BuzzSaw (roller coaster)

Last updated

BuzzSaw
Buzzsaw logo.png
BuzzSaw at Dreamworld.jpg
Dreamworld
Location Dreamworld
Park section Gold Rush Country
Coordinates 27°51′44″S153°18′54″E / 27.862344°S 153.314935°E / -27.862344; 153.314935
StatusRemoved
Opening date17 September 2011 (2011-09-17)
Closing date31 August 2021
Cost A$7 million
ReplacedHelicopter Joy Flights
General statistics
Type Steel
Manufacturer Maurer AG
Model SkyLoop, X-Coaster
Lift/launch systemVertical chain lift hill
Height46.2 m (152 ft)
Length150 m (490 ft)
Speed105 km/h (65 mph)
Inversions 2
Duration0:50
Max vertical angle360°
Capacity600 riders per hour
G-force 5
Height restriction130 cm (4 ft 3 in)
TrainsSingle train with 2 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 12 riders per train.
Dreamworld Q4U availability.svg Ride Express available
BuzzSaw at RCDB

BuzzSaw was a Maurer AG SkyLoop roller coaster located within the Gold Rush Country section of the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast of Australia. The ride began operation on 17 September 2011 as part of Dreamworld's 30th birthday celebrations. [1] [2] [3] The ride was permanently closed on 31 August 2021, due to Dreamworld prioritising future development plans. [4]

Contents

BuzzSaw was one of Dreamworld's seven thrill rides and had a track length of 150 metres (490 ft). The steel ride consisted of a single train which held 12 riders and lasted approximately 50 seconds. BuzzSaw featured the tallest inversion in the Southern Hemisphere and was the second-highest inversion of its type in the world.

The ride was themed around a fictitious series of unexplainable occurrences in the Town of Gold Rush which dated back to the late 1800s. The setting was based on encounters with the ghost of one Jack Darke, who was killed by a buzz saw at a sawmill built after the gold rush ended.

The ride was sold to Gumbuya World in Melbourne where it now remains in active service. Its current theme is that of an experimental rocket space mission called Project Zero, with the riders being the volunteer test pilots.

History

In December 2009, a Gold Coast Bulletin report detailed a variety of new attractions for the region's theme parks and stated that Dreamworld was in negotiations with a manufacturer to add to its "Big 6" thrill rides. [5] In February 2011, Dreamworld's operator, Ardent Leisure, announced the addition of two new rides in 2011 as part of Dreamworld's 30th Birthday. [6] In April 2011, it was announced that in addition to a family thrill ride (Shockwave which opened in June 2011), another major ride would be opened in time for the September school holidays. [7] The name "BuzzSaw" was confirmed two months later by the park's outgoing CEO, Noel Dempsey, who also confirmed plans to team up with DreamWorks Animation. [8] Vertical construction for BuzzSaw started around the same time. [9]

On 20 July 2011, Dreamworld officially announced the addition of BuzzSaw to the Dreamworld park to the public. [10] [11] Testing for the ride began in early September 2011, [12] and BuzzSaw opened officially to the public on 17 September 2011. [3]

Marketing

Marketing for BuzzSaw began on 6 July 2011 when Dreamworld released a television commercial promoting their plans to open a "new bone-chilling thrill ride" by September of that year. At this stage, the name BuzzSaw had not been officially announced. [13] A second television marketing campaign was released for BuzzSaw on 8 September 2011, just before its official opening on 17 September 2011. The commercial stated "this September fear will reach new heights". [14] Banners around Dreamworld advertise BuzzSaw as a "ripper of a ride". [15]

Closure

On 17 July 2021, an email to pass holders confirmed that BuzzSaw would be retired after 31 August, just shy of 10 years of operation. The park stated that they decided to cease operation of BuzzSaw due to the close proximity of Steel Taipan and the park's focus on a viable future development. [4] The ride had been plagued with low ridership following the first few months after opening, and was under maintenance for most of 2018 and 2020 with no major differences upon reopening. [16] [17] Demolition of the BuzzSaw commenced in November with the heartline roll being removed first. [18]

Characteristics

The BuzzSaw viewed from the entrance to Dreamworld where the 50-metre-high (160 ft) "360 degree heartline roll" is clearly seen. The BuzzSaw viewed from the entrance to Dreamworld..jpg
The BuzzSaw viewed from the entrance to Dreamworld where the 50-metre-high (160 ft) "360 degree heartline roll" is clearly seen.

At the time of closure, BuzzSaw was one of Dreamworld's seven thrill rides alongside The Claw, The Gold Coaster, The Giant Drop, Mick Doohan's Motocoaster, Pandamonium and Tail Spin. It boasted the tallest inversion in the Southern Hemisphere at 46.2 metres (152 ft) above the ground. [11] [19] This also ranks it tied as the third-highest inversion worldwide. [19] [20] [21] BuzzSaw's steel roller coaster track is 150 metres (490 ft) in length. [19]

The ride consisted of a single Maurer Söhne X-Car train which held 12 riders. [19] The train featured two cars, each of which sat riders in three rows of two. [19] Riders were seated in the open carriage and were restrained by a lap bar. [2] [22]

Experience

Backstory

BuzzSaw was themed around a series of unexplainable occurrences in the Town of Gold Rush which date back to the late 1800s. [11] In 1876, the Town of Gold Rush was formed. It was a prosperous town during the great gold rush. Eleven years later, in 1887, the town's Gold supply was completely gone. The town then established a sawmill and turned their focus to timber. On a clear moon-lit night, a sawmill worker named Jack Darke was killed by the buzz saw after he had a scuffle with some other workers who were attempting to set the building on fire. The circumstances leading up to his death were covered up by the town with the legend stating that Jack tried to burn down the sawmill and slipped into the path of the buzz saw. [23] The sawmill has remained closed since [23] with many people claiming encounters with the ghost of Jack on nights similar to that of his death. [24]

Entrance and station

The entrance to BuzzSaw was located in the Town of Gold Rush where the Helicopter Joy Flights used to operate, [15] opposite the former entrance of the Eureka Mountain Mine Ride. [25] [26] The station was themed to the abandoned sawmill in the town of Gold Rush and told the story of Jack Darke. [27] Within the building, guests were directed through a series of queue switchbacks and pathways. Several television screens were embedded in the walls and showed burning timber. Parts of the theming were caged off with crime scene signs. Throughout the queue, guests were able to hear the sound of buzzsaws as well as several warnings to not go any further and to escape while they can. [28] Large circular saws (a.k.a. buzzsaws) are located on the side and roof of the building. [15]

Ride

BuzzSaw was a steel, Maurer Söhne SkyLoop XT 150 roller coaster. [19] [29] As part of Maurer Söhne's X-Coaster range of roller coasters, the SkyLoop begins with a vertical chain lift hill to a height of 46.2 metres (152 ft). [30] At the top of this lift hill, the car is pulled slowly back over on itself before it is released into a full heartline roll and a drop down a steep hill back towards the station. The train then oscillates between the two hills before it is caught by the chain hill and slowly lowered back down into the station. [3] [30] [31] [32] [33] A single ride on BuzzSaw is completed in approximately 50 seconds. [19]

Reception

The reception of BuzzSaw was generally positive. Melinda Siegmeier of the Gold Coast Bulletin stated "the scream machine is certainly a fitting way to describe Dreamworld's newest thrill ride the BuzzSaw". [3] Siegmeier also commented on the vertical lift hill: "by this stage I was certainly wishing I was back on the ground". [3] Ardent Leisure, the owners of Dreamworld, have claimed the launch of the ride to be a success. [34] In the first year of operation, over 435,000 people rode the attraction. [35] However, in the worldwide Best Roller Coaster Poll in 2012, BuzzSaw (along with other identical SkyLoop rides) ranked 221 out of 365. [36]

Incidents

In 2018 the BuzzSaw malfunctioned and six people got stuck on the ride for 15 minutes. [37]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamworld (Australia)</span> Theme park in Queensland, Australia

Dreamworld is a theme park and zoo situated on the Gold Coast in Queensland. It is Australia's biggest theme park with over 40 rides and attractions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tower of Terror II</span> Roller coaster at Dreamworld Australia

The Tower of Terror II was a steel shuttle roller coaster located at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. When the Tower of Terror opened on 23 January 1997, it was the first roller coaster in the world to reach 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), making it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world of its time. The ride was situated on the Dreamworld Tower, which also houses The Giant Drop free fall ride. The ride was originally known as the Tower of Terror until it was modified and relaunched in September 2010 as Tower of Terror II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WhiteWater World</span> Water park in Gold Coast, Australia

WhiteWater World is a seasonal water park situated in the suburb of Coomera on the Gold Coast, Australia. It is owned and operated by Ardent Leisure and is the sister park to Dreamworld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motocoaster (Dreamworld)</span> Motorcycle roller coaster at Dreamworld

Motocoaster is a 605-metre (1,985 ft) long motorcycle roller coaster at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The A$10 million ride, constructed by Intamin and opened to the public in September 2007, was associated with Australian motorcyclist Mick Doohan until 2022. It is the first motorcycle coaster in Australia, the first Intamin MotorBike Launch Coaster worldwide, and the first to feature life-size replicas of 500 cc racing bikes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Gold Coaster</span> Steel roller coaster at Dreamworld

The Gold Coaster is a steel roller coaster operating at Dreamworld. The roller coaster is one of the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere, after originally being the tallest when it was first built. Designed by Arrow Dynamics, built in Melbourne by Able Leisure Pty. Ltd the ride was originally installed at Luna Park Sydney in 1995 as the Big Dipper before being sold and relocated to Dreamworld on the Gold Coast in 2001. When it was brought to Dreamworld, the ride was the first roller coaster to be opened on the Gold Coast since 1997. The roller coaster was named Cyclone from 2001 until 2015 when it was refurbished and named Hot Wheels SideWinder as part of the new Motorsport Experience themed land from 2015 to 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocean Parade (Dreamworld)</span> Themed land at Dreamworld amusement park

Ocean Parade is a themed land at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It features 3 of the Big 7 Thrill Rides at Dreamworld, The Claw, The Gold Coaster and Tail Spin, which are within close proximity of each other. Ocean Parade has an Australian beach culture theme, and has beach-themed rides scattered around the area. It currently provides a link between Main Street, Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, and the adjacent water park WhiteWater World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DreamWorks Experience</span> Themed land at the Dreamworld theme park

DreamWorks Experience was a themed land at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It contained attractions themed to DreamWorks Animation films. The land was formerly themed to Nickelodeon properties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold Rush Country</span> Themed land at the Dreamworld theme park

The Gold Rush Country is a themed land at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rivertown (Dreamworld)</span> Upcoming themed area

Rivertown is a upcoming themed area at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It will replace the existing ABC Kids World and provide a link between Main Street and the Dreamworld Corroboree. The area previously existed from the park's opening in 1981 until being merged into Main Street in the 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunder River Rapids Ride</span> Theme park ride

The Thunder River Rapids Ride was a river rapid type water ride located in the Town of Gold Rush section of the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamworld's 30th Birthday</span> Previous event (late 2010–2011)

Dreamworld's 30th Birthday was celebrated throughout 2011 at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Dreamworld</span> Aspect of history

The history of Dreamworld dates back to the mid-1970s when John Longhurst envisioned the future theme park. After a seven-year construction period, Dreamworld officially opened to the public on 15 December 1981. Now owned by publicly listed Ardent Leisure, the park has seen many expansions, closures and replacements over its 30-year history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">X-Coaster</span> Roller coaster

X-Coaster is a Maurer Söhne SkyLoop XT-150 roller coaster at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SkyLoop</span> Steel roller coaster

SkyLoop is a type of steel roller coaster manufactured by Maurer Söhne. There are currently 10 SkyLoops operating worldwide, nine of which are identical XT 150 models, and one of which is an extended XT 450 model. The first SkyLoop to open was Sky Wheel in 2004 while the sole XT 450, Abismo, opened in 2006. There are also three other models—XT 900, Custom, and Launch—which have no installations as of 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serpent Slayer</span> Amusement ride

Serpent Slayer is an amusement ride in the Ocean Parade area of Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Australia. The Zamperla Air Race 6.4 ride is featured as one of Dreamworld's Big 9 Thrill Rides. The ride was previously known as Pandamonium, as part of the "Land of Awesomeness" area within the DreamWorks Experience precinct, and was themed to the Kung-Fu Panda films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sky Voyager</span> Ride at Dreamworld

Sky Voyager is a flying theatre simulator ride located at Dreamworld in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It is the Southern Hemisphere's first and only flying theatre simulator ride that opened in August 2019. It replaced the Dreamworld Cinemas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tail Spin (Dreamworld)</span> Flat amusement ride

Tail Spin is a Gerstlauer Sky Fly flat ride located within the Ocean Parade section of the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Australia. The ride began operation on 20 September 2014 as the replacement of Reef Diver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steel Taipan</span> Launched roller coaster at Dreamworld

Steel Taipan is a steel launched roller coaster at Dreamworld in Coomera, Queensland, Australia. Steel Taipan is a direct replacement to the former Thunder River Rapids Ride. The roller coaster, the first triple-launched coaster in the Southern Hemisphere, is named after the deadly Taipan family of snakes native to Australia.

References

  1. ↑ "Dreamworld – Australia's Favourite Gold Coast Theme Parks". Dreamworld. 19 August 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  2. 1 2 Maeseele, Melanie (15 September 2011). "New thrill rides for Coast theme parks". Gold Coast Bulletin. News Limited. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Siegmeier, Melinda (16 September 2011). "New Dreamworld ride a real Buzz". Gold Coast Bulletin. News Limited. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Park Updates". Dreamworld. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  5. ↑ Ardern, Lucy; Westthorp, Tanya (30 December 2009). "Gold Coast theme parks in ride war". Gold Coast Bulletin. News Limited. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  6. ↑ Ardent Leisure (16 February 2011). "Ardent Leisure Group – 2011 Half Year Results" (PDF). Australian Securities Exchange. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  7. ↑ Ardent Leisure (7 April 2011). "UBS Australian Emerging Companies Conference" (PDF). Australian Securities Exchange. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  8. ↑ Wilson, Richard (7 July 2011). "Buzzsaw ride, Dreamworks coming to Dreamworld as CEO departs". Parkz. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  9. ↑ Wilson, Richard (10 July 2011). "July 10, 2011 – BuzzSaw". The Parkz Update. Parkz. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  10. ↑ Hayman, Peter (21 July 2011). "Queensland theme park adds new thrill ride". Attractions Management. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 Bedo, Stephanie (21 July 2011). "Dreamworld unveils latest thrill ride". Gold Coast Bulletin. News Limited. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  12. ↑ Wilson, Richard (13 September 2011). "Buzzsaw". Parkz. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  13. ↑ Dreamworld (6 July 2011). "$99.99 Unlimited Entry World Pass Offer – Dreamworld & WhiteWater World Theme Parks" . Retrieved 7 July 2011– via YouTube. Alt URL
  14. ↑ Dreamworld (8 September 2011). "Dreamworld's Buzzsaw" . Retrieved 17 September 2011– via YouTube.
  15. 1 2 3 Wilson, Richard (16 September 2011). "The Parkz Update: September 16, 2011 – Dreamworld". The Parkz Update. Parkz. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  16. ↑ Parkz (9 August 2021). "The Parkz Update: Dreamworld's Winterfest and a farewell to Buzzsaw". Parkz. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  17. ↑ AusCoaster (26 July 2021). "The Closure of BuzzSaw – Dreamworld Australia" . Retrieved 31 August 2021– via YouTube.
  18. ↑ Parkz News (3 November 2021). "Buzz off – Dreamworld commences dismantling of Buzzsaw roller coaster". Parkz. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Marden, Duane. "BuzzSaw  (Dreamworld)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  20. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Volcano, The Blast Coaster  (Kings Dominion)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  21. ↑ Marden, Duane. "GateKeeper  (Cedar Point)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  22. ↑ "Maurer X-Car Coaster" (PDF). Maurer Söhne. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  23. 1 2 "BuzzSaw – Backstory". Dreamworld. 19 August 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  24. ↑ Dreamworld (18 August 2011). "BuzzSaw Ghost Videos" . Retrieved 20 August 2011– via YouTube.
  25. ↑ Park Map, Dreamworld, 2002
  26. ↑ Park Map, Dreamworld, 17 September 2011
  27. ↑ Gordon, Rebecca (16 September 2011). "BuzzSaw – Dreamworld". Nine Gold Coast News.
  28. ↑ Wilson, Richard (22 October 2011). "Dreamworld, October 22, 2011". The Parkz Update. Parkz. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  29. ↑ "Buzzsaw (Dreamworld)". Parkz.
  30. 1 2 "SkyLoop XT 150". Maurer Söhne. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  31. ↑ Haydon, Nicky (16 September 2011). "BuzzSaw – Wild Ride". Ten News.
  32. ↑ Maurer Söhne (14 October 2008). "Maurer Söhne: SKYLOOP official video" . Retrieved 7 July 2011– via YouTube.
  33. ↑ "BuzzSaw – The Ride". Dreamworld. 19 August 2011. Archived from the original on 24 September 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  34. ↑ Ardent Leisure (16 February 2012). "Ardent Leisure Group 2012 Half Year Results" (PDF). Australian Securities Exchange. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  35. ↑ Dreamworld (27 September 2012). "Wall Photos" . Retrieved 28 September 2012– via Facebook.
  36. ↑ Hawker, Mitch (2013). "Detailed Steel Roller Coaster Poll Results 2012". Best Roller Coaster Poll. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  37. ↑ Robbemond, Amanda (22 March 2018). "Six people left stranded on BuzzSaw rollercoaster on Gold Coast" . Retrieved 24 July 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.