Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld has revealed a new ride from international attractions manufacturer Intamin that will replace its popular The Claw.
Announced overnight during the IAAPA Expo Europe in Amsterdam, the next generation thrill ride at Australia’s biggest theme park will be known as the King Claw.
This news comes in tandem with the announcement that one of the park’s most well-known rides, The Claw, will be closing in January 2025, with King Claw set to take its place at the theme park.
The Claw, which recently turned 20 years old, stands over 17 metres tall, and has featured heavily in the media and the park’s marketing campaigns over the years. During its grand opening, television program Rove Live hosted a competition for viewers to be one of the first to ride The Claw – on the provision they did it naked.
The ride also featured heavily in promotion for Big Brother from 2005 to 2008.
The Claw’s successor, King Claw represents Dreamworld owner Coast Entertainment Holdings Limited’s latest investment in the attraction.
Standing at 27 metres tall, King Claw will be more than 50% taller than The Claw, reach speeds more than 50% faster and have a swing height taller than the highest peak of the park’s largest rollercoaster, Steel Taipan.
King Claw will also be the largest gyro swing ride in the Southern Hemisphere.
Excited to amplify its thrill ride offering, Dreamworld Chief Executive, Greg Yong “our vision for King Claw is to elevate the guest experience to heights we’ve never reached before – literally and figuratively.
“This new attraction will set a new standard for thrill rides at Dreamworld, offering a heart-pounding adventure that our guests will talk about for years to come. The Claw has been an iconic and much-loved attraction at Dreamworld for many years, and King Claw is the perfect successor to that legacy”
Ride manufacturer, Intamin, who joined Dreamworld for the announcement at IAAPA Expo Europe is a worldwide leader in amusement rides and attractions.
Sascha Czibulka, Intamin’s Executive Vice President, says this is a huge announcement for the company, noting “we are incredibly proud to be working with Australia’s biggest theme park to elevate their thrill ride offering to a whole new level.
“The King Claw experience is going to be like no other – it truly is a world class attraction.”
The Claw will officially close at the end of January 2025, with construction on King Claw beginning immediately thereafter. Dreamworld plans to open the new ride in late 2025.
Main image: Dreamworld’s branding for the new King Claw ride.
