Dreamworld are turning to a new state-of-the-art attraction to save the struggling park after a tumultuous 14-month period that included the Thunder River Rapids Ride tragedy and three different CEOs in six months.
New Ardent Leisure chairman Gary Weiss has been travelling through the biggest theme parks across Asia and America in search of ideas and answers to the Gold Coast establishment’s woes.
They are planning to build a 40-seat simulator ride that takes patrons through some of Australia’s most beautiful and inaccessible areas.
‘There had not been investment into a major new ride for some time (and) theme parks need new and fresh attractions to draw back customers,’ Mr Weiss told the Courier Mail.
Dreamworld are turning to a new state-of-the-art attraction to save the struggling park after a tumultuous 14-month period
In October last year a tragic accident on the Thunder River Rapids ride claimed the lives of Kate Goodchild, Roozi Araghi, Luke Dorsett and Cindy Low
They are planning to build a 40-seat simulator ride that takes patrons through some of Australia’s most beautiful and inaccessible areas
Dreamworld experienced a $62 million loss for the financial year that ended in June, with attendance numbers plummeting despite extended hours and slashed ticket prices.
Besieged Ardent CEO Deborah Thomas was replaced by former Channel Nine finance boss Simon Kelly in April, who quit just days after the one-year anniversary of the tragedy that claimed the lives of Kate Goodchild, Roozi Araghi, Luke Dorsett and Cindy Low.
Mr Weiss has since taken over, and says the plan is to substantially reinvest into the park rather than look to sell.
‘The tragedy has had an enormous impact on patronage,’ Mr Weiss said. ‘It will take time for patronage to return to the park.’
‘We believe reinvestment into Dreamworld will result in a material increase in earnings over time. The sale of Dreamworld is not part of our plans for the future.’
They hope the introduction of the simulator ride, similar to the popular Harry Potter and Star Wars themed rides in the world’s big name theme parks, will encourage a new base of attendees and help re-establish the once-popular venue.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dreamworld for comment.
They hope the introduction of the simulator ride will encourage a new base of attendees and help re-establish the once-popular venue
Ardent CEO Deborah Thomas (left) was replaced by former Channel Nine finance boss Simon Kelly (right) in April, who quit just days after the one-year anniversary of the tragedy
The park has been riddled with issues since the Thunder River Rapids tragedy in October last year.
In January – just a month after Dreamworld reopened following the four deaths at the park – one of the rides shut down, leaving park guests dangling 119m above ground.
Guests were left suspended in the air after an automatic sensor triggered a brief shutdown on The Giant Drop at the Gold Coast Park.
It was the first day the ride itself had been re-opened after the Thunder River Rapids horror.
In March, six terrified thrill-seekers were rescued from the Buzzsaw ride after they were left suspended high up in the air for half an hour.
Twelve people had to be freed from the same ride on April 14 after a safety sensor was triggered, bringing the ride to a halt.