by Michael P Coleman
One of my greatest surprises after moving to Sacramento seven years ago was the discovery of the aptly named Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. I grew up in the shadow of the midwest’s Cedar Point, which is widely known as the roller coast capital of the world. I still cherish the memories of my annual treks there as a kid, and didn’t imagine being close to a park that could match the thrills I’d experienced at Cedar Point.
Then, I found Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
The park was a thrill years ago, and only got better in recent years with the addition of rides like Superman Ultimate Flight (which is the first ride I hit when I enter the park!) and The Joker, a new hybrid coaster that repurposed the foundation of the park’s old Roar and turned it into a scream machine that left me hoarse for the balance of my day there last summer. I can’t wait to ride it again!
And now, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is poised to blow it up again later this month with a hybrid of another sort: they’re combining a floor-less, looping thrill ride with fully immersive virtual reality! Oh. My. God.
According to an official release:
“Six Flags Entertainment Corporation and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., the “Official Technology Partner” of the world’s largest regional theme park company, just announced its renewed collaboration on virtual reality roller coasters with the unveiling of a bold, innovative twist on the experience at Six Flags parks. The New Revolution Galactic Attack makes its world debut at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, offering park guests a thrilling, fully immersive ride as they battle to save the planet from an impending alien drone invasion.”
Shut UP!!!!! I need a ticket to the park NOW!
“Six Flags is proud to be partnering with Samsung to develop the newest, most innovative thrill ride experience in the theme park industry,” said Brett Petit, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “This mixed reality technology is truly groundbreaking and like nothing our guests have ever experienced. Six Flags and Samsung changed the game last year with VR on twelve roller coasters and now we are breaking new ground yet again.”
Six Flag’s description of the new ride continues:
“When riders board the coasters and don their Samsung Gear VR headsets, they will be introduced to the device’s passthrough camera functionality, instantly making riders aware of their surroundings, by allowing them to see the “real world,” including the person seated next to them— along with virtual content. As they get settled into the ride, a heads up display overlay on the passthrough camera view will show data like current status of weaponry, time codes, fuel cells, and a countdown clock. Cresting the lift hill, a massive, swirling wormhole comes into view. As riders drop at high speeds, the mixed reality view changes to a completely immersive, virtual reality environment and a fighter spaceship cockpit materializes and envelops the riders into a tunnel of light. At the bottom of the first hill, riders are launched into the middle of a space battle, coming under attack from flying drones firing lasers and missiles. After swinging through tight channels, narrowly dodging drones and artillery fire, riders are brought into one of three drone bays, each of which offer a completely different gaming experience and three different endings.”
The New Revolution Galactic Attack at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, located in Vallejo, CA, will be featured on the park’s floorless looping coaster, Kong, which joins other thrilling rides such as The Joker, Superman Ultimate Flight, Medusa, and SkyScreamer. Family and kids rides, along with animal shows and encounters, wildlife exhibits and educational programs round out the variety of fun offerings for guests of all ages.
2017 Six Flags Season Passes are on sale and include unlimited visits now through the entire 2017 season with NO blackout dates and can be used at any Six Flags Park. Additional Season Pass perks include free tickets for friends, park admission to Fright Fest®, Holiday in the Park® and more. Season Passes can be purchased at the main gate ticket booths or online at sixflags.com. Online Pass purchases are eligible for low monthly payments through the Membership program.
To commemorate the opening weekend of The New Revolution Galactic Attack on February 18-20, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is “attacking” hunger by hosting a food drive. Every paid guest or season pass holder who brings a full bag of non-perishable food items to support local regional food banks will be given an exclusive opportunity to enjoy the VR ride experience before it opens to the public on February 20.
See you there!!!!!
Michael P Coleman is a Sacramento-based freelance writer and a roller coaster maniac! Connect with him at michaelpcoleman.com or on Twitter.
