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Defunctland: The Awful Wiggles Dark Ride

Defunctland・33 minutes read

John Longhurst's visit to Disneyland Park in California sparked his lifelong obsession with Disneyland and Walt Disney, leading him to create Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Australia, which eventually became a top tourist attraction before facing financial struggles and management changes, ultimately resulting in the closure of the iconic Big Red Car ride in 2020.

Insights

  • John Longhurst's visit to Disneyland in 1957 sparked his lifelong obsession with theme parks, leading him to create Dreamworld in 1981 on the Gold Coast, Australia, inspired by Disneyland's unique touches and attractions.
  • The evolution of trackless dark ride systems, from Disney's Omnimover system with tracks to the innovative guide wire system in Epcot Center's Universe of Energy, paved the way for Dreamworld's Wiggles-themed ride in 2005, highlighting the technological advancements and challenges faced in creating immersive and engaging experiences for guests.

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Recent questions

  • What inspired the creation of Dreamworld?

    Longhurst's visit to an animal park.

  • What was a popular attraction at Dreamworld?

    Koala Country Jamboree show.

  • How did Dreamworld enhance its attractions in 2005?

    Secured a partnership with The Wiggles.

  • What challenges do trackless dark rides face?

    Deviation from intended paths.

  • What led to the closure of the Big Red Car ride at Dreamworld?

    Technical glitches and declining experience.

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Summary

00:00

"John Longhurst's Dreamworld: From Inspiration to Success"

  • In 1957, John Longhurst, a 24-year-old Australian man, visited Disneyland Park in California, sparking a lifelong obsession with Disneyland and Walt Disney.
  • Longhurst's visit to a local animal park with his children led to a moment of inspiration for his own theme park after encountering unpleasant experiences.
  • Longhurst, after selling his lawnmower business, purchased 85 hectares of land on the Gold Coast, following what he believed was divine guidance.
  • Dreamworld, Longhurst's theme park, opened on December 15th, 1981, featuring unique Australian touches and attractions inspired by Disneyland.
  • Dreamworld's Koala Country Jamboree, a show featuring animatronic koalas, became a beloved attraction for guests.
  • Dreamworld grew to become Australia's top tourist attraction by the late 1980s, but Longhurst eventually sold the park to entrepreneur Bruce Jenkins.
  • Dreamworld faced financial struggles under new management until Ernst & Young took over, increasing annual visitors to 1.8 million.
  • Dreamworld expanded with wildlife exhibits and partnerships, transitioning Kennyland to Nickelodeon Central in 2002.
  • Dreamworld secured a partnership with The Wiggles in 2005, announcing a new Wiggles-themed area with a dark ride, replacing Gum Tree Gully.
  • The new Wiggles land at Dreamworld featured shops, an activity center, a playground, an animal nursery, and a technologically advanced trackless dark ride, costing 7 million Australian dollars.

12:09

Innovative trackless ride systems revolutionize attractions.

  • Dark rides in the mid-2000s were limited by visible tracks, hindering movement and theming.
  • Disney's Omnimover system allowed pivoting cars but still used tracks until 1982.
  • Epcot Center's Universe of Energy introduced the first trackless ride system with a guide wire.
  • The guide wire transmitted signals to vehicles, allowing for movement without visible tracks.
  • Vehicles required individual computers, propulsion, power, and charging systems.
  • Charging plates embedded in the floor used inductive power coupling to charge vehicles.
  • Disney's Pooh's Hunny Hunt in 2000 featured a true trackless ride system using local positioning.
  • The system allowed for virtual paths, synchronized movements, and innovative choreography.
  • Other Disney parks adopted and enhanced the trackless ride system in various attractions.
  • Simtech, a New Zealand company, developed a guide wire system for the Wiggles ride in 2005.

24:01

Challenges and Changes in Big Red Car

  • Guests riding through the kitchen scene in the Big Red Car ride at Dreamworld may find the darkly lit lounge room ahead unsettling, especially as they progress through more elaborate show scenes towards the end.
  • Trackless dark rides like the Big Red Car ride face challenges with scene layouts due to the possibility of cars deviating from their intended paths, requiring show elements to be placed further away from the planned route to accommodate potential errors.
  • Designers of trackless dark rides often illuminate the floor to enhance lighting or highlight the lack of tracks, which can make show scenes feel like empty rooms due to the additional floor space drawing attention.
  • The Big Red Car ride stands out for its unique floor designs, incorporating fun patterns to address the excessive space issue common in trackless dark rides.
  • Despite initial impressive delivery by Simtech within budget and time constraints, the Big Red Car ride faced issues soon after opening, leading to changes in the cast and performances.
  • Greg Page's health issues led to his replacement by Sam Moran as the Yellow Wiggle, with Moran eventually taking over completely, impacting the Big Red Car ride's operations and continuity.
  • The ride experienced technical malfunctions, inconsistent effects, and visible tire marks over time, diminishing the overall experience despite efforts to maintain show quality.
  • Dreamworld expanded its Wiggles-themed attractions to other parks, including Six Flags locations, but faced challenges in maintaining the authenticity of the Wiggles characters without actors portraying them.
  • Changes in the Wiggles lineup, including Page's return and subsequent departure, led to significant alterations in the band's performances and the Wiggles-themed rides at various parks.
  • The Big Red Car ride at Dreamworld underwent multiple refurbishments and changes in cast members, leading to pacing issues, technical glitches, and a decline in the ride experience over the years, ultimately resulting in its closure in 2020.

36:10

"ABC Kids World closure, Dreamland expansion 2023"

  • Dreamworld's ABC Kids World operated from 2020 to 2022, with the Big Red Car ride closed off to guests, leading to a delayed expansion plan due to the pandemic.
  • A new children's area named Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, featuring Wiggles-themed attractions like a Big Red Plane spinner and a Big Red Boat coaster, will replace the existing Dreamworks area in 2023, while a new area called Rivertown will be created, paying homage to the original Rivertown area from 1981 with a new family coaster called Jungle Rush.
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