Any tips for visiting SFDK?

[roland303]

Any suggestions? I'm going there this Sunday with family in tow (including my two-year old daughter). I would like to ride Roar and Medusa, other rides are only secondary interest.

Thanks!

[omnio55]

Medusa is a roller coaster must do if your going to be there anyways, there is really a lot you can do there with your family. You should also check out v2 as it is an awesome ride, I would however avoid Konga unless you want the credit, but there is normally not much of a line. Check out all the animal exhibits they are really cool, and don't be afraid to watch the shows they are actually above the usually for theme parks, I have seen most all of them I think. I don't know is SF still lets you take food into parks but getting food and watching a show is a great way to take a break.

[laqueefa]

* Get in line for ROAR - theres no fast pass and the line can get really long.

* Medusa has a fast pass lane, if you need to - use it.

[darklingscribe]

My advice would be first to grab a show time guide. With a two year old with you you'd probably want to see the sea lion show first. It is the show geared most towards kids and usually only happens once a day around noon. the dolphin and killer whale shows usually have two to three show times a day and can be good places to relax in the shade when the park is at it's busiest. Try to stop by the butterfly aviary (I'm not sure exactly what to call it) and the animal feedings are also something you can do with the whole family (feeding times will also be listed in the show time guide).

 

There really isn't much more info I can offer. SFDK has a lot to look at and do. None of the shows are lackluster, the tiger show being the biggest must watch of the bunch. The park is situated with the rides all pretty much in the front and the animal exhibits mostly in the back of the park. The layout can be confusing but the park isn't huge so it's pretty hard to get lost.

 

Keep in mind that the parking lot is quite a ways from the park entrance, so think twice before bypassing the tram.

[knottslover77]

* Get in line for ROAR - theres no fast pass and the line can get really long.

* Medusa has a fast pass lane, if you need to - use it.

 

When did they get rid of the flass pass for ROAR? They had it when I went last year.

 

Anyways SFDK is a very nice park. It has 3 kid areas, tigers, whales, and much more stuff for little ones to do.

 

--Jay

[Goliath513]

Roar also has only one train running so the line will be even slower. Kong also runs only one train, but the second one was on the transfer when I was there 2 weeks ago.

 

And yes, Medusa is a must. Even on crowded days, the line still moves along very fast and the queue is shaded for comfort.

 

Medusa, Kong, Roar, and Tony Hawk have the locker policy. Don't think you can leave your stuff on the top fo the locker and it will be safe. My friend tried that with on Tony Hawk and not even 10 minutes into line, a worker came by and took it away. Don't wait in a full line for Tony Hawk, Boomerang, or Kong unless you really want the credit. Cobra, being a family coaster, never gets long lines.

 

Make sure to check out Looney Tunes Seaport, Tava's Jungleland, and Thomas Town with your child, as well as some shows. I recommend you see the tiger show, dolphin show, and Shouka (killer whale) show.

 

 

I'm sure you will have a great time at my home park.

[rcdude]

I was just at the park last week on a wednesday. I would definitely say to get there at opening and go to Roar first if you wish to ride it. I got to the park around eleven and Roar had over an hour wait because of one train operation. If you want to ride Tony Hawk's Big Spin and V2: Vertical Velocity, you should do those early as well. The other roller coasters usually aren't too crowded, but Kong usually only runs one train.

 

The shows at the park are okay, although the ones at Sea World are all better. Make sure you plan your days around the shows as well because most of them only play once or twice a day (on weekdays, I don't know about weekends, but would imagine about twice as much). A two year old should be fine with the rides in Thomas Town and Tava's Jungleland as well as looking at the animal exhibits.

 

If you are going to get credits, be advised that the Boomerang Coast to Coaster was closed last week and it looked like they were doing construction on it. I don't know if it has reopened.

[Mechanic]

I agree that planning your day around the show schedule is the way to go, particularly since you're visiting as a family. One tip about seeing the shows is to arrive a little early to be sure that you can get a seat in the shade. Some of the show stadium seating areas have shade structures, or trees to provide shade, and some don't. The shady spots tend to fill up quickly on warm summer days.

 

Some shows are better than others, but all are reasonably well done and entertaining. The elephant show is one of my favorites and provides some great opportunities for guests to interact with the animals.

 

Have a great time!

[thrillgeek]

I agree with what everyone else said. I just wanted to add that I would suggest eating lunch at the non "normal" times. Ex: around 12. I would eat around 11 or 1 to avoid the crowds at the food court. Than when the normal eating times come the lines for the rides will be shorter.

[roland303]

Thanks all! Not only is it my daughter but my 4-year old nephew and 2 and half year old niece, plus in-laws galore. Just figured a ride here and there would be a nice break now and then.

 

If I can, I will try a TR. But since I'm not hitting half the rides, not sure if it will be "complete".

[thrillgeek]

If you just explain everything you did I'm sure it will be great! I don't know about everyone else but I actually take the time to read almost everything people write.

[laqueefa]

* Get in line for ROAR - theres no fast pass and the line can get really long.

* Medusa has a fast pass lane, if you need to - use it.

 

When did they get rid of the flass pass for ROAR? They had it when I went last year.

 

Anyways SFDK is a very nice park. It has 3 kid areas, tigers, whales, and much more stuff for little ones to do.

 

--Jay

 

I retract my statement. They must have added it last year because the year before I was denied the use of my flash pass. I just checked the website:

 

AVAILABILITY

 

At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, The Flash Pass is valid on the following attractions:

 

* Boomerang Coast to Coaster

* Kong

* Medusa

* Monsoon Falls

* Roar

* Tazmanian Devil

* Tony Hawk's Big Spin

 

I guess I never looked into this last year because of what happened 2 seasons ago. I guess it helps to check in

[omnio55]

I would read that report, especially if it covered the animal and kid parts better, because not a lot of people talk about those. Also I don't know if its still open or not but the shark Exhibit was always one of my favorites

[Coaster Palooza]

My tips would be very similar to what everyone is posting. Make sure you get there before 9:30am. I have been there before when they open up the area around Medusa at 9:30am. That helped us knock out that side before 10am.

 

Check all shows first. The Sea Lion show is usually an early one. Plan on Lunch either after or before this.

 

Once the ropes drop at 10, ride Roar, then Tony Hawk and V2. It is all in the same area. Head over to Medusa's area and ride Kong (if you want/need to). Then ride Medusa and, as you're walking out of the area, ride Cobra. At this point, you might need to see a show or go to the kiddie area. There is a roller coaster over there as well.

 

Below are a couple of links to my Trip Reports for this year.

 

March 3

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42498&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20

 

May 23 & June 7

This page actually has 2 Trip Reports in it. One is with my neices.

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42498&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=90

 

I hope this helped! Have a great time.

[laqueefa]

Thanks all! Not only is it my daughter but my 4-year old nephew and 2 and half year old niece, plus in-laws galore. Just figured a ride here and there would be a nice break now and then.

 

If I can, I will try a TR. But since I'm not hitting half the rides, not sure if it will be "complete".

 

Then definitely use the fast pass system. You'll spend less time in the lines of the rides you DO want to get in, and more time enjoying the animal attractions and shows! HAVE A BLAST!

 

p.s. - keep hydrated!

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43087&highlight=

[thrillgeek]

I would read that report, especially if it covered the animal and kid parts better, because not a lot of people talk about those. Also I don't know if its still open or not but the shark Exhibit was always one of my favorites

 

I agree. Trip reports shouldn't be all about the rides. Tell us about the animal side too.

[Coaster Palooza]

^ & ^^^^I believe that both of my links that I posted do cover the animal areas. We fed the Giraffes, watched the Tiger show, stopped by the elephants, and saw most of the animals along with taking pictures the whole way

 

I also show a little bit of Thomas Town and Tava's Jungleland.

We don't have kids, so we usually don't go into the kiddie area. I did take my neices in there a couple of years ago and had a blast.