Thrillseeker (roller coaster)

Thrillseeker
Previously known as Wild Wave Rollercoaster
Sea World
LocationSea World
Coordinates27°57′24.3″S 153°25′29.9″E / 27.956750°S 153.424972°E / -27.956750; 153.424972
StatusRemoved
Opening date1982 (1982)
Closing dateMay 2002 (2002-05)
General statistics
TypeSteel
ManufacturerS.D.C.
ModelGalaxi
Track layoutZyklon
Lift/launch systemChain Lift Hill
Height14 m (46 ft)
Length1,000 m (3,300 ft)
Speed65 km/h (40 mph)
Inversions0
Duration2:00
Trains3 trains with 2 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 8 riders per train.
Thrillseeker at RCDB

The Thrillseeker was a steel roller coaster located at Sea World on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Designed by S.D.C., the Galaxi model opened to the public in 1982. The ride is now a traveling roller coaster owned by Shorts Amusements of Victoria known as Taipan.[1]

History

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In 1982, Sea World opened the park's first roller coaster, the Wild Wave Rollercoaster, along with the Pirate Ship and Carousel.[2] The Wild Wave Rollercoaster was later renamed to the Thrillseeker.[3] In May 2002, the Thrillseeker was closed and removed from Sea World.[1][3] It now operates as a traveling roller coaster owned by Shorts Amusements of Victoria, known as Taipan.[1]

Following the ride's removal, proposals were made for the area it once occupied. These included a seal exhibit named Seal Rocks[4] and a hippopotamus attraction was proposed for the site.[5] From 2006 to 2008 the site was home to the temporary Sea World Eye.[6][7] In September 2008, work began on the site for a yet-to-be-named ray exhibit.[8] By October, the name of the exhibit was announced to be Ray Reef.[9] It was originally scheduled that the exhibit would open on Boxing Day 2008 (26 December 2008), however, a number of delays forced it to open on 14 January 2009.[10][11]

Ride

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The Thrillseeker had a track length of 1,000 m (3,300 ft), with a ride time of two minutes and a maximum speed of 65 km/h (40 mph). The track is steel, and the trains consist of two four-seat cars per train, for a train capacity of 8 passengers.[3]

The ride began with the right turn out of the station. After ascending the 14 metres (46 ft) chain lift hill riders were sent in a course of quick dips and spiralling helixes.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Thrillseeker (Sea World)". Parkz. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  2. ^ Sea World (2006). "History and Development of Sea World". MyFun. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Marden, Duane. "Thrillseeker  (Sea World)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Seal Rocks (Sea World)". Parkz. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  5. ^ "Unknown Hippopotamus Attraction (Sea World)". Parkz. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Sea World Eye (Sea World)". Parkz. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  7. ^ AAP (12 December 2007). "Sea World Eye to close on Gold Coast". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  8. ^ joz (22 September 2008). "Ray Reef (Sea World)". Photo. Parkz. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  9. ^ Seipelt, Gavin (19 October 2008). "Ray Reef Logo". Photo. Parkz. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  10. ^ Seipelt, Gavin (26 December 2008). "Ray Reef Construction". Photo. Parkz. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  11. ^ Bedo, Stephanie (15 January 2009). "Stingrays wing it for a feed and fondle". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
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