Ardent Leisure unveils plans to build $75M Dreamworld Resort at its Gold Coast theme park

Ardent Leisure has unveiled a jaw-dropping $75 million proposal for Dreamworld. DETAILS HERE

Dreamworld mascots Kenny and Belinda. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Ardent Leisure has unveiled a $75 million plan for a new hotel and tourist park – Dreamworld Resort.

In an announcement to the ASX this morning, the theme parks operator said it had appointed accommodation developer Evolution Group to fund and build an accommodation precinct on part of the surplus land owned by Ardent next to the Dreamworld park.

The accommodation offering will include a 4-star 250 room resort-style hotel, 40 bungalows and a 5-star tourist park with 100 powered sites.

The news follows revelations last week that Village Roadshow had reignited its plans for a hotel at Movie World, lodging a trademark application that reveals its likely branding for the nine-storey, 398-room landmark.

IP Australia records show Village Roadshow applied for a trademark for “Hotel V” at the end of March. It is pending registration.

19-year-old Lucienne Billett from Currimbin Valley at WhiteWater World, Coomera, Monday, April 5, 2021 - Picture: Richard Walker

The idea of a resort at Dreamworld has been around for more than a decade, with former CEO Noel Dempsey hinting at the project in 2010, and former operators Macquarie Leisure Trust including it in its “complete entertainment precinct” proposal in 2013.

Ardent said its Dreamworld Resort would be designed to cater to all guests, especially interstate travellers, with a broad range of family friendly accommodation options, as well as restaurants, conferencing facilities and leisure facilities such as swimming pools and a gymnasium.

Guests of Dreamworld Resort will also have exclusive offers to access Dreamworld and WhiteWater World throughout their stay.

Dreamworld through the years

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The agreement is currently non-binding and subject to the satisfaction of a number of preconditions, however both parties are optimistic that final terms for the project will be agreed in the near future.

“The hotel and tourist park will complement Dreamworld as a premium entertainment destination and add a new level of convenience for guests who will have our theme park and water park on their accommodation’s doorstep,” said Dreamworld CEO, Greg Yong.

“This announcement is another positive step in the recovery of our parks post-COVID and will have a significant economic impact not only for Dreamworld, but also for the northern Gold Coast, one of Australia’s fastest growing regional corridors.

“The project will create employment within the local community and contribute to the regeneration of tourism on the Gold Coast.”

Dreamworld has begun construction on its newest high-speed rollercoaster. Steel Taipan will be a 1.5km long ride with a speed of 105km/h and a g-force of 3.8.

Evolution Group is headed by John Robinson Jr, son of John ‘Foxy’ Robinson, who together recently opened the Gold Coast Airport Rydges Hotel.

“They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the project and understand the needs of the local community and travellers in relation to destination tourism projects,” Mr Yong said.

“Relying on an experienced partner to execute this project will also allow the Dreamworld team to continue focusing on future investments in the theme park’s attraction portfolio, including the launch of Steel Taipan in late 2021.”

Ardent Leisure theme parks CEO Greg Yong.

Mr Robinson said he was excited to take on the project.

“The Evolution Group team is a family company providing over 2200 rooms around Australia through our resorts and accommodation houses,” he said.

“Having Australia’s favourite theme park on the doorstep of this development will certainly provide guests with action-packed getaways.”

Dreamworld and developer Evolution Group will work closely with local and State authorities to obtain the requisite planning approvals.

Ardent Leisure said it continued to explore options to maximise the value of all of its surplus land.

Planning documents reveal the Movie World development will include 32m high, nine-floor “theme park hotel” with 398 suites which is earmarked for land currently occupied by its northernmost carpark fronting Entertainment Drive.

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