Between September 2000 and early 2001, Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet'n'Wild Water World, will each open a major new attraction, which have never been seen before in Australia.

Sea World will open Australia's only polar bear facility in December 2000.

Polar Bear Shores will initially feature two polar bears presented in a totally naturalistic environment, allowing guests to observe and learn more about this incredible marine mammal - both above ground and underwater.

Polar Bear Shores will be the first stage in the development of an Ocean Science Centre, stage two of which is planned to open within three years.

In early September, Wet'n'Wild Water World will open Mammoth Falls, a massive new attraction incorporating two very large water slides.

Mammoth River and Mammoth Plunge, will feature two six-person raft rides and will offer one of the most thrilling water park experiences in the world.

At the same time, the park will reopen its totally rebuilt and upgraded speed slide, the Speed Coaster guaranteed to really get the adrenalin flowing.

The new attractions will reinforce Wet'n'Wild Water World's position as Australia's best, and one of the world's top water parks.

Warner Bros. Movie World will continue its commitment to providing exciting family experiences with the opening of Australia's first Vekoma Junior Rollercoaster in early December.

The highly themed Roadrunner Rollercoaster will provide a fast, safe and fun experience for children and their parents within the already established Looney Tunes Village area.

Warner Village Theme Parks Chief Executive, John Menzies, said the new attractions would continue to highlight the Gold Coast as Australia's family entertainment capital.

"No other holiday destination offers the same depth and breadth of entertainment as the Gold Coast," he said.

"A family can have a different experience every day of their holiday and still return the following year for something completely new again.

"No-one has contributed to this reputation more than Warner Village Theme Parks.

"Last year we gave families Cartoon Network Cartoon Beach at Sea World, the Wild Wild West Adventure Ride at Warner Bros. Movie World, and Terror Canyon II at Wet'n'Wild Water World.

The continuing major capital investment by our owners Village Roadshow, Warner Bros. and the Sea World Property Trust demonstrates the confidence they have in the future of Queensland and Gold Coast tourism.

Mr Menzies said the opening of the new attractions could not have been better timed to take advantage of what will be stronger domestic and international markets.

"Despite difficult market conditions and the introduction of the GST, the theme parks have managed to maintain strong visitation from the domestic market," he said.

"All indications point to continued stability in this market once the GST and Olympic period are behind us and these attractions will certainly assist domestic growth in our parks well into 2001 and beyond.

"Internationally, the past 12 months have seen increased visitation from some of our key Asian markets on the back of improved economic conditions and aggressive marketing efforts by the Group at a wholesaler and consumer level. We are even confident that Japan, one of our worst affected markets, albeit still our largest provider of international tourists, will return to strength in the next couple of years.

"The attractions will provide new exciting product for wholesalers to include in programs and give yet another reason to visit Queensland and the Gold Coast.

New Attraction Overview

Polar Bear Shores Polar Bear Shores will feature natural substrates, typical natural vegetation, rocks and logs, and will incorporate chilled water pools, a running stream, shade cover, water misters, wind generators, diving and climbing opportunities, air-conditioned bear quarters and an extensive behavioural enrichment program. The large main pool will be up to four metres deep to encourage diving, and will be intermittently stocked with fish to allow the bears to hunt for food.

Visitors to Sea World will be able to observe the polar bears' skilled and graceful underwater swimming and hunting abilities through large underwater viewing windows, and will be treated to fascinating interpretive information about the animal, delivered by Sea World educators.

Roadrunner Rollercoaster The Roadrunner Rollercoaster will offer families a fast, safe and fun experience.

The highly themed Junior Rollercoaster will be located in a section of the Looney Tunes Village, which opened in December 1997 and is already home to six Looney Tunes themed rides.

Guests will board the sky rocket themed coaster train at the ACME Fireworks Factory Station along with Wylie Coyote who then proceeds to chase the Roadrunner through the Arizona Mountains in an exciting journey of twists and turns, ups and downs.

The ride will run two trains, each seating up to 16 passengers, and carry approximately 1,000 people per hour at capacity.

Mammoth Falls Year 2000 will see Wet'n'Wild Water World open two 4m wide water slides never before seen in Australia.

The Mammoth River Ride is a six-person raft ride that will wind for over 200 metres. The rafts will twist and turn and ride high into the corners as they gain speed for the ultimate splash down. Accompanying the Mammoth River Ride will be Mammoth Plunge, where the same rafts will plunge at even higher speed down 80 metres over triple humps into the purpose designed splash pool.

Guests will launch into both slides from a mighty tower riding 17.5 metres above the ground - higher than Wet'n'Wild Water World's existing Giant Speed Slide.

Media information: Sea World Ilka McCouat, 07 5588 2275 or 0408 759 659 Warner Bros. Movie World Julie Sinclair, 07 5573 8315 or 0407 38 48 32 Wet'n'Wild Water World Dave Luxton, 07 5573 6233 or 0408 885 487