Dreamworld’s long-awaited Sky Voyager takes flight

August 23, 2019

On a significant day for the Gold Coast theme park, Dreamworld has today commenced operations of its new $20-million Sky Voyager attraction.

The Southern Hemisphere’s first ever flying theatre has taken flight on a day when a further $50 million of investments in new rides was announced for Dreamworld.

With Workplace Health and Safety Queensland having issued conditional design registration for the ride earlier this week, guests can now take off and enjoy the spectacular Australian scenery on the world-class flying theatre attraction, complete with modern state-of-the-art technology, motion-programmed seating with live action and special sensory effects such as wind, sound, light, mist and scents.

Developed in a partnership with Brogent Technologies Inc., one of the world’s leading simulation technology companies, the unique Australian experience sees riders flying over Australia’s most iconic landmarks including Surfers Paradise, Sydney Harbour, the Tully River in Far North Queensland and the Barossa Valley in South Australia.

Sky Voyager’s Australian theme was created in a further partnership between Dreamworld and Experience Oz.

As explained by Experience Oz General Manager, Clint Gudenswager “Experience Oz is proud to partner with Sky Voyager and Dreamworld, showcasing all the great things to do and places to see throughout Australia.

“This incredible attraction features a range of experiences that Experience Oz offers across Australia, so for us, partnering with Sky Voyager is a great fit.”

Dreamworld Chief Executive, John Osborne advised “Sky Voyager will be the 33rd i-Ride flying theatre built by Brogent Technologies to launch globally, with 14 current locations, including Europa Park, Europe’s most awarded theme park, Legoland Florida, Mall of America in Minnesota and Warner Bros. World, Abu Dhabi, the world’s first indoor theme park.

“These locations hosted over 13 million visitors last year, so there is no doubt this world-class experience will continue to take the world by storm.”

The conditional design registration for the SkyVoyager from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland means, according to a statement from the Queensland Government agency, that the ride “has been deemed safe to operate with additional safety controls”.

The statement added “Sky Voyager is now able to enter service (but) as part of the conditional registration, further enhancements to controls are required.

“WHSQ will continue to work with Dreamworld as it implements these enhancements which will enable permanent design registration.”

The arrival of Australia’s first flying theatre is significant as they are part of a growing trend.

Described as “hybrid between the once-popular motion simulator attractions mixed with a large format projection screen system showing off the more natural landscape-oriented content typically shown at Imax/Omnimax theatre”, the Walt Disney Company was one of the first to start this attraction trend with the creation of Soarin’ Over California at its Disney California Adventure Park in 2001.

Since then the technology has also evolved to allow for both large scale and small scale flying theatres making the concept viable for an infinite number of locations.

Originally promoted to open in December last year but delayed by issues with design registration delayed this, the Sky Voyager represents a key part of plans for the theme park’s revitalisation by owner Ardent Leisure.

Dreamworld’s Annual Pass allows holders to be among the first guests to experience Sky Voyager. Annual Passes can be purchased using Afterpay.

Images: The entrance to Sky Voyager (top) and the attraction in operation (below).

23rd August 2019 - Dreamworld announces ‘new era’ with multi-million dollar investment in new rides

9th August 2019 - Dreamworld looks to recruit for the upcoming holiday season

1st August 2019 - Registration issues delay opening of Dreamworld’s new Sky Voyager ride

28th June 2019 - Ardent Leisure facing potential $80 million liability in wake of Dreamworld inquest

19th June 2019 - Dreamworld announces holiday attractions but no news on Sky Voyager opening

27th May 2019 - Dreamworld makes key executive changes to drive future operations

13th May 2019 - Dreamworld Tiger Cubs make first public appearance

8th April 2019 - Ardent Leisure borrows $225 million for attractions investment

28th March 2019 - Dreamworld expands to include native animal state-of-the-art research facility

21st March 2019 - Dreamworld launches new Training Academy to support staff career progression

13th March 2019 - Ardent Leisure shares hit seven-year low

9th March 2019 - Dreamworld announces permanent closure of The WipeOut

7th March 2019 - Dreamworld advises appointment of safety engineering expert

15th January 2019 - No sign of opening for Dreamworld’s Sky Voyager

2nd November 2018 - Dreamworld begins countdown to Sky Voyager launch

22nd November 2018 - Ardent Leisure reveals theme park investment strategy

23rd October 2018 - Ardent Leisure names casino and hospitality professional as new Dreamworld Chief Executive

26th September 2018 - Ardent Leisure facing naming challenges with new Dreamworld simulator ride

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