A children's play area which featured suspension bridges, climbing logs, a small fort and a dock. It was located where Dolphin Cove now exists and was accessible via the Adventure Island Ferry which left the Dockside Tavern and travelled along the network of lakes.[1][2]
Adventure Island Ferry
????
1996
A slow boat ride which took riders from the Dockside Tavern to Adventure Island. The seating and canopies were removed from the ferries to convert them to barges once Adventure Island was closed. These barges have since been used as fireworks platforms and special event stages.[1][2]
An interactive dinosaur exhibit.[6] It featured animatronic dinosaurs outdoors as well as an indoor exhibit.
Lassiter's Lost Mine
1987
1994
An indoor boat ride themed to a mine flooding. Disney executives commented at the ride's cheap price tag claiming that the ride would have cost more than six times the amount it actually cost.[7]
Originally named the Corkscrew, it was the only looping roller coaster at the park and featured three inversions.[10] The ride was an Arrow Dynamics sit-down looper which opened in 1982. In 2009, the ride had the train replaced and became the Sea Viper. The Sea Viper was closed in 2014 due to old age.[11]
Sea World Eye
2006
2008
A temporary 60-metre (200 ft) high ferris wheel was constructed in the former location of the Thrillseeker. Ronald Bussink Co. manufactured the mobile installation which has since been moved to another location.[12][13]
Sea World Train
1972
2008
A two-thirds scale locomotive which took a slow tour around the outside of the back of the park. Up until 2005, the train briefly stopped at the Water Park. After the addition of The Plunge in the water park, this was no longer possible.[14][15]
This was a themed zone featuring several rides specifically designed for children. The area also featured a live show – Bert and Ernie's Island Holiday. The area was originally themed to Cartoon Network with all but one of the current rides. Bert and Ernie's Big Dive, Oscar's Sweep the Beach, Elmo's Sea Subs, Zoe's Sub Splash and The Cookie Monster Cup Carousel all previously existed under different names. Big Bird Bounce was a new attraction for Sesame Street Beach.[16] It was replaced in late 2011 with the generic Beach Break Bay theme.
Sky High Skyway
1989
2015
A cable car ride that would take guests up for a bird's-eye view of the park.
A log flume style ride featuring a 43-foot (13 m) drop at 36 mph (58 km/h).
Water Park
The water park was originally included in Sea World admission until 2008 when it became part of the Sea World Resort and was converted into an upcharge attraction.[19]
Body slides
????
2010
A set of two body slides which replaced Rapid Mountain. They were based on the one tower closest to Sea World Resort.[20] In 2010, the slides were removed and the tower was incorporated into Castaway Bay.
Freefall slides
1987
2005
A set of two freefall style body slides which launched from the top of the main, southern tower.[2][21]
A set of two tube slides which were later replaced by the body slides on the northern end of the water park. The slides were set in a replica mountain.[2]
Speed slides
1987
2005
A set of two triple dip water slides which launched from the top of the main, southern tower.[2][22]
Toboggan slide
1987
2005
A single toboggan slide which launched from the middle of the main, southern tower, perpendicular to the speed and freefall slides.[2][23]
Shows
Dolphin Cove ShowWaterski Wipeout
Name
Opened
Closed
Description
Bert and Ernie's Island Holiday
????
????
A live stage show which feature a full cast of Sesame Street characters adjacent to Sesame Street Beach.[16] The show concluded in late 2011 and was replaced by Dora's Best Friends Adventure in December 2011.
Best of Mates
????
????
A show which featured both bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales. It was located where the Sea Lion Theatre now stands (Fish Detectives).[24]
A dolphin show located in a newly created, four-lagoon dolphin exhibit called Dolphin Cove.[25]
Dolphins Go Physical
????
????
A live show which featured dolphins jumping through hoops and performing other stunts. It was located where the Sea Lion Theatre now stands (Fish Detectives).[26]
Dora's Best Friends Adventure
2011
2017
A live stage show featuring Dora the Explorer characters. The show concluded in 2017 to be replaced with Paw Patrol on Holiday in December 2017.
Fish Detectives
2007
2017
A live stage show featuring Sea World's seals. The show concluded after the Spring school holiday season to be replaced with Seal Guardians in early 2018.
This replaced the former documentary Ocean Rescue in the Sea World TV, and was shown from September 2010 to late 2011.[27] It was replaced with SpongeBob SquarePants 3-D.
This replaced the long-running ski show in 2009. After initially opening on 19 September, the show only performed for two days before going back to the drawing board.[31] An article in the Gold Coast Bulletin heavily criticised the lack of action and in the new show saying "these pirates won't blow anyone out of the water". The revamped show opened on Boxing Day 2009.[32] On 20 July 2011, the show made its last performance.[33] In September 2011, Jet Stunt Extreme opened in its place.[34]
Sea World's first film in the Sea World Theatre replacing the Cap'n Kids Castle. It was replaced by Pirates in 3D.[2][14]
Seals Aboard
2007
2007
A temporary show starring Sea World's seals which was shown next to the Endeavour replica to allow the Quest for the Golden Seal set to be transformed into the Fish Detectives set.
Ski Challenge
????
2005
A waterski show where guests were split into two teams and would barrack for their waterskiers to win.
SpongeBob ParadePants
December 17, 2011 (2011-12-17)
October 2014 (2014-10)
A Parade Show that took place in the Sea World Lagoon which featured all the favourite characters from the SpongeBob SquarePants Series. The show concluded in October 2014.
Waterski Wipeout
2005
2009
A waterski show which took guests back to the Gold Coast in the 1960s.[36] It was replaced by Pirates Unleashed.[37]
World of the Sea Theatre
????
????
A short, educational film was shown to a seated audience before the screen was raised to reveal an aquarium.[2]
nite fire
????
????
A seasonal nighttime waterski show featuring music, and a display of laser lights and fireworks.
Marine attractions
Penguins on Parade
Name
Opened
Closed
Description
Dugong Discovery
2004
2008
An educational dugong exhibit which replaced Reef Discovery. The exhibit was closed when the two dugongs were moved to Sydney Aquarium. It was replaced by Shark Attack.[38][39]
Penguins on Parade
????
2007
A little penguin exhibit which was located near the front of the park. It was closed and removed after an unidentified toxin killed 26 of the penguins. A new exhibit was built one year later at a new location in the northern end of the park. It was named Penguin Point.[40]
Reef Discovery
2001
2004
A short, educational film was shown to a seated audience before the screen was raised to reveal an aquarium.[41]
Sea World Aquarium
????
2010
A circular building filled with several small individual aquariums which represented a variety of habitats. The aquarium closed to make was for Penguin Encounter.[42]
Shark Attack
2009
2010
An educational exhibit which aimed to teach guests the truth about sharks. It replaced Dugong Discovery and was replaced by Penguin Encounter.
Shark Encounter
????
2001
A short, educational film was shown to a seated audience before the screen was raised to reveal an aquarium with sharks.[43]
Cancelled plans
Surfrider at Wet'n'Wild Water World
Name
Date
Description
Hippopotamus attraction
2009
A proposed hippopotamus exhibit which would have featured two hippos from the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve in north Queensland. The exhibit was cancelled when Ray Reef was constructed at the suggested location and within the timeframe for the hippo exhibit.[44][45]
Seal Rocks
2005
A proposed seal exhibit to be located where Ray Reef now stands. At the time of proposal the site was empty after the Thrillseeker was removed.[46] In 2012, Sea World announced they would be adding Seal Harbour.[47]
Plans for a Mack water roller coaster were released in January 2008 by the Gold Coast City Council. The proposal detailed the ride would have a station where Penguin Encounter exists and the main track out and over the car park.[49] Later that year, Sea World opened Jet Rescue.[50] On 12 July 2012, Christian von Elverfeldt revealed Australia would be receiving a Mack water roller coaster leading to speculation that Sea World may have revived its plans.[51][52] The Roller Coaster DataBase later confirmed this speculation.[53]