Warner Bros. Movie World - History

History

See also: List of former Warner Bros. Movie World attractions

In 1989, C.V. Wood was employed to design a 415-acre (168 ha) theme park adjacent to the existing Warner Roadshow Studio complex. His portfolio included the design of six theme parks including Six Flags Over Texas and Disneyland. The park was completed within 16 months, converting swampland into a theme park modelled after similar movie-based theme parks overseas such as Universal Studios Hollywood or Disney's Hollywood Studios. The park's official opening was held on 3 June 1991. Queensland Premier Wayne Goss marked the occasion by cutting novelty film reel at an opening ceremony which was attended by celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

Initial attractions at the park focused on learning about and getting involved in movie related scenes and behind the scenes action. Opening day attractions included a Movie studio tour, Movie Magic Special Effects Show, Western Action Show, Police Academy Stunt Show, Warner Bros. Classics & Great Gremlins Adventure, Young Einstein Gravity Homestead, Roxy Theatre and Looney Tunes Land which featured the Looney Tunes Musical Revue and Looney Tunes River Ride.

In 1992, Batman Adventure – The Ride opened to the left of the park's entrance. In 1995, the Western Action Show was removed and eventually replaced by The Maverick Grand Illusion Show. The park's first roller coaster, Lethal Weapon – The Ride, also opened.

In 1997, Looney Tunes Land was renamed Looney Tunes Village and a variety of Zamperla rides were installed including Marvin the Martian's Rocket Ride, Taz Hollywood Cars, Tweety and Sylvester Carousel and Yosemite Sam's Railroad. Additionally, Marvin the Martian in 3D opened in the Roxy Theatre, replacing Adventures in the Fourth Dimension.

In 1998, Warner Bros. Movie World opened the $18 million Wild West Falls Adventure Ride (then known as Wild Wild West). In 2000, the Looney Tunes Musical Revue was relocated and the Road Runner Rollercoaster opened in its place. Young Einstein Gravity Homestead was also closed.

In 2001, the park celebrated its tenth anniversary with 1000 invites being given out via radio station B105 in August 2001. Guests were treated to live performances by Human Nature, Invertigo, A Touch of Class and Joanne Accom. The park also closed The Maverick Show, Warner Bros. Classics & Great Gremlins Adventure and Batman Adventure – The Ride. The latter was modified into Batman Adventure – The Ride 2 with a new film and simulator movements. The Looney Tunes Splash Zone was added to Looney Tunes Village. The Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience opened where Young Einstein Gravity Homestead once stood.

In 2002, the Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience was updated to feature props from the second Harry Potter film. Additionally, the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster opened where Warner Bros. Classics & Great Gremlins Adventure once stood. In 2003, Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience was replaced by The Official Matrix Exhibit.

In 2005, the Movie Magic Special Effects Show was replaced by Superman Escape forcing the relocation of the Looney Tunes Musical Revue again. The Roxy Theatre was upgraded following the closure of Marvin the Martian in 3D which was replaced by Shrek 4D Adventure in September. In 2006, the now-annual Halloween events began. In December, the Batwing Spaceshot opened.

In 2007, The Official Matrix Exhibit was replaced by Intencity, County Fair Fun 'n' Games and Bumper Cars. Looney Tunes Village was renamed to Kids WB Fun Zone with the addition of two new rides. In 2008, Hollywood Stunt Driver replaced the Police Academy Stunt Show. Looney Tunes: What's Up Rock? opened replacing the Looney Tunes Musical Revue.

In 2008, Movie World constructed a roof over Main Street, similar to those at Universal Studios Japan and Tokyo Disneyland. The roof measures 4,000 square metres (43,000 sq ft) and provides an all weather venue, whether it be hot or rainy. The permanent structure will also make a substantial difference to after hours scheduled program of events including Fright Nights and White Christmas events. The roof was completed in September 2008.

In 2010, Warner Bros. Movie World held a DC Comics 75th Anniversary Heroes vs. Villains Parade. It was run in the June / July school holidays. Shrek 4D Adventure closed on 29 August. It was replaced by Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure later in the year. Also in 2010, the now-annual White Christmas events began.

Looney Tunes River Ride was closed on 1 February 2011. Showtime FMX's MotoMonster Xtreme show replaced Hollywood Stunt Driver from 26 June 2011 through to 18 July 2011 as alternative winter holiday entertainment. Halloween Fright Nights became Fright Nights. Green Lantern Coaster soft opened on 16 December before officially opening on 23 December as the park's fifth coaster. Batman Adventure - The Ride 2 closed to make way for a new 2012 attraction.

In 2012, Lethal Weapon – The Ride was rethemed to Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy with the addition of a new train. In the Easter school holidays, Warner Bros. Movie World began a trial of Fast Track, a virtual queue system similar to Disney's Fastpass. Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure was closed on 4 June to make way for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs – The 4D Experience which began showing on 23 June. Batman Adventure - The Ride 2 was replaced on 22 September 2012 with Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D.