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Rivertown (Dreamworld)

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Coordinates: 27°51′48″S 153°19′02″E / 27.863294°S 153.317267°E / -27.863294; 153.317267
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Rivertown
Rivertown Wharf (entrance to Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler) in 2011.
StatusUnder construction
ThemeRiver town
Attractions
Total3
Roller coasters2
Dreamworld
Coordinates27°51′48″S 153°19′02″E / 27.863294°S 153.317267°E / -27.863294; 153.317267
Opened15 December 1981 (1981-12-15) (reopening late-2024)
Closed2010s
ReplacedABC Kids World
Replaced byMerged with ABC Kids World and Main Street

Rivertown is an upcoming themed area at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[1] It will replace the existing ABC Kids World and provide a link between Main Street and the Dreamworld Corroboree.[1][2] The area previously existed from the park's opening in 1981 until being merged into Main Street in the 2010s.[1]

History

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Rivertown opened with the park in 1981.[3] The area originally was home to the Avis Vintage Cars which have since been relocated to the Australian Wildlife Experience. The Avis Vintage Cars were located where Mick Doohan's Motocoaster currently exists.[2][4] At opening the area was home to the Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler (John Longhurst's signature attraction) and the Avis Vintage Cars.[3] In 2012, the Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler ceased operations.

On 24 November 2022, Dreamworld announced that Rivertown would be returning, replacing the existing ABC Kids World which took over much of the original Rivertown's footprints. The return of Rivertown is also to come with the introduction of a new attraction and is expected to open in late-2024.[1] ABC Kids World closed on 8 October 2023, with the construction of Rivertown commencing.[5][6]

Attractions

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Future attractions

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  • Jungle Rush is an upcoming family roller coaster to be built by Vekoma. The ride is expected to have 12 airtime elements, dedicated show movements, the ability to operate in both a forwards and backwards direction, and immersive theming with storytelling. The ride is expected to open in late-2024 with the return of Rivertown.[1]
  • Murrissippi Motors is an upcoming relocation and refurbishment of the Vintage Car Adventure attraction.[1]

Original Rivertown attractions

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Mick Doohan's Motocoaster
Tower of Terror II
  • Avis Vintage Cars (now Vintage Car Adventure) is a vintage cars attraction where guests could ride in replicas of 1911 Model T Fords alongside the Murrissippi River. In 2007, the attraction was relocated to the Australian Wildlife Experience area (now Dreamworld Corroboree).[4] The attraction is expected to return to Rivertown in late-2024 as the Murrissippi Motors as part of the Rivertown's return.[1]
  • The Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler was a operational paddle wheeler. When it was operating, it was a gentle boat ride along the man-made Murrissipi River. The ride is of a similar style to the Mark Twain Riverboat at several Disney theme parks around the world. The ride opened with the park in 1981.[7] The channel which the boat tours is called the Murrissipi River and took Dreamworld founder, John Longhurst, two years to construct working seven 12-hour days a week.[3] The ride originally featured a bush show themed to the era of Ned Kelly. This was discontinued when Farmyard Friends was constructed during 2005.[7] The attraction closed in 2012.[7]
  • Mick Doohan's Motocoaster (now Motocoaster) is an Intamin Motorbike Launch Roller Coaster named after the Moto GP champion Michael Doohan.[8] Although being classified as one of Dreamworld's Big 8 Thrill Rides,[9] the ride failed to gain support within its first year of operation.[10] Motocoaster still operates as part of Main Street.[11]
  • Tower of Terror II was a steel shuttle roller coaster which was ranked the fourth fastest roller coaster in the world. Opening on 23 January 1997, the ride held the world's fastest roller coaster record by itself for two months before Superman: The Escape opened which caused the ride to share the top spot.[12] Tower of Terror II was also the first roller coaster in the world to achieve a speed of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).[13][14] Tower of Terror II closed in 2019.[14]Although the ride is not actually located in any particular themed zone, the main portion of track crosses Rivertown and is therefore included here.

Shopping & Dining

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Upon exiting Mick Doohan's Motocoaster guests receive the opportunity to purchase on-ride photos as well as a variety of racing merchandise from Motocoaster Photos and Motocoaster Pit Stop Shop. Across the pathway from the ride guests can purchase food and beverage items at Fast Foods. Similarly, the Tower of Terror Warehouse offers appropriate merchandise for the ride.[15] The Motocoaster Pit Stop Shop is still operating as part of Main Street.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "The Future of Dreamworld". Dreamworld. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Dreamworld History" (PDF). Dreamworld. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Vintage Cars (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Rivertown". Dreamworld. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  6. ^ Parkz Members. "Jungle Rush Coaster". Parkz. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Captain Sturt Paddle Wheeler (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  8. ^ "Mick Doohan's Motocoaster". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  9. ^ "Man Up Landing". Dreamworld. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  10. ^ Wilson, Richard (13 March 2008). "Motocoaster comes in second last in worldwide coaster poll". News Article. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Printable Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  12. ^ Marden, Duane. "Record Holders  (Speed)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  13. ^ Marden, Duane. "Tower of Terror  (Dreamworld)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  14. ^ a b "Tower of Terror (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  15. ^ Dreamworld and WhiteWater World Park Map (2009).
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