Six Flags Discovery Kingdom or California's Great America?

[keninsha]

Hi All,

I'm heading over to the USA and Canada in mid-late June, starting in San Francisco, Las Vegas, then heading up to Seattle and Vancouver.

Unfortunately, L.A. is not on the itinerary, so the big parks are out of the question, but I'm wondering if anyone could make a recommendation on which would be a better park to visit in San Francisco: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom or California's Great America?

I've had a look at Gazza's reviews (thanks for the info!) and both parks seem about the same - maybe Six Flags looks a bit better, but there's some fun looking coasters (Gold Striker, Patriot) at Cali's Great America too.

if you've got any suggestions, for San Francisco, or other coasters in/near Las Vegas, Seattle or Vancouver, please let me know.

Cheers! 

 

[jack.c]

Disappointing you wont me able to see the bigger parks such as SFMM! If I had to choose l would pick discovery kingdom. Vegas has the indoor park at circus circus which features A green lantern style coaster and a few other little rides you might enjoy aswell. New York New York coaster is... okay. But you might enjoy it

Edited May 22, 2017 by jack.c

[Gazza]

Six Flags Six Flags Six Flags Six Flags Six Flags Six Flags Six Flags Six Flags Six Flags Six Flags

It just has much better rides overall. 

Great America really only has Flight Deck and Gold Striker of note (And they recently put floorless trains on their old stand up coaster and renamed it Patriot.

But then Six Flags has a much bigger and better Floorless Coaster, a couple of solid secondary coasters in V2 and Superman, plus they did an RMC conversion on Roar and turned it into Joker (I'd return for that alone to be honest)

The park is nicer overall, especially with the animal exhibits.

Seattle has Wild Waves  https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Wild+Waves+Theme+%26+Water+Park/@47.27506,-122.3105275,331m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x549057d453f25869:0x1acef3554b163e2!8m2!3d47.2744295!4d-122.3110664 which looks "okay"..Just has a Wooden Coaster and one identical to Sea Viper. I've never been.

Vancouver has Playland, which I have been to, but I didn't take any pics or add it do the Database! It's also alright, has a really well maintained classic Woodie called "Coaster", and a ride called "Corkscrew" which appeared in Final Destination, plus a bunch of flats like a starflyer etc. I think I only visited for an hour or two.

[pin142]

Discovery Kingdom for me. Superman Ultimate Flight, Medusa and Joker put it ahead of Great America. Gazza has a good reason to return for Joker. The first couple of drops are great and the ride doesn't really let up until the brake run.

Edited May 22, 2017 by pin142

[elemist]

I don't know if it was the intention with the purple and green tracks, but the whole way through i was waiting for them to split and go in different directions! That would be an awesome illusion to do half way through - have them split left and right, and have the coaster keep going straight.

[keninsha]

Discovery Kingdom it is then!

Joker does look like it will be a cracker of a ride. Looking forward to it.

Thanks for the advice everyone 👍

[Aimsley81]

HI @keninsha,

I've just spent the last 3 days at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and it was a great park to visit. Haven't been to CGA yet. Joker is an extremely popular ride so if you can, get there early and head straight to it. Also I'll let you know that you can't take a bag with you into the queue for Joker or Superman. You can have hats, glasses, drink bottles, phones but you'll get marched out of line if you have a bag/backpack. And if you have the time - and the money - check out the Wildlife Explorer tour. You'll get a 90 minute 'back tour' to visit the vet clinic, see the tigers, feed a giraffe and get to meet a few other animals. I get that it's not everyone's thing but it was a great experience. 

[Gazza]

3 Days at SFDK? Were they full days?

[pin142]

Just hire an all day locker, they are around $10 from memory and park wide. It is what I did when I was there. Best thing is you aren't tied to one bank of lockers. Use the ones at Joker when riding it or Superman then when you go to ride Medusa or Kong just move your stuff to the ones near Kong. They even give a receipt with locker number so you don't have to remember which one you put your stuff in.