Thursday 19 June 2008

SpongeBob swaps his Square Pants for FlyPants

Nickelodeon’s number one character, SpongeBob SquarePants will today test launch his own ‘Australian first’ ride at Dreamworld’s Nickelodeon Central, ahead of the official public launch on June 20. Twenty-four test pilots will undergo a “goofy goober” obstacle course which includes mastering the “Scuba Bop” before they take to the skies on the new attraction.

The new ‘SpongeBob FlyPants’ ride plunges guests into an imaginary deep sea world where they can soar and spin through the fantasy ‘Jellyfish Fields’ with the world’s number one cartoon character and his friendly neighbourhood invertebrates.

Modelled on the visuals of the television episode, guests lie flat on their stomachs – a first for Australia - and weightlessly weave around a larger-than-life SpongeBob as he takes flight aboard a giant wild jellyfish.

Perfect for the whole family, SpongeBob FlyPants has the capacity for 24 people, with two guests per carriage taking to the sky at a super fun speed for everyone.

The ride is set in Jellyfish Fields, home to millions of invertebrates whose ‘majestic command of the sky’ captivated SpongeBob SquarePants in the cartoon episode titled, The Sponge Who Could Fly. Desperately wanting to join them, television’s number one sponge invented a series of flying machines including a banana lounge motored by helium balloons; each proved a monumental flop.

It wasn’t until some friendly jellyfish squished beneath SpongeBob SquarePants and lifted him up, that he first took to the watery skies. In SpongeBob’s nasally terms, “If you want to fly, all you need is friendships.”

Dreamworld's innovative introduction of Nick Central in 2002 set the benchmark for what is now a dynamic precinct bursting with 17 rides and attractions targeting the 6-13 year old market devoted to the Nick phenomena. The precinct taps into the popularity of Nickelodeon TV characters that have a global audience exceeding four million people.

Dreamworld Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gregg said the new project is an exciting addition to the Nick Central precinct.

“Every component of Nick Central reflects the much loved madness of Nickelodeon and places the world’s number one brand of kids’ entertainment and characters at kids’ fingertips,” Mr Gregg said. “There is nowhere else in the world that fans can feel such a part of SpongeBob’s big adventures.”

SpongeBob SquarePant’s extra bubbly personality soaks up a massive fan base proven daily by the rock star treatment he receives at Dreamworld and the popularity for photographs. In between ruling his new ride, guests can catch him in a live show extravaganza, Stories From Bikini Bottom, the SpongeBob SquarePants Show on stage at Nick Central’s Slime Bowl, or during his regular meet and greet appearances.

No need to pack your snorkel, just bring your wild imagination when you dive into the colourful whirling world of Jellyfish Fields and the new ‘SpongeBob Flypants’ ride.

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