Dazzeland
| Location | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°55′20″S 138°36′2″E / 34.92222°S 138.60056°E |
| Opened | 1991[1][2] |
| Closed | 31 January 1998[3] |
| Slogan | Australia's Premier Indoor Theme Park[4] |
| Attractions | |
| Roller coasters | 1[5] |
Dazzeland was a two-storey family entertainment centre occupying the top levels of the REMM Myer Centre in Rundle Mall, a major shopping mall in Adelaide, Australia.[6] The centre was built between 1988 and 1991, at a cost of $1 billion. Some years later, the centre was sold for $140 million, contributing to the collapse of the State Bank of South Australia.
The park's signature attraction was a figure 8 roller coaster named "Jazz Junction", its track running overhead along the fifth level. Other attractions included dodgem cars, a carousel, a Lego Expo, giant playground, musical fountain, and train.[4][7]
With the park's closure on 31 January 1998,[3] an attempt was made to fill the upper levels with smaller, higher paying retail tenants. This soon proved unsuccessful in luring the necessary foot traffic, whereby the upper level remained vacant for many years.[citation needed] The remains of Jazz Junction were removed during 2003 as part of the renovation of the Myer Centre.[citation needed]
A Fernwood Fitness Centre gym was located in part of the space during the early 2000s; as of December 2009, Fernwood had relocated to the Renaissance Centre (primarily occupied by Toys "R" Us until its closure in early 2012, being renovated to what is now Kmart, which had opened late November of that year), leaving level 4 entirely empty and closed-off to the public.[citation needed] In March 2013, the centre had commenced an upgrade. In August of that year, the escalators (sealed off from levels 4 and 5 since the park's closure) were removed completely, as part of the upgrade.[citation needed]
In late 2015, it was announced that Dazzeland will return in 2016 as a venue for the Adelaide Festival of Arts.[8]
In early 2019, part of level 4 became the new location of CDW Studios, which had previously been on level 3 alongside Lincraft.
In mid-2021, Adelaide experimental artist Kintsugist released Dazzeland,[9] a Vaporwave Concept album that takes the listener on a journey through the amusement park on its opening day as experienced by through the distractible ears of a child.
In 2024, Adelaide filmmaker Alex Duerr began work on a full digital recreation of the Myer Centre and Dazzeland for an upcoming YouTube series.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ Remembering the razzle of Dazzeland at the Myer Centre, Tim Williams, City Messenger, 25 October 2012, Adelaide Now, ...Dazzeland when the fun park opened at the top of the Myer Centre in 1991...
- ^ Myer Centre and Dazzeland, 1991, retrieved 28 February 2017
- ^ a b "Chance to buy a fun park". The Advertiser. Adelaide, Australia. 28 February 1998. p. 96.
- ^ a b "Advertising:Here's Your Ticket to Ride at Dazzeland". The Times (Victor Harbour). Vol. 91, no. 4, 423. South Australia. 16 August 1996. p. 9 (TIMES). Retrieved 28 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Rollercoaster track at top of the Myer Centre, 1991, retrieved 28 February 2017
- ^ Publications > Other reports > SBSA 1993 > Chapter 14:CASE STUDY IN CREDIT MANAGEMENT: THE REMM GROUP Archived 28 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Auditor General's Department South Australia, ...14.7 APPENDICES > A REMM Group Ltd companies involved in the Myer Centre - Top of the Mall - Adelaide Development...
- ^ Dazzeland — Adelaide, 5 March 2016, Urban Exploring
- ^ EVANS, RICHARD (23 March 2016). "Myer's Dazzleland keeps its sparkle 18 years on". The Advertiser. News Corp. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
- ^ "Dazzeland, by Kintsugist". Kintsugist. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ "Alex Duerr". Alex Duerr. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
External links
[edit]- The Myer Centre Adelaide opening 3 June 1991 on YouTube - Features news reports, past commercials and footage of Dazzeland.
- Dazzeland - This footage was shot in 1991 at the indoor theme park on YouTube