Tail Spin (Dreamworld)

On 28 April 2014, Dreamworld subsequently removed their Reef Diver attraction and announced that their “Big 8 Thrill Rides” are evolving into the “Big 9 Thrill Rides”, thus confirming that a new thrill ride was being built.{{cite web |author=Parkz |title=Tail Spin |url= https://www.parkz.com.au/photo/7402-Thrill_Ride_construction/gallery/sort/newest/location/tail-spin/offset/57 |work=image|publisher=Parkz|access-date=23 July 2021| date= 8 June 2014}} Dreamworld also announced a new water slide for WhiteWater World, both attractions were expected to open in September.

Groundworks of the, then unnamed, Tail Spin began in June.{{cite web |title=The Parkz Update: Dreamworld & WhiteWater World, June 2014 |url=https://www.parkz.com.au/update/2014/06/08/330-Dreamworld_WhiteWater_World_June_2014.html |publisher=Parkz |access-date=22 July 2021 |date=8 June 2014}} It was later announced that Dreamworld would be getting a Gerstlauer Sky Fly named Tail Spin and it will open in September along with Triple Vortex.{{cite web|title= Tail Spin coming to Dreamworld|url= https://www.parkz.com.au/article/2014/07/27/338-Tail_Spin_coming_to_Dreamworld.html|df=dmy-all|first=Richard|last=Wilson| publisher=Parkz|accessdate=30 July 2020|date=27 July 2014}} Soon in August, vertical construction of the ride began, with the ride's structure being constructed.{{cite web |title=The Parkz Update: Dreamworld, August 13 2014 |url=https://www.parkz.com.au/update/2014/08/13/344-Dreamworld_August_13_2014.html |author= Parkz |publisher=Parkz |access-date=23 July 2021 |date=13 August 2014}} Testing for the ride began around a week before the official opening. Tail Spin opened on 20 September 2014. The ride was a first of its kind in Australia, allowing guests to control their ride experience.

Tail Spin one of Dreamworld's seven thrill rides alongside The Claw, The Giant Drop, The Gold Coaster, Mick Doohan's Motocoaster, Pandamonium and Steel Taipan.{{cite web |title=Thrill Rides |url=https://www.dreamworld.com.au/rides-experiences/thrill-rides/ |publisher=Dreamworld |access-date=23 July 2021}} The ride opened as the ninth addition to Dreamworld's former “Big 9 Thrill Rides” banner and is still currently one of the newest thrill rides opened by Dreamworld. The ride has a maximum speed of {{Convert|33|kph|mph}} and goes up at a height of {{Convert|22|m|ft}}.{{cite web |title=DREAMWORLD AND WHITEWATER WORLD UNVEIL NEW ATTRACTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER OPENING |url=https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/dreamworld-and-whitewater-world-unveil-new-attractions-for-september-openin |publisher=Australian Leisure Management |access-date=23 July 2021|date=27 July 2014}}

The ride consists of twelve small sea planes which can be controlled by the rider to either stay stationary or to spin.

===Theming===

Tail Spin is themed to seaplanes with its surrounding structures and buildings themed to a seaplane base. The ride's plant room being themed as a control centre. The ride's structure and surrounding buildings are painted to look slightly worn. A Piper PA-28 Cherokee was also purchased and repainted to suit the theme of the ride.{{cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Matthew |title=Tailspin at Dreamworld |url=https://mattbakercreative.com/tailspin-at-dreamworld |access-date=22 July 2021}}{{cite web |author=Parkz |title=Tail Spin |url=https://youtube.com/OHiZc6DfbPM |work=video |publisher=YouTube |access-date=22 July 2021| date= 16 September 2014}}

The entrance to Tail Spin is located opposite the ramp to the entrance of Shockwave and next to the Gamesite Arcade. The ride has three different queues. The three queues are: general admission, Ride Express and single riders. Tail Spin was the second ride, alongside Wipeout, at the park to have a single riders queue, the first being Mick Doohan's Motocoaster.

Guests will be loaded onto one of twelve small sea planes that are connected onto a large beam. Over the shoulder harnesses will be lowered automatically. The large beam then lifts riders up and then starts to rotate riders. Riders are able to control the planes by adjusting the positions of the wings using sticks that are connected on both wings. This allows riders to spin their plane up to 360 degrees if they wish. Riders will reach a maximum height of 22m and top speed of 33 km. The entire ride cycle will last for two minutes.{{cite web|title= First look at Dreamworld’s Tail Spin|url= https://www.parkz.com.au/article/2014/09/16/345-First_look_at_Dreamworlds_Tail_Spin.html|df=dmy-all|first=Liam|last=Schembri| publisher=Parkz|accessdate=30 July 2020|date=16 September 2014 }} Airplane noises are played throughout the ride.{{cite web |author=Steven Lucas|title=Dreamworld Tailspin |url= https://youtube.com/qj2BBbxYToM |work=video |publisher=YouTube |access-date=23 July 2021| date= 6 April 2015}}

Reception of the Tail Spin has been mostly positive. Ben Roache from OurWorlds stated “from those who are young, or just young at heart to those who want to compete with their mates for most amount of barrel rolls, Tailspin is incredibly pliable“. He also states “(Tail Spin) is an incredibly versatile thrill ride”.{{cite web |last1=Roache |first1=Ben |title=Tailspin Review |url=https://ourworlds.co/2014/09/tailspin-review-dreamworld/ |publisher=OurWorlds |access-date=23 July 2021|date=September 2014}} Dreamworld CEO, Craig Davidson, stated that “(the ride) has enormous potential because every time you go on it the ride can be different”. The Australian Leisure Management states that the “new Tail Spin ride had proved to be one of the success stories of the recent spring school holidays”.{{cite web |title=NEW TAIL SPIN RIDE GIVES DREAMWORLD ‘BIG 9’ ATTRACTIONS |url=https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/new-tail-spin-ride-gives-dreamworld-big-9-attractions/ |publisher=Australian Leisure Management |access-date=23 July 2021|date=13 October 2014}}

• 2014 in amusement parks

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{{Dreamworld}}

Category:Dreamworld (Australia)

Category:Amusement rides manufactured by Gerstlauer