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.
Signs were up all over the park and around Roar plaza announcing its closure to the everyday guest. Ride operators around the park also would also inform guests of the fact after their rides.
The event officially kicked off at 12:00 pm, although Roar opened with the park.
As part of the festivities, unlimited free half cups of Coke Zero were given out to guests in the Roar plaza all day long, which was very welcome in the 100 plus degree weather.
The proximity of Tsunami Soaker also helped cool down the ourselves and other guests in the area.
A barbecue tent was also set up so guests near Roar could purchase food at their convenience.
There was a DJ tent set up, which provided some good party ambiance. The two DJ’s also held hourly contests for prizes like t shirts and pieces of Roar’s structure.
Lots of cool Roar merchandise was being sold at The Daily Planet, including these sweet T Shirts that all employees wore, and that we received. Thank you so much to the park, we will wear them proudly and often.
Roar’s lines were understandably about as long as they get. But decent dispatches and two train ops made it so everyone could get in at least a few rides. The wait was also cut off downstairs making the line appear a little longer than it really was.
Roar itself was running as smoothly and intensely as ever. We’ve always really enjoyed this ride and it’s very sad to see it go. The mix of laterals, airtime, length, crossovers, and just the right amount of shakiness made this coaster what it was for 16 years, and on the last day, it did not fail to deliver, and provided some physically and emotionally satisfying rides.
At 6pm, the line was cut off as it was supposed to be, and the riders in line would be the very last to ride. Just before 7pm, the last train was dispatched from the station, and two minutes later, it returned to the brake run with riders erupting in applause. Riders exited the station and the ride was closed forever.
As we said, we always loved this ride, read anything about it on this site, it’s all praise. It seems that RMc is the likely next step, and if that is the case, it will be great to see the ride preserved in some form. It has potential to be one of the greatest coasters of all time, so all we can do is wait and see. Farewell Roar, you’ve been good to us for 16 years, and we couldn’t have asked for anything else. Hopefully, in way way or another, we’ll get some… more Roar.
Check out the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Update from the same day! As well as our new Disneyland Resort Update and Universal Studios Hollywood Update!
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I was on the last train and they let us ride through 3 times
I can confirm it’ll be an RMC makeover… heard it directly from SFNE park president yesterday while riding Wicked Cyclone. He specifically was talking about some guy named “Don” … which after some Googling, is the park president at SFDK 😉
Did the park have pieces of roar track for sale? Any chance you have any extra or know how to get one? Thanks!
They did. I’m not sure if they have any left. I’m also pretty sure that if they do, they don’t sell them anymore. You may always contact the park and see what’s up. 🙂
six flags has leak there 2016 coaster and its rumored called the joker wooden coaster and most likely be an wooden coaster expansion and might reach new heights.
at discovery kingdom