Warner Bros. Movie World

Warner Bros. Movie World
Park information
Location	Oxenford, Queensland, Australia
Opened	June 3, 1991

Warner Bros. Movie World (more commonly referred to as Movie World) is a movie related theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It is owned and operated by Village Roadshow via Village Roadshow Theme Parks since the take over from WarnerMedia and is the only movie related park in Australia. It opened on June 3, 1991. Though similarly named, it has no relation to Warner Bros. Movie World Germany (later renamed to Movie Park Germany).

The park contains various movie-themed rides and attractions ranging from motion simulators to roller coasters and slow river rides. In addition, famous characters also patrol the park, allowing visitors the chance to take photos with them. The characters featured in the park include Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Austin Powers, Marilyn Monroe, Scooby-Doo and Shaggy, and various Looney Tunes characters. Minor street shows including skits and singing performances are also present. The All-Star Parade showcases characters alongside vehicles and movie-themed floats.

There are a number of active film studios within the Movie World complex. House of Wax, the first Scooby-Doo film, 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.

History

Park set-up

In 1989, C.V. Wood was employed to design a 415-acre theme park adjacent to the existing Warner Roadshow Studio complex. His portfolio included the design of six theme parks including Six Flags Over Texas and Disneyland. 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 Hollywood or Disney's Hollywood Studios. The park's grand opening was held on 2 June 1991. Queensland Premier Wayne Goss marked the occasion by cutting novelty film reel at an opening ceremony which was attended by celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn, and Kurt Russell. The park was opened to the general public on 3 June 1991.

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, Movie Magic Special Effects Show, Western Action Show, Police Academy Stunt Show, Warner Bros. Classics and The Great Gremlin Adventure, Young Einstein Gravity Homestead, Roxy Theatre and Looney Tunes Land which featured the Looney Tunes Musical Revue and Looney Tunes River Ride.

The 1990s

In 1992, Batman Adventure – The Ride opened to the left of the park's entrance. In 1995, the Western Action Show was removed and eventually replaced by The Maverick Grand Illusion Show. The park's first roller coaster, Lethal Weapon – The Ride, also opened.

In 1997, Looney Tunes Land was renamed Looney Tunes Village and a variety of Zamperla rides were installed including Marvin the Martian's Rocket Ride, Taz Hollywood Cars, Sylvester and Tweety Carousel, and Yosemite Sam's Railroad. Additionally, Marvin the Martian in 3D opened in the Roxy Theatre, replacing Adventures in the Fourth Dimension.

In 1998, Warner Bros. Movie World opened the $18 million Wild West Falls Adventure Ride (then known as Wild Wild West). In 2000, the Looney Tunes Musical Revue was relocated and the Road Runner Roller Coaster opened in its place. Young Einstein Gravity Homestead was also closed.

The 1990s, 10th Anniversary, and the 2000s

In 2001, the park celebrated its 10th anniversary with 1000 invites being given out via radio station B105 in August 2001. Guests were treated to live performances by Human Nature, Invertigo, A Touch of Class, and Joanne Accom. The park also closed The Maverick Show, Warner Bros. Classics, and The Great Gremlin Adventure and Batman Adventure – The Ride. The latter was modified into Batman Adventure – The Ride 2 with a new film and simulator movements. The Looney Tunes Splash Zone was added to Looney Tunes Village. The Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience opened where Young Einstein Gravity Homestead once stood.

In 2002, the Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience was updated to feature props from the second Harry Potter film. Additionally, the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster opened where Warner Bros. Classics & Great Gremlins Adventure once stood. In 2003, Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience was replaced by The Official Matrix Exhibit.

In 2005, the Movie Magic Special Effects Show was replaced by Superman Escape forcing the relocation of the Looney Tunes Musical Revue again. The Roxy Theatre was upgraded following the closure of Marvin the Martian in 3D which was replaced by Shrek 4D Adventure in September. In 2006, the now-annual Halloween events began. In December, the Batwing Spaceshot opened.

In 2007, The Official Matrix Exhibit was replaced by Intencity, County Fair Fun 'n' Games, and Bumper cars. Looney Tunes Village was renamed to Kids' WB Fun Zone with the addition of two new rides. In 2008, Hollywood Stunt Driver replaced the Police Academy Stunt Show. Looney Tunes: What's Up Rock? opened replacing the Looney Tunes Musical Revue.

In June 2008, Movie World began construction of a roof over Main Street, similar to those at Universal Studios Japan and Tokyo Disneyland. The roof measures 4000sqft and provides an all-weather venue, whether it be hot or rainy. The permanent structure will also make a substantial difference to an after-hours scheduled program of events including Fright Nights and White Christmas events. The all-weather venue/roof was officially opened in October 2008.

The 2010s

In 2010, Warner Bros. Movie World held a DC Comics 75th Anniversary Heroes vs. Villains Parade. It was run in the June / July school holidays. Shrek 4D Adventure closed on 29 August. It was replaced by Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure later in the year. Also in 2010, the now-annual White Christmas events began.

Looney Tunes River Ride was closed on 1 February 2011. Showtime FMX's MotoMonster Xtreme show replaced Hollywood Stunt Driver from 26 June 2011 through to 18 July 2011 as alternative winter holiday entertainment. Halloween Fright Nights became Fright Nights. Green Lantern Coaster soft-opened on 16 December before officially opening on 23 December as the park's fifth coaster. Batman Adventure - The Ride 2 closed to make way for a new 2012 attraction.

In 2012, Lethal Weapon – The Ride was rethemed to Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy with the addition of a new train. In the Easter school holidays, Warner Bros. Movie World began a trial of Fast Track, a virtual queue system similar to Disney's Fastpass. Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure was closed on 4 June to make way for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs – The 4D Experience which began showing on 23 June. Batman Adventure - The Ride 2 was replaced on 22 September 2012 with Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D.

In 2013, Warner Bros. Movie World originally planned to open the Mini Cars Driving School. After a short delay, the ride opened on 12 September 2014 as Junior Driving School. The ride allows children to drive their own cars around a miniature version of the theme park. The ride is located in the Kids' WB Fun Zone where the Looney Tunes River Ride once stood. The plans to build the ride were reportedly put on hold due to Village Roadshow reallocating the investment towards an expansion of Sea World's Polar Bear Shores.

In February 2014, the Hollywood Stunt Driver stunt show was closed and replaced by the revamped 'Hollywood Stunt Driver 2'.

In 2014, Rio: The 4D Experience opened on 25 October at the Roxy Theatre replacing Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - The 4-D Experience.

In September 2015, Looney Tunes 4D opened at the Roxy Theatre replacing Rio: The 4D Experience.

In 2016, a new themed area dedicated to DC villains opened where the old Boot Hill once stood. With this land came a new ride, The Doomsday Destroyer, which is a giant looping thrill ride. It also introduced an interactive experience with the figures around the area utilizing an RFID wristband.

In September 2017, DC Rivals HyperCoaster, a $30 million hypercoaster manufactured by Mack Rides, opened as the park's sixth coaster. As the single largest ride investment in Village Roadshow's history, DC Rivals HyperCoaster is Australia's tallest, fastest and longest coaster.