Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster
Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster is an enclosed steel wild mouse roller coaster located at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, Australia. It is based on the 2002 live action film, Scooby-Doo, which was filmed at the studio adjacent to the park at the same time the ride was being constructed. In 2018 the ride underwent a significant theming overhaul and reopened in December under the name Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster: Next Generation with a new ride storyline, new theming and new special effects.
History
On 3 June 1991, Warner Bros. Movie World opened to the public with Warner Bros. Classics & Great Gremlins Adventure as one of its original attractions. In late 2001, Warner Bros. Movie World announced that they would be closing the attraction to make way for a new attraction set to open in 2002. On 17 June 2002, the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster opened in the location of Warner Bros. Classics & Great Gremlins Adventure.Characteristics
Overview
Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster is a Wild Mouse roller coaster manufactured by Mack Rides. Warner Bros. Movie World collaborated with Mack Rides to develop a Wild Mouse roller coaster that was unlike the previous models. The ride is enclosed in a show building making it a dark ride.Statistics
Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster features of track. The highest point,, is reached through the use of an elevator lift. The largest drop is and is performed in reverse. At this point, riders reach the top speed of. One cycle of the ride takes approximately 4 minutes and 13 seconds. The ride caters for approximately 1000 guests per hour.Theme
The Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster is themed around the 2002 live action film, Scooby-Doo. The main entrance facade is modelled after the Spooky Island Castle that is featured in the film. Additionally, the ride's eighteen vehicles are modelled on that used in the film. These vehicles seat four people, in two rows of two.In December 2016 internal theming was removed due to it being a fire hazard. New theming was installed in late 2018 and the ride's name was slightly altered with "Next Generation" to reflect the update as well as the storyline changes.
On Ride Photo
The Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster has an on ride photo in the first dark ride section on the ride. The photo is taken as riders drop in front of the swinging axes. This photo is available as part of the Fast Photo digital pass and viewable on screens in the exit retail store.Experience
Queue
The entrance to the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster is a replica of the Spooky Island Castle seen in the 2002 film. This façade hides a large sound stage where the actual ride exists. On most days, guests must walk up a few steps enter the castle and the ride's queue line. On busier days, the ride's outdoor overflow queue is utilised. It is located on the right hand side of the entrance and leads into the side of the castle façade. Once inside the castle riders are treated to the sight of a monster fountain and a making of video of the 2002 film. A series of queue switchbacks are located closer to the load station.Ride
Original Version
Once the ride begins, the first part is like a typical dark ride, embellished with effects including a swinging axe and various other spooky-themed audio-animatronics displays. Along the way, an animatronic Scooby-Doo will tell the rider which way the carriage will go next until it reaches a platform.As the platform ascends vertically it tilts from side to side giving riders the illusion that they will fall out. As it rises a short conversation between Scooby-Doo and Daphne can be heard. Once the carriage has reached the top of the elevator, and the top of the show building, it drops backwards towards to turntable which spins the carriage around before continuing along the roller coaster track. This is where the true wild mouse section of the roller coaster begins. This section features various smoke, lighting and laser effects as well as a giant spider. It is also musically accompanied by U.S. punk band MXPX playing a cover of the Scooby-Doo theme song. A final animatronic Scooby shows riders the way out of the wild mouse section. The ride concludes with one very small drop to get to the exit platform.
Next Generation (2018 update)
Although the ride's rollercoaster track is unaltered and it's ghost train elements are still present, the ride's storyline has been significantly changed, although it is still themed to the 2002 film. Scooby-Doo now no longer appears in the ride till the very end in the exit queue. However his initial voice over and disembarkment audio remains in use.The creatures from the movie have escaped their enclosures and are attacking the riders. After the ride exits the station, using projection mapping effects, the train is attacked by two of the monsters breaking down the right-side wall, but the train gets away in time. Following the usual Ghost Train section, Riders are greeted with the mirror scene which now uses more projection effects to display the two monsters attacking the vehicle.
The ride then passes by several voodoo statues before coming to the Platform lift. Daphne and Shaggy both spot and talk to Scrappy Doo who, as the lift rises, appears on screens surrounding the riders and changes into his own monster form, then roars at the riders. Shaggy then says his iconic quote from the battle with Scrappy, which is, "You're a bad puppy!", followed by the claw used in the first movie pulling out the Daemon Ritus from Scrappy's chest. The train then drops backwards to the turntable as before, however the turntable is now surrounded by a disco like box with mirrors and neon lights.
The traditional wild mouse section remains relatively unaltered, however the vat carrying the souls from the movie now sits in the center of the room.
As riders leave this section they are now greeted by two projection mapped screens on either side of the train, but as the disco skull on the ceiling shines, the creatures become afraid. The train then makes its final small drop, however this small section is now incorporated into the ride's storyline and a screen above it shows one of the creatures screaming in the "Tiki Doll Lounge". As riders disembark and pass through the lounge, Scooby-Doo is seen hiding in a hut saying "I'm scared!".