QLD theme parks - which one did you prefer?

[mbear]

Hi there,

In dec we took our older two girls (5yrs and 2.5yrs) to dreamworld.....we had a great time, but we found:

* Dec is the worst, worst time to go themeparks in QLD, in fact anytime in Summer - way too hot.
* A lot of the rides we couldnt go on with a 2.5 year old.
* Rides, attractions were heaps spaced out - i.e we had far to walk from ride to ride. Hard with little ones in 30+ deg heat.
* Would never go to a theme park in school hols.....lining up for 40 mins is not fun - for anyone.
* I went to movie world zonks ago, and i think we should have gone there. Dont get me wrong, with wiggles world and nickoldeon land at dreamworld, there is lots for younger kids to do - but lots they cant go on too !
* A few girlfriends have taken their families to seaworld recently - they loved it....
* When asking my oldest daughter what was the fav part of her holiday she replied 'the hotel pool and the beach'.....agrhhhhh the $300 we spent at dreamworld could prob have been spent elsewhere.......but it was fun at the same time.

ETA: Save up good - Its expensive - it cost up $50 for 2 bottles of water, 2 packets of chips and 2 iceblocks (i say ICE, nothing flash here, just a water iceblock !!).

[Shanti]

Maz,

You're best off getting a 3-park super pass. Or an "Escape" Pass. You can look these up just google them. Or go to gold coast tourism website
That is the cheapest way for families to be able to visit at least 2 theme parks rather than paying individual day entry fees.

Try and bring your own food to the parks too as food is very expensive.

I would suggest Dreamworld for your kiddies because they have a GREAT little kids section with mini rides and also THE WIGGLES big red car ride the kids just would love.....

Enjoy your trip to the GC!! If you want any info just PM me. I live 25mins from the themeparks & used to be a travel consultant for QLD holidays.

[westy]

Maz,

Movie World is awesome the kids will love it!!!

Some great advice their off Mbear too.

[Nicambhar]

I always prefer Sea World. It covers everything, rides, slides and swimming and all the dolphins and shows. Only thing though, which ever theme park you chose, it really takes more than a day for see it all.

SW is only my preference though, I am super sure that the kiddies will love any of the parks that you chose.

xx

[mbear]

SW is only my preference though, I am super sure that the kiddies will love any of the parks that you chose.

....i agree totally. Its such a special day for them.....i know for me i still remember the 1 or 2 times mum and dad took us as kids. Its a lifelong memory......

[Aimz]

Movie World was my favourite when we went in 2007. We like thrill rides so it was good for that - but DH LOVES all the movie stuff which is where we got the most value out of it. The parade is great and they usually have an hourly High 5 or Wiggles show on in the "City Square" part of the park. All the kids jump and dance around and have a ball!

Second favourite would be Sea World - lots of animals to see (the Polar Bears are just gorgeous) and the Dolphin Show is fantastic! DH and I are big kids when it comes to stuff like this so I'm sure your kids will love it. It also has a water park which would be great for the kids.

HTH!

[MantaRay]

I love water rides, so for me it's Wet & Wild. The boys love both love both Seaworld and Dreamworld but their favourite is Dreamworld. It's DH's favourite too.

[Schmickers]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Wet 'n' Wild, is is my favourite by far, followed by Movieworld, but only because of the Lethal Weapon ride.

Having said that, last time we were at Wet'nWild with the girls (Molly was 3.5 and Olivia was around 6 months) we had issues with older children racing through the kiddie pools to get from one part of the park to another and causing havoc.

[Snowy Love]

I'd say Seaworld - 'cause its got the animals/birds/fish as well as the rides and you can rest while you watch the shows and 'cause its Warners and I think you can get a deal to go to MW & SW.

[Livinthedream]

if it makes any difference with Wilheim, seaword is probably the quietest in terms of music and flashing lights ect and the shows are great.
IMO movieworld is the best for rides for the older ones, thats the one we go to.
The 3 park pass wont get you into dreamworld as the other 3, movie, sea and wet and wild are all owned by warner bros.
Movie world has nic for kids or some such kiddy land that is prob comparable to what dreamworld has and it has all of the cartoon characters.
I recon you should do seaworld, movie and dream are pretty much the same.