ABC Kids World

ABC Kids World (Formerly Wiggles World) is a themed land at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[1] The area is dedicated to the shows and characters from various shows that air on ABC Kids.

ABC Kids World
The entrance sign used during the Wiggles World era, located from Tiger Island and the Tower of Terror.
Coordinates27.863759°S 153.317792°E / -27.863759; 153.317792
ThemeBananas in Pyjamas
Giggle and Hoot
Play School
The Wiggles
Attractions
Total6
StatusOperating
Dreamworld
Opened17 September 2005 (As Wiggles World)
June 27, 2015 (As ABC Kids World)
ReplacedGum Tree Gully

The area originally opened as Wiggles World on 17 September 2005 replacing the previous Gum Tree Gully section.[2]

History

During July 2005, Gum Tree Gully was closed to aid in the construction of Dreamworld's second children's area, Wiggles World. Only a narrow corridor remained for pedestrian access during the construction period.[3] On 17 September 2005 Wiggles World officially opened to the public with a performance by The Wiggles.[2][4] Based on the musicians of the same name, the area was the first of several to be installed at theme parks around the world;[5]

On the first anniversary of the opening of the area, Dreamworld added Dorothy's Rosy Tea Cup Ride.[6]

In mid-2012, Dreamworld announced that they would be adding a new ride to Wiggles World. It was later revealed to be the Big Red Boat Ride.[7] The ride was officially opened on 14 December 2012 with 7 members of The Wiggles in attendance.[8]

In July 2015, the area had completed its overhaul and was rebranded as ABC Kids World, with the retheming of some of the Wiggles-themed attractions and additions based on the shows Giggle and Hoot, Play School, and Bananas in Pyjamas. The "Wiggles World" name was kept for the Wiggles section of the area, with its sign being moved nearer to the attractions.

Attractions

Current
NameOpenedManufacturerDescription
ABC Kids World Fun Spot2005DreamworldAn activity centre featuring various interactive elements designed for children. The indoor attraction also features play kitchens, a mini supermarket, playhouses and a dress-up chest.[9]

The attraction was originally known as simply the Fun Spot before the retheming in 2015.

Bananas in Pyjamas Fun Maze2015DreamworldA themed maze attraction.
Big Red Boat Ride2012ZamperlaA Rockin' Tug amusement ride[7] consisting of a boat following a U-shaped track whilst slowly spinning. It is similar in concept to the Shockwave but provides a gentler ride experience.
Dorothy's Rosy Tea Cup Ride2006SBF VisaA tea cup ride. It features six separate cups for guests to board and spin as they wish.[6][10]
Giggle and Hoot Pirate Ship2005DreamworldAn interactive attraction situated alongside the Murrissipi River in Dreamworld. The attraction is a façade pirate ship which is used as a children's playground.[11]

The attraction was originally known as the SS Feathersword before the retheming in 2015.

Play School Wheel2018ZamperlaA themed Mini Ferris Wheel attraction.

Former
NameOpenedClosedManufacturerDescription
Big Red Car Ride2005[12][13]2020Arvus Group[14]
Simtech[12][14][15][16]		A dark ride that takes 6 guests at a time on a 120-metre (390 ft) car journey through the Wiggles' house. The house features Wag's Kennel, Henry's Underwater Big Band, and Dorothy's rosy garden. The trackless ride system relies upon a wire buried in the floor and allows the cars to rotate on the spot, something many track-based dark rides cannot do.[17] The five vehicles are recharged at the station through an inductive charging system.[14][18][19]

On August 12, 2020, Dreamworld removed the attraction from their website and announced that the ride would not be reopening.[20]

Giggle and Hoot Hop and Shoot20152019ZamperlaA Jumping Star ride. The attraction was closed in 2019 and is now a pathway for guests.
Play School Art Room20152020DreamworldAn indoor attraction where attendees could create art on electronic tablets. The Attraction was removed from the DreamWorld website in 2020, most likely marking its closure.

Shopping and dining

ABC Kids World is also home to a merchandise shop and a dining outlet. Guests can purchase a variety of merchandise items from the ABC Kids Shop (Formerly The Wiggles Shop), while they can top up on food at the Yummy Yummy Food Outlet.[21]

Character appearances

ABC Kids World gives guests the chance to meet with many costumed characters from the different shows featured in the area.

Characters who can be seen in the park include B1 & B2 from Bananas in Pyjamas, Giggle & Hoot from their titular show, and Shirley Shawn the Unicorn, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and Captain Feathersword from The Wiggles.[22]

From time to time, live presenters from Play School and the ABC Kids strand alongside The Wiggles make appearances and performances at the park to advertise the area.[23]

  • The entrance to the area (As Wiggles World) from Rivertown
  • The Wiggles' Shop
  • The Yummy Yummy food outlet

Wiggles-themed Areas at other Amusement Parks

On 12 December 2006, American-based amusement park operator Six Flags released plans to partner up with The Wiggles to add Wiggles World themed-areas to some of their parks.[24] In 2007, Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Great America, and Six Flags New England all opened a Wiggles World at their park.[25][26] This was followed by Great Escape in 2008 and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in 2009.[27][28]

In late 2010, Six Flags terminated licenses with various brands including The Wiggles. This saw the areas rethemed to the generic KIDZOPOLIS theme, while Great Adventure rethemed their Wiggles World as Safari Kids.[29][30]

References
  1. "Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  2. "Wiggles World (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  3. Connie, Scott (22 July 2005). "Wiggles World construction". Photo. Parkz. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  4. "Wiggles settle down at Dreamworld". The New Zealand Herald. 29 May 2005. Retrieved 29 May 2005.
  5. "Dreamworld History" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  6. "Dorothy's Rosy Tea Cup Ride (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  7. "Discover Dreamworld Happiness This Summer – New Lands, New Rides And New Attractions" (Press release). Dreamworld. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  8. Westthorp, Tanya (14 December 2012). "The Wiggles launch new Dreamworld ride". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  9. "The Fun Spot". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  10. "Dorothy's Rosy Tea Cup Ride". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  11. "SS Feathersword". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  12. "Big Red Car (Dreamworld)". Parkz. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  13. "Big Red Car Ride". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  14. "History". Arvus Group. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  15. "Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness". Park World Magazine. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  16. "AGV's For Material Handling, People Moving and Amusement Rides". 2 October 2008. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  17. Wilson, Richard (13 September 2005). "Big Red Car (Wiggles World)". Parkz. Retrieved 2 September 2013. The ride features an innovative trackless design, eliminating the need for visible tracks to better allow the ride to blend in.
  18. Wilson, Richard (13 September 2005). "Big Red Car (Wiggles World)". Parkz. Retrieved 2 September 2013. The cars are able to rotate, making for some very interesting ride movements.
  19. Wilson, Richard (13 September 2005). "Big Red Car (Wiggles World)". Parkz. Retrieved 2 September 2013. The cars charge themselves over the station area.
  20. https://www.businessinsider.com.au/dreamworld-reopening-in-september-2020-8
  21. Dreamworld and WhiteWater World Park Map (2009).
  22. "Who to See". Dreamworld. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  23. "Playing to millions but playing dad better". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 September 2005. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  24. "Six Flags Provides Game Plan for 2007". Six Flags. 12 December 2006. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  25. Mullen, Amy (31 May 2007). "The Wiggles Open Wiggles World at Six Flags, NJ". Yahoo (Associated Content). Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  26. "Wiggles World at Six Flags Great America to Open Saturday". Ultimate Rollercoaster. 4 May 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  27. "The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom – Lake George New York Theme Park". We Go Places. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  28. Bailey, Scott (15 September 2008). "Six Flags Fiesta Texas to add Wiggles World in 2009". Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  29. "Six Flags Great Adventure Kids Rides". Six Flags. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  30. MacDonald, Brady (25 November 2010). "Six Flags amusement parks prepare for thematic makeovers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.