Make New Memories at Dreamworld for Teenagers and Tweens

Have you got kids in that difficult-to-please “tween and teen” age group? When it comes to keeping them entertained, their tastes are a little more demanding and, shall we say, sophisticated? They want excitement, adventure, and a sense of freedom while still having you – or a Cabana (keep reading, it will all be explained!) – as a base to come back to. You can satisfy ALL their needs with a day out at WhiteWater World and Dreamworld for teenagers and tweens.

What’s to love at Dreamworld for Tweens?

In that upper primary bracket, ages 9-12, your tween still fondly remembers DreamWorks family movie nights. Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda will never get old, and we grown ups love watching them too! You can indulge your own guilty pleasure of posing for a photo with Shrek (under the guise of “doing it for the kids”) at the Dreamworld DreamWorks Experience.

DreamWorks Experience

The DreamWorks Experience is a like stepping into a scene from an animated movie, filled with themed rides and ‘cartoon’ buildings. The rides are a step-up from the gentler rides of ABC Kids World and Wiggles World, which themselves are perfect for younger siblings.

DreamWorks Experience is where children can take to the air on the Escape From Madagascar roller coaster, the Dronkey Flyers, Gingy’s Gliders and the Puss In Boots Sword Swing – and go upside down on the giggle-inducing Pandamonium! There’s also live stage shows, water play, and rides a little closer to the ground for those not quite ready for thrill rides!

Families Tip: There are rides in DreamWorks Experience suitable for riders from 90cm in height, and if your child is over 120cm tall they can experience all the rides this area has to offer.

To be honest, DreamWorks Experience is a favourite destination for our family when we visit Dreamworld. We tried to get Nanna on Escape From Madagascar but she was having none of it (too high on the “thrillometer”), and then later she rode Mick Doohan’s Motocoaster. Go figure! She did enjoy getting her picture taken with Shrek, though.

I digress, let me tell you about WhiteWater World and Dreamworld for teenagers!

What’s to love at Dreamworld for Teenagers?

What do teenagers want? Thrill rides! And food… but mainly; thrill rides!

Thrill Rides

There are plenty of rides at Dreamworld to satisfy your teenager’s need for speed and taste for adrenalin. If they like to see their world spinning, The Claw, Pandamonium and Tail Spin will answer their need.

If they want to spot the L-Plate on their car from 119 metres up sky-high, then The Giant Drop will give them pause to do so before plummeting at the speed of gravity safely back down to earth.

The great thing about Dreamworld for teenagers is that you (designated driver and bag supervisor) don’t have to go on the thrill rides with them, unless you want to of course! You’re free to wander around the shops and visit the animals, or sit back with a coffee and a book, safe in the knowledge that the kids will find you when it’s time to eat!

Families Tip: Being 110cm or taller will get you on Mick Doohan’s Motocoaster, and a minimum height of 130cm gives you access to ALL the thrill rides (average min. rider height for thrill rides is 120cm). The Claw has a maximum rider height of 200cm

WhiteWater World – Tweens and Teens Love It!

Dreamworld is the only Gold Coast theme park that has rides, wildlife and water park all in the one place. Your Dreamworld entry ticket covers them all, and you don’t have to choose “which one shall we do today?” because you can do everything!

Water Slides and Ripper Rides

WhiteWater World is open all through the summer holidays, and seasonally for the remainder of the year. It’s the perfect place for tweens and teens to chill, burn off energy, hang with friends and have a splashing good time.

The water park is huge, and if you didn’t think a slide could be a thrill ride you’re in for a surprise! Previous visitors will already know of adrenalin-inducing favourites like The Green Room and aptly-named The Wedgie, but have you experienced Fully 6 yet?

Fully 6 is six huge new water slides with varying thrill levels to suit beginners (tweens) and older kids who want to impress their friends with their bravery (teenagers!). Your kids can choose to take the plunge down slides that are open-aired, enclosed with special light effects, partially enclosed or totally steep for the ultimate body slide experience.

Minimum rider height to experience Fully 6 is 120cm. Slides 2 and 3 are temporarily closed for maintenance.

Cave of Waves

If water slides aren’t your family’s ‘thing’, the Cave of Waves is a fully-patrolled beach-style experience where the whole family can paddle or swim. Watch out, though, because when Surf God Huey grumbles and groans the sudden wave surge can reach heights of 1.5m!

Hire a Cabana!

There are lots of sun loungers available at WhiteWater World but for the best all-day experience we recommend hiring a shady Cabana. Each Cabana comes with deck chairs, couches, a coffee table and mini refrigerator, making it ideal for summer days out. Hiring a Cabana is the best way to settle in for the day and give your tweens and teens a base to come back to.

Families Tip: Remember tweens, young teens and weak swimmers require full adult supervision around the park and on water activities.

There’s more to love!

Visit the wildlife

Dreamworld has a wildlife precinct!

If your tween or teen loves animals, you must visit Tiger Island and Corroboree. Dreamworld works towards tiger preservation and conservation in the wild through the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation, and you can learn all about the Foundation and Dreamworld’s resident tigers at the daily tiger presentations.

Corroboree is all about our Australian natives and is home to kangaroos and wallabies, cassowaries, saltwater crocs, dingoes, snakes, nocturnal wildlife and so much more. A visit to the wildlife area is an opportunity to slow the pace and grab a bite to eat before heading back to the rides and thrills!

Retail and food

There are themed retail and dining experiences throughout WhiteWater World and Dreamworld for teenagers, where you can find souvenirs, clothing, and international cuisine, but one store you don’t want to miss is the LEGO® Store. The LEGO® Store has full size models built from LEGO® and thousands of kits available to buy. Hint: Birthday and Christmas shopping! The LEGO® Store is right next to the car park and can be accessed by the public without entering the park.

The best way to enjoy it all

With so many opportunities to make new memories, you will want to go back to Dreamworld and WhiteWater World again and again. The best way to do this is with a Locals Annual Pass. For just a little more than the cost of a one-day entry, the Locals Annual Pass allows you to visit as often as you want over a 12-month period, with entry to Dreamworld, WhiteWater World, and SkyPoint Observation Deck (Surfer’s Paradise) included.

I know how I’ll be keeping my tweens and teens entertained these holidays!

Locals Annual Pass Bonuses

Your annual pass will also gain you entry to one Happy Halloween event, one ice-skating entry at a Winterfest event, plus a free digital photo pass and discounts on food and merchandise. Find out more about Locals Annual Passes and tickets here.

Here is everything you need to know about Dreamworld:

• Cheap Dreamworld tickets
• Complete overview to Dreamworld rides and shows
• Dreamworld for toddlers
• Dreamworld for Primary aged kids
• What events are on at Dreamworld this week

If you are looking for accommodation near Dreamworld, we have reviewed the top 10 hotels nearby so you can make and informed choice! 

This article was featured in Issue 43 of our printed magazine, published December 2020.