Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

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Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Location	Vallejo, California
Website	www.sixflags.com
Owner	Six Flags
Opened	1968
Operating season	Early March through early January
Area	140 acres
Rides	45 total 8 roller coasters 2 water rides

Amusement Parks Portal

"Marine World" redirects here. For the video game, see Wildlife Park 2: Marine World.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, formerly Six Flags Marine World, Marine World, and Marine World Africa USA, is an amusement and animal park located in Vallejo, California. It has a variety of roller coasters and other amusement rides, with a number of animal exhibits and shows. It has been part of the Six Flags chain of amusement parks since 1999. The park opened on March 8, 2008 for the 2008 season.

[edit] History

[edit] Early history

For more details on this topic, see Marine World/Africa U.S.A., California.

The park first opened in 1968 as Marine World, a small oceanarium in Redwood City, California. In the mid-1970s, they merged with a failing land-animal park called 'Africa, USA' (not the same as the one that existed in Florida [1] from 1953 to 1961), 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 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.

[edit] 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, "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 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 coasters. 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 of 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.

[edit] Addition to the Six Flags chain

Roar Wooden Roller Coaster

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 made history as being 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 built by Bolliger & Mabillard. With a first drop of 150 feet, it lasts three minutes and is the park's most visited ride.^{[verification needed]} 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.^{[verification needed]} The park also added the "Warrior of the Dawn" film to its DinoSphere theater.

2002 saw a notable modification to Vertical Velocity. Because of the proximity to airports, the height limit on all roller coasters at the park is 150 feet, while V2 exceeded that limit by about 25 feet. Thus, they lowered the reverse tower 36 feet 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 roller 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.^{[original research?]} Also the park began to show "7th Portal" in its DinoSphere Theater.

The park added its sixth major roller coaster, Zonga, in 2003. The ride created 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 season was 2005 and 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 will be used in 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.^{[original research?]}

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.

[edit] 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. 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 dolphins as well as getting up close to South African penguins.

On June 5, 2007, Six Flags confirmed media reports that Six Flags will exercise their option to buy the park.[2]

For 2008, the park will feature its longest operating season since it was branded as a Six Flags park. The park will receive its 8th roller coaster Tony Hawk's Big Spin which will be located on the former Zonga concrete pad. The ride will feature a unique layout compared to the 3 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 is set to open on May 23rd, 2008.

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

[edit] Seasonal Events

The biggest seasonal event 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 normally 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.

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 tall and had a diameter of 4 feet. Due to its size, a Chinook helicopter was needed to set it into place.^[1]

[edit] Controversy

Discovery Kingdom has long been a target of animal-rights activists. Amongst their concerns are the training methods used at the park^[2]^[3], the suitability of attractions ^[4] and the overall welfare of the animals^[5]. In 1998, the mauling of a visitor by a tiger and the heat exposure death of a sea lion pup prompted the USDA to launch an investigation into whether the park had violated the Animal Welfare Act.^[6] Criticism has been leveled at the proximity of rides to animal enclosures^[7] and the increased number of rides in the park since the change in park management in 1997 and its effect on the animals' welfare^[8].

[edit] Rides and Attractions

[edit] Roller Coasters

Boomerang - A Vekoma Boomerang clone. This was the first roller coaster to open at the park.
Kong - A Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster and the second roller coaster to open at the park. Kong was relocated from the defunct Opryland Themepark in Nashville, Tennessee where it was called The Hangman, 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 coaster to feature millennium flyer trains. While the ride is a near clone of Six Flags America'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, fastest, and longest wooden roller coaster in Northern California.

Medusa Roller Coaster

Medusa - Built by Bolliger & Mabillard of Switzerland, Medusa stands 150ft tall and reaches speeds of 65mph. When the ride opened in 2000, it featured the tallest vertical loop in the world at 128ft tall. Medusa shares its name with its sister coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure but features a different layout. The ride was the first coaster to ever feature the "Sea Serpent" element, a variation of B&M's popular "Cobra Roll" element. At 3,985ft long, Medusa is the longest roller coaster in Northern California and shares the height record with V2: Vertical Velocity, also located at the park.
V2: Vertical Velocity - California's first and only Spiraling Impulse Coaster, Vertical Velocity was built by Intamin AG and opened in 2001. It stood 186ft tall and reaches speeds of up to 70mph. In 2002, the park was forced to modify the ride so that it no longer exceeded 150ft 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. The ride still holds the record for Fastest Coaster in Northern California at 70mph and is tied with Medusa for Tallest Coaster in Northern California.
Tony Hawk's Big Spin - Opened on May 23rd, 2008, this spinning coaster themed to the legendary skateboarder will take riders in four-passenger "Skateboards" and spin them through over 1300ft of track at 31mph. The ride will also have onboard DVD video that riders will be available for purchase.
Cobra - A 26ft tall family coaster located in Oasis Plaza, Cobra opened in 2000.
Roadrunner Express - A kiddie coaster located in the park's Looney Tunes Seaport section. Roadrunner Express opened in 1999.

[edit] Thrill Rides

VooDoo - VooDoo opened in 1998 and was the first HUSS Top Spin 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 and 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 Zamperla Hawk48 Ride to ever be built; opened in 1998.
Wilderness Adventure 4D Theater - The theater has been known as DinoSphere and Stargate 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 now plays the SimEx/iWerks film Wilderness Adventure. Discovery Kingdom is the only park in the world to feature a 3D version of the film which appears to have been reanimated from it original form with better graphics. The park is also the only park to feature a "4D" effect on this film. The theater did not open for the 2008 season.

[edit] Family Rides

Wave Swinger - A Zamperla 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 Scrambler type attraction; opened in 1999.
Wave Jumper - A circular ride where riders board Orca shaped gondolas and rise into the air approx 15ft; opened in 1999.
Monkey Business - Teacups 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.

[edit] Water Rides

White Water Safari (Intamin River Rapids water ride) - opened in 1999
Moonsoon Falls (Intamin Spillwater water ride) - opened in 1998

[edit] Children Rides

Looney Tunes Seaport (formerly Popeye's Seaport in 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 (Zamperla Samba Balloons)- A circular ride where kids can spin their cars while the ride changes elevation; opened in 1997.
Sylvester's Pounce and Bounce (Zamperla Jumpin' Star) - A children's drop ride; opened in 1999.
Bugs Buccaneer (Sartori kiddie swinging ship); opened in 1999.
Taz's Typhoon (Zamperla Lolly Swing) - A children's version of the swing ride; opened in 1997.
Daffy's Deep Sea Dive (Zamperla Crazy Sub) - A yellow submarine where kids and their parents experience quick accents and sudden drops; opened in 1997.
Foghorn Leghorn's Seaport Railway (Zamperla 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 (Zamperla 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 (Zamperla Samba Tower) - Riders board 4-person gondolas and are taken to heights of 35 feet. 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.
Monkey Around (Zamperla 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.

Thomas Town (all rides opened in 2007)

Bertie the Bus (I.E. Park Unknown Model Name) - Similar to the park's Daffy's Deep Sea Diver, This ride appears to operate faster though.
Harold the Helicopter (I.E. Park Mini Flight) - A circular ride where children board small helicopters and control their height.
Thomas the Tank Engine - Train ride around the Shark Experience passing: Tidmouth Shed, Cranky Crane, Lake Hackenbeck, Hackenbeck Station and loading in a mock up of Knapford Station. Riders board into Thomas' coaches Annie and Clarabel.

[edit] Upcharge Attractions

Skycoaster - Riders are harnessed to two long cables and hoisted 100ft above a flamingo pond. The riders must pull a ripcord and drop within 6 feet of the ground before swinging back and forth for a few minutes. Prices range from $35 for a Single Rider, $50 for a Double, and $60 for a Triple.
Go-Karts - A high speed go cart track near ROAR!. Prices range from $7 per driver, $3 per passenger. Ride duration is 7 minutes.
Rockwall Climbing Challenge - Riders climb a 45ft rock wall. Price range is $10 per person for 3 Climb Attempts. As of 2007 riders are given prizes for completing a climb. Prize sizes are awarded by difficulty of the section they climb.

[edit] 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 and underwater shark habitat. Featured in the film 50 First Dates.
Jocko's Walrus Experience - Guest can get face to face with 3 walruses. Featured in the film 50 First Dates.
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.
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 Alligators.
Butterfly Habitat - Guests enter a large, humid glass building filled with exotic butterflies.
Flamingo Pond - A large exhibit filled with exotic Pink Flamingos. Located behind VooDoo and under Skycoaster.
Tava's Elephant 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 cheetah.
Odin's Tiger Island - Home of the park's Bengal and Siberian Tigers. Guests are treated to daily training sessions.
Nairobi's Giraffe Dock - Guests can get up close and feed the park's Giraffes.
Leo's Lion Den - 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 Dates.
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.
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.

[edit] 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 harold the helicopter ride in the Thomas Train town.
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.
Zonga - Built in 2003, this coaster was originally named "Thriller" and traveled Europe, as it was built by Anton Schwarzkopf. For a short time, it also operated as "Texas Tornado" at Six Flags Astroworld. 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 Zamperla "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 America.
'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.

[edit] 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-

[edit] Trivia

In 1978, a local star, professional basketball player Clifford Ray, saved the life of one of the park's bottlenose dolphins named "Mr. Spock" after the dolphin had swallowed a screw.

The original Redwood City location was redeveloped into the corporate headquarters for Oracle Corporation. The street in front of the Oracle campus was named "Marine World Parkway" for years, until it was renamed to Marine Parkway in the 1990s.

Several rides are based upon the animal theme of this Six Flags park.

Rides named after animals: Tava's Elephant Parade, Nairobis Look Out Balloons, and Zoe's Tree House

Rides that have actual animals: Ark (Bass in lake under ride), River Journey (occasionally gold fish make an appearance in the water below the boats), Sky Coaster (Flies over Flamingos), Safari Jeep Tours (Tortoises in center of ride)

[edit] Gallery

A Dolphin Show at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom	An Elephant Show at Six Flags Discovery Center. What balance and grace.	An elephant displaying its ability to lift a heavy log with its mouth. Elephants have been used in this domestic capacity for centuries.	Some lions just relaxing at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
An elephant getting a bath	Monsoon Falls, a water ride	Guests are separated from the walruses by six-inch glass.	Lorikeet Aviary
A Camel walking in the park	Part of the play structure at Tava's Jungleland	Odin during the Tiger Show