Still, since most Hanna Babara characters are on Cartoon Network these days, looks like the characters haven't completly gone from Wonderland.
Firstly I'd like to say that this is my first post here at themeparkinsider, and that I too am an employee at Wonderland Sydney.
With the CN characters, they've just had the Powerpuff Girls, but you can also expect to also see Johnny Bravo, Dextor's Lab, and Cow and Chicken popping up sometime in the near future.
I'm not sure if CN will be a permanant thing, I have also heard and seen some dealings with Henson and Marvel.
The upcoming Kids Fest in November will feature the very popular "Bob the Builder" and other Australian Broadcasting Corporation featured characters, but these again will be appearing for a limited time.
In light of closure of “Little Wonders Land” we have implemented value-added attractions into Wonderland Sydney on weekends. This has ranged from performances by pop star Selwyn, The Hooley Dooleys in addition to IWA Wrestling, and the action packed Adrenalin Rush weekends featuring a display of extreme sports. These September school holidays will also see the inclusion of daily live performances by the ‘Powerpuff Girls’ in their live musical – Saving the World Before Bedtime.
Guests can enjoy refurbished and re-themed rides from Little Wonders Land that have been recently relocated into other areas of the park.
Again market research has indicated that guests would like to see characters from Cartoon Network. Hence, a relationship with Cartoon Network was established, resulting in the introduction of the Powerpuff Girls Musical during the September school holidays.
The combination of world class brands such as Shrek, Blinky Bill, Action Man and world renowned Illusionists continue to make for an enjoyable day for the whole family. No where else in Australia will you find a diverse and versatile entertainment centre bringing together so many different properties.
Looks pretty good to me (No I am not a manager)
Spider-Man Spins Web Over Wonderland
Media Release - For Immediate Release
29 November 2002
Exclusive Licensing Deal Launches Superhero Characters Into Wonderland Sydney
Wonderland Sydney announced today that a major licensing deal was signed with Marvel Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: MVL) one of the world’s most prominent entertainment companies. The relationship will see Marvel’s Super Hero™ comic book characters introduced into the theme park. The announcement was made by Wonderland Sydney’s CEO - Director, Mr Stephen Galbraith.
Wonderland Sydney guests will meet the costumed Marvel characters at the theme park when they are launched for the approaching School Holiday season in December 2002. Characters include; Spider-Man™, The Incredible Hulk™, The Green Goblin™, Captain America™, Daredevil™, Elektra™ and X-Men™ characters Storm™ and Wolverine™.
“This is a key investment into Wonderland’s future development. The association between Marvel and Wonderland Sydney only strengthens our position as a world class entertainment facility,” said Mr Galbraith.
“We are proud to have introduced Marvel Enterprises into Australia’s theme park industry, we will relish this relationship to provide even more value-added attractions at Wonderland Sydney,” stated Mr Galbraith.
“The future may see Wonderland Sydney enhance the relationship to include Marvel-inspired rides, lands and shows. For Wonderland Sydney this is the strength for which we will continue to grow in the coming years,” said Mr Galbraith.
After the record breaking Spider-Man movie, an incredible slate of motion pictures based on Marvel characters are expected to hit cinemas over the next few years, 2003 alone will see at least three Marvel-inspired movie features from Daredevil, X-Men 2 and The Incredible Hulk.
With a library of over 4,700 proprietary characters, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused in four areas: entertainment (Marvel Studios), licensing, toys (Toy Biz) and comic book publishing. Marvel facilitates the creation of entertainment projects, including feature films, television and DVD/home video, based on its characters and also licenses its characters for use in a wide range of consumer products and services including video and computer games, apparel, collectibles, snack foods and promotions. Marvel's characters are created by its comic book division which continues to maintain a leadership position in the U.S. and worldwide while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property. For additional information visit the Marvel Web site at http://www.marvel.com.
Cartoon Network - Powerpuff Girls show (movie coming soon)
Dreamworks Studios - Shrek and Stallion
Marvel - Deal inc. various characters
(Universal also has ties with Dreamworks and Marvel) So I leave you to respond - Are they turning into a Studio park????
The Action Man Show has finished for ever.
It is expected the Action Arena will undergo a complete renovation at some cost, for the launch of a Spiderman based show in the near future. In the mean time Spiderman and the green goblin will continue to make daily appearances for photo opportunities.
Many guests come into the park thinking that a show already exists, to find it to be just an appearance. It seems a bit rude then for Wonderland to charge for photos.
Also about the Wonderland Business Park, the current 2003 UBD street directory has marked the front carparks on the left-side of the Wonderland Road Entrance.
The Year's Hottest Super Hero Live On Stage:
Spider-Man™ Live! weaves the magical tale of Peter Parker, just a typical high-schooler with girl troubles until he's bitten by a radioactive spider during a class field trip. The family spectacular brings all of Spidey's most famous exploits to life - from his public debut in a triumphant wrestling match to his heart-stopping rescue of true love Mary Jane Watson from the evil clutches of The Green Goblin™.
Produced by Ultimate Shows & Entertainment, Marvel Enterprises Inc, in association with Cheryl Bready and Professional Facilities Management, Spider-Man™ Live! blends state of the art flying illusions, acrobatic and trapeze stunts, pyrotechnics and multimedia special effects in a stunt spectacular geared for the entire family.
The producing and creative team of Spider-Man™ Live! brings together an extraordinary pool of international talent from the worlds of Broadway, the circus, ice spectaculars and theme park entertainment. Written for the stage and directed by Kevin Shinick (host of the Emmy Award-winning PBS series “Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?,”) Spider-Man™ Live! features flying effects by ZFX Flying Illusions (Peter Pan and Dance of the Vampire on Broadway), special effects by WOW! Works (Disney spectaculars and Beauty and the Beast on Broadway) and stunt choreography by Ottavio Gesmundo (Saturday Night Fever and Aida).
Since he debuted in the original 1962 Marvel comic book “Amazing Fantasy #15,” Spider-Man™ has proven himself one of the most indelible characters of all time. He has had no fewer than 6 TV series, is consistently in the top-ten in action figure sales worldwide, sells out his two comic book series to an estimated 2.2 million readers each month and enjoys a stratospheric 85% recognition factor with consumers.
- His first live-action feature film, Spider-Man, The Movie has set box office records, received critical acclaim and launched a world-wide publicity campaign culminating in a Time magazine cover
- MTV has licensed the rights to a new Spider-Man animated series,
- Spider-Man's own NASCAR race car debuts this season
Spider-Man™ and the distinctive likeness thereof are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc. and are used with permission
Copyright © 2002 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. www.marvel.com
that can be changed my the management there
Altough Australand are the develpers, Sunway Group (http://www.sunway.com.my) will be the main winner of this development. Sunway own the land that Wonderland Sydney sits on, including the large amounts of surplus land, increased now due to anex of old seldom used carparks, and the now defunct Hanna Barberra Land.
It is interesting to note that the second stage sheduled for 2006 involves Sunway Group more directly. Sunway has expierance in lesuire devlopment. Possibly Sunway is planning on diversifing the destination to include other atttractions most likely to operate closely but seperate to Wonderland such as the much talked about Ski dome. Such attractions could have significant market appeal. The next 3 years may be testing times for Wonderland Sydney and the Australian Wildlife Park.
Capital investment and inrichment of the already existing Wonderland/Wildlife Park may be seen more viable when the Western Orbital Motorway and Stage one of the Business Park is complete.
________________
Press Release
13/03/02
Wonderland Business Park has signed an agreement with property developer Australand Holdings for a long term business relationship for the future development of surplus theme park land recently rezoned employment land.
Blacktown City Council and the state government have recently approved the first stage. The new development project has the potential to be the largest business park in the western suburbs, expected to create 5000 knowledge based jobs.
"Wonderland Business Park is very pleased to be associated with Australand Holdings for this development", said Stephen Galbraith, CEO of Wonderland Sydney.
Australand Holdings chief executive officer, Brendan Crotty said "Australand has been looking for a site in the Western suburbs which will provide a long term supply of industrial land that is well served by transport links. We look forward to completing the development of the first phase of the Wonderland Business Park which will produce 160,000m2 of lettable space by early 2006 and thereafter proceed with the joint development of the balance of the site with the Sunway Property Development Group of Malaysia".
source;
http://www.australand.com.au/comm_indust/PressRelease/busprk.cfm
