon Characters
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 most popular rides are the Batwing Space shot - it shoots you 60 meters in the air only to drop you from that height too. Only for the brave. The Superman Escape is a classic roller coaster of a ride so hold on tight.
Wet n Wild
As you'd expect, there's plenty of slides and flumes here to keep you entertained. The park isn't that big so the adults can soak up the sun and still keep an eye on the kids.
Kamikaze - With speeds up to 50km/h this is a fast ride for 2 people.
Tornado - a huge flume that you ride on a dingy like tube
Black Hole - the dark just adds more excitement
Mach 5 - Enjoy the twists and turns as you zoom through the open air
Dreamworld
Looking for the best adrenalin rides?
Claw is like a big ferris wheel whisking you upside down;
Tower of Terror is a very fast roller coaster experience;
The Giant Drop offers a huge verical drop if your stomach can take it it;
Tower of Terror is a very fast roller coaster;
And Giant Drop is another vertical drop leaving your stomach far behind.
Expect to queue well over an hour for these rides. These are the ones to head to first if you have bought the early entry tickets. Or use your Q4U here too.
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.
Flowrider is another top attraction where you get to feel what its like to surf a wave. Bring your swimmers.
White Water World
This park has lots of slides and flumes, offering something for all ages.
The Green Room is set to be one of the biggest attractions on the Gold Coast. A huge flume, towering 20m above the ground.
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
Cave of Waves is a safe wave pool with no rips or sand banks to worry about! You can actually do a learn to surf lesson here. Costs are $115 for a 2 hour lesson but Book well in advance for this. Lessons are 8-10am and are only 3 days a week.
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.
You can put your things in a locker but choose the right location so that you don't have to retrace your steps too far.
If you plan to split up and meet back somewhere, take mobile phones - queueing for different rides will take different lengths of time leaving half the party frustratingly waiting at a meeting point.
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.) - 23812
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 where to go and what to do. Click here for more information on visiting the The Gold Coast
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