Gold Coast theme parks: Families threaten to boycott Village Roadshow attractions

An overwhelming majority of families say theme parks are breaking the bank for them amid the cost-of-living crunch. HAVE YOUR SAY

An overwhelming majority of families say theme parks are breaking the bank for them amid the cost-of-living crunch.

Of more than 23,700 people who responded to a Bulletin Facebook poll asking if theme parks had become too expensive for families, 23,500 voted ‘yes’ to 187 ‘no’.

The results were captured by 3pm Sunday.

It came after residents threatened to boycott the city’s biggest theme parks after memberships doubled.

The decision by Village Roadshow Theme Parks to raise monthly fees last week was dubbed “tone deaf” and a “joke”.

One Coomera dad said he received an email on Wednesday saying his membership would double from $36 per month to $72.

The program allows members to visit popular parks such as Sea World and Movie World for a monthly fee.

A Village Roadshow Theme Parks spokesman defended it as the first price rise eight years.

“With over 115 rides, slides, shows and attractions across our four theme parks, we believe the updated pricing is reflective of our world-class offerings, and still offers great value-for-money,” he said. “We have an extensive range of ticketing options available to allow our guests to find the best ticketing type to suit their needs.

“We understand the increases to the membership may no longer be the best option to some guests and we have a special limited time offer for these guests to switch to a Village Roadshow One Pass, should this be a better option for them.”

Waterslides at Wet n Wild on the Gold Coast.

What readers said:

Glenda Braithwaite: Just had family from NZ who bought a seven-day pass.

Most of the rides at Movie World were closed for maintenance. Why can’t maintenance be staggered? Ticket prices should be reduced to reflect this.

Matt Fisher: It is also not cheap to maintain the state-of-art rides that the majority of the bigger parks have now.

Urban sprawl also increases costs as suburbs have grown around the big parks like Dreamworld and Movie World that were once surrounded by almost nothing and had much lower land values when they first opened.

Chris Medley: Theme parks are great, but not exactly family-friendly.

I went over the last Christmas break and they increased the prices due to the Christmas break. I have a young daughter and she could go on hardly anything.

All the rides she could go on were closed for maintenance.

Why would maintenance be done during peak times?

Still, the family pass for two weeks unlimited entry helps.

Cheri Hunter: Just been there with my disabled son and it was amazing.

Hats off to Movie World for being super inclusive and going the extra mile, but it was a $500 experience for the rest of my family just to walk through the gates.

Kj Johns: When Covid-19 hit and border closures hit, it was locals that went to the park that kept the place open.

Now, we’re being penalised for using a monthly payment to pay our passes off instead of paying in one go.

It sucks because as a big family we can’t afford such a big increase and we’ve now lost our only source of entertainment.

Teri Moore: I was there only a few days ago at both and was very disappointed, the rides we wanted to go on were all closed.

Spent more time in the shops than anything else. Probably won’t rush back in a hurry.

Sea World and Movie World were both not what I remember them as when I was a teenager.

Entrance to Movie World theme park on the Gold Coast.

Earlier:

Gold Coast residents are threatening to boycott the city’s biggest theme parks after their membership prices doubled amid the rising cost of living crisis.

The decision by Village Roadshow Theme Parks to raise monthly membership fees has been slammed as “tone deaf” and a “joke”.

A company spokesman defended the move, saying it was the first increase to the prices in more than eight years.

Movie World's DC Rivals HyperCoaster. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Coomera dad Douglas Galer received an email on Wednesday saying the cost of his membership would increase from $36 per month to $72.

The program allows members to visit popular theme parks such as Sea World and Movie World for a monthly fee.

“It seems really tone deaf to me, considering the cost of living challenges for families at the moment,” Mr Galer said.

“I think they will lose a lot of business and a lot of goodwill in the community.”

Mr Galer said he would now consider cancelling his membership after seven years.

A Village Roadshow Theme Parks spokesman said the change was part of a regular review into its offerings.

“With over 115 rides, slides, shows and attractions across our four theme parks, we believe the updated pricing is reflective of our world-class offerings, and still offers great value-for-money,” he said.

“We have an extensive range of ticketing options available to allow our guests to find the best ticketing type to suit their needs.

“We understand the increases to the membership may no longer be the best option to some guests and we have a special limited time offer for these guests to switch to a Village Roadshow One Pass, should this be a better option for them.”

Gold Coast residents have taken to social media to complain about the price rise. Picture: Facebook

Many residents have taken to social media to announce they would cancel their memberships and not attend the theme parks anymore.

“I emailed and cancelled last night. Way too expensive and until the rides are running and the parks are better, I won’t return,” one social media user said.

“Wow silly move on their behalf. I get costs are rising but those are big jumps a month,” another said.

The company spokesman said it would continue to value local customers.

“With a range of exciting new attractions including the Wizard of Oz precinct coming to Warner Bros. Movie World in 2024, we believe visitation numbers will continue to be strong,” he said.