You’ll Get A Real Bang For Your Buck At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Image Source: American Coaster Enthisuats Northen California
While not on par with the likes of Cedar Fair, Six Flags does have some hidden gems. Discover Kingdom in Vallejo, California is one of those parks. The amusement park/zoo is a great time for those looking to get away from the daily grind. There’s so much to do. This is especially true on a day when everything is open.
That’s the one negative about this park. A lot of the attractions and animal exhibits were closed. This could be credited to it being off-season days. During the the 4 hours I was there on my first visit, Medusa (B&M floorless), Kong (Vekoka Invert), Harley Quinn Crazy Coaster (Skywarp), V2(Impulse) all closed. In addition, the giraffes and numerous other animals were nowhere to be seen. Unsure if this was a result of low staffing.
(Medusa and a select few of the animal exhibits were open again on my second and third visit. Cobra was closed on the second and third visit.)
Back to the positives, the coasters I did ride were quite good. Superman Ultimate Flight (not the flying coaster), a Premiere Sky Rocket, was an enjoyable ride. If you’ve done one, you’ve done them all. I was able to get two rides on the coaster without leaving my seat.
Next, Discovery Kingdom’s star attraction, The Joker. An RMC creation that’s been called the manufactures worst. I failed to see it that way. There’s a lot of airtime to be had. The best feature of this coaster is the zero-G staal. This is a signature RMC element. The facade of the coaster is very well-themed as well.
I also rode Cobra and Roadrunner Express. Both of these are considered family coasters. These are the coasters to put little ones on first. Both of these coasters do pack a bit of a punch. I rattled around on both. Kids will eat them up, though.
Medusa, the B&M floorless coaster was arguably the best one of that model I’ve done. It’s so much better than Rougarou at Cedar Point. There are a lot of inversions and moments of weightlessness. It also helps that the station is themed.
Don’t worry if you’re not on the coaster train. Discovery Kingdom has plenty of food options. I ate at JB’s Sports Bar. The wings were actually quite good. They are featured on the dining plan. However, the wings come with celery, carrots, and ranch. Don’t use your snack option on the dining plan to get extra. There were also chicken sandwiches and burgers.
You also can’t leave Discovery Kingdom without having a giant Turkey Leg. This is one of the best items in the park. If you’re on the meal plan, these are counted as a meal credit. They are totally worth it as well. A great option for those looking to get their inner carnivore on.
The shows at Discovery Kingdom revolve around animals. There are Dolphin, Seal and Sea Lion, and Tiger shows. All of these are very entertaining. They only last about 15 minutes. In addition, there are a few other select shows on the schedule. Don’t forget to sit a few rows up for the water shows. You will get wet if you don’t!
There are also an impressive collection of flat rides at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Daredevil Chaos Coaster, Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth, and Hammerhead Shark were the three open during my few visits. Of the three, Wonder Woman was the best. The other two rely heavily on going upside down. They are definitely not for the weak stomach.
Kids will have no issues at Discovery Kingdom. There are plenty of options for them as well. In addition to the zoo, there’s a jungle-themed play area and Looney Tunes section of the park. The Looney Tunes characters are also out in the park quite frequently.
Discovery Kingdom might be one Six Flags more underrated parks. There’s a lot to do for all members of the family. If you’re looking for a thrill in Northern California this is the park for you. If zoos are your thing, don’t hesitate to visit. Assuming everything is open, this is the best bang for your buck in the Bay Area.
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
