Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (SFDK) Discussion Thread

[Double0KevinJar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

Confirmed

It's bitter sweet. Working at the park I got to be fairly familiar with the animals, even getting to go in to the backstage areas with Shouka. She was always very social. I remember coming in and cleaning the stadium on a day the park was closed and she would follow us around the pool and try to splash us. If you talked to her she would often make noises back.

That said, those of us at the park knew all too well the difficulties of Shouka. It's hard on a whale to be alone and it showed when we had to cancel shows (once for an entire season) because she didn't want to perform. The staff was always great with her, and sure there were a lot of sad people at the park, but I'm very happy Six Flags chose to lose out on the revenue she created in favor of her well being.

[singemfrcI wrote the book about donkeys!]

^Weird. Almost makes you wonder if Six Flags is slowly starting to pull out of the animal business. Between this announcement and the Safari changes at SFGAd, should make August 30 that much more interesting!

I hadnt been there in a long time so I don't know how long it may have been the norm but that was definitely the vibe I got when I was there last month based on the attention that the animal attractions seemed to be getting from both the guests and the staff; made me wonder the same thing. Not saying they looked like they were being mistreated or anything, the animal attractions just seemed like an afterthought.

Based both on that article and what Kevin says it doesn't sound like they moved her because they didn't want to do the shows they did it for the well being of the animal..but I wonder if they will invest the time and money to find (a) new whale(s) or just abandon the attraction.

[Double0KevinJar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

Based both on that article and what Kevin says it doesn't sound like they moved her because they didn't want to do the shows they did it for the well being of the animal..but I wonder if they will invest the time and money to find (a) new whale(s) or just abandon the attraction.

They tried basically since they got Shouka to find another whale so she had a companion with no luck. It's next to impossible to get a Killer Whale due to all the restrictions.

I disagree with the idea that park is getting away from animals. They have made significant investments over the last 10 years alone with Ocean Discovery, Odin's Temple of the Tiger and Tava's Jungleland not to mention upgrades to Dolphin Harbor, Sea Lion Stadium and Pacific Stadium(which is easily ready to be used for something else with Shouka gone). Also, they make a good amount of money from Dolphin Discovery (the swimming with dolphins program), Sharks in the Dark (Sleepover in Shark Experience) and other animal up-charges (feeding sea lions, elephant rides, etc.). Plus, the animals are a huge draw for the park and create the "family friendly" environment that many other Six Flags parks can't seem to figure out.

I'm honestly not worried that the Animals are going anywhere. Shouka was just an unfortunate but necessary move I think.

[DJeXeLThis button makes my penis erect.]

While I think SFDK is one of the nicer parks in the chain I think the Shouka show was lacking. I'm glad she is being moved to SWSD as her health and well being can only improve. Sea World takes very good care of their animals and I have no doubts that this is a positive move for all parties involved.

[Fire2boxHoly crap you have a HUGE donkey!]

I hope Shouka has a better time at sea world, kinda sucks the move had to happen in mid season though.

Really wondering what they'll do with that huge stadium now. I wounder if they could move the seal show to it. Unless.... They are going to train sharks and attach laser beams to their forhead's!!!

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

^Japan had trained Whale Sharks...just a suggestion!

[R.C.I think Intamin should make a donkey!]

I'm sad to see Shouka leave, but I'm glad she'll be around other killer whales now. I have been hoping that SFDK could find another killer whale since they got Shouka, but it just didn't work out.

I am hoping that SFDK figures out something to do with the stadium. I don't want to see a second large stadium sitting vacant for years.

Of course if they did decide to tear out the stadium it would open up a pretty large area in the part of the park. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do.

[SLUSHIEIt's hot outside, and I have a headache]

Your referring to the ski show stadium right? and not one of the other animal shows.

I would expect this stadium to stay. If they don't have a new idea to put there I would expect them if anything to move another show to this one, and get rid of one of the other ones. This is their biggest and main stadium/pool.

One of the cool things about this park is that while rides have come and gone, pretty much everything that was there when it was Marine World Africa USA is still there.

[R.C.I think Intamin should make a donkey!]

Your referring to the ski show stadium right? and not one of the other animal shows.

Yeah, Chabot stadium. I just miss the days when there was some kind of show in that stadium.

I do expect to see SFDK keep Pacific Stadium, because like you said, they can move another show there. I do appreciate that most of the Marine World Africa USA stuff still exists. Hopefully they will announce something on August 30.

[lakeI Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

I don't think the animals are going anywhere. With the height limits back there, Six Flags couldn't do much except build a bunch of small flats. I highly doubt they would do that. And also now that I think about it, Tava's Jungleland, Seaport Junction, and the monkey themed rides (why do we even have monkey themed rides if there are no monkeys?) would be semi-hard to explain and a waste of money. I think Six Flags just wanted to get the problem off their hands.

Edit: Reading the previous insight, I could see then moving the Sea Lions. The Sea Lions take up a pretty large plot of land that is in the 150ft zone. I could also see some sort of new food court there as that is something SFDK is lacking. Of course that then separates the Sea Lion exhibit from the Sea Lion show but they do that with the dolphins too.