Movie World’s DC Rivals pegged as $30 million catalyst for Gold Coast theme park turnaround

MOVIE World’s sprawling new hyper coaster represents a bright hope for Village Roadshow at a time when theme park fortunes have dipped and spiralled as much as the ride itself.

MOVIE World’s sprawling new hyper coaster represents a $30 million shot in the arm for Village Roadshow at a time when theme park fortunes have dipped and spiralled as much as the ride itself.

The investment — at roughly the cost of two Towers of Terror — has the potential to reclaim the Gold Coast as an international theme park destination.

Ride forums and fan pages around the world are heralding the DC Rivals attraction as a game changer for Australia, which is “punching above its weight” even getting a ride like this 115km/h screamer.

Construction of the coaster has topped at its maximum height of 61.6m ahead of its launch in October.

The 1.4km steel structure will be the longest, tallest and most expensive ride ever built in the southern hemisphere.

CEO of Village Roadshow Theme Parks Clark Kirby at the site. Photo by Richard Gosling

It’s a rollercoaster of the dice new Village Roadshow Theme Parks chairman and CEO Clark Kirby reckons will pay off.

“It’s going to be sensational, I’m hanging out for it,” he said.

“My favourite ride at the moment is Superman (Escape), but this one is going to be a substitute for my morning coffee.”

Mr Kirby has more than the average boss’s stake in whether DC Rivals delivers on its mission — Village Roadshow is his family business, started in 1954 by his grandfather Rock Kirby.

The company’s latest trading update said the parks had been cruelled by the Dreamworld tragedy, and that Cyclone Debbie in March and April had also hit attendance figures.

The “core local market” is deserting the parks more than tourists since the tragedy, with membership renewals down and attendance dipping 9.4 per cent in the nine months to March 31.

But Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan said there was a turnaround ahead, with a key new attraction a strong catalyst.

“It’s part of the Gold Coast renewing itself — the theme parks are part of our DNA and I’m sure all the work that’s been done there will add huge value to the market,” he said.

Movie World’s Top Golf facility is set to open after next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Village Roadshow theme parks CEO Clark Kirby. Picture Mike Batterham

Mr Kirby said the capital spend reflected the faith of the company in tourism and the Gold Coast.

“We believe there is enormous growth, both in the domestic market and the international market for the Gold Coast,” he said.

“We are always looking at bringing new attractions to the Gold Coast and rounding out the whole tourism option up here.

“I don’t think there’s anything comparable, it’s such a large investment, we think it is going to elevate the status of Movie World and the Gold Coast as a theme park destination, right around the world.”

Clark Kirby’s Think Tank in Monday’s Gold Coast Bulletin

REPORTED COST OF GOLD COAST THRILL RIDES:

● Giant Drop: $12 million

● Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster: $13 million

● Superman Escape: $16 million

● Tower of Terror: $16 million

● Storm Coaster: $20 million