Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Encyclopedia
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, formerly Six Flags Marine World, Marine World, The New Marine World Theme Park, and Marine World Africa USA, is an animal theme park
located in Vallejo, California
. The park includes a variety of roller coaster
s and other amusement ride
s, along with a collection of animal exhibits and shows. It has been part of the Six Flags
chain of amusement parks since 1999.
in Redwood City, California
. In the mid-1970s, they merged with a failing land-animal park called 'Africa, USA'
, and became Marine World Africa USA.
In late-1985, the increase in the value of the property the park occupied became too great a tax burden. Following an intensive search for a new site, construction began on a new and larger park facility in Vallejo, California
(about 55 miles (88.5 km) north from Redwood City). The new Marine World opened to visitors in 1986, and remained under control of the non-profit Marine World Foundation, using Garfield
as a mascot at various points. The park defaulted on its debt to the City of Vallejo, and thus became owned by the city, in 1996.
'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 called "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 coaster
s. In 1998, the park's name changed again, this time 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 the 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 AG
water attractions. DinoSphere also received a new ride film, "Dino Island II: Escape from Dino Island" which featured improved graphics along with a new storyline.
After more additions of amusement rides, Premier made a name change to Six Flags Marine World in 1999. The most notable result of the name change was the rights to Warner Bros.
' Looney Tunes
characters. With the new name, the park received the wooden roller coaster called Roar. Built by Great Coasters International Inc., it 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 because of construction timetables that prevented them being constructed in time for the 1998 season opening. 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 feet (45.7 m) drop, it then goes through a 128 feet (39 m) vertical loop, a dive loop, a Zero-G roll, a sea serpent roll, and two corkscrews. Medusa is one of the parks most popular rides. 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 AG, 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. The park also added the "Warrior of the Dawn" film to its DinoSphere theater.
2002 saw a notable modification to Vertical Velocity. Because of local building restrictions, the height limit on all roller coasters at the park is 150 feet (45.7 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 heartlineroll that spiraled over the park's main entrance. So far, Vertical Velocity is the only Impulse Coaster to do this. The park turned the LIM motor on the reverse tower back on in 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. Also the park began to show "7th Portal", a 3-D comic book film by Stan Lee
, in its DinoSphere Theater.
The park added its sixth major roller coaster, Zonga, in 2003. The ride designed by Schwarzkopf, 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 to 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". Stargate, however, did not feature the 3D effect and rarely received good reviews from guests.
2006 saw the addition of Tava's Jungleland, a children's area located in the back of the park near the main land animal attractions, featuring nine new attractions for families and small children to enjoy.
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. The park was separated into different themed lands of Land, Sea and Sky. $16 million was spent on park improvements including new signage, 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.
The animal aspects of the park have not vanished under this onslaught of steel and lights, and the park continually adds animal attractions every year. Discovery Kingdom continues to showcase its marine mammals and is currently home to the orca
Shouka, who was at the Six Flags park in Ohio until 2004. In 2005, the park added "Ocean Discovery", a major interactive marine animal area that lets guest interact and pet sting rays and Atlantic bottlenose dolphin
s as well as getting up close to South Africa
n penguin
s.
On June 5, 2007, Six Flags confirmed media reports that Six Flags will exercise their option to buy the park.
For 2008, the park featured its longest operating season since it was branded as a Six Flags park. The park has shut down the IWerks 3D Turbo Theater due to escalating repair costs on the out of date operating system and hardware. The park received its 8th roller coaster named Tony Hawk's Big Spin, which is located on the former Zonga concrete pad. The ride features 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.
In 2009, the park introduced the all new Odin's Temple of the Tiger. The new tiger exhibit and show features the diving, white tiger named Odin. Discovery Kingdom also acquired two new Bengal tiger cubs, Nalin and Akasha.
2009 also saw the addition of the park's official page on Facebook. Fans of the park can stay up to date with all the latest news, updates, and photos from Discovery Kingdom.
The park's major competition in the San Francisco Bay Area
is California's Great America in Santa Clara
, next to San Jose
.
In late 2010, Six Flags began the process of removing licensed theming from attractions. They terminated several licenses including their license with Thomas the Tank Engine
and Tony Hawk
. Tony Hawk's Big Spin was renamed and rethemed to Big Spin, then Pandemonium
. Thomas Town will be renamed and rethemed to Seaside Junction in time for the 2011 season.
For the 2011 season, the park introduced the SkyScreamer
. The new swing ride is 150 feet (45.7 m) high and soars in a 98 feet (29.9 m) circle at speeds over 43 miles per hour (69.2 km/h). The ride opened on May 27. A few days before July 25, 2011, SkyScreamer
at Six Flags St. Louis experienced a major malfunction that has caused it to be closed for the rest of the 2011 season. According to more than one report, something caused the counterweight to suddenly drop to the bottom of the tower, while launching the empty rider carriage to the top, causing damage on both ends. Discovery Kingdom's version was closed as a precaution to allow for further inspection. Discovery Kingdom's SkyScreamer was reopened as of August 12, 2011.
In 2012, the park will add a steel
Premier Rides
roller coaster
called Superman: Ultimate Flight
.
In 2009, two haunted houses were replaced in October with newer ones.
New for 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 also placed in a new location for a Haunted House, inside the Monsoon Falls water ride lagoon.
The other major seasonal event, Holiday in the Park
, made its debut November 23, 2007. The event featured Santa Claus, holiday themed shows, and other seasonal treats. Discovery Kingdom also featured the world's largest Christmas tree
as part of the celebration. The tree was 125 feet (38.1 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.
Tava's Jungleland (all rides opened in 2006)
Seaside Junction (all rides opened in 2007 in the former Thomas Town
; then the rides where rethemed to Seaside Junction in time for the 2011 season.)
Animal Theme Park
An Animal Theme Park, also known as a Zoological Theme Park, is a combination of a theme park and a zoological park, mainly for entertainment, amusement, and commercial purposes. Many animal theme parks blend classic theme park elements, such as themed entertainment and amusement rides, with...
located in Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
. The park includes a variety of roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
s and other amusement ride
Amusement ride
Amusement rides are large mechanical devices that move people to create enjoyment. They are frequently found at amusement parks, traveling carnivals, and funfairs.-Notable types:*Afterburner*Ali Baba*Balloon Race*Booster...
s, along with a collection of animal exhibits and shows. It has been part of the Six Flags
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
chain of amusement parks since 1999.
Early history
The park first opened in 1968 as Marine World, a small oceanariumOceanarium
An oceanarium can be either a marine mammal park, such as Marineland of Florida, or a large-scale aquarium, such as the Lisbon Oceanarium, presenting an ocean habitat with marine animals, especially large ocean dwellers such as sharks.- Marine mammal parks :...
in Redwood City, California
Redwood City, California
Redwood City is a California charter city located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California, approximately 27 miles south of San Francisco, and 24 miles north of San Jose. Redwood City's history spans from its earliest inhabitation by the Ohlone people, to its tradition as a port for...
. In the mid-1970s, they merged with a failing land-animal park called 'Africa, USA'
Marine World/Africa U.S.A., California
Marine World/Africa USA, was a tourist attraction located in Redwood Shores, California. The park was named Marine World when it first opened.-Origins of the Africa U.S.A. name:...
, and became Marine World Africa USA.
In late-1985, the increase in the value of the property the park occupied became too great a tax burden. Following an intensive search for a new site, construction began on a new and larger park facility in Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
(about 55 miles (88.5 km) north from Redwood City). The new Marine World opened to visitors in 1986, and remained under control of the non-profit Marine World Foundation, using Garfield
Garfield
Garfield is a comic strip created by Jim Davis. Published since June 19, 1978, it chronicles the life of the title character, the cat Garfield ; his owner, Jon Arbuckle; and Arbuckle's dog, Odie...
as a mascot at various points. The park defaulted on its debt to the City of Vallejo, and thus became owned by the city, in 1996.
Conversion to a theme park
The city then hired Premier Parks (now known as Six Flags Inc.) to manage the park, 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, "PopeyePopeye
Popeye the Sailor is a cartoon fictional character created by Elzie Crisler Segar, who has appeared in comic strips and animated cartoons in the cinema as well as on television. He first appeared in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre on January 17, 1929...
'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
Iwerks
Simex-Iwerks was founded in 1985 by Oscar winner and Disney Legend Don Iwerks and Stan Kinsey, two former Disney Executives...
Turbo Theater, capable of seating 100 riders per showing. The theater played the Iwerks film called "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 coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
s. In 1998, the park's name changed again, this time to The New Marine World Theme Park. The 1998 season saw the addition of two major roller coasters, Kong
Kong (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)
Kong is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California.Kong is a standard Vekoma SLC. The ride originally operated as The Hangman at Opryland USA from 1995 to 1997 when it was dismantled and sold due to the closure of the park...
and Boomerang: Coast to Coaster
Boomerang: Coast to Coaster
Boomerang: Coast to Coaster is a steel roller coaster of shuttle design currently in use at five different Six Flags & PARC theme parks. The ride was designed and manufactured by Vekoma, and is considered as one of its boomerang models. Each coaster has one train with a capacity of 28, two across...
. Kong was relocated from Opryland USA
Opryland USA
Opryland USA was an amusement park located in suburban Nashville, Tennessee. It operated seasonally from 1972 until 1997...
after that park shut down in 1997 and opened at the Marine World in May 1998. Other major additions that year included Hammerhead Shark, a Zamperla
Zamperla
Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Prototype Hawk 48; VooDoo, A HUSS Top Spin
Top Spin (ride)
The Top Spin is a thrill ride developed by HUSS Maschinenfabrik, and is the generic name for a series of rides from other manufacturers that follow the same principle. The ride consists of a passenger platform suspended between two counterweighted arms...
; Monsoon Falls and White Water Safari, Intamin AG
Intamin AG
Intamin Worldwide is a designing and manufacturing company in Wollerau, Switzerland. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The U.S. division of the company is located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and is headed by Sandor Kernacs. The Intamin brand name is an...
water attractions. DinoSphere also received a new ride film, "Dino Island II: Escape from Dino Island" which featured improved graphics along with a new storyline.
Addition to the Six Flags chain
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
' Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
characters. With the new name, the park received the wooden roller coaster called Roar. Built by Great Coasters International Inc., it 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 because of construction timetables that prevented them being constructed in time for the 1998 season opening. 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 (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)
For the Six Flags Great Adventure ride formerly known as Medusa, see Bizarro .Medusa is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California....
. Medusa was designed by Bolliger & Mabillard
Bolliger & Mabillard
Bolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers is a roller coaster design consultancy based in Monthey, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1988 by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, with Bolliger acting as president and Mabillard as vice-president...
. Medusa lasts three minutes. Starting with a 150 feet (45.7 m) drop, it then goes through a 128 feet (39 m) vertical loop, a dive loop, a Zero-G roll, a sea serpent roll, and two corkscrews. Medusa is one of the parks most popular rides. 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
V2: Vertical Velocity
V2: Vertical Velocity is an inverted steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California. It is California's first and only Spiraling Impulse Coaster, built by Intamin and opened in 2001. It stands and reaches speeds of up to...
. Built by Intamin AG, 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. The park also added the "Warrior of the Dawn" film to its DinoSphere theater.
2002 saw a notable modification to Vertical Velocity. Because of local building restrictions, the height limit on all roller coasters at the park is 150 feet (45.7 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 heartlineroll that spiraled over the park's main entrance. So far, Vertical Velocity is the only Impulse Coaster to do this. The park turned the LIM motor on the reverse tower back on in 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. Also the park began to show "7th Portal", a 3-D comic book film by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
, in its DinoSphere Theater.
The park added its sixth major roller coaster, Zonga, in 2003. The ride designed by Schwarzkopf, was relocated from Six Flags Astroworld
Six Flags Astroworld
AstroWorld was a seasonally operated theme park located on approximately of land between Kirby Drive and Fannin Avenue, directly south of Loop 610 in Houston, Texas, USA...
, and received major track modification by Premiere Rides before it opened at Marine World. Zonga opened in late April to 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". Stargate, however, did not feature the 3D effect and rarely received good reviews from guests.
2006 saw the addition of Tava's Jungleland, a children's area located in the back of the park near the main land animal attractions, featuring nine new attractions for families and small children to enjoy.
Rebranding to Discovery Kingdom
Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
-themed children's area called Thomas Town, which opened June 20, 2007.
The animal aspects of the park have not vanished under this onslaught of steel and lights, and the park continually adds animal attractions every year. Discovery Kingdom continues to showcase its marine mammals and is currently home to the orca
Orca
The killer whale , commonly referred to as the orca, and less commonly as the blackfish, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family. Killer whales are found in all oceans, from the frigid Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas...
Shouka, who was at the Six Flags park in Ohio until 2004. In 2005, the park added "Ocean Discovery", a major interactive marine animal area that lets guest interact and pet sting rays and Atlantic bottlenose dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose dolphins, the genus Tursiops, are the most common and well-known members of the family Delphinidae, the family of oceanic dolphins. Recent molecular studies show the genus contains two species, the common bottlenose dolphin and the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin , instead of one...
s as well as getting up close to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n penguin
Penguin
Penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage, and their wings have become flippers...
s.
On June 5, 2007, Six Flags confirmed media reports that Six Flags will exercise their option to buy the park.
For 2008, the park featured its longest operating season since it was branded as a Six Flags park. The park has shut down the IWerks 3D Turbo Theater due to escalating repair costs on the out of date operating system and hardware. The park received its 8th roller coaster named Tony Hawk's Big Spin, which is located on the former Zonga concrete pad. The ride features 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.
In 2009, the park introduced the all new Odin's Temple of the Tiger. The new tiger exhibit and show features the diving, white tiger named Odin. Discovery Kingdom also acquired two new Bengal tiger cubs, Nalin and Akasha.
2009 also saw the addition of the park's official page on Facebook. Fans of the park can stay up to date with all the latest news, updates, and photos from Discovery Kingdom.
The park's major competition in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
is California's Great America in Santa Clara
Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara , founded in 1777 and incorporated in 1852, is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city is the site of the eighth of 21 California missions, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and was named after the mission. The Mission and Mission Gardens are located on the...
, next to San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
.
In late 2010, Six Flags began the process of removing licensed theming from attractions. They terminated several licenses including their license with Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
and Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk
Anthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
. Tony Hawk's Big Spin was renamed and rethemed to Big Spin, then Pandemonium
Pandemonium (roller coaster)
Pandemonium is a Gerstlauer steel spinning roller coasters located at several Six Flags theme parks including Six Flags New England, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Six Flags St. Louis, Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Its design consists of several cars holding four riders each...
. Thomas Town will be renamed and rethemed to Seaside Junction in time for the 2011 season.
For the 2011 season, the park introduced the SkyScreamer
SkyScreamer
SkyScreamer is a Funtime StarFlyer located at several Six Flags theme parks including Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Six Flags St. Louis. In 2012, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Six Flags Great Adventure will also open SkyScreamers...
. The new swing ride is 150 feet (45.7 m) high and soars in a 98 feet (29.9 m) circle at speeds over 43 miles per hour (69.2 km/h). The ride opened on May 27. A few days before July 25, 2011, SkyScreamer
SkyScreamer
SkyScreamer is a Funtime StarFlyer located at several Six Flags theme parks including Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Six Flags St. Louis. In 2012, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Six Flags Great Adventure will also open SkyScreamers...
at Six Flags St. Louis experienced a major malfunction that has caused it to be closed for the rest of the 2011 season. According to more than one report, something caused the counterweight to suddenly drop to the bottom of the tower, while launching the empty rider carriage to the top, causing damage on both ends. Discovery Kingdom's version was closed as a precaution to allow for further inspection. Discovery Kingdom's SkyScreamer was reopened as of August 12, 2011.
In 2012, the park will add a steel
Steel roller coaster
A steel roller coaster is a roller coaster that is defined by having a track made of steel. Steel coasters have earned immense popularity in the past 50 years throughout the world...
Premier Rides
Premier Rides
Premier Rides is an amusement ride manufacturer based in the United States. The company was the first to use Linear Induction Motors on their roller coasters. Jim Seay has been the sole owner and company president since 1996....
roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
called Superman: Ultimate Flight
Superman: Ultimate Flight (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)
Superman: Ultimate Flight is a steel Premier Rides roller coaster currently under construction at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.-History:On August 21, 2011, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom posted on their official website a picture of a man in front of the building, stating "Can you keep a Secret?"...
.
Seasonal Events
The haunt at Discovery Kingdom is their annual Fright Fest Halloween event. Two 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. Brutal Planet haunted house is normally located in the Roar plaza near where Zonga used to be. The scare zone is located between Ocean Discovery and the entry plaza. This is where the world famous cockroach eating contests are held.In 2009, two haunted houses were replaced in October with newer ones.
New for 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 also placed in a new location for a Haunted House, inside the Monsoon Falls water ride lagoon.
The other major seasonal event, Holiday in the Park
Holiday in the Park
Holiday in the Park is a Christmas-oriented event that takes place at several Six Flags parks.-General Information:Six Flags began the tradition at Six Flags Over Texas in 1985 that ran through late November to early January...
, made its debut November 23, 2007. The event featured Santa Claus, holiday themed shows, and other seasonal treats. Discovery Kingdom also featured the world's largest Christmas tree
Christmas tree
The Christmas tree is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, real or artificial, and a tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started in Livonia and Germany in the 16th century...
as part of the celebration. The tree was 125 feet (38.1 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.
Roller Coasters
- BoomerangBoomerang: Coast to CoasterBoomerang: Coast to Coaster is a steel roller coaster of shuttle design currently in use at five different Six Flags & PARC theme parks. The ride was designed and manufactured by Vekoma, and is considered as one of its boomerang models. Each coaster has one train with a capacity of 28, two across...
- A VekomaVekomaVekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment...
BoomerangBoomerang (roller coaster)Boomerang is a model of roller coaster built by Vekoma, and named after the hunting implement based on the traditions of the Indigenous Australians...
clone. This was the first roller coaster to open at the park. - KongKong (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)Kong is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California.Kong is a standard Vekoma SLC. The ride originally operated as The Hangman at Opryland USA from 1995 to 1997 when it was dismantled and sold due to the closure of the park...
- A Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster and the second roller coaster to open at the park. Kong was relocated from the defunct Opryland ThemeparkOpryland USAOpryland USA was an amusement park located in suburban Nashville, Tennessee. It operated seasonally from 1972 until 1997...
in Nashville, Tennessee where it was called The HangmanThe Hangman (roller coaster)The Hangman was a steel suspended-looping roller coaster located at the now-defunct Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee. Opened in May 1995, the ride was notably the last major attraction to be added to Opryland before the park closed at the end of the 1997 season.The Hangman was...
, following the 1997 operating season. In 2007 the ride's entrance was moved to Oasis Plaza near Medusa. Riders now walk under the ride to enter. - ROAR! - A wooden coaster built by Great Coasters International Inc., ROAR! was the first wooden coaster to feature Millennium Flyer trains. While the ride is a near clone of Six Flags AmericaSix Flags AmericaSix Flags America is a family theme park and water park located in Mitchellville, Prince George's County, Maryland. It is situated east of Washington D.C. and southwest of Baltimore. The park covers , 131 of which is currently used for park operations...
's ride of the same name, Marine World's version was designed with tighter turns to enhance the feeling of speed. ROAR! is the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Northern California.
- Medusa - Built by Bolliger & MabillardBolliger & MabillardBolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers is a roller coaster design consultancy based in Monthey, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1988 by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, with Bolliger acting as president and Mabillard as vice-president...
of SwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Medusa stands 150 ft (45.7 m) and reaches speeds of 65 mi/h. When the ride opened in 2000, it featured one of the tallest vertical loops in the world at 128 ft (39 m). Medusa used to share its name with its sister coaster at Six Flags Great AdventureSix Flags Great AdventureSix Flags Great Adventure is a theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey, owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., the world's largest amusement park corporation...
(before it was converted to Bizarro) but features a layout more similar to that of KrakenKraken (roller coaster)Kraken is a steel floorless roller coaster located at SeaWorld Orlando in the United States...
, another B&M Floorless roller coaster built at Sea World Orlando in 2000. The ride was the first coaster to ever feature the "Sea Serpent" element, a variation of B&M's popular "Cobra Roll" element. At 3985 ft (1,214.6 m), Medusa is the longest roller coaster in Northern California and shares the height record with V2: Vertical Velocity as the tallest coaster in Northern California, also located at the park. - V2: Vertical VelocityV2: Vertical VelocityV2: Vertical Velocity is an inverted steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California. It is California's first and only Spiraling Impulse Coaster, built by Intamin and opened in 2001. It stands and reaches speeds of up to...
- California's first and only Spiraling Impulse Coaster, Vertical Velocity was built by Intamin AGIntamin AGIntamin Worldwide is a designing and manufacturing company in Wollerau, Switzerland. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The U.S. division of the company is located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and is headed by Sandor Kernacs. The Intamin brand name is an...
and opened in 2001. It stood 186 ft (56.7 m) and reached speeds of up to 70 mi/h. In 2002, the park was forced to modify the ride so that it no longer exceeded 150 ft (45.7 m) due to local height restrictions. In doing so the front tower was tilted to a 45-degree angle and the reverse tower lowered to 150 feet (45.7 m). The ride still holds the record for fastest coaster in Northern California at 70 mi/h - CobraCobra (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)Cobra is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California.This is a simple family coaster with tight turns and a twisting track. Single riders must be tall or if between and must be accompanied by an adult....
- A 26 feet (7.9 m) family coaster located in Oasis Plaza, Cobra opened in 2000. - Roadrunner ExpressRoad Runner Express (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)Road Runner Express is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California.This simple steel coaster is placed in the park's Looney Tunes Seaport section. The ride is designed to be ridden by children. It has a blue track and blue supports....
- A kiddie coaster located in the park's Looney Tunes Seaport section. Roadrunner Express opened in 1999. - PandemoniumPandemonium (roller coaster)Pandemonium is a Gerstlauer steel spinning roller coasters located at several Six Flags theme parks including Six Flags New England, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Six Flags St. Louis, Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Its design consists of several cars holding four riders each...
- Opened on May 23, 2008 as Tony Hawk's Big Spin, renamed to Big Spin in late 2010 and then Pandemonium in early 2011. This spinning coaster originally themed to the legendary skateboarder Tony HawkTony HawkAnthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
will take riders in four-passenger "Skateboards" and spin them through over 1300 ft (396.2 m) of track at 31 mi/h. Pandemonium has also been awarded by the National Six Flags Corporation as the friendliest and cleanest of them all. - Superman: Ultimate FlightSuperman: Ultimate Flight (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)Superman: Ultimate Flight is a steel Premier Rides roller coaster currently under construction at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.-History:On August 21, 2011, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom posted on their official website a picture of a man in front of the building, stating "Can you keep a Secret?"...
- a steelSteel roller coasterA steel roller coaster is a roller coaster that is defined by having a track made of steel. Steel coasters have earned immense popularity in the past 50 years throughout the world...
Premier RidesPremier RidesPremier Rides is an amusement ride manufacturer based in the United States. The company was the first to use Linear Induction Motors on their roller coasters. Jim Seay has been the sole owner and company president since 1996....
roller coasterRoller coasterThe roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
set to open in 2012.
Thrill Rides
- VooDoo - VooDoo opened in 1998 and was the first HUSS Top SpinTop Spin (ride)The Top Spin is a thrill ride developed by HUSS Maschinenfabrik, and is the generic name for a series of rides from other manufacturers that follow the same principle. The ride consists of a passenger platform suspended between two counterweighted arms...
on the west coast. VooDoo is located at the back of the park near Tava's Jungleland. - Tazmanian Devil - A HUSS Frisbee ride. Opened in 1999, riders board a giant disk that spins and swings at high speeds for approximately 2 minutes.
- Hammerhead Shark - Riders board one of 2 giant arms and experience 7 vertical loops before completing their 90 second ride. This was the first ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Hawk48 Ride to ever be built; opened in 1998. - SkyScreamerSkyScreamerSkyScreamer is a Funtime StarFlyer located at several Six Flags theme parks including Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Six Flags St. Louis. In 2012, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Six Flags Great Adventure will also open SkyScreamers...
- Climb 15 stories and swing at 150 feet (45.7 m) up in the air at 43 mi/h. Skyscreamer is the same height as Medusa, that opened in 2011.
Family Rides
- Wave Swinger - A ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
swing ride; opened in 1998. - Boardwalk Bumper Buggies - Bumper cars; opened in 1998.
- The Ark - A swinging ship; opened in 1998.
- Scat-A-Bout - A ScramblerTwist (ride)The Twist, also known as the Twister, Cyclone, Sizzler, Scrambler, Merry Mixer, Jambalaya, or Grasscutter is an amusement ride in which suspended riders spinning in cars experience the illusion that they will crash into other suspended, spinning cars. Riders are seated in small carriages clustered...
type attraction; opened in 1999. - Wave Jumper - A circular ride where riders board Orca shaped gondolas and rise into the air approx 15 ft (4.6 m); opened in 1999.
- Monkey Business - TeacupsTeacupsTeacups is an amusement ride characterized by cup-style spinning vehicles atop a turntable-like floor.-Operation:Typically, each set of four teacup vehicles has a circular floor or a motor capable of turning 360 degrees. The circular floor or motor sits within a larger, turntable-like floor...
ride; opened in 1998. - Thrilla Gorilla - Riders board one of the 16 cars and spin around a giant gorilla at high speeds with sudden changes in elevation; opened in 1998.
Water Rides
- White Water Safari (Intamin River Rapids water ride) - opened in 1999, it is a classic white water raft ride. Featuring an overhanging waterfall and several 'rapids' area. Two locations with four coin-operated hoses each allow non-riders to spray riders.
- Monsoon Falls (Intamin Spillwater water ride) - opened in 1998, it is a short brief ride which begins on a 50 ft (15.2 m) climb, the riders are then subjected to a full drop that results in a splash tall enough to reach pedestrians exiting the ride on the overcrossing walkway. This ride also has several coin-operated hoses allowing observers to spray riders and pedestrians on the walkway.
Children Rides
Looney Tunes Seaport (formerly Popeye's Seaport from 1997 through 1998)- Acme Foam Factory - A large indoor play structure where children and their parents can shoot foam balls at targets or each other; opened in 1997. All foam balls were removed in 2007. Six Flags has not commented on why the balls were removed. Balls returned early summer 2007 after the installation of plastic flaps at the door.
- Acme Water Works - A large interactive water play structure; opened in 1997.
- Pepe Le Pew's Rafts of Romance - Small tea cup ride; opened in 1997.
- Elmer's Weather Balloons (ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Samba Balloons)- A circular ride where kids can spin their cars while the ride changes elevation; opened in 1997. - Sylvester's Pounce and Bounce (ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Jumpin' Star) - A children's drop ride; opened in 1999. - Bugs Buccaneer (Sartori kiddie swinging ship); opened in 1999.
- Taz's Typhoon (ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Lolly Swing) - A children's version of the swing ride; opened in 1997. - Daffy's Deep Sea Dive (ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Crazy Sub) - A yellow submarine where kids and their parents experience quick ascents and sudden drops; opened in 1997. - Foghorn Leghorn's Seaport Railway (ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Rio Grande) - Train ride; opened in 1997. - Yosemite Sam's Flight School - Pint sized planes where children control how high they go; opened in 1997.
- Seaport Carousel - A small merry-go-round with exotic animals; opened in 1997.
Tava's Jungleland (all rides opened in 2006)
- Tava's Elephant Parade - A circular ride where children board small elephants and control their height.
- Congo Queen (ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Rockin' Tug) - A large Tugboat that rocks and spins. - Safari Jeep Tours - Riders board small Jeeps and traverse a track through animal attractions.
- Nairobi's Lookout Balloons (ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Samba Tower) - Riders board 4-person gondolas and are taken to heights of 35 feet (10.7 m). Riders are able to spin themselves which allows this tame observation tower become a high speed thrill ride. - Frog Hopper - A circular ride with "hopping" cars.
- Safari River Journey - A slow ride for small children that spins in a small water way. Closed in 2007, Replaced by animal attraction in October 2008.
- Monkey Around (ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Swing Ride) - A tame swing ride that offers no changes in elevation. - Zoe's Tree House (SCS Interactive “Treehouse”) - A large outdoor play structure with slides and look out towers.
Seaside Junction (all rides opened in 2007 in the former Thomas Town
Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
; then the rides where rethemed to Seaside Junction in time for the 2011 season.)
- Air Penguins (I.E. Park Mini Flight) - A circular ride where children board small helicopters and control their height. It was known as Harold the Helicopter from 2007-2010 in Thomas Town; and now rethemed in 2011.
- Merlin’s Seaside Tours (I.E. Park Unknown Model Name) - It was known as Bertie the Bus from 2007-2010 in Thomas Town; and now rethemed in 2011.
- Seaside Railway - Train ride around the Shark Experience passing: Tidmouth Shed, Lake Hackenbeck, Hackenbeck Station. It was known as Thomas the Tank EngineThomas the Tank EngineThomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
from 2007-2010 in Thomas Town; and now rethemed in 2011. Riders used to board into Thomas' coaches Annie and Clarabel. The engine still has Thomas' whistle.
Upcharge Attractions
- Skycoaster - Riders are harnessed to two long cables and hoisted 100 ft (30.5 m) above the park. The riders must pull a ripcord and drop within 6 feet (1.8 m) of the ground before swinging back and forth for a few minutes. Prices range from $35 for a Single Rider, $40 for a Double (two fliers), and $45 for a Triple (three fliers).
- TRS: Thunder Road Speedway - A high speed go cart track near ROAR!. Prices range from $10 per driver, $4 per passenger. Ride duration is 7 minutes.
- Rockwall Climbing Challenge - Riders climb a 45 ft (13.7 m) rock wall. Price range is $10 per person for 3 Climb Attempts.
Animal Attractions
- Shark Experience - Guest gets to go "underwater" with sharks as they travel on a moving walkway with a glass dome above them showing an underwater shark habitat. Featured in the film 50 First Dates50 First Dates50 First Dates is a 2004 American romantic comedy film directed by Peter Segal and written by George Wing. The film stars Adam Sandler as a woman-chasing veterinarian and Drew Barrymore as an amnesiac, along with Rob Schneider, Sean Astin, Lusia Strus, Blake Clark, and Dan Aykroyd.Most of the film...
. - Jocko's Walrus Experience - Guest can get face to face with 3 walruses. Featured in the film 50 First Dates50 First Dates50 First Dates is a 2004 American romantic comedy film directed by Peter Segal and written by George Wing. The film stars Adam Sandler as a woman-chasing veterinarian and Drew Barrymore as an amnesiac, along with Rob Schneider, Sean Astin, Lusia Strus, Blake Clark, and Dan Aykroyd.Most of the film...
. - Dolphin Discovery - Guest can pay $149.99 per person and receive a 1 on 1 training session with the park's dolphins.
- Dolphin Encounter - Located in Ocean Discovery, guests can feed, play and touch dolphins for a small fee or view them at the pool for free.
- Sting Ray Bay - Located in Ocean Discovery, guests can touch live sting rays.
- Penguin Passage - Located in Ocean Discovery, guests can come face to face with South African Penguins.
- Seal Cove - Located in Ocean Discovery, guests can feed California Sea Lions and Pacific Harbor Seals.
- Alligator Isle - An animal exhibit featuring North American Alligators.
- Butterfly Habitat - Guests enter a large, humid glass building filled with exotic butterflies.
- Tava's ElephantElephantElephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
Trails - Guests can view African Elephants as well as ride them and face them in a tug-o-war (part of the Elephant Show). - Cougar Rocks - Guests can get up close to the park's 4 Cougars.
- Cheetah Exhibit - Guests can view the park's cheetahs.
- Odin's Tiger Island - Home of the park's Bengal and Siberian Tigers. Guests can view tigers on exhibit.
- Nairobi's Giraffe Dock - Guests can get up close and feed the park's Giraffes.
- Leo's Lion Lair - The park's African Lion exhibit.
- Merlin's Dolphin Harbor - Home to the park's Dolphin Show, guests can also get up close to the dolphins at the viewing window in the main plaza. Ironically, Merlin the Dolphin does not live in this stadium; his home is Shouka Stadium. Featured in the film 50 First Dates50 First Dates50 First Dates is a 2004 American romantic comedy film directed by Peter Segal and written by George Wing. The film stars Adam Sandler as a woman-chasing veterinarian and Drew Barrymore as an amnesiac, along with Rob Schneider, Sean Astin, Lusia Strus, Blake Clark, and Dan Aykroyd.Most of the film...
. - Shouka Stadium - Home of the park's Orca named Shouka. Guests can view Shouka at the viewing windows in the back of the stadium in between shows. Also home to Merlin the dolphin.
- Odie's Sea Lion Stadium - Located in Ocean Discovery, home of the park's Sea Lion Show.
- Bird Theater - Home of the Bird Show.
- Odin's Temple of the Tiger - Home to the new Odin's Temple of the Tiger, Tiger Show, with a larger amphitheatre for guests to view the new show.
- Animal Nursery - Home to new arrivals and animals with special needs.
- Reptile Discovery - Located in Tava's Jungleland, guest can view various reptiles.
- Lorikeet Aviary - Located in Tava's Jungleland, guests can interact with the beautiful birds as well as feed them nectar.
- Fennec Fox Exhibit - An open air enclosure allows guests to view these quick desert animals.
Past Rides/Attractions
- Starfish - A circular Chance Trabant ride located near Ski Stadium. The ride was removed after two accidents sent people to the hospital after being thrown from the ride. The ride area is now the Air Penguins ride in Seaside Junction.
- Shoreline Express - The park's train system that transported guests from Shark Experience to Animal Adventure near Jambo. Shoreline Express was removed before the 2006 season to make room for Tava's Jungleland and the newly remodeled Lakeside Pavilion. A small area of track surrounding Shark Experience is currently being used for Seaside Railway.
- ZongaZongaZonga was a steel tracked looping roller coaster at Six Flags Marine World from 2003 to 2005. It was designed by Anton Schwarzkopf. The coaster was previously at Six Flags Astroworld as "Texas Tornado", and before that toured the German funfair circuit as "Thriller"...
- Built in 2003, this coaster was originally named "Thriller" and traveled Europe, as it was built by Anton SchwarzkopfAnton SchwarzkopfAnton Schwarzkopf was a German engineer of amusement rides, and founder of the Schwarzkopf Industries company, which built numerous rides and large roller coasters for both amusement parks and travelling funfairs....
. For a short time, it also operated as "Texas Tornado" at Six Flags AstroworldSix Flags AstroworldAstroWorld was a seasonally operated theme park located on approximately of land between Kirby Drive and Fannin Avenue, directly south of Loop 610 in Houston, Texas, USA...
. Zonga operated for 2 years at the park. The ride regularly opened about two hours after the park and had frequent breakdowns, which contributed to closing down the ride. The ride stood silent for the 2005 season and was moved to the Discovery Kingdom parking lot where it sat throughout the 2006 season, leaving a large empty concrete area at the front of the park. In early 2007 the ride was shipped off after being purchased. - Jambo - One of the first ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
"Joker" rides to be installed in the US, the ride opened in 1998 in the rear of the park near VooDoo. The ride operated for the beginning of the 2006 season, but shut down before summer operation. Shortly after, all rides of the same model in the Six Flags chain shut down, and none have reopened. Jambo was removed in the winter before the 2007 season as well as its sister ride, Trailblazer, at Six Flags Great AmericaSix Flags Great AmericaSix Flags Great America is a Six Flags theme park in the Chicago metropolitan area, located in Gurnee, Illinois. It first opened in 1976 as Marriott's Great America. Six Flags purchased the park from the Marriott Corporation in 1984, making it the seventh park in the chain...
. - 'Round the World Ferris Wheel - A Ferris wheel with balloon gondolas; opened in 1998. In 2007 the ride was removed to make way for the new children's area.
- Turbo Bungee - Riders are harnessed to bungee cords and jump on a trampoline reaching heights where they are capable of front and back flips. Price was $7 per person for 2 minutes.
- iWerks 4D Theater - The theater has been known as either DinoSphere, Stargate, or iWerks Turbo Theater although it has played 7 different films in its time. This was the original thrill ride to be built at the park; opened in 1997 as a 3D theater, it was updated for the 2007 season to include 4D effects which include water sprayers, seat vibrators and bubbles. The theater did not open for the 2008 season due to high maintenance costs. The building sits dormant and untouched.
- Safari River Journey - A small children's boat ride that was closed due to lack of rider-ship. Located in Tava's Jungleland.
- Greased Lightnin'
Park names
- Marine World - 1968-Mid '70s
- Marine World Africa USA - Mid '70s-1997
- The New Marine World Theme Park - 1998
- Six Flags Marine World - 1999-2006
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom - 2007–Present
Controversy
There have been countless complaints from various animal rights groups about the treatment of animals at Six Flags. They claim that most of the animals, such as lions, camels, tigers and giraffes, are kept in small, inadequate enclosures. These organizations have also complained that animals sensitive to loud noises, such as fennec foxes and flamingos, are surrounded by roller coasters and loud speakers. One of the complaints involves the treatment of elephants. IDA, an animal rights group, is against the idea of elephants performing, and find the elephant enclosure to be too small and barren.External links
- Park web site
- Satellite view of the site
- Affidavits by former employees: Melissa Hindman, Aaron Wilson