Wet'n'Wild Sydney CEO Chris Warhurst says Premium Tickets Are 'Good Value'

WET'N'WILD Sydney boss Chris Warhurst has continued to defend ticket prices by claiming his park offers more entertainment than a One Direction concert.

Wet'n'Wild Sydney CEO Chris Warhurst believes the $124.99 gold season pass is good value

The wave of discontent over the Prospect water park’s prices has swelled with the release of single entry ticket prices online today.

People over 110cm tall will pay $69.99 per visit and children under that height will cost $54.99 each.
While children aged three and under are free, there is currently no family pass available and tickets do not include the cost of parking, locker hire or the two pay-per-ride attractions.

Wet n Wild Sydney SkyCoaster

Last week the Blacktown Advocate’s Facebook page was inundated with hundreds of complaints about the $124.99 price tag on a premium season pass to the water park, which will open in December.

The single entry prices received an even larger reaction when posted on Facebook by the Advocate earlier today.

“That's ridiculous. To get my family in it will cost us $340 – not going to happen,” Yvonne Cole said, echoing the thoughts of many who responded.

Wet'n'Wild Sydney CEO Chris Warhurst, who earlier this week was forced to defend the cost of the gold season pass, said the single entry pricing was reflective of the quality of the entertainment on offer.

Wet n Wild Sydney is still under construction in Sydney West. Its a huge construction site with workers and large machinery assembling the rides, it can be seen from M4 motorway.

“If you go to a One Direction concert or a Taylor Swift concert you pay more than $100 a ticket and you only get 90 minutes of entertainment,” he said.

“Here at Wet’n’Wild we are offering world-class entertainment and you can stay all day.

“Our pricing is in line with the world-class water park we are building, the likes of which has never been seen before.”

Mr Warhurst also indicated the single entry pricing mirrored that of the theme parks on the Gold Coast.
On social media many people continued to respond it would be more affordable to head to Queensland, with unlimited access to Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast priced at $100.

Others said they would be taking their families to Jamberoo Action Park where a season pass costs just $90.

Grand Final Week Schedule - NRL Footy Finals

The Telstra Premiership Grand Final Lunch replaces the traditional Grand Final Breakfast for the first time. The lunch will be broadcast live on FOX Sports and is attended by the Telstra Premiership Grand Final teams, club officials, NRL guests, sponsor and commercial partners and media.

Thursday, October 3: NRL Grand Final Fan Day and Teams Presentation, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour (10am-2pm family activities; 3-5.30pm team presentation and activities on stage);

NRL Grand Final Members Party, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Haymarket (5-7pm); and 
Channel Nine Grand Final Footy Show, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Haymarket (7.30-9.30pm)

Prior to and following the official NRL Grand Final Teams Lunch, the day is devoted to Rugby League fans and members with three exciting events.

Skills clinics, family-friendly activities, will be part of the FREE NRL Grand Final Fan Day at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. The teams will be presented on stage between 3.15-4pm.
The NRL Grand Final Members Party at the Sydney Entertainment Centre is an invite-only event for NRL Club members.

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.com.au for Channel Nine’s Grand Final Footy Show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre from 7.30-9.30pm which will feature members of the Grand Final teams in their final appearance before Sunday’s Telstra Premiership Grand Final.

Friday, October 4: Grand Final Fun Day (MUST REGISER), Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park (10am-3pm)

Up to 800 young fans will get a taste of an NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Day when they experience all the excitement and atmosphere of Rugby League’s biggest day of the year.

2013 AAMI Country Rugby League Player of the Year, Doltone House, Hyde Park (7pm for 7.30pm start)

The Country Rugby League celebrates its night of nights with the announcement of the AAMI Country Rugby League Player of the Year.

Saturday, October 5: Kangaroos Reunion Lunch, SCG (12-4pm)

Reunion of past and present Kangaroos players attending along with Kiwi Internationals in Australia.

Grand Final Fan Site, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour (3-7pm)

Autograph signing and FREE special live performance by Jessica Mauboy and guests (3-4.30pm – autograph signing; 4.30-7pm – live performances).

Sunday, October 6: 2013 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Day, ANZ Stadium (from 11am)

Grand Final Day is the culmination of an exciting week of events and a season of amazing Rugby League with over 80,000 fans attending ANZ Stadium to be part of the biggest game of the year.
The Grand Final Precinct will feature Rugby League skills clinics, entertainment, competitions, prizes, giveaways and One Community Ambassadors.

International artist Ricky Martin will headline the Grand Final Entertainment which will also feature a tribute to retiring players and Jessica Mauboy performing the national anthem.

More than 3million viewers across metropolitan and regional Australia are expected to tune into the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final on Channel Nine.

11.00am  -   Gates Open – Telstra Grand Final Precinct
1.30pm  -   Gates Open – ANZ Stadium
1.50pm  -   Kick-off - VB NSW Cup Grand Final 
3.55pm  -   Kick-off - Holden Cup Grand Final
6.53pm  -   Pre-match Entertainment   

• Presentation to Retiring Players
• Ricky Martin Performs
• National Anthem – Jessica Mauboy

7.18pm  - Kick-off - NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final

Grand Final Fan Site/ Live Site, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour (3.30-9.30pm)

The Grand Final Day fun continues from mid-afternoon as Tumbalong Park becomes a live site where a big screen will broadcast all of the action live from ANZ Stadium with the screening of the 2013 Telstra Premiership Grand Final. The live broadcast will start at 3.55pm with the Holden Cup Grand Final.

Theatre and Shows in Sydney

There's always a lively calendar of theatre, musicals and other performances to experience on stages scattered around Sydney. Outstanding venues include the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Theatre and the Wharf Theatre at Walsh Bay, Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Lyric at The Star and the Riverside Theatres at Parramatta.

In 2013 the Sydney Theatre Company offers a stunning program that includes new productions of Romeo and Juliet, Waiting for Godot and The Maids by Jean Genet while Opera Australia features classical favourites including Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's La traviata. Also performing at The Playhouse in the Sydney Opera House is the Bell Shakespeare Company, bringing to life the timeless works of Shakespeare and other prolific writers throughout the year.

Major venues that host West End and Broadway shows year-round include the Theatre Royal, The Capitol Theatre in the Haymarket and The State Theatre. The Griffin Theatre Company performs new writing theatre at The Stables in Kings Cross while King Street Theatre in Newtown has cabaret, drama, pocket opera, chamber music and more.

The Seymour Theatre Centre also in Newtown, has a wide range of performing arts - drama, music theatre for young people - and is a venue for January's Sydney Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Sydney Children's Festival and Sydney Fringe Festival. Riverside Theatres at Parramatta has more than 700 performances a year including opera, drama, ballet, contemporary dance and musicals.

Aspire Hotel Sydney – The Perfect Base for Aspiring Scientists

Science enthusiasts from all over NSW are preparing to converge on Ultimo in the inner city for the 11 day Ultimo Science Festival, September 12 - 22, with Aspire Hotel Sydney the perfect accommodation choice for visitors.

There will be talks to challenge your perceptions of the world, hands-on activities to puzzle over, startling exhibitions, inspiring science shows and even the chance to share ideas with real research scientists.

The Ultimo Science Festival is a joint initiative of the Powerhouse Museum, Australian Broadcasting Centre, Ultimo TAFE and the University of Technology – all of which are located a short stroll from Aspire Hotel Sydney.

Tucked away in a quiet, tree-lined street in Ultimo, Aspire Hotel Sydney offers 96 spacious standard and deluxe guest rooms, each with its own ensuite with full bath, while some rooms have excellent city views and private open-air balconies looking onto green parkland or the city beyond. Modern conveniences are standard in all rooms, with Internet data ports and ‘smart bars’ which charge any incidentals directly to your hotel account.

Each room is furnished to accommodate a minimum of three people, making the hotel attractive to families seeking a peaceful respite and park-like surrounds within walking distance to all science festival venues and to the city. It is also a short stroll to nearby Wentworth Park where active families or health-conscious couples can run, cycle or enjoy a range of sporting activities at the local sports centre add to the convenience of Aspire Hotel Sydney.

The hotel is also easily accessible to the rest of the city through a myriad of transport options including light rail and city buses. Access to the airport, Blue Mountains and other attractions is from nearby Central Station. 

Not only can families enjoy the Science Festival, they can also visit IMAX Theatre, the Sydney Aquarium, the newly-opened Wildlife World, the Maritime Museum and Chinatown - all just a short stroll from the hotel, while Cockle Bay Wharf and King Street Wharf provide vibrant eating options by day and by night, as well as the place from which to explore the harbour by boat.  

Aspire Hotel Sydney is part of the Metro Hospitality Group, and is located at 383-389 Bulwara Road, Ultimo, at the north western end of Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct.

Guests can book at Aspire Hotel Sydney and Metro Hotels properties by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 00 4321. Alternatively bookings can be made online at the new look website, www.metrohotels.com.au. 

Book the Powerhouse Museum Accommodation Package at Aspire Hotel Sydney

See all Metro Hotels Press Releases at Metro Hotels News

Dora the Explorer Live @ Capitol Theatre Sydney! Dora's Pirate Adventure ~ Oct 15 2013

Arr me hearties! Get ready for some fun with Dora the Explorer and her Pirate Adventure live show at Capitol Theatre Sydney! On for ONE SHOW ONLY on 15th Oct 2013, this is not to be missed by Dora fans!

Dora, her best buddy Boots the Monkey, and the rest of their friends embark on an exciting trip to Treasure Island. The audience helps them navigate over Dancing Mountain, through Silly Singing Bridge and to confront the Pirate Piggies. Along the way, the audience will use their map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to successfully help Dora reach the treasure. All ends happily onstage with a "yo-ho-ho!"

When: Tuesday 15th October 2013

Location: Capitol Theatre Sydney - 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia

Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Nickelodeons-Dora-the-Explorer-Live-Doras-tickets/artist/1545577

Staying in Sydney for the show?  

Need accommodation near Capitol Theatre?

Look no further than Metro Hotel Sydney Central - right next door to the Capitol Theatre whilst being close to other iconic Sydney attractions. Great if you have young children who dislike walking too far or have prams. 

Website: Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Australia’s Wonderland Set for Return

News.com.au and several other sites came out last Friday with reports that Australia’s Wonderland was set to return to Sydney’s west, courtesy of Mount Druitt property developer Ammar Khan. Only, it would have a different name: Sydney’s Wonderland. The only question we have about this resurrection of the theme park that was closed in 2004 is this: will the Bush Beastie make a rattling and triumphant return?

According to the report Mr Khan said the project would take three years to complete stage one, which would include hotel operations, cinemas and restaurants, as well as a multi-themed attractions and amusements.‘The timing on when this $150 million project starts depends on when I get confirmation from stakeholders that they want to invest,’ he said.”

So, it’s a bit of a hold-your-horses type deal. At the moment the plan is a proposal (see the full plan at Sydney’s Wonderland) but we asked Mr Khan for the three most exciting aspects of his Wonderland proposal, and here’s what he gave us:

- “Wonderland will be like the Wonderland you remember… just better”: As with before, the proposed Sydney’s Wonderland will have historical themed areas and plenty of nods to your favourite TV shows (whether from the Hanna Barbera stable, we’re yet to see). While it will be “fundamentally reminiscent” of the Wonderland you know and love, it will benefit from the leaps and bounds theme park technology has taken in the last decade.

- We’ll be getting our own Disneyland-style boulevard: The new incarnation of Wonderland would be part of a precinct called the Western Sydney Theme Park precinct that would feature restaurants, parks and tourist attractions aplenty, all centred around a boulevard that will be free to enter.

- Wonderland comes with a water park and wildlife park: … though Kahn is quick to point out that Wonderland has no plans to engage in competition with Wet ‘N Wild, saying “the two facilities will differ substantially in character and theme”.

This combined with news that Wet ‘N Wild is due to open in December has the 12-year-old in us very pumped indeed.

And if you want to relive your old Wonderland Days, check out this Wonderland History website, for pics and information on the old park.

4 Reasons To Visit Darling Harbour These School Holidays!

It's the school holidays, the kids are itching to get out and about, but you're out of ideas and the Easter show is months away. If you're wondering where to take the kids, try Darling Harbour - there's always something to see, do or eat. Whether you're a big kid or young at heart, see below for fun activities to do this holiday - all conveniently combined in the one location!

4. Wildlife Sydney Zoo
If you love animals but don't want to drive out of Sydney, try the new establishment at Darling Harbour - the Wildlife Sydney Zoo. They've got cute and cuddly kangaroos, koalas, possums and quolls to creepy crawlies like scary giant cockroaches, gross insects, to bull ants, venomous snakes and more. Explore these animals and cool reptiles with the family for a fun day out.

Cost: from $14.00
When: Open Daily from 9am - 6pm (last entry STRICTLY 5pm)
Where: 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour, Sydney 2000 Australia
Tickets: http://www.wildlifesydney.com.au/tickets/#single-visit
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3. Sydney Sealife Aquarium aka Sydney Aquarium 
Where did the myth of mermaids come from? Want to see a shark up close without getting wet? If you do (or at least your kids do) then Sydney Sealife Aquarium is your ultimate destination! From dugongs to huge sharks, massive stingrays, majestic turtles, stinging jellyfish, cute penguins, sea dragons, thousands of tropical fish, enormous crabs and more, you can experience it all at Sydney Sealife Aquarium this school holiday. Walk under a giant glass tube to view all the exotic Australian marine animals in their natural habitat! The kids will love all the activities!

Cost: from $15.40
When: Open 365 days a year - 9am to 8pm. Last entries are STRICTLY 7pm.
Where: 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Tickets: http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au/tickets/
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2. Madam Tussauds 
Do you have a teenager who loves celebrity mags and gossip? Does your kids want to see what their fav celebs look like face-to-face? Then they'll love getting up close to their favourite stars and celebrities at Madam Tussauds wax museum at Darling Harbour! See the historical villains and heroes of eras past, get your picture taken with famous personalities and singers, brag to your friends that you met someone famous. For a fun day checking out famous freakishly life-like wax figures, you can't go past Madam Tussauds!

Here's a short list of some of the wax celebrities you'll see: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Willis, Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Kylie Minogue, Delta Goodrem, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and more!

Cost: from $15.40
When: 9:00am to 8:00pm daily (last admission 7pm)
Where: Aquarium Wharf, (next to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium) Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW 2000
Tickets: http://www.madametussauds.com/Sydney/OldBuyTickets/Default.aspx#sthash.jQXnZPCD.dpuf
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1. IMAX Cinema Sydney
Want to see the biggest TV screen in the world? Love 3D movies? Then take cinema action to the extreme with Imax Theatre Movies! Available with 3D viewing and also applicable to documentaries, Sydney's IMAX Theatre offers the ultimate viewing experience - via the LARGEST screen in the world! Watch a 3D movie or doco and see the objects come to life. View your favourite movie and get taken in visually by the huge screen and awesome sound. Imax at Darling Harbour is a must-see!

Cost: from $16.00
When: Monday - Sunday 9:30am to 10:00pm
Where: 31 Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour NSW 2000, Australia
Tickets: http://www.imax.com.au/prices/ 
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Need affordable, family-friendly accommodation close to all these 4 attractions at Darling Harbour?

Look no further than Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour. Right at the heart of Darling Harbour, close to the list attractions above, walking distance to public transport and taxis, close to shops, restaurants and cafes, plus the rooms have spectacular views of Sydney Harbour!

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour (close to IMAX, Wildlife Zoo, Sealife Aquarium, Madam Tussauds)

Here's a special being offered for the school holidays:

Kids Stay Free Package at Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour for:

• $229.00* (Sunday - Thursday)
• $329.00* (Friday)
• $400.00* (Saturday)

View details or To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/316