Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Debuts New Ride and Show
By Marc Ricketts
While many of us were spending all or some of a 24 hour day in Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom opened their latest addition, the Dare Devil Chaos Coaster [sic]. This wasn’t quite enough to cause me to cancel an Orlando trip, but since then I have made a visit to give the new ride a spin, plus take a look at the park’s latest entertainment offering, Dive. Along the way we’ll see if there’s anything else interesting along the way.
So let’s get this out of the way first. Although I generally tend to lean towards the more inclusive definitions when possible, it is a wild stretch to call Dare Devil Chaos a coaster. It’s a standard loop ride, and Six Flags has installed them in several parks this year under different names. Shoot, you could probably order one from Amazon, so let’s accept it and move forward and see it for what it is.
In many ways it’s a train version of the spinning pirate ship rides seen in most thrill parks. To the park’s credit, it’s a decent ride time. After going back and forth a few times, the train makes it over the top of the loop and completes three revolutions before reversing direction for three circuits as well. The face to face seating means it’s easy to spot the terrified screamer who will provide the most entertainment value during the ride. Plus at 24 seats, it’s got a better capacity than many flat rides.
The most significant aspect, though, is that over the last few seasons a section of the park that was nothing more than a dead end hike to Medusa, the best of their coasters and arguably the best steel coaster in Northern California. Now instead of nothing more than a couple of tired carney games, the area has seen the addition of Sky Screamer, the relocation of Kong’s entrance, and now Dare Devil Chaos. It won’t ever be the must ride for most visitors, and they may not sell many shirts, but an area of the park that was rather sparse in the past has a new energy, and that is certainly welcome.
A few years back Discovery Kingdom sent their Killer Whale Shouka to Sea World feeling it was in her best interest to have the social interaction with other Orcas in San Diego. More recently, the elephant demonstration and performance area has sat empty. Tava, a 37 year old Asian elephant, and namesake of the children’s’ area Tava’s Jungleland, was sent to a safari park because it was felt that would be in her best interest. Earlier this year Liz and Valerie left for the same Oregon location to be reunited with Tava. Although the park has two elephants providing rides, they are on loan from another facility, and for the first time in its history dating back to the Marine World days in Redwood City, there will be no permanent elephants residing in the park.
So now the star animal of the park is—-a sleeping pussycat.
I kid of course because there’s a thick piece of glass and fencing between us. I know how much damage my 10 pound cat can inflict, so I won’t be falling for the “rub my belly so I can have an excuse to bite you” ploy from a Bengal Tiger, whether it’s white, yellow or plaid. Anyway, this white kitty is Odin, and he now has his own space separate from the long time tiger enclosure and demonstration area.
Looking around the area, Odin is clearly the big cheese in this neighborhood. On an early June weekday the show schedule was slim and I had conflicts for Odin’s two performances that day, so let’s plan right now to check it out next time we’re in the park.
Wait a minute. Is that? Yes, I think it’s a….Construction Wall! Well, as a MiceChat photographer your humble narrator knows what to do with a construction wall; look over it! WhoooWee!
Alrighty now, those were some pretty amazing stacks of supplies. Some boards and fencing, but no roller coaster track or water flumes in sight. Actually, the park is working on the animal compound behind the Wildlife Theater. The venue has long hosted an intimate show featuring small animals, while a bird show has been presented in the nearby Adventure Theater. However, these shows will both be presented in the Wildlife Theater after the work has been completed, because The Adventure Theater is now home to Dive, the newest show in the entertainment lineup.
Ok, this isn’t going to win any awards for set design (between this and Dare Devil Chaos my son remarked that it looked like Six Flags bought out a carnival), it was clearly a last minute addition. The map, with the new ride on the cover, makes no mention of the new show. The website lists it under “Entertainment”, but not under “What’s New”, so I’m willing to see if this setting may change a bit. The show itself started with a history of the sport, including period swim wear, and did feature some impressive skill from the divers whether they were alone, in groups, or the “Freestyle” section where anything goes.
Since this is a show in a park, there is the obligatory audience plant for comic relief. Not hard to spot, No One would voluntarily wear such a ridiculous headband.
Joshin’ and funnin’ aside, one can’t deny that these divers were doing things most of us would never attempt, and the news that they were entering water only 8 feet deep (the pool I visited as a kid was 12 feet for a 3 meter board) only ups the respect. They did only have one of the Six Flags in the show, but fire makes up for it. And that flag at the top of the 100 foot tower isn’t held out on a rod like the one Apollo 11 left on the moon. It really was that windy.
So a little more in the presentation and you have a decent show. The water skiing show several years back met its demise several years ago, but the park is introducing human agility back into the mix with “Dive” and the Dolphin Show Cirque Dreams introduced in 2013. At this point there is no indication of whether the latter will be returning; the map just indicates “new dolphin show” in that facility. The dolphin show “Drench’ is still playing in the Toyota Stadium, the parks largest marine presentation space, and the other shows all appear intact, although the Sea Lion show will have a new script. So let’s conclude with a look at some of the various sights encountered at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on a recent Day by the Bay.
Just a few days ago, the park announced the closing of ROAR, its iconic wooden roller coaster.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Prepares to Silence the ROAR
Popular Wooden Roller Coaster Closing for Good
VALLEJO, Calif. – July 16, 2015 – Six Flags Discovery Kingdom today announced that its iconic wooden roller coaster, Roar, is set to close on Sunday, August 16, 2015.
Guests and fans can ride Roar one last time from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on August 16. After that, the ride will be permanently closed.
“We are a dynamic and evolving entertainment venue,” said Don McCoy, park president. “Although Roar continues to be a guest favorite, sometimes hard choices must be made to allow for future expansion.”
Roar opened in 1999 amidst a major revitalization effort, with several new shows and attractions, restaurants and shops opening simultaneously. Since that time, an estimated 11 million guests have experienced the 10-story coaster featuring six reversals, 22 crossovers, 17 turns and 12 breathtaking drops, in this 55 mph ride that was named for the thunderous roar of a California sea lion.
Roar is a traditional wooden roller coaster featuring a 3,467 foot-long wooden track.
Officials have not announced any plans for an attraction to replace the coaster.
A special fond farewell to Roar will include a series of events for guests and Season Pass holders, the highlight of which will be a special last rider event coinciding with National Roller Coaster Day on August 16.
About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.2 billion in revenue and 18 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 54 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com.
Garlic Festival & Gilroy Gardens Camp Night Combo
July 25
We are pleased to host families at our annual Garlic Festival Camp Night in South County Picnic Grove. Guests receive admission to the world-famous Gilroy Garlic Festival on Saturday, camping that night in our tree-laden camping area and admission to our Park on Sunday! This unique camp program is perfect for families and is the ideal location for your child’s first camping experience. Register Today!
Pony Up! Petting Zoo
Weekends Only – August 22 – September 27, plus Labor Day Monday, September 7
Presented by Pony Up! Back again…meet our marvelous mini creatures. Goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, pigs and more…all sized just for the little ones. Open 11am – 6pm. Additional charge for Petting Zoo—Adults FREE with paying Child. $5 per Child. (Not included with Membership or Park Admission.) All proceeds go to Pony Up! for the care of the animals.
Labor Day BBQ
September 5-7
Come celebrate with us as we host our annual Labor Day Weekend All-You-Can Eat BBQ served in South County Picnic Grove from noon to 2pm. BBQ includes Tangy BBQ Chicken, All Beef Hot Dogs, Fresh Cut Watermelon and more! General Admission/Membership pricing does NOT include BBQ meal. Menu subject to change. Tickets on sale closer to event!
Retro Nights
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All rides are just $1 each on Retro Nights, Monday and Tuesday nights after 5pm starting June 22.
Pepsi Nights
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Ride Wristbands are just $12.95 plus tax on Pepsi Nights, Wednesday and Thursday nights after 5pm starting June 24.
Camp Boardwalk
One-Week Sessions, Now – August 14, 2015
An exciting new summer day camp for kids ages 6–14
Create memories that last a lifetime!
Make salt water taffy, learn a magic trick, create your own caricature, compete in beach competitions, and experience the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk like never before.
http://beachboardwalk.com/camp/
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