Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Location Vallejo, California, United States
Coordinates 38°8′16″N 122°13′48″W / 38.13778°N 122.23000°W / 38.13778; -122.23000Coordinates: 38°8′16″N 122°13′48″W / 38.13778°N 122.23000°W / 38.13778; -122.23000
Owner Six Flags
Opened 1968
Previous names Marine World, Marine World Africa USA, The New Marine World Theme Park, Six Flags Marine World
Operating season Year round
Area 135 acres (55 ha)[1]
Rides
Total 38
Roller coasters 8
Water rides 3
Website www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/index.aspx

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (formerly known as Six Flags Marine World, Marine World, The New Marine World Theme Park, and Marine World Africa USA) is a 135-acre (55 ha)[1] animal theme park located in Vallejo, California, roughly halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento on Interstate 80. The park includes a variety of roller coasters and other amusement rides, Discovery Kingdom has been part of the Six Flags chain of amusement parks since 1999.

History

Early history

For more details on this topic, see Marine World/Africa USA.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom first opened in 1968 as Marine World, a small zoo in Redwood City, California. In the mid-1970s, it merged with a failing land-animal park called 'Africa, USA' and became Marine World Africa USA.

In late 1985, the increase in value of the park's property became too great a tax burden. Following an intensive search for a new site led by Michael B. Demetrios, construction began on a new and larger park in Vallejo, California, about 55 miles (89 km) north of Redwood City. The new Marine World opened to visitors in 1986 and remained under control of the non-profit Marine World Foundation, using Garfield the cartoon cat as a mascot at various points. The park defaulted on its debt to the city of Vallejo, after which the city took ownership in 1996.

Conversion to a theme park

Vallejo hired Premier Parks (now known as Six Flags Entertainment Corporation) to manage the property, upgrade it, and improve its attendance. Premier added some non-animal attractions, particularly amusement rides, to increase attendance. In 1997, the park added two major ride attractions: "Popeye's Seaport" and "DinoSphere". Popeye's Seaport offered eleven children's' attractions, including an interactive foam ball play structure and an interactive water play area. DinoSphere took the place of the park's Australian Walk-A-Bout attraction (also the former home of the "DINOSAURS!" attraction). DinoSphere was an Iwerks Turbo Theater, capable of seating 100 riders per showing. The theater played the Iwerks film Dino Island for its first season of operation. The theater has since changed films numerous times.

The number of amusement rides increased over the next few years, including the addition of several major roller coasters. In 1998, the park's name changed again, to The New Marine World Theme Park. The 1998 season saw the addition of two major roller coasters: Kong and Boomerang: Coast to Coaster. Kong was relocated from Opryland USA after that park shut down in 1997 and opened at Marine World in May 1998. Other major additions that year included Hammerhead Shark, a Zamperla Prototype Hawk 48; VooDoo, A HUSS Top Spin; Monsoon Falls, and White Water Safari, Intamin water attractions. DinoSphere also received a new ride film, "Dino Island II: Escape from Dino Island", which featured improved special effects along with a new storyline.

Addition to the Six Flags chain

Roar Wooden Roller Coaster

After the final operating day of the 1998 season, October 31, the park officially became Six Flags Marine World. The most notable result of the name change was the addition of Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes characters. With the new name, the park received the wooden roller coaster Roar. Built by Great Coasters International Inc., Roar was the first coaster to feature Millennium Flyer trains. The 1999 season also saw the introduction of Tasmanian Devil, a Frisbee flat ride manufactured by HUSS, and Scat-A-Bout, a typical Scrambler flat ride. Although both rides opened in 1999, they were purchased by the park in 1998 but not constructed until 1999 due to construction timetables that prevented their opening in time for the start of the 1998 season. Popeye's Seaport was rebranded "Looney Tunes Seaport" and received the Roadrunner Express kiddie coaster.

In 2000, the park opened its fourth major roller coaster dubbed Medusa. Medusa was designed by Bolliger & Mabillard. Medusa lasts three minutes; starting with a 150-foot-tall (46 m) drop, it then executes a 128-foot-tall (39 m) vertical loop, a dive loop, a Zero-G roll, a sea serpent roll, and two corkscrews. Medusa is one of the park's most popular rides.[2] With the addition of Medusa, the park also received the Cobra-family coaster and built a new parking lot south of the park.

The park received its fifth major roller coaster in 2001, V2: Vertical Velocity. Built by Intamin, the ride was the first "Spiraling Impulse Coaster" on the West Coast and took the record for being the tallest and fastest coaster in Northern California. The ride was plagued with technical issues when it opened, which resulted in extensive down time. The park also eventually turned off the LIM motor on the back tower that held the train in position for a few seconds on its second trip up the tower. During the same time, the park also added the "Warrior of the Dawn" film to the DinoSphere.

2002 saw a notable modification to Vertical Velocity. Due to local building restrictions, the height limit on all roller coasters at the park is 150 feet (46 m), while V2 exceeded that limit by about 36 feet (11 m). Thus, they lowered the reverse tower 36 feet (11 m) and turned the forward tower into a 45° angle with an incline heartline roll that spiraled over the park's main entrance; Vertical Velocity is the only Impulse Coaster to do this. The park re-activated the LIM motor on the reverse tower in the 2002 season; however, the motor failed to hold the train completely in place and slipped significantly. The motor was eventually turned off again in the 2003 season. The park also began to show 7th Portal, a 3-D comic book film by Stan Lee, in the DinoSphere Theater during this season.

The park added its sixth major roller coaster, Zonga, in 2003. Designed by Schwarzkopf, the ride was relocated from Six Flags Astroworld and received major track modification by Premiere Rides before it opened at Marine World. Zonga opened in late April with a sporadic operation. The ride was often closed because of mechanical problems, and when it did operate, it often closed for short periods of time due to ride errors. Eventually the park delayed its opening to 12 noon every day, completely blocking the ride plaza to park guests. Zonga's last season of operation was 2004; it then sat dormant until it was removed in 2006 and placed in the parking lot for storage. By the beginning of the 2007 season, Zonga was removed from the parking lot. It is now operating at the San Marcos National Fair in Mexico. The park also began showing "Stargate SG3000" in its Iwerks 3D Turbo Theater, which finally received new branding and was no longer called "DinoSphere".

2006 saw the addition of Tava's Jungleland, a children's area located in the back of the park near the main land animal displays featuring nine new wild animal displays.

Rebranding to Discovery Kingdom

Discovery Kingdom, seen from the parking lot

On January 17, 2007, the park announced its new name: "Six Flags Discovery Kingdom." The new name reflects the image of an animal park, a thrill-ride park, and a marine park. Discovery Park was separated into different themed areas: Land (exotic land animals), Sea (marine mammals) and Sky (roller coasters).[1] US$16 million was spent on modifications including new heavy duty titanium bars in the animal cages, new shows, and converting the 3D theater into a "4D" theater. The park also added a Thomas the Tank Engine-themed children's area called Thomas Town, which opened June 20, 2007.

On June 5, 2007, Six Flags Parks confirmed media reports that Six Flags would exercise their option to buy the park.[3]

In 2008, the park closed the IWerks 3D Turbo Theater due to escalating repair costs on the out–of–date operating system and hardware. The park received its eighth roller coaster named Tony Hawk's Big Spin, which was located on the former Zonga concrete pad. The ride featured a unique layout compared to the three other coasters which share the name, including a base frame instead of permanent concrete footers and a higher top speed. Tony Hawk's Big Spin opened on May 23, 2008. That same year, the park completed its longest operating season offering "Holiday in the Park" through the first week of January.

In 2009, Discovery Kingdom introduced the all–new "Odin's Temple of the Tiger". The new tiger show features the diving white tiger named Odin. Discovery Kingdom also initially acquired two new Bengal tiger cubs, Nalin and Akasha.

In late 2010, Six Flags Parks began the process of removing licensed themes from attractions. They terminated several licenses including those with Thomas the Tank Engine and Tony Hawk. Tony Hawk's Big Spin was renamed and re–themed to Big Spin, then Pandemonium. Big Spin later removed and replaced with Superman Ultimate Flight opening in 2012. Thomas Town was renamed and re–themed as Seaside Junction in time for the 2011 season.[4] For the 2011 season, the park introduced the SkyScreamer. The swing ride is 150 feet (46 m) high and soars in a 98-foot (30 m) circle at speeds over 43 miles per hour (69 km/h). The ride opened on May 27, 2011.

In 2012, the park added a steel Premier Rides roller coaster called Superman: Ultimate Flight.[5] It is the tallest inversion roller coaster west of the Mississippi River, measuring 150 feet (46 m) in height.[1] It includes "two upside down twists and two vertical rolls over a track length of 863 feet (263 m)". In some places, riders traverse speeds of 62 miles per hour (100 km/h).[1]

The park added Cirque Dreams for the 2013 season; the show was held seasonally in the Dolphin Theater area. This show combined acrobats and aerialists performing alongside or above dolphins.

In 2014, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom held a press event for the new Tsunami Soaker water ride, during which the park announced a May 31, 2014 opening to the general public.[6] On August 28, 2014, Discovery Kingdom announced the new Dare Devil Chaos Coaster flat ride for the 2015 season. It is a standard 22M Larson Superloop pendulum flat ride that rocks riders back and forth inside a 360 degree loop. It opened to the public on May 23, 2015. On July 16, 2015, the park announced that Roar would close on August 16, 2015.[7]

On September 3, the park announced their tenth major thrill coaster, The Joker, which is a hybrid transformation of the Roar. The conversion will be performed by Rocky Mountain Construction. the coaster will feature a 100-foot height, a 78-degree drop, and three inversions including the world's first step-up under flip inverted roll.

In February 2016, the park opened on a limited and trial run bases Pacific Rim 5-D, an in-theater special effects 3-D movie. The experience is based on the Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ sci-fi movie “Pacific Rim.” Guests watch part of the movie wearing 3-D glasses while sitting in seats chairs that move, shake and bounce in response to the action on the movie screen. The attraction should be open full-time shortly.

The park's major competition in the San Francisco Bay Area is California's Great America in Santa Clara, next to San Jose.

Seasonal events

Each fall, Discovery Kingdom opens Fright Fest Halloween, consisting of six haunted houses, scare zones, and many ghouls are added throughout the park. Tinseltown Terror haunted house is located in the park's bumper car ride and the Brutal Planet haunted house is located in the Roar plaza. The scare zone is located between Ocean Discovery and the entry plaza, where cockroach eating contests are held. In 2007, Discovery Kingdom introduced the Wheel of Fright and the Coffin of Fear for Fright Fest. 2007 also brought the addition of the Kamp Khaos haunted house, replacing Brutal Planet. Kamp Khaos was placed inside the Monsoon Falls water ride lagoon.

The other major seasonal event, Holiday in the Park, made its debut November 23, 2007. The event features Santa Claus, holiday themed shows, and other seasonal items. That year, Discovery Kingdom also featured the world's largest Christmas tree as part of the celebration. The tree was 125 feet (38 m) tall and had a diameter of 4 feet (1.2 m). Due to its size, a Chinook helicopter was needed to set it into place.[8]

Rides and attractions

Roller coasters

Name Manufacturer Opened Model name Location
Boomerang: Coast to Coaster Vekoma 1998 Boomerang Sky
Kong Vekoma 1998 SLC (689m Standard) Sky
Medusa Bolliger & Mabillard 2000 Floorless Coaster Sky
V2: Vertical Velocity Intamin 2001 Twisted Impulse Coaster Sky
Cobra Zierer 2000 Tivoli - Large Sky
Roadrunner Express Zamperla 1999 Family Gravity Coaster 80STD Looney Tunes Seaport
Superman: Ultimate Flight Premier Rides 2012 Sky Rocket II Sky
The Joker Rocky Mountain Construction 2016 I-box - Custom Sky

Thrill rides

Name Manufacturer Opened Type Location
Dare Devil Chaos Coaster Larson International 2015 22m Giant Loop Sky
VooDoo – VooDoo HUSS 1998 Top Spin Sky
Tasmanian Devil HUSS 1999 Frisbee Sky
Hammerhead Shark Zamperla 1998 Hawk Sky
SkyScreamer Funtime 2011 Star Flyer Sky
Wonder Woman: Lasso of Truth Zamperla 2017 Giant Discovery Sky

Family rides

Name Manufacturer Opened Type Location
Boardwalk Bumper Buggies 1998 Bumper cars Sky
The Ark Zamperla 1998 Swinging Ship Sky
Scat-A-Bout Eli Bridge 1999 Scrambler Sky
Monkey Business 1998 Teacups Sky
Thrilla Gorilla 1998 Caterpillar Sky

Water rides

Name Manufacturer Opened Type Location
White Water Safari Intamin 1999 River Rapids Sky
Monsoon Falls Intamin 1999 Spillwater water ride Sky
The Penguin Mack Rides 2014 Twist 'n' Splash Sky

Kiddie rides

Looney Tunes Seaport
Looney Tunes Seaport (formerly Popeye's Seaport from 1997 through 1998)
Tava's Jungleland (all rides opened in 2006)
Seaside Junction (all rides opened in 2007 in the former "Thomas Town"

All rides where re-themed to "Seaside Junction" in time for the 2011 season.

Upcharge attractions

Animal attractions

Past rides and attractions

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Burstyn, Rochel. "Let's Go To Six Flags Discovery Kingdom". Binah Bunch, June 28, 2012, pp. 26–27.
  2. ↑ "Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Ranked by Rider Vote". Theme Park Critic. August 17, 2011.
  3. ↑ Brown, J. M. (June 6, 2007). "Six Flags to buy Discovery Kingdom". Vallejo Times Herald. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved December 8, 2008.
  4. ↑ MacDonald, Brady (November 25, 2010). "Six Flags amusement parks prepare for thematic makeovers". LA Times. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  5. ↑ MacDonald, Brady (September 1, 2011). "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2012". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 1, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  6. ↑ Mirgoli, Nicholous. "Review of Tsunami Soaker Water Ride - Now Open at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for 2014". www.ThemeParkOverload.net. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  7. ↑ Mirgoli, Nicholous. "Six Flags Parks 2015 New Attractions Confirmed - EVERY New Ride/Attraction for Six Flags Parks Nationwide". www.ThemeParkOverload.net. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to Present the Biggest Christmas Tree in the World" (Press release). PR Newswire. October 22, 2007. Retrieved November 5, 2007.

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