KEY POINTS:
The success of a family outing can be measured by how much the children enjoy it. Jed Bradley, 9, and his sister Laura, 7, give their views on the parks and rate them out of five stars.
DREAMWORLD
What's there: Rides for all ages, from Wiggles World and Nickelodeon Central to the Big 5 Thrill Rides and Flowrider, which simulates boogie-boarding or surfing and the waterslide park WhiteWater World. Kids shows featuring Spongebob Squarepants, steam train, Mississippi paddleboat, Farmyard Friends patting zoo, Australian Wildlife Experience zoo with shows and encounters, Tiger Island shows.
dreamworld.com.au
Kids' comments:
Laura: "It was cool because it had a tiger show and rides and even a water park."
Jed: "It had more than enough things to do. Rides that everyone would like. It was really amazing to actually hold the animals".
Star rating: * * * * *
Tips for adults: If you have only one day to devote to a theme park, this is the pick of the bunch. Its inclusion of animals gives it a more relaxed atmosphere.
SEA WORLD
What's there: Dolphin shows, viewing pools to see sharks, seals, polar bears and the walrus-like dugongs, rides at Cartoon Network Beach and some Rainbow's End-type rides, waterski show, mono-rail, gondola, helicopter scenic flights, water park with pools and slides.
Cost: Adults $64, children (4 to 13) $42, under-3 free.
seaworld.com.au
Kids' comments:
Laura: "It was amazing because it had a dolphin show and rides and a tank with a dugong in it. The polar bears looked so cuddly.
Jed: "It had pretty much all the bits of all the theme parks in one place - a bit of Wet 'n' Wild, a bit of Movie World with the rides, and it had animals."
Star rating: * * * *
Tips for adults: The gates don't open till 10am and the queue can be long, so if you want to make the start of one of only two dolphin shows a day at 10.45am you'll have to leg it to the other end of the complex straight away. Afterwards, take a ride on the monorail that encircles Sea World, or on the gondola that runs across the top of it, to get your bearings.
MOVIE WORLD
What's there: Rides for young children, a couple for older children, a log flume and three big rollercoasters, the Shrek 4-D show and the Police Academy stunt show (both recommended), and lots of movie merchandise shops.
Kids' comments:
Laura: "The stunt show was pretty amazing because there was an explosion and you could feel the heat from it - but no one got hurt."
Jed: "They had rides for all ages, like the Looney Tunes Village for little kids. The Shrek 4D show was better than just pictures jumping out at you - it actually felt like you were in the movie."
Star rating: * * *
Tips for adults: If you're not into roller coasters then the Shrek 4-D show and the stunt show are the best things here, and worth queuing for. It's good to hit the rides when the big shows are on - queues are shorter.
WET 'N' WILD
What's there: Lots of water slides at various thrill levels, from pre-schoolers options to the Tornado, which is like falling down a big funnel. Many are done using inflatables so you can go down with one or more people. All are carefully controlled by attendants. There's also a wave pool, a lazy river-type ride and the Buccaneer Bay youngsters area.
Kids' comments:
Laura: "Its for all kids, from babies to younger kids, teenagers and grown-ups."
Jed: "I started off with rides for two people that I went on with Dad, and then worked my way up to the bigger and scarier rides. The one that scared me the most was the Tornado, but it was still heaps of fun."
Star rating: * * * *
Tips for adults: If only water slides were managed this well in New Zealand. They might look scary from the ground but the use of inflatables to sit in with others, and careful monitoring by staff, means you always feel safe. Barbecues are dotted around the park. Entry fees for all parks are the same: Adults $64, children (4 to 13) $42, under-3 free.
* BULK DEALS
The Warner Bros parks - Sea World, Movie World and Wet 'n' Wild - offer a fun pass that gives entry for one day at each park: Adults $135, children (4 to 13) $86.
A super pass gives you unlimited entry to all three parks over 14 days: Adults $170, children (4 to 13)
* SURVIVAL TIPS
* To avoid the queues of people waiting to get in the moment the gates open at 10am, arrive late rather than early. By 11am the throng has subsided and by midday you can usually walk straight in.
* A compact, sturdy backpack is essential, not too big but with lots of pockets to quickly get at your camera, wallet, map and so on, and with zips to secure items on the rides.
* For the water rides, lockers are available for A$7. Pack your togs and towels in a separate bag and stash them until you're ready to get wet.
* Most of the food available at theme parks is junk, and an average lunch for four will cost about $55. It's worth buying a container and taking something healthy, or packing a picnic. The Carrara Markets, open from 6am at weekends, are on the way to the theme parks so you can stop and buy sushi, strawberries, bread and a range of other bargains.
* Going your separate ways is often the best solution when one child wants to do the rollercoasters and the other wants to see a show. Take as many cellphones as you have to keep in touch.
