Archive for the 'Six Flags Discovery Kingdom' Category
2009 shaping up as a low-key year for California theme parks
May 4, 2009 8:03am
Disneyland sets the pace for theme parks in California. And with the Happiest Place on Earth taking a breather on major new attractions in 2009, the rest of the state’s amusement parks are following suit, opting for smaller fare this year over multimillion-dollar additions.
The lone exception: Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia adds the $11-million Terminator Salvation, a 2,850-foot-long wooden roller coaster which opens Memorial Day weekend with movie tie-in visual effects and a loading station fly-through. (Watch POV video)
A roundup of 2009 additions at California amusement and theme parks:
* Disneyland rehabbed the “It’s a Small World” boat ride in February, adding 29 Disney characters and a new “Spirit of America” scene to the mix. The Anaheim theme park also debuted the Celebrate parade in March and bundled a series of nighttime shows under the Summer Nightastic banner (running from June 12 through August 23).
* Across the way at Disney’s Construction Adventure, the five-year-long $1.1-billion overhaul has begun in earnest, with the Ferris wheel getting a new Mickey Mouse theme (opens in May).
* Universal Studios Hollywood brings “Creature From the Black Lagoon” to the stage in July as a campy Broadway-style musical (I kid you not) with special effects, dance choreography and romance (still not kidding).
* Legoland California unveiled a new “Bob the Builder” 4-D movie in March. The 30-foot-tall Dune Raiders racing slides opens at the Carlsbad kiddie park in time for the Fourth of July weekend.
* Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park offers absolutely nothing new of note for 2009. Here’s hoping they’re saving up for next year.
Magic Mountain ‘highly profitable’ despite bankruptcy cloud looming over Six Flags
March 16, 2009 2:29pm
I spoke today to Six Flags President and Chief Executive Mark Shapiro about the future of the amusement park company in the wake of a New York Times story that asked the question: Will parents let their children ride a roller coaster owned by a bankrupt company?
Six Flags remains in discussions with bondholders in an attempt to restructure its enormous debt load and keep the company out of bankruptcy court.
Shapiro said safety remains a top priority for Six Flags, which operates Magic Mountain in Valencia and Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo in Northern California, along with 10 more amusement parks in the United States and Mexico. Six Flags, which has $200 million on hand, plans to increase hiring and expand maintenance in 2009, Shapiro said.
“The guest won’t see a difference this summer,” Shapiro said.
Mr. Six returns to Six Flags Magic Mountain as spokes-character
February 19, 2009 11:32am
The mad-dancing, mouth-gaping, tuxedo-wearing Six Flags spokesman emerges from retirement on Saturday to assume a new role: theme park mascot.
Mr. Six, the bow tie-and-suspender-sporting television commercial character who danced frenetically to the Vengaboys song “We Like to Party” and came to symbolize the theme park chain, will pose for photographs with visitors and sign autographs on a daily basis at the entrance to Six Flags Magic Mountain.
That’s right. Along with Batman and Robin, Tweety Bird and Bugs Bunny, you can now snap a picture with Mr. Six. The old guy is certainly no Mickey Mouse, but apparently past park appearances proved popular with visitors. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Super Bowl win for Steelers predicted by tiger cubs
January 29, 2009 5:38pm
A pair of football-playing Bengal tiger cubs at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom picked the favored Pittsburgh Steelers to defeat the underdog Arizona Cardinals 28-21 in Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday.
A 6-month-old gold female cub nicknamed “Bennie” for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger carried for four touchdowns versus three touchdowns by a 5-month-old white male cub nicknamed “Kurt” for Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner.
During the Cub Bowl, the playful tigers punctured five footballs while competing in a specially built stadium before fans and media.
California theme parks to ring in the New Year
December 26, 2008 6:00am
Shortly after Christmas, the same question arises every year: What are we going to do on New Year’s Eve?
Here’s what California amusement and theme parks have planned for the last night of 2008:
Disneyland in Anaheim stays open until 2 a.m. with live bands and midnight fireworks. Across the way, Disney’s California Adventure remains open until 1 a.m.
For the first time ever, Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia stays open until midnight on New Year’s Eve with Rock N’ Ride — a mix of dance music and roller coasters.
“Praise ‘09” at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park features a contemporary Christian music concert with Kutless, Todd Agnew, Brandon Heath and Addison Road. Read the rest of this entry »
2009 amusement & theme park preview
December 23, 2008 2:13pm
With the teetering economy and the tightening credit crisis, 2009 is looking like a particularly bleak year for new rides, shows and attractions at amusement and theme parks throughout California, across the United States and around the world. Here’s a brief look at the highlights:
California amusement parks
* Addition of Disney characters to It’s a Small World water ride at Disneyland
* Thematic makeovers of Mickey’s Fun Wheel and Silly Symphony Swings at Disney’s California Adventure
* Terminator Salvation wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain
* “Creature From the Black Lagoon” musical stage show at Universal Studios Hollywood
* “Bob the Builder” 4-D movie at Legoland California
* Odin’s Temple Of The Tiger animal exhibit at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Virtual lines coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain rides
December 2, 2008 4:51pm
Six Flags Magic Mountain will add a computerized ride reservation system in 2009 designed to cut wait times — for a price.
The Q-Bot virtual queuing system, designed by a British company called Lo-Q, allows visitors to reserve a place in line without actually having to wait in line. The virtual wait time is determined by the actual wait time when the reservation is made.
Testing is set to begin this month at the Valencia amusement park, with an official debut scheduled after the first of the year.
(More on Q-Bot coming to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom after the jump.)
Stay away from California theme parks on the Fourth of July
July 3, 2008 9:19am
Personally, I would never go near a theme park on the Fourth of July. Unless you like wall-to-wall crowds, endless lines and unforgiving heat, I think it’s best to make other plans.
But if you insist, here’s the details on Independence Day festivities on July 4, 2008 at California amusement parks:
Disneyland (Anaheim): Replaces normal fireworks show with an all-new, 20-minute “Celebrate America” at 9:25 p.m. (More details at Mouse Planet.)
Knott’s Berry Farm (Buena Park): Tour guides in colonial dress lead visitors through the Independence Hall replica building. “All-You-Can-Eat Backyard BBQ” included with $39.99 admission. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Legoland California (Carlsbad): “Red, White and Boom!” fireworks show choreographed to an American musical tribute at 8:30 p.m. Plus, help build a Lego American flag.
SeaWorld San Diego: Extended fireworks display with a patriotic music at 9:30 p.m. Also: The park switches on the red, white and blue Skytower “Tree of Lights.”
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo): Season passholders can purchase $10.99 tickets online for a Fourth of July picnic from 5-7 p.m. that includes VIP seating for the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia): All-you-can-eat BBQ buffet from 4-7 p.m. included with $44.99 admission. Must order online 24 hours in advance. No fireworks.
La Mirada water park; Toy Story Mania; Disney Dream Home; Indiana Jones stunt show
June 28, 2008 6:00am
La Mirada mini water park
The city of La Mirada just opened a $42-million aquatic center that includes the pirate-themed Buccaneer Bay mini water park with a water-slide tower and 500-foot-long lazy river.
The admission fee ($14 for adults, $9 for children) seems about double what I’d be willing to pay. I could go to a real water park for less than $30.
Howard Johnson mini water park
Another mini water park is under construction at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in Anaheim near Disneyland. (Check out Mice Age for photos.)
Scheduled to open in July, the pirate-themed Castaway Cove (I sense a trend here) will include slides, a bucket dump and water cannons. (Check out Laughing Place for concept art.)
Best new California ride of 2008
With more than 600 ballots cast, X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain leads our online poll of the best new California amusement park ride for 2008 with more than half the vote. The current runner-up: Toy Story Mania at Disney’s California Adventure. (VOTE HERE)
The big surprise: Firefall at California’s Great America holding down the bronze medal position (and stomping the Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood and Pony Express at Knott’s Berry Farm.)
Taking up the rear: Tony Hawk’s Big Spin at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
Vote for the best new California amusement park ride of 2008
June 23, 2008 1:02pm
Now that summer is upon us, it’s time to pick the best new California amusement park ride of 2008. (VOTE HERE)
And before you say you can’t possibly compare this ride to that ride, or “I haven’t ridden everything yet” … just vote for your favorite already! It’s an online poll, not a presidential election!
Best new ride in California for 2008
> Firefall thrill ride (California’s Great America — Santa Clara)
> Pony Express horseback coaster (Knott’s Berry Farm — Buena Park)
> The Simpsons Ride simulator ride (Universal Studios Hollywood)
> Tony Hawk’s Big Spin rotating coaster (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom — Vallejo)
> Toy Story Mania dark ride (Disney’s California Adventure — Anaheim)
> X2 roller coaster (Six Flags Magic Mountain — Valencia)
And after the jump, vote for your favorite among the new kiddie lands.
Read the rest of this entry »
