Here’s Marc Ricketts’ last photo report of the year. I want to personally thank him for treating us this year to some great articles about the amusement parks and other attractions in the San Francisco Bay area and beyond! Happy holidays everyone! ~~Rick
Holiday in the Park Transforms Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
By Marc Ricketts
I was finally able to make it to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Holiday in the Park after their “Every Ride is a Water Ride Rainstorm” promotion finally ended, and arrived on a two sweater Sunday afternoon at 1:30. I’m sure anyone outside of California would call it comical to refer to 54 degrees as cold, but it was decidedly unwarm. Sky Screamer, similar to Wind Seeker in other parks, was Wind Finder this day, and sales of refillable hot chocolate mugs most assuredly met sales targets.
Passholders were admitted at 2PM, an hour ahead of official park opening. To their credit, Roar and Medusa were running two trains, and after 75 minutes only Kong, with single train operation, had any discernible wait. After a few rides, I returned to my car to fetch the camera and a steady stream of revelers were filling the walkway, although the number was never overwhelming.
The entry plaza would become the Main Street Festival of Lights after dark, but for now was alternating between Happy Holidays and Jingle Bell Rock, groups of upbeat young adults dancing and prancing to canned music like a ghastly collision between a surf movie and Up With People. The window displays were more to my liking.
Toyland comprised a brief section of the walkway to Medusa.
Santa had a spot in the back near Blitzen’s Wonderland Mountain.
This was a busy area, with a giant snowglobe that could be entered, a space for decorating stockings and treats, and a Snow Play Area conveniently located immediately adjacent to the Mud Play Area.
The back side of the hill had an opportunity for a toboggan run, and fire pits were nearby to help warm up afterwards.
The main food court has been re-christened Winter Wonderland for the season, and features the E. Ben Geezer Puppet Show.
As darkness began to settle in, the lights began to bring a warm glow to a cool night.
I suppose if every town needs a Main St, every park needs a Candy Cane Lane.
Bugs and the Loony Tunes were on stage at the Loony Tunes Seaport.
Back at the Main Street Festi…….oh dear, it’s the Surf’s Up With People folks and they’ve been joined by holiday rodents (I thought those creatures weren’t stirring) and a gathering to view the tree lighting.
Didn’t make it to the Holiday dolphin shows, and while the animal exhibits were briefly open, most were closed at 4. With only five hours available to most patrons, the many holiday specific opportunities were getting the most attention; indeed, there was a show starting somewhere every 15-30 minutes, plenty to occupy one’s time. My own time ended with a slow stroll through Christmas Tree Forest.
Join me next year for another Day by the Bay, but until then I wish you all a Cool Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Crazy Kwanza, or just a Festivus for the rest of us!
