Holiday in the Park has entered its second decade at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom with festivities and activities that even excite the resident marine mammals. We’ll also take an inaugural trip into Six Flags’ new member rewards program; bundle up, it’s a chilly one.
Let’s begin with some, uh, issues, and get the unpleasantness out of the way so we can move on. One can only conclude that the park’s clearly stated operating hours are a complete mystery to The Joker’s ride ops. I can’t even recall the last time it was running at park opening, and the line of hopefuls that forms on the off chance is becoming far too common for the park’s best ride.
Below is the small pond that had to be traversed in order to reach the Medusa load platform. I’ll take the word of the person that said she wasn’t aware of it, but it had been a couple of days since any rain, you’d think someone would walk the queues before opening, plus I later was photographing in a dark area and realized I was standing in water. It’s a well-known fact that mops and floor squeegees can be purchased with no background check.
For the season the Iwerks Theater is showing Happy Feet, Mumble’s Wild Ride! It’s semi-entertaining I suppose, and something that appeals to more than the smallest kids or coaster junkies, but it’s a film that’s more than five years old, and the ancient tech of this theater is more apparent with each passing day.
Six Flags instituted a new rewards program for higher tier members in August where points can be earned for visiting the park (50), rides (3), shows (6) or spending money which gets 25 points per dollar. They can be redeemed for things like cotton candy (750), playing a game (2500), or a weekend friend ticket (10,000). I’ve got my eye on that haunted house pass for 5K.
For rides and shows, one checks in on the app, which requires going to the entrance but does not require actually riding or seeing the show. I checked in for a closed ride. I checked in for the holiday dolphin show plus the regular show even though it wasn’t on that day. And the points for spending money are based on the full, pre-discount, but after tax price which was a shocker. Points may take 24 hours to appear. Early the next day my expenditure points, 925, appeared, but not the others. I sent a message after 36 hours, and a prompt reply asked that I wait another 24 hours. After another 36 hours I wrote again, and finally called the day after that. The number was local, as opposed to 6 Flags HQ, and the right person was on vacation, so the outcome is unknown as of publication. I got 90% of my points right away, so reckon we’re 90% of the way there on the rewards program
Holiday in The Park
That out of the way, let’s move on to joy and merriment. And that means having a volunteer family throw the oversized novelty switch and light the tree!
Fire pits have long been a feature of Holiday in the Park, and not just for warmth anymore. Kits for making s’mores can be purchased for a reasonable $4, and once energized there is an opportunity to skate in the bumper car building. It is an ice substitute, and space is limited, so one must sign up early. No hockey skates, but I suppose that’s a minor quibble, although my son would disagree. And what kid wouldn’t want to skate around an Igloo.
Holiday lights are found throughout the park in areas like the Christmas Tree Forest or the obligatory Candy Cane Lane. The set piece from Fright Fest’s Sawmill Ridge has been redecorated; I’m sure plenty of fresh meat is available for feasting. And the new Winter Wonderland does indeed feature a giant snowman, although the surrounding trees have fewer limbs laden with lights as they do unladen limbs. It’s not even that they are competing with other parks, they need to at least measure up to a typical suburban neighborhood on light density.
Colorful lights are always appealing, and not that expensive in the grand scheme of things. If my tone sounds negative, please note that is not my intent. It’s not the lack of effort, but the fact that their setup has stayed flat, while California’s Great America has gone full tilt decorate in all nooks and crannies in only three years. Having seen both, there’s a desire to see more lights in a park with numerous trees on my part. Perhaps others may find that too gaudy, though, and fair enough. Some of the games have also been revamped into Christmas mode, and those refillable hot cocoa mugs help relieve the chill while strolling among the illuminated color.
Wait! What’s behind that tree?
Well wish me a Merry Jazzmas, there’s a live combo playing that’s not on the schedule, great touch.
There are also holiday variations of the seal and sea lion show as well as one of the dolphin shows. Unlike Fright Fest, where they will describe a haunted focus to these shows on the Internet, but in reality, it’s the same ol’ same ol’, these are indeed different shows. Dolphin Holiday features a storyteller rocking on high and a Christmas tree missing its ornaments. I was a touch late, so am not quite sure why it’s on the dolphins and an audience volunteer to solve the situation, but in the end, they were able to leap their way to a solution with the final, heart-shaped bauble. Exiting the venue we encountered an interesting vender. You’ve heard of human finger-painting, but what about dolphin head-painting? Well, it exists, and for only $20 you too can take home your own canvas (or ornament as purchased by your humble narrator; those aquatic swine discovered my kryptonite). It’s fine, the money goes to dolphin toys, so I didn’t mind a bit.
Over at the Sea Lion Stadium, the pinnipeds were staging their own production of A Very Merry Christmas. Here a disgruntled elf was out to sabotage the festivities by cutting the power and deactivating the big button that controls it all, and must be stopped; we should get Shouka the Killer Whale on this immediately to sort it out!
Right, I’ve been reminded that Shouka left the park years ago, so it’s up to the seals and sea lions to restore her Christmas spirit, which I concede is more in line with the season than siccing a murderous marine mammal on her; point taken. Maybe the means do matter as much as the ends. We’ve learned something; it’s what it’s all about.
The entertainment division isn’t neglecting the human performers, as we were enlightened by Obsidian Butterfly’s LED Light Show. During my research, I noted that they are also the same group responsible for Fright Fest’s Sacred Fire show, and alert readers may note one butterfly even has the same face as one of those performers. I think it may have looked better overall in lower light, but concede that photography would have been more difficult. There’s also a short video clip to demonstrate the act in action below.
Finally, the synchronized light show Dazzle returns with an all-new soundtrack. Hearing the end of a subsequent showing, it sounded like there may even be different versions throughout the night, though I can’t swear to it. Here’s the first showing from December 8.
That wraps 2018 here by The Bay, but 2019 is bearing down hard. My sincere thanks to all that have taken time to look in, and I hope y’all have a Cool Yule and a No Fear New Year!
You must be logged in to post a comment.