On National Roller Coaster Day (August 16th) 2015, the iconic Roar Wooden Roller Coaster closed at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Roar was the very first wooden coaster to utilize GCI’s Millennium Flyer trains. These trains allowed for tighter curves, quicker drops, and a twistier layout. After this revolutionary wooden coaster’s 16 years at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, it’s now closed for good. On September 3rd of 2015, a few days back, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom announced that Roar would be turned into the newest Rocky Mountain Construction Iron Horse Treatment Hybrid Coaster named: The Joker. – We all saw this Rocky Mountain Construction enhancement coming, and we’ve published a few articles about it before. – The Joker is a very interesting RMC Iron Horse since it’s the first ‘modern’ wooden coaster to receive this transformation. And just like the park it belongs in, it looks like it’ll be very unique. Continue reading “The Joker Ain’t A Joke”
The 5 Best Launches in California
In this awesome state with a huge variety of different parks and coasters, we’re very fortunate to have a bunch of different launches. Whether it’s hydraulic, LIM, LSM, or Fly-Wheel, we’ve got it all in this state! Where as some states lack launches, we’ve got some that launch you up in the sky, into pitch black Egyptian tombs, or backwards through rare elements. In fact, there are a total of 10 Launch Coasters in California, with a total of 17 launches! Let’s check out the 5 Best Launches in California! Continue reading “The 5 Best Launches in California”
Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – September 4th 2015
I was lucky to have a free day today, and the park was actually open this Friday for Labor Day weekend. So, guess where I went. Magic Mountain. It was actually a bit busier than I expected with a couple of lines throughout the park. But I still got some rides in on Twisted Colossus. In this update we’ll look at what’s already changed from yesterday’s national Six Flags announcements, some Fright Fest, and regular other changes around the park! Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – September 4th 2015”
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom 2016 – THE JOKER
In Spring 2016, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will open the most-anticipated new roller coaster in northern California in over 10 years, The Joker. This state-of-the-art extreme coaster will be the “must ride” coaster of the season, adding to the park’s status as Northern California’s most thrilling theme park. Continue reading “Six Flags Discovery Kingdom 2016 – THE JOKER”
Six Flags Magic Mountain 2016 – THE NEW REVOLUTION!
VALENCIA, Calif. — September 3, 2015 — Six Flags Magic Mountain, the “Thrill Capital of the World,” and voted by USA TODAY readers as America’s Best Theme Park, today unveiled plans for 2016 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the world’s first 360-degree looping coaster. The New Revolution, featuring newly designed trains, special ride effects and a new look, will highlight the Valencia theme parks’ 45th operating season.
The New Revolution, the beloved steel roller coaster that has thrilled over 45 million guests in its 40-year reign at the park, will be repainted a brilliant white and blue color, while newly designed trains will be fitted with lap and calf bars, and feature Americana red, white and blue colors with a silver eagle hood adornment. For coaster fans, the elimination of shoulder harnesses will provide a smoother, sleeker ride experience with more airtime.
Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain 2016 – THE NEW REVOLUTION!”
Raphael’s Twisted Beach, Six Flags, and Disneyland Adventure.
Raphael, our special correspondent from Brazil, visited California for the first time this July. As a Florida park-fan, he decided to visit the opposite coast, and visited almost every single park in the state. His enthusiasm and great re-telling of his Californian adventures continue in the second of many iCCK articles. Let him take you to the Santa Monica Pier, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Disneyland, in this brand new article!
Continue reading “Raphael’s Twisted Beach, Six Flags, and Disneyland Adventure.”
Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – August 28th 2015
I try to do a weekly update, sometimes that doesn’t work out. And sometimes there isn’t much to update on. Today was such day, there’s little to really update on, but enough to create a quick update. It was DEAD Empty by the way, one of those one-train days. Fright Fest prep continues, but more so backstage than around the park’s pathways. Normally we’d already see prep this time of year. But not yet… Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – August 28th 2015”
Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – August 19th 2015
The real summer crowds have disappeared as local schools are back in session, and the summer tourism is slowly dying down. It’s the time of year that serious Fright Fest preparations start. In this update, we’ll be looking at some general update-things around the park, such as the Superman refurb, as well as some landscaping, closed rides, etc. In addition, there’s some Fright Fest out there! Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – August 19th 2015”
Farewell ROAR
In 1999, Roar opened to the public as Northern California’s largest wooden coaster, and the first ever roller coaster to feature GCI’s Millennium Flyer trains, on National Roller Coaster Day August 16th 2015, it was permanently retired to make room for future expansion. Of course, we were there to cover it and both say farewell to a fantastic ride, and celebrate its great run over the years. The park held a party-like event for everyone to come ride Roar for the last few times before its closure at 7pm sharp. Continue reading “Farewell ROAR”
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Update – August 16th 2015
With the closure of Roar and the fact that we hadn’t visited the park in a few weeks, we returned to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and of course we’ve got the respective coverage for you. With new bus systems, getting stuck at the top of Sky Screamer, Fright Fest prep, and the closure of Roar, I’m sure we will have plenty to talk about. Continue reading “Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Update – August 16th 2015”
Raphael’s Northern California Adventure
Raphael, our special correspondent from Brazil, visited California for the first time this July. As a Florida park-fan, he decided to visit the opposite coast, and visited almost every single park in the state. His enthusiasm and great re-telling of his Californian adventures, mark the beginning of California Coaster Kings’ newest set of articles and trip reports. – iCCK is a more personalized, background-rich way of providing coverage. Here’s Raphael’s Northern California Adventure. Continue reading “Raphael’s Northern California Adventure”
Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – August 1st 2015
Normally we do not visit Six Flags Magic Mountain on Saturday in the summer, but… why not? There was enough to report on, so we decided to throw an update at you. In this update we’ll be taking a look at some of the park’s operations, what’s up with Lex Luthor, and some Fright Fest prep! Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – August 1st 2015”
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Update – July 23rd 2015
We were back at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for another update and in just two weeks a lot has changed around the park. From the closure of Roar’s current form to reopening of Dare Devil Chaos Coaster there is plenty of content to discuss, and the more Discovery Kingdom coverage the better. Continue reading “Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Update – July 23rd 2015”
ROAR ‘Update’ – July 23rd 2015
With Roar closing on August 16th and plenty of hints and tips to go with it, it has become abundantly clear that an RMC hybrid conversion of the coaster is on the way for 2016. There’s a bit more info about the likelihood in our More Roar article. Continue reading “ROAR ‘Update’ – July 23rd 2015”
The 5 Best Pre-lifts in California
Pre-lifts. That small hint of what’s next to come. That exciting rush before you even reach the lift-hill. Pre-lifts come in many different forms, from well-themed indoor ones, to speedy drops out of the station, to funky little twists and turns. In a state full of coasters, there are quite a few pre-lifts, but which ones stand out the most? Here are California’s 5 BEST pre-lifts! Continue reading “The 5 Best Pre-lifts in California”
More Roar…
Roar has been a staple of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom since its opening, and although it has had a bit of inconsistency in its quality, it has always been a fan favorite. Despite its recent high-quality operations, the park has announced that Roar will be closing on August 16th of 2015 to make way for future attractions. Now, mostly any coaster enthusiast is aware of what this may mean… Rocky Mountain Construction. Even though it has yet to be confirmed, it has been heavily rumored and seems to be by far the most likely option for the park next year. So, what does this mean? Is this really a good fit? Let’s get into talking about a potential RMC Roar. Continue reading “More Roar…”
Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – July 15th 2015
It was a relatively empty summer day at Six Flags Magic Mountain, though sadly some rides were running anything but perfect. Goliath’s chain is being put in place with a gigantic 300 foot crane, and some more things around the park we’ll be discussing in this update. Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – July 15th 2015”
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Update – July 12th 2015
We were very excited to spend another day at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and we had a great time. I’m sure many of you have heard the rumors surrounding Roar, which we will discuss, but there’s plenty of other things going on at the park, including the recent Dare Devil Chaos Coaster incident, so let’s get started. Continue reading “Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Update – July 12th 2015”
Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – July 4th Fest 2015
I went to the park to get some July 4th Fest pictures, and to see the corresponding fireworks. Once inside I realized there was enough going on around the park to create an actual update, there’s some good news regarding the operations on rides, we’ll take a look at July 4th Fest (presented by Coca-Cola) 😛 And of course the fireworks! Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – July 4th Fest 2015”
California TOP 50 – 2015 – Part FIVE (10-1)
California Coaster Kings rated many coasters, and although we’re usually not fans of listing/ranking rides or parks, we do create an annual California TOP 50! You might, and likely will, disagree, that’s totally fine! That’s what this TOP 50 is all about! Of the many rides in the state, we selected the 50 we think are best! Here are places 10-1 in the 2015 California TOP 50! Continue reading “California TOP 50 – 2015 – Part FIVE (10-1)”