Gold Coast Theme Parks: Which one?

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sonyxperiageek

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#195213 10-Apr-2016 22:23

So we're going to the Gold Coast later this month, and we scored ourselves a good deal for the theme parks: Unlimited entry to any theme park for only $99 per person!

We have only reserved two days to go to theme parks during our total 4 full days, so we have to make a choice between which theme parks (out of the 5) to go to. What would be your ideal two theme parks to go to, based on experiences?

Sony

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#1529685 10-Apr-2016 22:29

How many people and what age groups are you trying to please?

bazzer

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#1529687 10-Apr-2016 22:31

Depends what you're into, but for me Wet 'n' wild FTW! Then, maybe Movie World?

If you have 2 days, you could probably do Dreamworld and Whitewater World on the same day (they are right beside each other) especially if you think you wouldn't want to spend the whole day at one of those. I like Wet 'n' Wild better than Whitewater, but could be a good compromise.

Having said that they are two separate companies, so you're probably talking about Wet 'n' Wild, Movie World and Sea World. In that case, it's easy for me, Sea World isn't that great, imo.

sonyxperiageek

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#1529688 10-Apr-2016 22:31

3 and 17+ for age.

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sonyxperiageek

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#1529689 10-Apr-2016 22:34

Oh there's more than one company? Whoops.. I'm talking about Wet 'n' Wild, Movie World, Sea World, and Paradise Country.

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Geektastic

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#1529718 10-Apr-2016 22:59

I suppose "none" is not the correct answer?

Oblivian

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#1529720 10-Apr-2016 23:09

sonyxperiageek:

Oh there's more than one company? Whoops.. I'm talking about Wet 'n' Wild, Movie World, Sea World, and Paradise Country.

That's one. The other run Dreamworld and Whitewater world which share the same land.

Seaworld is cool if you like dolphins (always a little emotional watching em). Rest is more for younger age. Movieworld has some OK thrill rides, but you'll be bored once you have done them (Superman and Green Lantern). Dreamworld can cover a bit more, additional thrill rides and also a mix of animals and tigers you don't get at the others.

Sam91

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#1529723 10-Apr-2016 23:32

Out of the ones you've mentioned. Movie World and Wet and Wild.

Gold Coast Sea World doesn't have Orcas, but still...

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andrew027

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#1529803 11-Apr-2016 08:29

I haven't been to the Gold Coast for about six years now, but based on my previous experience: We've been to Warner Brothers Movie World, Dreamworld, Wet'n'Wild, WhiteWater World and Sea World...

If you have the deal that includes Movie World, Wet'n'Wild and Sea World, I'd take the first two. My family enjoy the water parks best and Wet'n'Wild is a really good water park. Movie World has a range of rides suitable for different ages, although there will be quite a bit a 3 year old won't be able to do.

Sea World was OK, but I felt it was generally more geared towards adults so the kids might get bored, especially the 3 year old. Also, you have to book really early for anything interactive (dolphin experience, etc.). If you wanted to do Sea World and do something like the dolphin experience I'd recommend phoning from here and booking as soon as you know the date you're going as you quite often get bus tour groups, etc. who book out whole sessions and you won't get in if you just turn up on the day.

Last time we were there we booked the day trip from Brisbane to Tangalooma as a surprise for our (then 13 year old) daughter. It's not cheap, but totally worth it. It starts with an early, long boat ride (which includes a good breakfast), then when you get to the island resort there's plenty to do. (sand dune tobogganing, quad bikes, 4WDs, snorkeling, parasailing, banana boat riding ... a lot of it costs extra but it's a lot of fun) and then the wild dolphins come into the beach to be fed at sunset. My daughter literally cried with the emotion of hand feeding "Echo", the dolphin that swam up to her, and she still talks about it as one of the highlights of her life.

shk292

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#1529818 11-Apr-2016 08:45

Movie World is fantastic if you like standing in queues, I had some of the best queue-standing I've ever experienced there a couple of years ago. It's particularly good how they mask different parts of the queue from the earlier parts, so that every 20 minutes or so you get a pleasant surprise that your queue standing is not coming to an abrupt end after all. Another feature I liked is the way that they loop the same 5-minute Scooby Doo trailer on the big screens ad infinitum; this means that you get a chance to memorise every single word in the first half of your queuing experience, and can amuse your friends and family by re-enacting it in the second half! And the rides are short enough that they don't detract from the queue standing for more than about 15 minutes of your day.

billgates

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#1529819 11-Apr-2016 08:47

Me and Wife visited most of the theme parks last year. Our preference from top to bottom

1. Wet n Wild

2. Dreamworld

3. Movie World

4. Sea World

protip - If you are going during Australian school holidays, do buy the priority pass. We waited hour and half for the scooby doo ride at Movie World!

Do whatever you want to do man.

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#1529855 11-Apr-2016 09:17

Kids- sea world
Bigger kids - movie world, wet n wild
Freaks - dream world

Inphinity

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#1529867 11-Apr-2016 09:35

If you can only pick one, with a 3 year old, of that group (Wet 'n' Wild, Movie World, Sea World, and Paradise Country), I'd do Sea World. The good rides at Movie World aren't suitable for 3, Wet n Wild has a decent kids playground but you'll just need an adult to stand and watch the whole time and not participate much themselves, Paradise Country could be ok but to me is more boring for the adults. Sea World offers some entertaining shows to watch, a variety of rides and activities for the kids and adults. When my boy was 5, we did Wet n Wild & Movie World both in less than a day, Paradise Country seemed like it was just trying to replicate Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (which is better imo), but Sea World took a full day (and could've taken a second if we had had two-day passes) and was the only one of them in which none of us got bored quickly.

If you can swing Dreamworld (outside of school holidays), that is also well worth it. In holidays the queues can be ridiculous.

Makoura

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#1529935 11-Apr-2016 10:22

Hey we did this last October with a five and nine year old. I'd agree with others. Both girls loved seaworld ended up going twice as eldest did swim with dolphins. Next would have been movieworld. There is now a whole area for little kids there and a smaller roller coaster. Youngest went on roller coaster seven times she loved it so much. Fast pass is essential if you are anywhere near a holiday. We left kids with friends for a little while and managed all the big rides (that they couldn't do) in just over an hour with fast pass. Wet N Wild was packed and it got a bit boring for them. For 10+ would be awesome though.

richrdh18

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#1529946 11-Apr-2016 10:36

Sea world, for the shows etc. But the kids had a great time on the roller coasters/rides and there were virtually no queues the time we went, so they rode, got off and rode again, over and over.

Movie world.

Dream world.

venomio

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#1529950 11-Apr-2016 10:45

Sam91:

Gold Coast Sea World doesn't have Orcas, but still...

@Sam91 Just FYI a lot of people make the mistake of thinking Sea World (Australia) and Seaworld (US chain of theme parks) are related. They are most definitely not.

Here's an article for those who don't mind a read.

@sonyxperiageek I think when I went a few years back I only had 2 days to do the 4 theme parks you've listed. I have a feeling we did three of those easily. I think Sea World and Wet n' Wild. And then Movie World by itself.

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