List of former Sea World attractions

The following is a list of attractions that previously existed at the Sea World amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Rides and attractions

• Adventure Island (????—1996) – a children's play area which featured suspension bridges, climbing logs, a small fort and a dock. It was located where Dolphin Cove now exists and was accessible via the Adventure Island Ferry which left the Dockside Tavern and travelled along the network of lakes.^[1][2]
• Adventure Island Ferry (????—1996) – a slow boat ride which took riders from the Dockside Tavern to Adventure Island. The seating and canopies were removed from the ferries to convert them to barges once Adventure Island was closed. These barges have since been used as fireworks platforms and special event stages.^[1][2]
• Bermuda Triangle (1994—2010) – an enclosed water ride which took riders into the unknown of two mysterious volcanoes culminating in a final splashdown.^[3]
• Bumper Boats (1980—1987) – a set of bumper boats located within the Viking's Revenge Flume Ride circuit. It was replaced by the station for Lassister's Lost Mine.^[4]
• Cap'n Kids Castle (????—1993) – a children's play area which existed within the castle walls where the Sea World Theatre now stands.^[2]
• Cartoon Network Cartoon Beach (1999—2007) – Sesame Street Beach was originally themed to Cartoon Network. It opened with 5 attractions.^[5]
• Lassiter's Lost Mine (1987—1994) – an indoor boat ride themed to a mine flooding. Disney executives commented at the ride's cheap price tag claiming that the ride would have cost more than six times the amount it actually cost.^[6]
• Pirate Ship (1981—2009) – a swinging pirate ship ride. It was moved to Funfields in Victoria where it now operates as Blackbeard's Fury.^[7][8]
• Sea World Eye (2006—2008) – a temporary 60-metre (200 ft) high ferris wheel was constructed in the former location of the Thrillseeker. Ronald Bussink Co. manufactured the mobile installation which has since been moved to another location.^[9][10]
• Sea World Train (1972—2008) – a two-third scale locomotive which took a slow tour around the outside of the back of the park. Up until 2005, the train briefly stopped at the Water Park. After the addition of The Plunge in the water park, this was no longer possible.^[11][12]
• Thrillseeker (1981—2002) – a steel roller coaster which was originally named Wild Wave. It now operates as a mobile unit around Australia as the Taipan.^[13][14]
• Water Park – the water park was originally included in Sea World admission until 2008 when it became part of the Sea World Resort and was converted into an upcharge attraction.^[15]
  • Body slides (????—2010) – a set of two body slides which replaced Rapid Mountain. They were based off the one tower closest to Sea World Resort.^[16] In 2010, the slides were removed and the tower was incorporated into Castaway Bay.
  • Freefall slides (1987—2005) – a set of two freefall style body slides which launched from the top of the main, southern tower.^[2][17]
  • Rapid Mountain (1987—????) – a set of two tube slides which were later replaced by the body slides on the northern end of the water park. The slides were set in a replica mountain.^[2]
  • Speed slides (1987—2005) – a set of two triple dip water slides which launched from the top of the main, southern tower.^[2][18]
  • Toboggan slide (1987—2005) – a single toboggan slide which launched from the middle of the main, southern tower, perpendicular to the speed and freefall slides.^[2][19]
  • Lagoon pool (1987—2010) – a large family lagoon swimming pool. It was replaced by Battle Boats of Castaway Bay in 2010.^[2]

Shows

• Bert and Ernie's Island Holiday – a live stage show which feature a full cast of Sesame Street characters adjacent to Sesame Street Beach.^[20] The show concluded in late 2011 and will be replaced by Dora's Best Friends Adventure in December 2011.
• Best of Mates (????—????) – a show which featured both bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales. It was located where the Sea Lion Theatre now stands (Fish Detectives).^[21]
• Dolphin and Sea Lion Celebration (????—????) – a live show featuring dolphins and sea lions.^[2]
• Dolphin Cove Show (1996—2007) – a dolphin show located in a newly created, four-lagoon dolphin exhibit called Dolphin Cove.^[22]
• Dolphins Go Physical (????—????) – a live show which featured dolphins jumping through hoops and performing other stunts. It was located where the Sea Lion Theatre now stands (Fish Detectives).^[23]
• International Ski Spectacular (????—????) – a waterski show.
• Ocean Rescue (2009—2010) – a standard film which was housed in the Sea World Theatre replaced Planet SOS in 4D. It was replaced by the Happy Feet 3D Experience.^[24]
• Planet SOS in 4D (2003—2009) – a 4-D film which was housed in the Sea World Theatre replacing Pirates in 3D. It was replaced by Ocean Rescue.^[25]
• Pirates in 3D (1998—2003) – an Iwerks 3-D film which was housed in the Sea World Theatre replacing the original film, Sea Dream.^[26]
• Pirates of Paradise (????—????) – a waterski show.^[2]
• Pirates Unleashed (2009—2011) replaced the long running ski show in 2009. After initially opening on 19 September, the show only performed for two days before going back to the drawing board.^[27] An article in the Gold Coast Bulletin heavily criticised the lack of action and in the new show saying "these pirates won't blow anyone out of the water". The revamped show opened on Boxing Day 2009.^[28] On 20 July 2011, the show made its last performance.^[29] In September 2011, Jet Stunt Extreme will open in its place.^[30]
• Quest for the Golden Seal Show (????—2007) – a seal show.^[31]
• Sea Dream (1994—1998) – Sea World's first film in the Sea World Theatre replacing the Cap'n Kids Castle. It was replaced by Pirates in 3D.^[2][11]
• Seals Aboard (2007—2007) – a temporary show starring Sea World's seals which was shown next to the Endeavour replica to allow the Quest for the Golden Seal set to be transformed into the Fish Detectives set.
• Ski Challenge (????—2005) – a waterski show where guests were split into two teams and would barrack for their waterskiers to win.
• Waterski Wipeout (2005—2009) – a waterski show which took guests back to the Gold Coast in the 1960s.^[32] It was replaced by Pirates Unleashed.^[33]
• World of the Sea Theatre (????—????) – a short, educational film was shown to a seated audience before the screen was raised to reveal an aquarium.^[2]

Marine attractions

• Dugong Discovery (2004—2008) – an educational dugong exhibit which replaced Reef Discovery. The exhibit was closed when the two dugongs were moved to Sydney Aquarium. It was replaced by Shark Attack.^[34][35]
• Penguins on Parade (????—2007) – a fairy penguin exhibit which was located where the Photo Centre now stands. It was closed and removed after an unidentified toxin killed 26 of the penguins. A new exhibit was built one year later at a new location in the northern end of the park.^[36]
• Reef Discovery (2001—2004) – a short, educational film was shown to a seated audience before the screen was raised to reveal an aquarium.^[37]
• Sea World Aquarium (????—2010) – a circular building filled with several small individual aquariums which represented a variety of habitats. The aquarium closed to make was for Penguin Encounter.^[38]
• Seals at play (????—2007) – a small seal exhibit which featured two separate enclosures under a circular shade. It was replaced by the Sesame Street Beach show stage.
• Shark Attack (2009—2010) – an educational exhibit which aimed to teach guests the truth about sharks. It replaced Dugong Discovery and was replaced by Penguin Encounter.
• Shark Encounter (????—2001) – a short, educational film was shown to a seated audience before the screen was raised to reveal an aquarium with sharks.^[39]

Cancelled plans

• Hippopotamus attraction (2009) – a proposed hippopotamus exhibit which would have featured two hippos from the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve in north Queensland. The exhibit was cancelled when Ray Reef was constructed at the suggested location and within the timeframe for the hippo exhibit.^[40][41]
• Seal Rocks (2005) – a proposed seal exhibit to be located where Ray Reef now stands. At the time of proposal the site was empty after the Thrillseeker was removed.^[42]
• Surfrider (2007) – a steel roller coaster which was due to open at Sea World in 2007. Village Roadshow Theme Parks, the owners of Sea World, decided to install it at Wet'n'Wild Water World instead.^[43]
• Water roller coaster – in January 2008, plans for a Mack water roller coaster were released by the Gold Coast City Council. The proposal detailed the ride would have a station where Penguin Encounter exists and the main track out and over the car park.^[44] Later that year, Sea World opened Jet Rescue.

References