Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (SFDK) Discussion Thread


Recommended Posts

Roar is finally running two trains again.

 

Speaking of rough coasters, I'm no longer standing up for Kong. Still only running one train, the yellow train, but this time there was literally no bracing at all. I got some decent rides on Kong last season by bracing really well and riding near the front and in the warmer part of the day, but this time I could derive 0% enjoyment from Kong. I will not ride it again for a while, and will only ride it possibly in the other train, and maybe more toward the back.

I noticed Roar running two trains as well, very nice to see! Also nice that Medusa appears to have three trains at her disposal so two can still run with one in rehab.

 

Regarding Kong..have you tried my strategy? I realize its ridiculous to have a need for a strategy to ride a coaster, but nonetheless, it does help me avoid the head banging and ear crushing. If you turn your head in the direction of an upcoming turn, the force of the turn pushes the back of your head into the restraint rather than the side of the head. It doesn't make the ride smooth, but its a somewhat natural movement and helps you enjoy the ride (as much as Kong can be enjoyed) rather than focusing your attention on the concussion you'd otherwise be receiving

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Regarding Kong..have you tried my strategy? I realize its ridiculous to have a need for a strategy to ride a coaster, but nonetheless, it does help me avoid the head banging and ear crushing. If you turn your head in the direction of an upcoming turn, the force of the turn pushes the back of your head into the restraint rather than the side of the head. It doesn't make the ride smooth, but its a somewhat natural movement and helps you enjoy the ride (as much as Kong can be enjoyed) rather than focusing your attention on the concussion you'd otherwise be receiving

I haven't tried that but I had my own strategy that worked pretty well and didn't bang my head or ears. However, it was so rough when I rode it yesterday that it rattled my neck and back and everything even with bracing. The whole ride was very uncomfortable and I just wanted it to end. If other train is better or I find another row isn't so bad, my bracing method might work again.

 

Tell me if your method still works if you ride it again. I feel like there's just no bracing when your whole body is being thrown around like that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't tried that but I had my own strategy that worked pretty well and didn't bang my head or ears. However, it was so rough when I rode it yesterday that it rattled my neck and back and everything even with bracing. The whole ride was very uncomfortable and I just wanted it to end. If other train is better or I find another row isn't so bad, my bracing method might work again.

 

Tell me if your method still works if you ride it again. I feel like there's just no bracing when your whole body is being thrown around like that.

In my experience the orange train is a little better, but they're both rough. I typically sit in the last or next to last row. Ive ridden the yellow train a couple times in the last month like that it it works ok, I mean again its not making the ride smooth, but at least you can usually ride without it beating the hell out of you like it sometimes does but it's rough almost every time.

 

It is weird though how every once in a while I'll get a completely smooth ride on Kong, I never can figure out why but it's awesome when it happens.

 

(as much as Kong can be enjoyed)

 

I enjoy that Kong keeps the Medusa line shorter. If I want to ride a suspended coaster I'll go to CGA and ride Flight Deck.

I agree with the first part of your post, but for me SFDK is a 45 min drive and CGA is a 2 hour drive. Flight Deck is WORLDS better than Kong (And don't get me started about how much Gold Striker blows Roar and Grizzly away) but I can't make that long drive down 680 as often as I can the quick drive up I-80. I'll definitely be making a trip down to CGA again some time soon once Gold Striker opens to the public so I can ride Flight Deck and Demon, it's been too long.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

World Premier of Cirque Dreams Splashtastic: Season Pass Holders can register for the opportunity to attend the exclusive World Premier of our all-new show, Cirque Dreams Splashtastic, on May 22.

 

Got this on a SFDK newsletter. I guess Cirque Dreams premiers on the 22nd!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First trip to the park today, some impressions:

- Flash Pass is the bomb! Saved us plenty of waiting in line, even with seeing three shows and taking time to view the animal exhibits we were able to ride everything at least once.

- the water rides are insanely wet. I got drenched on both, especially when I ended up under the waterfall on the rapids. Fortunately it was a warm day!

- Superman: for some reason we couldn't reserve this on our FP even though it was on the list of rides. So ended up with just the one ride as the line was fairly long all day. But it is a great ride, I'm a big fan of low-speed inversions so really enjoyed this.

- V2: I love impulse coasters and liked how unique this one is. Great to see a clever solution to the park's height restrictions. Restraints vary significantly from seat to seat - first ride I had no problem getting it locked, second time the ride op had to shove the OTSR down so the seatbelt would lock.

- Roar: my teeth are still chattering from this. Good thing the trains are padded!

- Boomerang: it's a Boomerang. Nothing else to report.

- Kong: ow ow ow ow ow. I've been spoilt by the nice new trains on Arkham Asylum and was dreading this. Not as bad as Lethal Weapon was, but still just rode it for the credit.

- Cobra: at least the queue was short. Well it should have been. We waited at the FP entrance for two cycles and were ignored by the ride op. Regular queue wasn't long so we just ended up joining that.

- Medusa: awesome coaster. Plenty of forces and speed. After this and Silver Bullet I'm fast becoming a B&M fanboy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

*Bump*

 

Anyone planning on going this weekend to see Cirque Dreams? I know there are more exciting things in the coaster world right now, but I think the show should be good.

 

I'll try to get a hold of a camera to take pics this weekend. I'll probably be there Saturday with some friends.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just posted the media preview here:

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=65448

 

As for comparing it to Cirque du Soleil, just remember that this show is free with admission, while Cirque du Soleil costs around $70 per person. You can't fairly compare the two with that big of a difference, but for what it's worth, I think it does a good job. It's not as impressive or amazing as Cirque du Soleil, but it's great for the park!

 

I'll also be adding video in a little bit.

Edited by jray21
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had a rather solid visit to SFDK yesterday, Memorial Day. Initially I was not expecting much out of my visit, thinking it would be like the opening day 'disaster' that left much to be desired. Part of what helped was the fact that first off, it's a Monday and second: there was rain threatening. Crowds were there but it seemed like they weren't there at the same time. The longest wait I had was for S:UF which was only a 20 minute wait. When I first went to ride it, the ride actually broke down as I was next in line (I was only in line for 5 minutes). Unsure of how long it would be (they had us all leave the building) I opted to ride V2 and come back. Sure enough in V2's station I see S:UF cycling and then seeing riders on board. Medusa all day was only 5 minutes/3 train waits. Roar was running both trains but running extremely rough (felt like I was riding a coaster made of Legos/riding down a long set of stairs...it actually gave me a headache to be honest.

 

Ride Count/totals for the day...

Medusa - 4x

S:UF - 3x

V2 - 2x

Sky Screamer - 2x (Brrrrr....always freezing when I ride this!)

Cobra - 2x (I had the brilliant idea to scoot to the left and put my hands up in the last row. Coming down the drop left me sliding pretty hard into the right...hello rib smash!)

Boomerang - 1x (This was pretty smooth, just braking afterwards was pretty bad)

Roar - 1x (Once was actually more than enough...I really hope soon this ride gets a nice full on retracking...not just top laminates in certain sections)

Voodoo - 1x

Taz - 1x

Nairobi Lookout Balloons - 1x (I love this ride, insanely easy to spin!)

Thrilla Gorilla - 1x

 

Random highlights and lowlights of the day:

- Butterfly porn! Yes some butterflies were doing it...butterfly style

- Last Medusa cycle of the night...did get quite rattly though. I was in the last row and it was just starting to mist/drizzle

- Speaking of wet, I rode S:UF for the first time in a moderate drizzle...this ride is quite fun in the rain!

- Kids trying to cut in line...parents condoning such behavior

- Getting on rides and getting around the park was much easier...benefits of cargo pockets and a worthy investment of a weatherproof jacket with zipper pockets (it has a certain super hero ride's name on it )...helped with the rain too! Didn't have to fuss around with lockers and be 'tied' to a plaza during that time.

- Clean restrooms! Cleaner than another SF park down south

 

Sorry no photos this time, was a bit lazy and focused on just enjoying the day there. Sadly I didn't get to the Cirque Dreams as lines were actually forming 40 minutes early. We've got all season though. I did hear the music playing and such while around the area and it sounds pretty good. Definitely a very solid visit, making me wanting to come back real soon!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I forgot to post about Cirque Dreams. I went with rolercstrluvr and another TPR friend of ours on Saturday.

 

We got to the park a few hours late and had to park in OVERFLOW! :O This was actually my first time parking over there. However, none of the coasters had too long a wait, longest was Superman at about half an hour. However, there was a HUGE queue outside Dolphin Stadium that snaked down toward the rapids ride at least 45 minutes before the Cirque show. It seems the crowds were literally all there for Cirque Dreams!

 

Cirque Dreams blew us all away! We went in having low expectations but my friends agree that it's definitely the best show at the park! It's perfect for families, and the adults and children all equally enjoyed it. Lots going on throughout the show to keep those with short attention spans entertained. Usually at least 3 different things going on at a time: the main performers, crazy costumed people going in and out, other costumed characters popping up in the back to make silly faces, the dolphins, water effects, and if all that isn't enough, the backdrop is distracting enough in itself.

 

Our highlights:

--the pre-show bell ringing was HILARIOUS! Next time we'll see if rolercstrluvr can get picked

--The muscle men acrobats

--The female acrobat on the rope swing

 

We couldn't take our eyes off the entire time! The crowd definitely enjoyed it too, and I caught some hilarious comments from cute little kids, like one little kid who yelled, "That's dangerous!" during the balancing act.

 

If you do go to the park to see it, plan to get to the stadium AT LEAST half an hour early! We arrived about half an hour before the second show of the day and we had to sit way towards the top because the stadium was already almost full.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, some info came up last night on the local news about the whole mechanics being on strike dilemma.

 

http://ktvu.com/news/news/labor-dispute-vallejo-amusement-park-raises-safety/nX6gx/

 

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom labor dispute

KTVU.com

 

VALLEJO, Calif. —

 

With mechanics locked out Wednesday in an ongoing labor dispute at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, amusement park visitors were greeted with picket signs and left wondering who was maintaining the rides.

 

For almost four weeks, two dozen workers have been walking a picket line at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

 

This is the first full week of operation for the summer season.

 

The mechanics who are locked out are the ones who maintain 40 rides, including the giant roller coaster.

 

Park visitors told KTVU it's the thrill of the roller coaster and the family atmosphere that brings them to the amusement park.

 

The locked out workers said they want the best for their families. That means a fair contract from Texas-based Six Flags.

 

The mechanics started organizing with a union last fall. They said the turnover is high and hourly wages low.

 

Mechanic Pablo Contreras said raises given at the park have been minimal.

 

"I've gotten a $1.30 total in the three years I've been here," explained Contreras.

 

The union says Six Flags did offer a three-year contract which includes reasonable raises, but it also stipulated no overtime for working more than five consecutive days.

 

Mechanic Romeo Gonzales said it's rough.

 

Gonzales was grateful to get hired at the park as a mechanic after being laid off from the Nummi Auto Plant in Fremont following 22 years of loyal service there.

 

He says hospital bills for his son who had leukemia are mounting.

 

"But I'm glad he's okay," said Romero.

 

KTVU asked Six Flags who's maintaining all the rides.

 

The company said it has brought in mechanics from other amusement parks such as Magic Mountain and that some salaried employees are trained as mechanics.

 

A written statement from the company read in part "The safety of our guests and employees is our highest priority."

 

Still, one couple who holds season passes said they have concerns.

 

"If they've been here, they know what they're doing. But if they bring in someone new, they might not know exactly what they're doing on this particular ride." said park visitor Chris Favila.

 

Another park visitor had photos taken earlier this month showing his family stuck on the Monsoon Falls ride for about 20 to 30 minutes.

 

The mechanics were asking people not to patronize the park until the dispute is settled.

 

The two sides are scheduled to meet with a federal mediator on June 5th.

 

Mechanics said they plan to be back on the picket line at 5 a.m. Thursday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They did patch up a few small areas this past off-season, so it's not as terrible as other seasons, but it's still pretty rough. It's definitely not as terrible as some others out there, but it could still use a lot of work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/its-now-safe-to-ride-the-medusa/Content?oid=3577205

 

 

It's Now Safe to Ride the Medusa

 

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo ends its lockout of park mechanics — but still faces labor violations charges.

 

By Shane Bond

 

For a time this spring, it looked as if Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo might be a good place for families to avoid. Management had locked out mechanics in a labor dispute, raising questions about safety on the amusement park's thrill rides, particularly as the busy summer season was about to begin. But late last week, the Texas-based theme park chain agreed to end the lockout — though not before union leaders alleged that the company had committed multiple labor violations.

 

The labor dispute at Six Flags started last year when ride mechanics unionized under the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers. Negotiations with management then broke down this spring over disagreements about safety, training, and wages. Even though the Vallejo amusement park features some of the largest and fastest thrill rides in the country, including the 65-mph Medusa loop-to-loop roller coaster, it traditionally has paid the people who make sure those rides remain in good working order a relatively low wage — lower, in fact, than the prevailing wage of $18 to $19 an hour paid to mechanics at other amusement parks.

 

Yet after more than a dozen negotiating sessions with union officials, company management steadfastly refused to pay that higher wage and issued what it deemed to be its "final" offer: $17.50 an hour. "They told us, 'You vote now or we lock you out,'" said union spokesman Garry Horrocks.

 

The mechanics, however, rejected the proposal, so management locked them out and brought in replacement workers from its other theme parks. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the nation's largest amusement park operator in terms of facilities, and fifth largest in attendance, with about 25 million customers annually.

 

The locked-out mechanics then set up picket lines and warned customers about potential safety issues. "We have seen an increase in ride breakdowns," Horrocks said during the lockout. He said that mechanics brought in from other amusement parks did not have the same level of knowledge about the numerous rides at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom as the mechanics who were locked out. "It's like taking someone who works on Fords and then giving them a Chevy; it's not going to be the same," he said.

 

But Six Flags spokeswoman Nancy Chan denied that safety was ever at risk. "The union is using scare tactics," she said during the lockout. "We have not and will never compromise the safety of our guests and employees. All of our rides are being inspected and maintained by highly trained and certified individuals with years of experience."

 

However, after the mechanics' safety warnings aired on several Bay Area TV news broadcasts, Six Flags management decided to improve its final offer. According to union negotiator Tom Brandon, Six Flags agreed to multiple changes to its proposal, including better training for mechanics and a guarantee to reinstate health care to union employees who were cut off from coverage during the lockout. The changes were enough for union mechanics to agree to the deal despite the fact that Six Flags refused to increase its wage proposal. ....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/