Dreamworld will reopen on December 10 with charity fundraiser for victims’ families

DREAMWORLD’S most popular thrill rides will remain closed when the park opens its gates for the first time in six weeks on December 10.

Dreamworld will reopen on December. Picture Mike Batterham

DREAMWORLD’S most popular thrill rides will remain closed when the theme park opens its gates for the first time in six weeks on December 10.

But park bosses have promised an unforgettable day as they welcome the first patrons since the October 25 tragedy which claimed the lives of four people.

As the Thunder River Rapids Ride is dismantled, many other rides, including the Claw and Tower of Terror, will remain closed as a multi-level safety review continues.

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Expect lines outside Dreamworld’s gates when it reopens on December 10. Picture Mike Batterham

All slides and attractions at WhiteWater World will be open.

Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson said a special entry price structure would be in place and carry through the entire summer period, with adult tickets costing $65.

The opening weekend will be dubbed “open hearts — open doors” and raise funds for the Red Cross, with $25 from each ticket being donated.

Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson spoke to media yesterday. Picture Mike Batterham

The park will also donate $25 on behalf of all prepaid tickets and pass holders, with the funds going to those affected by the tragedy.

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Mr Davidson said the thoughts of staff management remained with the families of those who died in the tragedy.

“This is an important milestone for this group and we have all worked to get here in difficult circumstances,” he said.

New multilingual welcome signs have been placed outside the park. Picture Mike Batterham

“As a team we are all very excited about welcoming our customers back and we are very much looking forward to next weekend.

“We are going through a methodical review process and that is not going to be rushed, so as those rides are reviewed, we will bring them back on line as they are given back to us.”

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Among the attractions which will be open are Tiger Island, the Corroboree indigenous precinct, the wildlife areas, DreamWorks experiences, Wiggles World. ABCKids World and some of the Motorsports precinct.

Some major thrill rides such as the Tower of Terror will remain closed. Picture Mike Batterham

Mr Davidson said all rides opening next weekend had passed a “rigorously conducted, multi-level safety review.

“Additionally, Royal Lifesaving Queensland representatives will have completed an audit of the water park’s lifesaving procedures and safety signage.

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Dreamworld has also given a six-month extension for all pass holders following the incident.

The six week-closure was at a significant cost to the park’s owner, Ardent Leisure.

The closed rides will progressively be reopened. Picture Mike Batterham

Ardent is understood to have been losing around $295,000 a day since the incident on October 25 in which Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Cindy Low and Roozbeh Aragh, died.

According to the letter lodged with the ASX, the closure of the parks through the month of November meant no significant revenue was received, compared with the $7.6 million of income for the same time in 2015.

The Thunder River Rapids ride is being dismantled. Picture: Richard Gosling

In addition to the lost revenue, the park’s operating costs for the month were up to $4.2 million.

Dreamworld is also expected to incur around $1.6 million in one-off costs associated with the tragedy, net of expected insurance recoveries.

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