The Claw Tears Into Dreamworld

Queensland Tourism Minister Margaret Keech today took the plunge on Dreamworld’s all-new white knuckle thrill ride, The Claw, alongside other daring local VIPS and celebrities.

Officially launching the new ride, Mrs Keech said the ride added a thrilling new dimension to the popular theme park.

“The Claw takes its place alongside Dreamworld’s other rides as an irresistible magnet for visitors to the park,” she said.

“Dreamworld enjoys an excellent international reputation as a quality park offering visitors world class facilities, with unbeatable thrill rides.

“Dreamworld is to be congratulated for this latest attraction, which is yet another tangible step in the park’s expansion to cater for thrill-seekers and other visitors.

“The theme park already attracts more than 1.2 million visitors a year. I have no doubt the new ride will swell that number.”

The Claw opens to Dreamworld guests tomorrow (18/9).

The first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, The Claw is the most powerful pendulum on the planet.

Riders dare to dice with 240 degrees of fear as they swing through nine storeys of pure adrenalin while spinning 360 degrees.

“The Claw pushes the thrill meter to a new level,” said Dreamworld CEO Stephen Gregg.

“At the end of each swing, you feel complete inertia, like time stops for a split second before your stomach ends up back in your mouth. It’s a great adrenalin rush.

“The Claw promises to keep even the most hardened thrill seeker on the edge of their seats.”

Costing more than $6 million, The Claw will headline Dreamworld’s stable of high-end thrill rides including:
· The Giant Drop – the tallest free-falling ride in the world;
· The Tower of Terror – one of the fastest rides in the world;
· Cyclone – the tallest high speed rollercoaster in the Southern Hemisphere; and
· The Wipeout – a twisting wild whopper of a ride.

"Pushing the boundaries further to provide Australian's with the best rides in the world is important in positioning Dreamworld as Australia's premier theme park. Today, Dreamworld is the pre-eminent theme park destination in this country and intends to stay that way,” said Neil Balnaves, Chairman Macquarie Leisure Trust – Dreamworld’s parent company.

The new investment tops off a five-year rollout of family attractions for the park including:
· Big Brother – first launched in 2000
· The Australian Wildlife Experience –redeveloped in 2001
· Cyclone rollercoaster - opened 2001
· Nick Central kids zone - opened 2002
· Tomb Raider – open Christmas 2003 to Easter 2004
· Farmyard Friends - opened Easter 2004

The park is also home to Tiger Island and a host of family rides and attractions including the Imax theatre, Blue Lagoon water park and lots more.

Dreamworld is open from 10am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day and Anzac Day morning. For online tickets and details visit www.dreamworld.com.au.

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