Gold Coast- theme park recommendations?

[Lawlass]

Hi everyone,

My partner and I are taking his kids for three days to the Gold Coast May 15-17. For the kids it is first time on a plane, first time to Queensland, first time to a theme park, so it is all about them!

It seems our choices for the theme parks are:

• 3 Day pass to Dreamworld, Whitewater World and Skypoint ($305.99 total for family)
• 3-for-3 pass to Movieworld, Seaworld and Wet’n’Wild ($324 total for family)

Can anyone give us a guide as to which we should choose? The kids are 12 (boy) and 8 (girl). Both are water rats and thrillseekers, but also like animals etc.

Advice much appreciated!
x Eiley

Edit: someone pointed me to the unlimited 4-park pass for $55 per head. I think that settles it! https://themeparks.com.au/box-office/sale/4-park-pass.aspx

 

[andye]

I'm afraid I can't give you a head-to-head but we were very happy with the second option last year with 14, 11, 5 and 3 year old boys.
Worthwhile scouring all potential sources of discounted admission. Flybuys sometimes do two for the price of one tickets. Others I've looked at are NRMA, entertainment card, ambassador card
The earlier in the day you can arrive and later you can stay the better for shorter queues

 

[strtrek]

[h=1]30 DAYS FOR $30 - Limited Time![/h]Unlimited entry to Dreamworld from 2nd – 31st May 2015.

Tickets - Dreamworld Store

 

[mooingchicken]

Skypoint isn't really much, its the observation deck on Q1, so nothing to exciting
I haven't been to white water world, but I believe its pretty on par with wet and wild which is good.
now the big difference is movie world vs dreamworld.
if they are 12 and 8 do they still enjoy the cartoon and movie characters? they have a parade and different shows etc.. probably not as many of the big rides as dreamworld but they may be to small for some of them? (I think you can check this online somewhere). Dreamworld also has animals, where movieworld doesn't but then u have the option of seaworld for that.

If you have 3 days and want to go to a different park each day then ild chose the 2nd option. dreamworld might be better for when they are a little bigger

 

[Lawlass]

Thanks all. The unlimited pass for $55 ($220 total) for Movieworld, Seaworld and Wet’n’Wild looks like the best value.

We were hoping for big rollercoasters, which I gather from these comments is Dreamworld? But maybe we can do that another time.

On another note, we are looking at Turtle Park Resort, as they have 2-bedroom units quite cheap and it looks like a fun place for the kids. Any thoughts or better suggestions?

 

[andye]

There are three rollercoasters at Movieworld (Green Lantern, Superman, Arkham Asylum) which kept my older ones happy

 

[Buzzard]

I would take Option 2. Even Mrs.B and I go to Seaworld and always enjoy ourselves.

When the grandkids are older, currently 2.5 years and 9 months, we will certainly take them to Seaworld and it will be all about them of course :mrgreen:

Our daughter being a lawlass will probably want us to sign some sort of agreement ensuring their safe return

 

[samh004]

There are three rollercoasters at Movieworld (Green Lantern, Superman, Arkham Asylum) which kept my older ones happy

I always liked the Scooby Doo ride... is that still operational?

A benefit to Movie World/ Wet n Wild is they're both reasonably close to my place if you wanted to duck in for a drink!

 

[footy99]

I loved Dreamworld as a kid. It's definitely the thrill seekers option but may be better when they are teens!

That 4-park pass sounds like the winner until then. Movie World and Sea World have the odd thrill option too. Movie World/Wet'n'Wild are also just a few mins walk apart so could easily go to both on a quiet day.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I agree that the three park pass is the better option for your kids ages. I haven't been to Movieworld for a long while now but it was great for the kids and the roller coasters were nothing to sneeze at either, not to forget Sea World also has roller coasters.

Another perennial favourite that is great for kids is the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and at $133 for a family of 4 doesn't break the budget and Fleays Wildlife Park ($50 for a family I think) has been described as one of the Gold Coasts best secrets (well worth a visit).

 

[Hvr]

I always liked the Scooby Doo ride... is that still operational?

<snip>

I heard it's a bit shaggy now.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I heard it's a bit shaggy now.

A comedian in every crowd, isn't there!

 

[DavBlayn]

I did the Village Roadshow theme parks in 2012, so I might be able to give some insight. Movie World was probably the best, then Wet 'n' Wild, then Sea World. Sea World was a little boring for me, but that's because I like rides and slides.

 

[snabbu]

Can recommend Sea World Resort for kids and ease of access when you have a resort pass. Stayed in a Spa Suite there recently which had loads of space for the kids. Best thing about it was the monorail from the resort to Sea World, no need for a car.

Pretty annoying the resort doesn't offer a shuttle service for resort guests over to Movie World / Wet and Wild (part of the same company) but if you have a car then no problems.

 

[DavBlayn]

Pretty annoying the resort doesn't offer a shuttle service for resort guests over to Movie World / Wet and Wild (part of the same company) but if you have a car then no problems.

Yeah, that's pretty irritating. When I went, I was staying in Surfer's so that was easy.

 

[Moindardt]

We had the Dreamworld Pass for 2 years and SWMBO finally let me change it to Wet n Wild/Seaworld/Movie World and the kids love it so much more. Shame it wasn't more summer.

Wet n Wild is 10x better than White Water World. Movie World + Seaworld is better than Dreamworld, but if you only had time for one park, I would pick Dreamworld. Seaworld is actually on the Gold Coast while the others are halfway between Brisbane and Gold Coast (the transfer buses will pick up from almost anywhere on the coast). As others have mentioned, skypoint is just the observation deck, not really worth it if you are time poor.

Haven't personally been to Paradise Country, but as swanning_it said Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is wonderful for kids. Currumbin is open from 8am and the theme parks from 9.30-10am. Last time we went to Sea World, we did Currumbin first and then Sea World at 11am so missed the 1/2-1 hrs filing in, but you can easily spent a lot longer there. Remember your first day, you have have to go to the special lines to get the photo taken for the 3 day pass cards.

On the way back from Seaworld, check out Peter's Fish Market near Sea World. You pick your piece of fish and tell them how you want it cooked - the kids just seem to love it. Haven't been there for a while but assume still the same.
If you are looking for a good Italian place for kids, check out AlFresco on Elston (Surfer's Paradise).

Hope this helps

 

[Flying Fox]

Last year my family did the three consecutive days at Dreamworld, Whitewater World and Skypoint Observation Deck.

The two years before that we did the six month pass for Movie World, Wet & Wild and Sea World.

I didn't enjoy the Dreamworld combo as much because the Observation Deck really is a visit and not a day activity and the theme parks were good not not as good as the Movie world group. In addition, I didn't like the fact that we had to do all three activities in the Dreamworld combo on consecutive days.

The Movie World pass was better in that we could do a theme park one day, shop another and mix up our holiday over the week that we had. We enjoyed these parks more and felt like we got better value for money. To do again, I would go the Movie World combo and not the Dreamworld Combo.

Enjoy your time there!