Planning a family trip to the Gold Coast? We recently returned from a trip to the GC to do the theme parks with Aiden. We opted to go to Movie World & Wet n Wild, and had an awesome time. We had the three-day pass and also intended to hit up SeaWorld, but Aiden loved Wet N Wild so much that we went two days in a row. Depending on when you’re visiting, the parks can get very busy, and there are no caps on how many people they let in – so to help you navigate your visit like a pro, I’ve compiled essential hacks for each park, along with ticket pricing information. If you can avoid going in any of the Australian or New Zealand school holidays, that would be ideal, but for many of us, that is not an option, so these hacks will come in handy if, like us, you plan on visiting during the holidays.
Movie World Hacks
1. Arrive Early and Know Your Map
Get to Movie World at least 15 minutes before opening and familiarise yourself with the park map ahead of time so you can head straight to the most popular rides. This will help you beat the crowds and enjoy shorter wait times! The lines can get very long, with over an hour and a half at some of the popular ones.
2. Invest in Fast Track Passes
Consider purchasing Fast Track passes for Movie World. While regular lines can be an hour or longer, Fast Track holders often wait just 5 minutes for rides. We really wish we had invested after chatting to other people there who had them. We ended up last-minute buying a fast track for Aiden and me on the log ride, as we had been waiting almost an hour, and it wasn’t moving! Doing this cost us $60! So, although it’s an additional cost, the time saved is well worth it for a smoother experience and having time to do all the rides.
3. Download the Village Roadshow App
Before you go, download the Village Roadshow app, which covers both Movie World and Wet’n’Wild. This handy tool provides real-time ride wait times, park maps, and schedules, ensuring you stay informed throughout the day. I found it super convenient.
4. Prioritize the Big Rides
Once you’re in the park, make a beeline for the most popular attractions, such as the Superman Escape, Green Lantern Coaster and DC Rivals Hypercoaster (longest line). These rides tend to get long lines quickly, so tackling them first maximizes your fun.
5. Plan for Shows and Meet-and-Greets
Check the schedule for live shows and character meet-and-greet opportunities. These are not only fun for kids but also often have shorter wait times compared to rides. Make sure to catch the parade, too—it’s a highlight for little ones!
Notable Mention: The Food at Movie World was actually really good! We were expecting really overpriced junk food, but had yummy tacos for lunch that would have rivalled a nice little cafe both in taste and price. Eat either early or late to avoid lines at peak times.
Wet’n’Wild Hacks
1. Claim Your Spot Right Away
Once you enter Wet’n’Wild, head straight to your desired area to secure a good spot. If you have little ones, grab chairs near the Wave Pool for a fun, lively atmosphere. For a more relaxed vibe, check out Calypso Beach, where you can lounge by the lazy river. We spent both days here, going on slides, and really loved it. They also have Cabanas for hire, but at a cost. I wouldn’t go this route, though many people do and love it.
2. Skip the Fast Track
Based on our experience, Fast Track passes at Wet’n’Wild would not be worth the extra cost. The layout and ride capacity often mean shorter wait times compared to Movie World, so you can enjoy a full day without the additional expense. The longest ride we waited for was the Constictor for about 40 minutes.
3. Arrive Early for the Best Experience
Just like at Movie World, arriving early is key. Get in line before the gates open to secure your spot and enjoy the park with fewer crowds. On the first day we went, I think we wasted too much time getting our spot and figuring out the park, but on Day 2 we were better prepared – dumped our stuff quickly and smartly and headed straight for Kaboom (our fave!!) and enjoyed several rounds with no lining up. Kaboom, Mammoth Falls & Constrictor tend to have the longest lines.
4. Bring Sunscreen, Water & Snacks
Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and refillable water bottles! Staying hydrated, fed and protected from the sun will keep everyone happy all day. There are places to get food, but we packed our lunches for Wet N Wild and enjoyed them at our little beachy spot and got ice cream in the afternoon.
5. Leave your self-consciousness at home!
I was really happy to see a wide range of ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities at Wet n Wild—it’s not the place for feeling self-conscious about your body; it’s the place for enjoying the water and having fun with your kids!