The Parkz Update: Sea World, September 2010

Sea World has launched the wettest ride to hit the Gold Coast in a number of years. It's not September Weather: The Ride, it's Battle Sails, along with the rest of Castaway Bay.

Image: Parkz.

Update By Richard Wilson
27 September 2010

Pirates Unleashed, like Hollywood Stunt Driver is a different show in wet weather. Here it's basically the same ordinary show that Pirates Unleashed is, but with wet actors.

And against all odds the Skyway is back in action at Sea World.

The sight of the gondolas floating past through the park is definitely a piece of that old Sea World charm that has been missing for quite some time now.

With Skyway's recent return to operation they have added a simple but classy logo at the stations. It's these touches that most probably won't even notice that go towards creating a quality theme park experience.

And it's over to Castaway Bay to check out Sea World's big drawcard for these wet and miserable school holidays.

Current weather aside, this looks like a pretty nifty attraction for hot summer days.

It may be a tame family ride, but it'll drench you.

It's everyone against everyone. Boats versus boats; landlubbers versus pirates.

For once generic shade sails are justifiable theming.

Whether on land or at sea, you will get wet.

Sea World have done a great job with the overall atmosphere of the area.

We certainly feel it's the highest quality theming the parks have produced in a very long time, and hope it's a sign of big things to come for the future.

Kids 12 and under can explore the endless bridges, slides and more of Sky Fortress.

Even the supports have been given an authentic half-timber-half-we-can't-be-bothered-painting-this theme. That's the pirate spirate!

It truly is an impressive maze of pathways.

Aim for the targets and you can activate effects such as this almost-drenching mine.

Unfortunately the islands didn't eventuate, but they've still done a really nice job with the theming.

And in keeping with the holiday theme of new 3D shows, Sea World launches Happy Feed 3D.

The once pleasant queue for the theatre is now the exit path with the queue now forming adjacent to the Skyway load/unload area. The change seems to bring more people into the attraction whilst exiting them towards the newly opened area at the rear of the park. Hopefully busy Skyway crowds won't create too much chaos.