JGuy Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 With CGA's 20 year plan approved by Santa Clara city council, they look poised to really improve that park significantly during that time period. What does everyone think SFDK does to try to keep pace? Taking into account 2017 additions (Wonder Woman and Patriot), I'd say SFDK has the better stable of attractions, but if they want to keep it that way, they'll definitely need to spend some significant money. They can keep building new rides, but they're low on space as it is now. They'd need to remove an existing coaster to build a new one. They also wouldn't be able to compete with CGA's planned hyper coaster anyway due to the 150ft height restriction. They could build another Justice League dark ride here (Assuming they could clear enough space), as CGA doesn't have anything like it, though. Discovery Kingdom had been lucky that their only competition in the area had almost been neglected in regards to development over the past decade or so, which allowed them to create a better ride lineup. Now that CGA is going to be expanding over the next 20 years, SFDK will need to step up attraction development if they want to continue pulling in crowds. This, of course, will require corporate to increase their budget, which probably won't happen for a park this small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AfrosaurusWrecks Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 I have a feeling we could see a 4d free spin at the park in the years to come. While the opinions on them are very mixed, they would no doubt be great for competition, as CGA has no plans on building anything like it. Plus they are relatively cheap, small, and take up very little space, so it may be a good move for SFDK of they were to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy13 Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 I think it's inevitable that they get the Justice League dark ride. I also think they're going to get the S&S 4d free soon as well, Batman themed. I'd say both of those can happen in the next 5 years, and without removing any existing rides. From there, if I could fantasy plan for them a bit, I'd remove VooDoo, the pirate ship, boomerang, and Tasmanian Devil and put in some sort of custom family coaster or woody. The park desperately needs something above Cobra that doesn't go upside down. I'd love to see Kong taken out and that space used better as well. There's a decent amount of room there. Beyond that, I'm not sure there's much more they can do beyond upgrade some flats. The ones back by the lack come to mind. They definitely don't have much room without taking out animal exhibits, but that's part of what makes it such a great well rounded park. I do still wish they could fit a drop ride somewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grsupercity Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Don't they still have empty animal exhibits that could be cleared for flat rides? They can move some flats around. Vekoma vest restraints on Kong. A S&S 4D could be put in anywhere. I could even see a small B&M wing rider. At the end of the day animals should be the big thing. That is what they can do different then CGA. You wanna what competes with a Hyper? Kids who love animals that will bring loads of family's in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGuy Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 With the former flamingo habitat behind Voodoo being empty, do you guys thing it would be possible to replace Voodoo with a Free Spin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy13 Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 (edited) I'm thinking they move the go kart track and put a free spin there. Call it Batman, DC area complete. Edited January 26, 2017 by dannyboy13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazedZooChimp Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 They can keep building new rides, but they're low on space as it is now. They'd need to remove an existing coaster to build a new one. They also wouldn't be able to compete with CGA's planned hyper coaster anyway due to the 150ft height restriction. They could build another Justice League dark ride here (Assuming they could clear enough space), as CGA doesn't have anything like it, though. They're not really anymore space constrained than CGA is, it's actually a bigger park. They have the animal attractions which take up space, of course, but CGA has the water park. I also think a Free Spin is likely in their future, very possibly in place of the Go Karts (that was even sorted of hinted to me by one of the employees back at Joker media day). And I'd be shocked if Justice League didn't come eventually, even though there isn't an obvious theater near the other DC rides to put it in. Maybe the dolphin discovery pool would be moved? It's sort of by itself now as an animal attraction over there. Are the elephants gone completely now? Perhaps some other animals could be moved over that way? I like the idea of using the space around Tasmanian Devil and Boomerang for something new, they definitely could use a small family coaster (more intense than Cobra, less intense than everything else), especially since the animal attractions really position it as a family friendly park. The other space I always wonder about is the old water ski show amphitheater. Maybe there's enough space there for a Justice League dark ride? Anyone know the footprint those need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooterdoug Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 With CGA's 20 year plan approved by Santa Clara city council, they look poised to really improve that park significantly during that time period. What does everyone think SFDK does to try to keep pace? Taking into account 2017 additions (Wonder Woman and Patriot), I'd say SFDK has the better stable of attractions, but if they want to keep it that way, they'll definitely need to spend some significant money. I don't think this is a "one or the other" type situation. The Bay Area has a large enough population that both parks can do just fine. Los Angeles has 4 major theme/amusement parks, Orlando has 2 major properties. None of them seem to be in danger of shutting down due to the competition. I imagine that any drop in attendance in either park would be due to that particular park's decisions and business practices, not because of what the other park does. Allegiance to a particular park might be due more to proximity. CGA could build an amazing Intamin hyper (not in their plans, just for argument's sake), but I would probably go to SFDK more often because it's closer (a 30 minute drive vs. a 1+ hour drive). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy13 Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I didn't mean to imply that one of the parks will go out of business. I absolutely think there is market for both of them for all the reasons you already listed. But there is a competition of sort between the parks as to which is the "Premier" NorCal park. It was most just an excuse to fantasy plan my home park, I'll be honest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSum1_55 Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 ^I would say that whichever one is the "premier" park has gone back and forth the past few years. SFDK was ahead for a while, but I would say CGA pulled ahead when they got Gold Striker. SFDK claimed that title back then they built The Joker, but with CGA's new plan, they might regain that back again. I am just really happy to see investments into both parks. I would say that they both went through a dry spell for a long time. In the last 5 years alone, CGA has gotten what is arguably the best wood coaster in this half of the country, while SFDK got an RMC and an SRII. As long as competition between the two parks encourages more investments like these, I am all for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XSupremacy Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) ^SFDK's had the title since Superman. Having four amazing coasters vs. 2 at CGA helps. Edited January 27, 2017 by XSupremacy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonni Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I could see Vertical Velocity being replaced by a Free Spin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AfrosaurusWrecks Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 ^personally, (being quite a big fan of V2 myself), I'd much rather see them put it where the go-kart track is, as many have speculated, but I do see the possibility of a V2 removal happening. On most days the ride hardly has a line, and a free spin would fit quite nicely in its place. On the other hand it is a very unique ride, the launch isn't spectacular but is certainly more powerful than Suoerman's, plus the vertical spike is quite fun, especially in the back row Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooterdoug Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I didn't mean to imply that one of the parks will go out of business. I absolutely think there is market for both of them for all the reasons you already listed. But there is a competition of sort between the parks as to which is the "Premier" NorCal park. It was most just an excuse to fantasy plan my home park, I'll be honest Gotcha. I agree, there does seem to be a rivalry between the two parks. As long as competition between the two parks encourages more investments like these, I am all for it. ^personally, (being quite a big fan of V2 myself), I'd much rather see them put it where the go-kart track is, as many have speculated, but I do see the possibility of a V2 removal happening. On most days the ride hardly has a line, and a free spin would fit quite nicely in its place. On the other hand it is a very unique ride, the launch isn't spectacular but is certainly more powerful than Suoerman's, plus the vertical spike is quite fun, especially in the back row The ride does seem to hardly get a line, and the space is absolutely ideal for an S&S Free Spin. The ride itself, however, is one-of-a-kind. Its removal would dramatically alter the front gates of the park, not necessarily something the park wants to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VegasBaby Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I am just really happy to see investments into both parks. I would say that they both went through a dry spell for a long time. In the last 5 years alone, CGA has gotten what is arguably the best wood coaster in this half of the country, while SFDK got an RMC and an SRII. As long as competition between the two parks encourages more investments like these, I am all for it. Agreed, investment and competition between these two parks is a very good thing. CGA upping their game and following through with this plan should lead to SFDK making some big investments as well. NorCal has more than enough population base to support both of these parks, so it's going to be interesting to see how SFDK reacts if the CGA additions actually happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAWKIN_coaster38 Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I think V2 adds a lot to the entrance plaza of the park. People waiting in line in the front are always staring up at it (and now Joker). If they were to get rid of it, I'd hope it would be for some key-hole style coaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonni Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 If they were to get rid of it, I'd hope it would be for some key-hole style coaster. I don't see SF doing anything like that, at least not at SFDK. But a Free Fly would make for a good presence for the entrance plaza. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy13 Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 I hope V2 stays. I enjoy it, and it's unique. It's really too bad Vallejo can't make an exception to the height limit just for a drop tower. I'm OK without coaster over 150ft, although a giga would be cool, but I just feel like every park should have a drop tower of some sort Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myself Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 Look at the Larson/ARM towers...they're only 140 feet and they provide a seriously intense ride. Perhaps you guys could make use of one of them? Any progress at all on Wonder Woman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy13 Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 I've always wanted a Double Shot. I think those are 120 ft, but I'm sure someone could make one that's 150 just to maximize things. They could probably find a way to fit that somewhere in Medusa's parking lot or in that general area by Medusa/Kong somewhere. Bottom line, I just want this park to keep growing and adding valuable rides. They've really done a great job at this over the last 5 years or so. Superman, Sky Skreamer, Tsunami Soaker/Penguin, Joker, and now Wonder Woman. All fabulous additions. I just want it to continue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummermattk Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Surprised this hasn't made its way over here. Pieces that will hold the center pendulum for Wonder Woman's lasso of Truth have arrived! Photo Credit to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on Instagram. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laqueefa Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Ribbed for her pleasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAWKIN_coaster38 Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Ribbed for her pleasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoinItForTheFame Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Ribbed for her pleasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superbatboy Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Ribbed for her pleasure. Classic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now