‘About time!': Iconic Aussie ride finally returns
Because did anyone really go to the park for anything other than this gloriously chaotic, glow-in-the-dark, backward-plummeting tribute to Spooky Island?
This wasn't just any rollercoaster. This was a gothic haunted-house-meets-rave that welcomed you with flickering chandeliers, swinging axes, eerie fog and a concerned animatronic Scooby saying 'I'm scared!'
Riders would climb aboard ghost-train-style carts before getting hurled backwards in the dark and flung around tight corners at speeds of up to 45km/h.
The flashing strobe scares turned it into a full-blown sensory assault in the best possible way.
Now, after what will be nearly three years in hibernation, the reimagined ride is expected to reopen late 2025.
One Instagram user summed up our feelings perfectly with a Titanic-inspired remark: 'It's been 84 years.'
Warner Bros. confirmed the ride is getting a major mechanical overhaul, including an upgraded braking system (switching to magnetic brakes for a smoother ride), a new operating system, and a complete refresh of the ride vehicles.
There's even a tester seat being installed at the entrance, which means you can try before you ride.
It's a big move for the Gold Coast theme park, but considering more than 21.9 million people have ridden the coaster since it first opened in 2002, it's not surprising they're investing in keeping the fan-favourite alive for another generation.
Still, the long closure hasn't gone down smoothly with everyone.
One thrillseeker admitted bluntly when it initially closed, 'My day is ruined,' while a mum, who had booked a family trip for February 2023, said her kids were 'devastated after a long two-year wait.'
Their disappointment is understandable, but many have pointed out that safety comes first.
And that's not just a throwaway line. Queensland's theme park industry has been under intense scrutiny in recent years, particularly after the infamous 2016 Dreamworld Thunder River Rapid s tragedy that claimed four lives, and more recently, the 2022 Doomsday Destroyer incident where more than a dozen riders were left dangling upside down 21 metres in the air after the Movieworld ride came to a sudden stop.
It was only for a minute and 54 seconds, but for those stuck, including young children, it felt like much longer.
Riders reported headaches, bloodshot eyes and panic, with one woman saying, 'We were just left upside down with no explanation.'
Understandably, many vowed to never step foot in a theme park again. The ride has since been decommissioned.
And Scooby didn't escape the crossfire. Four passengers were rescued from the Spooky Coaster in 2022 after they were trapped mid-air for 90 minutes due to a rider trying to take off an item of clothing.
A Village Roadshow Theme Parks spokesperson said the ride was automatically triggered to stop.
'The guests on-board were completely safe throughout the process and our expert team were in constant communication with them.'
So while the revamp may be inconvenient, for most, it's actually a reassuring sign that the park is taking safety seriously.
As one commenter put it, 'People are missing the point. They have to redo and upgrade rides in order to keep you safe. Yes, it might be an inconvenience for your trip, but in the long run it's probably saving lives.'
While the coaster has been resting in its creepy little crypt, Movie World has introduced new attractions.
The Wizard of Oz precinct opened in late 2023, bringing with it two new family coasters themed around Dorothy and the Yellow Brick Road, and the park also launched high-speed spinning thrill ride The Flash: Speed Force in 2024.
Other favourites like Wild West Falls, the Road Runner Rollercoaster, and Justice League 3D also underwent refurbishments.
But for many, nothing quite compares to Scooby. One nostalgic fan shared, 'It was the first rollercoaster I went on as a kid that made me stop being afraid of them. I loved it so much I went on it again.'
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